The Newtown bee., 1891-02-20


 The death of an aged man who has long outlived his generation is always noteworthy, especially when he belongs to prominent family or when his own life has been of interest. EleaZur Green Doolittle, the subject of this sketch, was noteworthy as the second eldest Mason in the State and his funeral at Water, town, Conn.,, Thursday, January 20, was conducted with Masonic honors by Fed eral lodge, of which he was charter member. During his last years, which were marked by extreme weakness and occasional wanderings of the mind, he was faithfully cared for by the son of his old age, George B. Doolittle, and his family.
 Eleazur Green Doolittle was born in Bethlehem, Conn.,, September IS, 1900, the eldest son of Ephraim and Polly Green Doolittle, who had eight children of whom David Doolittle, the youngest son, still lives at the old homestead in Bethlehem. Ephraim Doolittle, Flea, Zur's father, was born in Bethlehem, NAdINh lA, ltOC, SUI ol anu Oatl hi Gitteau Doolittlc. Ephraim had four brothers, Abner, who settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania; Thomas, near Cleveland, O.; David, who was phys ician in Pittston; Waite, also a physic- ian, settled in village called Greenville. Polly Green, Eleazur's mother, was daughter of Eleazur and Lucy Brace Green and was born in Bethlehem. Thomas Doolittle, Eleazur's grandfather, was son of a Presbyterian minister who settled in Wallingford. Sarah Gitteau, Eleazur's grandmother, was daughter of Joshua Gitteau of Bethlehem, whose two sons were physicians of note and settled in the northern part of the State. With one, Dr Ephraim Gitteau of Norfolk, the elder Dr Welch studied and married his daughter. The Welchs have been phys icians of note and are still living in Win sted, Conn.
 In early life, the subject of this sketch planned to study medicine, but the ill health of his father made it necessary for him to remain on the farm, where his leisure moments were improved by study. Finishing his school days at Burton's school in Bethlehem, at the age of 2l he began to teach and spent his Winters in that occupation for over 20 years. In 1S24, he married Ruth Ann, daughter of Edward Riggs of Washington. In 1884, he moved with his family to New York State, town of Onondaga, where he serv- ed as justice of the peace for many years at time when it was considered an hon. or to serve in that capacity. In 1850, his wife's health failing, he returned to Con- necticut, settling in Watertown in 1852; where he built house. His wife lived only few weeks after moving into the new home. In 1856, he married Marga- ret A. Buell., a widow, who died in 1885, There were no children as a result of the second marriage. Nine children were born to Eleazur Doolittle and his first wife, six of whom survive, David Doo- little of New Britain, Edward R. Doolit- tie of Little Rock, Ark; three daughters married the sons of his second wife : Nancy, wife of the late Norman B. Buell. of Bristol, Conn.,; Harriett, wife of the late Lyman Buell. of Keokuk, Iowa :; Katherine, wife of William G. Buell. of Litchfield, Conn.,, and George B. Doolit- tie of Watertown.
 In April, 1924, Mir Doolittle was made a Mason, being initiated into St. Paul's lodge, Litchfield, Conn. In 1855, he be- came charter member of the Watertown lodge. At the time of his death, he was the oldest Mason in the State with one exception, Israel Coe of Torrington, who was made Mason by the same lodge in 1915. Until the age of SC, Mir Doolittle possessed good memory, was we'll read in all questions of the day, deeply inter- ested in political matters and very intel ligent in his conversation. He was Re- publican in politics and member of the Congregational church.