Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-12-29

been known that his condition was
rious, but his recovery was looked for
up to the time of the operation when
it became apparent that the end was not
far distant. \ disease of the pancreas,
apparently of a cancerous nature. was
the cause of death. an internal hem
orrhage Fastening it somewhat Six
weeks ago today Mr.. Calvin gave up
work in his store and went home i'll
with jaundce, but he continued to eX-
ercise from his home such supervision
as he could over his business. For sew
eral days before that he had not felt
well. He improved. but not as rapidly
as had been expected, and two weeks
before his death he began to decline.
on Thursday of last week he went to
Boston and consulted Dr. Reginald II.
Fitz, a specialist who advised an op-
Grafton He returned home that night
and on Saturday went to the hospital.
DIR. Maurice Richardson of Boston, an
eminent surgeon, operated upon him
Sunday afternoon.
Mr.. Calvin was born in County Cork.
Ireland, Aug 10. 1854, and was the old
est of seven children of Dennis and Jo-
hanna OriscolD Calvin. All his broth
ers and sisters were born in this country
and the only survivor is sister, Miss
Julia Calvin of Hartford, Conn. When
Mr.. Calvin was eight months old his par
ents came with him to this country and
settled in Monkton, this state. There
he attended a select school and remain
ed until he was 20 years old, when he
went to Richmond, a few miles away,
to learn the plumbing trade, serving an
apprenticeship of three years. On Nov
IL, following his 23d birthday anniversary,
he married Miss Mary j. Flannery of
Richmond daughter of Peter Flannery.
nj @
ticeship Mr.. Calvin formed a partner
ship with John Hyde in Middlebury un-
der the firm name of Hyde & Calvin
Three years later, which was 81 years
ago, the family moved to Brattleboro and
Mr. Calvin began work in E. A. Woods
plumbing store in the Cutler building on
Main street. which is now the Gal
vim store. Later he and P. X.
White, now deceased, went into the
plumbing business in the Ray building
on Main street under the firm name of
White & Calvin. After about a year the
firm bought out Mr.. Wood and moved
to the Wood store. Mr.. White died soon
afterwards and Mr.. Calvin bought his
interest in the business. Since then, for
a period of 27 years, he has conducted
the store alone, employing several
hands.
Mr.. and Mrs. Calvin had seven chill
dren, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs
Walnut street, which has been the fam
lily home q years. The children are John
e. Calvin, who has been assisting in the
store; Miss Katherine NJ. Calvin, trim
mer in Mrs. G. II. Smiths millinery
store; Miss Agnes E. Calvin, who has
been assisting in the office and store;
Miss Anna d. Calvin, pianist at the En-
pire theatre; Miss Maysie E. Calvin,
violinist, who is studying in the New
| England Conservatory of Music in Bos-
| ton.
A desire to render public service mani
| tested itself early in Mr.. GalVins life
and this characteristic was apparent
| throughout his years. In Middlebury he
| became a member of the fire department
and his bravery was conspicuous there
| on one occasion. A burning building
was about to fall and after all others
| had ceased their attempts to take prop
erty out of the building Mr. Calvin
| dashed in and recovered $1,000 belonging
to an aged business man. He had not
been in Brattleboro long when he be-
| came connected with the fire department
| here and when the department was re-
! organized under paid system in 1856
! he was elected foreman of the Phoenix
| Hose company No. 6. He was a member
of the company many years and for sew
eral years he held the position of assist
ant chief engineer. Mr.. Calvin made a
study of fire department matters all his
! life and his communications on the sub
ject, with particular reference to the To-
cal department, which have appeared in
the columns of The Phoenix have been
full of interesting information.
| At different times Mr.. Calvin served
| is member of the village bailffs, be-
| ing chairman of the board a large part
| of the time. In the March meeting in
1909 after a legislative enactment requr-
| ing that towns elect three selectmen for
| terms of one two and three years re-
| spectiVely and one member for three
years each year thereafter, Mr. Calvin was
elected for three years. Since that time
he had been chairman of the board, and
| there is no question but that he would
| have been re- e-elected for three years at
the coming March meeting had he stood
for reelection. In the various regular
| and special meetings of the village and
town he nearly always took part In the
discussions, throwing his influence on
the side which he thought would best
serve the interests of the public, and in
these discussions he revealed large
grasp of public affairs. BY virtue of his
office as first selectman he was a tus-
tee of the Austine Institution for the
deaf, dumb and blind, which is being
erected in Brattleboro through bequest
from Col William Austine and a state
appropriation. He was furnishing the
plumbing and heating apparatus, and
that part of the job will be finished by
his employees.
In st. Michaels Roman Catholic
church and the organizations OF the
church Mr. Calvin was a prominent
worker and active supporter, For sew
eral years he was chief ranger OF st
Michaers court, Catholic Order of For
esters, of which he was a charter mem
ber. He served as state chief range