Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1918-01-25
COLONIES MEMORY
HONORED BY BANK
Resolutions Passed by Institution
Which He Once Headed

RESOLVED, by the Directors OF the National
Bank Of Mlddlebury that in the death Of Col.
onel Silas Augustine llsley, an upright and
eminently successful manufacturer and banker,
fearless and patriotic soldier, an exemplary
citizen and great hearted philanthropist, has
completed wei Spen, lie and passed to his
reward in the Great Beyond
Colonel llsley was remarkable among men
in that he gave free rein to his noblcr i'm.
pulses, Responding to his county's call
within four days after the Firing on Fort
Sumter he served in the field for four years
with such enthusiasm and distinction as to be
promoted through the various ranks from cor
poral to major and to receive the brevet OF q
lieutenant colonel for gallant and meritorious
conduct, all before his twenty.fith birthday.
In later years he provided lasting memorial
to the patriotism Of our own soldiers in the
imposing monument carved from Vermont
granite that graces our Village Green,
Although without connections of any kind
with Vermont save only those Of one who had
come to love this region through vacations
spent here, Colonel llsey, on retirement in
1901 from his active business as manuiac.
turer in Brooklyn, New York, paid Middlebury
and Addison County the line compliment OF
selecting this village and county as the best
place in which to make his home. From that
date he occupied himself in fostering and pro-
noting the best loved institutions OF the peo-
pie with whom he had cast his lot. Perceiving
that Addison Cuuntys interests were agricul-
tural, he gave without stint Of his time, energy
and money to the making Of the Addison
County Agricultural Society, which he found
at very low ebb and ready to give up the
ghost, the most satisfactory and perfect organ
Uation for the upift and development of the
countys resources, until the fame Of the Ad.
olson County Fair spread throughout New
England and adjoining states, and by the force
Of its successful example, put new life into all
other agricultural societies OF the region, and
impetus into Vermont agriculture. In this
great work which has brought prosperity to so
many farmers homes, Colonel llsley was for.
tunate in having timed his efforts Just ahead
OF great national revival in agriculture. lie
was also ably assisted by united willingness
on the part Of the citizens of Addison County,
in all walks Of life, to give OF their time to this
great philanthropy. His was the happy for
tune to work in harmony with the entire pop
ulation, loved and blessed by all,
Himself the son of doctor OF divinity, it
gave him pleasure to provide modern house
Of worship for the spiritual needs OF our peo-
Pile. This church of white marble, chiseled
from our eternal hills in perfect harmony
with Lthe landscape, will permanently tyPiy
both his love for Vermont and the simplicity
and the purity of his faith.
Having commenced his career as a city
bank clerk, he naturally believed that it was
idle to develop a countyS resources unless
strong financial institutions were built up to
aid in such development and to invest the
county's savings. lie was pleased to find in
the National Bank of Middlebury time hon
ored institution possessing the full confidence
of the people it had served for generations
TO this bank, without any expectation of per-
sonal gain, as stakeholder, director and pres
ident, he brought the prestige, methods and
vision of highly successful business career
in the national metropolis. Naturally his
presidency enhanced the prosperity OF the
bank, but the new banking house erected
under his supervision during his admnistra.
ton, being both temple of finance and of
art, will continue the prestige of his name as
an asset of this Bank SO long as this banking
house shall endure.
RESOLVED, that copy of these resolutions
be spread upon our records, that another copy
be sent to Mrs. llsley, and that the flag which
he so dearly loved be displayed at half mast
over the banking house for thirty days.