The Portland daily press., 1876-03-10
Obituary.
Hon, Philander CObnrn,

Hon. Philander Coburn junior member of
the well known firm of Messrs. A. & P. Co.
burn of Skowhegan, died at the family resi-
dence in that village after lingering illness Of
six or seven years, Wednesday evening, at the
age of 90 years. Few men have been so we'll
known in Somerset county and in central
Maine as Mr.. Coburn. He spent his early
years on the farm in Bloomfield-one of a
large family who have made their mark in
Maine. In early life he worked on the farm
summers and taught school winters, receiving
the highest pay of that time-from IS to $12 a
month Few men had the physical power to
follow him in any kind of work. When quite
young he became associated with his father
and brother Abner in the land business
Squire Coburn" the father,was land-survey-
er and knew the location of good tracts on the
Kennebec. The three bought as far as their
means would go, but never sold, and thus from
year to year added to their domain. at the
death of the father, the well known firm of A.
& P. Coburn was formed, which has come to
be one of the best known in Maine. Philand-
er, the younger brother, generally managed the
up river business in its details. He explored
WV Aonuo onu tOoh oudl 80 VI tuc iuuiUoIiuS Up
erations His contemporaries say that he was
master man in the woods" Few had his
physical endurance and none his rare judg-
ment. But he was something more than re-
markable business man. In many other res
poets he was remarkable man. Full of BUSH
ness all his life, he found time to keep himself
fully informed of current events, and he had
opinions on all prominent topics. He was
man of remarkable conversational powers,
witty, epigrammatic, clear pungent and well
informed, there was no dullness where Mr. Co.
burn was. He always took deep interest in
political affairs, but never cared for the honors
of political position. He was Wing, strong
and full in the faith until the advent of the
Republican party, when he became its earnest
adherent and firm supporter. Once or twice
his name was placed upon the Wing ticket
when his party determined to carry Somerset
county. In one of these emergencies he was
elected to the Maine Senate. Whenever be
was run for Office the lumbermen up river
forgot party and went for Philander Coburn.
We once heard veteran of thirty lumber
campaigns remark that he was Irregular
Democrat except when the other side put up a
Coburu."
The man is best appreciated by those who
have always known him; and for many years
those who have been employed or done bust
ness vita this honored firm will speak with
more respect and affection than men are won't,
of Philander Coburn. In his intercourse with
men, he had none Of that arrogance which
great success in business often causes men to
assume. In his life, he was model of re-
publican simplicity and worthy example to
young men. He had no vices and made no
pretension of virtues. He was in his best years
a we'll perfected character. In 1867 his health
began to break. due principally to his constant
exposure and entire forgetfulness of himself in
his intense devotion. to business For a time it
was thought that he would recover, but finally
brain disease set in, and for five or six years
the man has been but wreck of his former
SELF For several years, there has been little
change in his health. On Tuesday last more
rapidly until eleven o'clock Wednesday even
ing, when he breathed his last.
Mr.. Coburn was never married, but has lived
all his life in the family mansion with his
brother and partner, the ex-Gov ,rnor.
Hon. William McGllvery.
The telegraph announces that Hon. William
McGilvery of Searsport came to tragic end
yesterday by revolver which he was examin
ing Mr.. McGilvery has for many years been
one of the most prominent business men in
Waldo county, having been extensively en-
gagged for many years in ship-buiding and nav
igation. He was man widely esteemed for
his high character and exerted wide influ-
ence. At the time of his death he was Presi-
dent of the Penobscot Bay & River Railroad
Co. In politics, Capt. McGivery was Re-
publican. He has several times been a men,
Der of both branches of the Legislature. He
was a member of the House in 1874 and 1875,
being chairman of the Railroad Committee the
last year of his service. In 1872 he was a
Presidential elector. Capt. McGilvery was
about 60 years Of age. His sudden death will
be widely depored.