The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-26
SECRETARY wINDOM-A TRIBUTE TO
BIS MEMORY

1t was my good fortune in early boy
hood TO reside near, and know well,
William Window. A truer soul and a
more lovable disposition it was never my
fortune to know. Mr.. Windom's family
and my fathers, came to the same
neighbOrhood in the same year, 1897.
They coming from Belmont county.
Ohio, we from Belmont Maine. We
were both ten years old in that year, he
six months my senior Not long after
tht time mentioned our families became
intimate, between us an acquaintance
was formed, and as boys, we were friends
in our plays and sports. He was a
good fellow, and | don't think the person
lives who ever knew him to do boyish.
mean act. The teaching of Lis most
noble Quaker parents, and the high tone
of his mate gentlemanly bearing, never
allowed him to do that which he looked
upon as beneath the dignity of true
boy. If there was anything in the sports
of school fellows that did not comport
with dignity of character, William Win
dom was never to be counted in, while
in good true sport and innocent fun, he
was never behind. His father owned a
little farm with very modest improve
ments, just in the edge of Knox county.
The North line of the farm being the
South line of Richland county, about one
and half miles from the little berg of
Waterford. As a boy, he helped to plow,
hoe, reap and dig, and he was not lag
gard. Winters he attended the district
school in the little old schOol-house, on
the road leading to FredericktOwn. from
the old homestead. Here the same trait
of character was manifest, that followed
L. 60 oh I..f
his class, and in no wise gave his teacher
trouble. The great trouble with him
was, being held back by slow plodders
and indifferent pupils. His lessons were
learned in an hour, while they might
con all day, and then not learn them.
But the time came when Window
thought he wanted to be something, other
than farmer, on little twenty-acre
patch of ground. | think it was in 1913
or 1914 he went to learn the tailOrs
trade with one Burk, at Waterford.
| Here he learned to make n good coat,
and while stitching cross legged on the
table. he always had some instruction
hook by his side, and the foundation
was laid as a stepping up and on. When
| he had graduated under his teacher
Burk, and could stitch with the best of
them, for he never did things by halves,
WindOm went to Millersburg Academy
in Holmes county, and remained about
year, and from there he went into
Judge Hurds law office at Mt. Vernon,
Ohio. The time at Millersburg was the
extent of his academic course. At school,
and in the law office the financial aid the
needle and the goose rendered, was not
despised They materially helped on, in
his support. Here, at Mt. Vernon, ii
was my privilege and good fortune again
to be thrown into his society. He was
studying law, and the writer was attend
ing SlOan's Academy, and by the way, in
the female department of this school,
Mr.. Window found and ma ried his ac.
compliShed wife, a most refined and
noble woman. Being good ways from
home, Is miles, it seemed natural for us
to associate, and many times an half houI
has passed pleasantly on my side in
social chat
In the spring of 1913 there was very
large accession to the Rev. DR.. Streby
church, Congregational, something over
eighty Joining at one communion, Mr..
Window and the writer being of the
number. | rememb very vivldly, as
though yesterday, walking out in the
suburbs one Sunday AFTERNOON, and
while seated on the grass in retired
nook, Mr.. Window speaking OF the
profession, as a life work said, II think
there is as urgent a call for lawyers OF
high and noble bearing, and whose aim
shall be right and justice as there is
for ministers of the pulpit. How well
Mr.. Window has lived up to that noble
thought, and how in line with it, his last
words were, his friends, his adopted
State-the nation; aye, the world knows
and to-day laments, and it may mosi
sadly lament, that he is called away
from the high sphere of action he was
twice called to fill.
Mr.. Window was admitted to the bal
in 1850. Soon after Judge Hurd wa;
elected to the circuit judgeship, anC
gave over his practice to Mr.. Window
and the completion of his unfinished
docket. In 1852 he was elected circuit
attorney for Knox county, and acquitted
himself with marked ability. He was
a most efficient worker in the temper
lance cause, being Grand worthy Templai
of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and no one
has ever stood higher in the organiza
ton. In 1855 Mr.. Windqm moved tC
Winona, Minnesota, and soon after set
Ting there, was sent as representative t.
Congress, and few are so Ignorant as no
to know the efficient service he rendered
by his votes and counsel through th'
dark days of the Rebellion, of his recOrC
as representative and Senator, and of hi
being called by two administrations t.
assume duty at the financial helm of thu
government, and how well and ably h,
has performed that service, and Will
what credit to himself and the nation h,
has acquitted himself, none need be told
Most able men have filled that exalted
station, but with each and all Mr.. Win
dom stands peer. :,
He was pleasing speaker, with read.
language, chaste often beautifully eX
+ pressed, but his speeches were delivered
for profit to the cause espoused. HI
never allowed himself to go OFF in mean
ingless rhetorical flights that some cal
oratory. but when Window spoke other
listened, for he never talked for talk
sake, but to make a point. And few
were the points that he did not maxi
which he attempted, for he ever pointed
in the right direction, as true as needl'
to pole.
AsI write this, and writing, remembe
his virtues, his upright life and strlc
integrity, and then realize that. william
Window is called from earth, my hear
is sad. The memory of his virtues viii
live long in the hearts of all who knew
him and the example of WINDOWS pub
lie life shall be as shining beacon t
light the trusted representatives of on
nation TO nobler action and higher aims