Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-10-28

particular looollty, Nc az oooo oO.1a o~S
Gated it to the nearest local newspsPer.
evincing a desire TO impart information
that would be of service TO those most in
terested, which was valuable and happy
popularity that enabled him to make
friends, and aided him in the pursuit OF
his inquiries npon particular subjects. He
was a valued assistant Of the Vermont
press, and his contributions were ever we.
come, and his death becomes serious
| loss, as he placed on record, through the
various journals, items and articles OF
character that were full Of interest 10 the
general reader, but particularly TO every
Vermontcr.
We have thus infinitely enumerated
the public services Of Mr.. White, that
they might be- recorded az the evidences
Of a fertile mind, industrious habits, and
mark him a. ono Of Vermonts most in
dustrous and faithful sons.
| Perhaps the most arduouS and useful
labors Of his life, and those which were
congenial to his natural tastes. have been
in the field of local history and biography,
in which he had few, if any, equals in our
whole country-ever on tho alert to
gather and place in methodical order, for
use at any moment, all scraps OF history
the local history Of towns or individuals.
He was probably better acquainted with
the personal history and peculiar charac-
teristics of more Vermont men than any
man now living, and his materials for the
biography Of individuals were far more
exact and volumnious tina n any other col
lection in this country. arge portion OF
which was devoted TO Veri nonters at home
and abroad. He has lie it sketches OF
most of the leading men of the State, both
clergymen and laymen, all carefully and
systematically arranged. His published
sketches of Matthew Lyon. Jonas Galusha
and William G. Bradley fully attest his
qualifications as a biographical writer.
His love of history and research early led
him to become associated with the Yer
mont Historical Society, whose objects he
fully appreciated, and Tor Its prosperity
he assiduousiy labored, and attributed
more than any other one Ladlyldual 10 It's
upbuildirg and in additions to its valu-
able collection. During his leisure hours,
while at Montpelier, ne carefully arran ged
and catalogued its collection, with low
ing hand Associated with such earnest
patrons of the Society as Inland Hal,
George L. Houghton, Charles Reed, a. ~.
\ Hagar end others, his services have been
invaluable to this Society and the state
! On the retirement OF Ex-Governor Han
from the Presidency OF the Society, In
/ 1866, Mr. White, with great unanimity,
was chosen its President, which position
he held to his death. His loss IS severe
to the Vermont Historical Society, and
his death il. deeply mourned by all ITS
members, as an energetic head and valued
associate.
/ 1t is unnecessary for me to dwell In
/ this presence more 1T length on his his
torical labors, Tor they are known, read
and appreciated. not only by those who
4 have been associated with him III this
field Of labor, but are appreciated by the
people OF the State h. loved and served 30
well.
Perhaps, in concluding this view OF his
services, We may use the language oil q
paragraph in the Barton Standard IN an
nouncing his death. Ii says: "lie was
r, markable man, both in the extent OF bis
knowledge and the readiness with which
he could apply it ON all occasions. lie
was a walking cncyclolc LA Of historical
facts and dates, and II will be d long time
before Vermont can furnish his equal in
this particular. lie was warm ana
genial friend, temperance nan OF the
.
ent Christian"
Mr.. White was resident member OF
the New England Historic Genealogic
Society, and corresponding member OF
most of the local and State Historical So
cieties in the United States. He was a
member OF the corporation of Middlebury
81 mr, The hon95nTyr easEg poS a Nm BY
Amherst and Middlebury Colleges and
University of Vermont.
lie married My IL, 1S47. ELEcTA ID.
B. GATES of Belchertown, Massachusetts,
/ who survives him, aHd now resides at
Amherst. Massachusetts. He had three
children.
4 1st. Margaret Elizabeth, born at LON
donderrv, Vermont, March 2lst, 1919.
and who graduated at the Tilden Female
Seminary in 1868, with the highest honors
\ 2d John Alexander. born at Brattlc-
boro February 10th, 1851. and who died
at Brattleboro August 18th, 1851.
81. William Aolton, born nj St Johns
bury, August It, 1850. lie inherits many
OF his fathers useful aud studiou. quail
ties.
He died at his residence in Coventry,
on the 2ith Of April, 1869, after an illness
OF paralysis Of the brain, undoubtedly oc-
casioncd by overwork, at the age of 46
years, months and Is days. He was
buried in Westminster on Tuesday, the
9th of April, in lot selected by himself
for his last resting place.
From this imperfect and hasty glance
at the life and services Of our late asso.
ciate and President, we may briefly take
"A general view of his claims as a remark
able man and useful citizen.
1t i obvious that he owed little to adj
ven,itious circumstances. He derived not
hi- birth from a long line Of stored anccs-
try, which elevate- the individual 10 IA
high position, and in whom little merit
passes for great deal more than its real
value 1t was not his name that drew
attention to his talents it was his talents
that gave prominence 70 his name. He
forced his own way from obscurity, and
by the power of his own genius carved.
out for himself an hnnored nsme. Nor
was lac at birth ushcred into the regions
of elegance and refinement, and surround
ed by those social attractions which tend
to polish off the aSperitic5 of nature. Nor
was he nourishsd in the lap of afiiuence,
and aided in his pursuits by the facilities
which wealth secures. He sprung from
the substantial yeominry of New Eng
He attained his eminence and position by
the force of his own genius, by patient,
laborious, untiring industry. 1t was the
quickness of his observation which en-
abled him to appropriate to himself what
ever was useful. His memory was capa-
cious and reteutive. Witness the stores
of information he had collected. His
imagination. was lively and vigorous.
With all these characteristics of mind,
none of Us know how much he might
have accomplished had he lived to the
/ ordinary length of life. Owing to his
versatility of talent, he was ready upon
every subject, and could accommodate
himself to all occasions. He possessed a
/ Sc ~ a,l