The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-10-17

erations in Sudbury and Spencer. Mass,
and Jamaica, this county, in which town
Mr.. Glcason's grandfather. Josiah Gea-
son, native of Spencer settled in 1887.
Mr.. Gleason's father Josiah. ir.. was born
in 1903 and in 1890 bought the farm in
Wardsboro north of and in sight of the
village and the new town hall The home
stead still remains in the Gleason family.
being owned by the widow of Mr. Glea-
sons elder brother. and occupied by her
and her son, John +. Gleason, and family
Mr.. Gleason's bovhood was spent on
the homestead and he attended the
schools of his native town and Spring
field Wesleyan seminary and for three
years he was an efficient teacher in the
public schools of Vermont. In 1856 he
entered French's commercial college in
Boston and graduated from that insti-
tuition. After several years service as
bookkeeper he became cashier of the John
Hancock Mutual Life Insurance com
pany in Boston March J., 1870, and later
became treasurer Of the company,
He always had been stalwart Re
publican in politics and repeatedly de
clined the solicitation of friends who
urged him to enter the political field
Aside from business pursuits he found
time for interest and activity in Masonic
circles and his connection with that fra
ternity was an extended and honored
one and in this direction he reached the
height of his ambition in 1897. when the
exalted Sd degree was conferred upon
him. lie was made a Master Mason in
Joseph Warren lodge of Boston Feb -.
1865; Royal Arch Mason i'm ST. An
drews chapter, Boston Jan. 20, 1871; a
Knight Templar in Boston commanderv.
Nov. 90 1872, and soon afterward re.
ceiyed the degrees Of the Ancient and Ac.
cepted scottish rite. MIR Gleason was
grand lecturer of the Masonic lodge OF
Massachusetts from 1882 to 1857. He
was member Of the Ancient and Hon.
orable Artillery company. one of Boston's
leading social organizations, and Of the
Vermont association of that city.
MIR. Gleason was intensely patriotic
lie related as one of the most plea sing
experiences Of his life that he attended
the dedication of the Bennington mon.
ument with the Vermont Veteran asso
citation Of Boston and upon their return
they elected him an honorary member.
The memorial hall erected by Mr.
dedicated july I. 1907, included ban
quet hall, kitchen, library and ladies anc
mems coat and cloak rooms on the Lower
floor, while the upper floor was devoted
to an assembly hall with gallery and il
fitted with stage and dressing rooms Tht
seating capacity is 800 The entire in
terror finish was Southern pine and
clock and bell were placed in the from
gable. Mr., Gleason provided all need
full furnishings, including chairs, dining
tables, kitchen utensils, etc
The misfortune Of the fire of 1904
which destroyed the Old town hall de
prived the town and village of place ii
which to hold meetings and gathering
when a hall WAS needed Subscription
were solicited for new building and
good sum had been pledged when the pa
per reached Mr. Gleason, who conceive,
the idea Of building a new hall and ded
icating 1t as a memorial to his parents.
Various societies holding land wher
the old hall stood and adjacent land
gave deeds to Mr.. Gleason, transferrin
their rights. Among these were Yer
mont Grange, the Congregational societ
and the Methodist church. Spaciou
grounds were thus provided as suitabl
setting for the hall