Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-03-15


The "Grand Old Man" Of Bellows Falls
Founder Of Bellows Falls Times and a
Former Member Of Both Branches Of
the Legislature.
feeling of universal sorrow pervaded
our village Saturday evening when it be-
came known that Hon. Albert Nathaniel
Swain for over half a century leading
and prominent citizen of Bellows Fails,
had gone to his final rest. He died at
his residence on Westminster street at
few minutes past Z O'Clock, having been
confined to his bed but two days. He
was down town as late as Thursday.
Tuesday, the same as was his practice for
the IS years of his residence in Bellows
Falls, he was among the very first to
cast his ballots in town meeting. 1t may
safely be said that no man has ever so
lived and labored in this town for that
number of years as to more fully merit
the respect and love of its citizens than
has Mr.. Swain, and he held it in the
greatest degree until the very last. For
many years he has often been referred
to as Our Grand Old Man." and those
who knew him most intimately can APP
preciate most fully how applicable the
appellation was
He was born in Reading, VT, July II,
1923, son of Nathaniel Swain of that
town. As a mere boy his attention was
turned to the printers trade a pro-
fession and he served an apprenticeship
and worked several years in the office
of the Vermont Journal of Windsor.
He went to Brattleboro in 1854, and be-
came assistant editor of the Vermont
Republican, paper then published there.
He came to Bellows Falls in 1885, and
ON August Of that year he issued the
first number of the Bellows Falls Times
which has been visitor into many
hundred homes every week since. He
was editor and publisher of this paper
over 80 years and established it upon its
present solid foundation.
Residents of those early days refer in
strong terms to the influence which his
paper welded upon all public questions
always being outspoken in its advocacy
of right whatever might be the opposing
forces. Particularly was this the case
during the period of Civil war and re-
construction times, when he stood boldly
for the administration, although OPP
posed strongly by another paper then
published here which took active
part in the politics of the day upon
the opposite side. The files of the Times
of those years indicate how fierce was
the local struggle, and how sturdly Mr..
SWANS paper stood for the Union, and
sympathized with our soldiers in the
field.
In later years Mr.. SWANS paper took
its part in forwarding all public inter-
ests of the better class, and decrying
what was unworthy without fear For
several decades before ii was accom-
plished the paper had fought for and
endeavored to arouse a local sentiment
which would establish a public library
that being one of the objects dearest to
Mr.. SWANS heart, the accomplishment
of which probably gave him as much
pleasure as any one effort of his life,
first the library itself in the town build
ing and later in a building of its own on
Westminster street.
Among his public offices held was that
of moderator of town meetings for 20
years or more, until about 1890; ceme-
terry commissioner since the commission
was established in 1888, until his death (;
member of the Vermont constitutional
convention in 1870, his election being
unanimous; representative from Rock
ingham in legislatures of 1872 and 1876,
senator from Windham county in 1886,
postmaster of Bellows Falls IL years,
1861 to 1873 trustee of the Bellows Falls
Saving Institution from 1882 until 1899,
and it's president from 1902; one of the
founders of the Rockingham Public Ii
brary in 1887 and its president during its
existence until his death; these, and
many minor obligations were always
carried out with a steadfast view to
faithfulness to the trust.
Mr.. Swain married November IL, 1856,
only few months after coming TO Bel
lows Falls, Susan W., daughter of John
l.. and Phoebe (Town) Putnam of Brat
tleboro. They never had children, but
adopted Emily Farnsworth, who later
married Henry c. Johnson of this place,
and their daughter now lives at Brattle-
boro, the wife of Charles r. Dunklee.
Mrs Swain died January s, 1910. The
fn Of fuyn Ia lal 49, l.An
a most beautiful example of strong af-
lection and dependence upon each other.
Mrs. Swain had been of the utmost as
sistance to him in his life's work. en-
tering heartily into everything which in
terested him either in business, political
or social matters, and the influence of
these two persons will long be felt in
this community where they lived and la
bored so many years. Since Mrs.
SWANS death our people have all felt
strong sympathy for the man in his
loneliness and at the funeral services
the note most universally struck was that
of happiness and victory, rather than
that of sorrow.
The funeral was Monday at
O'Clock from the Congregational church,
OF which both had been members many
years, and the services were simple and
appropriate, under direction of Rev. A. p.
Pratt, pastor of the church quartet
consisting of f. Carson Mason, w. A.
Truax, Alice II. Jackson and Hazel
Mesick rendered several selections. The
floral offerings were many and beautiful,
coming from organizations and individ-
uals. The bearers were Deacons N. q.
Williams and Henry c. johnson, repre-
senting the church; Herbert ID. Ryder
and Charles w. Osgood representing the
library trustees; Dr. George II. Gorham
and James c. Day representing the
village; w. G. Belknap representing the
press and Edward L. Walker the banks.
All places Of business in the square were