Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-27
Obituary.

PARK-Trenor W. Park of Bennington, one Of
Vermont's most distinguished citizens, died at sea
Of paralysis, December 10Th. He was en- route for
Aspinwall with his family for the benefit OF his
health. His body has been embalmed and will ar
rive at New York about January LIST. From several
sources we gather the following facts In regard to
M. Parks career He was born In Woodford,
Vermont, December g. 1923, received a liberal
education and after studying law was admitted
to the bar in December, 1876. After practicing
law in his native state until 1852 he went to
San Francisco He entered the distinguished
law firm OF Halleck, Peachy, Billings e. Park of
which the head was the Union General Halleck.
He met great success, the practice OF law at that
time being exceedingly lucrative. He made one
or two fortunes and lost them by his liberality
in signing for his friends, and, finally through
being liable for General Fremont, he became
interested in the well known Mariposa Gold Mine,
which he carried on, amassing "A fortune of about
a million dollars. lie was a member of the ia
nous vigilance committee which overthrow the
rule of thieves and gamblers in the new commu-
nifty and was among the leaders in the organiza-
ton of the republican party in California. Re-
turning to Vermont in 1864, he became interested
in political affairs there, and served in the leg
stature four years. He had very large business
interests in Vermont, New York and other parts
Of the country, was president of the Panama Rail
road company, president OF the first national
| bank at North Bennington Vermont, and was
director in several banks and railroad companies
| in New York. He was one of the original
operators of the Central Vermont railroad
company, when the Vermont Central was reor-
ganized under that title, and furnished large
share OF the capital for the reorganization. He
soon retired from that enterprise and became
largely interested in the Pacific mail steamship
| company, and was for a time its president lie
was also one OF the original projectors and at
| the time OF his death, president Of the company
which built the tunnel under the Hudson river.
| He was man of great sagacity and energy, and
OF considerable cultivation He maintained at
| Bennington a country seat of several hundred
| acres in state Of high cultivation, and was in
terested in the breeding and raising of horses and
| cattle lie very public spirited, and intensely
| interested in the prosperity Of his native town
and state especially. Mr.. Park was the founder
recently OF a noble charity in the form of a
| "Home for Destitute Children and Aged Women -
| He purchased fine estate known as the Hunt
place in Bennington for the purpose, and here
during last summer he entertained a large num-
Der of poor children gathered from the crowded
tenements of New York city by the managers of
the New York Tribune fresh air fund The
little visitors were allowed two weeks each of
good country living and recreation, some of them
| being babies whose mothers were entertained
with them. Through his generosity nice cots,
good food, clean clothing and other comforts
were furnished, and all those who received the
| nf a kindnaga
otherwise than improved in body and mind by
the experience. The Hunt place was once the
summer home OF a wealthy New York merchant,
who expend ed large sum of money In making
ii beautiful retreat for the season. 1t contains
two hundred acres Of meadow and woodland, sit
uated at the base of high mountains. The man
| sion is cOmmodous and pleasant and was found
| last summer TO have ample accommodations for
fifty children. His intention when he purchased
the place was to erect ON different parts of the
estate three large and substantial buildings indie
, pendent OF each other, to be for the separate
use of boys, girls and aged women. His plans
included intellectual and moral culture, with
physical training for the Denetciares, and en-
dowment of $500 900. lie took deep interest
| the erection Of the battle monument 10 Benning
ton, and was, with L. j, Phelps of Burlington,
| Vermont, and Ex-Governor Rice Of Massachusetts,
on the committee on design for the monument.
lie WAS twice married. His first wife was
d iughter Of Ex-Governor Hall OF Vermont who
always lived rs guest Of the family. About q
year ago, although his health had been feeble
| for some time he was married to a beautiful and
accomplished lady who had for many years been
in intimate relation with his family and who
with two daughters OF his first wife, survives him
He was generous, enterpTsing and energeti,
man, whose loss will be greatly felt In his native
state, in the city Of New York and by the many
financial and benevolent organizations witt
which he connected. lie reinquished the
| practice OF his profession on his return to Yer
mont, and has since been engaged In large finan
cal transactions. lie was the largest st0ckholde
| and president Of the Panama railroad, which he
conducted with great success increasing tn,
value Of the stock until the road WAS sold 10 ID,
: Lesseps and other French fnanciers lie wa
also Interested in the Emma Silver Mine Com
pany at Salt Lake city and went To England anC
| sold the mine to u company OF capitalists TO
S5,00OOOO A bitter and very protracted litga
Q ton subsequently sprung up, "A suit having beer
e broug ht by the English purchasers who charge,
fraud In the sale OF the mine. The case WAS trie,
In the United States circuit court at New Ynrl
n by a jury and occupied five months the verde
z being in favor Of Mr.. Park and his American
, associates. Mr.. Phelps adds "IIe was maj
of vigorous intellect and extraordinary capacit
: for business a well "a a great mastery Of lega
J. and financial subjects. His foresight was re
markable and he was rarely disappointed. II
I | was man OF warm and generous feelings
' strongly attached TO his friends and liberal il
o the extreme. His private aud public benevolenc
O was very great. favorite scheme which he ha
not lived 10 complete was the establishment OF nj
V asylum at Bennington for orphans and age
, women, This he has presumably endowed In hi
: will. lie also gave money for the erection Of al
art gallery at Bennington, which bears hi
name" lie leaves three children two Marie
r daughters, and son at Harvard. lie was a
"a ardent republican but not an aspiTant for an
!, office. His second wife, who survives nm wa
Miss Lincoln Of San Francisco. The estat
a which he leaves Is estimated at several millions