The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-12-15
W. o. Sheldon.

Editor of thc Banner: There are
many friends of W. II. Sheldon, who
died On December 3. in his boyhood
home of Dorset, where he removed
J in the late summer after living in
| Bennington and pracucing his profes-
sion here for about fifty years, who
will appreciate a notice supplemental
70 that which appeared In the Banner
on the day OF his death Such man
does not leave community and go
out into the other life without a rec
ord OF character and service which
can scarcely be adequately stated in a
necessarily hurried news report
The rcfcresse in the Banner to
some OF his notable legal battles and
his characteristics as a lawyer and
public man was accurate and inter.
esting But I would like TO mention
! In addition. after nearly score OF
years OF intimate acquaintance with
| MIR, Sheldon. the profound impression
he made upon rue IN his public service
AS man who had tae strongest SENSE
OF right and justice and who took up
with cases and causes not merely
from professional zeal but because OF
the moral quality OF their appeal to
him. Some equally earnest men
might differ with him In judgment
but his sincerity and integrity were
not to be questioned And all in all
he had very discriminating and wise
Judgment. and his Intellectual pro-
cesses were severely logical II was
a keen pleasure 10 debate with him
and more often than not one came
round in private opinion, at least. to
his way OF thinking
MIR. Sheldon, altho an adroit adyo
cate. had the qualities OF q good
Judge, and what was said by one OF
the speakers at the funeral service
that he loved peace and that the main
thing with him was reasonable and
conciliatury settlement in the matters
OF dispute believe 10 be quitc tnc
AT the same time hu was a linc fight.
er, intensely combatyc for his deep.
seated convictions. And that comb.
nation OF the agrressively forceful
and persistent with the lair-minded
ana irenic spirit admired very
much. and . think many did.
How varied was Mr. Sheldons use.
fulness and influence is briefly indi.
Gated BY The fact that for twenty.four
years he was moderator oi the grad
ed school district, In that position al.
ways presiding sometimes IN delicate
or difficult circumstances, with n
skill and dignined fairness. that won
the respect of every group; by the
fact that In village and town meetings
his voice and proposal carried great
| weight, usually nothing important
coming to a vote until Mr. Sheldon
mad spoken, and by the fact that as a
member OF The board of trustees OF
the Second Congregational society.
and its clerk for ten years. from 1900
20 1910, in period when some critical
questions of large policy were settled
his Judgment was very powerful and
MS wisdom tarsoeing.
AT the funeral service In Dorset
and again at tue memorial service iu
our church meeting last night. spoke
OF how Mr.. sheldon in an cxtraordi.
nary way had bulded himself into the
very material fabric OF the Church.
the improvement of the property and
| especially the beautiful and artistic
interior renovation in 1905 owing
more than is commonly known TO his
vision and plan and practical working
out. with the hep of other strong mon
In the particular parish group, uf the
architectural and financial details.
Mr.. Sheldon loved the church build.
ing he had great pride in it's i'm.
provcmonl and upkcep and the writer
knows so we'll. spen, literally DAYS
and weeks working with his own
hands at put,cring Jobs and bigger
ones, which was generous gift OF
real service Aud he loved tho church
IN its history and traditions and be.
ievnd IN It as q worthicst institution
and was splendidly loyal to every
pastor and faithful and Jealous co.
worker
OF the truth aud depth of Mr.
Shel1cn's religious life | may no,
write here--it was spoken OF in the
Church family meeting But as his
pastor, aud feeling for him thro long
years deep affection. and having
had straight Elimpscs into his soul.
joyiully proclaim my belief In him as
q Christian who fought a good fight
and kept the faith
George S. Mills.
December 10.