Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-01-19
WESTMlNST Err.
Joel Huntington iioIton.

In the death of Joel Huntington Hol
ton, which occurred Jan. II, Westminster
lost one of its leading and most estim-
able citizens.
Mr.. Hoton was born in this town Nov.
10, 1871, son of Erastus Alexander and
Hannah Brainard May Holton. He was
a direct descendant of Kenelin, brother
of Governor Edward Winslow, of the old
Plymouth colony Mr.. Holton attended
the schools of Westminster and the
academies of Barre and West Bratte-
boro.
In 1857 he learned the trade of silver
platter and continued in this employment
five years, when prompted by patriotic
impulses, he enlisted August IS, 1862, al
a private in Company /, 18th Vermont
regiment, in which organization he was
promoted to the grade of sergeant, and
served until the regiment was mustered
out July II, 1868.
After his return from the army, Mr.
Holton was employed as clerk in a hard
ware store in St. Adams he then bought
a half interest in a plating and saddlery
concern at Derby Line.
In 1871 he moved to Burlington where
he formed a partnership in the hardware
business with E. l.. Ripley under the
firm name of Ripley & Holton. In 1890
Mr.. Hoton became sole proprietor and
formed in 1897 the Holton Hardware
company, which a few years ago was
bought by other interests and its name
changed to the Vermont Hardware Co.
Mr.. Holton was the original promoter
of the Bellows Falls and Saxtons River
Street Railway company, and was its
manager several years OF late years he
had been selling paper at wholesale.
Mr.. Holton was a firm believer in the
principles of democracy and was a life
long member Of the Democratic party.
He served one term as a member of the
| board of aldermen of the city of Burling-
| ton and was once nominated for mayor.
Mr.. Hoton was at one time command
| err of Stannard post, G. a. r., in Bur-
| lington, and was actively identified for
many years with Grand Army work. He
was strictly honest man, whose friends
were legion. He married October 20, 1868,
Miss Emmas Diggins of Westminster, who
! died in 1881. Three children were born
| to them, Frank F., deceased; Harry Syl-
vester, a resident of Detroit Mich, and
Miss Susan NJ, a resident of Boston,
| Mass.
Mr. Holton married again June %,
| 1888, Miss Kate f. Wiley of Westminster,
who with the son and daughter above
mentioned, survive.
Mr.. Holton proved himself to the peo-
| pie of Westminster a man of sterling
| character. Not only in the home circle
as a husband and father. but in all the
walks of life, both of a business and So
thoroughly conversant with the times
ever ready to impart knowledge in al
| unostentatious manner, he was beloved
and honored by a large circle of friends
His long and trying illness was borne
with fortitude. Since Thanksgiving da,
he had failed rapidly, but the tende
ministrations of a beloved wife, chill
dren and friends helped to make ever
sad days filled with a degree of happi
| ness.
The funeral was held in his late hom
Monday afternoon, Rev F. d. Hayward
officiating. Mason brothers of Below
Falls sang appropriate selections. Flora
offerings from the Mems club, of whicl
Mr.. Holton was a member, and from va
rious friends, spoke in their mute Ian
guage of the high esteem in which h
was held The burial was in the oil
cemetery.
Among those present from out of tow
were the son, Harry s., of Detroit; tn
daughter, Miss Susan NJ, of Boston
who had been with her father the pas
few weeks; John Wiley of Detroit
brother of Mrs. Holton; Mr.. and Mrs
George Wales and George A. Weston o
Bellows Falls, L. c. Richardson and Mrs
Fred Lovejoy of Springfield and Horac
Perry of Walpole.