The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-11-01
WEST T0PSHAM
Life History of Rev. Lewis Dexter,
Who Died in Florida.

| Rev. Lewis Dexter, native OF Wes'
Topsham, died in Clermont, Fla, or
Oct. Is.
Rev. Dexter was born Feb. Z, 1912
son of Parker and Betsey (King) Dex'
| ter, who came to West Topsham IL
June, 1885, from Pomfret and made
| for themselves q home. Rev. Dexter
spent his boyhood days on his father
| farm and when 81 years Of age he en-
listed in the Ninth, Company Eight
Vermont Volunteers, serving under
General Devans.
AT the close Of the Civil war, Rev,
! Dexter returned to his home and
taught school. Later, in 1869, he was
graduated from New Hampshire instr
tute, New Hampshire, and three years
later was graduated from Cobb Diyini-
| ty school, Lewiston, Me-
While pursuing his studies in the
theological school, Mr.. Dexter served
very acceptable passionate at Sabat-
tus, Me-, and during the months fol.
lowing his graduation he was ordained
and installed pastor of the Free Bap-
fist church of Sabattus.
Rev. Dexter's spirit OF true loyalty,
deep devotion and exceptional ability
as a pulpit orator did not long per-
nit him to remain in this field OF la
Dor; broader fields with greater oppor-
tunity opened before him.
In 1874 he accepted unanimous call
to other pastorates; Greenwich, Provl-
dence, r. l., Blackstone, Mass, North
Berwick, Me-, Rochester, N. H., Low
ell. Mass, West Topsham, Wolfboro,
NH. His last pastorate was with the
Free Baptist church of Comic, n. a.
Rev. Dexter was a faithful evangeli-
cal preacher and additions to the
church fellowship and church welfare
work accompanied his devoted labors
in all his pastorates, and he was al
ways welcome guest in the homes OF
the people.
For several years Rev. Dexter had
been in failing health and had spent
the winter months in Florida and the
summer months in Ocean Park, Me.
Rev. Dexter married first Miss Clara
Evans Dexter of New Hampton, n.
H., who passed into rest at North
Berwick, Me-, Aug. 9, 1888. A son
from this union survives, Arthur Lew
is Dexter, public school teacher IN
Worcester, Mass, whose family con-
sists Of a wife, Susie, and four chill
dren, Lewis, Parker, Stanton and
Clara.
Rev. Dexter married for his second
wife, Miss Anna w Ellis of Whitman,
Mass, who survives him, and their
daughter, Miriam.
Rev. Dexter was formerly teach
err in the chantauqua course at Ocean
Park, Me-, and was favorable to the
merging of the Free. Baptist churches
with the Baptist denomination.
Early in October, 1921, Rev. Dexter
went from HIS sons home to visit his
daughter. Miriam, who was attending
school at Memphis, Tenn. From there
he went to Birmingham, Ala, to visit
his only surviving brothet Avelyn
/. Dexter, and family, with whom he
had very enjoyable visit. From his
brothers home he went to Clermont,
Fla.
Funeral services were held in West
Topsham Oct ~, Rev. b. J. Lehigh,
pastor of the Baptist church of Barre,
officiating. A large number Of friends
and. relatives were present.
Interment was beside his first wife
in the Dexter lot in West Topsham.
Sylvester Tillotson was in West
Fairlee Thursday to attend the funer-
al of his sister. Mrs. Susan Fisher.
Thursday, Mr.. and Mrs. Walter
Burgin entertained % of their cous-
ms, who were here to attend the flu
neral of their uncle, Rev. Lewis Dex-
ter.
The Halloween party which the
school children gave Friday evening
was well attended and much enjoyed.
Funeral services for Mrs. Elmina
Hayward were held at the church on
Saturday afternoon, Rev. Fl. r. Camp
bell officiating. A large number OF
friends were present and the casket
was covered with beautiful flowers.
Interment was in the village GENE
terry. The people from out of town
who were present at the funeral were
Mr.. and Mrs. A. t. Smith, Mr.. and
Mrs. Roy Smith and Mr.. and Mrs.
Harry Wiley OF Barre; Bert Hayward
and family OF Moretown; Ernest Hay
ward and wife, Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis
Heath and Miss Bertha Avery Of Cor
NTH.
Among those who were in town TO
attend the funeral services for the
late Rev. Lewis Dexter were his son,
A. L. Dexter and wife of Auburn,
Mass, also the following nephews and
nieces-Mr. and Mrs. Lucian Fosdick
of Dorchester, Mass; Mr.. and Mrs.
r. X. Dexter, Mrs. Nellie Blanchard
and Mrs. Edwin Shaw of Lowell,
Mass, Mrs. Melvin Drown. Barton;
Mr.. and Mrs Lester Sanborn and son
and Mr.. and Mrs Philip Blanchard
Of Barre; Mr. and Mrs Everett East
man, Orange. and Mr.. and Mrs. Clsr-
ence Smith OF East Barre. Mrs. Ar
thur T. Smith of Barre and Mrs. Nio-
la Jeffords of Washington were also
present
T,rd nj ThanLQ