The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-10-03
Obituary.

Major Amasa b. Watson, native of
Worcester, and latterly one of the foremost
citizens of Grand Rapids, died suddenly the
night of the 18th as he entered sleeping
car to go to Chicago ON business trip.
ApopleXy is the supposed cause although it
was not thought, either by himself or friends,
that he was subject to such an attack and
he had been apparently i'll his usual excel
lent health. He was born in Worcester,
February "A, 1925. He went to Michigan
shortly before the war, enlisted where his
father-in-law, late John \. Brooks, was en-
gagged in extensive lumber operations, with
headquarters at Newaygo. He served in
the Eighth Michigan infantry. He had
been for years one of the wealthiest citizens
of Grand Rapids and was interested in
many of its financial and manufacturing
institutions. He is said to have been one of
the most pubic-spirited citizens Grand
Rapids ever had, while his kindness to the
poor was one of the most generous and most
unstinted kind. He leaves a widow and
two adopted children.
The sad death of our esteemed towns
man, Nathan Skinner, was one of those
events, providentially infrequent, that carry
dismay to the hearts of all men. He was
about his business in his barn, with his
usual punctuality, when lightning bolt
struck the building, and instantly put an
end to his life. In the undoubted fact that
death came to him inStantaneously, with
out suffering in the flames that destroyed
the barn, the sorrowing family find much
to console their grief. After careful eX-
animation into all circumstances, noting
especially the manner in which the light
ming scattered unburnt debris over the adj
joining field, it is proper to say that there
can be no shadow of a doubt that our la
mented friend met painless death. The
funeral was attended by very large num-
Der of relatives and friends OF the deceased
Representatives of the Masonic lodges of
i,Nft fA1 wit hA
lodge in honoring the memory of one of
their number-a Mason of so. Mr.. Skinner
was a native of Plaintield, and at the time
of his death was sixty years of age lacking
one day. He and Mrs. Skinner had lived
together in wedlock thirty-seven years, and
have been blessed with an interesting fam
lily of seven children, all of whom, with
their mother, are now living. Mr. Skinner
was notable man in many ways. A strong,
vigorous nature, of positive and indie
pendent opinions, and fearless yet courteous
in the expression of them. He is remem-
bered as "A man that deeply interested him
self in all that concerned the welfare of the
town. The public schools received his ar
dent and intelligent support while all his
children, except one, are graduates of God
dard Seminary, and she, the youngest is
now a student at that institution. In the
municipal and political affairs of the town
Mr.. Skinner eXerted a felt influence by his
voice and vote. Being well-informed man,
and well endowed intellectually he was an
acknowledged leader in the secular walks
of life. Enthusiasm in his business pre-
eminently distinguished him. Punctual,
Industrious, observant, of robust physical
constitution, he made a success of the first
and last of the arts-that of agriculture.
To him the life of a farmer stood as noble
and ennobling vocation. Mr.. Skinner will
be greatly missed by many of his fellow
townsmen, while the heartfelt sympathy of
all goes out to his bereaved family, who are
bearing their heavy affiction with exem-
plary fortitude and submission. WITS.