The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-03-06
Why THE LIBRARY
ASKS SUPPORT
lContinued nom flrst page.

toMHSnlp, ana seven years alter the Town
was organized
He was an old time blacksmith, a fine
workman and mechanic His place Of
business was located for a long time on
portion Of the site of the frame store
building situated on the westerly side
OF North Main street owned by the tes-
tator at the time of his decease, and
now known as street number A.
1t was situated near the southeasterly
corner of the lot; and he there continued
IN active business until his decease, on
March 30, 1850.
It was while Mr.. Aldrich was speak
ing Of his mother, however; and the
manner in which he used to refer to her
quiet demeanor, her deeply religious
character, her large family, which she
governed by love rather than fear, that
Indicated the extent of her influence in
preparing her youngest son for his life's
work. Her name, before marriage, was
Sarah Wheeler; born in Holden, Mass,
on June IL, 1854 and died in Barre, Vt,
on Sept. I3, 1856
Mr.. Leonard Frost Aldrich was born
in Barre on June ., 1922 and was edu-
Gated at the district and select schools
OF his native town, and the academy in
Newbury, Vt. After receiving his edu-
cation, he was employed in the business
of his father until ne became 81 years of
age.
He was there taught lessons of indus
try, economy, and integrity that were
not forgotten. During the succeeding
10 years he was employed as clerk in
one OF the best known stores i'm Barre
The reputation established was such
that he was selected manager Of the
Union Store" co-operatiye), which was
located in the brick building, situated
at the intersection of North Main and
Washington streets, and owned by the
testator at the time of his decease. II
was while so engaged that his distinc-
tive characteristics of business sagacity
we're more fully developed; and. as SO
few of those stores, popular in their day,
proved successful financially to the
shareholders, it seems worthy of note
that the shareholders in this one invest
ed 50 each; and when its affairs were
liquidated about 10 years later, they
each received $66.
1t is thought the early experience in
mercantile business had marked inhu-
ence on his future thought and conduct
as to business methods.
Mr.. Aldrich had but little use for, or
patience with, man whom he thought
was not square in business transactions
and who did not tell the whole truth
Mr.. Aldrich never married He resid-
ed for many years with his unmarried
sister, named Freelove; and his niece,
Mary l.. Aldrich, in the. house situated
on the westerly side of North Main
street, now numbered 200 and 202, The
lot extended from near Depot square,
southerly, to the land on which the
Miles granite building is now located.
Mr. Aldrieh also owned, and carried on,
the farm in Berlin situated about mid.
way between the villages OF Barre and
Montpelier for more than 20 years.
Freelove Aldrich deceased on Nov. IA,
1891. Mary L. Aldrich never married,
and continued to reside with Mr.. Aldrich
until the time of his decease. On April
%, 1892, he sold and conveyed his resi-
dence in Barre village and went to re-
side on his farm. He was a Republican
in politics, and attended the Universal.
list church. In 1859 and in 1860 he rep
resented Barre in the general assembly.
He was a member OF the first board of
directors Of the National bank OF Barre,
established in 1873, and for several years
the surviving member of that board. In
1880 he was elected its president, and
continuously held that position until the
time of his death. He always had an in
terest in educational work, and was gen
erous in its support. He was for long
time one of the trustees of Barre acad-
envy, and one of its executive committee.
He was a Jealous worker with others, 10
have Goddard seminary located in Barre;
and materially assisted in providing for,
and experimenting the construction of
its first buildings.
Nearly all of Mr.. Aldrich's life except
during his service in the Civil war. was
spent in his native town. He was one
Of those men who saw and experienced
many changes in the business affairs of
the town.
Mr.. Aldrich was large, and strong
man physically; and during most of his
lifetime experienced unusually good
health. From many years practice, it
had become habit with him to make
an annual trip to Canada for fishing,
and to visit relatives residing there. On
April %, 1893, he went to the residence
of his cousin Mrs. Jane Rice Lampkin,
in RicebuTgh, p. q. To quote the Ian
guage of Mrs. Lampkin: He seemed in
his usual health. The next morning
after his arrival there he was away from
the family for time. Search being
made for him, he was found on the floor
of one of the buildings, unable to move
or speak although quite conscious of his
condition. In a few days, however he
was able to talk inteligibly enough to
tell the circumstances of his falling. He
remained with Mrs. Lampkin two
months, starting for his home on June
81 and the trip was accomplished with
out incident or injury to him.
His malady was apopleXy, and that
was the cause of his death. Within a
few days after he was stricken he be-
gan to regain the use of his left side,
and the improvement confined in a con.
siderable measure mp to the time of the
final attack. He could not move his
right hand enough to put it to any use
His voice was affected all of the time
so as to interfere with distinct utter
ance. r..''
The Will.
The first material step taken by him
towards providing for library was on
March II, 1894. He sent for a practic-
ing attorney to go to his bedside on
that day, in his farmhouse, situated mid,
way between this city and Montpelier.
With few preliminaries Mr. Aldrich said
he wanted to make his will He then
s