New Britain herald., 1922-05-01
Plainville News
Plainville News TOWN CLERK USHER
 DIES AT HIS HOME Had Been Ill But A Short Time
 Was 81 Years 0Il
 SERVED IN CIVIL WAR

SERVED IN CIVIL WAR
 Engagement of Miss Mary Griffin or
 Mountain View Is Announced to
 Irving Wilcox of Avon-Mcn's Club
 Social Tomorrow Night-Items. rilfe, filled With honors and self sacri flee, closed when Robert Cleveland l'sher died at l2:3o o'clock yesterday afternoon. at his home on Farming ton Avenue.
 Mir Usher was born in Plymouth, Connecticut April la, 1s4l, coming to Plainville at the age Of four years,and until within q week Of the end, he kept full pace with the thought and life Of this community and with his duties as town clerk.
 Mir. Usher was the grandson of Dr. Robert Usher a surgeon in the Revo- lutionary Army, and the son of Jo- siah Cleveland and Ruth Nrisbie Ush- CT. He was educated in the local schools and studied a year at Willis ton Seminary, in Easthampton Mass.
 On August 2, 1862. Mir. Usher en- listed in the Union Army as musi- clan, in Company F, 20th Connecti- cut Volunteer Infantry. serving later as orderly, advanced to the grade of sergeant major and eventually com mssioned a first lieutenant by Cover nor William A. Buckingham, He serv- ed in the Characteristic and Gettys- burg Campaigns. in the west, under General Joseph Hooker and was with Sherman in the March to the Sea" He was mustered out June 27, 1865.
 Returning to Plainville, MT. Usher worked with his father on the farm until the winter of 1869 when he en- tered the employ Of his father-in-law, Edward N. Pierce. engaged in the | lumber business. and in1S75 was ad- mtted to partnership, the firm then becoming, F. N Pierce Co., X Co. In SS3 this business was leased to Mr. Usher and Pearl $. Tinker, who con- tinued until 1887 under the firm name | of Usher & Tinker.
 Organized Water Company.
 In August 1891. MT. Usher became assistant secretary and treasurer; and general manager of the Plainville Manufacturing company and for many years served as a director of this corporation He was one of the incorporators of the Plainville Water company, organized in 1884 and serv- ed that company as treasurer and director.
 Started Library Association.
 Mir. Usher was one of the organizers of the original Plainvile Library as- sociation in 1885 and at the reorgan- ization in 1894, he became a director of the Plainville Public Library He was secretary and treasurer of the Plainville Cemetery association, or ganized in 1888, an incorporation of the Plainvile Cemetery association Inc, in 1909, since which time he had served practically continuously, as secretary and treasurer.
 Mir. Usher was a member of the Congregational church of Plainville, | admitted in 1858, where he has served | faithfully as treasurer.
 He was a member Of Newton s. Nanross Post. No. 51, G. A. R., serv- ing this organization at various times as chaplain and commander and member of Frederick lodge, No. IA, A.. F. X A. NJ.
 Work As Town Clerk.
 While Mir. Usher twice represented the town of Plainyille in the General A ssembly, his most enduring monu- ment will be found in his work as town clerk which began with the in- of the town in 1869 and has continued almost uninterruptedly until his death. He was appointed clerk of plainvile's first town meet ing. Elected to the office, July 26 s6a and again at the first annual town meeting held on October 4th Of that year and annually thereafter un- til 1893. when due to business en- he refused a reelection. Soon again he accepted this office, to which, the major part of his life has been given.
 Loved His Work.
 Few figures were more familiar to the residents of Plainville than that of Robert c. Usher. He loved his work and looked upon life as "a sea- son for labor, in behalf of mankind whom he loved and served with all ] his strength.
 His Survivors.
 Mr. Usher is survived by his wife. who was Antoinette C. Pierce. to whom he was married, June l5. 1870; 1y two daughters. Mrs. Charles H. , Clark and Mrs. John T. Trumbull: by { .hree sons. James r., Frank |. and , Howard J. T'sher and by eleven If Prayers at the house at o'clock Tuesday afternoon followed by serv- l cess at the Congregational Church at i }: 3o with iutcrment in the West $ Cemetery. g Rev. Charles s. Wyckoff will of , iciate.
 Wilcox Griffin Engagement ( Mir. and Mrs. Leon Griffin Of Noun { View have announced the engage nent of their daughter, Miss Mary Irifif to Irving Wilcox of Avon.
 The engagement was announced at . c,,rnriee ,,a ri Y tendered Mir and Mrs