Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-06-17
DEATH of George D. Smear.


In the death OF George l. Spear, Ram
dolph loses one OF its leading citizens, who
was also prominent in business and polit-
ical affairs in Braintree for many years.
Death occurred shortly after midnight
Friday morning, resulting from a compli-
cation of kidney and heart troubles, after
only few days illness. He had not been
WE'LL however, for a much longer time, but
showed great determination and exercise
OF viii power in the contest with disease.
Mr.. Spear was the son of Levi Spear, IT.,
and was born in Braintree April %, 1912,
and lived on the farm with his father un-
Til n years old, when he went to Califor-
mia and remained a year. He then en-
gagged in mining on the John Day river in
/ Oregon, where he remained four years.
I Returning to Braintree in the spring OF
I 1869 he purchased w. Stearns' interest in
/ the sawmill at West Braintree, and with
his father carried on the lumber business
until his fathers death, since which time
1 he had conducted the business alone.
/ Sept. 1, 1870, he married Nina NJ. Parish
OF Brooktield and one daughter was born
to them, who died in infancy. The wife
survives.
Mr.. Spear always took lively interest
in political affairs, representing Braintree
+. in the Legislature in 1876 and 1878, serving
on the committee on railroads and being
the first Democrat elected in Braintree for
a period of over 30 years. He was a mem
Der OF the Democratic state committee
from 1850 to 1888, and was delegate to the
Democratic national convention in Chioa-
go in 1881, and was the member from Yer
mont on the committee to notify Cleve-
land and Hendricks of their nomination.
In May, 1855, he was appointed collector
of internal revenue for the district Of YER
mont, and performed the duties OF that
office creditably until July, 1887, when
Maine and Vermont were consolidated
with New Hampshire, with the main Of
flee at Portsmouth. During his term of
office he had increased the revenues OF his
district to a great extent.
Soon after the close OF the office, he, in
company with C.. +. Waite of Swanton,
purchased large tract OF timber land in
Canada, at South Indian and Moose creek,
on the Canada Atlantic railroad, and did
large lumber business until the burning
of their mills and large portion OF their
timber land two years later.
In the fall of 1858, with Dean G. French
of Barton Landing and George Caswell of
Derby Line, he formed the Lowelltown
Lumber company, purchasing 5000 acres
of heavily tim bered land near Lowelltown,
Me. Mills were built, and every conven-
fence for carrying OH large lumber BUSH
ness was com pleted and the company had /
been doing an extensive business until
a month ago, when one of the boilers ex- |
ploded, destroying portion OF their mill
and killing four men. This, with bodily |
ailments, rather unnerved Mr. Spear, and 1
he returned home the first of last week. |
He was on the street Monday, but on his /
return home entered semi-comatose state /
which continued until death occurred.
Mr.. Spear was a genial, courteous and 4
warm hearted man, OF sound business 1
ability and comprehensive understanding. /
Few mon have a broader reach OF general
knowledge such as serves men best in
everyday life. Ills business activity made /
him a valuable citizen.
He was a member Of Aurora lodge, No.22,
F. q A. M, of Montpelier and of Mt. Zion
X. T., of the same place.
The funeral was held at the home on
avenue Monday afternoon, Rev.
j. Edward Wright of Montpelier otficiat-
ing "A male quartet furnished music. Avery