Bennington banner and reformer. (Bennington, Vt.) 1903-19??, 1903-10-08
IN MEMORlAM.
II. D. hall Pays Deserved Tribute to the Late
Sophia E. Park.

The following tribute from Henry d.
Hall to the late Sophia Z. Park has
been delayed by other matters but will
be read with interest and appreciation
by those who knew Miss Park:
Mr. Editor:-I can hardly refrain from Offering
my tribute to the character and worth OF Miss
Sophia e. Park, to what has already been so
well said, who has so recently been taken
from our community leaving void that we
know not who can FIJI.
Our acquaintance began when she was in
vited to attend school at the old brick acad-
envy in Remington Center, living In my par
ent's family she young miss, perhaps q do4-
en- years old and l lad i've years younger
The closest intimacy has been cherished be-
tween the two families ever since. and nothing
has occurred to disturb the pleasant relations
which had existed for years before, with the
older members each with the others. Later,
her brother, TT, nor W. Park, was united in
marriage with my beloved sister, Laura v.
Hall, and an active, prosperous and successful
life did theylive
She had lived to the ripe age OF 80 years and
months using her time In planning and In car
rylng out her plans for the comfort and relief
OF the poor the needy and the sick II was
not an effort on her part as II was her life and
the impulse came spontaneous 70 seek out
subjects upon which to bestow her sympathy
benefactiOns and kindnesses Her ministra
tons were not confined TO any one class OF
persons but her aim. like that OF her master,
was the ultimate good OF all, and each Oppor-
tunlty was seized with an inherent desire to
promote the temporal and spiritual benefit OF
her fellow beings. BY these, 20 her simple
services, yet more far reaching and important
IN the destiny OF mankind than has been the
influence OF many name that has beef her
aided from one end OF the country to the
other, was her ability for doing good exer-
cised.
Her natural temperament was OF a shrinking
dlnident kind aud she held aloof from obtru-
sion or notice only as occasion and duty
seemed to require prominence. Her CONVEX
sational powers we're phenomenal and her
memory seldom at fault, Of what she had ever
seen, heard or read, TO the minutest particular
with her genial manner made her most de-
Sirable companion. She was o devoted friend
OF the resident Congregational minister and
family OF which church she was for torty-hve
years q member, having united with myself and
wife and others on the lth OF July, 1858, under
the ministry OF Rev Chauncey H, Hubbard
Immediately after this, the services OF the
Furnace Grove Sunday school" we're com
menced. the drst one being held In the former
residence OF Deacon Zadock Taft q short dis
lance east Of the Shields mansion and then In
the old furnace store building, as Captain
Shields saw II would be more convenient for
the pupils and teachers. When winter was
approaching, comfort and convenience was
a gain studied and after much solctude OF the
officers and teachers, increased by the tears
OF scholars IN fear Oft being suspended, among
them F. c. White and wife, J. II. Loring and
wife and Il. d Hall and wife. The guide
board school" house was obtained for its use,
which gave it the name by which It has since
been called. NJ Loring who kept livery sta
bic, carried some OF the teachers for while
and Afterwards Miss Park paid him for going
with a carriage for years 20 take those who
did not feel no ~ attend this fourth service
each Sunday. Her whole heart or 10 least a
large portion OF IL, was in this work and its
which was apparent to al, added
much to her happiness through life as she saw
others enlisted 20 carry out the objects for
" hich she and her friends had labored 70 ac-
,ompHsh.
She was greatly interested In missionary |
work, both home and foreign aud her means
IS wei as sympathy and prayers were lavishly |
bestowed 10 aid and hasten the purpose and |
aim OF all cousecrated christians In this direc- |
lion The family OF the missionary on the /
'rOntier OF our own land, as also those In far 1
ln heathendom win feel the loss OF this life. |
hough 10 their more straitened circumstances |
hey may not know 10 what % attribute IL. but /
nearer home the cause and the effect viii be 1
plainly known.
She was the Oldest Of q large family the par. |
snts being Luther and Cynthia Pratt Park. who /
esid d for long time In Woodford where |
most OF their eight children were born, viz |
sophia f.. David Mart Trenor W, Anna c. /
Jennie A., Alma p, and Austin l.. or the /
ur0e family whose touch and influence has 1
,een so extensively felt for SO many years, /
here are but four living, Anna c. OF Benung /
on, Mrs Jennie A. Cummings Of Maiden Mass,
Hrs AIma p. valentine OF Bennington and Rev |
Austin L. Park OF Redlands California
In addition TO the usual church work She
Sas always teacher In the Sunday school, \
having q class OF young ladies which was only 4
depleted by their death or removal from town,
.ud so It became mixed with olderand younger .
aides who were yearly entertained by their
eacher and an enjoyable afternoon spent /
With one whom they respected and dearly
owed, She was formost in sustaining the reg
liar meetings Of the Ladies Aid society as
ven as being made prominent as the leading
nicer In mission and other societies OF the
'hurch
Conversation was held with her but short
ime before the uppermost desire Of her pure
leart was made known and, in some arteSs
md simple way the aim OF her christian life
would be manifested. II is not exaggeratug
o say that hundreds ncluoiug al ranks at the
coming Christmas time viii be reminded of her
ecease by not receiving the usual gift from
his large hearted christian friend. Friend
hip with her began with the seeing OF one
With the possibilities OF becoming q not al
eady such, a follower OF Christ. and then the
oseneSs Of 10 was in an agreeable and inteli-
ent companionship.-a the experience she
ad with the same, in the endeavor to live in
he atmosphere and carry out the principles