Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-03-29

One OF the oldest settled localities in the
town Of Tunbridge is a beautiful little
valley called the "Spring Road" So
named from medicinal spring discover
ed on IL a few years ago.
| Among the early settlers in this valley,
more than hundred years ago, was a
Mr.. Smith and a near relative, who, with
/ untiring energy and perseverance, cut
down the primeval forest, established
roads and fences and built houses, max
ing beautiful homes, some OF which their
de scendants still own and occupy.
A son OF one OF these pioneer settlers
was Nathan Goodwin Smith, born July
%, 1903. Here be spent most OF his boy
hood and youth. To this old homestead
fine farm at the head OF this beautiful
valley-he brought his bride, Olive Hall
Whitney. Here all their married life was
spent. Mr.. Smith was a man honored and
respected by all. He was chosen deacon
OF the Cong1 church in 1858, which Office
he held till bis death. SO tenacious was
be for honesty and fair play, that once, at
least, finding that trade with a neighbor
was more advantageous to himself than
he anticipated, he insisted on returning
enough to make an evenly balanced bar
gain.
He was among the first in the town to
make horticulture a speciality. The writer
well remembers receiving from him more
than 30 years ago the winters supply OF
the finest apples that ii was ever his good
fortune to possess. He greatly improved
the fertility of his LAND and his buildings
from time to time till be died in February
1873 in the 10th year OF his age. Two sons
and two daughters were born to this |
worthy and happy couple. One, Frank,
a noble, patriotic and devoted son, fell, |
pierced by a sharpshooteTis bullet on the |
firing line in the army of the Potomac, in |
that terrible bloody battle OF the Wilder |
ness. Another son, Thomas, is now re.
si5ing on the old homestead. One dauRb. |
ter, Ann, the wife OF Dea. fuller, mem |
Der Of the G.. A. r., resides in the same |
valley and her beautiful house Is made a |
lovely Christian home for husband and |
son. The other daughter, Maria Olive, |
the subject OF this sketch was, born Oct. |
u, 1871. Here she spent a happy child
hood and youth, her fathers pet, and /
beloved by all.
Christian example and precept in her
fathers home, together with her walks
and rambles upon the hills around her 1
fathers house, some of which, to this day |
are noted for their great height and the /
beautiful and extensive views from their /
SUBMITS, developed not only a beautiful /
form and feature but a vivscious and Low.
ing disposition. At the age OF twelve
years al special religious meeting in the .
school house where she received most OF 4
her schooling, she felt the touch OF the
Divine Masters hand upon her spiritual
nature and obeyed the voice OF Jesus, bid
ding her arise ana come to him. In due
time she united with the Cong'l church OF
which she was a consistent member un |
her death.
On Christmas day 1867 she was married
at her fathers house TO Charles William
Smith, son Of Capt. Richard Smith OF Co,
z, I'd, Vermont Vols, in the army of the
rebellion, Rev. I. H. Johnson was offici-
sting clergyman.
The happy couple commenced house.
keeping in house about one mile down
the valley in the same school district
here she lived fourteen years when the
family removed to the next house below
where she resided till her death.
In her home the brilliancy and beauty
OF her character were noticeable No
sPcritice or self-denisl WAS too great for
the benefit OF her household. In sickness
and In health, in prosperity and adversitv. 4
she watched over her children with in
Unite care and solicitude. A m odel house,
keeper and cook, she made her house a
place OF JOY and pleasure not only to her
own family but to friends and neighbors
as well. Her pastor and wife well re-
member day spent in her house but a
Few weeks ago. The cordial and hearty
greeting and entertainment; the good
health and cheer on her part aud ali the
family made day of pleasure seldom ex-
perieneed and long to be remembered.
Little did we think then that the final
parting would come so soon. Our grief
today Is q personal one as we deeplv
sympathize with the grief-stricEep
husband and children.
In January, 1884, diphtheria invaded the
household, then consisting OF parents and
two children. The house Of course was
isolated. Neighbors and friends with one
or two exceptions, approached only with
in hailing distance. All but the father
were taken with the dreaded disease. The
first born, Jenny Msris, a beautiful pirl
OF Is years, passed away from earth. She
was educated and accomplished, the pride