Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-20

days, he was able to so improve and APP
ply what knowledge he gained as to fit
him for the active and successful career
which his later years developed. In his
early life he worked on farms and in
the factories. rising to the position of
overseer in the finishing room. Leaving
that place he went into business with his
father-in-law, the late N. E. Pratt, learn
ing the painters trade and remaining
with him until 1870 when he, with his
brother, f. a. Worden, went into the
soap factory, which has been an impor-
tant industry of the town.
In 1881 Mr.. Worden built the commo-
dious South Main street residence which
has since been his home. In 1885 the
Worden Brothers bought the Main street
drug store of DIR. l.. A. Lamson, and with
the exception of a short time, have own
ed and operated 1t ever since. The plant
has been enlarged and improved until
with its well appointed drug department
its extensive hardware rooms its section
for books, periodicals, newspapers, etc,
and it's stock of jewelry and fancy goods.
1t is one of the largest establishments of
it's kind in Southern New Hampshire.
Mr.. Worden was a member of several
fraternal societies, being a Free Mason,
knights Templar. odd Fellow, Granger
and Red Man. He has always been ac-
counted a clear, level headed business
responsibility
He served the town as selectman for
seven years, six of which he was chair
man of the board. While selectman he
devised a method of keeping the reports
which greatly simplifed the work, and
was readily adopted by the board He
also served the town as a member of the
building committee at the time of the
erection of the town hall destroyed by
fire, and also on the one recently dedi-
Gated. He took a great interest in the
new building and spent much of his
time the past summer on or about the
premises. He was, during its time one
of the directors of the Hinsdale bank,
and at the time of his death a member
of the New Hampshire Legislature, where
he was appointed on the educational
committee.
On March 7, 1866, he married Helen NJ.
Pratt, also of this town, by whom he is
survived. There is also one daughter,
Mrs Jennie f. Bronson, and two grand
children. Carlton a. and Blanche II.
Bronson, all of whom had a home with
him. He is also survived by one brother,
Elisha A, of this village and one sister,
Mrs. Diantha Converse, of Springfield,
Mass.
Although Mr.. Worden will be greatly
missed in business circles and by his
| townsmen, the blow falls heaviest upon
| indulgent husband and father His sud
| den death seems doubly sad following
| so soon the equally sudden death of Mrs.
| Worden's mother, Mrs. Clarissa Pratt
who was a member of the family, and the
recent death of his son-in-law, Clinton j,
| Bronson.
Funeral services were held at the house
| Wednesday afternoon at / o'clock, Rev.
w. f. White, pastor of the Congrega-
tional church officiated, assisted by Rev
Mr.. Blair of Hudson, n. Y, a former
pastor of the Hinsdale Universalist
| church, and a warm personal friend OF
Mr.. Worden. The Masons, odd Fellows
| and Red Men attended in a body, and
each order was largely represented. Be
| side these there was a large gathering
| of neighbors and friends, filling the COM
modious house to overlooking, who hao
| come to pay a last tribute to an esteem
| ed citizen Seldom is seen such pro
| fusion of rare and beautiful flowers, COW
| ering the casket and banking the room
| Elegant pieces were the offerings of the
| orders of which Mr.. Worden was a mem
| Der, and there were beautiful set pieces
and cut flowers from the many relatives
| and friends. e. H. Miller of BrattleborC
| sang Lead Kindly Light and "Rocl
| of Ages" The Masonic burial service
was used at the cemetery, to which &
| large procession followed the body
Friends were present from Springfield
Fitchburg, Northampton and Ashfield
Mass, Hudson, N. Y, Brattleboro
Keene, West Swanzey, Winchester, anC
| Ashuelot.