The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-10-08
Hon. Frederick Billings.

not in good health 1Or many years, ne lldu
not been seriously i'll until last winter,
when partial stroke of paralysis, compi-
Gated with heart difficulty, Frustrated
him. He was taken from New York to
Woodstock, and has been failing steadily
since. Mr.. Billings was born at Royalton,
September q, 1928 He was the son of the
late Del Billings and Sophia Wetherbee, and
was the fourth of a family of nine children,
five of whom still survive. When he was
about twelve years of age, his father moved
from Royalton to Woodstock. He fitted
for college in that town. and at the age of
seventeen entered the University of Yer
mont, from which he graduated in 1874.
After leaving college he studied law, and
was admitted to the Windsor county bar in
1S4S He was appointed secretary of civil
and military affairs by Governor Horace
Eaton in 1916, and held that Office during
Governor Eaton's two terms as governor.
In 1SlS, when the gold of California began
10 excite the imagination and the desire for
wealth and adventure in the young men of
the East Mr.. Billings set sail with his
brother, b. Simmons, who was captain OF a
vessel plying to and from the golden land.
Locating in San Francisco in the following
year, Mr.. Billings began the practice OF law.
He was successful from the first. lie be-
came partner in the leading law firm OF
San Francisco, that of Halleck, Peachy, Bill
lings & Park of which General Halleck,
subsequently for time general in chief OF
the Union armies, and Trenor W. Peck
were members. Mr.. Billings was active in
all the measures which the best element of
California was at this time striving to es-
tablish. In 1862 he married, at New York,
Julia, daughter of Eleazer Parmly, of that
city. Soon after this he closed up his bust
ness in San Francisco, and, after period
spent in foreign travel, he returned in 1864
to Woodstock to make his home there. In
1869 he purchased the Marsh estate, com
prising the homestead OF the late Charles
Marsh, the father of George p, Marsh. He
also kept a residence in New York, where
he spent his winters Soon after returning
to Woodstock he was elected president OF
the Woodstock National bank. In 1872 he
was a candidate for the republican nomina-
ton for governor of Vermont Little known
to many of the delegates he was defeated by
the narrowest possible margin. After the
nomination had been made, Mr.. Billings adj
dressed the convention, and so charmed
was it with his appearance, that he was
given evidence of approval and esteem that
must have been more acceptable than any
public office could have been. 1t was gem
orally remarked at the time that had the
speech been made before the vote, Mr.. Bill
ings would have been nominated unani-
mously He would never consent again,
however, to become a candidate for public
office. In 1880 he was chosen as delegate
to the republican national convention, and
presented the name of George f. Edmunds
as the choice of the republicans of Vermont
the convention. Mr. Billings was also a
prominent member of the Union League
Club of New York. The business enter
prise with which his name is most closely
connected was that of raising the fallen
fortunes of the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company, after the failure of Jay Cooke in
1873. Although the stock was very much
depressed, Mr.. Billings invested literally
and induced his friends to do likewise. By
his courage and push the stock was brought
up to a paying point, when he disposed of
enough of his share to give Henry Willard a
controlling interest. The transaction with
Willard added several millions to Mr.. Bill
ings' fortune. He was also an extensive
owner in the Delaware u Hudson company,
and was one of its directors He was presi-
dent of the Woodstock railroad, and was
interested in other railroad enterprises.
The latest great commercial enterprise to
which he gave his name and help was the
Nicaragua canal. He was one of the in
corporators of the company, and was earn
estly interested in the project. Mr.. Billings
family life was peculiarly happy. Seven
children were born to him, five of whom
with Mrs, Billings, survive him. The old
est son, Parmly, died in 1888, and the third
Enrich died about a year ago. The snr
Viving members of the family will in theil
sad bereavement have a sympathy as widely
extended as were Mr.. Billings good works
and name. Their friends in Woodstock
especially will extend to them a loving ten
derness most beautiful and comforting.
THE FUNERAL.
The funeral took place Friday at Wood
stock, and was attended by a very larg,
number of friends of the deceased and hi!
family, many coming from Chicago, New
York and other cities The services wer,
held at the White meeting house at twelve
o'clock, the chancel and desk of which wer,
tastefully decorated with palms and smlaX
President BuCkham of Burlington Univer
sity, DIR. Henry Van Dyke of New York
Peter Mcmillan, pastor OF the church, Rev
Moses Kidder of the Christian church, Rev
j. f. Brodie of Salem, Mass, formerl,
pastor of the Congregational churcl
of Woodstock, and Rev. II. w. Smtl
of the Episcopal church, occupied TIL
pulpit In front of this the casket. o
black broadcloth, bearing on the lid tw'
crossed palm leaves and large bunch o
white roses, was placed The bearers wer
o. p. Chandler, Charles p. Marsh, l.
Grand b. Cannon, James Barrett, Normal
Williams, II. c. Johnson j. b. William
and Henry S. Dana. Mrs. Billings entered
leaning upon the arm of her son, Frederick
followed by the daughters, Misses Laurs
Mary and Elizabeth. and the younger sol
Richard. Among the mourners were Mr.
Billings two sisters, Mrs. George Aler
and Mrs. Wallace; his brothers, Charles L
Billings OF Fitchburg, o: 7. G. Billings {
New York and f. n. Billings of WOOD
stock; his brother-in-law, Hon. Rodne
Wallace, member of congress- of Ftcl
burg; his nephews, #. S. Billings of Me-
York and Edward f. Bailey of Billing
Montana Mrs. Billings sister, Mrs. Ware
and brother, DR.. Ehrick Parmly of Ne
York, and other relatives. A large AZ
dience of citizens filed the church. I'll
services were as follows: ~ hymn, " FC
all the saints who from their labOrs rest;
(2) invocation by Rev. Mr. Kidder; 9hyml
Heard the Voice of Jesus SAVING" 4
reading of scriptures by Rev. Mr. Mcmillan
(5) discourse by President Buckhan
90 prayer, Rev. DR.. Van Dyke; {
hymn, 80 Holy Savior, Friend Unseen
C) benediction by Rev. j. #. Brodi
The singing was by chorus choir, Mr..
b. Whitney of Boston presiding at the o
gan. The discourse of President Buckha
was very sympathetic and impressive.
the cemetery the remains were placed
the receiving tomb, in front of which bri
service was held, consisting of the repea
ing Of two or three appropriate verses
Scripture by President Buckham; prayer
Rev. DR.. Van Dyke singing of the hym
"Unvel Thy Bosom, Faithful Tomb"
the music of the March in Saul, by h
choir, and benedction by Rev. II. A.
NJ