Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-12-14
Memorial Of Hon. Joseph MARSH.

"a good name Is rather to be chosen
than great riches" Prov. XII. When
man SO lives, when he so serves his genera
ton as to receive spontaneously from all who
have known him this tribute OF good
name, an honorable counsellor, good
man and Just, who also waited for the
Kingdom of God, Luke xiii, he is entitled
to a cherished place in the memory OF those
who have been made happier and better by
his life. 1t is important also that We know
and remember how he attained unto this good
name. The memory OF the just is blessed,
aud it blesseth him who cherisheth it. We
benefit ourselves, the present generation
and the generations that come after us. by
enshrining in our memory the names, the
virtues and the good works of our fathers.
Joseph Marsh was born in Hinesburgh.
Feb. eth, 1893. His parents. Daniel and
Chloe (Norton) Marsh were from WorthIng-
ton. Massachusetts, and came to uinesburgh
in l7SS, within a few years OF the first set
Element. They located on fine site one
mile South of the village which has contln-
ued to be the homestead of the family to
the present time. His opportunities for
education were what the common schools
and academies of the vicinity al
forded, supplemented by lew terms
in private school, near Montreal,
TOR the purpose of learning the French
fasbar 1IpH lS.{S- and lie
succeeded to the management and posses
sion of the farm. which by good culture
and some additions has continued to be one
of the largest and most productive in the
town. Upon this farm has been kept, Tor
some forty years, portion oil that
flock of Merino sheep, brought from Con
necticut to Vermont by Mr.. Marsh anu
Mr.. Edwin Hammond in company. and
which has made Vermont, and especially
Addison county, 50 famous for hne sheep.
Nature endowed Mr.. Marsh with gifts
which, well cultivated BY him, fitted HIM to
| be a natural leader, a courteous admins
TRAITOR, a genial, kindly counsellor among
men, and liberal helper IN every goou
cause. With quick perception ana
| graceful appreciation OF others wants, ne
| advised and directed them but with a rare
independence, self-consciousness and sell
| reliance, atlc u uulCkutS~ " hhA Ao h'F
whole duty, he seldom was directed by
Others, or sought counsel of others.
Ii was natural and fitting that such man
should he sought for public trusts OF honor
and responsibility a. soon as he entered
upon his manhood He taught success
| fully some of the larger schools oil the vi
cinity.
He entered with ardor into the military
service OF those times. and rapidly rose
| through all the grades of rank 10 be one oil
| the general officers OF the regiment But
| the habits of the times. and IN that service
especially. of profaneness. intoxication and
other vices among the officers, were so DIS
| tasteful to him. and brought so much OF
temptation or of disgust to man OF pure
habits. who should attempt to endure them
that he abruptly resigned his commission,
and would have no more OF 1t. lie served
| for some years as sheriff in the county. In
1881 and 1882. he was chosen representative
| TO the Legislature in 1885 and 1896, he
was one of the assistant Judges, IN which ca
| pacity at the opening OF one session OF the
| county court, and in the absence OF the pre-
| siding Judge. he gave the customary charge
to the jurors In 1899 and 1910, he served
as one of the county senators. In 1877, ne
was again chosen town representative, and
l
vices lie was Oitener than any other man
moderator of the town meetings. and was
| almost constantly in some OF the more re
| sponsible trusts in his native town. lie
was also FREQ uently appointed BY the county
court, or called by private parties, to do the
| work of arbitrator, commissioner, admins
traitor, in the settlement OF difficulties. very
| few men have been so constantly and Tor so
many years in official and public duties. and
few have done these duties more accepta-
bly,.
lie became a member of the Congrega-
tional church in Hinesburgh, on the eth oil
January, 1897. Not long after he was chosen
one of the deacons, and the largest cOntribu-
tons of thought, affection, time, labor and
money that he gave to any object, were
| given, and unsparingly, to his church. No
worthy appeal was ever made to him iOr
personal help or peeCnlary means, In VAIN;
and no solicitor Tor Christian offerings was
ever received colby or turned empty away
or failed TO receive his thanks. and Call
again
His last two years were clouded With the
breaking down of nervous force, atiectin e
mind and body about equally. For the last
month he was helpless; and partially so,
with increasing infrmities for the last year.
| On Friday. Nov. 23rd, he fell asleep, and
on Tuesday, Nov. eth, 1877. be quietly
ceased to breathe.
lie married. IN early life. Maria Taylor, OF
williston, who died April 18th, 1851. They
had four children, two of whom survive
Mrs. Alfred A. Byington. Of Charlotte. and
Mrs. Fred Mack. living upon the home
stead which has been for so many years the
hospitable and welcome home of the many
kindred and friends OF Judge Marsh.