Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-02-01
Death of Professor Thompson.

OtdLu Va IOlCbSOI lOlli lJSOAs
Died in Burlington, January 18Th. Rev.
PRoF Z,DocK Thompson, In the 60th year
Of his age.
NJ. Thompson was born in Brlgewster,
VI, In 1886. lie was the second son Of Mr.
Birnabas Thompson. whose father was one Of
the early settlers 10 that part of The county.
At an early day Mr. Thompson showed that
strong propensity for observing facts IN naiu-
raj science, and for mathematical applica-
tions. which became his distinguishing char
Bctcristic after he had arrived 10 manhood.-
H. his youth. like uiny others, lee had TO
make his own way up the hll Of science,
through the difficulties which attend narrow
pecuuiary circumstances. Such obstacles
made no substantial check Ia his progress,
aud when he graduated at the University Of
Vermont ~ lol3 he had already acquired
reputation for solid attanments ~ science
which went on increasing as long as be lived.
Though he was ordained deacon IN the Pro-
tosiant Episcopal Church ia 1886, he found
his health too unstable TO Justify hun IN TAX
ing the charge Of parish and his minIstra-
tons MS preacher were only occasional -
Al different times he occupied himself as a
teacher OF youth but his chief employment
was that OF Independent investigation, and
the luhnrs of authorship.
Ia an those relations of life which most
nearly concern the daily inlimacies OF family
and social existence, the character Of Mr.
Thompson was one TO be appreciated In au
eminent degree. His kind disposition, his
sterling good sense, hls sound Judgment, his
snglc-heaued uprighinoss, his unwenred IN
dustry IN the attainment and diffusion OF
knowledge, joined TO a remarkably sedute aud
christian simplicity of manner, secured fer
hun the respect of all who knew him. Such
a man could not iall 10 be greatly endeared
20 The members of hls own domestic circle (;
aud by all those who were wont 90 meet hm
from day 90 day, his death viii be felt AZ
severe and irrepamble loss.
But this loss Is by no means confined 10
the members OF hls own family and the PEG.
pie Of this town II Is public one. Mr..
Thompson was widely known and greatly
appreciated throughout the State aud beyond
It, His writings are, perhaps, more familiar
20 the people Of Vermont, than those of any
other man, Saying nothing Of hls smaller
useful works, intended for schools and hs
preparation of ;he astronomical part Of the
calendar, with which so many thousands
have been familiar for more than thirty years,
his History and Gazetteer OF the State is
specially noticeable. As early as the year
1924, the year after he graduated, he pub.
llshed his Gazetteer. work which. though
necessarily got up with haste, showed re-
mlrkable industry, and contained a large a.
mount Of useful information. lie continued
10 accumulate facts pertaining TO that sub.
Ject, aud IN 1912 published his large work on
the Natural History of the State, on Us Civil
aud Political History and tina, Of It's various
Institutions, followed by an enlarged and
improved edition OF the Gaze;ecr. a yalu-
able appendix was issued in 1853. The
whole work Is one highly estimated at home
and abroad Ii will always be a work Of au-
thnrty aud WILL connect the name Of the au-
thor permanently with the literature of his
native STATE.
In 1903 the General Assembly "authori-
I'D and directed the Governor 10 appoint
Prof Zadock Thompson State Naturalist
and made 70 his duty 10 institute a survey of
the State and 10 publish the results of 10. EN-
hr,crng H. Physical Geography. Scientific
Geology and Mineulosy, IS Botany md
General Zonloey. Ca this work Prot
Thompson entered with earne-tues-, and sus.
pended his labOrs Ia the University OF Ner-
mont ON which he been appointed Professor
Of Natum History q hemlsiry two years be-
flre) that be might devote himself wholly Ia
the work lis first endeavor was 10 get into an
available shape II possible the matrriuls aud
information which 10 aitemptnf former years,
under another person. had been gathered az
thu expense Of the State. Thi- he soon found
to be hopeless task IN The main, aud he had
TO rely almost entirely on his own resources
On all parts of the subject he had been gath
enng information and materials for years,
and hls Labors TO perfect his knowledge by
original observation. where 1t was wanting
and 10 bring his work into a methodlcal shape
were unwearcd, far beyond what his health
and strength at times would Justify HIS
work was already Tar advanced, and could
he have been spared to complete II himself
II would have been Of great value to the
State and 10 Natural Science. As it is, we
trust il will not be lost to the public.
The complaint Of which he died was an or
game affection ofiae heart which doubtless
bad been slowly IN progress Tor many years
Conscious ms he was of growing febleness of
body he did not realize fully al few days
before his death, that his earthly wora was
drawing to a close. in reference to his pub
lic labOrs this conviction was for short time
a painful one, and that he might BE- spared to
finish his work for the State was his earnest
desire But he had labored faithfully, aud
he soon came to feel that II God wlled that
he should leave the work unfinished, it was
his duty to submit He bore the distress of
his last illness without murmuring, and when
told that the moment Of his departure was at
hand he had but TO say Gods will be done, ,
to take leave of his family. and TO commend
hls soul to Him IN whom he had put his trust
The end Of the good man was peace.
In Putney, Jan 10Th, Hon. Theopholus
Crawford, aged 8 years, 8 months and Is
days.
As friend of the deceased, am unwll-
ling hat his memory should pass into oblv.
on without recording some Of his many VIZ
tues. As a husband and parent, the deceas-
ed was devoted and kind, benevolent and
sympatl lzlDg To the poor and afflicted, end
in all the relations Of life, public aud private,
and prompt in the discharge of hls duties.
Al the age OF five years, he with his parents,
omgrated from Connectlcut, to Westminster
VI, then an almost unbroken wilderness ;
where the trials and hardships of the early
settlers were many and severe, and prvle-
gcs few. lie was n useful man in commu-
nifty, possessing It's confidence, and often call.
ed TO Offices in his town, county and State.
Too young to enter mo the stirring events
Of the early part Of the Revolution he was
subsequently, found shoulder TO shoulder
with the "Groen Mountain Boys" un.
der the banner of Col. Ethan Allen, in de-
fence Of the settlers against the workers.
The fact that he was a constant reader OF the
"National lntelIgencer," from 1912, until
near the close of his HE, is significant Of his
political creed. lie loved The Unon and OPP
posed nulicsiion, whether il came from the
South or the North.
la his declining years, he was IN example
OF Christian resignation aud patience, under
disease and suffering, expressing his trust IN
the mercyo God, througS the merts of a
ccruclfed Redeemer, for fual acceptance with
Him. - Chronicle. COMM.
In Waits6eld Dec. 10, IVA, Nathan Ben
ton. aCrA 81 nan pcu,on c,r n iour ,ar,