The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-07-22
Obituary.


Luther Poland, whose decease at Omaha on
the Sth instant was announced in the
WATCHMAN of last week, is condensed
from the Omaha Excelsior of the 18th in
slant:
"Colonel Poland was born on the first day
OF April, 1926, at Waterville, Vermont.
His father Deacon Luther Poland, of
an old Massachusetts family, was one of
the pioneer settlers of Vermont, and known
in the history of that state as one of the
foremost leaders in religious and educa-
tional matters. He was the first represent
tative in the Vermont legislature from the
town of Waterville, and served as such for
many years. He was one Of the founders
OF the Free Soil party and an original aboli-
ZIONIST. Colonel Poland's oldest brother,
Hon. Luke p. Poland, was for many years
chief justice of that state; was United
States senator, and member of con-
gress for many years. The other brother,
Hon. Joseph Poland of Montpelier, was
the publisher of the first Free Soil paper
in that state, and in later years was
editor and proprietor of the leading republic
can newspaper of Vermont. The only sis
ter, Mrs. Lydia Martin, was woman Of
ability, and took an active and leading part
in all religious and educational matters.
Mr.. Poland learned the printers trade in
his brothers Office at Montpelier, and there
married Miss Clara NJ Bennett of the same
place, who now survives him. Their only
ton, was born at MOrrisville, vt. In 1854
Colonel Poland moved to Madison, Wis,
where for time he edited and published
the Capital Gazette, prominent republican
paper. He was compelled, however, to
abandon the printing business on account
OF the asthma, from which he hasl been a
lifelong sufferer and in the hope of relief
from it he settled in the forest region of
western MISUNDERSTANDING locating in
Viroqua, the residence OF Hon. J. M. Rusk,
late secretary of agriculture, who was his
lifetime friend During the war Colonel
Poland acted as provost marshal, and
greatly aided in raising troops from his sec.
ton of the state. At the outbreak Of hos
tilities he offered his services to his country
but could not be accepted for active service
on account of his asthma. After the war he
served as sheriff and under-sheriff OF his
county until his removal to Madison, where
his daughter attended school at the Wis
consin state university In the spring OF
1869 Colonel Poland again moved west,
seeking climatic change from his lifelong
enemy. He was one of the first appointees
to the railway mail service on the Union
Pacific road. This position was offered him
at the instance of his friend, General Rusk,
and accepted with the expectation that the
travel and change incident to the railway
service would be beneficial. Some years
later he was transferred to Utah at his re-
quest, for the same reason; and in later
years, at intervals, he found it necessary to
seek relief in the western and noun
famous regions. Some six weeks since
Colonel Poland contracted a severe cold
which resulted in an attack OF the grip,
followed by lung difficulties; and later by
congestion of the brain. Almost immedi-
ately after his first attack, his condition be-
came so serious that Senator and Mrs.
Thurston were telegraphed for at Washing
ton, and returned at once to Omaha For
the past four or five weeks Mr.. Poland's
case has been considered hopeless by the
attending physicians, Drs. Grossman and
Tilden; owing to which fact it has been i'm
possible for the numerous friends, who have
called from day to day, to see him., 1t will
be consolation to them, as it is to his fam
lly to know that from almost the first he
has not been conscious OF suffering, and that
the end, which came suddenly Wednesday
morning at eight o'clock, was painless and
peaceful.
The funeral services were held at
the residence of his son-in-law, Senator
Thurston, Thursday afternoon at three
o'clock, the Rev T. j. Mackey OF All
Saints officiating The services were brief,
but solemn and impressive. The music by
the All Saints choir was especially appropri-
ate. The arrangements were under the d.
rection of Mr.. w. r. Kelly, who succeeded
Senator Thurston as general solicitor OF the
Union Pacific System, and the following
well-known citizens acted as pall-bearers:
Colonel g. 8. Chase, Hon. j. II. Millard,
George O. Towle, Hon. w. j. Cornell, r.
8. Hall, Daniel Remission, Ed. Haney and j.
w. Petty. The interment was at Prospect
Hill cemetery"