The Republican journal., 1869-11-18
DEATH OF ALFRED W. JOHNSON.

lalal, lltnOuSu IL was We'll UNDERSTOOD
that restoration to health impossible He was
hopeful and even cheerful during the day preceding
his death, and talked encouragingly of proceeding
to the mild climate of the South for the winter.
His wife and his near friend Charles B. Hazetine,
Esq. were the only persons present at his death
bed. The immediate cause of dissolution was a
filling up of the lungs with phlegm which the
weakened organs were unable to throw off.
Col johnson was born in Belfast, Dec 90, 1924,
and was almost As years Of age at the date of his
decease. He was the second son of Alfred and
Nancy Atkinson johnson. After preparatory
studies at the Belfast Academy, he entered Bow
dom College, and graduated in 1s45. William L.
Avery of Washington, and DR.. Edward M. Field,
of Bangor, both then of Belfast, were his class
mates He studied law in Belfast, was admitted
to the bar in 1SS and continued in active practice
until 1855. Col. johnson was Wing in politics,
ardenty devoted to the success of that party, and
as such was twice elected to represent Belfast in
the Legislature, in 1852 and 1858. He was the
chief supporter in the House of the administration
of Gov Crosby, to whom he also acted as aid-de-
camp. When the Wing party ceased to exist, Col.
johnson, like many others of his Wing associates.
joined the D emocratic party, and ever after acted
with it. He was twice the Congressional! candi-
date of the Democrats in the old Third District
composed of Waldo and Lincoln Counties, and in
1888 lacked only sixty votes Of an election. In
1886 and 1851 he was President of the Bank of
Commerce. Since that time he has been engaged
in extensive business operations in Boston and in
some of the Western states, in which it is under
stood he greatly increased the large fortune inherit
ed from his father. Col. johnson was warm
friend of Bowdoin College, of which his grand
father, the Rev. Alfred Johnson, the second minis
ter settled in Belfast, was principal founder, and
in the government Of which his father for many
years occupied prominent position. At the last
commencement he was chosen member of the
Board of Overseers, and recently made large do
nation in aid of the Memorial Hail. now being
erected to perpetuate the memory of Bowdoin
graduates who fell in the late war. He married
Dee. %, 1861, Anne NJ. daughter of EX-Gov
Crosby, but leaves no surviving children.
In July, 1867, Col johnson sailed with his lady
on an extended tour of pleasure through Europe,
his absence extending over the space of year. They
visited nearly all places of interest, and saw all
that was to be seen. His active mind and keen
observation were kept fully employed in noting the
pecuarities of the countries visited and their adj
vantages and disadvantages, contrasted with his
paper. will be remembered as very attractive read
ing full of the jottings of thoughtful observer of
men and things. and conveying much valuable in
formation.
But the excursion to which he had looked for
ward as the source of so much qualification both
in its realization and pleasing retrospection in
the many Years that he hoped to live, was the
means of bringing his life to premature end 1t
mi ,Joy l,,
New York. Fatigued and heated with the exer-
ton of preparing for departure and getting OH
board the steamer, ho sat on deck in thin clothing
during the run down the harhor and until out at
sea. The result was Il severe cold, which settled
upon the lungs, produced Inflammation, and rapid
ly ran into fatal form of lung disease So slight
is the hold which even the most robust have upon
life,
1t was our privilege to have known Col. johnson
over a period extending back to schooboy days.
with opportunities to learn much of his personal
traits and mental characteristics. Possessing a
cultivated mind that was inccssant in its demands
for occupation. he was great reader, not only of
newspapers and the more ephemeral literature of
the day. but Of the permanent sources of information
With taste for financial and commercial facts and
statistics, there was little of the kind accessible
tHtt III ulV Hot anu llCH HIS
memory failed to retain. We never knew him to
be appealed to for the settlement of a disputed
question of fact in these matters when he failed TO
have ready solution. Those who knew him best
feel that, had his life been spared his abilities would
have adorned some exalted public station.
Col. Johnson never studied to be Il popular man.
His life was too busy for that. Still he possessed
the elements Of true popularity, when they were
called into exercise. He rarely said an unkind
word of any person. For even those whose crimes
against society were acknowledged he had words
of pity and coincidence. His charity-and he was
charitable beyond what the world knew or ever
will know-Was not ostentatious, but flowed in I'M
seen channels, blessing him that gave and him that
received. The humbest persons who approached
him were sure of courteous treatment and respect
full consideration. What might seem the lack of
atfabty at times was really the preoccupaton of
thought which is common to all men who have
many cares. No truer man to his friends ever
lived. Those who We're admitted to his intimate
friendship, and endeared by long association, he
"grappled to his soul with hooks of steel.'
In his house, where care was thrown aside, he
of the most delightful of entertainers. His
generous hospitality was crowned with the charm
of his conversation, replete with story, anecdote
and wit, which lent wings to the hours. How
many of those distinguished in the politics. litera.
ture and business Of the country have met in that
charmed circle, now alas broken. forever.
1t is seldom that death takes one who had so
much reason to desire a long lease of life-youth,
friends, fortune, home-all combining to render
earthly existence desirable. To his immediate
friendships young wife, his brothers, sisters and
kindred,-the bereavement is a sudden and severe
one. And how poor and Intellectual seem all words
of consolation. The event comes with startling
and admonitory force to his associates, among
whom he so recently moved in health and strength.
1t impresses upon them with new and terrible force
the undenable truth that neither present health,
means of enjoyment friends, or aught else pertain
ing to humanity avail against the dread sum-
mons. But we are permitted to hope that the ter
rors of dissolution but seeming-that in reality
There is no death! What seems so is transition
This life, of mortal breath,
Is but the suburb of the life elysian,
Whose portal we call DEATH
The remains of the deceased were brought to
this city on the steamer Cambridge, OH Tuesday.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon,
and was very largely attended, Notwithstanding the
prevailing snow storm. The services We're con-
Quoted by Rev. DR.. Palfrey.
The Mayor of New Haven ''stoops to conquer"
l