Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-09-29
Obituary.


cESEoE "fLLTs BENEDICT. was barn in North
STANFORD Conn, January II, 1875, the Oldest
son OF Rev. Joel Tyler Benedict and Currance
wheeler his wife. At the age Of nineteen, he
entered the Sophomore Class at williams COL
iege, September, 1915, and graduated in 1918
with the highest honors. After graduating be
became principal of the Academy in Westfeld,
Mass, but was soon after. in 1919, appointed
tutor in Williams College, which position he
ned Tor three years, when he accepted the charge
OF the Academy in Newburgh, n Y. While
there, he was elected Professor of Mathematics
and Natural Philosophy in the University Of
Vermont He accepted the position in Jan
uary, 1925, and for the twenty-five years
following, he gave the prime of his
life and the best Of his strength 10 that in
stitution OF his service in it, President
Wheeler in the historical discourse delivered at
the Semi Centennial Celebration Of the Uniyer-
sity in 1854. said d" In August, 1877. Prof
George ". Benedict resigned his position as
Professor OF Chemistry and Natural History.
and retired from the active service OF the
UniTereity. His loss was deeply felt. He had been
twenty-five years 10 the institution He had stood
by the smouldering ashes of the first col
lege building. He had been the most active and
energetic man III Completing the new. He was
teacher, he was agent, he was superintendent,
lie planned the subscription Of 1881 and was
Inc general agent in accomplishing it lie was
appointed treasurer, and brought light out of
darkness and order ont Of confusion. He planned
IN comprehensive msnuer for the University
and be spent time and money and strength with
out stint, for ts interests Grateful feelings are
due to him from every slumnus and from every
friend of education in the State
Mr.. Benedict left the University TO avoid a
threatened breaking down Of his health Seek
ing come more out-of-door occupation. he wss
engaged as an assistant by Ezra Cornell, who was
then, IL the construction Of the Troy and Canada
Junction Telegraph line, making the beginning
Of the fortune which has since enabled him TO
found Cornell University. lie assisted Mr. Cor
nell in raising the stock and in the construction
Of the line, and became the frs. superintendent
Of the company. Hon. John w. Stewart, nov
Governor Of Vermont, and Hon L. c. Dodge.
present mayor Of Burlington, were smoog the
first operators under him. lie held this Do
stiou but a short time, leaving it 70 engage
in telegraph building on lis own account
lie raised the capital stock Of the Vermont and
Boston Telegraph Compsny, and was the con-
tractor for the construction Of the fret line Of
that Company from Boston TO Burlington. aud
Of lite extensions to Montreal, Ogdensburg, and
through the Connecticut River Valley. In 1858,
in company with his second son, he purchased the
Burlington FREE PRESS, and devoted himself TO
it, as editor and publisher, fer fifteen years, till
in 1866 he told his interett 10 lis youngest
surviving son, AMI retired from sctive
labor. 10 1854, he wss elected State
Senator from Chitteaien County, and was
reelected in 1855. lie was an active
snd leading member of the Senate, was chair
man Of the committee Oh education and Of sever
a. important select committees, and drew the
report Of the select committee on the extension
CT slavery and the right Of slave to his freedom
when brought into free State, in 1850, which
attracted vide st,eGton. Among his associates
in the Senate, we're Ez-G5y. Coolidge. Norman
Wllliams, John Pierpoint, Dudley C. Dsnison,
and ether prominent citizens Of Vermont.
In 1857 he received the degree Of Ii. J.,
from the University Of Vernon.
lie was one Of the deacons Of the College street
Church, from its fret organization as a church,
and held the odi,a to hs death lie was the
president of the frst Z litors and Publishers As
ISOLATION Of Vermont lie was for several years
enc Of the vice presidents O. the Vermont
Historical Society, sui took an sc.ive interest in
its affairs. He vas the FIRST County sups-inten-
dent Of Schools, for this County. uader the Law
oflsi5, and gave much time and labor 70 tie
duties Of the Office.
lie WAS married Juue 5.h 1923, % Eliza
Dewey, daughter Of Stephen and Elizabeth
Owen Dewey Of Sheffield, Mas, ly ghom he
had six sons, four Of whom Hon C. L. Benedict
and R D. Benedict, Esq, Of Brooklyn j.. G.
G. Benedict and B. L. Bezelis. Of Burlington,
survive him. He married aglin August sta, .
1871, Eyeins, daughter Of Ebaaeze- Dimaa Of
Fairfield, Conn, snd widow Of Robbins kellogg, T
Esq of westStock5ridge,M Mass who survives him.
/ Seven or eight years since. I'D auask Of sho5p-
/ ing cough was followed ty cs;srra Of the
/ threat, which became chronic, and obliged him
to seek warmer climate Hs spent eish;
months in 1860, in tire Island Of Santa
Cruz, and subsequent winter in Florida, cut
/ without securing release from the grasp Of his
/ disease. On Wednesday Of week before Lass, he
caught cold, sn1 was prostrliel ty ooagast.-1
/ Of the luuss ami fever. The attack was consider
Ell alarming from the FIRST but be rs!iiel from
the acute disease and seemed, on Saturday last,
TO be gaining strength. On Sunday morning.
sfter restless night he fell into a comparatively
quiet sleep, IN which be passed away, quietly,
and without struggle lie bo-e his physical
suilerings With almost unezauqle5 patience. and
retained his strong interest IN public affairs
AMI in individuals Of his wide acquaintance
20 tee last. OF bis character as citizen and
m4n, it is Fl that others should speak. what be
was as a parent, husband and friend. those
WHO knew him hes, lack words to describe.