Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-05-15
DEATH OF R. D. CHASE.
A windham County Native, Well Known
in Brattleboro.


Rufus Dudley Chase, Esq, a very prom
inent citizen Of Orange, Mass, who died
Sunday morning, was native of this coun-
~, and had lifelong acquaintance and as
sociations i'm Brattleboro He was the son
of Rufus and Merriam Gore Chase, and
was born in Halifax I'm 1873. His parent,
soon after removed to Benardston. Mass.
however. and he grew up i'm that place.
He entered Dartmouth college in 1871.
Hon. d. u. Harris then of Chesterfield.
+. u. Frost of Brattlcboro, and James b.
Allen of Mortified. all wel-known here.
being members Of the same class and Mr.
Harris being now the only survivor OF the
four. Mr. Chase studied law in Brattle-
boro with Hons. Asa Reyes and Royal
Tyler. and afterward with Erasmus d.
Beach of Springfield. Mass. and was adj
mitted to the Franklin county bar i'm lS4g
He began the practice of the law at Orange
in 1850, and spent the remainder of his life
there. closely identified with all the inter
ests of the community. He was a director
i'm the Orange national bank and a trustee
of the savings bank, and was town clerk
for % years. Since 1881 he had held the
Office Of trial Justice. On account of his
integrity and sound business judgment, he
was much sought as an administrator Of
estates. and to care for the interests of
widows and orphans. Although sound
lawyer he had no ambition to shine in his
profession and his office between indiyid-
uals who were at variance, and in cOmmu-
nifty and town affairs was always that
of peace-maker. In politics he was nom
inally a Democrat. but voted as often for
Republican as Democratic candidates.
choosing what he thought the best men.
He was a Universalist in religious faith. but
gave literally to the support Of all religion,
denominations as they needed He was
twice married. his first wife being Catherine
O. Putnam of Bellows Falls. His second
marriage was to Mrs. Sophronia w. Thomp-
son of Orange, who survives him. \ son
OF his first marriage and a daughter Of hi,
second. are also living.
Mr.. Chase was a prominent and devoted
Odd Fellow. entering that order in Brattle-
boro in 1916. 1t is fact of local interest
in the order that Mr.. Chase was the first
instituted member of Wantastiquet lodge.
becoming member the night of its organ
ization, and being, therefore, equal in length
of membership to the charter members.
OF those original members Masa Willis alone
now remains. Mr.. Chase always retained
his interest in Wantastiqllet lodge. lnrecent
years he has been several times present here
at local celebrations Of the order, and was
held in high esteem.
Mr.. Chase was a member of the encamp-
ment. canton. and Daughters of Rebekah
in Orange. His funeral took place Wednes-
day afternoon. and the esteem in which he
was held was shown by the closing of all
business places and by the large attendance
of citizens. Representative Odd Fellows
were present from the towns around. Past
Grand Masters George II. Clark ami John
Rcttng. and Past Grands Masa Willis and
j. II. Capen Of Brattleboro attended As
representatives Of Wantastiquet lodge. and
acted as pail bearers by special invitation.