The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-17
Hon. w,ll,ano 2. .rosaelvn.

1t is our painful duty to record the death OF
another Of the prominent citizens and business
men of Portland, in the person Of the Hon.
William H. Jcsselyn. He died at his resi-
dence on Cumberland street in this city, yes
terday at 70 o'clock noon.
Mr.. Josselyn was born in Fayette in this
State August u 1918. When boy although
left principally to his own reeources, he &C
quired good common school and academical
education. Upon arriving at the age of twenty
years, he removed to the town of Phillips in
Franklin county and obtained employment as
clerk in store in the village of that town,
where he remained about three years. He
then went into mercantile business for HIM
self, in said town, and for thirty years, main
tanned the character Of an honest, honorable,
successful merchant; at the end of which time
Tin 1860 he removed to Portland. During his
long residence in Phillips, Mr. Josselyn was
leading influential citizen, enjoying in an
eminent degree the confidence and esteem of
that entire community. For sixteen years he
was one of the selectmen of Phillip, and for
about the same length of time, one of the
experimenting school committee. In 1866 he
represented the Phillips district in the Maine
House OF Representatives. But his popularity
was not confined to his adopted town. In 1868
and 1854, he represented Franklin county in
the State Senats and held high rank in that
body. Since his removal to this city, he was
member OF the common council IN 1871, from
Ward 3, and the next year a member of the
Board of Aldermen, after which he voluntarily
retired from public life, and although he was
before and since that time, offered other
public positions, he uniformly declined them.
For about twenty years Mr. Josseyn has been
an active, influential member of the board of
trustees of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and
Female College; and at various times con-
tributed literally to the funds of that institu-
ton. where part of his family received their
education. AFTER removing to this city Mr..
Josselyn first went into business as a -four
merchant IN company with Ralf and Alonzo
Butler. Subsequent he engaged in the furni-
ture business with Arad Evans, for about six
years. He then in company with his son
Theodore A. Josselyn engaged in the -four
business as wholesale commission merchants
and continued member of this firm until
1877, when on account of impaired health he
retired; and has not since been engaged in any
active business. During Mr.. Josselyn's long
career as a merchant, he has had the entire
confidence of the business world Honest,
prompt and energetic; fair and square in all
his business relations; he made life in this de-
partment success. In politics Mr. Josselyn
was originally a Wing, and SO continued until
the formation OF the Republican party, when
he was among the first to connect himself with
that political organization. la early life Mr..
Josselyn embraced the Christian religion and
connected himself with the Methodist Episco-
pal church; and has continued worthy in
tiuential member of that denomination u2 to
the time OF his decease. While in Phillips he
was the main stay and support OF the Methodist
church in that town, cor tributng largely of
ms means, and deyoting much time and per-
Sonal labor to the Advancement of the cause
Upon removing to Portland, he connected
himself with Chestnut ST. NJ. g. Church In
each OF these churches no held nearly all the
offices, known among the laity of that de-
nomination. During his long religious life, not
ashade has ever been thrown across his Chris
tian character. Mr.. Josselyn was man of
strong-decided convictions. He was careful
and deliberate in forming his opinions, but
when once his mind was made up, nothing
could turn him aside from what he believed to
be right. AS friend he was genial kind
hearted, sympathetic and true. But it was in
the sacred retlrements of the family circle, of
which our departed friend was the head, that
his virtuous life shone forth with the greater
lustre No man was ever more happy III his
domestic relations. Early in life he married
Mss Mary Marston Of Phillips, a niece of the
late Bishop Soule, who IN devotion TO her hus-
band and family, has proved herself model
wife and mother She survives her husband
with four children, one, Theodore A., a
merchant in this city Lewis, merchant in
Manchester, N. H.; two daughters, one the
wife of Warren w. Cole, and the other the
wife of e. S. Everett of this city. Mr. Josselyn
has been in failing health for several years
but the immediate cause of his death was con-
gestion of the lungs, caused by a slight cold,
ending in paralysis of the whole system. He
was confined to his house only about week
He passed away peacefully at last surrounded
by his whole family. LIP.