Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-08

Hen. James w. North Passes into the
Great Beyond.

Destn reaps close this year. Another OF
our most prominent and wealthy men. whose
life has been closely identified with the his
tory ofthe city, breathed his last Wednesday
morning at 10 minutes past four o'clock, aged
72years, months and 90 days. 1t isa sin1u.
lar coincidence that three of our Oldest and
best known citizens, who follow each other SO
closely over the dark river, should have been
born the same year, and have resided at
the time of their decease in the same ward.
within stones throw of each other.
James William North was born in Clinton
February 10, 1910, and was the only child OF
James North, prosperous trader of that
town. His father and mother both died " hen
ne was two years old, and his early years
were passed in the family of relatives
in Augusta and vicinity. Young North
pursued course of studies in the
Gardiner Lyceum, a fiourishing literary
institution of half a century ago, much supe-
rior to the academies of that day. While at
this school he sustained injuries in the leg
while engaged in game of ball, from the
effects of which he never fully recovered.
After completing the curriculum of the Lyce-
UNI, he studied law with Frederick Allen of
Gardiner, and was admitted to the bar in
1881. In the fall of that year Mr.. North
came to Augusta and opened an office, but in
the spring following removed to Clinton (now
Benton) where he remained until IS45, when
ne returned to this city, where he has since
resided. Augusta has honored him with
many offices. He ably represented the city
IN the Legislature on several occasions; was
the first president of the common council, in
1850; was elected mayor in 1857, So, so, 80
and '6l, and again in 1873 and 1874. He
has been connected in various capacities with
the banking interests of the city, and was
president of the First National Bank for over
three years, resigning last summer on account
of failing health. Mr.. North married in 1894
Phebe Upton, who died a few years since,
and had by her four sons. three of whom are
now living-Dr. James W., George F.. and
Horace North, all of Augusta
These, briefly told, are the leading incidents
vi thS Inv VI tuc utCcdstu. Uul IL 5 WITH the
under-currents of that life that we are the
most interested. The Norths are an old
family, tracing their ancestry back to 1927,
and having proud coat of arms, with
Amino ct fde Courage and faith) for their
motto. The subject of this sketch illustrated
in his career the family characteristics. He
was man of undaunted courage and strictest
integrity. After the great fire of 1865 while
others were disheartened, he was strong, firm
and sanguine; his faith in the future of the
city never wavered, and he went promptly at
work to erect a new and more beautiful bust
ness street Or the ruins of the old Some of
By his industry, economy and ability he
accumulated an ample fortune; and while re-
stricting his personal expenditures, he never
hesitated to advocate liberal appropriations
for all those things which enhance the well
fare of his fellow citizens, while men of less
property and paying much smaller tax would
haggle and draw back. He was firm friend
of the cause of popular education, and sup
ported the city schools with vote, voice AMI
money. We owe to him that exhaustive and
interesting work, "Norths History of Au-
gusta," which was labor of love. occupying
many years of his life, and towering far above
ordinary town histories. Quiet, progressive
and pnblc-sprited, we can ill afford to lose
such men, and regret that in the course of
nature it is inevitable that they must pass
away.