The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-10-13
Well Known Quarry Own
er and President Of
Owners Association
HE HAD BEEN ILL
FOR SIX MONTHS
Was in Business in Barre
and Vicinity for Forty
Years

James X. Pirie of Graniteville
owner Of the Pirie granite quarries ant
president of the Barre Quarry Owners
association died at his home in Gran
iteville at ll:l5 to-day after being il
| for the last six months with harden
| ing of the arteries. He had been con.
| fined to his bed a week and half be-
fore death came.
Mr.. Pirie was one of the best known
granite men in the business, having
been connected with the industry for
nearly half century and having been
in the Barre granite belt for forty
years. Like so many of the men en-
gagged in the business here, he was a
Scotchman, having been born in Peter
head, Scotland, May Is, 1858.
At the age of l6 he crossed the sea
and located at st, George. N. b.. whore
he learned the stoneeutter's trade. ATT
er that he was located for short time
in various places, being at st. John,
N. b. Red Beach and Hallowell in
Maine, Quincy, Mass, and South Rye
gate in this state.
Mr.. Pirie came to Barre when the
granite industry here was on the eve
of its great development, forty years
ago. He worked for time for the
old firm of Wetmore & Morse, and in
1882 entered business for himself, go
ing into partnership with George Lam
son under the firm name Of Lamson &
Pirie. They bought twelve acres of
quarry land from w. S. Flint of Will
Jamestown. One year later, Sydney o.
Wells joined the firm, and the name
was changed to Wells-Lamson 4 Co
The new firm branched out into manu-
featuring, while continuing its quarry
ing operations, building stoneshed
on Depot square in Barre.
Mr.. Pirie took charge Of the quarry.
and in 1856 the firm bought nine and
ne-half acres Of quarry land on tine
eastern side of Milestone hill. AMI the
quarry became known as the Wells
Lsmson quarry. In 1891 Mr.. Wells re-
tired from the firm, and the follow
ing year the firm entered its new mon
plant in the northern end
81 the city,
When Mr.. Larnson died his heirs |
took over the manufacturing end of |
he business and Mr.. Pirie took The
lark quarry Of the firm. Since then
Mr.. Pirie had bought on land until 1
le had about 40 acres of quarry hold
ngs, of which approximately half n
lozen acres were opened up The granite
,roduced is Of superior quality and is
old all over the continent nae'ag
ound its way into many notable me
norials and mansoleums Mr.. Prize
lad a widespread reputation among
ranite men for the quality of the stone
e sold and he had legion of friends
Barre and elsewhere.
In fraternal life he held MANY affil-
ltion. havin been a member Of Sum
iit lodge of the Masons, Granite onap-
rr, ST. Aldemar commanderv and Mt
inai temple; also of the Elks, Mod
rn Woodmen and Clan Gordon, o. s. ,
He also was one of the early u.,m- /
ers OF the Burns club of Barre.
Mr. Pirie was married in )ec'm- !
er, 1889, TO Mary Farnsworth, daugh- !
r Of Dr. and Mrs. Cyrus Farnsworth ]
{ Hardwick. They have ten chilicca, !
! follows: James G., Of Granitevilie, !
Irs. Mamie G. Craig of Graniteville, s
red r. Of Williamstown Grover G :
Graniteville, Mrs. Maud Como Of f
aden. n. G, Mrs. William Basseit {
Barre. Mrs Bessie Sartwell of Shel- \
a. Miss Daisy VI. Of Barre, Mrs. FL l'I
G Riddel of Graniteville and Miss
lristina a. Of Barre, There are also o
even grandchildren Mr. Pirie also q
aves a cousin in New Jersey. a
Arrangements for the funeral have
It been made vet.