Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-07-19
ADDITION TO FREE LIBRARY DEDICATED
Acceptance Of Loud Collection Marble Bust Of lan G. Mead and
Portrait Of Joseph Steen-nteresting Historical Data


to live there, he never became expatri-
ated, but remained always in thought
and feeling an American and a loyal son
of his childhood's home, and of the place
where his first artistic success was won.
Through a Brattleboro newspaper to
which he subscribed and which he read
with unfailing interest to the time Of
his death he kept himself informed OF
all our local AFFAIRS and of the where
abouts and the doings of his old-time
friends and companions. In every move
ment of large public interest and in all
our national political campaigns he took
as lively an interest as though no were
on the spot and an active participant.
Every Brattleboro resident who ever
called on him in Florence received
cordial welcome. Though born and rear
ed an artist. he loved the plain and
homely things OF life. On his first visit
to this country, in the early summer OF
1907, he found his greatest pleasure In
the renewal OF Brattleboro friendships,
and generous portion of the time at
his command was spent at Lake Spot
ford in the town of his birth and a
| favorite resort of his boyhood days.
ITO me. personally, as to many others
| similarly interested, 1t has always been
a pleasure to recall that, when the plans
were being made for the erection of
| our soldiers monument In 1856. and
many of our people wished the granite
base might be surmounted by figure
| of the Recording Angel, Mr.. Mead,
| knowing the fact, offered, without SOL
| icitation, to model the figure in life
size and make it ready for the bronze
| casting at his own expense, as a gift
| to the town which. to him, was always
home
For these reasons. 1 say, this gift
| from Mrs. Mead is peculiarly appropri-
| and sho feel a N
meets a warm response from all our
| hearts.
| 1T is the good fortune of the Brat
teboro community that through the
| generosity of a friend in Washington,
and as a token of his love and venera-
ton for the memory of his parents, we
have in one of our churches, which
stands nearest the spot where 1t had
its birth on that winters night of Dec.
| 81, 1856, a beautiful replica of the work
| Of art which gave Mr.. Mead his first
| title to fame, and that now, to stand
always amid scenes where his boyhood
| and youth were spent, we have this i'm
pressive and inspiring counterfeit of mis-
face and bodily presence.
In accepting this gift in behalf of
the trustees of the Rrattleboro free IL
brary, I wish to offer this expression,
and to suggest that the secretary of the
board be directed to place It on his
| HSNStNSt ohN ~ iOi Wdiu d COpy 10 mTS.
Mead:
| The trustees of the Brattleboro free
| library, on their own part and in
| behalf of the people of Brattleboro,
wish in this way not only to make pub
| lie and formal acceptance of her gift
OF a bust Of her distinguished husband,
| but to express to her their heartfelt
thanks and their appreciation Of the
spirit of love and devotion which in.
| spired her to make it,"
PRESIDENT Holton next announced the
gift OF painted portrait of Joseph
Steen, former Brattleboro merchant,
by Mr.. Stems daughter Mrs Anna E.
s. Flint. The picture was suspended
from one Of the walls At DIR. Holton's
request Col. Kittredge Haskins of the
board of trustees accepted the portrait,
speaking as follows:
| "Mr. President:
I'm behalf of the trustees of the
Brooks library building 1t gives me
| great pleasure to accept the portrait of
rather Steen, as he was Familiarity call
| ed by those who had long known him.
TO adorn these walls during the long
years to come. Joseph Steen, for the
time In which he lived, was a remark
ably strong man and did much toward
the upbuilding of the moral and spirit
ual life of this community. He came of
good English stock. His father, James
Steen, and mother emigrated from Eng
land to this country in 1895, resided, first.
IN house standing upon the grounds
now occupied by the dwelling house of
Dr. ana Mrs. Hamilton Subsequently he
erected the house at the corner of North
Main and Terrace streets now owned
| by william A. Shumway, where he ever
| AFTER lived, as did also Joseph Steen I'M
til his death.
The son, Joseph, was born March q
!s', anu when he became old enough
10 De OF assistance he worked with his
| rather, who was a carpenter and ioin-
er. In 1S4S he began to learn the trade
oa printer, serving nine years under
| william Fessenden. He then, until 1898
worked in the book publishing house Of
Hoiprook Fessenden. That year he
purchased OF Thomas & Woodcock the
right TO Sell In the state of New York
pulp dresser and for the two follow
Ing years he was engaged in selling
ana installing them in the paper mills
OF that state. In 1880 he purchased OF
george II. Peck a half interest in his
DOCK store and binjery. but the next
year the copartnership was dissolved.
MT Steen taking over into his hands
| the DOCK and stationery part of the
business, and 1t Is as the proprietor of
| the old book store on the corner of
Main and High streets and subsequently
IN the store now occupied by Wallace
II. Geddis that we Of the generation to
which 1 belong best knew him. He con-
unued In that business until a short
time before his death. which. occurred
on the 18th DAY of August, 1881"
Col. Haskins spoke OF Mr.. Stems
| virtue OF total abstinence. being the or
eanlzer OF a temperance society In this
Vluage In 1880. In 1888 he was the editor
ana proprietor Of the Wlndham County
democrat. In 1910 he became editor Of
an. wing campaign paper called the
Vial He was strong anti-slavery
Whig and one OF the earliest to espouse
tne cause for which the Republican par
$1,000. and he continued in that fell
Iowsnip the rest of his days He was a
member OF the school committee, for
.wo years was selectman. served as
Justice OF the peace from 1S47 until his
ueath, and was at one time the gov
eminent agent for paying pensions to
surviving Revolutionary soldiers and was
kins extended the thanks OF the board
OF trustees to the giver of the portrait.