Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-06-15
Written for The Phoenix.
"reminiscences.

Successful energetic enterprsing men who labor
mentally and physically to build towns and cities
who desire sweeter music than is made by the VA
rious implements of human industry, the waterfall
as it turns some ponderous wheel, governed by
apparently selfish motives. They are subjects of ell
Wy, and invariably suffer SANDER or reproach even
from those they have most benefited. Very good
theoretical men, who discourse much to us upon the
vanity of wealth and all earthly things, love good
dinner and don't refuse the eegancies of life when
no effort on their part is required to obtain them.
Theoretical, persons Of kind do not look approx
ngly absorbed in efforts to gain this earthly
good They do not sufficiently reflect realize
ny man is sent here some mission, and the men to
which we have first alluded may be actuated by sell
fshness which is the engine that moves their minds
and bodies, are often beneftting hundreds or thou
sands of people more than they do themselves
Men of this kind take load of care and responsibility
upon their shoulders most men would fail to sustain
After long life spent in directing mechanical genius
and unsked labor to sources positions Of profa-
BILE effort, expanding capital in building homes for the
homeless, and in various ways exposing his all to tax
alton for public nerests-od age and disease present
their sern unyieding demands to this wearied man,
who at last sinks to his final rest not fully appreciated
till have lost him forever. The habits of economy
and sefdenia acquired by life used for the good of
others, prevents him from squandering his accumua-
tons, which, with his example is left behind him.
He has carried nothing away from us, but simply left
the world richer than he found it,
In some important respects we have, in the forego-
| ing, described the character or career OF Francis
Goodhue Esq,-a man of fine personal appearance
and commanding presence-who settled in this viii
age nearly 60 years ago. and became at once large
owner of real estate. Like most successful, enter
prsing men, he commenced his in the hard
school of necessity, thereby acquiring that discipline
and valuable experience united with much natural
shrewdness and sagacy, which made him as he
walked these streets in the prime Of manhood an i'm
portant acquisition to this community. We do not
claim for him any other man perfection. 1t would
hardly be possible for any man 20 do the amount and
variety of business done by Mr.. Goodhue, and not at
times give real or iancied cause for censure. He car
ried a large store of miscellaneous goods, wool
carding and cloth dressing and erist mill, n
dstillery cotton factory at Centreve, besides be-
ing largely engaged in farming and erecting buildings
of various kinds every year. He was not one of those
halfcent men who dare not trust dollar out of their
sight, but concentrate their wealth in so narrow n
compass that they can sit or lay down on it like a
jealous watch dog; but like "bread upon the wa
tiers to return after many days." he confdngly spread
| out his capital to the winds of Heaven
Not another instance can be named where a man
has settled here with much to risk, who manifest
ed by his actions real confidence in future
than Mr. Goodhue. He became eminenty Bratte-
DOrO man, cOmpIetely ldentlNlng nlt1seI Win our
joys and sorrows, and ready to listen assist
in any project having tendency to advance the well
fare of the home of his adoption. We remember him
climbing over hills and rocks with the surveyors of
| the New Haven and Northampton Canal trying to
ascertain the most feasible plan to West river as
feeder of that canal the extension of which at that
time to this place contemplated. The great Erie
Canal, pro ected by Gov. Clinton of New York, had
just proved success and the attention of intelligent
men all over the country directed to this method
of communication, as in more modern times their at
tenton has been given to railroads. We make this
alusion to show that Mr. Goodhue was awake to the
enterprises of the day and spared personal efforts
to advance them.
His hopeiulness and cheerfulness a constant in
spiration 10 those with whom he came in contact.
The encouraging grasp he gave the hand of industry
| will be long remembered. He seemed destitute OF
envy, and wanted every one to succeed in everything
useful or needfu to human wants. There was always
a smile of qualification on his countenance when he
saw Others prosper. He did not, like OF
| wealth, lose all confidence in young man because
he had been unfortunate. but he had cheerful en-
couraging way of saying; ale is young and capable
the world is before him; hope End believe he will
yet do well"
His camness and Indifference under severely pro.
vOkiug circumstances remarkable Some who
make great pretences or high claims to santshp,
would fall far behind him in needing that Scrptura
admonition, "a soft answer turneth away wrath"
The example he has left us in this matter, il unver.
sally followed would make more peaceable neighbor-
hoods prevent many quarrels and resorts to lawyers
| offices. man highly excited applied some severe
ephot to Mr. g., in so insulting manner that mos,
people would, in language or action have Indignantly
various opinions about that matter" and passed on
having business Of greater Importance than adding
fuel to a fire already sufficiently hot. Valuable oca-
tions on his land on Main Street freely given for
the Unitarian and Orthodox Congregational churches
and for the old Brattleboro Bank.
OBSERVER