The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-10-03
Obituaries.

BATES Frank Richard Bates was born in
Berlin, November 26th, 1855 When he was
about three years old his parents moved TO
Mortified, which was his home for the rest of
his life. The rudiments Of his education were
obtained in the village school and the academy,
and at the age Of fourteen he entered Norwich
university, now Lewis college, at that time in
quite prosperous condition, and was graduated
In the class of 1873. The class numbered ten
and his rank was very near the head. Among
his classmates we're w. K. Dorr and A. L.
Sheldon Of Rutland and G. M. Johnston, Esq,
now OF jamestown, Dakota. After graduating
he spent some time In drug stores In Lowell
and Boston, and in October, 1876, began the
study Of law in the office of Frank Plumley,
Esq, at Mortified. He was admitted to the
bar at the March term OF county court in 1880
and In May of the same year entered into part
NJ rship with Mr.. Plumley. In October, 1881, this
partnership was dissolved by mutual agree
ment and Mr. Bates opened an office of his
own near Mr.. Plumky with whom he was
ever, professionally as well as socially, on the
most friendly and harmonious terms. April 6,
1876, he united with Mortified lodge Of Good
Templars, in which he was afterwards one Of
the most active and valuable members He
was elected to all the offices of importance and
honor in the lodge, which he filed faithfully
and creditably and in 1881 was appointed
Grand Worthy Assistant Secretary OF the grand
lodge of this state by j. S. Batchelder Grand
Worthy Secretary. At the session OF 1882 in
Rutland he was elected Grand Worthy Secre-
tary, and reelected at the Montpelier session
last January. He took very hard cold at the
Rutland session, from which he never recov-
cred. During the summer Of 1882 he spent
several weeks in the Adrondacks, but was lit
tie benefited However, through the fall and
winter he improved somewhat and was able to
attend the session Of the grand lodge at Mont
pelier in January. Soon after this he went to
White River Junction on some Good Tempar
business and contracted another severe cold,
which probably shortened his life somewhat.
| The summer was spent on his brothers farm
in Moretown. He was able, with considerable
assistance, to keep up the work of the secre-
| tary's otfice bnt about September 1st he sent
to Grand Worthy Chief Tempar Paul of Wood
stock his resignation, to take effect on the ap-
| pointment Of his successor, and DR.. NJ. II.
| Chandler OF Woodstock received the appoint
ment about two weeks since The best Of at
| tention from skilful physicians and kind
friends was given, but the disease was firmly
seated and for the last six or eight months his
decline, though slow, was constant. His suf-
| ferings were ended on the night Of September
26th The funeral was held on Saturday, the
18th, and, in accordance with his expressed
wish, the services were conducted with the
ceremonies Of his loved order. His life though
short leaves many cherished memories for his
relatives aud many friends. As perfection is
not an element of mortality, he must have had
some faults, but they were certainly few and
not of a character to arouse the i'll will Of any
for wherever he was known he was este emed
and expected.
TAFT.-Sunday morning Alfred Taft, ESQ.,.
Of Burlington was found dead Having been
out Of health for several weeks he had been
in the habit of taking medicine at about four
O'Clock in the morning. Soon after six the
odor Of escaped gas called his son-in-faw to his
room, when it was found that owing to a de-
fective gas fixture the room was filled with
gas, which caused his death. The stop-pn OF
the gas fixture was found to have dropped out
and it is supposed that Mr. Taft turned the
thumb-plug too far after taking his medicine az
usual. Medical assistance was promptly at
hard, but proved Of no avail. Mr.. Taft was
native of Crown Point, N. Y, and was about
fity-seven years of age He came to Burling-
ton in 1868 and entered the employ OF Dr. b.
S. Nichols, establishing three years later the
| firm OF A. Taft & Co. After number Of
changes the present firm Of Taft, Morgan Il
| Co., (of which the deceased was the senior
partner) was established, and has become one
of the largest manufacturing interests in the
city; and its great success has been largely due
to the senior partners enterprise and business
sagacity. He leaves four children-Mrs c. w.
Davis and T. A. Taft Of Burlington and w. A.
and A. c. Taft of Boston. Mr.. T. A Taft is a
member OF his late fathers firm, and Messrs
W. A. and A. c. Taft occupy respons sible posi-
tons in the employ Of Messrs, Brons ons
Weston, Durham & Co. Mr. Taft was widely
known and esteemed as a man of sterling in
tegrity and good and useful citizen.