Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-05-29
.,1, Boston Herald.
A REMARKABLE FAMILY.
THE LIMBS OF THE OLD wAsHBURN TREE
41lI OF MAINE.

Seventy-three years ago man rom
Raynham went down into the DistriCs VI
Maine. which was then considered uoa-
forsaken country, and established himsen
in business at Richmond, as IL Is now
called. That has since been great place
for ship-building, but this Raynham man
built the first vessel there. He began 10
build another, but 1t was In the embargo
times and the second vessel was allowed
to rot on the stocks. Then he moved
aeain-this time into one OF the unsettled
back towns, Livermore 1t Is called, not Tar
from where Lewiston has since grown up.
He was A member OF the Massachusetts
legislature before Maine became q State,
be was q respected citizen, but his crown
of glory come from the fact that he reared
A family of ten children, and more re-
markable family the annals OF this country
cannot show. Six years ago, out OF the
seven sons and three daughters OF this
modern patriarch, all but two OF them were
alive.
Saturday noon, in Philadelphia, there
died suddenly one OF the sons-Ex-uoV.
Israel Washburn, jr., OF Maine. before
we speak OF him, let US look at his family.
First comes Israel, jr., the SUBJECT Oh tnis
article, who was Names Representative
in Congress from 1851 TO 1860, and then
"War Governor" as we say, In the nrst
wears of the rebellion. His brother Elihu
b., member OF Congress from Illinois Tor
IS wears, Secretary OF State and Minister
to France at the critical time when the
Germans overrun her, comes next. Then
Charles A., politician, Presidential Elector
and Minister to Paraguay. Next Cadwai-
lader c., who was in Congress IL years, q
Major General Of Volunteers during the
rebellion, and also Governor OF Wiscon-
sin. Also William D., Congressman from
Minnesota, recently; and Samuel b., VINO
served in the navy during the war and a.
s., who has confined himself to the oank-
ing business.
Governor C. C. of Wisconsin, when he
died a year or two ago, LEFT millions. w.
ID. of Minneapolis has millions. E. b.
has been talked Of as Q Presidential possi-
bility. Three Of these brothers were In
Congress at the same time. Was 1t not q
pretty good family?
Israel, who died so Unexpectedly Satur-
day, was brought up in the town schools
within few miles of where Postmaster
General Howe, who died the other day,
Tie
but he read law and began its practice
more than forty wears years ago. When
he was thirty-seven years old ne was
chosen 10 Congress from the Bangor DIS
trict which Charles Stetson, who died q
few weeks ago, then represented, and Han
nibal Hamlin had represented just before.
lie served till 1850, going over to the he.
publicans when that party was formed AND
the old Wing party was broken up. In
the Liacoln year, he was chosen Governor
by nearly $1,000 majority, and reelected
in 1851 over the popular General jameson
and Peace Democratic by an increased
majority. Worn out by his work, he
would not run again, and was given The
Portland Collectorship, which he held FOL
more than dozen years. Since he re-
tired from that office, six years ago, he
has devoted himself 10 business and liter
ature.
Mr.. Washburn was typical New Eng
lander. He valued aud retained the re-
spect OF his fellow citizens. He was en-
thusiastic In his political and religious re-
la,ions. Many are the Universalist gath
erings, conventions, Sunday-school ami
yersaries, temperance meetings, and the
like, ut which the writer Of this has heard
him speak. He always spoke as IL he be-
lieved every word he said. Earnest and
honest, he believed other men were. lie
had faith In the people. Can anybody give
a better reason for such wonderful sue
cess OF q plain mans childrenl Israel
Washburn was man who came from the
people, was one OF the people CHS great
idol was that poet OF the people-Robert
Burns who trusted the people, and served
them to the best Of his ability.