The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-03-29
Obituary.

WINo-The shaft of death has again
fallen with startling suddenness and one of
the prominent professional men OF Mont
pelier has been removed. j. A. Wing was
stricken with paralysis just as was rising
from the breakfast table last Sunday morn
ing. He was unconscious until his death,
which occurred at six o'clock Tuesday
morning. Joseph Addison Wing was son
of Josiah and Polly Gray Wing, and was
born in what is now East Montpelier, De-
cember 26, 1910. His early education was
obtained from the district schools of that
day, and an attendance at the Grammar
School at Montpelier for a term OF three
months. He studied law with Merrill &
Spaulding, and, year before he was adj
mitted to the bar, opened law office in
Plainfeld. He was admitted to the WASH
ington County Bar in 1886, and in June,
1858, moved to Montpelier, where he has
ever since practiced his profession. His
gratiied, as only last week he was engaged
as counsel in the case OF Buchanan v. Town
OF Barre, then on trial at county court. In
1910, Mr.. Wing married Samantha Eliza
beth Webster Of Cabot, who, with two
sons-George W., and John G.. both men,
bers of Washington County Bar-and four
daughters-M Florence A. Blakely, Mrs.
Annette M. Farwell, Misses Alice NJ, and
Elizabeth b., Wing survive him. AL
though Mr.. Wing had lived several years
beyond the allotted age of man, his death
is great loss and occasions widespread
sorrow. During his long and honorable
professional career he had won high and
enviabe rank at the bar and attached to
himself a large and desirable cientage.
AS a wise counsellor and a chancery law
yer, he had been particularly prominent,
and his name has appeared as counsel in
some Of the most important and cele brated
cases ever tried in Washington county.
He will be gratefully remembered by very
many younger members of the bar, to whom
he was always willing and glad to give the
benefit of his ripe experience in pleading
and practice. No one has ever been asso-
cated with him without becoming i'm
pressed with the kindness and benevolence
that characterized him. AT the same time,
tender-hearted as he was, his courteous
dignity frank companionship and stern in
tegrity, compelled the highest respect and a
close observance of honor in all relations
with him. Mr.. Wings nature was happy
combination of those qualities which gain
the heart and win the respect both OF inti-
mate associates and acquaintance. AL
though very busy man in his profession,
Mr.. Wing was at one time valued writer
for the newspapers, both OF his own town
and those in distant places. He was also
often won't to tune the poets lyre and &C.
casions of public interest were depicted by
him in verse. In 1878, volume of his
poems was published, which has ever since
been cherished by his friends, and which
met ready sale. IL was purely intellect
ual verse, and made its impression by force
rather than by melody. His poems are the
verses of thoughtful man stepped in good
literature and impatient of anything spuri-
Gus in the form or substance OF his verse.
His familiar face and silver-crOwned head
will be missed in Montpelier, and his faults,
IL he had them-and what man does not?--
will be forgotten in the general excellence
IL .t..I ,l.nr Das
Mr.. Wings funeral will be held tomorrow
Thursday afternoon from his late home.
DAVIS The report of the alarming i'll.
ness OF Mr.. Luther Davis Of Waterbury is
too speedily followed by the tidings Of his
death. On Saturday, March Is, he was in
the full enjoyment Of strength that had in
its vigor and activity no suggestion OF the
more than threescore years and ten of his
life During the day he had been pursuing
the business that demanded his attention
or enlisted his interest with his customary
industry and diligence. He had, however,
apparently taken severe cold, which
quickly developed into pneumonia The
severity of the attack left from the first
only a small margin for hope. He was fire.
quently delirious, but there were intervals
when his mind was clear and his sturdy
powers seemed to cope with his assailant.
The result however, that all had feared,
but had hoped might be averted, came in
inst. Mr.. Davis was born September %,
1920, the son of Andrew Davis. OF eight
brothers and two sisters, three brothers sur
vive-Rev. A. j. Davis of Superior, Wis,
Russell Davis OF Duxbury, and Alpha Da-
Wis of Waterbury. One of his sisters was
the wife OF the late r. j. Morse; the other
died unmarried. Mr.. Davis was twice mar
ried. His first wife was Mary Sherman,
daughter of Captain Heman Sherman; the
second, the widow of Josiah Graves, who
survives him. Mr., Davis was splendid
type Of the rugged, Industrious, self-made
yeomanry OF Vermont. Poverty was bis
heritage, and the exacting necessities of the
conditions of his boyhood compelled him to
leave school before he had entered his teens.
He reached his majority without dollar OF
this worlds goods, but rich in physical
strength, clear intelligence, bright man.
hood, and literally endowed with true grit
He became farmer, and practiced the