Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-03-10
OSCAR ESTER BROOK

The hoped-for improvement in the con-
dition of Oscar d. Esterbrook, the we'll
known clothing merchant, who suffered a
stroke of paralysis last week, did not
come. On the contrary he gradually de-
clined, and death ensued in the early
hours of Tuesday morning.
Mr.. Esterbrook was a descendant of one
of the early Brattleboro families. His
great grandfather, Warren Esterbrook,
who came here from Rhode Island, settling
in the west part of the town, was a sol
der in the Revolution, enlisting in April,
177j, and receiving his discharge in the
latter part of IT'S. Warren Esterbrook
was farmer, as was his son James and
his grandson, Daniel Stewart, who was the
father of Oscar d.
Oscar D. Esterbrook was born in West
Brattleboro April 20, 1888, and he grew
up there, receiving his education in the
district schools. The family moved to
the East village when he was -, and
about year later he became a clerk for
Deacon Dwinnell in his general store.
After spending a year there he was en-
ployed in the store of his cousin, q. j..
Pratt, for about year, and he then be-
came a clerk for the firm of Pratt, Wheel
er 4 Co., and with this concern his whole
business life was spent.
With the exception of O. J. Pratt he
had been longer in continuous business
in Brattleboro than any other merchant in
town. The firm of Pratt, Wheeler n Co.
changed to l.. &. Pratt Il Co., then to d.
S. Pratt & Co., and finally to Pratt,
Wright Il Co., at which time Mr.. Ester
brook became partner. K. k. Pratt sue
ceeded to the interest Of the late A. Ii
Wright, and when Mr.. Pratt withdrew
some ten years ago Mr.. Esterbrook be-
came the sole owner of the store He de.
voted himself unremittingly to his bust
ness, and in 1t he achieved high degree
of success. He accumulated a handsome
estate, but, better than this, he made fol-
himself business name which stood fol
sound and conservative judgment and fol
| unspotted integrity. He was for time q
silent partner in a clothing firm in Boston
and several years ago he assisted j. j
Fenton, long time employee in the Brat.
| tleboro store, in the establishment of the
business of j. j. Fenton & Co. in Bellows
Falls In company with his brother-in.
law, Azor Marshall, he built the Marshall
& Esterbrook building near the bridge.
His only official connection had been
with the Brattleboro savings bank. OF
! that bank he was one of the original cor
| porators and trustees; he had been a mem.
Der of the board of investment since the
first year, and the vice president since 1892
| Had he lived he would have been elected
| president to succeed the late Hon. b. D.
| Harris. There was no man whose judg.
ment and advice and prudent oversight
| had been of more value TO the institution
| Sound, strong and self-contained, though
| the embodiment of modesty withal, his
| death makes sad break in our Brattle
boro business circle, and his loss is one
| which can hardly be made good.
In his personal relations Mr.. Ester
| brook was a sincere and helpful friend
| quick and warm of heart, in his own quiet
way delightful companion, a man of pos
tive and, if need were, outspoken convic
tons, and who was right on all the great
| questions of the day. His lifelong reli
gious connection was with the Unitarian
church, and no man had the interests OF
the Brattleboro church more sincerely at
heart, or proved his interest in a more
practical and tangible way
Mr.. Esterbrook married, June 10, 1876
Mrs. Ella Wetherell Shumway of Chester
field, who survives him with their daugh
| ter, Edith, who graduated at Smith college
in the class of 1898. He is also survived
by his mother, Martha Elizabeth (Glad
den) Esterbrook, who, now in her 93d year
enjoys serene and happy old age. All
only sister, Mrs. Azor Marshall, with
whom the mother has her home, also sur
wives.
The funeral will be held at the Unita
rian church this afternoon at 2 o'clock.