St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-05-10
RECENT DEATHS.


the superintendent of the Ely Hoe and
Fork company, died at his residence
on Monday, aged 49. He had been an
invalid for some time, unable to give
material attention to business since the
beginning of the present year, and his
death was not unexpected.
George B. Ely was born at Littleton,
N. H., Aug. II, 1889. In his eighth
year his parents removed to st. Johns
bury and this has been his home since
that time. He early showed marked
taste and aptitude for mechanics and
long before he reached manhood took
an active part in the hoe and fork busi-
ness, first carried on by his father,
George w. Ely, and later by Ely g.
Wilder. About 1842 he became part
ner in the business, then under the firm
name of Ely, Balch & Co., and so con-
tinued to the time of the re-organiza-
tion of the company as corporation
in 1880, when Mr.. Ely became superin-
tendent, position he held until his
death. In all these relations he per-
formed the duties pertaining thereto
both with business ability and to the
satisfaction of those associated With
him. He has contributed largely to
the measure of success that has attend
ed the business of the company and the
high position maintained among their
competitors in the same class of goods
in this country. Indeed, it was due to
his too close application to business
that his health failed, and he spent the
winter of 1915 in California in hopes
that a warmer climate would prove
beneficial. The same reason led him
to spend the winter of 1879 in Kansas
and 1882 in Colorado, and later still the
winter of 1854-5 in Georgia, but no
permanent good resulted. He was
man of great will power. Some two
years ago he took out a patent on a
process for the manufacturing of and
putting an enamel finish on hoes which
has proved a decided success. To the
perfection of this process he has given
a great deal of time and strength and
these later years have been among the
most active of his life. He was a man
of sterling integrity, commanding the
confidence of business men and friends
with whom he came in contact. Of a
retiring nature he never sought pub
licity and gave his entire time to the
interests of his business.
Mr.. Ely was never married. The
surviving members of the family are
three brothers, Charles r. of Cham
plain, N. Y, Henry G.. associated with
him in business here, and William H.
of Hoosick Falls, N. Y, and sister,
Mrs. DIR. B. d. Eastman of Topeka,
Kan.
MATTHEws.-Jere Matthews, for
many years employed at the Fairbanks
scale works, died at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. M. F. Eastman, in Rut-
land, on Sunday morning. The re-
mains were taken to West Concord
Tuesday for burial. Mr.. Matthews left
St. Johnsbury about year ago, failing
health compelling him to give up work.
Since that time he has made his home
with his daughter, Mrs. Milo Eastman
in Rutland. His widow and another
daughter, Mrs. Locke, survive him.
Nra n oil IF
Woodsville, N. H., died on Monday,
April 80, at the age of 70 years. Mrs.
Balkum's first husband was the late
w. [. Heyer, who carried on the cabi-
net business in company with his son
James in st. Johnsbury. James, and
his brothers Oliver and Charles are still
residents of this place. Mrs. Balkum's
death was very sudden. She left
Woodsville on the previous Friday tO
visit her son James who is recovering
from a severe sickness. Her husband
and family of six sons and two daugh-
ters survive her, who appreciate the
kindness that has been shown them by
many friends.
HoPKINs.-Enos d. Hopkins, a we'll
known former resident of st. Johns
bury and for many years member OF
the Vermont conference, died at Co.
nant, Florida, Sunday, April %. Hi
last charge was at East st. Johnsbury
About 1876 he was engaged in the fire
insurance business in company will
George S. Shaw and N. p. Bowman o
this place, ontinuing for about year
After leaving Vermont some Is year.
ago he resided for time in New Jer
sey and afterward went to Florida, set
tling down on small place where he
has lived quietly ever since. His wild
ow survives him and also two sons
Anson S. who is living in Chicago and
George, who is living in California
There are also two daughters who sur
vive their father.
BILL1NGs.-Parmly Billings, oldes
child of Hon. Frederick Billings o
Woodstock, died in Chicago Monda.
night in the 25th year of his age. H
was born in San Francisco and entere'
st. Johnsbury academy in 1873, gradu
ating with the class of 80. He entere,
Williams college, but after remaining
there a year, went to Amherst wher
he graduated in 1884. From there b
went to Billings, Montana, and entere'
upon business life which gave ever.
promise of success had his life bee