The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-01-13
Obituary.

RIKER.-Death robbed Montpelier OF
one of its best known and most unique char
acters when Colonel Rufus r.. Riker passed
away, early last Wednesday morning. He
had been i'll with fever only short time
Rufus r.. Riker was the son of Captain
Isaac Riker, tailor, whose home was in
Dover, n. H., until 1917. Captain Isaac
was soldier in the war of 1872, and after it
was in the United States service about two
years. He came to Montpelier in 1917, and
settled on the site since occupied by his son.
He was constable and deputy sheriff for
several years. He had seven children by
his first wife, and two by the second-the
latter two being Mrs. Priscilla Holmes OF
Montpelier and Harrison Riker of Califor-
MIA. Rufus was born in Rochester, n. H.,
January Ii, so was eleven years old when
his father came to Montpelier. AS boy
he was kind and hel lpful, as a man was the
same, ready to assist to the limit of his
means Many who worked with him found
him true friend. Regular in his habits,
paying attention to health, especially
through exercise, singularly free from
vices and all dissipation. he preserved re-
markable vigor to an old age. Colonel
Riker learned his trade in his fathers
shop, and piled it on the original site to the
very close of his life. For long time he
controlled the best business patronage in
town. He early became interested in mil
itary matters and was a captain in the
Montpelier company of militia for a num-
her of years. He won great commenda-
ton for his excellent discipline of the men
under his command. He was ultimately
chosen colonel of a regiment. Colonel
Riker was about five feet eight inches tall,
weighed about 100 pounds, was as straight
az an arrow and as 1.-THE and active as a cat.
His face was devoid of the least appearance
of beard, and free from the wrinkles and
tell-tale indications of age. His carriage
IA
tanned an utter disregard of the weather.
His clothing never had a suggestion of
dust or lint, and always fitted him per-
fectly Colonel Riker's chief recreation
was dancing. He made graceful appear
ance on the floor, and no one cut pigeon
wing :" with more ease than he His courtly
presence was familiar at countless Pavilion
hops. Early rising was one of his charac-
terstics He could spend an evening until
it was we'll worn, but the first streak of
dawn found him astr, breathing in the
fresh morning air. He never married.
The funeral was held Thursday, Rev. j.
Edward Wright officiating. Mr.. Wright's
sermon was full of "reminiscences of the de-
parted. Mortality" said the preacher,
" is written upon the sturdiest frame; the
most tenacious fiber must yield finally TO the
gnawing tooth of time, and the day will
surely come when the plea for little longer
Stay-and yet little longer often granted
as the years run on from thirty to fifty, to
threescore and ten, to fourscore-will be
unavaiing; and the eyes must be closed,
and the burial casket be bought, and the
last words said. Our friend said to me last
Sunday, in substance, referring to the irreg-
ular action of his heart: My heart has re-
minded me that it must stop its beat sud-
denly, but the 10Th of January | shall be
eighty.six, and should like to live little
longer But it was not to be-"
ELLIs.-Jabez w. Ellis, one of the oldesu
buSiuesS men of Mammalian died aarlv Lost
Saturday morning. He had not been in his
usual health for a week, and Friday morn
ing was stricken with apopexy, continuing
unconscious until death. Jabez w. Ellis
was the youngest of ten children of Jabez
and Prudence NJ. Ellis, and was born in
Berlin, in October, 1917. After clerkship
in the old Union store at Berlin. he came to
Montpelier in 1910, and two years later en-
gagged in the mercantile business. For years
he was the leading dry-goods merchant in
town, under the successive firm names of
Ellis & Wilder, Ellis & Bancroft, Ellis q
Hatch, j. w. Ellis & Co. and Ellis & Glea-
son, the latter continuing for eight years,
and ending in 1880, when Mr.. Ellis retired
and l.. p. Gleason, the junior member, con-
tlnued the business so long and 30 success
fully conducted In 1869 Mr.. Ellis was
chosen director in the First National
Bank, and in 1890 elected vice-president of
that institution. He was successful mer-
chant and a sound and capable financer.
lie served Tor many years as a director
of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, and at his death held the office
of auditor Mr.. Ellis in 1915 became
member of the Episcopal church. and two
or three years later was chosen as one of
the vestry of Christ church; he continued
as such until the past three years, when he
declined further service. He was a men,
ber of the standing committee, and "A regu-
lar delegate To diocesan conventions Mr..
Ellis married Rosette Burton of Montpelier
in 1914 They had three children--one son
and two daughters. The son died in infancy;
Carrie married Henry q. Scott OF Chicago,
in 1885, and died November 27 of the follow
ing year, leaving child. Mrs. Ellis and an
other daughter, Julia, survive.
The funeral was held yesterday after
noon, and was very largely attended The
opening service was at the house, prayers
being said by Rev Mr.. Lewis. Afterward,
at Christ church, the full Episcopal burial
service was conducted, Rev. j. c. Flanders
being assisted by Rev. Mr.. Lewis and Rev.
Mr.. Hardy of Bishop Hopkins Hall, Bur-
lington. The grave in Green Mount ceme-
terry had been completely covered with
evergreens, and the floral tributes were pro-
fuse. At the grave prayer was said by
Rev. Mr.. Lewis. Colonel Fred f. Smith
had charge of the funeral, assisted by Hon.
Charles Dewey aud L. p. Gleason. The
bearers were j. 9. Houghton, Ii. n Taplin,
George Brainerd, f. l.. Eaton, j. Il. Curran
and w. E. Adams