The Portland daily press., 1867-07-11
The "Washburn Family" and ERoue-
stead.

from the Minneapolis (Minn.) Tribunel
The telegraph has made mention of the fact
that the old homestead of the "Washburn
Family" in Livermore, Maine, was few DAYS
since destroyed by fire. This announcements
mas suggested to our mind that a few facts con-
nected With this remarkable family and the
town from which it sprang, may not be devoid
OF interest to the readers Of the Tribune
The "Washburn Family" SO called. is the
family OF Israel Washburn, ST., one of the
early settlers of the town where he has long
resided,- Though native, we believe, of Mas
sachusetts and who, as merchant and farm
Ell, has ever maintained an enviable reputa-
ton in that portion Of the country. His sons
all now living-are Israel Washburn, Jr.,
who is about ty-three years Of age, has rep
gross twelve years, been Governor of the State
two years, and is now Collector of the Port of
Portland; Algernon Sidney, who has been a
successful Boston merchant but is now q
Bank officer in Hallowell, Maine; Elihu
B., who for many years has represented the
Galena District ILL.,, in Congress- and who is
the Oldest member (oficially) of the House:
Cadwallader c., of Lacrosse, Wisconsin, who
was Major-Genera. in the late war and is
now a member of Congress; Charles A. who
Paraguay; Samuel A., who had command of
gunboat during portion of the late war, and
now resides and does business at Owatoupa.
in this State, and William D., late q. s. Sur,
Eeyor General for this State, and now one of
the most enterprising and successful lumber
manufacturers and merchants of this city.-
There were also three daughters in this family
one of whom has deceased Three of the
brothers, Israel, Elihu and Cadwallader have
all been members Of the lower House of Com
different States, and the two latter are mem,
bers of the present House. So much for the
Family; now word in relation to the town
which these gentlemen claim as their birth
place.
Livermore is one OF the most beautiful and
thrifty agricultural towns in the charming val
10y OF the Androscoggin. 1t is one ofthe most
lovely spots, in the eye most lovely spots, in
the eye OF those who worship rural beauty, to
be found beneath the dome of heaven. Not
only. SO, it has produced more controlling
town in Maine; we doubt if any town in the
Union of its size, can match it.
Besides the "Washburn Family" above de.
scribed, there is in the same town Ruel Wash
burn, brother to the senior of the above family.
a lawyer and farmer, man who has held many
important trusts, and whose name is familiar
throughout the State. Then the Hamlin fam.
ny were OF the same town,-the father of the
late Vice Presi aent-and though the latter
was actually born in another town of the Same
country, ne was raised in Livermore
The Stricklands constitute another of the "rul-
ing" families of the State, the sons all men of
more or less rank. "Dr. Bradford" and his
family constituted another of the centres of in
fuence; then there were the Coolidges, whose
influence was never obscure; the Gibbses, one
Of whom for long years appears to have f'run
the town." Capt. Thompson, Capt. Britain and
Capt Waters-old, and influential early set
tiers, the latter of whom recently died at the
ripe age of hundred years. Last though not
least Of those whom we will mention, the Nor
risons, one of the sons being the present worthy
mayor Of this city. There were other families
in this remarkable town whose names do not
occur to us. Of the foregoing large proper
ton were of the same school district, and the
children were all schoolmates together in the
same humble district school-house.
1t is said that Southern gentleman, trav-
cling in one of the most finty regions of Yer
mont, and wondering within himself to what
profitable uses such soil and unprepossessing
county, could be put, fell in with "native,"
whom he asked what were the principal pro-
ductions of that region. "Wail, stranger" re-
piled the son Of the Green Mountains, sswe
have hard soil, a cold climate, short summers
and long winters and as we can't very we'll do
anything else, we erect school houses and raise
men," Livermore is more highly blessed in
her soil and has not an unpleasant climate;
she has produced fine horses, fat oxen and
splendid fields of corn, oats and wheat, but she
has done decidedly her largest and most no.
ticeable business in building school houses and
raising men.