The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-09-23
NUMBER 3S.
Obituary..

BIxBY.-One OF Montpelier's best known
business men and citizens passed away
when Roger III. Bixby died on Saturday
morning of last week. A hemorrhage of
the lungs at the store two weeks ago left
him in feeble condition, and the success
sive attacks which followed took away all
nope OF recovery. Although expected, his
death was shock to the community in
which he had lived a respected friend and
neighbor for many years. His business re-
lations had brought him in contact with
nearly every one in the village, and it is
evidence OF the worth of the man that he
had the confidence and esteem of all He
will be greatly missed in Montpelier, and
the bereaved family may feel assured that
it has the full sympathy Of those whose
sympathy will be most priced. Mr.. Bixby
was born at Hardwck, July 26, 1915, and
he had been a resident of Montpelier since
1864, when he came here TO work as clerk
in the drugstore of l.. f. Pierce. He was
afterwards partner in the same business
at the same place with his brother, f.
Bixby, and for five years he had been the
sole proprietor of the store. In 1872 he
married Miss Sarah Camp, who survives
him. He also leaves a brother Newton
Bixby of Lowell, Mass, and two sisters.
Mrs; Hiram Holland of Rutland, and Mrs.
William Welch of Wolcott. The funeral
took place Monday afternoon at two o'clock
from the late residence at the corner of
State street and Bailey avenue, Rev. G.. w.
Gallagher officiating. There was a large
attendance, the stores and banks being
closed as mark of respect for the dead
and in order that the business men could
attend. The floral tributes were numerous
and beautiful. j. w. Brock had charge of
the arrangements, and the bearers were the
brother of the deceased, Newton Bixby, @.
III. Heaton, G. S. Whittier, George II.
Rolfe, Harry A. Slade and l.. ii. Bixby At
the conclusion of the service the remains
were taken to Green Mount cemetery and
inferred in grave lined with evergreen
and hydrangea blossoms. 1t was fitting that
one who in life always bore bright and
cheerful face should be laid at rest in the
bloom and sweetness OF flowers.
PoLAND.-Death is the author of many
surprises. Expected and long anticipated,
his final coming is often so sudden and un-
expected, sometimes in the midst of the
promise of prolonged life, that friends of
those he has marked for his own discover
with shock the presence of the dread visit
ant. James Monroe Poland, at pleasant
| cottage by the sea, at Marblehead, Mass,
retired on the evening of September 16 after
day happily spent in the society of his
family and friends, with the hope and pros
pect that even his slender tenure of life
might be heightened out many days. The
morning light revealed the presence of
death Peacefully his summons had been
answered. Quietly as if in natural slumber
his victim lay just as he had appeared the
evening before to the eyes that had last
!
Poland was born at Johnson, VT, April a,
1871, and was the eldest son of Joseph and
Mary Ann (RowelD Poland. The family re-
moved to Montpelier, and there Monroe's
early and maturer years were spent till 1881.
He received his preparatory education in
the schools of Montpelier, entered the Uni
versity of Vermont, and was graduated in
1862. The great civil war was then in pro-
| gress, and the spirit that fired the hearts of
millions of Americas patriotic youth took
| ~ 10 i'm,
mediately enlisted in the Fifteenth Reg-
ment Vermont Volunteers, Colonel Proctor
commanding, and was commissioned adju-
tant of the regiment October 2, 1862. He
served through the period of his enlistment,
and was mustered out Au Just 8, 1868. He
then entered his fathers Office as deputy
collector of internal revenue where he dis
played great capacity in the transaction and
despatch of business. November 81, 1866,
he married Miss Josephine Reed, daughter
of the late Thomas Reed. OF his family
two members survive, Mrs. Poland and a
daughter, Miss Mary-two daughters, Miss
Clara and Miss Josie, the eldest and the
youngest of the family, dying in the spring
of 1881. In 1868 the father and son under
| the firm name of j. ~ j. NJ. Poland bought
of Hon. E. p. Walton the WATCHMAN estab-
lishment, and Monroe held the position of
business manager and associate editor till
January /, 1880, when by reason of declip-
ing health he withdrew from the partner
W
and was for while engaged in an insur-
ance office. He finally went to Omaha,
and was for some time connected with the
press of that city, serving for the most part
on the staff of the Omaha Republican, edit
ing at length the Council Bluffs edition of
that paper, and having his residence in the
latter city, There in March, 1888, he suf-
fered a severe attack of pneumonia. His
condition was a critical one. He survived,
but complication of diseases assailed him
and ia w rpmOUpI tn tba praS ria
hospital at Chicago. There skillful treat
ment held his maladies at bay. There were
seasons when dissolution seemed near at
hand. His strong constitution carried him
along, however, and in the main his con-
dition was rendered comfortable. He en-
ioyed the society of his friends and relatives
and the Conpanionship of his books, and
during his better periods the freedom of the
world outside his retreat. He had long
! ing to return to the East and revisit the IA
miliar scenes of former years. His condi-
ton seeming to warrant the journey, he
came in July to Cambridge, Mass, where
his daughter was at school. He was eX-
ceedingly happy in the companionship of
| old-time acquaintances and amid congenial
associations and surroundings. For the
| better enjoyment of the sea air. the family
had gone for short stay at Marblehead.
| There he had received visits from old Mont
pelier friends, and seemed to draw new life
| and hope from this change of scene from the
hospital to the seaside and the companion
ship and proximity of near relatives and
| lifelong acquaintances He had dined on
the 10th at Secretary Proctor's cottage, and
had never seemed in happier or more
hopeful mood. Arrangements had been
completed to return the following day TO
Cambridge. He retired at the usual hour,
and Mrs. Poland had gone to his bedside
before seeking her own room. He seemed
to be resting quietly; the morning found
him as he had appeared when his wife had
last looked in upon him, and it is possible
that even then life was extinct. The heart
had apparently yielded to the stress of
| bodily ills. His remains were returned to
the scenes of his active life, and interment
was made on Friday afternoon at Green
Mount cemetery, Rev. G. w. Gallagher
reading the simple burial service. Mr.. Po-
land was endowed with many of the quail
ties that have made the family name famous.
He had an active mind, quick wit and an
inborn love of literature. He was a keen
observer and pquant writer He had
wide acquaintance with the prominent men
of the state and Of the country In social
life he was lively participant and his
intercourse with his friends and the world
was characterized bV a genial manner and