Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-03

| AOis"hu' III. w asuouIu AZ OnCc Dtedu W
take deep interest in all that pertained
TO the welfare and prosperity of his
adopted home. IL was during his admin
istration Of the affairs OF the customs that
the present elegant aud substantial Gus
tom House was built. In its construction,
Mr. Washburn took deep interest. He
was one of the first promoters Of the con-
struction Of the Portland 4 Ogdensburg
Railway, an important thoroughfare be-
tween Portland and the West. and to him
more than any other, the people along the
line ofthe Buckfield branch II. X. are indebt-
ed for its recovery from the hand OF the
sposiler, aud its being put into good condi-
ton for traffic. To this work he devoted the
energy of his last years OF labor. He was
president and chief executive officer OF
this road, at the time OF his death. He
took great interest in the Maine General
| Hospital, and was one OF its efficient Trus-
| tees.
Mr.. Washburn took great interest In
historical matters, and was member OF
the Standing Committee OF the Maine His.
| torical Society. IL was when serving with
this Committee and as a member Of the
subcommittee on printing the Society's
volumes, that | first became well ac-
quainted with Mr.. Washburn. He was
thoroughly familiar with the general his
tory Of the State from the earliest times,
and had carefully pursued several lines OF
historical research. lie was one of the
most congenal and companionable Of men.
His colloquial powers were OF the highest
| order. No one could ever tire OF hearing
him talk. He had fine literary tastes and
was thoroughly familiar with English and
American books and authors. Mr.. Wash
burn was long the Vice President of the
New England Historical and Genealogical
Society, for Maine.
In religious belief, Mr.. washburn was 4
UDiversalist, and the Christian Leader on
~ voiced the sentiment Of the Universal
lists of the country when 1t stated that he
was the foremost layman In the denomna-
ton. He was earnest aud active in the
promotion of this cause, and his life was
living example of his faith. He was Pres
ident of the Board of Trustees of Tur's
College, the leading educational institu-
ton of his denomination in New England,
and connected with the management Of
Westbrook Seminary, the school OF the
denomination in Maine. He contributed
largely toward the construction OF the
church edihce at Norlands,' in Liver
more. and was ever liberal with his means
in the support OF preaching there. Hewas
strong pillar of the denomination In Maine
and in New England.
Mr.. washburn was a close student and
devoted much OF his leisure to the study oil
English literature. lie loved poetry and
was a great admirer Of the writings OF
Burns. His lecture on Burns and other
Scottish poets, delivered in various places
10 Maine, was very much enjoyed and his
recitations of selections from the authors
poems, were finely rendered. His reading
embraced a wide range and he could dis
course intelligently and luently upon al
most any subject. His published works
are not numerous. His Notes on Liver
| more Is a charming little volume, and con-
tains much valuable information for a his
tory of the town. His Centennial address
at Orono is model of its kind; his adj
dress at the dedication OF the soldiers
monument in Cherryiield is fair speci-
men of his oratorical powers It was patri-
otto and eloquent His paper on the
North Eastern Boundary, published in the
| transactions of the Maine Historical Soci-
ETY., is exhaustive OF the subject, and au-
thoritatively settles many disputed ques-
| lions growing out of the subject. He has
contributed largely 10 the reviews, ana
TO magazine and newspaper literature. He
welded the pen of 4 ready writer. In the
advocacy of his views, he was bold and
fearless yet never forgetful of that courte-
/
discussion. His literary papers are fine
specimens of pure English, and his pubic
addresses of unaffected oratory. Mr..
Washburn was small in stature, and when
he arose to speak, would not at first pre-
possess an audience, but as soon as his
well-trained voice was heard, he at once
became attractive, and as he warmed with
his subject and gave utterance to his views
in his always well-chosen words, he car
ried his audience by with him became q
giant In their eyes. He was one OF the
most effective campaign speakers that
Maine has ever produced.
Mr.. Washburn was married in ls4l, TO
Mary NJ. Webster, daughter Of Col. Eben-
ezer Webster, one of the leading citizens
of Orono. She was an intelligent and
amiable woman; she died in 1873. The
fruits of this marriage were two sons and
two daughters. Israel Henry is Lieu
tenant In the United States Marine Corps
Charles Fox Is of Minnesota, and mem
bea of the State Legislature. The daugh'
tiers are Ada and Maud. In 1876, Mr.
Washburn married Miss Robina N.
daughter Of Benjamin Brown, esq, o
Aroostook County, who survives him
After his second marriage, accompanied
nv his wife, he went to Europe, a tril
which he very much enjoyed and which
!, he always spoke of as among the pleasant
est and happiest episodes Of his life. Id
;" spent considerable time In Scotland, es
= pecially in those places made famous in tn
" songs of the Scottish poets.
Tho death of Mr. Washburn creates