Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-09-07
OBITUARY..

Coreina (Jones) Severance. His fathers
family consisted of four sons and four
daughters, of which two sons and two
daughters are living. Mr.. Severance's
whole life. was spent in his native town,
save when his business took him west
and south while engaged in the sheep
trade
Mr.. Severance was twice married
December %, 1s47, he married Miss
Emma j. Perkins, of East Middebury
A few years later, having no children
of their own, they adopted two babes,
twins, boy and a girl. The boy Char
! lie when about 19 years old died, and
his twin sister is now the wife of Mr..
otto Moore.
December IA, 1869, Mr.. Severance
married Miss Mary A. Landon, of Sud-
bury, Vermont. The issue ofethis mar
riage was six children, all of whom
were present at their fathers funeral,
which was held Tuesday, August 81.
Their names in their order are, Nellie
NJ, Frank E., George NJ, Jennie A.,
Martha A. and William NJ Mr. Sever
ance was a farmer, born to the calling
and abiding in it to the end of his days.
lie had an iron constitution, was gifted
with great strength and endurance He
was great worker himself and never
asked his hired help to do more than
to follow him. In the use of the axe
he had few equals. On one occasion
when young man he was at work
on job cutting cord wood. He COM
menced work one Monday morning, and
at Saturday noon, in just five and
half days, he had cut and piled alone
30 cords of four foot wood. This illustrates
his style of doing things. The last few
years of his life rheumatism and other
complications had crippled him physi-
cally, but even these enemies had not
been able to crush his spirits nor over
come the vigor of his mind. He direct
ed the affairs of his farm till the very
day that he died. His mind was clear,
and he was master of all his financial
interests till the last hour. He read the
papers and kept in touch with all that
pertained to the welfare of his town
and State. In his political preferences
he was strong republican, and the
present campaign found him deeply in
terested in the issues involved.
Mr.. Severance had faults, for he was
human, but he had also Imany noble
and cOmmendable virtues. He had
large circle of faithful and appreciative
friends. His was a large heart. There
are many among his friends who can
recall his kindnessesl when they were
passing through deep waters. His
sympathies were not bounded by a mar
row circle. Many were the hungry
poor that found seat at his table, and
favors at his hands. His timely coun-
sells have put new courage into many
weary and fainting heart. He was
a good neighbor, and will be greatly
/ missed by those who dwelt around him.
1t was only when people wronged him
that they felt the venom of his power.
He was truthful himself, and had no
use for those who had played double
dealing with him. In dealing with him
honesty was always the best policy.
When men of that character needed
anything, he always had something to
give.
Mr.. Severance was a prosperous
farmer, and also good business man.
He was called to fill many of the promi-
nent offices of his town; was chosen
many times to serve as lister, as select
man. as road commissioner and as school
director. All his public trusts were per-
formed with unfaltering fidelity His
word was as good as his written bond
at any time. His promises whether
written or oral Were carried out to the
letter. Said a prominent Middlebury
man few weeks ago, 81 have had
dealings with Mr.. Severance for several
years and he is the squarest man l ever
had anything to do with" Men who
knew him well, knew that this was his
strong characteristic. He had a spirit
and temperament peculiarly his own.
and when sufficiently tempted he said
and did strong things. But what man
is there who does not need a large mantle
of charity thrown over him when taking
the measurement of his life:
Mr.. Severance never professed to be
Christian man. In his early youth
he was at one time SO impressed with
gospel truth in a season of religious
interest in the old Baptist church of
Middlebury that he arose for prayers.
But living too far away to follow up
the meetings the feelings once: so vivid
gradually died away, and so far as is
known were never revived again. But
no mortal can tell what has passed
through his mind, and what change has
been wrought in these last weeks of
struggle with a powerful and oyermas-