Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-10-27
PHOENIX, BRATTLEBORo, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 81, 1911
WILLIAM a. ROCKWELL.

william H.. Rockwell, NJ. D., II, died at
his residence in Nutley, New Jersey,
oct. 20, and the body was brought here
for interment in the family lot, Prospect
Hill cemetery, on Monday last, Rev. A..
j. Harper officiating, Mrs. Rockwell, her
son, DR.. William II. Rockwell, jr., and
his wife, who reside at 43 East S0th
street, New York, her son-in-law, Arthur
Smith, Mrs. William Move and Mr.. Holt
of New York and many old friends be-
ing present. The floral tributes were
numerous and beautiful.
The father of DR.. Rockwell, DR.. Will
liam II. Rockwell, senior, was born in
East Windsor, Conn.,, Feb. 13, 1900, grad
uated from Yale College in 1924 and from
it's medical department in 1881, was an
| assistant of DIR. Todd at the Hartford
| Retreat until 1897, when by invitation
from the trustees of the vermont Asy-
lum-which name has since been changed
to Brattleboro Retreat-he came here as
the first superintendent of the institu-
ton, the history of which for the next
&c years and until his death In 1873, was
the record of his lifework He was a
man of striking appearance, being six
feet four inches in height, of large
frame and commanding presence, He
was learned in his profession and showed
great sagacity in managing and develop
ing the asylum and in all business af-
fairs. In his work he had the Coop
Grafton and assistance of his competent
and devoted wife.
Their three children were born here,
Mary, who married Thomas Thatcher Of
New York, William H., Junior, and
Charles F., who graduated at West
Point and died in the army, with rank
of captain, in 1868.
William II. Rockwell, jr., was born
March 8, 1910, attended the village schools
and afterwards received a thorough ed
ucation at Brattleboro academy, then
one of the leading academies in New
England. He was educated for his pro-
fession at the College of Physicians and
Surgeons in New York, where he grad
uated in 1862. He then entered the office
of DR.. Parker in New York, an emf
nent practitioner, who was a classmate
at Harvard with Rev. Addison Brown,
once the owner and editor of The YER
mont Phoenix. 1t was the young doc
tors intention and wish to continue in
general practice, but his father required
his services, and he accepted the po-
sition of assistant physician in 1863, which
he held until 1874. At his fathers death
he was appointed superintendent and ac-
cepted the position on condition that the
trustees should, as soon as practicable,
find another man for the place, as he
preferred not to remain with his family
in the asylum. Accordingly DR.. Joseph
Draper, who had formerly been here five
years as assistant, but was then in
charge of the asylum in Trenton, N. j.,
was made superintendent and occupied
the place until his death in 1890. DIR.
Rockwell became a trustee in 1874 and
continued in that office until his death.
In June, 1864, he married Miss Ellen e.
Move of Eastport. Maine, who survives.
DR.. Rockwell strongly resembled his fa-
ther in physique, in integrity, in many
of his characteristics. His mental en-
dowments were large, his perception
quick, his executive ability remarkable,
and his services to the asylum were very
valuable during his term as assistant.
Patients and employees soon learned that
his authority was unquestionable, but
his kindness of heart and consideration
for them won their lasting affection.
While he was a trustee his long ex-
perience in the asylum, his sound judg-
ment and his intense interest in every
thing that concerned the institution made
him a valuable member of the board.
Since his removal to New York, by fire.
quent visits here and correspondence he
has kept in close touch with his assoei-
ates and he maintained his interest in
their work during his life. In 1878 he
represented this town in the legisla-
ture with marked ability, serving on i'm
portant committees. He was a man of
a noble nature, loyal to his friends, at
'uSiii6 SliOhSiy " HIHu every Que WHO
knew him well, a devoted husband and
father. Upon his retirement from the
board of directors of the Vermont Ma
tional bank last January, on account of
i'll health, the following appreciative
resolution was adopted by his associates:
In accepting the resignation of DR..
Rockwell. the stockholders and officers
of the bank express profound regret
over the loss thus sustained, their deep
appreciation of his long and valuable ser
vice in UNFOLDING the general policies of
the bank, in displaying business sagacity,
keen insight, sound judgment and wise
conservatism, together with unusual
force of character and such sterling in
tegrity as to render him exceptionally
qualified to inspire confidence, to COM
mand respect and to make him a de-
cided factor in strengthening the bank
he served so long, so faithfully and Sc
we'll"
He was elected a director of the bank
in January, 1870, and vice president in
1874, thus serving on the board Al years