The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-07-12
Hon. Charles Holden.

1
in the state generally. died at his residence on
Cumberland street Saturday afternoon at about
| o'clock. He had been confined to his house
for several months ana there was no expecta-
ton on the part of his friends that he could
again actively participate in the many labors
which all his life he has found to do.
Mr.. Holden was born in Portland, June 81,
1904 so that at the time of his decease he was
few days over II years of age. His early ad-
vantages of education were simply those that
the public schools of Portland afforded at that
early day. His early years were PASSED at a
time the business of the country and particu-
larly such seaports as Portland were embar-
raised by the questions which led to a war
with Great Britain in 1912. Hard, dark times,
indeed. 10 February, 1S19 when between IA and
Is years of age, he was apprenticed to Francis
Douglass, proprietor of the Eastern Argus. 1t
may be assumed that the boy found the place in
| life intended for him, for he was most success
full, in whatever sense we may use the term.
| Here he found the means of acquiring that prac
teal knowledge of business, public affairs and
| literature which he possessed. When Mr..
| Holden had faithfully served his time as an
| apprentice, he was employed in the office as
/ journeyman and subsequently as foreman. In
1884 he became one of the proprietors and &C.
| tive editor. He also gave much attention to
/ the management of the business, so that under
/ his rare skill the paper became the leading
party paper of the state and the proprietors
found it profitable. Mr., Holden was vigor-
GUS writer, well armed with Facts and possessed
withal keen sense of the humorous. He al
ways proceeded the most direct route to his OBJ
| ject and never failed to be understood. In 1854
| he sold out his interest in the Argus to Hon.
| John Appleton. Until this period Mr.. Holden
| had been Democrat, but when the majority
| of the party leaders allied themselves with the
slavery propagaudists, Mr.. Holden's deep con-
victions of the wrong of the system, led him TO
| the then forming Republican party, to which
he was warmly attached until his death. Nor
was all of Mr.. Holden's energies given to the
Argus. While yet journeyman, he aided the
Rev. G. f. Cox in the editorial management
of the Wesleyan journal and afterwards was
contributor to the Workingman's Advocate.
During later years he has written more or less
for nearly all of our city papers, frequently be-
ing an esteemed contributor to the columns OF
the PRESS. Mr.. Holden may be considered
one of the few successful journalists of the
state, and one who was al honor to The profess
sion.
Mr.. Holden always took deep interest in
public affairs and his fellow citizens recognized
his ability aud worth by entrusting him with
places of honor and responsibility. He has
several times been member of both branches
of the City Government, and President of the
nnI To ina rnp
for Mayor by the Democratic party. He was
member Of the school compittee from 1888
to 1874, with the exception of one year. In
1888 he was a member of the Maine Senate, but
declined re election. He was again sent to
the Senate in 1S47 and 1913. lie was MEM
Der of the Executive Council the years of 1862,
'63, ga, 65-the war years, when there was
work to do To his credit, he was known at
that time as the member who was offensive for
scrutinizng matters-a treasury watch dog.
He was a member of the House of Representa-
tives in 1871, but declined a reelection. Mr..
Holden was good example of a faithful pub
lie servant, conservative, but at the same time \
industrious and intelligent.
Not only in his own private affairs, was Mr.
Holden's business capacity displayed, but his
fellow citizens recognized his sagacty by Sc.
lectng him to care for their interests either in
corporations or to adjust private affairs. He
was notably discreet and wise adviser. When
ever he was called to take charge of business
interests, then his prudence, foresight and ex-
perience told. Among the many positions of
this character which he held were the follow
ing: Director Of First National Bank from the
time of organization, director of Maine Saw
ings' Bank from its organization in 1859 to
time of death and many years Vice President,
director OF the Portland Gas Company, Treas
urer of the Portland Horse Railroad Co. for
five years.
In the moral world, Mr. Holden was no half
way man. His influence, his voice, and, above
ALL his pure life were ever telling for moral re-
form, for more general intelligence and what
ever would elevate society. He was not
member of any church, but was a constant at
tendant upon the Chestnut III. E. Church. AT
different times he has been connected with the
Provident Association, the Widows Wood So
ciety, etc. To him more than any one man,ex-
cept, perhaps, the late N. A. Foster, does the
Maine Charitable Mechanics Association owe
its present measure of financial success. He
has ever devoted his best services to it's inter-
ests. His financial skill wiped out its debt and
the fine building of the Association is a monu-
ment of his perseverance and sound judgment
About the last public occasion in which he par
ticipated was at the general festival of the As
ISOLATION last September, when he received the
thanks of his grateful brethren, and the keen.
ness of his humor was displayed in the senti-
ments at the table, For years, also, he has
been leading member of Maine Lodge No. 1.
I. o. o. F.-and received its fullest honors.
Mr. Holden has been twice married His
first wife was a Miss Sampson of Boston,
whom he married in 1928 or 1929. His second
wife was Mrs Jefferson, daughter of DR..
Paine, sister of Jacob, David and William,
who, with two sons andi;a daughter, survives
him.
Such are few salient points in the life of
Charles Holden. 1t would be impossible to full
ly enumerate the evidences of his public and
private worth within the space we can devote
to the subject. As his friends and associates
speak of his loss, they will recount the thou
sand works of his fifty years of industry and
say: "The young have lost discreet counsel
lor, the city and state an honest official; reform
an unwaverng veteran, and we true friend"
Mr. Holden suffered much during the last
three months of his life. His death resulted
from general breaking down of his system,
but he suffered especially from an affection of
the spinal column, kidney complaint and
catarrh. The funeral services will take pace
this afternoon at three o'clock from his late
residence, corner of Cumberland and Wilmot
streets.
played in Saco, Saturday, between the Excel
siors and Dry Goods clubs, resulted in favor of
the latter ny a score of 10 to 4. The game was
very close and interesting until the eighth in
ming, when the Dry Goods by some very fine
batting scored eight runs, which turned the
game most decidedly in their favor. The Ex-
celsiors show considerable want of practice,