St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-06-01
RECENT DEATHS.
Bella s. Hastings.

occurred on Sunday afternoon at the
home of his son on Railroad street, re-
moves man who had made a record in
his particular line of business-such a
record as few men have ever made-such
record as is in many respects imposs-
BILE nowadays, in the changed condi-
tion Of affairs. The extent to which Mr..
Hastings carried on transactions in cat
tie and sheep may be best emphasized
perhaps by the remark of one citizen
who was especially intimate with him:
IF all the sheep which Hastings has
bought and sold during his life could be
grouped together, they would fill the
road from st. Johnsbury to Boston,"
When it is considered that for half
century he had bargained for and dis
posed offrom 10000 to 80, 900 sheep
year, from parties in Canada and the
States, the above quoted statement does
not seem so extravagant as at first
thought.
Mr.. Hastings was born in Lyman, N.
h., but came to Waterford, VT,
when about eight years old, his father
having died. When he was 20 years Of
age he made his initial trip to Bedford,
Mass, with drove of stock, footing it
all the way. That was fifty-one years
ago, and since that time, up to last Au-
gust, he had closely followed his business
and done great amount Of hard work.
For the ten years prior to giving up ac-
tive business he had resided in Chelsea,
Mass, but for short time past had
made his home in st. Johnsbury. He
was well known at the Bedford,
Brighton, Cambridge and Watertown
markets, and two men with whom he
dealt at an early point in his careers.
F. Woodbridge and S. S. Learned-are
still ip business at Fanueil Hall market,
Boston. Deceased was a man who be-
heved in square deal and honest trans
actions, and operated on that basis,
making many friends throughout the
sections of country which he visited
He was twice married, and leaves a
widow and three children-B. L. of this
village, Mrs. Charles Sias, and Bertha
The g>neral occurred yesterday and wa.
largely attended, number of his former
associates in business being present.
Charles W. CIosson.
Charles w. Closson, who died Nav
%, at the residence of c. F. Gibbs, was
born at Thetford, August "a, 1868. He
was the son of H. z. Closson, for many
years one of the leading florists OF
Northern Vermont. He studied at Thet.
ford Academy and St. Johnsbury Acade-
my, graduating from the latter in 1890.
He entered the class of 94 of Dartmouth
College, but was compelled by illness to
give up his studies at the end of the first
year. After a year in Florida he return
ed to st. Johnsbury, where he remained
till his death.
Mr.. Closson was a young man of rare
promise. His growth in ability, charac-
ter and influence was marked and rapid.
He took it for granted that all men
were his friends, and this faith served to
make all friendly. His character
was winsome. In the academy and
college he was always the "loved class
mate He had a gift of persuasive
speech that made men listen when he
gave public address. His face and
eyes were lighted up by the honesty and
hopefulness of his soul He became a
member of the church in Thetford at the
age of fifteen. In the North church of
this town, which he joined afterward,
he was active in the work of the young
people and gave himself earnestly to the
work OF the Christian Endeavor Society,
of which he was one of the first men,
bers. He will be remembered by all who
knew him as man of fidelity and sun
shine He always obeyed his ideal of
life and illustrated it by living it. The
funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon,
the remains being taken yesterday
morning to Thetford for interment. L.