The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-05-19
FRANCES SKINNER WILLING,

In the death Of Mrs. Frances Skinner
Willing, Manchester loses one Of its most
devoted friends. Mrs. Willing belonged to
q family which has been prominently coz
nected with our town and Its institutions
for over century. Her grandfather,
Richard Skinner, resided here from 1900
until his death In 1888, and served the State
as member Of Congress, Judge Of the Sup
RENE Court, and Governor, Her father,
Judge Mark Skinner Of Chicago, was born
here, and visited the place with bis family
nearly every summer after he became estab.
lished In the West. Frances Skinner thus
became familiar with Manchester In her
childhood, and came to regard the place
with her fathers affection. An added
source Of interest to the family was the
Dallwoo1 Cemetery, founded through the
efforts and liberality Of Judge Skinner In
1866, and carefully supervised by him until
his death In 1887. In 1870, Frances Skinner
was married to Henry J. Willing OF Chi
cago, then member Of the firm Of Field,
Letter 4 Company. But the regular visits
70 Manchester continued, and Mr.. Willing
soon acquired the local attachments Of the
family, became participation In its various
benefsctions, and finally gave large su m
to Burr and Burton Seminary, of which In.
stitution Gov. Skinner was one Of the orr
ginal Trustees.
Mrs. willing's purpose to establish a
Library In Manchester Ia memory Of her
father was definitely formed as early AZ
1889, and the matter was afterwards the
subj ct Of frequent consideration and con-
sultation. The work upon the building
was begun 10 1895, aud on the 7th day Of
July, 1897, she had the pleasure OF attend.
Ing the exercises with which the Library
was opened to the public. Although her
health did not permit frequent attendance
At the Library when In Manchester, she
kept herself constantly advised as to Its
success and requirements, and rtjoiced In
he evidences Of its present usefulIe.s and
The prospect OF It's greater usefulness In the
Iuture. She followed closely the regular
purchases Of books, and frequently supple
nented these with gifts Of expensive publ.
,atIons. She bad . great knowledge Of
looks, and excellent judgment regarding
hem. Her facility asa writer Is evidenced !
" afew published productions Her very
account Of trip through the
Canadian Maritime Provinces WAS printed
or private distribution In 1884. Another
work, entitled Dame Heraldry," designed
or the u,e Of young people, was published
y ID. Lslhrop & Company In 1856 In
lew Of Mrs.. wililng's taste 10 artislic mat
ers and her large acquaintance with books,
10 not surprising that Manchester has
brsry building that charms all who enter
and . library which affords unusual faci-
tics for ufeful study and wholesome en-
'yment. In community which has daily
OF the Mark skinner Library, II
needless TO attempt any special charac-
,rzi,ion Of Mrs. willing, for that institu.
on 10 its every feature declares In unmir-
iksble terms her character, ides's and pur-
oses.
Mrs willlng died Ia PAssaicns, Caiifor.
"a. on the 10th OF May. Her body arrived
ere Monday evening, ard was placed In
Ne resdIngfoom Of the Library, TO awax
,e finsl exercises. These were held In the
church Oh Wednesday, Rev.
.r,ell Prentiss Of Nyaek, ". Y and Rev.
,hn Barstow, the pastor, officiating. The
terment was In Dellwood Cemetery. IN
e presence Of many friends gathered from
and ofa large representation Of
% grateful people Of Manchester. Thus
II friend pAsses from our sight; but We
ed not say Farewell; Tor through our
ne, and the ages TO follow, her Invisible
nd VIII continue TO shower blessings
,on the dweliers among these bills,
rough the instruction, companionahip
d solace Of books.