St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-12-29
GRANNY.
sketch of the Life of the Late Melvin
Wilson

Melvin a. Wilson died at his home
Dec. 10, after long and painful sick
ness. The funeral services were held al
the church Wednesday aftrnoon where
Rev. M. H. Smith of Concord preached
an excellent sermon from the words
For to me to live is Christ, and to die
is gain" and Mrs. Clarence Cutting and
Vera Mooney of Concord sang three ap-
propriate selections. The deceased
united with the church in CRANKY II
years ago and we feel that our loss is
his gain. The many beautiful flowers on
the casket and the tears which tell like
rain from many who were present show
ed the high esteem in which he was held.
The following tribute has been sent by
an honored friend of the family:
Melvin A. Wilson was born in Lowell.
Mass, July 81, 1847, son of Sidney and
Lucy (BoutwelD Wilson. During his
early childhood his parents moved to
Vermont where he spent the remainder
of his life. Made an orphan by the
death of his father at the age of six he
began thus early to learn the lessons of
industry, economy and selfreliance which
were we'll exemplifed in his strenuous
and successful later career. In Lyndon
and Lunenburg he secured the rudiments
OF common school education which his
strong, native common sense enabled
him to appropriate and use most effect
lively.
In September 1864, when only II, in
response to his country's call he enlisted
as recruit in Co. X, 9Th VT. regiment.
He participated with his regiment in the
arduous Shenandoah campaign and was
honorably discharged from the service
May 10, 1865. The severe but stimulat-
ing experience full of dangers and temp
tations though it was, hel ped to broaden
the knowledge and outlook of the young
man and to develop and mature his
character. He returned to CRANKY and
five years later purchased the farm where
he has ever since resided.
In March 1872 he married lean,
daughter of LOOMS and Adeline Farr
Wells. Seven children have been born to
them, all of whom are living. Deprived
by early poverty of liberal educational
advantages, Mr. Wilson made all the
more generous provision for the educa-
ton of his children and had the satisfac-
ton of seeing them fill positions of trust
and usefulness. Mr.. Wilson was an
excellent type of the New England
pioneer farmer. Nature had endowed
him with a strong and imposing
physique, well balanced mind, singu.
larly intuitive knowledge of human
nature and steady and resolute will
He stood for morality, temperance, an
orderly community and the accumula-
ton of that substantial competence
which gives independence and selfrespect.
He served the town in various capacities
in 1884, being member of the legisla-
ture. He was man of affairs, a pri-
vate banker, and a private and public
counsellor of his townsmen and filled a
large and varied sphere of usefulness.
Let it be said and trlly said that
Melvin Wilson did with zest and
thoroughness the work that came to his
hand wherever duty pointed the way.
When his country called he responded
with all the enthusiasm of youth. He
married wise and true woman and
together in their prudent, substantial
and religious home they reared and edu-
Gated a large family in the practical and
literary lines that prepare for usefulness
He was a shrewd and successful farm
manager and hnancier and amassed a
substantial competence to provide for
his own. Moreover he was always
ready to extend a strong and helpful
hand, an encouraging word to the needy,
those who knew him well remember.
A republican in politics he was sturdily
independent in his actions and opinions.
He was positive character, not brilliant
but solid and enduring and his very
faults sprang from his virtues carried to
excess. He was home man and was
at his best when surrounded by his
children and grandchildren. Loved and
honored by all, he had much to live for
but he had done his work as best he
might and with that done he was ready
to answer the last roll call.
Leonard Wilson came home from
Hartford, Conn, to attend his fathers
funeral, returning Dec. %. Dora Wilson
was home from Middlebury College to
attend her fathers funeral and for the
Christmas vacation.
Dwight Wells is home from Mddlebury
College and his sister, Edna from
Castleton Normal for the Christmas va
cation.
Sidney Wilson of Lancaster and Oscar
Wilson and wife of Lunenburg came
home to their fathers funeral.
A very pleasant Christmas celebration
was held at the church the night OF Dec. |