The Portland daily press., 1864-04-19
Rev. John Hanniker Ingraham.

Unable gentleman, takes us by surprise; for
1t is but a few days since, that he was moving
with his accustomed activity in the walks OF
Christian benevolence and useful duty. Those
who have listened to his fervent prayers be-
fore the legislature, especially during the re-
belion, and down to the close of the last ses-
eion, will not soon lose the impression and the
effect of that earnest and devout patriotism
which commended to God the interests of
trial and peril. None could fail to perceive
that he bore upon his heart in these seasons,
the burden of the great shadow which was
overhanging our beloved country. Ever faith
full, ever sincere, ever deyout, he led the life
OF a consistent Christian; its web and wool
were conscientiousness and religious princi-
pie.
Mr. Ingraham, although long a stranger in
our city, was born in it on the 18th of June,
1898. His father, was that truly benevolent
and Christian man, Joseph Holt Ingraham,
who died In 1871 at the advanced age of 50
years and his mother was Aun Tate, OF Stroud
water, a sister of Admiral Tate, 4 distin-
guished officer in the Russian navy, under
Alexander |. She was the third wife of
Mr.. Ingraham, to whom he was married in
1889, and by whom he had eleven children,
eeven sons and four daughters; the eldest
daughter, Eliza Ross and her two sisters, and
sons George Tate, the long and faithful city
messenger, and Holt, remain among us, honor
ably fulfilling the duties of life. Mr.. Ingra-
hams iirst wife was daughter of Deacon
James Milk, his second, Lydia Stone, of
Brunswick, by each Of whom he had one son.
Mr.. Ingraham gave his children the best ed
ucation the town afforded; John and George
were the pupils of Mr.. Payson, the first pre-
ceptor OF the Academy in this town, from
which John. in 1906, at the age of twelve was
transferred to the still more celebrated Acad-
envy at Exeter, with a view to prepare for
college. But the commercial embarrassments
which swept over the country in 1907 TO 1912,
carried down Mr.. Ingraham with most of the
other merchants in town, and prevented his
giving to his promising son the advantages of
public education, which he much desired.
But this trial only stimulated his faith and
exertions, and by patient study and the guild
ing hand and earnest heart of DIR. Pay
son, with other facilities he was able to obtain,
he prepared himself for the ministry; and in
October, 1917 was ordained over the Congre-
gational Society in Thomaston, in this State
There he zealously and faithfully labored
twelve years, when he retired to Augusta,
where his wife had a large circle of friends
and acquaintances. She was Abigail Guild,
the youngest daughter of the Hon. adge Cony,
Of Augusta, and sister of the wives of the Hon.
Reuel Williams and Chief Justice Weston,
whom he married in 1918. He had by her
several children, who, with their mother have,
in his death, sustained severe and irrepara-
BILE bereavement. There is no sorrow but has
its alienation and solace; this venerable man
died after short illness, in the midst Of tried
friends aud beloved family, who were privi-
legged TO minister to his sufierings and his
wants. all the comfort and aid, which the most
ahectionate solicitude could suggest. 1t may
be said of him as of a few others, that they
have never grown old; green patriarchs, who
refuse allegiance to advancing time to the
very last But death has closed the long dark
avenue upon loves and friendships.
1t may be permitted TO an old man, who
finds the companions of his youth rapidly
dropping away from around him, to refer TO
the scenes Of early life and refresh himself
anew for the remainder of his journey.
Dreams my youthful days. ia freely give
All the dull days I'm destined yet to live,
For one OF those"
Mr.. Ingraham and / were about the same
age, he a little the elder; we were school
fellows at the Academy under DIR. Payson,
and companions in our sports. His family
was more aristocratic than mine; his father
was rich, and lived in one of the best houses
in town, which he built, the first on State ST.,
sixty odd years ago, and, is now owned and
occupied by Capt. James Churchill We used
TO play In the spacious yard around it, and it
was there we conceived the design of forming
q military company of boys. We carried the
plan into effect, and large company Of fine
boys of our own age was organized. But
when we came TO the choice Of officers, the
door was open for jealousy and disappointed
ambition. We met in Ingraham's yard for
the choice Ingraham treated us with sweet
ened water, aud expected of course to be our
Captain; but some how or other, without any
electioneering or effort on my part, the choice
fell on me, and lngraham was made Lieuten-
ant. Our Uniform was white India cotton
jacket and trowsers, trimmed with red, and
Roman helmets Of a handsome pattern for our
heads; we drilled and paraded, and at last
ventured to march through town. We made
an attractive appearance and received round
of applause in Exchange street, which flat
tered our vanity and encouraged our efforts.
At.the next general muster on Stevens Plains,
we were invited to appear, and We did in full
numbers and uniform, to the mutual admira-
ton Of all the members of the juvenile corps.
Notwithstanding his disappointment, 1t. Ing
raham bore himself faithfully and CALAMITY
through all the scenes Of this our military ex-
perience. Sixty years ago! alas what chang
es have come over the spirit of our Dreams
OF the gay and hopeful boys, one becomes
minister, and has faithfully spent his life in his
Masters service; the other served at another
altar, where conflicts between right and wrong,
and the passions Of men sway with ceaseless
motion the action of its votaries. He still
lives to pay tribute TO the genial spirit and
noble life Of an early and cherished, but now
departed companion. And it is permitted
him eheerfully TO look back TO the time when