William Alden, an old and highly respected citizen of Massena, died in the Royal Victoria hospital at Montreal last week Wednesday. He went to the hospital several days before that and March 21 underwent an operation for the removal of an obstruction in his throat, from which he had been suffering for a long time. He seemed to rally from the effects of the operation for a time, but this weakened condition from long suffering and age was against him and on the 25th he suddenly grew worse, with fatal results. His daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Newell of Troy was with him while he was at the hospital and when he died.

He was born at Crown Point, N.Y., October 9, 1828, and was one of a family of 11 children. His father, William S. Alden, was a native of Vergennes, VT, and came to Massena when the younger William was about six years old, settling at Racket River bridge, where his early boyhood and manhood days were spent. The family remained there ten or twelve years, then moved to the farm two miles north of this village now occupied by Edwin Alden.

June 10, 1853, William married Miss Fannie Dutton, of Massena and they had eight children, six of whom are living: W. Edwin of Massena; George B. of Louisville; Burton of Madrid; Sheridan of Massena; Mrs. Charles A. Newell of Troy; and Mrs. Philo Talcott of Louisville. Several years ago Mr. Alden purchased the large farm just north of Massena village, which he sold five years ago to the St. Lawrence Power company, then he purchased the Crowley farm two miles east of the village on the Massena Center Road, where he had since lived. His wife survives him.

Mr. Alden was a man universally respected and loved by all; an honest and upright citizen.

Massena Observer
Thursday, April 2, 1903