The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-03-22
samuel Kes.enden.

Again we are called to lay the tribute of re-
spect and affection on the grave of another of
our venerable and respected citizens. General
Samuel Fessenden, the senior member of the
Cumberland bar, died on the evening of March
18th in the 85th year of his age,
Gen. Fessenden was born in Fryeburg July
16, 1874, the SON of the Rev. William Fesssn-
den, the first minister of that town, eminent
in his profession and honored in public life
Receiving his preliminary education at Frye
burg Academy he entered Dartmouth College
from which he was graduated in 1906 Among
his class mates were Judge Richard Fletcher,
OF Massachusetts, Judge Matthew Harvey, of
New Hampshire, and Gov. Paris, of Maine.
He held high rank as scholar, SO much so
that in after life he was prominent candidate
for the Presidency of the College. His broth
ers and sisters were all persons of high intel
lectual qualities, and their excellent mother
was a woman of superior ability.
On leaving college he pursued the study of
law in the office of the late Judge Dana, of
Fryeburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1909.
He Immediately commenced practice in New
Gloucester, where, by devotion to his profess
sion, high legal attainments and the eloquent
advocacy of his causes, he acquired large
practice and extensive reputation He had
rival in the neighboring town of Gray in
Simon Greenleaf, and their frequent collision
sharpened each others wits, and often led to
amusing scenes both in and out of Court.
They were both lawyers of keen powers and
large intellectual resources. If Mr.. Greenleaf
had quicker perceptions and more animated
manner, his rival was sure to overtake him by
steady ard unwavering perseverance, which
never yielded point as long as there was an
inch of ground to stand upon.
They both carried their business and their
rivalship to Portland, Mr.. Greenleaf seeking
this wider field in 1917 and Gen. Fessenden in
able, and although Judges Mellsn, Whitman
and prAble had been raised to the bench, there
still remained Emery, Longfsllow, Orr, Hop
kins Dayeis. and some promising younger nen,
who were fast rising in the profession. Fes-
ssnden and Gresnleaf soon became leaders at
the bar. and drew numerous clients from all
parts of the State and abroad. 1t is not too
much to saw that not long after Thomas A.
Dsblois was associated with him, tne nrm
of Fessenden & Deblos for many years nao
the largest and best practice of any lawyers ~
Maine. Mr.. Fessenden particularly exceiled
as real estate lawyer, to which subject his at
tsntion had been turned by his practice in the
country; and this he pursued with great abili.
ty and success after his removal to Portland.
One noticeable trait in the mind and course of
practice of Gen. Fesssnden was his indomita-
BILE perseverance; he never gave up a case as
long as there was hook to hang doubt up
on; and like Goldsmith's schoolmaster, "For
cen though vanquished he would argue still. ;
But Gen. Fessenden's efforts were not con.
fined to his profession. He soon took an as
tive and leading part in politics as a Jealous
advocate of the federal doctrines In 1872 he
was elected to the General Court OF Massschu-
sets as representative fromNew Gloucester and
reelected in the four following years. In 1878
aud 1919 he represented the county in the
Senate; and during this excited period in our