Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-01-10
W. E,WHITCoMB DEAD.
One of the most Prominent Citizens
of Barre passed away to-day.

The community was saddened today
by the announcement of the deaCii
this forenoon, of William E. Whit
comb, one of Barrels most highly re-
snected and successful business men.
MIR. Whitcomb has been in poor health
for some time, but notwlthstand-
inc this the blow is very heavy to the
relatives and friends, and the COM
munity at large.
William f. Whitcomb was born IN
Orange, VT, Nov. 4th, 1926. HIS
parents were Salmon D. Whitcomb, a
native of Swansea, N. H., and RUBY
Camp Whitcomb of Orange. His Old
est brother, George, was drowned IN
the Penobscot sriver in 1885. Lyman
W. died here about two years ago.
The youngest brother, James Addison
is still living in this city. He had
three sisters, Sarah, Roxinda and
Emmaline,- all of whom died some
years ago.
In the year ls4S W. E. Whitcomb
came to Barre, having 81 in money
and owning half of narrow bitted
chopplng axe. He bought the saw
mill at Phelps mill and run it till
about 1856, when he worked carpen-
tering for a while. Latter he sold and
erected mills manufactured by Joshua
Thwing of Thwingville, now called
North Barre.
When Mr.. Thwing died in 1866, the
firm of Smith, Whitcomb e. Cook,
composed of James NJ. Smith, w.
+. Whitcomb and B. B. Cook, bought
out the machine business which has
since been conducted by them. In
1893 w. e. Whitcomb's son w. A.
bought out Mr.. Cooks interest in the
business but the name was not chang
ed.
In 1853 Mr.. Whitcomb married
Harriet O. Wood who died Dec. Is,
1896. They had one son William A.
Mr.. and Mrs. Whitcomb lived at
first in the house at Phelps Mills. Lat
er they moved to the Benjamin Wood
place in Gospel Village. In 1859 Mr..
| Whitcomb erected the house at 140
Washington st. where he has since re-
sided.
w. T.. Whitcomb was a thorough
business man, who by close attention
to details was very successful in his
undertakings. In 1869 he was elect
ed representative.
About that time the matter of hav-
ing a railroad into Barre was being
agitatcd, and he, together with DR..
N. w. Braley, Ephriam French,
Judge Harvey Tilden and L. c. Vince
lock were chosen committee to Sc
cure charter. After several years
of hard work they succeeded in get
ting charter for the Montpelier &
White River railroad.
Allen r. Wood, w. f. Whitcomb
and Jacob S. Spaulding were elected
commissioners to purchase and lay out
a cemetery. In 1868 they purchased
the cite for Elmwood cemetery and
their untiring efforts made it the
beautiful place it now is.
In 1882 w. T.. Whitcomb and 9TH
crs succeeded in getting charter for
the Granite Savings Bank and Trust
Co., which commenced business in
1885. Mr.. Whitcomb was one of the
directors when he died. In 1864 he
was made mason, and was men,
Der OF Granite lodge +. g. A. NJ, at
the time of his death.
The funeral will be held from his
late residence on Washington street,
at > O'Clock Friday afternoon. Rev.
L. Tenney will oliciate, assisted by
Rev. DR.. S. N. jackson. Interment
in the family lot in Elmwood ceme-
try.
The case of state VS.. William Nc
Auley was mol pressed before Justice
A. G. Fay this morning on account of
a lack of evidence.
w. II. Gladding left this noon for
Randolph to visit his sister Mrs.
Justin Chadwick.
Miss Mahuron one of the teachers
at the Beckley street school is i'll at
her home in Waitsfield.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Rogers of
Merchant street arc rejoicing over
the birth of daughter born YES
tcrday.