Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-11-21
T0WNSHEND.
HON. IRA X. BATcHELDER.
Death Of One Of Townshends Oldest
Residents Who Had Been a Prom
inent Figure in Bennington and
Windham Counties.

than four score years and ten and who
was a prominent figure In Southern YER
mont more than half a century, died Sun
day at his home in Townshend lie had
been in failing health the past five years,
the end coming from the general weak
ness of old age but the final Illness was
of only short dura ton.
Ira X. Batchelder was the eldest of
the three sons of Edmund and Betsey
Jones Batchelder and was born in Mt.
Vernon. ~ H.. Dec. II. 1911. The family
moved 20 Peru in 1919. Mr.. Batch
elder was educated in the common
schools, with brief terms at the Chester
Academy and at the Teachers Seminary
I'm Andover. Mass AT the age of p he
| left Peru eight or ten years, being en-
| gagged IN teaching most of the time.
After his return to Peru he taught sew
eral terms there with great success. He
was for many years town superinten-
dent of schools in Peru. and during that
| period the schools there ranked among
| the best in the state their efficiency
| being due in large part to his personal
attention. Besides he took an active
interest in everything that pertained to
! the welfare of the town. held almost
| every town Office repeatedly, was very
| active and efficient in church work. and
| last but not least. was the best farmer
in the town.
During the time he was away from
| Peru Mr.. Batchelder taught four years
| IN the old brick academy in Cambridge,
! y. Y. and year or two in a school
in Troy
! lie was chairman of the selectmen in
! Peru II successive years. lie repre-
| scented Peru i'm the lower branch Of the
| state Legislature in 1Si9. was senator
! from Bennington county in 1850 and 1851.
! and associate Judge Of the county court
| In 1864 and 1868 Mr.. Batchelder moved
90 Townshend In 1865.
on coming to Townshend Mr.. Batch
| elder M once took part in the com
munity life similar TO that which he had
taken in Peru. He was solectman Of the
| town. superintendent Of schools many
! years. trustee and vice president of Le-
| land e Gray Seminary % years. and for
| over 90 years trustee and member OF
| the finance committee of the Windham
| County Savings bank at Newfanc He
continued to hold the office of justice OF
;he peace upon which he entered at
| FCru in 1929 until 1896
| The veneral eN-Gov Frederick Hol-
| brook Of Brattleboro Is the only person
now living who served in the state senate
with Mr. Batchelder more than half a
| century ago
In 1910 Mr. Batchelder married Nancy.
| daughter OF Benjamin Barnard. who was
his helpmate in all the circumstances OF
life and who took an active part I'm com
muuity affairs. They celebrated their
| Enluen wedding al IpWnSnenu March IL
| 1891. All their children. grandchildren,
brothers and sisters were present. In ad-
dition to many friends who helped to
make the occasion enjoyable. Mrs Batch
elder died last March.
Their daughter. Julia F.. graduated al
only daughter. Julia f., graduated at
Burr and Burton Seminary in Manches-
ter and at Mount Holyoke Seminary. She
was married to Rev. f. ]. Ward OF
Grafton in 1867 and died in that town In
1872. Their elder son. James X. Batch
elder graduated from Burr and Burton
Seminary and from Mddlebury college
in 1864. He studied law with Hon. j. NJ.
| Tyler In Brattleboro. graduated at the
Albany law school. and has been for
years one Of the prominent lawyers OF
the state. He represented Arlington In
the legislature two terms, being speaker
during his second term. The younger
son. Edward u. Batchelder. moved IA
Townshend with his father i'm 1869 and Is
a successful farmer. having one OF the
best farms in the West river valley
The ancestors of the Batchelder family
came from England about 1880 and set
lied in Salem. Mass. Members OF the
family We're soldiers In King Philips
war and in the Colonial and Revolutions
arv wars. In addition to Mr. Batchelder's
children he is survived by two brothers
Daniel Of Londonderry and Charles OF
Peru.
lie Joined the Congregational. church in
Peru about 1882 and continued to be a
member Of the church there or Of the
one at Townshend until his death He
was Sunday school superintendent
more than ~ wears.
| Mr.. Batchelder wrote some years age
the history OF Peru one OF the best his
! tories which any town IN Vermont has.
| Mr. Bachelor was "A tyne OF the adj
mirablc genuine men Of the old school
he was a man who gathered knowledge
dispensed wisdom, conducted his own
| affairs with marked success and who
occupied important positions Of public
honor and private trust and was never
| found wanting His self poise enabled
him 70 mi a large and useful place ir
life without the straining for effect and
high nervous tension which is found
too often in the busy business or public
life of today.
The funeral was held at the house or
Wednesday, Mr. Batchelder's former
nastor Rev. NJ. F. Hardy officiating
assisted by the present pastor. Rev.
Mr.. Baker.