Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-21
Obituary.
THE LATE CHARLES l.. NELSON.

ton in the fall of 1888, at the age OF 2e
years, looking for a place where he might
successfully establish himself in the manu-
facture of wood seat chairs, business he
had already learned, and carried on in
Princeton and Wendell. Mass. His keen,
practical common sense told him that this
would be good place for business and
that this then comparatively small town
must largely increase In population and
wealth. if any place in Vermont should in
crease He at once made arrangements to
90 into business and associated himself with
Mr.. Gates and conducted business for a
time under the firm name of Nelson &
Gates. In the spring of 1884 he moved
here with his wife into the house next the
house. where he died, and continued to live
in the old house till he built the new one
in 1871. The shop or mandatory of Mel
son IL Gates was on Partridge Brook
and the business of the firm was
largely done by pedlars whom they sent
out with immense loads of chairs through
tile country to exchange for loads of bar
ter" which they brought back TO Burling-
| ton. lie early became interested in real
estate and building, which made a partner
ship undesirable, and so he bought out his
| partner and managed the whole himself.
He built during his life over twenty dwell
ing houses here and several stores.
In addition to his manufacturing, which
after the few first years was transferred to
Winooski. and included there cabinet ware
and common furniture, be opened large
retail furniture store In this city, and sent
his chairs to Canada and sold them through
the country there the same as he did here.
He afterward supplied his chairs TO whole
sale dealers in both Montreal and Quebec,
.,lf
ufictory in Belleville, Canada. After his
son. Henry j. Nelson, became of age he
transferred to him his interest in the retail
store and confined himself more strictly
his manufacturing interests. ana to built
new and large factory at Wi
nooski, where be continued the bus
mess in chairs. beds;eads, settees,
school furniture, etc. In 1873, the WI
nooski Cotton Mil, desiring to extend
their building. bought out his shop and
water power, and he then leased Of the Wi
nooski Lumber Company the grounds and
power where his present SHOP is located.
The character Of the goods he made did not
admit of an indefinite extension like some
kinds Of manufactures. and hence he never
extended his business beyond the employ
ment OF from - to 30 hands. and at times
when business was depressed, he had not
one-halt that number.
lie was a man of untiring industry and
perseverance,, and strong practical common
sense, a free and generous friend. For
himself he had no political aspirations. but
would w0Ik ike q hero for others. and for
many years. in old Wing times. be was re-
garded as the best and most influential work
er the party lad, and for many years he
was chairman OF the Wing Town Commit
tee. When the W big party broke up he
became an equally Jealous Republican, and
continued to act with them a. party to
the last.
lie took an active interest in all that
concerned the business interests of the city,
and hence he became al once, on coming
here, an active fireman. The Boxer Com
pany was organized before his removal here,
but he joined Il IN February, 1888. aud was
a member up to the time Of MS death, sery-
ing IN the ranks or as az officer, - seemed
best Tor the Interests OF the Company
lie was Foreman Of the company in 1899
10 10 @, and First Assistant in 1885
'i5-5l-55. lie held the Office OF Chief En-
glneer OF the Fire Department under the
old Fire District organization several years,
and was the first Chief Engineer under the
| Cirv organization On 1866 and again in
/ 1873. lie was elected in both these year.
| tor the purpose Of healing up differences
among hremen in the department and In
I his annual reports at the end of both
I these years he declined q reelection.
/ Under his management the greatest
| good feeling prevailed among the
several companies composing the depart
| meut and the department was never more
/ efficient than under his rule.
lie believed the prosperity Of the city
/ depended largely upon good ire organizl-
/ ton and hence devoted to 1t much time and
/ careful study.
On the Fourth Of July celebration, 81
/ two weeks since, when our fire c0mpanic,
/ took part in the grand procession. he wa.
/ scarcely able t. be out, but insisted upo.
being taken over 10 his sons house. on Pear
/ street, where be could see them pass, anC
I be sat there in the window. feeble. pale anC
! emaciatod, a quiet heho.derof al that pass
/ ed, and when the fremen came along and
caught glimpse Of him and saIuted hin
with cheers. dipping their c0iors. the tear,
ran down his checks and be cried ike d
child, as did many Of the fremen.
10 1850, Mr.. Nelson united with Wash.
iugt0n Lodge, No. 3. +. and 4 N. and
| from that time 10 his last sickness be Wa,
an active member Of the Fraternity
ard said TO Mason. few week,
| ago, he should be pleased to be buried under
their auspices If the Fraternity would b,
pleased So TO do. We understand this re
/ quest Of his has been made known by III,
Masons 10 the family and that they
! have consented to the arrangement Ihl
! Boxer Engine Company, too, viii no doub
| turn out as company, and perhaps Othe
! OF the fire companies.
lie vas also tor over thirty years mem
Der of the ODD Fellows Lodge to the day u
his death
As man lie was temperate and iuiustri
Ous-uue of the hardest and most persistent
worker Burlington ever had. lie had No
| sympathy Tor the idle and the intemperat,
! poor, but Tor the really deserving poor hl
had great sympathy and rendered then
| quiet bat unOstentatious aid. lie was
man well Informed. whosread the papers o
the day, and formed his own opinions
whose influence was always upon the side
Of right, good order and social advance
ment. education and general progress O
society. He leaves a widow. one son. Henry
j Nelson, and daughter, Helen ;. Nelson
to mourn his loss. and a large circle o
friends
Mr.. Nelson's funeral, took place on sun
day, the l6h. and was marked by unusua
] AN--ADl47 "a AsARh' Va IL itNAs ALt4C "a
very large attendance OF citizens and Of thl
various organizations with which the de-
ceased was connected. The engineers @
the Fire Department, and the Boxer an,
Ethan Allen engine companies, Hook anl
Ladder Company, Volunteer, STAR, Sdtt0l
and Barnes hose companies. were present II
a body. most Of the companies IN uniform
| The Mt-ons were also present as a society
| The c0thl bore a large wreath of whit
flowers, a wreath Of ears Of ripe wheat, an,
| beauUil. floral design, consisting OF the
letter Y IN white exJtIcs, with pair of sil
yer spanners crossed upon It, and IN tn,
centre OF the Y the figure in evergreen
THIS emblem of Mr.. Nelson's connection
with the Fire Department and testimOn Ia
of their respect Tor his memory. was pre-
pared and presented by Volunteer Hos
Company. No. l. Capt. F. q. Coggin ha,
the general charge Of the funeral. Tn
pail bearers were W. G. Shaw f W
Chase, d. c. Barber. j. L. BArstow. Vim
Henderson, Hilas Roby. The CUSTOMARY
rehg ious exercises took place at To
house, Rev. L. G. Ware, officiating. !
long procession, on foot and In carriages
then followed the remains to Lake View
Cemetry, where the interment tOOR plac
with Masonic ceremonies. G. ". Wingatt
| a mdSl6I anu Ocu- q. L. DdTsION a CntH
lain. read the solemn ritual OF the order
The members, singing their burial hymn
filed past the grave and threw upon tn
coffin the evergreen sprigs worn by each
Mason. The exercises closed with the ben
ediction by Mr.. Ware.
GEORGIA -THE CENTENNIAL FoURTH.-
| Agreeably to vote of the town, the venerable
Rev Aiyah Sabin delivered historical ad
dress At celebration Of the Fourth il