The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-11-13

eI DAVID f. SQUIREs, an old and much
Q esteemed resident of Bennington, die,
Sunday. The deceased had been a SUI
ferer from diseases incident to old ag
and had been in feeble health for two o
three years. Mr.. Squires was born II
Bennington Centre December 10, 1905
He was named after Hon. David Fay, |
son of Capt. Stephen Fay, who was thu
landlord Of that noted inn Of Revolution
airy times, the Catamount tavern. Mr.
Squires had always resided in Benning
ton, except short residence in Pownal
For many years he was clerk in the
general store of j. & J. B. Norton, who
occupied the building now owned by X.
B. Godfrey, on Main street. While thus
engaged he was virtually postmaster OF
Bennington for short time. John G.
Haswell had been removed owing to in
fiuences connected with moving the Yer
mont Gazette from "old Bennington to
"Algiers," and Geo. Is. Prentice was APP
pointed in his stead. The Office was
moved to the Godfrey" store. Mr..
Prentice left matters in Mr.. Squires'
hands and went back to Bennington Cen
tire, SO that the latter was postmaster to
all intents and purposes during the inter
regnunl. In 1851 Henry Sanford resigned
the Office of town clerk, and Mr.. Squires
was appointed to fill the unexpired term
August 23d of that year. At the annual
town meeting of 1852 he was elected
town clerk and held that Office uninter-
ruptedly from 1852 to 1887. The Board
of Selectmen which appointed Mr..
Squires was composed of well-knOwn
prominent men of that day: Buckley
Squires, +. ID. Hubbell and Charles
Hicks. As town clerk Mr.. Squires had a
minute and extensive knowledge of the
records of the town, and could almost
always give from memory any desired in
formation about mortgage, deed or
lease. He was an excellent citizen, kind
ly-disposed and thoroughly honest He
was married December 30, 1880, to Miss
Laura Peck, who died in 1874. Mr..
Sduires is survived by an adopted daugh-
ter. OF his fathers family there survives
brother, Saxon w. Squires of Milo, Ia,
and a half-brother Geo. p. Squires of
New York city. The later was present
at the funeral Tuesday. The services
were held at st. Peters church Tuesday
afternoon, the Rev. VIM. B. Walker, Off
ciating. The bearers were: N. B.
Squires, +. N. Squire, B. w. Stafford and
his son, all near relatives. The remains
were laid beside his wife in the village
cemetery. An old friend contributes the
following: Thus another of Benning
toms old landmarks has passed away.
Not so the influences of his long and val
ued life. Perhaps no man now living in
our town has come in contact with so
many of its business men as had Mr..
Squires. He was not an ambitious man
for place or position except to be in the
right place and the right position. He
had the courage of his convictions and
the manliness to express and maintain
them. In public matters he was pro-
but not aggressive. He was a
from principle. Having
voted for William Henry Harrison and
supported his administration it was an
easy transition from the old Wing, to
new Republican party, and he was one
Of the staunch supporters of its first can
late, the pathfinder" for President;
md he has been loyal to each and every
candidate of his party for presidential
lonors since that time. Mr.. Squires of
jen spoke of voting for William Henry
Harris u, in 1916, and expressed great sat
sfaction that he had lived to cast, what
he expected would be and was his last
presidential vote for the only grandson
If President our country has ever
elected to that high office. Mr.. Squires
las left to the people he served SO long
md well, a rich legacy in his example of
trict honesty and Christian fidelity. He
lad long been member, and for many
ears an officer TSenior Warden in st.
'eter's Episcopal Church in this place,
where, next to his home circle of friends,
lis loss will be keenest felt. Peace to =
lis memory.