Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-07

honored citizen Of Augusta, died 1t his resi-.
dence on Green St., yesterday afternoon, be-
tween the hours Of fve and six O'Clock, in
the seventy-frst year of his age. He vas Wis
tied with stroke Of paralysis on the 30th ult..
and has since been gradually sinking until
the end came
Nearly century ago Hezekiah Stratton,
OF Puritan origin, came from Concord, Mass +,
and established home in the wilderness of
OF Maine, ON . picturesque eminenee BY the
banks of the Sebasricook. and raised the first
crop of wheat in the town of Winslow. His
son William. father of William NJ, succeed
ed to the estate, and married Abigail May
Clark, who was born in Boston and was d.
rect descendant of one of the pilgrims of the
MayHower. They had twelve children.
William May was born November "a, 1872.
The early years of his lite were passed on his
fathers farm and in attending the village
| school, By reason of a congenitsl lameness
be was selected by his father to receive a lib
eral education. He was accordingly placed
under the instruction of .'Preceptor Paine"
at China Academy, and was enabled
to enter Waterville College at the age of
seventeen. He graduated among the first of
his class in 1888. In his elegant and interest
ing address, which he termed his ''moriturus
SALUTE" given at the bar supper on the occa-
sion Of his retirement from Office, he tells US
how, the year after graduation, he came to
Augusta "a poor country lad in pursuit of
something to do and as a consequence be-
came an assistant that year in the Office of
Clerk of Courts John A. Chandler. In this
position he remained for ten years, and his
beautiful penmanship. fine scholarship, great
accuracy and marked fidelity to duty had
commended him as a person of eminent quail
ifcations for the Office of clerk. He was ac-
cordingly chosen to that position in 1874, and
by successive elections continued to hold the
office for thirty-six years, in addition to the
ten years of his apprenticeship.
On his retirement the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted sincere trib-
ute from the bar for the services which had
gained for him the reputation of "model
clerk"
Resoired, That the public services of our
esteemed guest, VIM. NJ. Stratton, Esq, COW
ering period of thirty-six years, have been
characterized by such exemplary fidelity, i'm
Partially and efficiency as to merit the CRATE
full acknOw Judgements of this bar and of the
public.
Resoired, That in his retirement from that
office, he carries with him our sincere hope
that his remaining years may be filled with
happiness. conte ntment and ''all blessed con-
dtions,' and be cheered by the pleasant men,
cries of an official life as stainless as the
pages of his records.
July 49, 1889, he married Mary Caroline
Chandler, daughter of Clerk John A. Chan
dler, by whom he had three children, two of
whom died in infancy. Della May, born
January ID, ls41, survived to an estimable
womanhood, and died February PC, 1876.
Mr.. Stratton was unfortunate In his domestic
relations. The incompatabilry between
himself and his wife was so great that sep
aration became inevitable, and accordingly,
in March, 1860, by an amcable arrangement,
a divorce was decreed. In regard to this I'M
happy event he exhibited the same gentleness
and charity which characterized all his rela-
tons in life. After this separation his daugh-
ter presided over his household until her de-
cease. Since that time he has been cheered
by the companionship of devoted sister, be-
tween whom and her brother there has al
ways been the strongest affection.
Mr.. STATIONS private and official life may
be thought quiet and uneventful. He was
modest and retiring in his manner, and unob-
trusive in all his intercourse with men. But
for the singular beauty and sterling worth of
his character, and the purity of his life, his
memory deserves more than passing notice.
Kindness, patience and charity, unwavering
fidelity to duty, and absolute truthfulness and
sincerity, were the characteristics of his mind
and action in all the relations of life. He was
never otherwise than courteous gentleman.
but his broad charity and kind feeling never
for a moment obscured his sense of duty or
compromised his integrity. Though apparently
of phleematic temperament, his sensibilities
were as delicate and tender as those of the
child.
His intellectual capacity and requirements
were of high order, and his literary taste
was cultivated and critical, and his Judgment
discriminating. During his long life he
omitted no opportunity to add to his store of
knowledge. He had been an extensive read
er of history, and was fully informed in re-
gard to current events in state and nation.
His conversation was characterized by accu-
racy of thought and expression, ann having a
keen sense of humo-. he was always an agree
able companion. In politics he was early
whig and on the formation of the republican
party, he uniformly adhered to its principles
and generally supported its candidates. In
religious faith he was essentially Unitarian,
believing in God and his manifold teachings,
and Immortality as an eternal progression.
If "kind hearts are more than coronets,"
and .'the path of duty be the way to glory"
the close of such a life is attended with a
halo to which no mere words of ours can add
any splendor.
Roger Amero. who, it is alleged. murdered
Mrs. Carleton in Waterfowl, Mass, about
two months ago, passed through the city on