The Portland daily press., 1871-07-04
For Governor:
SIDNEY PERHAW


Death Of George H. Knowitoh'
It is with heartfelt sorrow that we an
nounce to our readers the death OF George|
III. Knowlton, ESQ.,, Assessor OF Internal
Revenue for the First Congressional District
one of the owners and at one time editor of
this paper. He died at his home in Bidde-
ford, Monday morning, at 2 AS o'clock. On
Sunday, the Goth ult., he was attacked with
inflammation of the bowels, and the disor4 er
growing very severe and dangerous, his
friends were greatly alarmed for the result.
But when the news of his illness reached this
city the last Of the week it was announced
that the worst was now over, and that he
would undoubtedly recover. Sunday after
noon he was free from pain and extremely
cheerful. So confident was he of speedy re.
covery that he expressed his determination to
carry out an arrangement that had been
made for him to represent the PRESS or the
Editorial Excursion next week. But at seven
o'clock he had a recurrence OF severe pain
under which he sunk rapidly, and in seven
hours more he was dead.
Mr.. Knowlton was born at Portsmouth, N
H., April 18th, 1885. We have al hand only
the most fragmentary record of his life, but
1t appears that in 1858 or 1854 be came tt
Biddeford, where he was employed for sew
eral years as paymaster of the Saco Watel
Power Company. At the expiration of three
years he went West, (where hi
and only surviving sister now lve) OF
It of his health, passing most of 1856
3there. On his return to Biddeford il
the latter year, he studied law in the office O
Hon. R.. P. Tapley, and was admitted to tn,
bar in the fall of 1850. III 1850 be was elect
ed Register of Probate. Jan. Sd, 1851, he
married Mary A., daughter of Dea. Samue
PiIlsbury, Of Biddeford, and moved immedi
ately to Alfred, where be resided eight years
having been reelected in 1854. He then re
turned to Biddeford. In 1869 he purchase,
. part of this paper, and for several month
had Editorial charge Of its columns, but re
tired from it, without disposing of his inter
est, to accept the Office of Assessor of Interna
Revenue, which he held at the time of hi
death. He leaves wife and one son.
Mr.. Knowlton, though comparatively young
and though singularly retiring and unosten
tatious in his manners, had acquired in
quiet way peculiar to himself as wide socia
and political influence as any man IN Western
Maine. He was remarkable for the warmth
of his personal friendships. No sacrifice wa
too great and no labor too severe for him IL
undertake when the interests of his friend.
were to be subserved by his efforts. There
are score of people who personally have
cause to realize the truth of this statement
and who will in their future career hay,
abundant occasion for sincerely deploring hi
untimely death. Mr.. Knowlton had acquired
We believe, sufficient amount of property t.
place his family in independent circum
stances. He was strictly honest in his bust
ness transactions, but was remarkably pru
dent and sagacious in all bis dealings. As .
politician his shrewdness and efficiency wert
unsurpassed, and hundreds of men whose
names are more widely known and who
make themselves infinitely more conspicuous
on public occasions, do not possess a 1.-THE o.
his power 10 shape events and to influence
and control men.
1t is something more than the language oil
formal eulOgy to say that he will be widely
lamehted even outside of the large circle Of
his personal friends. His acquaintance at
the bar, in public life and In journalism will
unafectedly mourn the loss of a genial and
accomplished associate. The readers of the
PRESS will especially miss the contributions
to these columns which he has made from
time to time even since his retirement from
his editorial duties. He was one of the
readiest and mcst elegant writers in Maine
and our YozR County readers certainly have
not yet forgotten the graceful style and kindly
Spirit Of those sketches of the members of
the York bar which were among the latest OF
his contributions to the PRESS. At the time
he acted 90 ito editor his ability aud versatile
ty gave him signal success, though he came
to the work with great difidence and almost
insurmountable self distrust on account of
his lack of previous experience. Had circum-
stances and bis own inclination permitted
him to make journalism a profession, there
can be no doubt that he would have greatly
distinguished himself. Those who have heard
him when he occasionally took the stump in
times of political excitement, describe him as
possessing great gifts as a campaign speaker.
Mr.. Knowlton's lite was a short, but honor
able one. To all the responsible places he
was called to fill, he brought industry, fidelity
and answering integrity. He was man of
most exemplary private character, being alb
solutely free from even those minor vices in
which many feel free to indulge themselves
since they do not thereby become subject to
serious reproach.