Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-07-21
NEWFANE.
LRurinda KEENAN, Fisher---AImOst a
Century of Life.

LRurinda KEENAN, Fisher---AImOst a
Century OF Life.
Last Saturday there went out from us
one whose life lacked but three and a third
years of full century. Interesting as has
been her personality, ones mind naturally
turned at her funeral to many great events
in the century, known, remembered and
intelligently considered by her. Mrs.
Fisher lived through three wars and raised
one son for the last war. Her days extend
ed through all the presidential administra-
tions since the seventh year of Washing
tons, and her memory vent back to events
in Adams administration. She had seen
the states increase from Is to A, and in
habitants from four or five million to over
90 million, had known of historic financial
crashes and exceeding prosperity, and
dwelt with keen interest on all phases of
the centurys progress. She was 10 years
old when Vermont entered considerable
protest against the war of 1912, though the
legislature voted to sustain the government.
She well remembered the fearful epidemic
of spotted fever in our state. Her brother
James lost his life by the fever in carving
provisions to Sackett's harbor during the
war. She knew of the great devastation
caused in a large part of Vermont by a
days rainfall, estimated at 10 inches in
places, when scarcely a mill was left stand
ing in the state limits
Mrs. Fisher loved her state and dwelt
with pride on its advantages. DuXbury
was her native town and the family lived
in several other towns. There were eight
children in the family; her father taught
school winters. A cousin was one of Yer
mont universitys first graduating class.
The grandfather of George KEENAN, of Rus
sian fame, was her cousin. This knowl-
edge came to her through her reading Ken
mans articles in the Century on Siberian
prisons, which so interested her that she
caused letter to be written inquiring as
to his family. Kindly correspondence en-
sued from his stepmother His father,
John KEENAN,, was living in New York two
years ago at the age of SO.
The late Geo. Fisher, when he was u,
went out to see the world before set
Ting in his native town, and after a trip to
New York state and Canada met Laurinda
KEENAN, in Burlington, where she was
tending spindles in weaving and doing the
work of two girls. They were soon mar
ried in Jericho, in one of Gov. Martin Chit
tenden's houses. She said the governor had
large landed possessions and several houses
in Jericho and Williston. Chittenden
county was named for Gov. Thos. Chitten-
den, VermOnt's first governor. Many inter-
esting family incidents have been narrated
by Mrs. Fisher. The writer regrets not
making a note of some of her various con-
versations of old times. Much knowledge
has passed out of the world by this death,
as by the passing away of other old people,
dates and facts that can never again be
gathered to a certainty.
This couple lived year in Putney, and
soon settled on the farm of Mr.. Fishers
father where the rest of their lives was
spent. In over so years Mr.. Fishers was
the only death in the family. The oldest
child was buried on the Dea. Dyer farm,
sO-called in early history, and two other
daughters died young. The oldest child
living is DIR. Fisher of Texas, II years old.
The youngest is "a. Two daughters were
present at the funeral, the home daughter,
who cared devotedly for her mothers last
years, Mrs. johnson, and Mrs. Cutler of
Minnesota. Two sons were here, and four,
in Texas, Illinois, St. Paul and Denver,
could not come in season. Rev. Mr.. Rice,
acting Universalist pastor in Putney and
Williamsville, officiated at the services
Mrs. Fisher, in her working years, man
aged her large household with ease. She
had good executive force and perfect health,
was essentially a home woman but was
hospitable and social. In her busy years
she had her favorte books by her. She
had discriminating judgment in affairs of
life, was firm in her convictions yet modest
in asserting herself with others. In man
ner there was mingling of dignity, gra-
ciousness and commanding force. No one
would think of trifling with her authority,
yet she possessed much mirthfulness and
keen humor. Young folks liked to talk to
her and she loved youthful good spirits.
Her youthful appearance was remarkable
she never looked over So even in her last
sickness. Though her memory failed, she
did not lose her power of intelligent con-
sideration of past events, and until few
months ago she daily dressed and walked
about the house. 1t was wonderful how
her grand constitution rallied at the break
ing down period, threatened after her hus-
band death II years ago.
II was an interesting and self poised
lifa that hos time a,iatIt, olcsaI II toI1..