Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-10-29
The Late Austin A. Smith.

he Late Austin A. Smith.
Mr.. Austin A. Smith, who was suddenl
: stricken at 10 O'Clock Tuesday night, th
10th inst. with paralysis, caused by
hemorrhage of the blood vessels of IN
brain, died at 1880 O'Clock last Frida
morning, having never rallied from tn
shock.
In the death of Mr.. Smith, the town O
| Randolph has lost an honored citizen
who had always her best interests at hear
and labored faithfully for the upbuildinl
of her schools, and the extension of all re
| ligious and reformatory measures.
/ In him, the poor and needy found
! friend and helper; the anxious and dis
couraged, wise and gentle counselor
and the universal grief at his demise il
tempered by the firm conviction that
good man has gone to his reward.
Mr.. Smith was a native of BrookfielC
and a grandson OF Abraham Smith, on,
of the early settlers OF that town. AT tn,
| age of twenty he moved to Barre, anC
shortly afterwards married Betsy Ann
Loomis of Brookfield and went to live
in East Roxbury, being sent from there
to represent the town in the legislature OF
1866.
In 1862, be enlisted in Company G, 18th
Vermont Volunteers, and was mustered
out in 1863, at the expiration of his term
OF service. -Four years later he took up
his abode in Braintree, and after a years
residence in that town, entered into BUSH
ness in Randolph by buying out the gro
Gerry store OF III. +. Sharpe, which was To-
Gated in the basement of building on the
site of e. A. Thomas store.
Afterwards, he bought out the grocery
business of A. G. Wheeler, at the stand
where Mann q Allen now are, and ASSOC
ciated with him as partner Mr.. 5. Nj.
Flint.
In 1875, he became proprietor of the dry
goods store owned by b. i. Lombard,
which was in the old French building,
represented at the present day by w. +.
Lqmsons block.
A wear or two later, Mr.. Smith built the
block that bears his name and continued
in trade until 'S3, when he accepted an
advantageous offer from Mr.. George p.
Hardy and retired from active business.
As a citizen, he was honored with
many important offices and discharged
his civil duties with a rare faithfulness
and singleness of purpose. He was clerk
OF this district at the time of his death
and had served in that capacity many
years.
He became identified with the temper
ance interests of the town through the In
dependent Order OF Good Templars, and
was most efficient officer OF the order
and an earnest worker in the cause.
Eighteen years ago, be united with the
Christian church, and ever since had CIV
en- literally of his time and means to the
furtherance of its work. He had been
superintendent of the Sunday school and
was one of the board of trustees; while in
the deliberations of the state conference
he took an active part At the session OF
the school Sunday, the following resolu-
tions upon his death were unanimously
adopted:-
Resolved, That in the death OF our dear
brother, A. A. Smith, our church has lost
a faithful, earnest and trusted member,
our Sunday school a consecrated and de-
voted teacher: and both ready helper in
every time OF need-a life full OF useful
ness for the Master and good deeds to his
fellow men; wise In council, in reprooi,
gentle and affectionate.
Resolved, That as christian workers IN
the Sunday school, we express to the be-
reaved family our sincere sympathy, ana
assure them of our heartfelt prayers IN
their hour OF great sorrow.
Mr.. Smith was a member OF the Granu
Army organization and had served as
commander OF U. S. Grant Post, No. 20.
He had also been adjutant and assistant
INSPECTOR OF the Vermont department,
and in 1895 was appointed aid-de-camp on
the staff OF the department commander,
b. Cannon, Jr.
OF his immediste family there are left
wife and five children-Walter A. Smith,
cashier OF the State bank at Orlando, Fla,
Mrs. l.. p. Thayer of Randolph, Mrs.
Leonard Wheeler OF White River juno
ton, Mrs. Emma Peters, widow of the
late Rev. w. +. Peters, and Parker A.
Smith, cashier of the National bank at
Palatka, Fla. The children were all home
with the exception of Mr.. Parker Smith,
who was unable to leave his post; but Mr.
Walter Smith was prevented by illness
from being present at the service IN the
church. A sister of the deceased, Mrs.
Frank Belcher of Addison, Conn. and an
eyed uncle, Mr.. Emery Allen of Barre,
were both present.
PRAYER was offered at the house at half
past one Sunday afternoon, and at two
O'Clock came the public services in the
Christian church. The large audience
room was crowded with people, nearly
500 being in attendance. Among the flor
al tributes was a beautiful pillow. appro
priately inscribed, from the Good Temp
lars. who were present in BODY to the
number OF forty. The Post acted as es-
cort and furnished guard for the re-
mains as they lay in state in the vestlbule
NJ the church. Mr.. A. q. Wheeler con-
Quoted the funeral, and the bearers were
Messrs. J. II. Lamson, Willard Gay.O. };
Marcott. S. NJ. Flint, B. T. Lombard and
George Haraden.
Rev. NJ. T. Morrill,, pastor of the Chris
tian church in Woodstock, offered the in
prayer, and remarks on the per-
sonal character and life of the deceased
were made by Rev. Mr.. Morrow, who
took his text from Nehemiah vii. 2-"For
he was a faithful man and feared God
a bove many" On the platform with the
speaker were seated Rev. V. Nj. Hardy,
pastor OF the Cong'l church, Rev. Seward
Robson, pastor of the Baptist church, and
Rev. Mr.. Morrill,.
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