Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-05-30

SHREWSBURY, May q, 1872.
The recent death of Mr. j. H. Nelson of this
town, deserves more than an ordinary announce
ment.
Mr.. Nelson, son of Capt Jonathan Nelson, was
born in Shrewsbury, April 20, 1872 He died May
90 1872, aged sixty years and twentyfour days. In
person he was square built, thick set, with black
hair and eyes, Of full face, and of firm and elastic
step. From early years he was a lad of industry,
ofperseverance and ofhigh resolve Fortified against
manifold dangers and temptations by the counsels
and care of one of the best of mothers he began
life as apprentice at the tanners trade. He and
his late partner. the Hon. Thomas Rice, were fell
low-apprentices in the establishment of Col. Nym-
phas Pratt, whose counsels and example proved of
great value to their ripper years.
Working more than the hours required, each of
these young men accumulated few hundred dol
lars. BY diligence, industry, economy prudence,
perseverance and strict attention to business these
young men won the respect and confidence of the
community. Mr.. Nelson and his partner became at
length the proprietors of the establishment In
which they had been apprentices together, under
the firm of Nelson s. Rice.
Endowed with remarkable energy and business
tact, vigorous health and strong constitution, and
devoting himself to personal labor daily. as many
hours as required OF any Of their employees pros
| perity crowned the establishment
Mr. Nelson was a man of truthfulness, of sterling
anu every way reliable as manufacturer
aud man. Having no children, and being strictly
temperate and prudent in his habits his means in
creased, his business expanded, and from time to
| time the mandatory was enlarged. From the
| commencement of the copartnership of the firm In
1899, his wealth continued to increase till several
years before his death he was acknowledged to be
| the wealthiest man in Shrewsbury. His estate is
estimated at three or four hundred thousand dol
| lars.
| 1t is highly creditable to the firm of which he
was the senior partner, that they had been asso-
cated in business for period of tory-two years in
| all, with the utmost harmony. 1t is true, when in
1882 their late copartnersip was formed, they en-
| tered on business already established. 1t is true
as already stated in public that the business ex-
| perence and 1udicious counsel and advice of Col.
Pratt were to them of inestimable value. On some
men these would have been lost.
i Something more however than the wisdom and
counsellor thesagest adviser requisite to enable
these men to carry successfully business eX-
tensiye, to require, in various stations and
| vices, tine daily employment of 125 men, and yet to
maintain such promptness in the payment of all
bills that no bill during the whole cOpartnership
was ever presented at their office second time Yet
| such learn are the facts.
With all his devotion to business, Mr. Nelson was
eminently social, genial, condescending man. He
was liberal and humane, accommodating, benevo'
/ lent and kind He was constant attendant on the
Sabbath services of the sanctuary, liberal sup
porter of the Gospel and generous contributor to
| the various objects presented for benevolent or
charitable aid. He asplred to office, and coveted
no honor not cheerfuly accorded TO him by his fell
| low citizens.
In the death of such man the town of Shrews-
bury has suffered loss which must be widely felt.
On the evening of the dedication of the new
| town hall, February %, Mr.. Nelson had scarcely
strength TO perform the part devoying on him as
chairman OF the building committee. Already that
creeping paralysis had commenced which laid him
aside from business and eventually terminated his
| life,
The high estimation in which he was held was
manifest on the day of his burial. Beside his nu-
merous relatives, the employees of tine firm, the
Shrewsbury Farmers club, delegations of bank Off
GERS, and prominent manufacturers and citizens
from parts of the state beyond
sembed to do honor to his memory a man of
worth. The citizens of the town were present IN
large numbers. Rev. w. A. Houghton of Berlin, the
friend and companion of early years offered prayer
at the house. As the long procession moved to the
Congregational Westinghouse houses and stores all
the way were seen to be draped in mourning The
pulpit and galleries were draped. The massive me-
talic casket, surmounted by u wreath aud cross of
white flowers was laid beneath the desk Rev Mr.
Dyer, pastor of the church, conducted the funeral
services. After voluntary by the choir the pastor
read selections from the Scriptures and introduced
Rev George Allen of Worcester, the early pastor of
the deceased, now upwards of eighty years of age,
who made brief address, Rev. Mr.. Houghton fol.
lowed, Rev. Mr.. Mckinley of Gloversville, N. Y,
the warm friend OF Mr.. N. and late pastor of the
church offered a few words, and then read the
hymn Cease we mourners, cease to languish," OF
which the deceased had often expressed the wish
that 1t might be read at his funeral The pastor
added few words and offered prayer, and the
services closed by singing "Come ye disconso-
late"
The meeting house was filed above and below
with sympathizing and sorrowing friends, many
being Obliged to stand. After the singing the vast
company filed slowly by the casket, and each one
looked reyerenty for the last time on the calm fea-
lures of the departed
Thus has passed from earth a valuable Citizen
whose fair fame but the envious would wish to
sully, and whose example of industry, prudence,
truthfulness, benevolence and manly integrity FUR
nsh salutary lesson for the study of young men,
who aim at honorable success in any Of the walks OF
business life. D.