TITLE: Memoriam of James Wilson Fisk SOURCE: From the Springfield (Vermont) Reporter Friday January 13, 1905 SUBMITTED BY: Rebecca Tucker ****************************************************************************** CHARLESTOWN NH In Memoriam JAMES WILSON FISK In the closing hours of the old year, late on Friday evening,' December 30, 1904, at his home three miles from this village, 'there closed also the earth life of another of Charlestown's valued citizens, who has been a familiar and honored part of the sterling history of this place for nearly fifty years. James W. Fisk was son of Aaron and Hannah (Laughton) Fisk, former residents here, and he was born in Dalton, N. H., October 19. 1835. He was early dependent on his own exertions which developed the strong, manly character and habits of industry, self reliance and integrity that, marked so many of the young men of that period and gave to New England the solid foundations on which its after prosperity was erected, and who not only furnished the sinews of financial prosperity but furnished men strong in councils of state and nation, Soon after attaining his majority he went to the then comparatively new West, locating temporarily in Ohio and Iowa, later in the gold rush to Pikes Peak. - Seeing no better advantages for success than he believed was then afforded in New England to those willing to work for it, he returned here and resumed his chosen work of farming. In 1861 he was most happily married to Miss Mary Jane Sharp, daughter of John and Margaret Pattison Sharp, of Greensboro, Vt. They soon located on the farm near this village ever after their home, and seven sons were born to them. Mrs. Fisk died several years ago after a brief illness, and with her going away passed the sunlight of life for him though he remained in the home in which her place was never filled, bravely taking up his accustomed duties, until some two months ago he became ill from a wasting disease of the , stomach from which he failed steadily until the end. His life record is stainless. ,Those who knew him best in business dealings for more than forty years testify to his honest square dealing methods and open handed hospitality. He was a hard working, plain spoken, strictly honest man, whose religion was the practical everyday teachings' of the golden rule. He claimed the inalienable right of an American to live and let live and always stood ready to lend a helping hand to the other fellow in need if he deserved it. He was deeply interested in the practical system of common school education and under the old system' was school committee of his district for many terms, and was often called to jury service where his sound intelligence and honesty of purpose Was always recognized. He was a charter member of Charlestown Grange, No. 204, and in polities an unswerving democrat of the grand old school. His life record honors his family and town and his death is truly a public loss. He is survived. by four sons, John, George, and Sabin of this, place, and Alvin W., of Claremont; also by a sister, Mrs. Frances M. Baldwin, of this village, two brothers; Orrin Fisk of this place, and John Fisk of Acworth. Funeral services were held at the late home Monday afternoon of last weeks January 2nd, 1905, the Rev. Alfred Taylor, rector of St. Luke's church, officiating, and a large gathering of old friends and neighbors paid final tribute to him with whom their life lines had been so long and happily associated. He will rest in the family burial lot in the village cemetery where on one handsome marble headstone which he erected after death of his wife only waits the carving of date of his death and forever marks the resting place of both. From the Springfield (Vermont) Reporter Friday January 13, 1905. **************************************************************************** * * * * Notice: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.