The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-09-22
Death Of DenisOn Taft.

DENIsoN TAFT died last Thursday after
noon at his residence on Main street, after
brief illness, aged seventy-eight years.
Mr.. Taft was born In Barre, June 6. 1879
In his early life he learned the carpenter
and joiner's trade, and during his residence
in Barre he was superintendent Of construc-
ton Of the old Spaulding Academy. In
1854 Mr. Taft went from Barre to Quechee
and engaged In the manufacture OF white
flannel, continuing. in that business with j.
g. Parker, under the firm name OF Taft &
Parker until 1860, when he came to Mont
pelier to reside. From 1866 to 1858 Mr..
Taft had charge Of building Bethany church.
In the latter year he purchased the Lang
don mills on the Montpelier and Berlin sides
OF the river. In 1870 he sold the Montpelier
mill to u. W. Bailey g. Co. and year later
sold the Berlin privilege to the Montpelier
Manufacturing Company. After that time
Mr.. Taft was engaged In numbering in
Middlesex until 1888, when he retired from
actual business.
In 1912 he was married to Loviss Gale Of
Barre. She died In 1853, and q year later
he was again married to Miss Rachells
Moore, who survives him, with four chill
dren-John A. of Aberdeen, Washington,
Lucius D., Of the firm Of e. w. Bailey &
Co., Edna M, wife Of Charles A. Gay OF
Medford, Mass, and Miss Alice r. OF Mont
pelier. The latter was visiting In Sioux
City. Ia, when the illness Of her father took
fatal turn, and neither she nor Mrs. Gay
reached his bedside while he was alive
The funeral was held from his late home on
Main street Saturday afternoon, Rev. DR.
| Norman Seaver officiating, and the burial
was in the family lot in Green Mount Gem
etery. During his long business career in
| Montpelier and elsewhere, Mr.. Taft enjoyed
| the confidence Of those with whom he was
associated. Honorable and upright in all
his dealings, and respected by his fellow
| townsman, he has left to his children the
| hor tor NJ MT rpi oh ad
1t is interesting to note at this time the
estimate that was placed on Mr.. Taft's
labors in connection with building Bethany
church, The WATCHMAN AND JOURNAL Of
September 30, 1868, said Of. him:
"DenisonTaft, Esq, was chairman OF the
building committee, and also contractor, fol
building the church. Charles Edward Par
kerr Esq, Of Boston, was the architects and
while its handsome and noble architecture
and the perfect symmetry OF all its parts, and
the admirable grouping of church, chapel
| and tower, and finish OF the interior, are
I've and successful execution Of the design IL
| due to Mr.. Taft. Too much praise cannot bt
awarded him for the skilful and faithful
and self-sacrifcing manner in which he has
| performed the responsibility he assumed
The society will always be under weight
of obligation to him for the spirit and man
ner in which he has accomplished a result
30 dear to his own heart. He was the righ
man in the right place."
Writing to Editor Joseph Poland under
date Of October 2, 1868, Charles Edward
Parker, the architect of the building, says
81 write chiefly to express the pleasure
with which read your notice of Mr.. Taft,
labors. None but builder can understand
how great burden he has carried for you
/ gladly say that never met any one WHIT
seemed more faithfully anxious to do all fo
the benefit Of the church and society, and
never expect to see another man-not
builder-so clear headed and making so few
mistakes"
| All places OF business in Montpelier were
| closed from two to four O'Clock Saturday
afternoon out Of respect for Mr.. Taft.