Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-08-08
Richland, Dec. IL, 1897.
OBITUARY.

ly 18th, Elder EZRA BUTLER, IN the 18th |
year Of his age. He was born in Lancaster,
Mass, in September, 1863, Ct poor, but re-
spectacle parents. When a child, his pa
rents removed to West Windsor, VT, where
he resided until the death ot his mother,
which circumstance partially broke up the
family, and it became necessary for him to
leave the paternal roof. Having resided
with an older brother few years, at the age
of IA, he went to live with DR.. Stearns, in
Claremont, n. H., where, to the mutual
with the exception Of about months spent
in the army, until be was 81. At this age,
in company with brother, lie sc! out for
Waterbury, VT From lodge Paine's in
W:lliamstown, a distance Of about Is miles,
it was almost one untrvkcn wildCrnes. there
being but one family in Montpelier, and one
in Middlesex. Through this wilderness
they removed their few effects on han J.
sleds and on snow-shoes it Being 10 March
and The snow about i teet deep. o. ami
wing at the place Of their destination, they
found only one family IL town, and that in
quite low circumstances. Having spent the
TWO following summers in preparing for
permanent residence, in 1856 be was mar
ried and removed his family to The farm,
| which, from that time. Feriod of more than
half century, he has occupied. Far re-
moved from the privileges Of older settle
ments. he became sharer 10 all the tolls
and suffeungs common to the pioneers oil
a new country, instances Of which might be
interesting to the reader, especially the
young, to relate, but for the sake Of brevity,
they will be omitted.
Mr. Butler was early selected by his
townsmen 10 represent them IN The State
Legislature and for a number OF years IN
succession be continued to ill the Office OF
representative, with credit to himself, and
general satisfaction Of all concerned. HIS
penetrating mind aud sound judgment soon
attracted attention, and he was appointed
Judge Of the Court of Chittenden COUNTY
which Office he held in that, aud the Count,
OF Washington, after its organization, abou
20 years. He was also chosen, it is thought
the first Councillor from Washington Coun
f ty, which office also he long and honorabl,
sustained. In 1912 be was elected repre-
; sentative to Congress, and in 1926 be wa:
} called to fill the highest office in the State
A number Of times be has been chosen on,
Of the electors for President, and in various
other stations he has acted a conspicsou
. part in the affairs both Of the County AM
State
t In politics, he was democratic republi
= can. Whatever may be the meaning attach
> ed TO the terms by which parties are know
at the present day, few, if any, will den,
him the character literally expressed by tn
above terms. And perhaps it may not b.
loo much to say, that no man in this Stat
ever held more responsible and difficult off
r ces for so great length of time, with NOR
=, unbendng 6rmness to his principles, an
i
general satisfaction TO his constituents, thai
Mr.. Butler.
e He was sound and conclusive reasonen
l. Unaided by literary attachments in youth
o and but lily situated for study in ripper year:
b he was just what nature had made him.
" On common and triiing occasions, hi
g speeches were ordinary for an ordinar
If man; but when subjects of importance wer
a pending-when deep search and profoun
thought were requisite to come at the merit
l. Of the case, few If any surpassed him. Witt
e out parade, show, or even eloquence. h
g brought his arguments from deep place
where his opponents IN attempting to folio,
were often defeated.
He was one of the few who could he,
l. prosperity. During a period of more tina
o 40 years, he was constantly receiving fires
: tokens of the respect and confidence of con
T, munity, and yet he was the same man. N;
- turally simple and unaffected in his maj
:, ners, he remained affable and ehild-liA
- through all his promotions. His person
v his home his table, and his equipage mao
n no display Of royalty or high-life-ye, al
2, at the same time, exhibited neatness, indu
Is try and plenty.
5, In his family (Which was large and r
spectable) he was truly husband and a f
Their. No privation was too great TO unde
go, to supply the wants, and alleviate Il
q woes Of his family. The poor also, and e
L Pecially the sick, ever found in him a frieu
: not to pity only but to relieve.
= From these remarks, however, it is not
! be inferred that he was perfect man. i
Z common with his feIIovv-c;,;z.,,. l.,