The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-11-06
The Oldest. Living ex- Member of the
Maine Legislature.

To the Editor Of the Press:
The oldest living ex-member of our Legis-
ture that can ascertain is Hon. Josiah Mer-
row of Bowdoinham, who is the sole survivor
of the Legislature of 1884. He was in the Sem
ate in 1886 and Governor Dunlap's Council
in 1887. He outranks Mr. Walton one year
in service We claim for that Col Morrow
is the oldest Representative and Senator liv-
ing. Of the Legislature of 1886 Col. Morrow
of the Senate, Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, Ben
jamin + Eastman of Strong, Sylvanus r.
Lyman and John T. Walton are the only
ones living that we are aware of now. Mr..
Hamlin represented Hampden in the Legisla-
lures of 1S36-7-S-9-4o-47 Col. Lyman was
there in 1836-7-8-9-40-1-56. Mr.. Eastman was
in the Council in 1910, and afterward in the
Senate. He resides in Portland. His sons
are the well-known dry goods merchants
here. Col Morrow has served several years
in both branches of our State government
and was sheriff of Sagadahoc county several
years. He is at his home in Bowdoinham,
and it is hoped that he may be at the reun-
ion with the others named.
Mr.. Lyman is too well known to our peo-
pie to write long account of him. For years
successful merchant in his day one of the
most adroit politicians. In his old age he
has just completed a beautiful block of stores
to keep his memory green for years after he
has left the city where he has passed long
life time. 1t is needless to say much about
Hannibal Hamlin to Maine or any other
people. Like these other gentlemen,
his life is written in good practical
acts. John T. Walton, the mechanic,
has been the peer of either in hon
est living no better man than he can be
found. In 1887 Hon. Levi J. Ham, NJ. D.,
was in the Senate from York county; also in
1888. He is now living in Indiana. He Is
the only one beside those named that we
know is living. In 1888 the Senate was DEM
ocratic and the House Whig. The late Hon.
Elisha III. Allen, from Bangor, was speaker.
In addition to those named we find Increase
S. Kimball, from Sanford; Osgood Bradbury:
from New Gloucester; Jason Fuller of
House in 1S34-4O-42; John Walker, from
Lowell; Hon. Henry ". Paine, from Halo
WE'LL Hon. Noah Barker, from, Exeter;
Messrs. Kimball, Paine and Bradbury were
in the House in 1889, with Hon. Isaac
Reed in the Senate. Hon. Hosea Ilsley
from Portland, now of Chelsea, Mass.
Hon. Randall Whidden of Calais In 1S49
in addition we find Hon. Isaac Reed, Hon.
Samuel H. Blake, Hon. David HammOns, of
the Senate; Hon. David Dunn of Poland,
and Hon. John j. Perry, of the House. Mr..
Perry represented the town of Oxford sew
eral terms, was in the Senate, Governors
Council and in Congress. He lives in Port
land The legislature of 1841 was Whig in
all its branches-the first time that party had
carried Maine entire. 1t was an able body
of men. The old Wing party was remarka-
BILE for that. 1t is said that Hon. S. r. Ly-
man and the late Hon. Geo. W. Mcclellan
run that body. Mr.. Mel. was a brother of
our esteemed citizen Hon. Jacob Mcclellan.
He represented Calais that year. Beside
those named, Hon. Increase s. Kimball was
in the Council, Caleb Burbank of Columbia,
in Washington county, and David Hammons
of Bethel were in the Senate. Mr. Burbank
was man of much ability. He is in Cali
fornia. Hon. Freeman FL. Morse was from
Bath, Samuel Beleher from Pennington.
They are the only ones to our knowledge
who are now living. The legislature of 1912
was composed of 200 members, the largest we
ever had. Hon. Samuel H. Blake was presi-
dent of the Seuate. Every other is dead. Of
the House, we find Charles G. Bellaney of
Kittery, Harris G. Barnes of Portland, Mr..
Morse of Bath, Isaac Reed of Waldoboro,
Bion Bradbury of Calais now of this city,
of Lubec, Henry X. Baker of Hallowell,
John p. Hodsdon of New Portland, and
William Dickey of Strong, now of Fort
Kent. This is all that we know to be alive.
Perhaps others can add to it. We have a
further list up to 1860 but this is more than
your space should allow. The roster of our
Legislature will shew long list of worthless
that any State should be proud of having
reared. W. III. SMITH.