The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1907-04-10

CHARLES TAYLOR PRESTON.
Charles Taylor Preston died at his
home in wellington last Friday, after
long illness. In his death The press
loses an able and valued contributor.
For many years Mr.. Preston had
charge of the wellington column, and
so much of his individuality was
represented in his writing that all our
readers will feel the loss His ability
would have graoed wider field. but
his philosophio nature no doubt found
solaoe In the quiet, even nature OF
the duties he had assumed which
could not have been enjoyed in u
larger center. The many friends of
the pungent and forceful Wilmington
correspondent will regret sincerely
that he has laid down his pen after
closing his chapter. Charles Taylor
Preston was born in Wilmington,
August z, 1884, the eldest son of
Sylvester T. and Fear (Glazier) Pres
ton. Charles L. Preston received his
primary education in the Wilmington
schools, but at the age Of sixteen be-
came q student in the Literary Insti-
tute at Suffield, and remained there
until his graduation in 1854. A
course in modern languages was then
pursued under a private tutor, and
this was followed by his entrance into
the Office of ex-Gov. Richard D. Hub
bard of Hartford, for the study of the
law. Two years later Mr.. Preston en-
tered the law school at Albany, N.
T., from which institution he was
graduated. and was admitted to the
Hartford county bar in May, 1858.
After nine years he removed to Stat
ford Springs, where he lived for the
two following years, during which
time he also engaged to some extent
in the real estate business. For q
number of years Mr.. Preston had been
interested in literary work, and after
his removal to Northfield, Mass. in
1874, he gave up his time to labors
magazines and periodicals. In 1881,
after residence of eight years, Mr.
Preston left Northf1eld and returned
to the old home in Wilmington ia order
to be near his aged parents. During
his stay in the Massachusetts horne he
took an active interest in educational
matters, and for several years served
as the secretary of the board of school
visitors. Since his return to Willing
ton, Mr.. Preston had been occupied
with the demands of his profession to
a great extent until few years ago,
when his approaching blindness COM
work he was most ably assisted by his
talented wife, who is also a we'll
known author. Mr.. Preston has been
prominent in public affairs almost
since his youth. At the opening of
his career he displayed his loyal spirit
by becoming member of 90. O, 18th
O. V. l., Dec. 8, 1861, his gallantry
gaining his promotion to the rank of
corporal, July 20, 1862, and in
August of the same year he was offer
ed captains commission, which he
refused. His service was in the de-
partment of the Gulf, in the campaign
in Louisiana and ended Nov. 8, 1864,
by a special order from the war de-
partment. Since he was twenty one
years of age he had served as justice
Of the peace, for several years had
been school visitor in Wilmington, and
for long period had been a notary
public. Mr. Preston first married
Miss CLARA Hoyt, daughter of Dr.
Hoyt of Athol, Mass. They had
daughter, Helen, who died at the age
of six years. January 5, 1869, he
married Miss Mary E. Marsh, who
was the eldest daughter of the late
Rev. William FL. Marsh, who for
many years was the esteemed pastor of
theE Congregational church of Wood
stock. The death of Mrs. Preston oc-
CURED May 2, 1871. Their one child,
Willie Marsh Preston, was born Aug.
%, 1870, and died Jan. %, 1873.
Mr.. Preston was next married, Oct 8,
1874, to Annie Achsah Preston, who
was daughter of George Washing
ton and Fannie Bishop Preston, of
Northfield, Mass. Mr.. Preston has
been SO occupied with his professional
and literary duties that he has never
cared for political honors, although
he has always been an active republi-
ban, and intelligently interested in
public affairs. Mr.. Preston, while |
1t Sufield, united with the Baptist
church and afterwards was taken in |
TO the Wilmington Baptist church. He
later joined the Episcopal church |
while at Hartford. Besides his wife,
he leaves one brother, F. Wayland |
Preston, of West Stafford, and a sis.
Ter, Helen, wife of Rev. Theron
Brown, Of Newtonville, Mass. A
brother, Herbert g.. died in Newton,
Mass, April 1, 1902. Funeral honors
we're paid to the late Charles T. Pres
ION at his late home Monday by the
John A. Logan Command of the Union
Veterans Union of Springfield. Re-
igious services we're held at the house
and at the Baptist church, conducted
oy Rev. Charles W. Wolfe, with ap-
oropriate music by the church quartet |
If South Wilmington. The farewell |
md o0Tnmikfal onramonias Wara oarriod