Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-04-03
GEN. W. ". LTNDE.


Gen. william W. Lyndr. whose sudden death on
Friday, March ~, briefly mentioned last week,
deserves something more than passing notice. His
was an exceedingly active and busy life-in come re-
Hpects remarkable one-and his comparatively short
but successful career has once again demonstrated
what a young man Of courage and push may accom-
plish, even though he be cast upon the world At an
early age, without fortune influential friends TO aid
aud encourage him. He was born in GuilfOrd, Feb.
49, 1922 and was the eldest Of the II children Of Dan
lei aud Tamson Lyude. In his boyhood he Abored
upon the farm, which served TO develop In him great
physical strength, fine manly frame and robust
constitution. His parents poor and, with their
large family Of young children William had but few
of the advantages OF boy Of his day, and becoming
restless and uneasy At an early age and with the CON
sent Of his father he launched out into the world I'M
der bis own banner, with hrm resolve 10 be some
body-in other worde, to make life, with him, sue
cess. To do this, he believed that education was ea
senta and TO obtain that he did whatever his hands
found to do during the spring, summer and fall
ing money to keep himself decently clothed and lit
tie to lay by and did chores for his board aud attend
ed school In the winter. He was quick TO learn and
took advantage Of several terms At Merose seminary
In West Brsttleboro. He taught school winters, In
which profession he became quite prohcent aud was
well liked. Al time he was employed In the store
OF Calvin Townsley Sons, 10 this village. subse-
quenty he went 10 Boston, where he became propre-
tor Of blacksmith shop DispOsing Of this business,
he went from Boston TO Worcester, where he found
employment for while, aud In the fall Of 1854 re-
moved TO Marlboro aud became clerk In the store OF
@. NJ. Houghton. In 1886 he succeeded Mr.. Hough-
ton, aud continued in the mercantile business there
until the winter Of lsG06l when his store aud goods
were entirely consumed by hre. In November, 1861,
when q member Of the legislature, he came home and
enlisted private soldier 10 the service OF his coun
try, aud was commissioned by Gov. Holbrook to
cruit company for the 9Th Regiment with headquar
tiers at Wliamsvile. Upon the organization Of that
company ~, In January, 1882 he was elected and
commissioned It's captain and upon the muster-in Of
the regiment II attached to Gen. Buffers New Or
leans expedition, where be served with credit until
October 49, 1853, when, by reason Of serious attack
OF chills and fever, be compelled to resign and
return home. He was an onesr Of great courage and
sound judgment, and his advice was often sought by
his superior officers. His enforced retirement from
the regiment was deeply regretted by his own men, TO
whom he was strongly attached, and by his brother
officers all Of whom Of whatever rank highly respect
ed him. As be had sufficiently recovered his
health to be about be entered heartily and energeti
cay into public Affairs and gave material aid IN the
promotion Of enlsments and TO the strengthening Of
the goyernD ent until the close Of the rebellion.
In 1866 he again opened q store in Marlboro, aud
continued in that business most OF the time up 70
including the year 1871 when be disposed Of his prop
erty and business interests there, aud In February,
1878, removed to this village, where be bad since re-
sided. Upon coming TO this town he engaged in the
grain, feed, -four and milling business with Mr. Ed
win Earle for about year, after which he continued
It alone until the close Of the year 1851 when he sold
70 the present Valley Mil company. At this time his
health had become seriously impared-the result no
doubt, Of severe injury 70 his head, received In
railroad collision on the New YORK Central railroad
November ), 1873, from the effects Of which be had
never fully recovered, together with long-contnued
overwork-and by the advice Of his physicans he en
tirely Absained for while from any exciting bust
ness but his active energetic nature could not brook
ideness 80 long a. there work TO do and though
in comfortable circumstances financially, and fully
realizing the danger Of actively engaging in business,
some two years ago he again launched forth aud has
since prosecuted with bis accustomed energy the
wholesale and retail grain and -four business, aud
many other business enterprises a. well.
That, superadded to his own private cares, he bore
bis Just share OF the public burdens IL evidenced BY
the fact that be WAS hardly free from such du-
ties. Going to Marlboro in 1884, be elected
stable and collector Of taxes IN 1855: he town
clerk four years OF the seecmen for three years.
lister one year; town agent one year; superinten-
dent OF schools hve years. justice OF the peace for
ten years In Marlboro md since 1888 In Bratt orc;
was town auditor for many years represented MARI
boro in the legislature IL years; state senator in
from December, 1870, to December, 1874 and one OF
the presidential electors in 1880. He was Of the
ineorporators OF the Braleboro Savings Blnk which
WAS organized In January, 1871, has been . member
Of its board Of trustees since Its organization and for
several years past one Of the board Of His
counsel and advice was frequently sought after by his
neighbors and townsmen 10 business matters and his
services were frequently called into requison in the
settlement OF estates IN u s. bankruptcy proceedings
and in probate and insolvency.
In politics he was an answering Republican from
the organization Of that party to bis death, aud
nearly always present a delegate At its state dis
trtct and county conventions, where his power and
influence were often felt in the selection OF candi
dates. As a member Of the legislature he welded
large influence among its members, aud often sue
ceeded Ia securing the passage defeat Of measure
where other men representing much larger constitu-
encies would have failed. whether asGautinR or de-
tending measure, he always fought agQressyely and
earnestly aud With bis long service he became per-
ftcty familiar with parliamentary rules and tactics,
and ready and proficient In debate. He had we'll de-
hned opinions Of his own, and still better ne had
the courage OF his convictions aud hesased TO
express them. He was plain aud decisive Of speech
aud sometimes blunt He disliked TO see men Of
small eabre succeeding TO once and never afraid
TO say mo" to all such political selfseekeFs For the
reason that be was the kind Of above described
he bad bis enemies who bitterly hostile towards
him; but his worst enemies must admit that he al
ways struck ont openly and straight from the shout
der and was Just as ready to receive he TO give
blows. He had an extensive mountaineering, and q
host OF warm and conhding friends wherever he was
best known, He was generous, charitable, kind warm
hearted and anectionate; yet, like most other men,
he entertained bis diskes though for his friends aud
those be loved he was ready to make reasonable saer
nces. He was never connected by membership with
any church organization, but held religious convic.
tons OF somewhat liberal tendency aud always gave
generously towards the support Of preaching.
Gen Lynde was married, Sept. l6, 1882 TO Miss Ca
lista Persons, daughter OF Capt. Ebenezer Persona
formerly OF Newfane, by whom be had two daughter
-Flora wife Of Hugh Adams Of this village, and Ida
who died when about three years Of age and IL buried
At Marlboro. He was extremely happy In his doEes-
tic relations, and leaves widow aud the one daughter
named 10 mourn the loss Of hind husband and faith
En- Several days previous to bis death he seemed 10
have premonition that he would not live A great
WHILE and expressed the desire be laid beside his
little daughter 10 his family lot In the cemetery near
Marlboro Centre, where the greater portion Of his ac
tive life had been spent On Friday last IN the fore
moon, he was about the village, but, not feeling we'll
be did no business, aud returned home earlier than
usual He sat at dinner with his family but was soon
after taken with commissions, and died OF apoplexy
about hafpast two that afternoon. His funeral was
largely attended at his late residence on Western ave
nue. Sunday forenoon, Rev. \. Z. Tower oficiktipR
aud his body was taken TO Marlboro for burial