The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-02-09
village, and what prices they can be put
in for. Chair declined to appoint.
Voted, To adjourn.
J. II. KEIso, Village Clerk.
Tn. Late Lsmnsl arnr.r


: SIR: 1t seems eminently fitting tbs
h more than passing notice be made {
the death Of one who had for so man
years been patron and occasionally
,, contributor to your valuable paper.
Q therefore take the liberty to ask @
you a small space in your next issue +
express few thoughts and reminiscen
ces connected with the life of Lemue
= Grover, by one who has had an intimat
acquaintance with him for more thai
| half century.
The subject of this memoriam va
born on the 9Th day of March, 1909 AM
died on the End day Of February, 1888
J at HighgatP. Vermont, where he haC
resided for the last twelve years.
lie was son Of Deacon Aaron Grovel
and one OF family of eleven children
his father, the elder Grover, moved
with his family from Washington coun
ty. N. Y. to Bennington about the veal
1870, He was man Of energy, indus
try and perseverance,. and was largely
identified with Bennington's interest
ever after he became citizen of the
town, and was one OF the first deacons
OF the FIRST Baptist church OF BenniDg-
ton and lived and died aconsistent al d
worthy member of that church. His
son, Lemuel, ea-ly in life became a
member Of the same church, and was
for many years one of its most earnest
and faithful workers. always taking a
great interest in all that concerned its
welfare and especially in the Sabbath
school connected there with.
His was kind and benevolent heart,
large enough to embrace all mankind
and especially warm and tender toward
his own peCp'e and his own society.
He was man OF more than ordinary
ability, and especially gifted in many
ways, none of which was 40 prominent
ly marked as that for singing and teach
ing vocal music, When in the prime OF
life and mature manhood, IL seemed to
be his life element; and whoever would
see Lemuel Grover at his best. must see
HIM with baton in hand as leader Of
choir OF singers, or as teacher of a sing
ing hool.
Many of your readers will go back In
their memerv to the ve:y many schools
he has taught in this and nrighboring
towns, and especially to a time some
fifteen years ago when lie gathered
around HIM large class of our citizens.
embracing both the younger and the
older, and or M nth after month, be
ginning with the first IudimeLts of the
art; so compete and thorough were
his Instructions, that many of the pupils
of that school are now among the best
singers of the village.
So great wa Mr.. Growers love for
music that after he had passed his three
score and ten yea Is, he, by request Of
the society with whom he worshipped,
became the leader If their choir, and
continued in that capacity until compel.
led, from physical infirmity. to relin-
quish what he considered not only a
duty but privilege, to.thus aid in the
worship of the sanctuary. And to him
today Bennington ia indebted, in a large
measure, for the excellent reputation il
now has and has long sustained for its
rare vocal music.
Mr.. Grover in his early manhood chose
for his llfe's occupation that which had
been his fathers before him, that of a
blacksmith and fUundryman, and for
many years, alone and in partnership
with others, carried on extensive bust
ness in that line in Bennington with a
widespread reputation of doing good
work and turning out pro ably the larg.
est castings at that time ever made in
Vermont.
About the year 1856 he cast, at the
foundry then run by Grover and Har-
ringtOn where Ii. w. Putnam's machine
shop now stands, for the Bennington
Powder Co.. two enormous wheels for
grinding powder material, each of which
weighed about seven tons.
During Mr., Growers residence In Ben
nington, he was connected in the f0un-
dry business with some of our most
prominent lus ness men; such
names as Gay K. Sanford. S. H, Brown.
Resolvy Gage, George Harrington and
DIN Scott were at different times asso-
ciated with his and business men of the
surrounding country required no furth-
rr guarantee that work entrusted to
such men would be faithfully and hon
estly done.
Mr.. Grover married IN early life
Miss Jane Pierce of Pawlet, Vermont, a
very estimable lady, who died at Bloom
ington, ILL.,, about the year 1878 where
Mr.. Grover was for few years in bust.
ness. Her remains were brought to
Bennington, and now the husband and
the wife sleep siie by side in Benning
ton cemetery. OF tEis marriage there
were born to them q son and a daughter.
The former diI when a small child,
and the latter, after becoming thu wife
of 7. B. Beach, Esq, now residing at
HIghgate. Vermont, died at that place
in August last. leaving bright and
promising daughter of twelve years OF
age, now the only surviving representa-
tive of her lamented grandfather.
Mr.. Grover had been in feeble health
for several years, and was kindly cared
for by his daughter, Mrs. Beach, up to
the time of her death, since which time
Mr.. Beach has been unremitting in his
care and attention, assisted by the ever
watchful and tender solicitude of the
grand daughter, whose young hands
were ever ready 10 smooth pillows and
DO all in her power to ameliorate his
sufferings and make the last hours Of
her aged grandfather as comfortable as
possible.
He died as he had lived, with an nm
faltering trust in his Redeemer and with
a full assurance of blessed hereafter
Mr.. Growers remains were brought to
Bennington on the 4th inst. and were
buried from the residence of his life
long friend, Daniel McEowen, Esq. the
Rev. Mr.. Marten, pastor OF the church
where the deceased first made profess
sion of his faith. officiating. The sing.
ing was by the choir Of this church, and
lead by Professor F. N. Squire. one OF
Mr.. Growers pupils of forty years ago.
And now that our friend has gone to
his rest, the name Of Lemuel Grover will
long be remembered in Bennington as
belonging to kind and loving husband
and father, true and faithful friend, a
consistent christian gentleman and, above
all an honest man. W.