News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1904-11-02
OLD RESIDENT GONE
Stephen II Tiff, Undoubtedly the Oldest
Business Man in Vermont, Passed
Away Quietly SUNDAY Morning.

Away Quietly SUNDAY Morning.
In the death of Stephen III. Tiff,
which occurred last Sunday morning
at about six o'clock, Morrisville loses
her Oldest and one of her most highly
respected citizens. He returned from
Burlington two weeks ago Monday,
where he underwent an operation on
his eyes, the operation being per-
formed at his urgent wish as he was
anxious to be able to read as long as
ne lived. He did not rally from the
shock of the operation and after re-
turning home from Burlington grad
ually failed, until the end came Sun
day morning, when he passed away
quietly and peacefully in manner he
had often expressed a wish that he
might go. The funeral was held from
his late home on Lower Main street
Tuesday afternoon at two O'Clock,
Rev, P. A. Smith of the Methodist
church officiating. Interment was in
the family lot in the old cemetery.
He was cared for in his last days by
Mr.. and Mrs. Newton Graves, the
latter being his grandniece.
He was born in Rhode Island and
had he lived until the 29th of next
April he would have rounded out
81 years of an unusually active and
useful life. Before coming to Morris
vile he was engaged extensively in
the manufacture of brushes at New
bury, N. Y. He came here about so
years ago and for several years con-
tinued in the brush business in one of
the Stafford mills and later went into
the furniture business in q small
building which stood on the site of
the present Tift block and which is
now occupied at the foot of watering
trough hill, by William Howard as a
residence. About 35 years ago he
built the block which he had occupied
since. He then added to his furniture
business a full line of general mer-
chandise and for many years carried
on one of the largest retail trades of
any merchant in the county. He con-
tinued in business at this stand near.
ly all of the time until about a year
ago, when he sold his stock of goods
ITO c. B. Vincent and at the time of
bis retirement was without doubt the
Oldest business man i'll the state.
The deceased was in many ways a
remarkable man. He was always
genial and courteous although meet
ing with reverses at times in his busi-
nsss career, never lost courage and
always commanded therespect of all.
He was a man of strong character
and noble qualities which made him
many friends in business and social
life. A notable characteristic Of the
man was his ability to read human
nature and in his business this gilt
was of much service to him. He was
a loving husband and father and
found his greatest pleasure in the
home circle. His last wife, whom he
married about twelve years ago. was
Mrs. Sarah Stoughton, of New York
City. She died three years ago. The
deceased was the father of four child
rem, George, Clifford, Homer and
Ada, none of whom survive him.
Homer and Ada died in childhood,
while the two sons lived to manhood |
and the oldest, George, was the father
of the late Mrs. Cora Agan. The de-
ceased was the last of his immediate
family and is survived by the following
relatives: Hiram Stafford George and
Warren Wilson of this place and Aral
Wilson of Hyde Park, nephews; Mrs.
Helen Carter of Morristown and Mrs.
Anna Littel of Randolph, Mrs. A. F.
Ludlow, niPces, and Walter
Tit, a grandson, of Franklin, Vt.