Notes for ARTHUR FRANK MCALLISTER: Arthur died in Burlington after a short illness (influenza)and finally from acute cardiac failure. He also had a chronic lung condition and hypertension. His mother,Ellen Downing, died when he was born and he was raised by his grandparents,Harry & Sarah (Waterman) Downing in Washington,VT. He worked as a farmer and then became a granite polisher.He later clerked in the Dix General Store in East Barre. He and his brother,Harry, bought the store in 1905 and conducted the dry goods and grocery business as McAllister Brothers. The store was in the block which was later the Whitcomb Furniture Store and later an antique business. In 1915 he returned to the polishing trade with Grearson & Lane until 1922 at which time he entered the employ of the Granite City Co-operative Creamery. He and his wife ran a restaurant in Williamstown for about two years and then moved to 112 Maple Street,Burlington, where he was manager of Real Ice Cream,a branch of the Granite City Creamery. He was a charter member of Wachosen tribe in East Barre, a member of the GCIA (Granite Cutters International Assn.),and attended the East Barre Congregational Church. He had many friends in East Barre where the greatest part of his life was spent as well as friends in Barre & Williamstown. He was a lover of sports,especially fishing.This sport was passed on to his son,Rowe,who was taught to fly fish by his father. Arthur was adored by his children and grandchildren and was always spoken of with love and affection. I did not know my grandfather as he died when I was four years old. He did give me a child's rolltop desk which is still in the family and being used by great- nieces and nephews. At the time of his death he was eagerly anticipating the birth of my brother Arthur and hoping for a boy to carry on the McAllister name. His death on April 1 so upset my mother that she was rushed to the hospital with false labor pains.My brother Arthur, his namesake, was born on April 12. My father, Rowe, used to put me on his shoulders and he would carry me to the cemetery where we would lay gladiolas on his grave. Then we would go on to East Barre to visit either my Aunt Evelyn for apple pie or my Aunt Ethel for doughnuts and back home to Barre. I don't believe a year has passed when one family member or another has placed flowers on his grave on Memorial Day. I have a small granite ball that was made by my grandfather and one slightly larger made by my father. The men who worked the granite sheds often passed their lunch hours by hand carving and polishing these balls. I am considering donating them to the Barre Granite Museum or to the Vt Historical Society with my brothers permission.
Sources of information are the marriage certificate of Arthur and Ada French, a copy of Arthur's death certificate, the family gravestone in Wilson Cemetery and family recollections.
More About ARTHUR FRANK MCALLISTER: Burial: 1936, Wilson Cemetery, Barre,VT. Ethnicity/Relig.: Irish Protestant. Occupation: Granite worker, merchant. Residence: 112 Maple St,Burlington on DOD.
More About ARTHUR FRANK MCALLISTER and ADA SOPHIA FRENCH: Marriage: June 1, 1892, Barre, VT J.A.Sherburne,Minister-Barre/Bk6Pg29.283
Children of ARTHUR FRANK MCALLISTER and ADA SOPHIA FRENCH are:
ARTHUR FRANK MCALLISTER (b. September 20, 1871, d. April 1, 1936)
Notes for ARTHUR FRANK MCALLISTER: