Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-05
THE LATE HON. EDWIN FLINT.


The Denefactor ofthe University of Yer
mont
Judge Edwin Flint, who recently died at
Mason City, Iowa, leaving by his will the
sum of $50, 600 to the University of YER
mont, was born in Braiatree, Orange coun-
ty, VT, May 25, 1914. He was the son of
Phineas and Abigail Weld Flint.
His father died when Edwin was but IL
years old. He worked upon the farm until
be was -, and then went to Windsor to
learn the printers art in tho office of the
Vermont Chronicle. y year later he went
to Burlington, where he was employed in
the Office Of Chnuncy Goodrich, printer aud
book publisher. lie fitted here for college,
paying his way in the printing office; en-
tered the University in 1883, and was grad
uated in the class Of 1896.
He soon after won't South and became
a teacher in Virginia. Kentucky and Ten
nessee. He was for some time a tutor III
the family of Gov. Shelby of Kentucky,
VINO is supposed to have been The original Of
Shelby in Mrs. Stoves ''Upcle Toms
Cabin" During the years OF teaching,
young Flint devoted his spare hours to
reading law, and in 1910 he was admitted
to the bar at Lafayette, Ind, and after a
brief time went to jackson, Micn., where
he practiced his profession until 1871, whom
he returned South for his health, Return
ing North in 1913, he went to Fon du Lac,
Wis, where he practiced law for three
years. He removed to La Crosse, Wis, in
1851 and in 1852 was elected district attor-
ney and, the same year, president of the
board Of supervisors of that city. In 1851
he was elected to the State Senate of Wis
consin, serving one term, and in 1862 was
| al ia 4,,I % s,,ls al
district of Wisconsin, which position he
filled with credit for six years. In 1876 hs
retired from the practice of law,
In 1863 be settled at Mason City, where
he lived until his death. A brother Hon.
w. s. Flint, of Nashua, Lloyd county,
Iowa, and an aged sister survive him with
several nephews and nieces among whom
is Victor I.Spear of Braintree, member of
the Vermont Board of Agriculture. lie
was never married. and lived quiet life
in his home, where his aged mother lived
with him till she died in 1874. Ho prac-
ticed close economy, giving to good o3iec IS,
but spending little money on himself, pre-
ferring to save it. in order to benefit his
native State and to show his gratitude to his
alma mater to whose training he owed SO
much His w, shows that he originally in
tended to endov Marsh professorship OF
intellectual philosophy in the University;
and in providing for this he expressed d
hope that a Benedict protessorship might
also be founded, in honor of his old in
structor Learning in later years that the
Marsh professorshp was already endow ed,
he changed his will so as to found the
Flint professorsbip Of mathematical and
| technical science"
Judge Flint was good scholar in mathc
mates and in all branches of philosophy
and literature. Few men had better all
round mental training and development
lie was a man of positive and independ
emit views, yet courteous to those of opposite
views, and highly respected by his oppo
nents. He was an ardent republican, bu
disagreed with his party on the policy o
prohibition in Iowa.
judge Flint was recognized in his profes
sion as an able lawyer, learned in til,
original sources OF the law, and well read il
legal lore. He was an honest man and
good citizen. While he kept 10 himself hi
beneicient purposes, his will proved wha
indeed was known before, thai lie was
legal son of our State university, and hi
generous example may well be commended
| to others OF her sons.