Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-03-12
Death OF Hon. Charles Reed.

So familiar was his presence, and so inter-
woven was his busy life with the affairs,
public and private, of his townsmen, that
many thought they had seen him on the
street the day before, going to his daily
work.
Mr.. Reed was born in Thetford. Nov. "a,
1914, and was therefore ffty-eight years of
age at the time of his death. In 1927 his
father, Hon. Joseph Reed, moved to Mont
peier. For forty-six years, as boy and
man, he had his home here The briefest
mention only Of his work in that time, can
be made. Thesmany men who have been
associated with him in the various fields
that be was glad to labor in, can fill, each to
his own remembrance, what must be the
merest framework of the picture.
Finishing his preparatory studies in Mont
pelier, he entered Dartmouth College, and
graduated in 1885 Soon after graduation
he attended the Law School at Cambridge,
Massachusetts, and on the first day OF Sep
TENDER, 1889, entered into partnership with
Homer W. Heaton. The law firm OF Heaton
and Reed. formed then, had continued in the
same office for over a third of century,
when it was dissolved by Mr.. Reeds death.
As a lawyer he stood in the front rank.
The legitimate bearing of the facts in case
he saw, and clearly placed them before the
tribunal which was to decide upon them
They received no establishment and no en-
largement at bis hands. His appeal was to
the reason and not to prejudice. The intel
Iceland not the emotions, in those he address
ed, was his objective point.
But with the cares of large practice he
was interested in many enterprises of pub
lie nature, and SO thoroughly did be utilize
his whole time that each received much help
from his care and advice.
As librarian of the Vermont Historical
Society, and as member of the committee
Of publication of that society, he was instru-
mental in preserving much Of the early bis
tory of our State 1t was his delight to search
for old and hidden facts and to bring them
to light where they would show the past in
its true colors. Equally earnest was he In
educational matters His care and thought
were occupied in planning for the develop
ment and growth into true and noble lives
Of the youth in attendance on our schools.
The Vermont State Library, Of which he has
been librarian for the last fifteen years, was
his creation. From mass Of " public doc
~ tafn
| Ii was his continual care, and within Its
walls he contracted the disease which has
resulted so disastrously.
The necessity of placing youthful offenders
where they will restrained from present mis-
chief and idIeness and from future crime,
carly brought itself to Mr.. Reeds attention.
Among the early movers in the matter OF a
Reform School, his election as one of the
trustees was a fortunate one for the enter
prise. To him more than to any other one
man is due the fact that we have an instltu-
ton creditable to the State, where juvenile
blenders receive instruction and incentives
TO lead useful and reputable lives instead Of
being still further and irrevocably lost BY
contact in prison with hardened criminals.
Those connected with the Church of the
Messiah will bear ready witness to Mr.
Reeds great interest and activity in al
matters pertaining to It's welfare and advance
ment. Every movement for temperance Of
TOR any other good work, had his hearty ant
recommending support. 1t was his pecu
/ liarity that he seemed never to take into con
sideratlon whether his action would suit thu
, popular mind He thought what was th
: right thing to do, did it, and accepted TIN
: result. Though sometimes abrupt in manne
l and speech, those who knew him at all, knew
/ of most kind heart, and most genial man
= Mr.. Reed was States Attorney for Wash
= ington County in 1917 and l848; represent
= atiye from Montpelier in 1862 and 1868
= and State Senator in 1864, 1865 and 1866
His course as legislator was marked
especially while be was in the Senate, by hi
e influence toward careful and we'll consldere
e legislation. And not only while membe
J of the legislature was his influence felt, bu
{ a good share of the well-tramed laws OF ever
= session since have had the benefit of bis &C
/ vice or have been drawn by him. This llk
, a great share OF his work has been of such
is kind that, though the result is seen, his IL
: strumentaiity in the matter was never though
L of, certainly not by him when the thing We
10 once done. His service as public man
It 81 Nv Iist of nff1ppG he
o by him.
lie He clearly perceived the injustice done
5, woman by much Of the law and custom
I the land and was believer in the ethcacy
q tie ballot, if placed in her hands, to reetl
OF these wrongs and to assist in other reform
Y which are now readily voted down. This
@ advocated in the Council of Censors of 1856
7, of which he was member; and with lit
&c care whether it was popular or unpopul'
10 movement.
Cd Mr.. Reed s social and domestic life was
z pleasant as his public life was useful.
Do 1912 he married Emily Eliza, daughter
be Hon. Daniel Baldwin. Mrs. Reed with the
Is two daughters, Elizabeth B., wife of Col.
ed II. Lucia of Vergennes, and Minnie G., 81
IN wives him.
nd Mir. Reeds last illness resulted fre
severe cold which he contract
ly in the library some two weeks ago; c
IT, ing there to look up some matt er relating
lie cur early history be remained until chile
g- On Tuesday of last week he was prese
nd throughout the day in town meeting Taxi
he more coldshe went home from his office 81
on Tuesday evening Pleuro-pneumonia
ok lowed and at four o'clock on FRIDAY mornl
le- he died.
for