The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-11-02

Long wharf, was then no uncommon Occurrences
as four or five of the vessels were regular trad
ers from Portland. To carry on this trade
large amount of capital was required much OF
which was borrowed of the Portland banks
Mr.. Haired had endorsed the paper OF the two
firms to a large amount, until he became
alarmed and being man of integrity, he went
to the seysral bank officers and told them that
he had found that he was endorser for larger
amount than he was worth; but they quieted
him by telling him that the Boston firm was
wealthy and he continued to endorse their
notes until 1897 when both the Boston firm
and Mr.. Cox failed, carrying down Mr.. Har-
rod in the same commercial revulsion. set
Element was easily effected with the creditors
of Mr.. Harrod, as all had perfec: confidence in
his honesty. His chief clerk, Albert Crockett,
took the stock and store paying the value to
the creditors, and continued the business until
his early death. Mr.. Harrod Immediately re-
moved TO New Orleans and became a partner
with bis brother Charles in the commission
sbusiness. While in New Orleans be was OF
great service to young men from Portland who
were returning from the Mexican war. and 9TH
ers seeking employment there, many OF whom
obtained means of him to return to their
homes.
Mr.. Harrod continued III New Orleans until
1854, twenty-seyen years, when he retired from
business In the meantime his wife had died,
and his only child Caroline, had married Mr..
Edwin Bartlett, who for several years was
merchant in Peru, South America, where he
f, held the Office of American Consul, and accu-
INFLATED an ample fortune On his return be
purchased splendid estate at larry town, on
the Hudson, twenty .seven miles from New
York city. On leaving New Orleans, Mr.. Har-
rod became the guest of his son-in-law The
dampness of the air at Tarrytown not proving
favorable to Mr.. Bartlett's health he was COM
PEELED to 90 further from the sea, and he pur-
chased another seat at Barrytown, Duchess
county, ninety two miles from New York city,
also ON the banks of the Hudson, opposite the
: Catskill mountains; this he named "Mirre-
: mente,n (mountain view from his place in
Peru, but he did not live long TO enjoy it; he
died 10 1867. Mr. Harrod continued with his
daughter enjoying the. quietude of their pleas
ant home. In 1869 he had several ribs broken,
and received other injuries from fall from .
carriage, which he never fully recovered from.
Although he was 81 years old, as soon as he
was able to travel he went to California by the
Isthmus, aud visited all the principal places of
interest in that state, and for several months
sailed up and down the coast OF Central Amer
ioa, from Panama to Guatemala, and again in
1871 he visited Aspinwall and Panama for the
benefit of tropical climate.
:. Since then Mr.. Harrod has made an Annual
summer visit to Maine, going usually as far east
a. Mount Desert until the last summer. Under
date of April LIST, 1875, then within a few days
of 30, be wrote me as follows: 81 hope old age
and inirmities will not prevent me from visit
ing dear old Portland once more. should feel
sad indeed, if thought the coming summer
weather would not be mild enough to allow the
ct present, iufrm and sick old man, to travel so
far, but trust have learned that in whatso-
: ever state am Herewith to be content" But
he conld not come although he was able to con
tihue his correspondence. His last letter to
me was written only six weeks ago. He was a
very pleasant and attentive correspondent He
was close observer of all that transpired in
Portland for the first half of the century, and
his fetentive memory of names and d ,tes
made this knowledge very valuable to all who
take an interest in local history. Mr.. Harrod
was a commandment AID constant attendant at
the First Parish Church when in Portland, was
chosen its deacon in 1926, and held the Office
until 1847. He was the builder of several sub
stantial buildings in town, none of which, how
ever, now remain.
In all of his wanderings he always spoke and
wrote of Portland as his home, and I am glad
to know that at his own request. his remains
win find final resting-place with her honored
dead tf -za
He rests at last; what can or need be said
OF one who sought no need that words can give?
He was content to die, content to live,
He lived, he wrought, he with the dead.
WNDHAM, Nov. l. w. G.