Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-06
DEATH OF J. C. H0UGHT0N
Was Travelling in Italy-Body Will bs
Brought to Montpelier.

NCntpelier, March 4.-Tle following
cahlogram received at 1890 a. M BY the
office of the National Life Insurance com
lany announcing the sudden death Of
James c. Houghton, president OF the com
many. at Naples, italy, was a great shock
L. his family and relatives, as well as
the whole community.
"Napoli, March 4, 1902. r
National Lif = Montpelier, VT.
President Houghtcn died suddenly to-
day. Mrs. Houghton and body Will san
Commonwealth March 9Th. Notify Grace.
PHELPS"
1t is understood that for some time Mr..
Ioughton has been more or less indis-
POSED. He decided early this year to take
a vacation and projected the Mediterra-
mean trip in company with Mrs HouGh'
ton, Mr.. and Mrs. James 7. Phelps and
Mrs. Howard +. Edwards of Boston. lie
sailed from Boston on the S S. Common
wealth February nth. \ cahlegram was
received Announcing their safe arrival at
Gibraltar and later at Naples on February
.lh, the whCle party BENG reported well.
The announcement of Mr. Iloughton' $
death came, therefore, as Il complete and
shocking surprise.
James Clay Houghton was the son Of
the Rev. James g. and Julia (MortCn)
iIoughton, and was born in Petcrsham,
Worcester county, Massachusetts, Sop
tember >, 1871. In 1851 his fathers family
moved to Vermont and took up their resi-
dcnCe at Chelsea. His early education was
obtained from the common schools of that
town. In 1S62 he was graduated from Am
lcrst College, having previously attended
the academy at East Windsor Hin, Conn.
For two years after his graduation he
studied law. He then became the cashier
of the Orange County National bank ut
Chelsea. In 1871 he moved to Montpelier
to accept the same position in the Fi'st
National bank, which position he held un-
Ill 1855. In 1874 he was elected director
OF the National Life Insurance Co. In 1855
its treasurer in 1897 its vice-president and
January 10 1901, on the resignation OF the
Hon. Charles Dewey, was elected pre- 81
don't, which position he held at the time OF
his decease
No man in this community was more
thoroughly respected and looked up TO Tor
luis business abilities. his honesty, his lib
crafty, and public spiritedness. lie has al
ways taken a deep interest in local and
State affairs He was deputy county clerk
Of Orange county, two years, treasurer of
Montpelier for many years, and was also
a member of the school board for many
years At the time OF his decease he held
the following Offices in this city:
President of the National Life Insurance
company president of the Wood Art gal
lurY, and director Of the First National
bank. He was recently elected governor
of the Vermont branch OF the Society of
Colonial Wars, and first Vice-presidcnt
of the Historical Society OF Vermont. lie
was also 4 member Of Mt Zion Command
cry knight Templars, and the Apollo club
in 1863 he was married to Miss Grace r.
blackwell of Philadelphia, Pa, who with a
son, Edward Rittcnhouse IIoughton and
n daughter, Grace Morton lIoughton, sur
NIVc him. He is also survived by one
brother. Joseph S. Ioughton of Stamford
Conn. and sister. Miss Julia NJ IIough-
ton Of this city.
Arrangements for the funeral will be
made on arrival of the remains by the
steamer Commonwealth, which is sched-
uled to arrive in Boston March II.
ICE GORGE AT MIDDLEBURY.
Middobury, March 4-The flood which
mas prevailed and been reported from f.
ferent places for the last three days did
no damage here until Tuesday night, wher
an ice gorge formed below the village be.
tween the stone bridge and the paper mil
bridge. The water Is higher than AT any
time since 1852. The saw mill is flooded
ana the tenants are moving. Tho electric
light plant is flooded and the town Is in
darkness.