Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-02-02

StrafIOrd.
In the death of A. G. Smith, STAFFORD
has lost one of its well-known and promI-
nent men-one who was born here and al
ways lived in town. He has been honored
with nearly every Office in the gift of his
fellow citizens. He had great energy and
force of character.
Few men could look forward, lay plans
and carry them out SO successfully as be
\ could. He was man who thought before
he acted. By industry economy and good
| judgment he acquired valuable property.
When young man he took charge OF
/ the large, rich farm belonging to Jonathan
and Lydia Rich in STAFFORD. BY his wise
/ management he made himself indispensa
bic to them. AS they had no children, ar
rangements were entered into by which
he should care for them and, at their
death, should have their estate, with some
slight reservations.
With favorable prospect before him, he
married Miss Susan g. Gilman, who was
the mother of all his children-two sons
and three daughters. She died July 10th,
1873. None of his children are living in
town.
His Oldest son, Lorenzo, is in Arizona.
His second son, A. g. Smith, Jr., resides
at State Line, Miss, an owner of several
acres of land and an extensive dealer in
naval stores and lumber. His daughter
Sarah's home is in the same place. His
daug hter Stella, who was graduated at
Goddard Seminary in Barre, married Da-
vid NJ. Woodbury., who is a well-known
lawyer at Anacortes, Washington His
youngest daughter, Mrs Bell S. Bruce, is
a successful teacher in Yonkers, N. Y.
Mr.. Smith owned large and productive
farm midway between STAFFORD village
and South STAFFORD, in a valley full Of
quiet beauty. Seldom do we find home
stead more pleasantly situated and at
tractive
The children far away often think of
this spot so woven into their characters
and lives That fine old tWo.story house
was built by him in 1854. He took lauda-
BILE pride in that home where he saw so
many changes.
His son and wife visited him not many
weeks ago and, by their hearty invitation,
Mr. and Mrs. Smith concluded to spend
the winter in Mississippi at their home.
He had spent several winters before in the
South. He left Vermont Dec 3, 1892. He
reached the end of his journey in good
spirits. He was as well as usual until a
little more than week before his death,
which occurred at Mobile, Ala, January
IL, 1893 He went there for medical treat
ment, but it was too late. His wife, his
son, his daughter, Sarah, his brother,
Enoch, we're with him when he closed his
eyes in his last Sleep
His body, accompanied by his wife and
son, A. G. Smith, Jr., was brought to his
home in STAFFORD, reaching here Wednes-
day, the 18th, 1898.
The next day the funeral service was
held at one O'Clock, in the very room
where he looked on the silent face of his
wife for the last time in that house, in the
room where his daughter was married
the same clergyman, Rev. S. A. Parker of
Bethel, officiating, and also at his second
marriage.
Al IA Il. Ii.
religious home-the church which he sus
tanned by his wealth and presence-yet
the funeral was held in the Congl house
at Strafford village, being more convenient
to the cemetery. In the same house his
wife's funeral was held. During the flu
neral services the business of the place
was suspended and the church was filled
with his old-time friends and neighbors
of Strafford and adjoining towns.
Circumstances were such that only one
of his children could be present-hIs son
from Mississippi. His two brothers, Bur-
leigh III. Smith of STAFFORD and Fred
Smith OF Barre were present at his funer-
al. His two brothers, Enoch H. Smith of
State Line, Miss, and Joseph, of Wauke-
sha, Wis, and his sister, Mrs. ID. l.. Law
renee OF Fitchburg, Mass, were not able |
to be there. Rev. Henry Cummings, pas
tor of the Cong'l church, assisted Rev. Mr.. |
Parker in the funeral services at the
church. He was buried beside his wife,
where he stood beside her open grave
nearly 20 years ago on that July day.
Now father and mother are gone. Their |
graves on the hill overlook the quiet viii /
lage OF STAFFORD, the home OF Senator
Morrill, and that old farm in the valley on |
which he labored SO many years, blowing |
and sowing and moving and gathering |
into his barns. Now the reaper himself
has been gathered as a ripened sheaf into
the Upper Garner. Com.