Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-30
Gslts arrD Skftfhts.
RsocH LINCOLN.
The Poet Governor Of Maine.
HIS FORTUNATE LIFE AND MELANCHOLY
DEATH.

ernOrs. HIS fafber, Lew Lincoln, served
in Jeherson's cabinet as attorney general
of the United States, was lieutenant gov
ernor of Massachusetts in 1907 and 1903,
and on the decease of Governor Sullivan,
in December of the latter year, he dis
charged the duties OF chief magistrate
from that time till the following MAY.
His elder brother, Levi Lincoln, Jr.,-six
years his senior-an eminent lawyer and
statesman, was in 1925 selected by both
the political parties in Massachusetts as
their candidate for governor Of the State,
and Mas elected with great unanimity by
the people. In 1884 he was elected repre-
sentative in Congress. serving three terms
Enoch Lincoln, the subject of this
sketch, was born in Worcester, Massachu-
sets, December %. 1888. He was the
fourth son of Levi Lincoln. Entering the
sophomore class of Harvard college in
1906, he subsequently received the degree
OF Master of Arts from Bowdoin college,
studied law with his brother Levi at
Worcester, and was there admitted to the
bar in 1911. He began practice in Salem,
but soon returned to his native town, where
he practiced with considerable reputation,
but in 1912 removed to Fryebnrg in Maine.
Fryeburg has had the distinction of num-
bering Daniel Webster among the pre-
ceptors Of her famous academy; she has
given the State MANY eminent men among
whom may be mentioned the Fessendens
and John W. Dana, governor of the State
from 1s49 to 1850, but it may be accounted
not the least among her claims to consid-
Grafton that it was amid her beautiful
scenery that our poet governor conceived
and executed his poem of 1.-The Village"
1t is her scenery that is described in this
poem, and its pictures of rural life are
drawn from the pursuits and occupations
of her people.
As a young practitioner, just entering
upon his career at the bar, Mr.. Lincoln,
now in his twenty-fifth year, would not
unlikely have much leisure upon his
hands With his studious habits these
hours could not be idly spent, and he
made the aboriginal inhabitants. still re-
naming in the neighborhood, the subject
of his researches. 1t was his custom to
spend some weeks or months in each year
in rambling in the woods. and holding
converse with nature and her simple
children. HIS hatred of oppression led
him to sympatbize with tie Indian in his
fallen condition, and he spent much time
in collecting all those objects and docu-
ments which might Throw light upon the
manners. customs, habits and dispositions
of the ancient lords of the soil. His study
bore testimony to his zeal in this direc-
ton, being ornamented with the branch
ing antlers of the moose, the caribou and
the deer. with a map of the Umbagog
Lakes, drawn on birch bark by one OF the
natives. over which hung full length
portrait of an Indian chief. While resid-
ing at Fryeburg he delivered a poem at
the centennial celebration OF the fight at
Lovewell's Pond, and he also made an
imitation of Penobscot song in welcome
of the French, whom he always consid-
cred to have been the truest friends of the
Indians.
But that while thus pursuing his favorite
studies, and dallying with the muse OF
poetry, he did not neglect his professional
duties and opportunities. is manifested by
the fact that he soon gained prominent
position ut the bar. and that after a resi-
dence OF only seven years he was chosen
to succeed the Hon. Albion X. Paris as
representative in Congress. If was at
this time, 1919. that he removed from
Fryeburg to the neighboring shire town
of Paris, where he extended his pro-
fessional practice and reputation. Mr..
Lincoln subsequently removed to Portland,
though at what precise date | have not
been able to ascertain.
He served three terms in Congress,
from 1919 TO 1926. | have not had the
opportunity to trace his Congressional
career, but there can be no doubt that the
records of Congress would show that he
performed with ability his full share of
legislative labors. Certain it is that his
Congressional labors brought him into
such prominence in his own State, that in
1926 he was chosen with great unanimity
to succeed so popular a governor as
Albion X. Paris, and this before he had
arrived at the age of tlirty-eight years.
He was twice reelected serving from 1926
until 1929.
As governor of the State he was distin-
guished by jealous devotion to its inter
ests. and the scholarly character of his
state papers. His messages were noted
for their suggestiveness. point. brevity.
and good taste. One of his Thanksgiving
proclamations was so brief and compre-
hensive. and was so popular that it was
printed on satin by his admirers for gen
eral circulation.
During Mr.. Lincoln's administration as
governor the question of the northeastern
boundary OF our State acquired serious
and alarming dimensions. lie indicated
the rights of the State to the territory in
question with great energy and earnest
ness. He took strong State sovereignty
ground. boldly and decidedly denying the
right of the national government to cede
any portion of the territory OF the
State without its consent. Had his coun-
sells prevailed the historian of Maine would
have had no such chapter OF concessions.
submissions and humiliations to record
as that written by another Governor of
Maine.
Governor Lincoln gave much attention
to the subjects of internal improvement.
and Of education. pressing them upon the
attention Of the legislature in communica-
tons filled with appropriate suggestions
and recommendations. Even at this early
day a road to Canada was anticipated in
an able report made by the Hon. George
Evans. II was during Governor Lincoln's
administration also that Capitol hill in
Augusta was determined on as the future
site of the capitol, at session of the gov
ernor and council held in Augusta in June
1927.
lRnt.while thus devoting himself. with a
b;oh senseNpf duty. to the interests of the
aAASA ~~. L. g.