The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-09
OBITUA RY.
EraStus Holt.

The men of a former generation are rap
idly passing away. The staunch descend
ants of the early settlers of Rutland county,
who inherited from their fathers these ster-
ling qualities which ranked them foremost
in overy cause that iiau FOR It's purpose the
planting upon a sure foundation the insti-
.utions of society, have long since gone to
their graves, save occasionally one whose
days have been heightened almost to GEN.
fury. One of the last representatives of this
class of men, Erastus Holt, died at Pitts
field, in this county, on Tuesday, March
Both, at the advanced age of 90 years.
He was born in Hampton, Connecticut,
and removed with his father to Stock
bridge, Vermont, when twenty-one years
of age, and after residence of two years,
removed to Pittsfeld, where he has since
lived. His life in that town covers nearly
its entire history He has occupied a
was for fourteen years representative In
the general assembly, three times a dele
gate to the constitutional convention and
for thirty-two years justice of the peace.
He was wise counsellor, a judicious
legal adviser without study of the books
an earnest patron of religious institutions
"a good citizen and reliable man.
He had lived with his son Rufus Holt,
who has kindly cared for him, especially
in the last years of his life when helpless
invalid. Some years since he was attacked
with partial paralysis and rheumatism,
which disabled him from active pursuits,
and from the 22d day OF March, 1864
period of II years-he had not walked or
turned himself in bed. At 90 years of age
he could read distinctly without glasses,
and his mind remained good until within
two or three years. He had born to him a
family of twelve children, all of whom
lived to middle life except one who died at
the age of thirteen yours. From these
| children were descended 70 grand children,
81 great grand children, and great great
grand children.
His funeral was attended on Thursday,
April 2, Rev. Thomas s. Hubbard, of
Stockbridge, delivering an appropriate
memorial sermon, which is to be published.
West 5. Bassett.
The recent death of the individual whose
name stands at the head of this article
brings to the memory of his friends
many of the peculiarities which marked
his checkered career in life. Some forty
seven years ago he wandered from the
shores of Cape Cod TO the hills of Yer
mont, in pursuit of work at his trade, that
of halter. He made his first stop at the
village of Wal!ingford, where he engaged
with the late William Rustin, and was in
his employ some two years, when he re-
moved to Middletown, where he opened d
shop for himself, and pursued his avocation
for many years, or until the country halter
had little or nothing to do lie has resided
there since until his death, early in the
present month
West S. Bassett was born in Mattapoiset
Plymouth county, Mass, June eth, 1907.
From a natural fondness for a sailors life
he went to sea when Il mere lad and fol
lowed sea faring for many years. The love
of the ocean seemed to be innate, and ir
later life it found its expression in the EN-
blems with which he was accustomed to
decorate his place of business and his resi-
dence. He often, also, gave vent to hi.
love for sailors life in story, anecdott
and Renaissance. lie served an appren
ticeship of six years at the hatter's trade
in New Bedford, Mass, and came to Yer
mont as before narrated, settling in Mid
dletown about 1880.
After his trade fell into disuse, hecpenet
a ready made clothing and hat store, keep
ing few other articles of general merchan
disc, trading in small way, enlargnl