The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-09-24
R.. s. DRYSDALE Il
DIED THURSDAY !.
IN 59TH YEAR
Bennington's Leading Merchant
Succumbs to Long Illness
NATIVE OF WISCONSIN
Identified Since 5oyhood with What
Is Now Alexander Drysdale G Son
Department Store.

Robert s. Drysdale, proprietor OF
the Alexander Drysdale & Son depart
ment store and Bennington's leading
merchant for more than thirty years.
died between and o'clock Thurs
day afternoon in Troy where he had
been taken for treatment following q
long illness eliminating in complete
nervous breakdo wn. He had been in
failing health for over year but had
continued the direction and manage
ment of his business until within
few weeks The end though not un-
expected was sudden Early in the
week some improvement In his condl-
tion was noticed and he was up and
about his room the day before he
passed away.
Robert Shells Drysdale was born in
] Prairie du Chen, Wisconsin, March
g. 1862 and was therefore in his 59th
year. His father, Alexander Drys-
dale. was a native CT Scotland, born
in Tillicoultry. and came to America
when young man. He located in
! Prairie du Chen, where he married
Agnes Best. native of Whitewater
Wis., and was for a number OF years
! engaged in railroad contracting. Later
he moved to Leeds, N. Y. where he
became superintendent Of the Hunt,
Tillinghast & Co., wooden MILL In
1872 Alexander Drysdale came to Ben
lnington and engaged in business ut
what today continues to be known az
the Mill" store on Mill street. Later
the business was moved TO River
/ street.
Robert S. Drysdale, who was edu-
Gated in the public schools of Leeds
and in Dollar, Scotland, where he
lived for four years, succeeded to the
business upon the death OF his father
! in 1884 the year In which the store
was moved from Mill street to the
/ building on River street now the Pad
dock grocery. Eight years later, as
more room was needed, the business
was transferred to the brick block at
the corner of North and River streets
now occupied by the Estate Of Joe
Levin Fifteen years ago the store
was moved to its present location,
the three story brick block en- South
street and which was purchased by
Mr. Drysdale early in the present
year.
Unquestionably, the Drysdale de-
partment store is the most extensive
and complete institution OF its kind
in Vermont and its growth from a
modest beginning is a remarkable ex-
- I{cI,
/ Under the direction OF its far-seeing.
intensely Industrious and versatile
proprietor its development attained
dimensions almost unprecedented in
the commercial history of the coun-
try In conYeniences provided for its
patrons, in general attractivity of its
store interior in eYerprevaimg de.
sire to give the best possible service
and in the wide range covered by It's
stocks the business has few equals In
cities many times larger than Ben
nington and no superiors.
A comparatively small number OF
retail merchants achieve marked
success but to only a fortunate few
come both success and such affection
and esteem as fell to the lot of Rob-
ert s. Drysdale in this community. In
business circles he will long be
classed as one of the greatest merch.
ants of his day, but by the people of
Bennington he will be remembered as
kindly bighearted man to whom
many have gone in their days OF
worry and anxiety and never in vain.
Need of any nature, personal or pub
lie, large or small whenever brought
to his attention met with considera-
! tion characterized by extreme gener-
osity and instant comprehension.
With his unusual busines burdens
1t was impossible for him take. a di-
rect personal part in the public ac-
tiyities of Bennington. He represent.
ed Bennington in the legislature of
1906 and the confidence Of his towns
! people was evidenced in the large
maj rity given him at the election
and which was given without any per-
sonal solicitation. In his younger
| years he was much interested in the
Bennington fire department and was
for three terms elected chief of the
organization. In 1888 he was chosen
pres dent Of the State Firemens as
sociation. For number of years he
had been member Of Bennington
| lodge of Elks.
Mr. Drysdale was twice married.
| Ills first wife was Miss Elizabeth A.
Yauch of New York whom he mar
ried in that city January II, 1893.
The surviving members of the family
are WIDOW who was Miss Bridgie
A. Meagher of Bennington and whom
he married October 3, 1900, a son,
Alexander d. Drysdale and a daugh-
ter Molly, sister Mrs. Agnes d.
Rendell of London, Eng, and sister.
Miss Janette Drysdale of Bennington.
| The funeral, which will be private,
will be held from the late residence
on Harrison street at O'Clock tomor-
row afternoon. The home will be
open to friends during the hour be-
! tvuoop 4 npd CiolDplr