Readers of the ISLANDER having been advised for weeks of the serious illness of Mr. Sliter and of the operation which it was deemed necessary by his physicians to resort to last week as the only possible chance of saving his life, will be less shocked by the news of his death, which occurred last Saturday night about 10 o’clock, than they would have been had it not been preceded by such a long and painful sickness. But their regret at the loss of such an exemplary citizen and genuine Christian gentleman, whose ruling principle ever seemed to be to do his full duty in all things, ‘’with malice toward none and charity for all,’’ will be none the less deep and sincere. And the hearts of all whose privilege it is to know his loving wife will be full of deepest sympathy for her in her great bereavement.
Albert H. Sliter was born in one of the suburbs of Troy N. Y., March 1, 1844, his ancestors upon his father’s side having been natives of Holland, of the sturdy race which filled so large a place in the early settlement of New York. He was educated at the Academy of Sandlake and after leaving there studied pharmacy and pursued that business in Troy for a number of years. He lived for a short time at Bayfield, Wis., but went back from there to Troy. He became a member of the Presbyterian church at the age of sixteen and was a stalwart Christian from the first. He soon became an elder of the Park Presbyterian church and served also the Sixth church of Albany, the ______ of Troy, and the Bethany Presbyterian Mission, where he was superintendent of a Sunday School of 500 members. After moving to this state he was an elder of the Seattle First Presbyterian church and since coming to this county had been an elder of the church here. In the east he was active in union missions and was an ardent temperance worker. While a resident of Troy he was married to Miss Frances B. Gurnett, of Providence, R.I. One child, a boy, was born to them, but the little one lived only nine weeks. He came to this country from Seattle about seven years ago, residing first on Shaw Island. In the fall of 1894 he was elected auditor of the county and was re-elected in 1896. At the close of his second term he became cashier of the San Juan County bank and held that position until stricken by the illness which terminated his life. The funeral service took place at the late residence of the deceased Tuesday afternoon, the interment being in the Valley cemetery. Rev. Dr. Gunn, who conducted the service and who was most intimately associated with Mr. Sliter in church work, paid the following well-deserved tribute to his life and character: ‘’ His whole career has been one of the most ardent and untiring labor. He was loyal to truth even punctiliousness. There seemed to be nothing that he abhorred so much as untruth or unfaithfulness in the performance of one’s obligations. He held himself responsible for all the results of his own actions, even where he might under ordinary rules of business have made others bear the burden of responsibility. His devotion to religious duty was rigid and business-like. His presence was as regular at the prayer-meeting and Sabbath-school and Christian Endeavor and churches as it was at the bank. He was exacting to have things done on time, with vigor and dispatch. These were the principles of his very being, so that he has left a most enviable reputation to this community. Everybody esteemed him and regrets his being taken from us. I never heard of his having an enemy, though he must often have run against the judgments of others in his earnest way of doing business.’’
Other historical documents concerning Sliter Roots can be reviewed at these websites:
Early Settlement of Delaware County New York 1763
Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Sinsabaugh November 12, 1895
Progressive Men of the State of Montana - E. L. Sliter 190?
Please email other SLITER info to: tsliter@sliters.com