The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-07-23

down across the brook, and out to
where is now seen numerous old
apple trees and a depression in
the earth, which was once a Gel
lar to a house and home. Here
John Hood was born, and all the
brothers and sisters, except one,
Susan, who was born in Canada.
AS the family was large, all the
children had to go to work as soon
as they were old enough to help
support the family group, hence
the deceased had few school priv
ileges in his childhood, but his
early experiences developed indus
trious habits, and being possessed
of a hardy constitution, he soon
began to acquire something for
himself.
On Nov. s, 1916, he was joined
in marriage to Diana Avery, the
daughter of Andrew and Nancy
(Paine) Avery, who bore him elev-
en- children, nine of whom are now
living, viz: Isabelle, Mrs. j. c.
Wright; Alonzo, of Topsham; AL
mira, wife of the late Moses Smith ;
John, of Arlington, Mass. Frank,
who is a physician in California {;
Amanda, Mrs. Rufus Roland, of E.
Corinth; Jennie, Mrs. c. w. Smith,
Charles E., and George, of Top
sham. There are "a grand chill
dren and Is great grand children.
Mr.. Hood was characterized by
habits of intense industry, his
greatest part being in the art of
wall building. There may be seen
to-day in nearly all parts of Top
sham and the adjoining towns
abiding specimens of the work of
his hands. 1t is estimated that he
laid in all sufficient wall to make
line that would reach from this
place to Boston, a distance of 200
miles. Mr.. Hood also possessed a
religious character, and was a man
of pure and simple faith. Higher
criticisms or lower never disturb
ed his trust. He believed that the
bible means just what it says, and
he could repeat some whole chap
ters from memory. To nearly the
close of his life on pleasant Sun
DAYS he would often make his way
to the church, not only to hear the
preaching, but to leave his testl-
mony. Some who read these lines
will long remember his earnest
words. He told us it was probaoiy
the last time he would meet US IN
the church, and eXhorted us 10
faithful following of Christ. Inc
writer of this sketch begs TO quote
a few words which were among
the last he uttered the day before
he passed away. 1t was this: A
mere profession doesn't amount 10
much. Christ says, Blessed are
they that do my commandments,
MY sheep hear my voice, ana l.
know them, and they follow me y"
After much painstaking research
the writer of this sketch is unable
to state beyond controversy the
exact age of the deceased. There
is some evidence that he was born
as early as 1917, and there is also
evidence that the year of his birth
was 1920. This date was placed
on the family monument in the
village cemetery several years
ago, but there is also strong evil
dence brought by two or three of
the remaining Oldest persons in
town, who were his playmates in
youth and with whom he had often
talked of their comparative ages
that he was born in 1922. Agree
ing with this last is the testimony
of some of the oldest of his chill
dren, who say that it was always
talked in the family that their
mother was seven years younger
than their father. Mrs. Hood was
born December 10, 1929, so says a
record in an old family bible
which the writer recently found in
the Avery family. However, the
exact date is unimportant. II is
undoubtedly true that Mr.. Hood
was the oldest man in town, long
and well known and an upright
man, who fought the battle OF life
for himself and family faithfully
and we'll He rests from his la
bors. The following quotation is
dedicated to the deceased by one
of the family:
Dearest father, thou hast left US,
Here thy loss we deeply feel,
But tits God that hath bereft us
He can all our sorrows heal,
And in heaven we hope to greet
thee,
Where no farewell tear is shed