The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-05-15
NUMBER 20.
Obituary..

anu aunt, MI anu MrS. IL. IL. Linnell OF
LOWELL Mass, where he has spent most Of
the time during the school year for the past
ten years In few days he would have
passed his twenty-fourth birthday At the
age of fourteen Elmer went to Lowell,
where he graduated at the Lowell High
School, class OF 81. Soon after graduation
he connected himself with the Lowell Mail
as reporter Commencing the study of
Law, he entered the office of Marshall,
Hambet q Burke, continuing his work as
reporter on the Mail, and afterwards was
with Boardman Hall in Boston In the law
! department of b )ston University, with a
| few others OF his class, he more than
| doubled the work Of the course being one
OF four who thus passed successful exam
| NATION, and, in January, 1894, was adj
mitted to the Middlesex county bar. In
Move nber 1893, he was taken with hemor-
rhage of the stomach, which proved to be
the beginning of the eud. The months of
spring and early summer at his home
in Waitsfeld did not bring health and
strength, and in June he returned to Low
| ell for special treatment, and in October, in
company with his sister and aunt, went to
Southern Pines, N c., from which place he
returned in March without improvement.
At the age of sixteen he united with the
FIRST Congregational church, Lowell, and
thereafter his religious life and work kept
| pace with the mental development. While
in Southern Pines, he and his friends were
instrumental in organizing a Society Of
Christian Endeavor, of which he was elected
treasurer, and at whose first meeting his
was the first testimony for the Master
whom he loved To serve Genial, cheerful,
earnest in all he did, of royal generous
character, he won his way, and in all his
work was ever faithful God did much for
him in the endowment of his mental and
spiritual nature, and these rare gifts he con-
stantly developed Much was hoped, and
much expected, from him in the DAYS to
come. Much, too had been already ac-
complished. 1t was said of him by eader
in life and personal friend: "He has
lived short, but full and round life" AS
a very son he lived with his uncle and aunt
in Lowell A large place is now vacant in
the home circle and among dear friends.
Prayers were held in Lowell in the after
noon of the Goth by Pastor Kengot5 of
the First Congregational church, and the
friends brought the body to Waits6eld,
where funeral services were held at the
home Sunday afternoon, the 28th Pastor
Fiske conducting. We have not lost him,
for he is not dead, but risen, and gone on
before, and his life, made more beautiful by
the Christ.life, still speaks.
BECKLEY.-Mrs. Idella E. Bsckey, wife
OF Fred d. Beckley, died at their home on
Beckley Hill in Barre April 29. 1895. Mrs.
Beckley was the oldest daughter of the late
William ID. Hooker, and had spent the
greater part of her life in Barre, where she
was deeply loved by lar ye circle of friends.
Educated at the Peacham and Barre acad-
emies, she carried into the home life the
love Of good books, and gave to her family
the best fruitage OF cultivated mind. Her
own mother having died when she was four
years old, she realized the need of a moth
er's care and gave herself unremittngly
and faithfully to the children given her,
and was at the same time true helpmeet
for her husband. Debarred by circum-
stances from much outside work which she
was we'll capable of doing, and in which
she took delight, she cheerfully and lov-
ingly performed the duties which fell
to her lot, and was the light and
sunshine Of the quiet home in which
she lived. Her character was attractive.
She was thoughtful, self.forgetful, modest
and conscientious the last-named quality
being very noticeable in her earnest desire
to avoid the use of stimulants in the sick
ness which preceded her DEATH and in her
yielding her desires, in some measure, in
the hope that she might thereby gain
strength to recover and live for her hus-
band and friends. Many years ago she was
converted and united with the Methodist
church, of which she had since been an
active and consistent member. For several
years she sang alto in the church choir, and
ever did what she could for the cause.
Though living on farm. and at some dis
tance from town, she was often at the social
meetings, where her voice was always
heard in glad testimony. The last time
that she so spoke she alluded to her con-
version, giving as her reason for beginning
a religious life the fact that she was tired Of
resisting God, and felt that he only could
satisfy the cravings of her being. The
triumph, and will long remain a precious
memory TO her friends. She teuderly
took leave of the family, one by one,
and commended them to the care OF the
Father in whom she trusted. From time to
time she repeated snatches of the familiar
hymn of Miss Elliott, Just as L am, with
out one plea" and gave clear and constant
testimony to the value of her reliance upon
God, and her trust in Christ. The beauty
Of the day, and the calm splendor of the
night which succeeded fully typited the
life and passage OF her whom the Father
that day called to himself She was mar
ried in July, 1871 to Fred ID. Beckley, with
whom she had since lived in loving fellow
ship. Five children-Luther, Gladys, Ros-
well Reta aud Willie-now have the precious
legacy of her memory. Rev. George W,
Hooker, B. W. Hooker and Mrs. E. NJ.
Wheeler, all of Barre, are now the only re-
naming children of the Hooker family.
SMITH.-On Wednesday evening" May s,
at the home of her son, o. III. Smith, passed
from this life Mrs. Hannah M. Jacobs, wife
OF the late Ira Smith and daughter of the
late Silas Jacobs and his wife (Lydia Pike).
Mrs. Smith was born in Marshfeld VT,
March 3, 1872. She was married to Mr..
Smith, January 4, 1929, and has always
lived in Marshfield, and for tfty-three years
within eighty rods OF her birthplace. Since
the death of her husband in 1880, she has
| resided at her old home with her son. OF
eight children, but three survive her-Mrs.
l.. W. Benton, o. II. Smith of Marshtield
and Mrs. G. H Newton, Fargo, n. ID. On
Friday, May 10, four generations and kind
friends assembled to pay their last tribute
Of respect and attend the burial service. In
the softest air of May forenoon and amid
lovely flowers of which she was so fond, all
that was mortal of our friend was laid away
in the village cemetery. Mrs. Smith was
naturally OF quiet, gentle temperament,
always ready to lend a hel Ding hand to
every one in need. Her aft ction for her
family and kindred was a strongly marked
trait OF her character. Never had children
a more loving mother, and never was
mother-loye more richly repaid or better
rewarded than by the untring devotion of
her children, who were constant to the last
in their loving ministrations. Mrs. Smith
became in feeble health four years ago,
though able TO be about the house until the
last two days. During the long four years
she has been constant care, p-rf rmed by
the sons wife; but the end came at last,
the worn spirit ceased its struggles, and life
peacefully passed away. She has at last