Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-11-01
THE VERMONT PHOENIX, BRATTIEBORO, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1912

the work of his associate in court bust
ness in this county. Representing the
sheriff's department Deputy Sheriff Adm
f. Miller of Dummerston spoke of the
kind treatment the members always re-
ceived at Judge Worden's hands. AS
slstant Judge Hastings spoke as an as
sociate and friend and referred to the
esteem in which Judge Worden Is held
throughout the county. F. A. Dewitt of
Newfane spoke of the deep regard in
which the judge is held in that town,
which has been the county seat since
1887.
Letters were read from Judge James
NJ. Tyler and Judge E.. l.. Waterman of
Brattleboro. Judge F. l.. Fish of Yer
gennes, Hon. A.. e. Cudworth of South
Londonderry Warner A. Graham of
Bellows Falls, secretary of civil and
military affairs, and others. A leather
bound book containing the registration
of guests, also the names of the con-
tributors to the testimonials, VIII be
presented to the evenings guest OIL
honor.
The first election of Judge Worden to
the assistant judgeship took place IN
1896. after being nominated in county
convention to succeed Judge EDWARD
Titus of Wilmington. He has served
continuously since then, so he Is now
finishing his 10th year in that capacity
l.. s. Walker of Grafton was Judge from
the north district when Judge Woroen
took his seat. The judges from that as
trict since then have been Daniel KEEL
logg of Westminster, F. b.. Pier OF raw
sonville. now of Brattleboro, and e.. L.
Hastings of Townshend, the present in
cumbent. Judge Pier will succeed Judge
Worden from the south district.
FOR 80 years Judge Worden has served
as Justice of the peace, and he probably
has tried more cases in that capacity
than any other justice who ever lived
in the town of Halifax. He also served
as auditor many years, and declined
various offices. He has served in differ-
ent capacities in the settlement of es-
tates.
During his long term on the county
bench Judge Worden scarcely has miss
ed "A day in attendance upon county
court. He has. become widely acquainted
with Judges. lawyers, court officers, wit
nesses and the people generally, and he
will be greatly missed about the court
house. With the other assistant judges
he has had supervision of the county
property and has assisted in overseeing
the improvements in the county build
ings.
The duties of the position have been
very pleasant to Judge Worden. but ne
has reached the time of life when the
StSSlollo allA liAt AAAH9 ~ 1850
make such a demand upon his time and
his physical strength that he does not
wish to remain in office after this year.
He has served in a great variety OF
cases, concerning which he has some
interesting recollections and which have
given him a large amount of learning
relative to the law. Each assistant judge
has a voice equal to that of the presii-
ing Judge in deciding court cases and in
deciding upon the sentences of prison.
ers. and on several occasions in Judge
Worden's experience they nave out
voted the presiding judge. Judge Wor-
den has noted a great change in court
procedure.
Judge Worden was born on the Seth
Worden farm in West Halifax, about
half a mile from where he now lives,
Sept. IS, 1882. He was one of 10 children
of Seth and Delight (Barber) Worden,
eight of whom grew to maturity, SIX
boys and two girls. The only survivors
of the family are Judge Worden and a
sister, Mrs. Lucinda Howard of Win
chendpn. Mass, widow of John D.
Howard. He attended the schools OF
West Halifax, including a select school.
When he was 16 years old his mother
died, and after that he had to rely upon
his own resources. At the age of about
"a he made over a building into a house,
with which there was connected q
acres of land, and he lived there until
after Mrs. Worden's death, which took
place nearly five years ago. Then he
bought the George L. Clark place, near
er the centre of the village, where he
has lived ever since, Mrs. Charles
Briggs, formerly of Brattleboro, keeping
house for him. He is widely respected
and has the confidence of the people
throughout the county and elsewhere.
About the year 1855 Judge Worder
married JAM Eliza Wilson of Whining
ton, the marriage taking place in South
Halifax. She died Jan. II, 1908. Six
children We're born to them, three OF
whom are living. They are F. Herbert
Worden of West Halifax. for a long time
a school teacher; Hattie j., Mrs. o. R
Crosier of Shelburne Falls, Mass; and
Nellie NJ, Mrs. w. E. Combs of Brat
tleboro.