Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-11-08
VERMONT PAPER
EULOCIzES REV.
F. H. LAIRD

The "Caledonian-Record, of st.
Johnsbury, Vermont, in its issue of
Wednesday, October %, contains the
following account of the death of the
Rev. DR.. Francis II. Laird, who was
well known in Pocomoke, having mar
ried Miss Elizabeth Stevenson, daugh-
ter of Mrs. Riley M. Stevenson, ST.,
and the late Mr.. Stevenson.
The death of DR.. Francis H. Laird
occurred October 10 at the home OF
his aunt, Mrs. Julia Burgess in Lynn,
Mass, where he and Mrs. Laird were
visiting after having attended the
Newburyport Presbytery in Windham,
N. IL.
"When the day was done
the work of his life was fin
ished, When the Gold Of eve
ming met the dusk Of the
night Gods finger touched
him and he slept"
Word of his passing came as q
great shock and brought deep sorrow
to his parishioners and a wide circle
of friends.
Francis II. Laird was born July
3rd, 1866, in West Danvifle, son OF
Peter B. and Cordelia Harvey Laird.
He was educated in the City High
School at Albany, N. Y, Cornell Uni
versity and the Theological School OF
Princeton University. This was aug
mented by a period Of travel which in
cluded Europe, South America and
California. His first church was IN
Brideeton, N. j., where he was or
dained and installed in 1896. On Feb.
9th, 1897, he was united in marriage
with Miss Elizabeth Stevenson, OF Po-
comoke, Maryland. -Four children
were born of this union, Frederick s.,
Francis H.. Elizabeth S., and John
Wallace.
Elizabeth died Nov. %, 1907. The
three sons all died during his West
Barnet pastorate. DR.. Laird also SER
we'd churches in Portland, Bethlehem
and Harrisburgh, Penn, and Fayette-
vile, N. Y. In 1914 he began his Il
year pastorate in West Barnet round
ed out Sept. 1, 1885.
During this pastorate he also con-
Quoted an afternoon service at the
Barnet Center Presbyterian church for
10 years. His influence reached out
far beyond these parishes through the
whole town. For many years he had
been the moderator of the Barnet
Town Meeting, an office he filled with
dignity and understanding. For ov-
er 10 years he was moderator Of the
Newburyport Presbytery, where his
influence was widely felt and where
he will be sadly missed. At the time
of his death he held the office OF
clerk and treasurer. His activities
continued to the very end of his life
lust as he would have wished it to be.
AS the Greek poet has so beautifully
expressed it
"And time shall no longer
age them,
For in the height Of that
world shall they dwell
And shall be like unto the
angels
And be equal to the Stars
and
They shall be changed into
every form they desire
From Beauty into loneliness
From light into the Splendor
of Glory"
His personality enshrouded many
fine qualities. He was father TO
all who needed guidance. His pres
ence gave dignity and worth to any
assembly either church or state.
He was actively interested In all
civic affairs, was instrumental IN
having West Barnet village incor-
ported and held the office of Village
President for several years. His coun-
Gil was always wise and his influence
far reaching. His was a large place
in the community life and during
these Fl years he had worked and re-
ioiced with us in times Of joy and
spoken words of comfort and help
fulness in times of need. At present
we cannot estimate the extent Of our
loss.
"While we loose our hold
we leave him to the deeper
rest, the safer fold"
The funeral service was held at the
West Barnet Church and was largely
attended. After prayers were said
at his home by Rev. A. w. Smith of