Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-29
SUDDEN DEATH At
UNION STATION
Robert E. Smith, Prominent Bus.
mess Man of White River
Junction, Passes Away.

Robert H. Smith, principal owner and
manager Of White River functions larg-
est industrial and business interests. and
since 1909 president Of the First National
bank, likewise president Of the Inter-
State Trust company from the date of
It's organization In 1912. died In a parlor
car at the Union station in this city
shortly after seven o'clock Saturday
morning. Mr.. Smith was en- route for his
home In White River Junction, following
a stay Of several weeks as an invalid
In local sanatarium. With Mr.. Smith
In the car were his wife and ply
stefan and nurse from the sanltarium.
The train was the one scheduled to leave
Burlington at 7:15 n. m. and due to reach
| White River Junction at 1:2O q. m. Mr..
Smith had been in the car for Some y
minutes when the end came.
| White River Junction, Nov. @..-News Of
the death In a parlor car at the Burling-
ton station Of Robert E. Smith was
telegraphed to this place Saturday morn
Ing. The train was met by q group
Of citizens and the body was taken to
the family residence on Main street.
Community wide regret marked the re-
ceipt Of the news, for from his childhood
days to the last Mr.. Smith was friend
|
| Robert Everett Smith was born In
late George Willston and Chessie (Read)
Smith. his mother being q sister of the
| late Whitelaw Read, editor of the New
| York Tribune and one time United States
ambassador to Great Britain. When the
son was ten years old the family re-
| moved to White River Junction, having
| there established a cracker and confec-
tionery factory and plant. the business of
which to-day covers all New England.
Since the death Of George w. Smith.
the business has been conducted under
| the name Of Smith & Son and it repre-
scented the third generation Of the FAM
lily to operate and further extend the
business. Some II years ago the family
became identified with then small bak-
cry and this to-day is the Vermont Bak-
| cry company, one of the largest interests
of its kind in all New England and it's
greatest development has been in the
days Of the son, Robert L.
In addition to his local business inter-
ests Mr.. Smith was a director of the
Passumpsic and Connecticut River divis-
lon Of the Boston & Maine railroad and
a director of the Ottaquechee Wooden
company Of North Hartland. For six
years he had been a selectman of the
| Town OF HARTFORD ana present chairman
Of the board. and was member Of the
commission Of the Vermont State institu-
tions and was a member OF United
Brethren Lodge. F. and A. NJ.
In 1880 he married Winnie Woodfern
Barnes. daughter Of the late Mr.. and
Mrs. w. w. Barnes. of White River
Junction. Mrs. Smith Ia known in all
Vermont for her activities in women s
clubs and associations and Is a recently
retired president Of the State Federation
of Women's Clubs. Besides his wife
Mr.. Smith is survived by three sons and
one daughter. Miss Dorothy who is at
home. The oldest son. George William
is a graduate of Williams College. 1914
and has just been commissioned a second
lieutenant in the regular army and was
at the Plattsburgh training camp the
day of his fathers death. The second
SON, Edwin Everett Is a graduate OF
Dartmouth. 1917 and is a teacher in God
dard Seminary, Barre. The third son
Robert Whitelaw. Is a student In a Con-
necticut preparatory school.
The funeral will be held at the house
at 2:30 O'Clock Tuesday afternoon.