Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-02-27
Death of w. r. Edison.

Randolph lost o popular and progress
sive citizen, merchant and business man
in the death OF w. +. Ecson, which oc-
Cured early last Friday morning. Mr..
Edison fell i'll Jan. IS with what was at
first supposed to be grip, but which de-
yeloped into typhoid fever. To all ap-
pearances he was getting on well, when
after twenty-eight days run, pneumonia
followed. Even then it appeared to be
winning fight for life until last Thurs
day afternoon, when the heart failed and
collapse came. In spite OF all heroic
measures taken to tide life along, Mr..
Edison passed away at 4:15 a. m Friday
retaining consciousness and hope almost
to the last. Throughout his illness, he
had the best of care from physicians,
trained nurses and devoted wife.
Willie Ford Edison, only child of Eli
ah and Charlotte II. (Bannister) Edson,
was born in Randolph March 80, 1867.
He attended the graded school, but at the
age of IL, having shown n strong taste
for mercantile life, began clerking in the
grocery store of w. w. Morton, and
" hen Mr.. Morton sold out, after three
years, to Lamson d Tilson. continued in
their employ, located in the present w.
w. Morton store, until he was about 21.
He then established a grocery business
for himself in the store at present
occupied by Phillips & Gukett, in
the Dubois 4 Gay block, starting in
a very small way, but gradually ex-
tending as his capital and capacity
developed. He continued there for ten
years, until, in 1895, he built the three
story brick store block on Main street,
the ground floor and basement of which
he has since occupied for grocery At
the outset here he was for about two
years in partnership with j. ID. Wheeler,
under the firm name OF Edison d Wheel
er, himself being TIE active manager.
With Mr.. Wheeler's removal from town,
Mr.. Edison succeeded to the entire busi-
ness, which he has since conducted alone.
Four years ago Mr.. Edison erected
large grain depot near South Main street,
fronting the railway track, and began
dealing in -four, feed and grain in an ex-
tensive way. Last summer he added
grinding and power plant, making his
establishment a model Of its kind. To
this department Mr.. Edson had latterly
given his chief attention.
Mr.. Edison was a marked example of
what young man OF force, honesty, abil-
ity and character can accomplish, when
he applies himself strictly to business.
By these and other qualities, including a
kindly, genial and always imperturbed
way. he had achieved degree of success ,
that was frequently pointed to with pride
by his townsmen. He gave careful at
tention to the little details of his busi-
ness. that count for SO much in tine ag-
gregate. His large and handsome store
was always kept sweet and clean. His
stock of goods was not suffered TO deteri-
crate in quality, but was kept replenished,
and the goods were so displayed az TO be
tempting. Even his bundles. Es they left
the store, were done mp "iust so,'' and
thai the right way. He bought right,
sold right and treated his customers fair
ly, so that from year TO year his business
grew until il had reached large proper
tions. but Mr.. Edison never relaxed his
careful, watchful eye, nor his keen appli-
cation.
After the death of his mother, Feb. 8,
1899, Mr.. Edison married Sept. IL, 1900,
Miss Annie NJ. Johnston OF Lebanon, n.
H., and in April, 1901, purchased the
Perkins Flint place on Main street. which
has since been his home. his aged father
residing with him. Besides the wife and
father, an aunt, Mrs. q. L. Haraden, of
this place, and an uncle, Edwin Edison,
of Fitchburg, Mass, are the only near
surviving relatives.
new rraser metzger OF Bethany churth n
officisted at the funeral. held at the home
Monday at 2 .. m. The business places
OF the village were closed and the busi-
ness men. to the number OF s2, marched
to the house and attended in body.
The bearers were w. w. Morton, DIR. G..
w. Scott, f. S. Tracy and X. J. Mitchell.
Interment was in the family lot at South
view cemetery. Many beautiful flowers
betokened the respect and affection in
which the departed one was held.
Those from out OF town attending were
Mrs. Edson's relatives. as follows:-Her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John Johnston;
sisters, Misses Jennie, Tillie and Mar
garet Johnston; brother-in-law and sis-
ter, Mr.. and Mrs. F. NJ. Simmons, all of
Lebanon, y. H.; brother.in-law and sis
ter, Mr.. and Mrs. A. NJ. Young, of Palm
er, Mass; and brother, Fred Johnston,
of Lowell, Mass.