Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-06-05
WESTMINSTER WEST.
Death of Homer Goodhue.

One of the Most .Honored Residents of
WIndhRm COunty---R Long Life Fill-
ed with Good VIII and Useful Deeds.
Hon. Homer Goodhue, to whose illness
reference has frequently been made in The
Phoenix during the past few months, pass
ed away on the evening of Monday, June
l. After the severity of the early weeks
of his sickness subsidized he showed marked
improvement for time; of late he failed
gradually, both in physical and mental
strength, but was able to recognize his
friends and to converse to some extent I'M
til Sunday morning. From that time on
he lay unconscious and so quietly breathed
his last.
Mr.. Goodhue was born in Westminster
March 4, 1911. He was therefore more
than s. years of age. There were five
brothers and five sisters in the family, chill
dren of the late Dea. Ebenezer and Lydia
Ranney Goodhue. Being the younger son
he was long the pet, and, perhaps it is not
too much to say, always the pride of the
family. In his boyhood the home of his
parents was upon the farm now owned by
F. G.. Campbell still called the Goodhue
place, and he was kept busy, as farmers
boys always are. When old enough he at
tended school for a while in Deertield and
then at Bennington, where he graduated
at an academy famous in those days. He
taught school two winters when Is and 10
| years of age. In 1881, just after he was
| 20, an opportunity came to him to go to the
| Mclean asylum in Charlestown, Mass, as
/ it was then, to be employed as an attend
| ant. He used TO say that it was consider
| ed by the family, as well as himself, very
momentous question. Should he leave the
| farm? Should he go to the city? After
/ full consideration of the matter, all the
members of the household having had
| their say, it was agreed that 1.-THE boy"
/ should go and make "a gentleman if he
could, as there was no high expectation of
| him as farmer. The asylum life soon
/ drew out the qualities that were in him,
he rose rapidly from one position to anoth-
er, until in three years he was advanced TO
| be supervisor an office he held in that
| foremost institution of the kind in the
| country then, if it is not now. He evinced
a remarkable aptitude for dealing with in
sane people, became intensely interested in
institutional work, and discharged all his
duties in such a manner as 10 meet the
highest appreciation of the officials and
the warmest esteem of all with whom he
associated in his office. He studied and
this, with his practical experience and
good judgment, fitted him prominently
for the office he has since held so long in
this state.
In 1852 he resigned his position at the
Mclean asylum, and, after year or two
spent in travelling with private patient,
he returned to bis native place. He pur-
chased the dwelling in the centre at the
village where he has since lived; was mar
ried 10 Miss Delyra Tuthill in 1855 and
soon became one of the most honored and
trusted citizens of the town. Although
never seeking office, one post after anoth.
er was assigned to him by his fellow towns
men. He was town clerk for several years,
representative to the legislature in 1868
and 1865, a member of the senate in 1866
and 1867. county commissioner from 1850
TO 1915, and trustee of the town funds for
many years. But the office which enlisted
his most ardent service was that which
came to him from the state. He was a
member of the board of supervisors for
the insane at an earlier period for time,
but since lSS2 he has served therein con-
tinuously, and, during most of the time,
has been chairman OF the board. His asso-
ciates honored his service, trusted his judg-
ment and accepted his advice, and, under
his direction or with his assistance, much
advance has been made in hospital treat
ment during these years. All who came
in contact with him speak most enthusiast
tically OF the esteem in which they held
him. Pleasant in conversation, genial in
manner, cordial, sympathetic and hospita-
bic, he made friends everywhere, and none
were more friendly than those with whom
he was most closely connected.
lad Of ha al wit ha
Congregational church in Westminster
West on the same day with more than so
others. He has survived them all, for he
was the last of the band. He has long
been the most liberal supporter of the so
ciety, open-handed in his charity and free
TO help the needy wherever found.
The funeral service took place at the
church on Thursday afternoon, conducted
by Rev. Geo. F. Chaplin of Saxtons River
on invitation of the pastor, who is Mr..
Goodhue's nephew. twas largely attend
ed, not only by relatives, but by friends
from the surrounding towns.
He left a will, which makes the follow
ing requests of public interest: His home
stead, orchard lot and $4,000 to the Con-
gregational church; $500 TO the Brattle-
boro Retreat; $1,000 to Carleton college,
Mortified, MINI. $1,000 to the library of
the ladies' aid society of this place, the in
come in each case only to be used; $500
to the American Board for foreign mis-
sions; $500 to the Vermont Domestic
Missionary society, and $1,000 to the Amer
lean Missionary association. The residue
of his property, after a few minor be-
quests, goes 10 his nephews and nieces, of
whom there are 10 now living.
The school exercises in honor of Deco
ration day we're carried out with much in
nd