Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-19


When death removes II good man one
honored and respected in the community in
which he lived-he deserves something more
said of him than the usual obituary notice in
the columns Of newspaper.
S. Wright Bowker, ESQ, departed this life
at his residence in Williamsville on the 18th
inst, aged fifty-six years and five months.
He was the son of Stephen and Sarah Bow
ker, was born at Newfane, November ~, 1921,
and resided upon the old homestead, situated
about one mile south of the village of Will
Evansville, until the fall of 1872, when he
purchased the hotel moved therein with his
family, and resided there ever since. His
genial and social nature made him a popular
landlord, and the travelling public having oc-
casion to tarry ut his house will not soon for
get his pleasant greeting, and how ever anx-
ious he was to make them comfortable and
happy while under his roof He married
Miss Henrietta Halliday, August II, 1916, who
still survives to mourn for him. During their
intermarringe there were born to them five
children, viz. Emma d., wife of Vim. Wood
of Keene, N. II. Charles +. Henry o. :
Eva H., wife of Chas. II. Davenport of Brat
tleboro, and Edgar w, all of whom are liv-
ing except Mrs Davenport, who deceased
Feb. ,, 1873. During his life he occupic d
several positions of public trust in which he
always acquitted himself honorably and dis
charged his duties faithfully. .He was first
constable for five years one of the board of
listers for six years, and one of the selcctmen
of the town one year. He held the office of
deputy sheriff from Dec. 10, 1855, to the
present year, with the exception of the years
1875 and 1876 when he was elected by large
majority sheriff of the county. About ten
| years ago he received the degrees in masonry
in Blazing Star Lodge at Townshend, Vt, and
and continued faithful exemplary and hon
ored member until his death In early life
he was Democrat, and the breaking out of
the rebellion found him still Democrat yet
one of the most unAinchng and uncomprom-
| Using of them all. He believed it to be the
duty of every man throughout the North to
support and sustain the administration then
in power in suppressing the rebellion, at
whatever cost or sacrifice. So earnest was he
in his eforts in raising money and troops that he
soon found himself actively cooperating and
voting with the Republican party of the town,
State and nation-and with whom he contin-
ued TO vote and act while he lived. 1t was
no change of politics" with him in whathe
| did-it was his love of country, his love of
| justice and his intense hatred of wrong and
| oppression, that placed him among those with
| whom he was ever after found In the mat
ter of town affairs he was always an active
| nd 81 oil
ments. The projected railroad up the valley
of the West River had no more active or zeal
GUS champion than was he, from the moment
of its inception to the end of his life On the
18th day of August, 1877, he joined the grind
cavalcade of horsemen who rode over the
mountain 10 take part in the celebration OF
the anniversary of Nermont's centennial and
of the battle of Bennington He served upon
the staff of Col. Geo. w. Hooker, who com
manded division of the procession on the
18th and 10th. On the 18th he returned witt
his comrades as far as Wilmington, and OF
the morning of the 18th he, with John Cutler
Esq, of Worcester, Mass, parted with the
rest of the company to proceed to his HON,
with horse and buggy intending to join til,
others at a banquet to be given at Brattleborc
that night While passing through Dover hi,
horse became frightened, and jumping aside
went over and down n steep embankment, in
juring him severely, from the effects of which
he never recovered. His funeral was attend
ed from the church at Williamsville on Sun
day last, Rev. Mr.. Harris of Brattlcboro ant
Rev Mr.. Burnham of Fayetteville officiating
The large concourse of citizens that wer,
present from his own and other towns in tn,
county, the subdued look and the fearful eye
gave unmistaknble evidence of the high es
teen in which he was held by all who knew
him. 1t testified also to the great and ire
parable loss sustained, in his death, by tn
wife and children. He was kind husband
an indulgent father, good neighbor, a firm
friend and an honest man. -