St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-04-09

RECENT DEATHS.
Rollins.

Benjamin F. Rollins, an old-time resi-
dent of this village, died at his home in
Paddocks Village last Saturday night,
aged 70 years. He had been in failing
health for two or three years and heart
trouble was the cause of his death. Since
last December he has been steadily grow
ing worse. Two weeks ago was his last
visit in the village, when he transacted
some business in the town clerks office.
Since then he has failed rapidly and Sat
urday night died in his chair.
MIR. Rollins was born in West Danville
in December, 1927. His parents were
poor and as young boy he was COM
PEELED to spend many days at work, thus
early learning the value OF dollar. He
obtained some of the rudiments OF an ed
ucaton in the district school of his native
tow:.
Before he was sixteen years Of age Mr..
Rollins, with all OF his possessions tied
up in a handkerchief, left his home and
native town in search Of work, alone and
on foot, with hardly coin to jingle in
his pocket. When the youth arrived at
Danville Green, the number of roads lead
ing in different directions confused him.
He hesitated but finally, tossing a stick
into the air said, This stick shall tell
me-" When the stick fell it pointed
towards Peacham and towards that
place he bent his footsteps. AT Peacham
Hollow he found employment in thresh-
ing machine shop, where laid the founda-
tion for his future career.
For three or four years Mr.. Rollins re.
mained in Peacham, working diligently
and studying the details of the business
In about 1S4S he came to St. Johnsbury
where he has since made his home. H,
worked several years for the Fairbanks
and then five years in the railroad shops
In 1860, in company with Mr.. l.. Gibson
he went into the manufacture Of thresh
ing machines separators, etc, the shoI
being located in Paddocks Village on tn
site of the present one. He purchased hi
partners interest two years later an,
has since been the sole proprietor. Hi
factory is a wooden structure, 30xSC
three stories, and during its early day
| was well equipped for the business. Dul
ing the sixties he gave employment to
S dozen hands and made so threshing ms
e chimes year, besides manufacturing SCI
arators circular saws, drag saws, ct,
, Not keeping up with the modern in
provement in machinery, ETC., his mani
e featuring business has of late years falle
f off and the shop has been mainly utilize
e for repair work.
! Mr.. Rollins has been a justice of til
l peace 81 years, and was on the villae
S police lorce II years, serving six of thei
&, as chief He was prominent in the Cd
S Fellows lodge, holding the office OF trust,
for many years. He was married in 1S6
to Nancy S. Gage of North Danvil
One son was born to them, who died 2
years ago. His wife survives him.
MIR Rollins was careful, prudent ma
: and this coupled with good judgmer
and industry, enabled him to accumalal
quite fortune. Up to the time he We
80 years old he used part of his earl
ings in caring Tor his father and
blind sister, who was being treated &
Nashua, N. H. What he had left was pit
at interest where it has since been ticl
ing. He was liked by his help and ha
. one man who worked Tor him 25 year
E. L, Barrett, one of his present met
has been in his employ 15 years, M
Rollins was usually slow in making
decision, but when made it was we
=, made. He was not a member of an
= church but believed in the Christian r
lieion and contributed something eac
year ior its support. He handled h
, earnings carefully, never made speculi
, tions, but put his money where it wa
sure to be safe and bring him six per cen
He has met with losses, but leaves
D good amount of property.
e The funeral was held from his residen,
. in Paddocks Village Monday, Rev. JOSEF
. Hamilton officiating. The services {
/ the cemetery were conducted by the Cd
i Fellows.