Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-04-16
BTTUAR Y.



Luther Il. Highly one Of our best known aud
most respected residents, died Tuesday morning az
ter painful illness Of about 10 moHths. Mr.. Highly
was born at Middletown, Conn, March 8, 1888, and
was 4s years Of age at the time Of his death. Quite
early In life he deveoped decided mechanical ability
with Inventive genius Of an exceptional character.
His early training In machine shops In conuec-
ton with the manufacture of boilers in plumbing,
piping, etc. In 1912 he worked In New Haven,
Conn, and during that time superntended the laying
OF public gas or water pipes. In 1862 he enlisted in
the 18th regiment Of Connecticut volunteers as mu
Hician, In September 1862 occurred that terrible
ries Of battles eliminating at Antieam the 18th Of
the month. Mr.. Highly was very active during that
battle and afterwards In caring for the wounded on
the field, and at that time received very severe nju
ry In the back, from which he never recovered. He
was taken to the hospital, and after remaining sever
al months received an honorable discharge and came
home. For year after his return from the army his
injuries prevented his taking up any active employ
ment, aud in 1854 we believe he FIRST came TO Brat
tleboro. He entered the service Of j. Estey Co.
and was with them more or less for several years
The condition Of his health necessitated changes
from time to time 10 his employment. At times he was
utterly unable to work at his trade During one Of
these periods he was engaged quite successfully In
the insurance business In BrattleborD. At another
time he was in the employ Of Col, Fuller In the sew
ing machine manufacture. At still another time he
with Dr. Gale and others In the sewing machine bust
ness in Hlnsdale, N II. In 1870, thereabouts, he
was engagedfo time with s. NJ Spencer IN making
his stencil dies In 1872 he received hatering of
fer and moved to Newark N. j., to take charge Of
mandatory Of sewing machines. He remained
there for time, and then having invented a very
valuable machine In connection with the manufac-
ture Of wire netting he removed to Beleyile, N j.,
where be resided for three years more partner
and superintendent of the Dewitt wire works Of that
place. The health OF his family, however, necess-
tated an abandonment Of the New Jersey climate and
he returned to Brattleboro in 1880, whereabouts,
and entered the employ Of the Brattleboro sewing
machine company. While ia their employ he invent
ed some improvements In sewing machines and con-
struoted a machine After obtaining his patents
therefor company was organized under the name Of
tue Highly sewing machine company and operations
were begun and for some time carried on in Mr..
Crowells building on Flat street Mr. Highy's health
failed 10 the winter OF i53i5 and he resigned bis POI
stion in the company never, II has proved to
turn to active business life again
At the age Of 16 Mr.. Highly was converted at Shell
burne Falls and united with the Baptist church there
under the pastorate Of Rev. DR. T. II. Gray Wherey-
er Mr.. Highly resided he took active part In all
church work, and up to within very short time
has been clerk aud treasurer Of the Baptist church
here. Mr.. Highly was married 10 June, 1881 TO Miss
Sarah Il. Fish, daughter Of Rev. samuel Fish, famil
iarly known as Father Fish," who was so long
Baptist preacher In this county, aud who spent his
declining years in Bratteboro beloved by all who
knew him. During Mr.. HiRbys long sickness he has
been the recpientO many hind expressions and sym
pathetic acts from apprecatiYe friends aud tOwuspeO
pie, aud the universal expression since his Hmented
death il, "a good man gone home.' During period
of nearly half his life be has suffered more than any
one knew, or could know, from physical debility but
during all this time he has carried the cheerful
exterior and his life has been full Of helpful words
and deeds wherever he has been. To the wife aud
son who survive him are left the precious memories
of his tender care and love, aud the inheritance Of
his sterling Christian character. The physicians pro
nouuced his disease consumption Of the bowtls The
funeral services were held at the house to-day at