Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-03
BENJAMIN. h. Feb. 10 17eo.

/
VII. Philander, b. June 20, 1893, d
young.
VIII. Lydia, b. Feb. "a, 1906, d. un
married.
TX. Cornelia, b. January Z, 1907, d. un
married.
Israel Washburn and his brother Reue
last named. came to Livemore, Maine
the former in 1909, and the other min,
years later. Israel was trader unit
1929, when he became a farmer. HI
lived to be over ninety years of age. Hi
wife was Martha, daughter Of Lieut.
Samuel Benjamin of WATERFOWL, after.
wards Of Livermore; she was born Octo
Der 4, 1892, was married to Mr.. Washburr
March 80. 1912, and died May 8, 1861
Israel and Reuel Washburn were men Of
good business capacity, but were noted
rather for firmness and integrity of char.
acter than for brilliancy of intellect, but
Martha Benjamin, the wife of Israel and
the mother of the subject of this notice,
was q remarkably intelligent woman, and
it has often been said and doubtless truly,
that ii was from this side of the house
that the famous Washbnrn brothers inner
tied their talents. Lieutenant Benjamin,
his wife Livermore, the grandfather
of our subject, was an officer in the war
for independence, from the battle Of Lex
ington TO the surrender of CORVALLIS,
serving in both these, the first and last en-
gagements of the war. He was the fourth
settler in the town OF Livermore, coming
there in 1888. He died in 1924.
The children of Israel Washburn by
Martha his wife were: Israel, jr., the sub
ject of this notice; ligernOn Sidney, mer-
chant and banker, died in Hallowell; Eliha
b., lawyer, Member of Congress, Minister
to France, Secretary OF State under Presi-
dent Grant; CadcGladerC g., lawyer, Member
of Congress, General in the late war, and
Governor of Wisconsin; Martha, married
Col. Charles l.. Stephenson; Charles H.,
a newspaper publisher in California, was
Minister to Paraguay and author OF his
tory OF that country; Samuel b., merchant
and shipmaster; Mary B., married Gusta-
vus A. Bunrum and deceased some years
ago; YIN, d., graduate OF Bowdoin. Col
lege, 1854, lawyer, largely engaged in
banking and milling In Minnesota, Men,
Der OF Congress from that State; Caroline
A., married DR.. Freeland S. Holmes, late
Surgeon 9Th Maine Vols, resides in Min
neapolis.
Israel Washburn, jr., the seventh in de-
scent from the patriarch and Secretary
John, was born In Livermore In the Coun-
ty of oxford, on the 9Th day Of June, 1913.
His father, though in comfortable circum-
stances for trader and farmer Of those
days, was by no means wealthy, and could
hardly afford the means 10 give his older
children n liberal education. Israel at
tended the town schools, such as they
were, until he was fourteen years OF age
then through private tutors he went
through limited classical course OF
study, and then studied the profession oil
law. He was brilliant and industrious
scholar, and made the most OF his oppor-
tunities. He was admitted to the bar In
Orono, Maine, in 1884, the year he became
of age. In his chosen profession he was
very successful. He was profound stu
dent of the law, fluent advocate and
man of winning ways; everyone liked him.
and had he not chosen TO have entered
the arena Of politics, there Is no doubt
that the highest honors Of the legal pro-
f.ssion would have been reached by him
In politics he was an ardent Wing, anc
was elected as such TO the State Lesisla
ture in ls43. He was subsequently elected
to Congress and served five terms, from
the thirty-second to the thirty-sixth Con
ercss, both inclusive. Thee members o.
this Washburn family were serving in Con
gress at the same time, representing differ
ent States. He took high rank in Con
gress both as debater and man OF bust
ness. He served as Chairman of the Com
mittee on Elections, was on the Committed
on WAYS and Means, and on the Pacific
Railroad. When the old parties were
breaking up, he aided in organizing The
Republican party, and was one OF its mos
earnest as well as ablest members.
In 1861, having been elected Governo
of Maine the previous September, he re
signed his seat in Congress to assume II
duties. He served two terms, and 1t is n
exaggeration to say that he ranked anon
the first of the patriotic Governors of tn
LOYAL States. The condition OF the Stat
to meet the demands of the general gov
eminent, is still we'll remembered. w
had no active militia and only very FEY
military companies, and these quite III
prepared for the real work they were no
called upon and expected to perform.
military force must be organized an
equipped in this State, and during the hr'
year of the great struggle, all the work
raising, arming, equipping, and forwardin
troops to Washington devolved on tt
Executive of the State. There was ard
Gus work as we'll as great anxiety and ca
connected with the performance OF the:
duties, but Governor WashourA prove
himself equal to the emergency. II
promptness with which the first Maine re
iments were sent to the front elected hif
, praise from the National Government
8 The writer of this sketch was one Of tho
who early applied for authority to recru
men, and can personally testify to the c