The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-02-01
WILLIAM. PAUL.

WILLIAM. PAUL.
William Paul was born in 1890, in
the county of Cornwall, England. His
education was for the most part OBJ
tanned at the Miners Institute and eve
ming school, an institution where the
fundamental branches and chemistry
were then taught. Recent legislation
has greatly extended the educational
advantages of the poor, and made the
schools subject to responsible super
vision.
Mr.. Paul married Jane F. Bouden in
1862, and soon after babe adieu to
"Merrie England" and sought wider
sphere of usefulness in America. Be
ing blacksmith by trade he obtained
employment four years at the noted
Bruce copper mines at Lake Huron
In January, 1867, he made Vershire
his home, and engaged with the mining
company as blacksmith, and remained
in that service continuously twenty
years, some of the time at work on CON
tract, but the last part of that period as
superintendent of the blacksmith de-
partment. An industrious, skillful and
thoroughly reliable artisan, and a great
deal more. Mr. Paul became an apos-
tie among the miners, and was a posi-
tive moral power in that community.
In narrower sphere he was a parallel
of the celebrated blacksmith preacher,
Robert Colyer. His hand scattered
gospel seed without money and without
price, and it took root and bore fruit,
some thirty, some sixty and some an
hundred fold, and when the field was
white for the harvest his hand gathered
many a precious sheaf.
When Mr.. Paul moved to Copper
field it was rude, struggling settle
ment among the stumps and trees, en-
ploying less than hundred men, for
the most part uncultivated men of
various nationalities. He at once as
sisted in the formation of Sabbath
school, and held regular preaching SER
vices. Mr.. Dunston and Charles Glas-
son began preaching there the next
winter, and at their departure Mr.. Paul
and others supplied. In 1870 he I'M
dertook the arduous task of building a
Methodist chapel by voluntary contri-
buttons, largely from the miners, and
he still has the original subscription pa
per, nearly four feet in length. The
foundations were laid Thanksgiving day
of 1870, the work was pushed to COM
pletion, and dedicated Feb. 1871, and
the light was kept burning; there were
religious services in that chapel every
Sabbath, sometimes conducted by Mr..
Paul, sometimes by others, but it was
wholly voluntary effort on the part of
the preachers, and it bore the fruit of a
quiet and we'll ordered community,
even in mining town. The influence
of good deed or helpful word ex-
tends in constantly expanding circles,
like the ripples of pebble cast upon
the waters.
Mr.. Paul resided for long time with
Capt. William H. Long, in the white
house near the store. The two men
and their wives were co-workers for the
general good, and always maintained
the most cordial relations. Mrs. Paul
is tactful and ingenious lady, and
while at the mines did large millinery
business, and now conducts that bust
ness at West Fairlee, where the family
moved in 1882. Mr.. Paul was natural
zed in 1872, was a selectman, Justice
md grand juror in Vershire, and is now
ustice of peace and Supt. of schools
n West Fairlee; member Of Mount
Jackson Lodge No. 90, and the Chap
er and Commandery F. & A. M. His
character and services are appreciated.
md he enjoys the esteem of the entire
From principle he is a
talwart republican, but is liberal and
olerant in his beliefs, both in politics
nd religion. He supplied halt of the
ime for three years at the Methodist .
hurch in North Thetford, and is fire. :
uently sought to oficiate at funeral
ervices. /,