Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-30
From the Pennington Chronicle.
Joseph d. PRESCOTT.


Another of our aged and venerable f.,h...
mas gone. Joseph d. Prescots. ESQ. a MON.
i1ent ana widely known citizen of this
lrrahkiinl county. departed this life at hi.
nome on Maple Hill. in Jay, on Thursday.
the 18th inst, at the ripe age of "a ve.r,
ana was buried with Masonic honor. IN ,ha
SUNDAY following, according to the rites of
the Order of Free and Accepted Masons of
which he had been a member since earIv
manhood In announcing his decease. some.
tning more than passing notice is demand.
] ed.
| Up 70 last spring he has been able to be
ABOUT Ills mouse and premises, and to some
extent attend to his personal affairs, but he
| sheh received a fall which gave him a shock
| rom which he never recovered, since which
time he has been confined to his bed and
gradually failing.
Mr.. Prescott was a soldier in the war of
| ioi2, and drew Z. S. pension as such for
| injuries received in the service
For mure than half century he was one
OF the active and influential men of hi.
county, his influence, indeed, often extend
ing IN the State much beyond the limits Of
his own county. He only ceased TO he thns
| active and influential when the infirmities of
advancing years compelled him to retire.
lie held successfully at different times. mapy
important positions of responsibility and
rust; among them respectively the offices of
County Commissioner and Register of Pro-
bate, and at one time, that of State Librarian
at augusta In this last position he not only
greatly extended his acquaintance with IN.
people OF the State, but by his genial
temperament and gentlemanly and obl,ginp
bearing, made great many warm personal
friends, who will cherish his memory with
Feelings OF high respect and kind regard In
every position of trust that he filed, he dis
charged the duties of the same with ability
and strit. fidelity.
During the last war he was in the employ
Of the United States as an assistant to the
Engineer on the Notifications in Portland
harbor, in his Office at Portland, in which CITY
he also made many acquaintance and warm
personal friends.
He was pioneer in the temperance move
ment of his early years, and ever afterward
gave to the cause his earnest and active sup
port. In all the political questions and move
ments OF his time he took deep interest and
an active part. Previous to the formation of
the republican party, he was a member of the
democratic party; but in 1853, when his party
went after and bowed down to the 'strange
gods" of Rum and Slavery, he declined to
follow. With ii 900 others of like views and
feelings with himself he voted for Arson p.
Morrill, for Governor, as protest against its
State platform and its nominee for governor,
Albert Pillsbury. The separation from his par
ty. then supposed to be but temporary in con-
sequence of events Transporting in the Nation
npon the question Of slavery, proved to be
permanent. The following year he was a
member of and took an active part in the a
nous County Convention held in Strong
June 7th i754, at which the first distinctive
ly republican organization in the United
States was formed, and which adopted the
name of The Republican Party of Franklin
County" From that time forward and so
long as his age permitted him to go the polls
he cOnscientiously gave to the principles and
nominees of the republican party his constant
answering support, no financial heresy, or
side issue, being permitted to turn him
aside from what he conscientiously
believed for the highest good and
best interests of the State and nation.
His religious convictions were clear and
decided. From early life he was prcfessed
christian and a member of the Free Baptist
church. The principles he professed were
exemplitied in his correct daily department
and personal habits, and in the purity of his
private and public life. Every good cause or
enterprise of a moral and religious character
received his sympathy and influence.
He was a faithful, kind and afectionate
husband and father, a sincere warm and true
friend and genial, obliging neighbor He
was permitted to live to a good old age, and
to come to the close of life without great
physical suffering. Like a shock of corn
fully ripe for the harvest" he is now gathered
into the garner of the Lord"
October 23d, 1888. -"