St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-03-11
Peachan.

Died of consumption at his residence in Peach
am, Sunday morning, March G, Isaac N. Watts, in
his 39th year.
Mr.. Watts was the youngest son of a
family of five children of the late Ly-
man Watts, Esq, of whom only two
daughters now survive. In his youth
he was promising scholar, and fitted
for college at the Peacham academy,
under the instruction of Prof. c. o..
Thompson, now of Worcester, Mass,
who gave him high commentator.
When ready for college in 1868, in the
darkest days of the war, he was among
the men drafted for service in the IN
ion army. Contrary to the wishes of
his father, who offered to pay his COM
mutation and aid him also in his college
course, provided he would consent to
carly out this cherished purpose of his
life, young Watts felt it a call of duty
to serve his country, and with rare con-
scientiousness, refused the offer. Keenly
sensitive also, and unwilling that the
stigma of drafted man" should be at
tached to his name, before the official
requisitioni of the draft could reach
him, he hurried to the rendezvous at
BrattlebOro, and there enlisted as a
volunteer in the 18th Vt. Reg, after
wards the lst VT. Artillery, on his 2lst
birthday, Aug. 10, 1868. In service he
uniformly commended himself to the
confidence of his superiors and won the
respect of his fellows, and at the close
of the war was hOnorably mustered out
1865. Returning home, the two years
interruption of his studies, with the
consideration of the age and circum-
stances of his father, led him TO aban-
don finally the idea of collegiate
course, and he at length settled perma-
nently upon the homestead. The first
Sabbath in Jan, 1869, he united with
the COug'l church upon profession OF
faith, and was subsequently chosen
superintendent of the Sabbath schoO
for several years, receiving a pleasing
testimonial of esteem at the close of hi:
service. He was also for three years
clerk of the church. In 1870 he wa!
married to Miss Lizzie S. Way, who
died of consumption in Oct, 1874, leav,
ing one daughter. He again married
in 1877, Miss Ellen NJ. BOynton, who
with an infant daughter survives him
Mr.. Watts was man of quick precep
tons, and of rare conscientiousness anC
fidelity. He always honored his Chris
tian profession. and his word was nevel
questioned in business transactions
He was also of a somewhat retiring
temperament, shrinking from persona
publicity, yet always ready for villa
seemed the post of duty. He was frs
selectman of the town in 1877, declinin,
however, a subsequent reelection, anC
was chosen representative of the tow
in the Legislature of the state for tw
successive terms, 1S76-l830.
Some years since it became eviden
that that dread disease consumption
the seeds of which perhaps were sow
in the exposure of army life, was fasten
ing upon him. With courage and
| strong will he fought against its raw
: ages until the end came. Not unit
, within a few weeks of his death, how
! ever, was he confined to his house, an
even then his hope of his life was nc
. wholly given up. His Christian fait
was firm to the last, leaving invaluabI
testimony for the memory and comfol
+ of friends. In his suffering the word
, of the Psalmist were often upon hi
lips, "The Lord is my light and m
salvation whom shall | fear7 Th
t Lord is the strength of my life; G
= whom shall be afraid ?" This passag
/ he also selected as the best for his flu
neral, and requested that the word.
E Trusting Jesus, that is ALL" might b
sung.
3, By the death of such a man, in th
prime of manhood, not only does til
church lose a useful and worthy men
Der, but the whole community value
. citizen and friend.
Sutton.