The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-08-01


| ing of the tunnel and its connecting
railroad George Willard, from first to
last, was it's leading, ardent and 10y
al friend Elected again to the Leg
islature in 1865, he championed the
tunnels every interest with marked
success, and glorified in having had
so prominent part in inaugurating,
UNFOLDING and bringing this gigantic
work TO successful completion in
1875, at cost of $20,00O,000. From
quiet village and notable town
North Adams has grown into a repre-
sentative and 1ourishing city, the
foundation of which George Willard
markedly helped to lay by his grand
public spirit, his answering fidelity
to its commercial and manufacturing
wants and its moral and religious in
terests.
Who was George Willard? He was
the most notable pioneer business
promoter and public-spirited citizen
in North Adams in its early history
He was born in Stamford, VT, and
came down from the hills of the
Green mountains where he had been
since infancy, his father having died
when George was three weeks old In
his early years he and his mother, a
most estimable woman lived with
his grandfather, Squire Willard of
Stamford, Vt. He taught the village
school in Stamford for a short time
before leaving for the field in which
he planted the seeds of enterprise
which, springing up, bore fruit in
making North Adams the prosper
Gus manufacturing city which 1t is.
Later Stamford sent down Calvin r.
Sampson, who became most sue
cessful manufacturer in the same
line of business as George Willard
who started the shoe industry in
North Adams. Still later from the
same mother town another we'll
known man of great ability came to
North Adams. Albert c. Houghton.
George Willard was short and
thlck-set in stature, at one time
weigRing nearly $50 pounds. He was
strong physically and athletic be-
yond the average man. While social
genial and good-humored he was
successful and enterprising manufac.
turer and business man and brimfuI
OF pluck and persistence. When he
put hand to the pillow, whatever the
enterprise, he never looked backward
or counted the cost which might in
sure victory, and both old and young
always welcomed his masterful lend.
ership. In 1910 he was the owner of
large and hospitable residence on
Eagle street and the owner of a fine
brick store Which was in advance of
the times, being commodious and sun
plying the demands on country
store of that period, which included
many things besides groceries. This
was the most prosperous business of
It's Kind in northern Berkshire and
the first to deliver goods. He soon
afterward opened the first boot and
shoe factory in the village, in the
rear of his establishment. afterward
building a large, three-story wooden
structure in the vicinity called Nil.
lard's hall. In this was located the
hrst room for public assemblages in
the village, as well as Mr.. Millard's
extensive shoe factory, in which he
later associated his two sons. Henry
>. and Alden c. Willard, finally dis.
posing OF the business to the former
Directly from George Millard's sue
cess In the manufacture of shoes
'nls business took root in North AID
ans, and has grown to its present
prominent dimensions. His courage.
Gus leadership of the northern Berk.
shlre pioneers in raising funds for the
completion of the Pittsfield and
North Adams railroad. which hogan
running in 1916, gave the enternrise
us grand impetus. The most note.
worthy activities in the history of
George Willard of North Adams we're
MS ardent and energetic devotion IN
religion, giving 40 years to the serv.
ice OF his Divine Master. and his vi.
COR In promoting the moral and roll.
slous welfare of the Commute in
WHICH ne was ever marked and
prominent figure in all movements
calculated to promote good citizen.
snip and the public veal As a hum.
Die Christian worker he put his shout
uer 10 the wheel, with such earnest
ness as always to win success. In
me baptlst church he was a veritable
plilar from his baptism until his
ueath. After disposing of his busi-
ness In the store previously mention.
ed he took charge in 1S49 of tho
building of a new Baptist church edi.
nee. to which he and Sanford RlacL
lh'oh were the two largest contribu-
,ors. In addition he raised money for
me building and gave one years time
entlreiy to experimenting this work
before engaging in a new business Of
W.. u,s own, ms structure, worth at the
llIhe S4V'ooO, was built under Mr.. Mill
ard immediate supervision for 500.
Uou' and after being twice injured bv
IRE was remodeled into the citv's
present spacious house of worshin
upon retiring from business his
eiuest son, George. having been 70.
moved by death, also a daughter no
sic and his youngest son Aldcn =
having taken up his residence in Oh.
cdso' Mr.. Willard, with his most helm.
,ul ana devoted wife. who was =
laughter of Alfred Macomber romeo.
ed TO Bennington. leaving his Con
.ienIy D. engaged in his former bust.
, uess, associated with William n
mhltman. Finding II quite impossi.
ne o,., 10 remain a man Of leisure. Mr.
Willard bought a Croker cork factory
oI henry 7. Cushman in Remington
ana ne continued to operate il until
, ms death IN 1873. at the age of s.
.Nihg at that time with his daueb
eer' fiora. the wife of William n
DraVes OF Bennington. His funeral
vas held in the Baptist church i'm
North Adams on March 1S-S M