News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-01-28

duNIScu bIidl uC " SiS " Cll hho" SIii ONA
out our county, and notwithstanding his
faults, had many friends"
His father and mother, Benjamin and
Mabel Conant, were early settlers III the
towns history, and located in the south
western part of Stowe, half mile be-
low the small hamlet called Moscow. His
fathers family consisted of himself, wife
and six children; four sons, Benjamin,
the subject of our sketch, being the eld-
est, and Ezra, Josiah and Joseph, and
two daughters. Sarah, the eldest, after
wards became Mrs. Parcher, and the sec
ond daughter married Alfred Barrows.
Two sons are now living, Ezra and JOSH
ah. Joseph having been killed in the late
rebellion. The daughters both died many
years ago. Up to the age of fifteen years
nothing appeared in Benjamin's life diff
ferent from that usually attending the
lives of youth generally in those days.
Hunting and fishing were the chief
amusements. The forests abounded with
game of all kinds, while to cast hook in
the mountain streams was an assurance
of an inviting meal of trout. An Occa-
sional day of recreation was found at
June training, or the annual March, or
Freeman's meeting, where the stalwart
youth were continuously vying at wrest-
ling and other sports. Apple parings,
husking bees and kitchen junkets were
occasionally sandwiched among the win
ter evenings, that the girls of the period
might also have their hour of holiness.
Thus much was the measure OF their iu-
venile pleasure.
At the period of his birth, December l,
1917, less interest in education was felt
than now, and three months, or the win
ter term of the district school, was re-
garded as sufficient each year, and suffi-
cient to qualify any boy or girl for the
prospective duties of life. To learn to
read and spell passably we'll, and to
"cypher to the rule of three" was the
maximum OF all their educational needs.
1t cannot be claimed that the Doctor,
when boy, had an aptness for general
study to a greater degree than was
evinced in other lads of his day, but the
fact appears, that to make speciality of
some branches of science, the study of
the anatomical laws of nature was one of
his early characteristics, though, under
the disadvantages of the times, very
slowly developed, and in truth, not at
tanning any prominence as a faculty until
his arrival at manhood. His observation
was close, and when but child, readily
Disseminated the kind and uses of the
different plants, and he would excel many
persons of fuller years in defining their
botanical qualities. Those peculiar but
natural traits of character received no
encouragement, either at school or at
home. To learn to swing the axe or
hold the pillow, was the prospective in
heritance Of the farmer lad. He was too
young to know, and others too indiffer-
ent to care, concerning the great wealth
of Information and power so quietly and
awaitingly wrapped in the embrace of
nature, unlocked and coming at the bid
ding of, and for the uses of man. In
this semi-idle, objectless way was his
youthful training. Fond of reading and
observing, but with little to observe and
less to read.
At the age of Is years his pathway
suddenly changed and led him to an ap-
premiership at boot and shoe-maker's
bench in New Hampshire. The business
and labor of his master was not to his
taste. and his mind sought other fields
broader in thought and more agreeable to
his youthful inclinations. At this time
he had avoided those habits, then so
common in both age and youth, which
environed so many, too often the gift of
parental disregard for the well-being of
sons. Staying but short time as an ap-
prentice he sought an eminent physician
in the vicinity, and on his advice, pursued
a course of medical training. From this
tutor he derived much of
that scientific knowledge which was so
shown in after life. In 1912
he was practicing his chosen profession.
His success at first, as in after years,
made him quite popular, and led him not
only through this. but adjoining counties,
often extending his professional tours
through many of the New England
States, and sometimes to portions of the
West; never locating, as do most physi-
clans, but continuously going at the call
denfy taken from his home for days and
weeks, at all seasons of the year, through
all shades of weather, and over noun
tain and valley roads, unsafe and almost
impossible to the traveller. Married to
Harriet A. Haslet, of Barre, his home
was frightened by two children, Alma
born in 1851, and Jasper, born in 1852,
and both now living. In 1853 he bought
farm in Waterbury, upon which he
made home for himself and family, and
where he continued to reside for 20 years
or more. Devoting but little attention to
the pursuit of agriculture, he gave to the
public the benefit of his great medical re-
search, and wherever his practice extend
ed, far beyond that also extended his rep
utation as a successful botanical doctor.
This of itself sustained public confidence
and gave the patient assurance that if he
could do them no good, no harm could
arise through his agency by the unskilled
use of poisonous drugs; an assurance
akin to knowledge. that in natures great
laboratory may be distilled the nectar
and strength of life. At a season when
70 frrhf hnr h1o hot 81
in q pecuniary view, quite profitable, a
cloud, though small at first, gathering
volume as it unheedingly Swallowed his
domicile, at last obscured the home and
broke in twain the domestic relation of the
family and for aseason he was as one is
olated, wandering he knew not whittier.
Domestic troubles and separation are the
lot of some men and are often regarded too
lightly by those who have passed through
the trying experience. In 1861 he chose
for his second wife Miss Marcia Guern-
sey, of Montpelier, who, we believe, is
now living. In 1876 he bought small
farm In Stowe, where he made his
home at the time of his death. 1t is a
part of the old homestead where life ex-
tended its merry welcome to the infant
conner, and where death, in its cold en-
brace held his lifeless form. Sixty-eight
years of varied life had passed, check
cred as scarcely any other life had been.
let who so by him has ever been
wronged that can personally say aught
against him? He was one faulty, vet
without fault, and Notwithstanding his
faults he had many friends" for faults he
had many and friends, indeed, who would
extend a kindly hand in the hour of need
till reason regaiued her sway. 1t is he
who elevates his fellow men that merits
praise, and greater is the honor to dis
cover a virtue than to enlarge a fault.
Wondrous strange are times and places.
for even in modern days "a prophet is
not without honor, save in his own coun-
try and IN his own home" Throughout
northern Vermont, and especially in the
northern part of this county, there was
warm and welcome feeling ever observ-
ant toward him. And in his last days,
when life was heavy burden, friends
were at hand to give their cheer till the
coming of the final hour. Though death
came suddenly it was not unexpected by
those who knew him best. To those in
Hyde Park whose kindly care ministered
to his last wants, thanks are especially
due, and great shall be the ultimate re-
ward OF those by whom he was so kindly
and Hospitality cared for. -
The DORCAs is hardly recognizable this
month, such an improvement has been
made in the cover. For the benefit of