Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-26
Mrs. General T.. p. Walton.

| Seldom are we called upon to record an event
which awakens at once 70 many tender memories
and causes such universal sorrow In the commu-
nifty as the death Of this venerable and univer-
sally beloved lady, which occurred on Saturday
morning last Up to the preceding Thursday her
wonderful powers of both body and mind con-
tinued undated, when she was smitten with
apoplexy, depriving her OF consciousness In which
condition she remained until Saturday morning,
when she ceased TO breathe. i
PRUSSIA PERSONS WALTON was born in Ches-
terrified, N. H., October 90, 1872. She was the
daughter Of Elialdm d. and Rebecca Dodge Per-
sons She had four sisters, all OF whom she sur
vived. In 1895, ut the early age Of three years,
she removed with her fathers family TO Mont
peer, which remained her home till the day OF
her death. Thus, with the exception Of four
years, her residence covered the entire chartered
history of the town While there are several
residents who have attained to greater age than
Mrs. Walton, sheleaves no survivor who has been
so long resident Of the toon, by several years.
In 1911 she was married to the late General +. ?.
Walton, and for nearly half century did she
prove herself a most worthy companion and help
meet to one who attained to no inconsiderabe
emnence and large esteem in public and private
life. To them were born eight children-sx sons
and two daughters-fve OF whom are still living.
In 1916 Mrs. Walton, with her husband, united
with the Congregational church, at that time and
for many years afterwards the only church In
town Rev. Chester Wright was then its pastor,
and continued that relation for some fifteen years
thereafter. Mrs. Walton's church connection was
an active, not passive one; and for sixty-two OF
the entire seventy years Of It's history, and en-
bracng all its five pastorates she was among the
foremost OF those devout women" who have
constituted much the largest factor In the spiritual
life and aggressive work OF the Christian church
from Paul's day TO the present For more than a
quarter of n century she was member Of the
church choir; for much longer period faithful
teacher in the Sunday -school; constant and help
full in the social meetings-and In the benevolent
and charitable work OF the church her labors were
abundant. She attended church on the Sabbath
preceding her death; and although by many years
the Oldest member OF the church lin length OF
membership not one extended to the new pastor
a heartier welcome, or looked forward more hope
fully or prayed more earnestly for the divine
blessing upon his labors,
In 1910, the year preceding her marriage, her
husband had commenced the publication Of the
connected for nearly fifty years. The bust
ness subsequently attained large proportions,
embracing an extensive book store, bindery and
paper mill, which necessitated the employment
OF large number OF hands. According to the
custom OF the times most of the help" boarded
with the employer and thus the family was often
swelled to fifteen or twenty persons. While this
added largely to the cares and responsibilities OF
- Az ia
opportunities to the mothery and Christian heart
Of Mrs. Walton. Her constant aim was, not
merely to provide for the bodily wants OF the
young men entrusted to her care, but to furnish
them the comforts and healthful restraints of
home, and surround them with such influences
and impart to them such counsels as are Of price
less value to young men so circumstanced. And
the instances were not few in which she had the
satisfaction Of seeing the reward of her self-deny
ing labors Two, at least of those apprentices
became eminent preachers Of the gospel. Scores
of young men are doubtless now living who can
attest to her kindly interest and Christian fidelity
to them, but eternity alone can reveal the full ex-
tent of her usefulness in this promising field so
often neglected
The long life of this elect lady," though filled
with unusual and responsibilities, was never
theless rendered beautiful by her naturally ex-
uberant spirits, her tender regard for all her fell
low-beings, and her unfaltering trust in Him in
whom she believed Her kindly heart and her
dilligent hands were busy to the last in works of
charity and mercy, and few are the dwellings
among us but contain some dainty token Of affec
ton wrought by her deft fingers. The blessing
Of the whole community rests upon her as she ex-
changes the imperfect Joys OF earth for the perfect
bliss of heaven.