Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-12-18
OBITUARY..

Obt OhHV.
The death is announced. at Kalamazoo, the
5thfnst., OF Rev. J. A. Ranney, ID. d., probably
the bestknown Presbyterian divine in the
State of Michigan, aged 70 years. He leaves
a widow, his fourth wife. His third wife was
"a victim OF the Johnstown disaster, DR.. and
Mrs. Ranney being on the train which was
overwhelmed by the food. They were on
their way to Middlebury to attend the reunion
of the college class of 1888, of which he was "A
member, on the 5Oth anniversary of its grad
uation.
Newell Hooker, brother OF Rev. DR.. E. p.
Hooker for ten years pastor OF the Middle
bury congregational church and now preSi
dent of Rollins college, Florida, died at his
home in Castleton on Tuesday. He was a
farmer and was about 60 years OF age. The
funeral will be held today.
OF Bernice e. Twitchell, VINO died in Hart.
ford, Conn, Dec. 3, aged - years, Weybridge
correspondent writes 1t Is but justly due to
the memory of one who had so honestly won
a high place in the love and respect OF II large
number of relatives and friends, who had had
a lite long acquaintance with him, that some
thing more than mere notice OF his death be
given. 1t is highly proper, also, that efforts
like his should be held up for imitation to all
young men who are about to try the uncer
tainties OF lite. After boyhood spent at his
birthplace, assisting in the common work of
the ttrln, with only the school privileges of
his district and a few months at Beeman acad.
envy, he became possessed with desire to
try his fortunes at Hartford, Conn, whittier
his two brothers had preceded him. Accord
ingy in the fall of 1887 he became clerk in
Burnham & Co. OF that city. Here by strict
attention to business, honesty and tact he
soon won the confidence OF his employers and
was after little placed in charge OF one OF
the departments, where he remained until
his death, without particular change except
being intrusted with the purchasing of goods
necessary in his department.. The religious
| influences which had surrounded him at his
home and neighborhood were not forgotten,
and he Immediately connected himself with
| the Fourth Congregational church and also
with the Y. Z. ). &. +. ana Y. NJ. G. A, in
| whose work he became earnestly engaged
and remained thus until his death. For pure
| ly personal reasons his church relations were
changed to the Asylum Hill church, Rev. DR..
Twitchell, pastor. Many poor, lost and de.
/ of encouragement and a smile of recognition
| that has awakened a desire Tor better life.
| His visits to his old home and friends occur
red annually and he was always welcomed
personally by scores of his friends and he,
| throwing off the restraints OF business life,
entered heartily into the Old time ways. His
attack OF typhoid lever in its " orst form came
suddenly. He was Immediately prostrated
and soon became unconscious and partly de
llrious. Sill no particular fears were elt un
til the day before his death. His father went
to him as soon as any doubt, were felt, Dul
| received only slight recognition, manifested
by his usual exclamation, "Helo, father"
| Before becoming thus he testified with no un
certain 10 he worth of his faith; aiterwarc
of II desire to live but said he must, as in hi
boyhood days, obey the call of his saintc6
mother which he heard from the other side
On Sunday following his death his old homo
was filed with relatives AMI friends who
came together to sympathize with the grief
stricken family circle, while words of comtor
were spoken by Rev. j. l.. Fort OF the NJ.
church. Aitcrward long line OF carriage
followed his remains to the New Haven Yves
cemetery, where they now rest beside hi
mothers Numerous and beautiful floral dc
signs were presented by his brothers and en-
ployers; these and the lining of the grav
with evergreens seemed in measure TO soft
en- the presence of death. The Hartford Cou
rant say in its report of the funeral there
"Among the gifts OF flowers was basket frol
Mr.. Gemmill and Mr.. Burnham and II wreatl
from fellow clerks III the store. The EN-
ployes OF Gcmmill & Durham attended,
n body" The Hartford Post gives an &C
count of his death and funeral and adds
after speaking of his church relations: I'll
has also been an active member OF tn
Y. NJ. e. A., where he has been elected to
number OF committees and was one OF tn
most popular mem 'crs. lie was about
years OF age, n smart and active business te
low and well liked wherever he was know
He was of IA cheerful disposition and Away
ready to help any one. His employers hav
only words OF praise Tor bis business abilit
and regret losing one who was IL true trien
and always had their interests in mind"