The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-04-09

Deacon Taft, as everybody called him,
n prominent figure III our religious
circles, and formerly well known in
business life, passed to his rest last wee k
as stated in a brief item. He was born
on the ninth day of June, 1909, in this
town. His early manhood" writes
DIR. II. c. Day, Twas spent in the service
of the old furnace company, which in
those days was one of the largest iron
establishments in the United States,
lie was first employed as clerk and
afterward as book-keeper in the com
panv's store. But after the tragic death
in 1880 of the superintendent of the
company, Alonzo b. Stiles, Mr.. Taft was
appointed successor, position which he
ably and acceptably filled until the fail
IRE of the firm in 1912. The affairs of
the company were successfully wound up
by Mr.. Taft, feat in financiering which
was much commended by many creditors.
After severing his connection with the
iron company he engaged for many years
in the feed and milling business. His
next venture was in the grocery trade,
ouG Chat not proving remunerative he
me- tg'o9!O' annntlv from active business
married in December, 1870, 10 MISS
Clarissa Winslow, daughter of Deacon
Enoch Winslow. She died in 1870. A
daughter, Mary Louise, was the fruit of
this marriage. She IN lrried Rev. Louis A.
Austin and died in Middlebury in 1889.
Since the death of his daughter, for
whom he had great aztec ton, Deacon Taft
has steadily failed in health and spirits.
He was man + sterling integrity and
good judgment. Physically lie was
stout, proportional MAI, and i'm
pressed one by the dignity of lis bearing
and sincerity of his manner"
The records of the churchdisclOse
long life of usefulness. He became |
member of the First Baptist Church of |
this village ON Jan. 18th, 1894. Though a |
comparatively yong man whenhe joined |
the churCn he Immediately todI q lead |
ing part in its affairs. Only a few months
after his entrance into its membership
the church appointed him as 0e of an
important committee. He was'epcated-
ly selected for services of tust and
honor. and the testimony of hi contem-
pories is to the effect that he lis always
filled whatever Office he held With credit
to himself and TO the advantage of the
church. During his long .cnnection
with the Baptist Church therewas not
an office that he did not hold, ad to the Y
principal church offices he wa elected
and reelected, holding them lr years.
As to the church's delegate tohe asso-
citation and convention meetirs of the
denomination in the State, a! Sunday
school teacher, superintendent and es-
pecially as teacher of an adlt Bible
class, the deacon was very etiient and
conscientious servant of the chch.
About two years after he jued the $
church Deacon Taft was tpointed $
treasurer. In 1910 he was Rin ap- q
pointed to this office, and inS44 was /
elected to serve the church)oth as
church clerk and treasurer. lime same c
year he was selected by ballot be the v
deacon of tie church, an officdle filed O
with exceptional fidelity and acptance,
until the day of his death, ?
He filled the office of trustt of his d
church from 1868 to II. He VS. clerk r
during the years 1898 to 10, 1S4to 80, v
1913 tO 80, 1853 to go, 1860 to - Il
On several occasions in the aimee of
the pastor, or during vicanc IN that II
office Deacon Taft was seectedo pre- e
side over the business neetingof the d
church. His calm and icOndliatit spirit q
made him exceptionally fitted o. such IL
an office.
Deacon Taft was a man zealolsiEood
works. The influence of his fewas N
for good, and only good throGhmt a u
long career. - t.
Living as he did the greater II Of his
life in the one community, mead an 81
opportunity of testing his fidy and Sc
integrity, and he stood the telf the m
most stringent criticism. Hwas as
friend of all, and all loved and pected ST
him. He was not insensiblo the &C
praise of men. He could not h been
the man he was, had he not released p;
with merited commentator. d yet If
his main purpose in life seemedbe to th
so live and act as TO be helpful lis fell he
low men and give greatest gloto his nc
God. tn
He was conscientious. faithfuvoted as
as a man, husband, falkland re
Christian. His good deeds d live tn
after him. "He being dead yjpeak- SC
eth" and his exhOrtation, usmany of
times in the social prayer aeting tn
well remembered, is: "Therefdny be- rel
loved brethren, be We steadfaslmov- an
able, always Astounding in tlprk of
the Lord, fOrasmuch as ye K that
vour labor is N in vain In thed -