Born in Cedar Springs,[1] an unincorporated community located at the boundary of Smyth County and Wythe County, Virginia, Vaught attended Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Carson and Newman College (now Carson–Newman University) in Jefferson City, Tennessee in 1899, before reading law to enter the bar in 1906.

Then he switched careers to law and began a private practice in Oklahoma City from 1906 to 1928.

[2] [a] Vaught received a recess appointment from President Calvin Coolidge on May 31, 1928, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma vacated by Judge John Hazelton Cotteral.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 8, 1929, and received his commission the same day.

"Machine Gun" Kelly's trial in 1933 for the kidnapping of prominent Oklahoma City oilman Charles F. Urschel.