Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-03-11
DEATH OF .TUPPER
MlDDLEBuRY LOSES ONE OF ITS MOST
PROMINENT CITIZENS.

A stroke of Apoplexy Hastens the End on
17r,dav Iast-Deceased Was a Life Mem
her of the Addison County Bar and Well
KNOWN Local Business Man.
Almon p. Upper died of neuralgia
of the heart at his residence Friday
afternoon. March 4, at half past three.
The death of Mr.. Tupper removes one
who has been for many years most inti-
mstelv associated with the life of the vii
lage, the town and the state. lie was
horn on the oath of April, 1923, in the
town of Middlebury, and with the excep-
tion of a few wears always has resided
in his native town. The house in which
no was horn stood at the point where the
Reaver brook crosses the old stage road
TO East MiddIebury, on the small triangle
of land on the southerly side of the road,
bordered by ledge, the brook and the
road. and showing no trace of the build
ings which it once held.
In early manhood Mr.. Tupper engaged
in manufacturing business with ms
father in East Middlebury. Later, he
learned the trade of matchmaker and
ieweller: but the many enterprises IN
which he was engaged, alone or with MS
father, together with his i'll health, pre-
vented his devoting himself to the Dusl-
ness of watch making for any conslGer-
able time. AS concerned his health, ne
was in his young manhood pronounced
incurable with consumption. 1t is prop
able that he owed his prolonged lie TO
mis- indomitable will and the vitality thus
indicated. A weaker man must nave
succumbed.
He studied law with OZias Seymour,
and practiced first in East Middlebury
and then In the main village. VI MS
career as lawyer little need be said in
a community where he had legal dealings
with so many citizens. No client ever
suffered at his hands from betrayal OF his
cause. He was fertile in eXpedient, be-
cause he was indefatigable in the study
of the law.
In the entail by which so many affairs
were entrusted to him, it became newt
able that his legal practice should be
combined with matters of personal Dusl'
ness. Dealing as creditor with men OF
every kind, he developed an iuteXipie
independence of character which was
easily misunderstood He was fearless
of adverse criticism, tireless in attack or
defence, intolerant of injustice in public
or private affairs. There was moral
courage in all this; courage not 100
common, but in him manifest to every
Intimate and impartial view.
In 1880 he was given the honorary
degree of master of arts by Middlebury
college. 1t is probable that, in his per-
sistent dislike of anything that might
ever seem like useless display, ne never
availed himself of the privilege thus con-
ferred upon him. During the past six or
seven years Mr.. Tupper has been stead
ily falling in health. To the weakness
of his lungs was added an lnclplent
affection of the heart. In the progress
of his disease, hardly an organ remained
normal. But the strong mind and the
resolute will never weakened nor fal-
tered. An apopletic seizure left hlm
still further distressed in body, un-
touched in mental vigor and courage OF
spirit. But the end was drawing near
At the last it came-suddenly, as ne
would have wished. Death had never
affrighted him. 1t cannot be said to have
conquered him.
By those who knew him best he was
most loyed and respected. He met love
with love. distress with kindness, fall
ure with charity, struggling honesty with
sympathy and aid But for sheer, will
full perversity, he had scorn that with
cred and a stroke that blasted. 1t were
better for our social and commercial life
if such a character were not so rare. Be-
cause it is not more common it must
tread the wne-press alone"