The Portland daily press., 1865-08-22
K1AH q. snwALL.


The sudden and unexpected death of this
respected gentleman, has cast dark shadow
on the hearts of his afflicted family and friends.
After more than four years Of anxious solicit
tude and constant peril in Mobile, he was con-
Quoting his wife with her children to visit
Portland, her native place, when he was seiz-
ed upon his passage up the Mississippi with
severe cold, which terminated by his death on
Saturday, in Boston, having the previous day
reached that city in state Of complete ex-
haustion. ~
The agitation through which he has passed
in unfolding the Union cause, and the immi-
nent danger to which it exposed him, greatly
Frustrated his strength, and rendered b m
more susceptible to the attack of disease.
Mr.. Sewall was native of Maine, born in
Phipsburg in 1907. His father, Rev. Samuel
Sewall, was brother of those venerable and
noble men, all born in our State, Gen. Henry
Sewall, who died in 1915, at the age of 92, Dam
lei, the time honored Clerk of the Courts in
York County, who died in 1912, aged 81, and
the Reverend lothian Sewall, well known as
"Father Sewall," who died in 1850, at the age
of 80. Rare examples these, of piety, faithful
service and honored agel
Mr.. Sewall graduated at Bowdoin College
in 1929 with high honor, having been at one
period the leading scholar in his class, among
whom were our fellow citizens, p Barnes, A.
Haines, J. T. McCobb, J. @. Day and DR.. Wood.
His scholarship gave him the position of
President of the Peucinian Society, one of
the chief literary associations of the college.
After graduation he was selected as a tutor in
the Gardiner Lyceum, where he remained
two years, and then went to st. Louis as a
teacher. Returning to Portland, he engaged
in speculation, and in 1886 he married Miss
Day, daughter of Maj. Ezekiel Day, by whom
he has left eight children, who survive to la
ment the very severe dispensation which has
deprived them of a most faithful and afec-
tionate husband and father.
In 1888 Mr., Sewall commenced the study OF
law in New York, to which he carried ma
tured powers of mind and varied experience,
which qualified him for the reception of the
subtle principles of jurisprudence, and the
discharge of the duties of a profession re-
quiring keenness of perception, calmness OF
Judgment and readiness in the use of his fac
ulties. Thus equipped for the practical duties
of life, he entered upon the pursuit of his pro-
fession in Mobile with ardor and success. He
soon acquired high standing at the bar, and
prominent official station; every thing was
bright and encouraging before him, when the
rebellion broke out and dashed his fond hopes
and well founded expectations.
Mr.. Sewall, from his New England educa-
ton, from his ancestral antecedents, and from
his firm northern principles, could be no other
than Union man. For this he has been
badgered by the fire-eaters among whom he
was living, and been subjected to great pecu-
mary loss and peril to his life. Even after
Mobile surrendered, the expression of loyalty
to the United States government was attended
with inconvenience if not actual danger; for
it cannot be denied that the people Of that
city concealed under their profession of loyal
ty, bitter hatred of the Union and Union
men. But Mr.. Sewall, nothing daunted by
the threatening aspects around him, persever-
ed to maintain the highest expression of de-
votion to the Union and its flag. At the
meeting of loyal citizens ON June 9th, last, he
was appointed chairman of committee, and
reported and advocated series of resolutions
expressive of devotion to the constitution and
laws of the United States, and of desire on
the part of the citizens of Mobile and Bald
win Counties for reorganization of govern
ment under that constitution. Although
these patriotic resolutions encountered severe
opposition they were carried by the earnest
advocacy Of Mr.. Sewall and his loyal associ-
ates. He did not cease i'll his efforts for the
cause of the country and a peaceful submis-
sion to its laws, up to the time of his departure
from the city in the early part of August.
Aud it was his intention to return Immediate
ly to give his effectual aid to the cause of a
good, peaceful and stable government, under
the old constitution.
His death, therefore, must be considered
public calamity in this emergency, and will be
severely felt by the community, which his life,
for the last quarter of century has adorned.
His body was brought to Portland on Satur-
day last, and was buried in Evergreen Gene
terry on Monday, with every expression OF sim
cere sorrow by his family and friends at their
irreparable loss. w.