The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-08-16
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and energetic, he was successful IN ms
undertaking, but the poor health OF ms
wife, nee Jane M. Sawyer, compelled
his return to the country in Io4I,
While in Massachusetts he helped to
roll the first iron plate rails that were
used in this country. Benz. Celley IN
1912 moved to the fine meadow farm
in Fairlee, now owned by his only son,
William, then lad four years old. he
extended his estate by the purchase OF
adjoining farms, and here in connec-
ton with his son did large and sue
cessful business in general farming,
making such changes as the times re-
quired. A hospitable, public spirited
man. prominent in town affairs, having
twice represented his town in the legls-
lature, a compeer of Gilmore, Chllds,
McLane and Smith.
He outlived four wives, three ofwhom
were sisters, and died universally hon
ored and esteemed at the advanced
age of 90 years.
w. E, S. Celley was educated in
Fairlee and at the neighboring Bradford
Academy, and has been closely ldentl-
fed with the public interests OF the
town. His farm of 200 acres, exclu-
sive of the wild lands around Sawyer
mountain, has occupied large share
of his attention, t'lt he is a broad
gauge man, and has taken all active in
terest in temperance reform, education,
religious work and public affairs. For
several years he has been making ex-
tensive improvements and repairs on
his buildings, now nearly completed,
and they are a model for tastetuness
of design and convenience of arrange
ment. A set of platform hay scales
in the barn, running water in stable,
elevator for the grain, are some of the
modern conveniences secured IN his
barn.
Mr.. Celley is member and stew
ard of the M. E. church at Bradford,
and has recently presented a fine bell
to the Union church of Fairlee, as a
memorial of his father. He is also a
steward in the distribution of his means
with prudent generosity, for wise and
beneficent purposes. In 1865 he was
united in marriage to Jane c. Moore
of West Fairlee, and two children were
born to them, Emma j., a promising
student at Montpelier Seminary (de-
ceased) and George E., who resides
with his parents.
VIM. E. S. Celley needs no word of
commentator, and he enjoys the i'm
plicit confidence and respect of his
neighbors and townsmen, whom he has
served in many capacities, and always
with conscientious carefulness and abil-
ty. For thirty-four years he was dis
trict clerk, and is one of the directors
in the Orange County Farmers Ex-
change, and one of the trustees of
Bradford Academy. For five consecu-
tive years he was chairman of the board
Of selectmen, and during the incum-
orance of this difficult trust was elected
% the legislature in 1876, by the votes
If the republican party, where he was
IN advocate of temperance legislation.
Since that time he has served as chair
nan of the board Of selectmen, and
vas influential in securing the new road
lround Lake Morey.
In the fabric of character of this
olain, hearty, true man, there are
threads of gold" interviewer with the
,oarser texture that is suited to the
wear and tear of daily life, for he has
rood mind, not without literary culture
ind the fine spiritual sense and clear
insight, that sometimes expresses itself
n poetry.