The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-11-28
Remington Centre

Rev. J. Ambrose Wight, D. D., known
and highly esteemed by many of our
older readers. died at Bay City, Mich.
Nov 18th of Inflammation of the stomach
and was buried in Rose Hill cemetery
in Chicago. We copy many Of the in
cidents of Mr.. Wight's life from the Bay
City Times Of Nov. 18th, handed us by
friend TO whom M. VIII ht sent mes
sage from his dying bed. He very much
loved our late pastor Mr.. Jennings, and
ON the occasion OF his visits TO Bsnning-
ton his minislrstion IN our pulpit here
was very acceptable. His home while
in Bennington was on the farm owned
bv Dea. II. II. narwood. Jay Ambrose
Wight was born September 10, 1911, at
Floyd, Oneida county, IN. Y. During
his infancy the family removed to Nor
witch, Mass, where he lived till he was
six years old, when he went to East.
hampton, where he lived nine years. AT
the end of this time he returned TO his
boyhood's home. The following year he
went with an elder brother to Lunenburg
VT, remaining there a year upon farm.
The following winter he spent In Massa.
chusetts attending school. The next
spring he went to Hampstead, L. l
where he taught school two years. At
the expiration OF that time he went to
Bennington, VT, attending the academy
there, and having as his schoolmates,
E. B. Burton, E. II. Chaplin. and others,
afterwards famous. He was converted
in 1881, during a revival OF religion at
Bennington and chose the ministry az
his profession. In 1882 he entered Will
liams College, graduating in 1886 and
delivering the class poem at graduation.
From his alma Mater in 1871 he receiv-
ed the degree Of d. ID,
He came West in 1885, and for little
time was busy in and around Chicago,
acting as chairman during the survey
for the Illinois and Michigan canal. In
the fall of 1885 he opened store in the
village now called Rockton, Illinois,
where he continued in business till some
time in 1889. He then removed to Rock
ford, Illinois, aud was admitted to the
bar in 164l, entering into partnership
with his brother James NJ. Wight. In
1643 he removed to Chicago and assum.
ed the management OF the Prairie Farm.
err, which he successfully edited for Ia
years. In 1849 he added to his labors
the editing Of the Herald Of the Prdiries,
a religious newspaper, organ Of the Con-
EDUCATIONAL and Presby terrain denomina.
tions in the West. III this paper he waS
associated with Hon. VIM. Bross. The
name of the paper was changed to the
Prairie Herald. In 1851 Mr.. Bross trans
ferred his interest TO Mr.. Wight, who in
1858 sold the paper to other parties.
During bis residence in Chicago, Mr..
Wight was connected with the Second
Presbyterian church, serving IL as an
elder. In 1855 he carried out his orig.
inal purpose Of seeking the ministry and
in 1856 gathered the Olivet Presbyterian
church. Chicago, (now q part of the
Second church) OF this church Olive'
be was chosen pastor and 90 continued
till 1858, when ill-health forced him Il
resign. Most Of the year 1854 he was
one Of the editorial staff OF the Chicago
Tribune Declining call TO profess' T.
ship in Knox College in May. 1866. hi
YVES called to and accepted the pastor
ate Of the First Presbyterian church. oil
Bay City. In this relation he remained
. till May Q. 1888 ,ince which time he ha
J sustained the relation OF pdstor-em
2 eritus, He married Miss Caroline E
Adams, in 1910, who. with four children
survive him. During his long life Dr.
Wight sought to know his duty and d,
il. In doing this he found usefulness
influence and honor. And we have tn
4 assurance that in life and in death b
was the Lord'e.-7he Bay City Time
November IA.
BY the kindness and csrefulness Of Nj
Charles Parsons, and bis gentleman
J assistants, many ladies and eenIleme
I of this village were on Tuesday permit
| ted the pleasure Of visiting the dIzz
height OF the monument, and to behol
the beautiful panorama therefrom, will
/ out any discomfort. The entire part
rendering their thanks,