The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-07-05
The Late stephen p. JOsIin of
WaitSfield.

Stephen Perry Joslin was born in New
port, n. H., September 10, 1908, and died at
his home in Waitsfeld, VT, April 2S, 1898.
His father, DR.. William Joslin, was the
leading physician in Waitsfield for several
years. He settled there in March, 1910, and
died in 1884, at the age of tifty-four years.
On February g. 1887, Mr. Joslin married
Ruth Phlin Of Marshtirlh, Vt, who in
somewhat feeble health, survives her la
mented husband. a sister, Harriet, wife of
Horace Jones of Barton Landing, VT, is
the only surviving member of a family of
several children.
Mr. JOslin devoted his entire life TO agri-
cultural pursuits. He settled and lived on
the same place for nearly sixty years. Be-
ginning with no means, by economy and iu-
dicious management he acquired a com
potency far beyond the average Vermont
farmer. He gained nothing by speculation.
Hard work early and late, wisely planning
his business affairs, giving thought and at
tention to the details of all kinds of work
upon the farm, made him signally success
full. He neither sought nor held office of
any kind Success with him meant concen-
trativeness, devotion to his calling.
There are few given so largely to manual
toll who appreciate intellectual worth and
ability more than he did OF a strong ply
steal makeup, possessed of talents natural
and acquired, courageous and persistent in
word and deed, exact and methodical in all
his work, self-assertive, genial, warm
hearted, though not demonstrative, but pos
sessed of excellent judgment, his influence
was felt in all matters pertaining to the in
terests of the town. When questions of
great importance to the public good were
being discussed by his fellow-townsmen, iu
a meeting called for that purpose, he would
rise, and, with trembling voice and modest
demeanor, but in his sense of the right, with
words few and measured, would often gain
the point for which he so earnestly con-
tended. Being a man of tirmness and de-
cision, he was not easily persuaded that his
idea of the right or of the wrong was false
unsound, or unworthy of the careful con-
sideration of intelligent men. Occasionally
he would by request venture to write a
few thoughts upon some important subject
and the same qualities would be seen in com
position and address which characterized
him in everyday life. On one occasion,
reading an article on Grass Culture in
public gathering an agricultural editor af-
terward remarked in print that " In noting
his personal bearing and presentation of
thoughts so clearly his own, he was noble
specimen of what "A Vermont farmer might
become"
He was converted and Joined the Con-
and remained a member of the same until
his death. In his religious life, he was
strong, fervent and devoted, and, from his
point Of view, ready for every good word
and work, In prayer or remarks he was
always appropriate and seemed to have a
clear understanding of the needs of men
from divine standpoint, A former men,
ber OF the church to which he belonged,
who had frequently listened to his voice in
verbally expressed thought as regarded
business, doctrine or practical Christian
living, said, &c He was more appropriate and
to the point on the inspiration OF the mo-
ment than any other member of the church."