Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1894-12-12
Franklin Noble Billings.

SlNlll tlll' w WV "''" '''l'''' W.
crbc Billings. and was born in Roy
alton, VT, the Sth day of March,
1890. In 1885 he came with his
father to Woodstock, and here saw
inc a brief interruption his home re-
manned fixed to the close OF his life.
Like other youth Of his own time
he received an elementary education
at our public schools, and during the
wears from ISl2 to 1916 he spent sew
cral terms in study of the higher
branches at the Woodstock Academy,
a select school under the charge of
Mr.. Lorenzo Kent. Much beyond
the opportunities thus afforded he
did not seek to extend his education,
being more inclined to business pur-
suits than towards literary life
When in 1918 the gold fever"
broke out in California, affecting him
as well as multitudcS of others in the
country at large, he thought it a good
plan to 60 with the rest to that land
of such brilliant promise for adven-
turous youth. The fact that his
brother Frederick was already there
and established in business furnished
additional attractions for drawing
him toward the new State. lie
therefore took passage in the ship
Magnolia, doubling 1.-THE Cape and
arriving safely at San Francisco IN
1910. But his stay in California
was short. For good and sufficient
reasons he decided in 1852 to return
TO Woodstock. After Il brief cpl
sodc in the Western world he again
turned his face towards Woodstock,
and. his mind now being made up
where to stay. he entered into part
ncrship with James b. Jones in the
dry goods business ON the Ist day of
March, 1855. This concern, under
the firm name of ones x Billings,
carried ON for several wears large
and prosperous trade, occupying the
stone store in the old Edison Row.
Soon after the great fire of Febru-
arv. 1860. which DESTROYED nearly
the whole of "Edson's Row." the
partnership of Jones Il Billings was
dissolved. Mr.. Billings purchased
the site of the old Stearps stand in
the burnt district. and proceeded at
once to build, in connection with
other parties, what is known as the
Phoenix Block. After having fin
ishcd his section of the block III
handsome STYLE. he went on III bust
ness alone in his new quarters. con-
tinung in active. hourishing trade
till into the spring of 1891, when he
disposed of his interest in the con-
Germ to Mcssrs. Wilson x BoyCc.
For Il period Of nearly forty years he
had thus steadily followed the bust
ness of a merchant in Woodstock,
and while the story is simple one,
there is in renlit, much more to it
than appears in this bare recital OF
facts.
But Mr.. Billings during all this
while did not conhne his attention
exclusively to trade. Financial az
fairs at home and on Il broader scale
in other parts of the country occu-
pied much of his attention. and his
time and strength were severely
taxed in looking after various trusts
wherein the interests of others as
well us his owa might BIG involved.
For many years he was y director IN
the Woodstock National Bank, and
was elected president of the institu-
ton in 1891, holding the position up
to the time of his dcceaSc. \oi
must it be forgotten that in all those
enterprises which Mr.. Billings deem
ed likely to conduce to the prosperity
Of the town he took an active part
lie was director in the Woodstock
Railroad from the organization OF
, the company in 1867 till the close "a
, life, succeeding his brother Frederick
as president OF the Road upon tn,
death Of the Latter in 1890. The
anxiety and care he underwent. ano
, the amount of labor he performed
in urging ON and helping to complete
} this enterprise, they alone can ap
precjate who shared with him in the
, burden of seeing it safely through
: With regard to other enterprises
started tor the benefit of the town he
gave literally of his means, nor die
/ be withhold his contributions for the
S support OF ,he church and the public
/ schools, One rule. hoMesGr; he
strictly observed through life. Mr.
Billings might feel II keen interest II
the choice of fit persons to fill place
of public trust; but public office OF
any kind he would himself, neither
seek nor accept.
In considering the lac dad char
acter of the subject of this sketch
there is no occasion for laborcc
eMogy. Yet it may be permitted tc
: say here, that he san moi be charged
with lack of faithfnlness III imBr9y'