Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-01-15
DEATH OF HlRA [. Blx6Y.
Well-kno~n Chelsea Photographer
and Citizen Succumbs to Apoplexy.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jan. s. 1908. at
his photograph studio IN South Royalton.
Hlra l.. BNby, native and for many
years past prominent citizen of Chelsea,
was stricken with apoplexy Dr. e. j.
Fish was Immediately summoned and Mr..
blxby was taken to the hotel, where he
soon became unconscious and the physi-
ian gave no hope OF recovery. Through
the night and the day following uncon-
seriousness continued and at eight o'clock
W Wednesday evening the patient died.
Hlra Lewis Bixby, born in Chelsea Sept.
10, 1888, was the fifth son and tenth child
OF lchabod and Susanna Qewis) Bixby,
who were married in 1909 and lived and
died on the Bixby farm, which has now
been in the family period of four gene
rations. The Bixbys came from Tolland,
Conn, in 1857, and James Lewis, the
maternal grandfather, from Acworth, N.
H., though Grace Paddock, whom he
married, was the daughter OF a sea cap
tain OF New Bedford, Mass. Hira was
reared on his fathers farm, attended the
district school and afterwards few terms
at Chelsea academy, then taught by JON
athan Ross, since chief judge Of the
supreme court and United States senator
From 1865 till 1872, be was employed in a
photograph gallery in Burlington, return
ing in the latter year to Chelsea to pur-
chase his fathers farm and care for his
mother and elder unmarried sister. Since
the sisters death in April, 1895, he has
lived mostly alone. He soon bought out
the business of a local photographer in
Chelsea village and has since had his gall
lery in the second story of William +.
Hoods drug store building. More than
dozen years ago he also esta blished pho
tographer's rooms at Brookfeld and South
Royalton. taking a day OF each week at
each place and giving two days to his
Chelsea business.
Mr.. Bixby was a man of fine intelli-
gence, great lover Of books, especially
those relating to the sciences, very fond OF
music and a devotee of art. He was a
constant student OF natural science and so
well informed in astronomy that he de-
rived great pleasure in his long rides by
night from his study of the stars. A
violinist OF some skill, he oft beguiled his
lonely hours with the melodious COM
partnership OF his "Miriam," as he fondly |
called the Instrument he worshipped.
As a citizen, he was most worthy always /
seeking 10 be correctly informed and act
ing only for the public good. He was
very influential among his large acQuaint- I
ance and his influence seemed always for 4
the best. Wholly free from the politi- /
clans greed OF office and rather preferring 4
to be ignored, he vet was compelled to /
serve IN important places. Justice OF the
peace since 1878, he had also been four
years selectman, three years a school di- I
rector and for the last ten years an infiu- /
entail trustee OF the public library. He
had also received the highest honor OF his I
town, that OF representative in the legisla- |
ture.
But it was as man, a neighbor and
friend that Hira BiXby seemed most 4
worthy and viii be longest remembered. /
His generous, broadly sympathetic nature 1
was a marvel to all who knew him. |
pure in mind, be seemed to 4
hate only what was low and base. Cheer 4
full in spirit, he loved and wished to help /
his fellow man. Everybody was his I
and he seemed to make everyone /
his friend by the kindly services he was /
rendering, Profoundly relig- /
Ious in thought and feeling, his life 4
appeared to be guided by the teachings OF /
he New Testament and, as the eloquent /
preacher at his funeral so fittingly said, he 1
seemed by his unremitting deeds of kind /
ness ''to 90 about doing good"
"He was man, take him for all In ALL
We shall not look upon his ike again."