The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-05
ABNER CoBURN.
Passes Quietly Away at His Home
in Skowhegan.
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF A
NOTED CITIZEN.

SEowHEGAN, Jan. 4.-Ex-Gov. Coburn died
this morning at o'clock, aged 81 years 10
months. BE had never recovered from his
severe attack at Augusta while attending the
Electoral College, and for the past two days he
has been failing rapidly. The funeral will
take place Wednesday afternoon at o'clock.
Abner Coburn, whose death is noted above,
the eldest son Of Eleazar and Mary Weston
Coburn, was born in that part of the town of
Canaan now embraced in Skowhegan, March
%, 1903, and his residence during the whole Of
his busy and eventful life has been within
few miles of his birthplace. His ancestors on
both sides were of Puritan origin, and noted
for force Of character; industry and public
spirit, which was in a great degree exhibited
in the life and works of deceased. as soon as
he conld be made useful on the farm, be was
put to work. From that day Abner Coburn
has been an intensely industrious man. He
had whatever educational advantages the
town affcrded-the district school and few of
the first terms of Bloomfield Academy. at
an early age be did mans labor on the farm
in Summer and before he was twenty he
4 e01SAp nOAoOl NUEtus tu6 WiutSrt ab n III per
month, and boarding around
The father Of Abner Cobnrn was one Of the
most extensive land Surveyors of his day. This
gave him knowledge of timber lands, and
finally led him into the lumber business.
Abner was his assistant while boy, and in
1926, when % years old, he began surveying on
his own account and for a number Of years
was an expert surveyor.
In 1880, Eleazar Coburn and his sons, Abner
and Philander, began their Numbering opera
tions on the Kennebec. at that date they
made their first Purchase of timber lands.
Under the firm name Of E. Coburn & Sons
the business was continued until 1915, when
the father died; at that dats the firm of A. &
P. Coburn was formed Few business firms in
Maine have been SO widely known, or have
done so much business. It may be safely
added that no firm has been moro successful or
won a more enviable reputation for sagacitY
persistence and sterling business integrity.
The secret of their ultimate success in the
land and lumber business was their rare judg-
ment in buying, and their tenacity in holding
when panic and disaster csme to others. Thus
they became the largest land owners in Maine
possessing at one time 450, 900 acres of land in
Mains,-or over 700 square miles. Nor was
their enterprise in this respect confined to
Maine. They owned at one time 10000 acres
OF valuable lands in the West, and recently
Abner Coburn became the possessor of $4,000
acres more through his connection with the
Northern Pacific railroad. In 1872 the firm
sold the bulk OF their lands in Maine for about
81 40O,0 900, but through the failure OF the pur-
chaser to make payment the lands reverted to
the original owners.
The Coburns were also largely interested in
the railroad enterprises of this State and it was
through their efforts that the Somerset and
Kennebec Railroad Company in 1854, were
enabled to build their road from Augusta to
SkoWhegan, connecting at the former plSce
with ths Portland & Kennebec road. Gov.
CobHra was elected president of that road and
when 1t was leased to the Portland & Kenne-
Dec he became prominent director of the
consolidation, and was also director after
these roads consolidated with the Maine Cen
trail. In 1875 he was elected president of the
road and held that position till 1873 when he
declined to serve longer.
la connection with their land enterprises the
Coburns were interested In two or three
Pacific.
Many years ago Mr.. Coburn became a direc-
tor OF the Skowhegan Bank, and subsequently
its president. When it reorgsnizsd under the
National Banking Act as the First National
Bank of SEoThegan, he was made President
which position he has since held He was
also President Of the Skowhegau Savings
Bank.
Governor Cobum always took deep Interest
in political matters. Born Federalist, he
gave his fret vote, in 1924. when 81 years of
age, for John Qaincv Adams. Afterwards
Mr.. Coburn fouud his political affinity in the
Wing party. He was first member Of the
Maine House in 1888, He was again in the
House n 1910, when Hon. Hannibal Hamlin
was Speaker, and again in 1874, when David
Damn OF Poland was Speaker. In 1852, when
Gen. Scott was the Whig candidate for Presi-
dent, Mr.. Coburn was on the Electoral ticket.
Upon the breaking up of the Wing party,
Mr.. Coburn naturally adhered 10 the Republic
can party. He did not wait, but was in the
organization at the beginniDg-one of It's
founders. In 1856 he was a member of Gov
A. z. Morril's council, and in 1857 a member
OF Governors Hamlin and Williams council.
La 1861 ne was an elector on the lincoln ticket.
La 1867 he was the Republican candidate for
governor. and was elected, receiving 42.744
votes to ~ l08 for Bio1 Bradbury Democrat
and 6. .764 for Gen. Jameson, War Democrat.
Gov. Coburn filled the Office during the most
trying year OF 1864 year when the duties
of the Executive were delicate and arduous
In the years which have followed, men who
then thought that the success of the Union
party would be endangered, were Mr.. Coburn
again nominated. have frankly declared that
Maine never had more efficient administra-
tion than that of Gov. CoburD.
AS ls we'll known, Mr.. Coburn was also
eleotsd Blaine elector at the last election,
and President of the College 1t was while
attending to his duties in Augusta, in Dsce M
Der that he was taken sick, and was carried to
his home by special car.
Mr. Coburn was pre-sminently q public.
spirited man,-ene who did not consider his
duty done when he had contributsd liberally
to educational or charitable purposes.
For years he has been trustee and vice
president of Colby University. To his liberal
ity on many occasions, to his business tact and
potent Influence, the institution owes much of
lts present prosperity and well-assured future.
tan fFn0 haxxn \
naming one of the buildings Coburn Hall. He
also became early Unidentified with the College
OF Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and FOR
years was president OF the board of mana GERS
Tc his liberality Somerset county is indebted
for an elegant court house; and largely to the
same generous donor the town OF Skovhegan
is indebted for one of the best public halls in
the State.
Although not q member Governor Coburn
vas constant attendant of the Baptist
Church, to which he was evidently much at
tached He doubtless contributed more
money for the building of churches and for
warding the interests of that connection than
any other man in the Ststs. His private char
itlee may DC SAID to be almost numberless, aud
his kindly deeds were done Enostentatiously
and so much in the spirit OF Christian charity
that very few OF them were even known or
ever will be. In this he was man of deeds
rather than words. Neither Abner Coburn
nor his brother Philander were ever married
His life was singulariy simple and conspicu-
ously pure Indeed, be was so far removed
from the appearance Of human frailty, and his
life SO open and 80 spotless, that idle gossip
never trifled with his name. Wealth aud
great success did not make him arrogant His
habits and manner of living were simple, even
to frugality. He detested that show best
known as shod1yism. All these high attri.
butss so hsrmoniously blended and SO conspic-
aously displayed throughout long life, af-
fords in Abner Coburn grandeur OF charac-
ter that may be held up as an illustrious ex-
ample pre.emineatly worthy OF imitation, and
justly entitled to the homage of the people of
State for which he has done SO much.
WA GHTATr, mONJ