The Portland daily press., 1883-05-15
A REM ARKABLE FAMILY.
The Limbs OF the Old Washburn Tree
of Maine.

Seventy three years ago man from Rayn-
ham went down into the district OF Maine,
which was then considered God-forsaken
country, and established himself 10 business at
Richmond, as 1t i now called That has since
beer great place for ship building, but this
Raynham man built the FIRST vessel there. He
began N build another, but II was in the en-
bargo times and the second vessel was allowed
to rot on the stocks. Then he moved again
this time into one Of the unsettled back towns,
Livermore it is called mot far from where Lew
iston has since grown mp. He was member
OF the Massachusetts, Legislature before Maine
become state. he was respected citizen, but
his crown Sf glory comes from the fact that he
reared family of 10children, and more re-
markable family the annals Of this country
cannot show. Six years ago, out Of the seVeR'
sons and three daughters Of this modern patri-
arch, all but two were alive.
Saturday noon in Philadelphia their died
suddenly one OF the sons-ex-Gov. Israel Wash
let us look at his family. First comes Israel,
Jr., the subject Of this article, who was Names
representative In Congress from 1851 TO 1860,
and then "war Governor" as we say, in the
first years of the rebellion. His brother Elihu
B., member Of Congress from Illinois for IS
years, 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 CadwslIader c., who was in
Congress IL years, was a msjor-general Of
volunteers during the the rebellion, and also
Governor OF Wisconsin. Also William D..
Congressman from Minnesota recently, and
Samuel B., who served in the navy during the
war, and A. S., who has confined himself to
the banking business. Gov. G. G. of Wiscon-
sin, when he died year or two ago, left mill
lions. W. d. of Minneapolis has millions. E
b. has been talked of as presidential posi-
biiity. Three of these brothers we're in Con-
gress at the same time. Was it not pretty
good family?
Israel, who died so unexpectedly Saturday,
was brought mp in the town schools within a
few miles Of where Postmaster-General Howe,
who died the other day, was raised. He never
went to college, but be read law and began its
practice more than 40 years ago. When he
was 81 years old he was chosen to Congress
sou, who died few weeks ago, then repre-
ssnted, and Hannibal Hamlin had
represented just before. He served till
1860, going over TO the Republicans when
that party was formed and the old Whig party
broke ~. In the Lincoln year, he was chosen
Governor bv nearly 5000 majority, and re-
elected in 1861 over the popular Gen. Jameson
and a peace Democrat by an increased major
ity. Worn out by his work he would not run
again, and was given the Portland collector
ship, which he held for more than a dozen
years Since he retired from that office, six
years ago, he has devoted himself 70 business
and literature.
Mr.. Washburn was typical New England
er. He valued and retained the respect of his
fellow-citizeus. He was enthusiastic in his
political and religious relations. Many are
the Universalist gatherings, conventions,
Sunday school anniversaries, temperance
meetings, and the like, at which the writer Of
this has heard him speak. He always spoke
as il he believed every word he said. Earnest
and honest he believed other men were. He
had faith in the people. Can anybody give
better reason for such wonderful success of
plain mans children? Israel Washbarn was a
man who came from the people, was one of
the people (his great idol was that poet Of the
people, Robert Burns) who trusted the people,
and served them to the best of his ability
Boston Herald.