The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-07-15
SUDDEN DEATH OF
AUSTIN F. BOYNTON
Took Place This Forenoon at Home
on Grove Street, ormerly Con-
Quoted Boot and Shoe Store.


Austin F. Boynton, rs. a widely
known and respected resident and pre-
vlous to his retirement a prominent
and successful boot and shoe merchant,
died suddenly of neuralgia of the heart
at his home at 16 Grove street about
$50 o'clock this morning. He was in
his usual health up to last Friday
night, when he had severe pains in the
region of his heart. He felt better next
morning and went to his physician s
Office that day, which was the last time
he left the premises.
This morning his long time personal
friend, |. o. p. Smith, called at the
house and Mr.. Boynton told him he
was not feeling as well. As chairman
of the board of trustees of the First
Baptist church Mr.. Boynton had had
charge of some repairs at the church
several days, and this morning the man
who is dong the work called to con-
suit him. 1t was during their conver-
sation that death came, while Mr.
Boynton was seated in a chair in the
sitting room. The only other person
present was Mrs. Boynton. Mr.. Smith,
who had left the house, was notified
Mr.. Boynton was next to the young
est of II children and was born in
Paxton, Mass, Jan. 27, 1888. He at
tended school in Paxton and learned
the machinist trade in Troy, n. Y. He
did not follow that trade. but the
knowledge of it was useful to him in
later years. In OwegO and Oswego.
=. Y, he learned to make boots and
shoes, and in 1868 he came to Brattle-
horo and worked at the bench for Mr..
Ward on Canal street, who had a Gus
tom boot and shoe store in a building
which stood where the Doolittle apart
ment house now stands, and which was
later burned
AT that time there was little machine
work on boots and shoes, but it was
introduced later and Mr.. Boynton sold
the first pair of machine-sewed shoes
worn in this town. After leaving the
employ of Mr. Ward Mr.. Boynton
started in business for hmself in a
little red building which stood Just
north of the site of the present Emer-
son furniture store on Main street
In 1869, shortly after he established
himself in business, the great freshet
in Whetstone brook swept away his
store, wiping out his accumulations
and damaging or carrying away $4,000
worth of stock. Mr.. BOynton escaped
with his life by climbing through a
window. He used TO relate that his
money drawer, which was carried
away, contained $40 in cash.
| Buying a new stock, Mr. Boynton
next set himself up in building
which stood just across Milestone
brook, where the Park building, until
recently called the Milestone building.
now stands. In 1870 he sustained a
/ heavy loss by fire, but undismayed he
started again at the present location
Of the Marshall & Esterbrook building
continuing until his retirement about
/ 10 years ago, when he sold out to a
| Worcester firm, who disposed of the
stock by auction. At that time the
| business was one of the oldest estab-
lished in town and was in the store
| now occupied by c. A. McRae.
Mr.. Boynton formerly employed sew
eral men and had large custom
trade, and although he continued to
maintain a profitable business the adj
vent of the large shoe factories sup
planted the work bench and custom
made goods gave way to the factory
product. I. o. p Smith assisted Mr..
| Boynton Saturday evening about 20
years and outside the family he was
Mr.. Boynton 5 closest personal friend.
| On May l, 1865, Mr.. Boynton mar
ried Miss Emma Willard of West Dunn
merston, who survives. They had two
children, Walter L. Boynton of Bur
lington and Harry Boynton, who died
about 10 years ago. Besides his wife
and son he leaves one sister, Mrs. John
Taintor, 70, of Shrewsbury, Mass, and
| two nieces in Brattleboro, Mrs. Eta
Chamberlain and Mrs Maria Witt.
| Mr.. Boynton was a thoroughly com
petent business man of unquestioned
integrity, honorable, ambitious and
persevering. No man hereabouts. de
voted himself more assidiousiy to his
business than did Mr.. Boynton, and
for % years he was away from his
work scarcely a day except on holi-
days and Sundays. He united with
Columbian lodge, No. 36, F. & A. NJ,
some years ago. He was one OF the
most loyal supporters of the First Bap-
tist church and man of congenial
and loveable temperament in his home.
He built the house in which he lived,
and owned several other houses in
town.
The funeral will be held at the
house Friday, but the arrangements
slave not been made.