Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-13
nouneins to the House the death Of Hon,

1t is All old and trite saying that death and
the grave make no distinction Of persons. The
cottage of the poor, the mansion OF the rlch,
the workshop of the artisan, and the hail OF
LEGISLATION, are alike invaded by the Destroyer.
PTovidencr has directed one honored name to
be stricken from your list Of members elect.
The tomb has claimed as its own him, who
otherwise would have been here to-day to aid
in your deliberations by his wisdom, anu
gladden. your hearts by his presence.
And standing here in his vacated place, as
it has fallen to my lot to do, my heart prompts
me to utter few words of tribute to the
memory of him whom the State honored as a
citizen and to whom many of US were bound
by the strong ties of affection. Doubtless for
some wise purpose it has pleased Him who
.sdoeth all things WE'LL" yet often maketh
darkness his pavilion" to call from among
us in early vigor and strength of manhood
our chosen associate. Well may the bard
say
" How on meath the bud that is brightest and
fairest,
The seeds of the canker in embryo Turk
How OFT at the root Of the flower that is rarest,
Secure in its ambush, the worm is at work"
Francis EVERETT WEBB was the son of
Samuel and Olive Webb, and was born in
Winthrop, March 10, 1879. He died or the
10Th of November last, in the 4lst year OF his
age. The day previous he attended to his
business as usual, and retired at his regular
bour Retween four and Ave O'Clock in the
,,orr;ng no awoke in violent pain. and after
an hours suffering. found relief in DEATH He
was the Youngest son of Il large family OF
children, and was eleven years of age at the
death of his father, whose estate was rendered
insolvent. With no capital but his head and
hands, stern necessity required HIM to labor
for his daily subsistence. snatching at intervals
time for siudv. For how he was upcom-
nonlv studions. and manifested a great de-
s;ra a. LpowIedoe On the farm with his
brothers. and in the workshop of the me-
,bopic he lahored for several years, attend
;n,r school ut the village portion of the time
nv his rand progress in his studies he be-
c,,n,e a mari cd scholar. whereby he was
Enabled in a brief period TO procure a situa-
,;,n as an assistant teacher in Cony Female
Academy in Augusta, then under the charge
nf prot. SewaII. now of Boweloin College,
who Maid him the merited compliment of be-
ing his ..beau- ideal of a scholar Under his
eve and urgent solicitation. together with the
assistance of that gentleman, he was induced
10 enter college, and subsequently entered
Row,loin in The class of lS49, and graduated
rs I am intol med, with the highest honors in
1883. pronouncing at graduation the Validic-
tory address, as also. three years later, the
Masters Grafton. In 1915, he was tutor OF
Greek in that institution, and had he contin-
nod there wonid have been promoted in due
time to n Professorship.
Choosing the law Tor a profession. he en-
tered and lifted himself in the Office of Judge
Nav. in Wintsrop. and was admitted to prac-
tic,. at the Kennebec Bar in 1856. His modest
and unassumipg manners soon won for him
the admiration of all its members and the re-
spect of the court.
In to the day of his death, with great fidel-
;tv he Il scharred the duties of town treasurer,
school director. and other important offices in
his native town. In 1858, he was married to
tho daughter of the late Joseph c. Dwight OF
Hajjowell. and. as was most truly said by his
pastor at the funeral. twas the idol Of his
own and other households" By strict econ
on,v ard untiring industry he managed to
remune rate his friends for every dollar they
advanced towards his education, and soor
raised himself from the more humble condi-
tion of lis early wears. beyond, almost, the
possibility of want. EmphaticaIly he was
The architect of his own fortune"
He was a member of this House in 1861
and 1865, and was the member elect at til.
last State election from Winthrop, and was al
the same time chosen County Attorney fol
the county OF hcnnCDcC, later OIllCe
on account of i'll health, he respectfully de.
clined. He held the responsible position o.
State Bank Commissioner in the years u
1866 and 1867.
knowing his qualifications for the duties Of
the position his friends sought o him sena.
toriaI honors, and in his failure were some.
what disappointed, but not so with him; his
words were, .'my ambition for this world is
only to do good and prepare for the life to
come" Its not my purpose, neither would
his spirit, could il dictate, allow me to touch
single inharmonic chord, for with him al
things were attuned to harmony. In the
silence of the grave passion is hushed.
As legal counsellor he was eminent il
bis profession; as an advocate he was re-
served and diffident. He possessed keer
intellect and well balanced mind and her
..I Ia ELL i, ,,,,;, ;rrr III; ~,
a.ou''", o,i"o' ieu ~ Noii' MN IL go :,
he earned his bread bv his profession. h,
NC e"A rs nc ~ - 80 -.
stroVe 10 discourage Htlgallon; ever couh'
selling his clients To reconcile their dltferen-
COS. ii possible. with their adyersaries. Peace
seemed to be his leading De sire.
Mr.. Speaker Whilst YOU and claimed
him for our personal friend, true and stead
fast, he was no less friend to humanity
He was acongenial companion, a profound
scholar, and within the circle of his acquaint.
ancc universally beloved. His sparkling wit
and repartee, his social bearing and keer
perception made him the favorite OF his towns