News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1922-03-22

VI OIL, anu Willie ue ldu UeeH III ldll-
ing health for several years, he had
retained a deep interest in affairs of
his town and current events until
within a few days of his death, which
had been expected for several days
past
The funeral service was held Tues
day afternoon from the Universalist
Church, being in charge of Mount
Vernon Lodge, No. "a.
Mr.. wilkins was born in Sterling,
part of Stowe and Morristown, Feb
ruary 2, 1841, one of II children born
to Eliab and Aseneth Howard Will
kins. Mr.. Wilkins father served in
the Revolutionary War, and the de-
ceased and his three brothers served
in the Civil War, Duran Wilkins
dying in service in New Orleans.
Austin Wilkins enlisted in Company
D, Fifth Vermont, August Is, 1861,
serving 26 months and eight days.
He contracted typhoid fever while in
the South and came near losing his
life.
On February "a, 1868, he was
united in marriage to Miss Laura
Chaffee, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Reed Chaffee of Eden. To this
union was born one son, Glenn A.
Wilkins, who survives. Mrs. Wilkins
died in November.
Mr.. Wilkins was one of the best
known Masons in this vicinity, hav-
ing been past master of Mount Yer
non Lodge, No. 8, in 1877, 7S, '79
and 81. He was made Mason in
Morrisville in December, 1865.
On February "a, 1918, Mr.. and
Mrs. Wilkins, celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary.
In the death of Mr.. wilkins another
one of those rare old New England
characters is removed and his pass
ing is a distinct loss to the COM
munity. Living his whole life within
the shadow of Mount Sterling, where
he was born, the influence of his
upright, straight, forward living will
continue to be a source of strength
for all who knew him. While he never
acquired worldly riches, the record of
his life is a priceless heritage.
He was cared for tenderly during
his declining years by his son, and
the deep sympathy of the community
goes out to the latter in his great
bereavement.
The service was conducted by the
Rev. George F. Fortier, who read the
Scripture and paid an eloquent
tribute to the deceased and offered
prayer. The bearers were S. b.
Waite, w. H. Towne, ]. H. Eaton,
C. H. Raymore, F. L. George and
]. o. Reed.
The impressive Masonic burial
service was given, following the
prayer by Past Master j. H. Atchin-
son. There were large delegations of
members of Mount Vernon Lodge,
Coral Chapter, o. E. S., James M.
Warner Post, G. A. R., and members
of the American Legion, No. 33, in
uniform. These organizations escort
ed the funeral party from the Wilkins
home to the church and from the
church following the service to
Pleasant View cemetery, where the
Legion fired Yolley at the grave.
The floral tribute'was unusually large
and beautiful and included lilies from
the Burlington Elks Lodge; tulips
from Grand Army; pillow, Mount
Vernon Lodge; star from o. E. s.;
carnations, S. of "; carnations,
S. of V. Auxiliary; jonquils, friends
and neighbors; carnations, agents
and Office force, New England Mutual
Life Insurance Co.; lilies, DIR. and
Mrs. George L. Bates; spray, Mr.. and
Mrs. ID. N. Hutchins; hyacinths,
o. w. Chaffee, Miss Maude Chaffee;
jonquils and narcissus, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Ahern and family of Lyndon
vile; jonquils and narcissus, Mr.. and
Mrs. w. L. Tillotson and Mrs. Towne
of st. Johnsbury; spray of carnations
from the family.
Among those from out of town who
were here to attend the funeral were
Mr.. and Mrs. w. NJ. Tillotson of st.
Johnsbury, Harold Ahern of Lyndon
vile, Mr.. and Mrs. Bert Reynolds
and Henry Hawley of Jeffersonville
and Mark and Leo Doubleday of
Stowe.