Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-10-24

Judge Blodgett, is ,hronicled in our col
umns to-day.
\ good man has passed away in the fnl-
ness Of years. During his residence among
Us, he has been 50 much identified with the
business interests and prosperity of our
city, that his loss will be widely felt outside
the circle of friends and relatives who will
mourn him most deeply.
Judge Blodgett was born in Randolph
Orange County, Vt, January 3, 1898. lie
lived in Randolph until 1899, in Chelsea
from that date until 1850, in Waterburyeisht
years, until 1888, where he was engaged in
a heavy and prosperous mercantile business.
He also, during these eight years, began
both there and at Burlington, what was to
be the great business Of his life, the lumber
business
The firm OF C.. Blodgett ~ Son opened
their wholesale lumber yard in this place in
October, 1852, fortunate event both
for themselves. and for Burlington, and,
under the wise counsels of the head Of the
firm, now deceased, have conducted their
business here since that date 50 ably and
SO honorably that no business firm has a
higher character for integrity and upright
dealing, and they have thereby attained a
merited success in the accumulation Of a
fortune
Judge Blodgett moved to Burlington and
made it his home in 1888.
In carly youth he enjoyed but limh ed
educational adyanta ges. lie had also t.
struggle against great physical inGrmity,
in bis lamoness, which would have borne
down many 4 man of less sterling qualities
Of mind. lie was one of those rare men in
whom the intellect triumphs, not only over
the body but over his own spirit. "He that
ruieth his spirit Is better than he that
taketh q city" Neither the severe and
constant trials Of his physical infrmity nor
the ordinary yexations of life were ever
enough to make our departed friend give
way to petulance, passion OF ill-naturc
His vigorous intellect, his imperturba-
bic GOODNESS, and his large and kindly heart
admirably fitted him to bea wise counsellor
in his own business and for the many friends
who resorted to him. lie was well known
As a generous man. Nogood object. public
or private, appealed to him for aid in vain.
Many poor man viii mourn his loss Such
qualities of mind and heart commended
him to the confidence Of his fellow citizens,
and led them to confer upon him during
/ his long life many Offices, the duties Of
/ which were all well discharged. lie was
member Of the Constitutional Convention at
| Montpelier in 1875; jude of Probate for
the district Of Randolph. for six years, from
| 1888 to 1899 inclusive Assistant Judge of
Orange county Court, 1886 State Senator
for Or .nge county for two years, 1911 and
1872 Clerk Of the County Court for Or
ar &c county for six years, 1913 to 1919 IN
elusive Director of Orange County Bank
from 1913 to 1853; Town Representative
from Waterbury, 1851 and 1872. When
our city was organized, in 1868, lie was
chosen, without opposition, Alderman from
the Centre Ward and held the Office by sue
cessive reflections without dissent till ISL,
and was for the last two years President Of
the Board. In politics the Judge was q
consistent Democrat. Oar Centre Ward,
through all the six years it sustained him
As Alderman, was strongly Republican.
Daring his residence in our community,
Judge Blodgett has been constant atten-
dant on public worship and a liberal giyer
for its support, none more so. In 1863 he
deemed it his duty to make public profcs-
sion Of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and did 50 By uniting with the First Com
gregational Church. White street. lie
was greatly beloved by his two pastors. the
Rev. Messrs Nix and Griffin. and by all his
Christian friends who knew him intimately.
His last good work was the procuring a
Pastor for the church he loved. lie la
bored, as chairman Of 4 committee, for that
object continuously for nearly year, amid
a variety Of obstacles and disappointment~,
until success, mainly owing to his perseyer-
ance. finally crowned his labors. On the
evening of Saturday, the lIthInst, although
the fatal disease had already taken hold Of
, him, he would not he prevented from at
tending the meeting of the committee to
arrange for the approaching installation Of
Rev. Mr.. Brastow, thus as it we're to set the
seal to MS last Christian work
Up to the hour of his dissolution, his Wig
orors mind remained uncloudel and com
, forted by Christian faith and hope.
The deceased leaves an aged widow anl
one son, Alderman Calvin II. Blodgett