Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-05-04
Death Of Rev. Pliny q. White.


1t is with great sorrow that we announce
the death of Rev Pliny 81. White, of Gov
entry, which occurred from paralysis of the
brain, at his residence in Coventry, at 10
O'Clock on Saturday morning last. We
make this announcement with great per-
sonal grief, for he had long been an init
mate friend and associate. His decease is
not only a loss to his family his church,
and the wide circle of devoted friends, but
Vermont mourns one of her most useful,
intelligent and loving sons, whose place, in
many respects, cannot be filled by any of
her remaining children.
Pliny HOlton White was born in Spring
| field, Vermont, October 9th, 1922. We
know little of his early history His edu-
cation was received mostly in the common
school and academy, not having the oppor-
tunities for pursuing collegiate course.
He studied law with Hon. William c.
Bradley, at Westminster, and was admit
ted to the Windham County bar, and prac-
ticed the profession for few years. Dur
ing the period of his legal practice, he be-
gan to write for the Brattleboro Eagle
The conducting of a newspaper being more
congenial to his tastes he abandoned the
"
now the Brattleboro Phoenix. He after
wards spent year or more as the editor of
the Express at Amherst, Mass. In 1S49,
he became connected with the Messrs.
Fairbanks, of st. Johnsbury, conducting
the correspondence of their large and rap
| idly increasing business, and remand with
them for several years, and was the secreta-
ry of Civil and Military Affairs during Gov.
Erastus Fairbanks administration in 1852.
The period between his leaving st. Johns
bury, and his entrance upon the ministry,
we are not advised as to his location, or
business, but was undoubtedly spent in
preparation for the ministry. We regret
that so meagre a sketch OF his early life,
and his labOrs in various positions he oc-
| cupled up to his entrance upon clerical
| life, but our relations have been such al
though of the most intimate character, yet
of such nature, that very little knowledge
| has been communicated with reference to
many facts that should have place in a BIZ
Ographical sketch. Amore fitting and COM
petent hand will make more complete
record of the events of his earlier life, pre-
pared with more care, and not under the
pressure of the feelings Of personal loss,
which so keenly weigh down the writer Of
this hasty outline.
| Mr.. White was ordained to the ministry
| Feb. 10, 1883 when he became acting pas
tor of the Congregational church in Gov
entry, VT, which continued until his death.
His ministry has been quite successful, and
abundantly blessed. Commencing with a
small church that has been constantly and
steadily increasing In 1867 and '6S a
powerful revival took place, from which
many additions were made to his and other
churches in the vicinity. He had many
calls to larger churches, with increased sal
airy, which he declined to accept, because
he considered it to be his duty to remain
with that people, as his labOrs in that field
were being blessed to such degree that he
felt that elsewhere his labOrs might not
accomplish the results that were attending
his efforts in Coventry. He was called to
preach frequently at installations and ordi-
nations and on special OCCASIONS, also spend
ing much time in collecting the statistics
of his denomination in the State, and writ
ing for the religious papers, magazines and
reviews. He had but few months since
issued a history of the Congregational
Churches in Orleans county. He had in
preparation history of the Congregation
al Churches in Vermont, which would
have been published at an early date and
we trust that it has been left in such COM
plete condition, that some fitting person
may finish it. He has contributed many
valuable religious, and historical articles
to the Congregational Quarterly, the Yer
mont Chronicle, and Boston Recorder.
Perhaps the most useful labors of his
life, outside of his ministerial labors, have
J been in the field of local history, in which
he had few if any equals. Ever on the
alert to gather up and place in methodical
order, for use at any moment, all scraps of
history pertaining to Vermont in any form
J or to the local history of towns or institu
, tions. His material for the biography of
individuals were undoubtedly far more
voluminous than any other collection il
the country, large portion of which wa:
devoted to Vermonters, at home and abroad
, He had nearly complete full Biographical
sketches of the alumni of MiddIebury Col
: lege by classes. Many of these sketche.
:, have been published in the Rutland Her
aid and Vermont Record. His published
sketches of Mathew Lyon, Jonas Galusha
Theophilus Harrington, and his filial anC
S loving tribute to the memory Of his instruc
! tor and friend. one of Vermont's most EN-
inent statesmen, Hon. William c. Bradley
fully attest his labors and qualifications a
biographical writer.
= His love of history and researches, earl,
led him to become associated with tn
Vermont Historical Society, to whose pros
{. lperity and objects he became devOtedly at
tached for which he labored assiduousl
and has done probably more than any on
individual to build it up and add to il
e collections. Associated with such men a
t Inland Hall, George F. Houghton, an
Charles Reed, his services have been in
valuable to that society and the State
e On the retirement of Gov. Hall from tn
l. Presidency of the Society in 1866, NJ
!. White with great unanimity was selecte
as its President, which position he held .
V his death. To the Vermont Historical 81
e ciety his loss is severe, and will be deepl
st mOurned by all its members, as an enel
+, getic director, and valued associate.
= Mr.. White was elected by his fellow Gil
E liens to a seat in the House of Represents
Is tives, as the Representative from Coventr
If in 1862 and 1868. He was a ready debate
and a good Parliamentarian, having bee
IL previously to his entering the ministry, on
g of the assistant clerks. He had much il
ST fluence in matters of education, and W;
placed at the head of the committee O
that subject, and was instrumental in 81
ID curing several valuable additions to IL
n, school laws. In 1864, 1866 and 1866, /
,s was chaplain of the senate.
In 1860 he was appointed a member
IL the Vermont Board of Education, and he
e, that position until the present year, whe
De Rev. J. Isham Bliss, of St. Adams, W;
nominated as his successor. His labors
many departments of the educational eau
have been of great benefit to the State.
-, He was an enthusiastic and untiring
- borer in the cause of temperance, seekir
ID every opportunity to promote it, and w
be identified with the Order of Good Templa
tn in this State, and had been its presiding @
fcer for nearly three years. He devot,
op all his energies to its welfare and prom
r. ton, never sparing his strength or labor
m in the cold of winter or the heat of sur
~ mer, visiting the several lodges and goil
u here and there delivering addresses, al
er gathering together bands of this importa
nd auxiliary to the temperance cause am
IN the hills and valleys of our State, and Il
% thousands who compose that institute,
&c will bless his memory and reverence /
ar name as household word To Pliny
.re White the friends of temperance in We
- mont owe debt of gratitude that shou
u" long be held in remembrance.