Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-03-09
Death OF John H. Hartford.

| 1t is with no ordinary feelings of grief that we
record this morning, the death of John II. Hart
ford, Esq, of this city. that occurred at his home
on Oak street, yesterday morning at five o'clock.
This intelligence will be received with degree OF
surprise, even by those who have been aware OF
his feebeness for several months, and who had en-
tertaned but slight hopes Of the permanent recov-
cry of his health.
Compelled by mere force Of physical exhaustion,
he reluctantly gave up work some four months
since, and has been more or less conhned TO MS
house since that time, having occasional rallying
seasons, when he would return to his ok-bindery,
and engage q day or two at time in the duties
with which he was so familiar. The most of these
four months, however, were spent in the sick
chamber, in the patient endurance of weakness
and pain, and gradual running down of the ma
chinery of life, till at last the busy wheels cogged
and ceased to move, and the pulse failed in its ac-
tivites. The poor human frame was literally
worn out in the service (and how infinitely better
is that than to rust out); by steady and close ap
plicaton to business, toling on, day after day,
with but little intermission for relaxation, he be-
came prematurcly old and died, 10 human SEEM
ing, many years before his allotted time. But
"Gain is not in added years,
Nor in death is loss.
On Monday night, Mr.. Hartford became some
what delirious on Tuesday morning morphine
was administered, to induce sleep. He rested well
into the forenoon, and aroused once or twice, an
swering questions that were asked him. With
these exceptions he lay in a sort of unconscious
condition up to the time of his death, yesterday
morning at five o'clock
Mr.. Hartford was born in Augusta on the 7th Of
August, 1920, and was therefore SIS years and
months Of age at the time of his death. He had
the advantages of only common school educa-
tion but these he diligently improved. He loved
the companonship of books in his early years, and
these studious habits and his active nature drew
towards him many who became interested in his
prosperity. At the age of seventeen he became
an apprentice to the bookbinding business with
Carpenter & Co.; the firm was composed of the
late Geo. S. Carpenter and Rev. Z. H. w. Smith,
the latter gentleman being Mr.. Hartfords partner
in the same business at the time of his death. He
completed his apprenticeship on attaining his ma
jority, and went to Boston, where he worked at
his trade fo: short time. Returning to his native
town, he started bookbinding establishment on
formed partnership with his quondam teacher in
the business, E. H. W. Smith, and together they
have ever since labored as copartners in pleasant
and undisturbed relations Mr.. Hartford married
Mr.. Smiths only sister. The bindery of the new
ly organized firm of Hartford & Smith was in the
building now occupied by II. A. B. Chandler. 1t
moved once or twice, but for several years
past has been in the Journal building.
Mr.. Hartford fairly filed our conception Of the
true American citizen. Simple in his dress and
style of living, without display ostentation, dill
igent in business fulfilling all his duties to the
family, the church, the State, the nation and the
world, with an honest, conscientious, manly pur-
pose. He despised the vain glory, the glitter and
the tinsel of the butterfly aimless life that is
apt to daze the eyes of the multitude. He was
matter of fact in nearly everything, carrying q
high degree of intelligence, backed by sterling
common sense, into the consideration of the vari-
Gus subjects with which he had to do. At the
same time, he loved to explore the realms open to
those only who have tender spirit, keen and SEN
sitiye feeling, and q m ost lively imagination. No
man seemed more happy in the society of con-
genial spirits. He loved music, poetry, flowers
best minds, the songs of birds. and all that was
beautiful in nature and in art. Often have we
seen his face illuminate and his eye kindle under
the inspiration of another's thought, that would
awaken delightful echo in his own soul. He was
true and loving friend with heart to sympathixe
and hand to help. No good object had to appeal
to him second time before the help came.
From our own relations with the departed, re-
membering his helpful, cheerful words and kind
counsel, we feel more like taking our place with
those who sit sorrowing by the deserted hearth
stone than in attempting to pen these poor lines Of
tribute. One week ago he sat by the table where
on we write, hopeful of new life and healthful
energy at the coming of spring. We pressed his
hand at the last parting, hoping, but against our
own convictions, that his wish might be granted.
And indeed it has been-new life has come with
the birth of the springtme, but different from that
which he more Immediately sought-a life freed
from the pains and tolls ofmortality.
''Still the feet that thther trod,
All the friendly eyes are dim;
Only Nature, now, and God,
Have care for him..
Perhaps Mr.. Hartford was best known as q citi-
zen, in active business, and in all that makes
up the various departments of true life. In pol.
tics he was democrat until the democratic party
sold itself to the slave power of the South which
time he emhraced the of the rennhlican an