Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-10

Rev. Aaron Gaylord Pease, whose death |
is announced in another column. was born |
in Canaan, Conn. February -. ISL. the |
son of the late Salmon and Matilda Hunt |
ipgton Pease At the age Of II yeas he |
came TO Charlotte, Vt, with his fathers
family. In 1888 be entered the University
of Vermont and graduated in 1885,, among
his classmates being j. W. Hickok, Ed,
of this city, and Rev. o. G. Wheeler. OF
South Hero. Choosing the ministry as his
profession, he studied theology at Andover,
graduating from the Andoyer Theological
Seminary in 1871. He became pastor oil the
Congregational Church in Pittsford in 1912,
and remained there two years. After
preaching as temporary supply at Poult-
new, Royalton and other places, he was
settled as pastor of the Congregational
church in Waterbury. in 1877. In 1852. he
left Waterbury to become pastor of the
Congregational church in Norwich. W.
After two years of pastoral labor there his
health, which had become impaired, wholly
failed. lie almost lost the use of his limbs
and soon became iucapacitated Tor any
physical effort. In 1864, having partially
reeained his health, he was chosen mem
her of the Legislature from Norwich, and
was reelected in 1865. He became actively
interested in behalf of the prisoners in the
county iails. and especially for the younger
criminals ipcarcerated therein and Tor
whom the isils were but schools OF vice and
crime. He brought the subject before the
Lepi stature in some fOrcible speeches. was
m ade chairman of special committee to
whom the subject was referred. reported a
bill for the Vermont Reform School, which
became a law. and was appointed one
of the commissioners TO estaDllsn
the school. lie was the first superinten-
dent Of the Reform School. at waterbury.
and held that important position from 1900
to 1869, when growing infrmity compelled
his retirement from the position. lie mas
been ghtly called the father Of the YER
mont Reform School. After leaving Water
bury he removed to Rutland, Vt, where he
resided until his death. Though physically
a wreck. his mind was still active and was
occupied especially with theological prob
lens. In 1875, his PHILOSOPHY Of Trini-
tartan Doctrine" was published, by the
Putnams, of New York. and attracted wide
attention. His mind was constantly en-
gagged with the great questions OF mans
relations to God and his future destiny. un-
til his desth, and he left much unpublished
manuscript upon these subjects. He s1f-
tered greatly from physical weakness and
disease in his later years. and it was won
| der that his feeble frame held his earnest
| spirit so long.
Mr.. Pease married at Rutland. Oct. 10,
1912, Miss Anne Page, sister of ex-Gov John
| B Page. His devoted wife and SIX chill
| dreu, Mrs. J. ii. Goulding of Rutland, and
two unmarried daughters and three sons.
survive him Mr. Pease was a brother of
the late President Calvin Pesse. of the
University of Erastus Ii. Pease. Of Brook
lvn N. Y of Thomas ii. Pease, OF New
Haven, Conn. and of Mrs George Francis
| and Peter f. Pease. of this city. Mr. Pease
was a man of large heart. OF active mind,
| of high and earnest purpose. His whole
| heartedness and enthusiasm in whatever he
| gave himself to, was q marked Characters
| tic of his character. The person, the truth.
| the thing to which be gave his faith had 1t
| without limit or reservation. His conyle-
| tions he held with the strongest grasp and
ayowed them with the utmost Independence
and courage His affection for his friends
was of the most intense character. His
sympathies we're broad; his simplicity and
singleness of heart and purpose most mark
ed his Christian love and faith unbounded.
Released from life which was prolonged
struggle with physical infirmity, his spirit
has gone where the deep problems and high
questions with which it was occupied here
will all be solved and he will know as he
ia knoWnp