The Portland daily press., 1877-12-11

Sudden Death of Judge Howard at
Brewnfeld-A Sketch of His Life and
Character.

A brief despatch to the Associated Press last
evening announced the death of Hon. JOSEPH
Howard at Brown6eld yesterday afternoon
1t was simply stated that he started from his
brothers house after dinner to take short
walk and was found dead by the roadside. UI
| to late hour his relatives had received no
further particulars. Yesterday morning he
was in his usual health and told his son-in-law,
Judge Cleaves, that he thought Of making a
short visit to Brownield. where his brother
lives. and Fryeburg. Accordingly with this
intention he left by the morning train over the
Ogdensburg. He seems to have reached his
brDther's in good health, and there is little
doubt that be. .dieds without warning from an
attack of heart disease, from which he has
suffered at times within the past year or two
Seventy-seven years ago last May in the
town where his life has so suddenly ended
Judge Howard was born. His fathers name
was Joseph Howard, prominent man in his
day and for several terms representative to
the General Court of Massachusetts. Judge
Howard received a. collegiate education and
Was graduated at Bowdoin College in 1921 in
the same class with William Gutter, son of the
late Mayor Levi Cutter, DR.. John Barrett and
Rev. Charles Soule. He chose the profession
of the law and studied under the tutelage of
Hon. Judah Dana of Fryeburg, and Gov.
Enoch Lincoln. He was admitted to the Bar in
Oxford county in 1924, and commenced prac-
ed practice at Bridgton, but remained thers
only six months when be removed to Limerick,
where he remained twelve years. For ten sue
cessive terms he held the Office of county attor-
ney of York county. In 1887 he removed to
Portland, where he has since resided. On the
election of Mr.. Van Buren, to the presidency he
was appointed United States District Attorney
for Maine, and held the Office for several
years. Ia 1888 he formed copartnership with
the late Fl. N. Osgood, which was terminated
by the death of the latter in 1S43 In 1874 he
associated himself with Judge George r.
Shepley, which firm continued till his ap-
pojntment to the Supreme Bench
by Gov. Dana in 1S4S. Judge Howard re-
mained on the bench one term (seven years
On retiring he formed a partnership with Sew
all c. Strout, ESQ.,, and the firm of Howard &
Strout continued till 1864 when Mr.. Strout with
drew and Nathan Cleaves succeeded, forming
the firm of Howard & Cleaves which has ex-
listed to the present time uuder the same style.
Another member, Henry B. Cleaves. ESQ.,, was
.dded to it several years since. In 1860 Judge
Howard was elected Mayor of Portland on the
Democratic ticket and served one term. In
1864 and 1866 he was the Democratic candidate
for Governor. For number of years he was
president of the Cumberland Bar, being hon.
Ored again and again by his associates by
reelection. Several years since he travelled in
Europe with Bishop Nicely.
In 1926 Judge Howard married Maria An
nette Dana, daughter of Hon. Judah Dana of
Fryeburg. She died in March, 1869. Two
sons and two daughters Were born to them.
Two children only are liyipg-Mrs. Maria A.
Burgess, wife of Rev. DR.. Burgess of Spring-
field, and Rev. Henry r. Howard of Pottsdam.
fhe eldest son, Joseph Dana Howard, died
some time since in New York, and Mrs. Cleaves
died at Augusta in February. 1876.
Judge Howard possessed to remarkable |
degree those traits of body and mind which go |
be was tall and graceful. To the last day of |
mis- lifeshis carriage was erect, his step firm
and elastic, and but for the silvery hair and |
beard one would scarcely believe ne had passed |
the allotted three score years and ten. His |
manners were such as his elegance Of person |
and courtly. He had all the |
true pride of the gentleman, but was |
entirely free from anything like super |
ciliousness. He treated every one with |
respect and commanded the respect of |
every one. dis character was singularly |
xiOdIu nd Ia Co
feeling of kinship-of all beautiful things. The |
study of flowers was favorite occupation with |
aim and he knew all the secrets of nature in /
ler floral developments. Children were his |
riends and the young were always sure OF /
ordial word and a benignant smile from this
weet-natured gentleman. Young lawyers al
Ways received kindly consideration, and more
han one will have today a swelling of the
leart and moistenipg of the eye as he re-
members the pleasant words of greeting and |
which cheered him over the /
lard ways where beginners in the profession |
must walk. He was benevolent without osten- |
alton. He loved to hunt out the deserving |
,oor and secretly relieve their necessities There
igious sentiment was strong in him through life.
,at he did not make public profession of the |
aith that was in him till few years since, |
when he became communicate at st. Luke's |
His intellect without being bril- |
iant was vigorous and acute. He possessed |
hose qualities which make rather the safe and |
wife counsellor than the great advocate. He |
IGNORED bis profession, his city and his state,
md has left record from which he could wish |
10 page blotted out Truly could he say in the |
words Of the Latin poet:
Homo sum; humani nihil me alienum puto.