The Portland daily press., 1885-02-13

captain dloeon L.. StanWood, whose death was
duly announced in the PRESS, was born in Cane
Elizabeth Sept 20, 1911, and died in Gorham on
the 18th ult.
lie was the son of Captain Winthrop Stanwood.
VINO came from Gloucester, Mass. to Cape Eliz2-
petn and settled there in the year 1900. Captain
winthrop was Welknown shipmaster and highly
appreciated in bis day. He died at his home in
Cape Elizabeth in 1928. His children were six
sons and one daughter. All his sons were also
shipmasters except one who, when quite youug. was
lost overheard from the ship of which he was mate
Not one of these children is now living. CAPTAIN
Gideon being the last survivor of them.
Born and reared on the shore of Caseo Raw as 1vas
the subject of this notice, he too was. even IN his
earliest years, captiyated by the sight Of
.'The Spanish sailors with bearded lips.
BY the beauty and mystery of the ships
And the magic of the sea-
When only ten years ola he commenced going to
sea with his father, with whom and his brother
Samuel he made numerous coasting voyages in the
packets of those days. He was but 8 years Of age
When, having made several voyages as first mate.
and shown himself remarkably competent and
trustworthy he was in spite of his earnest protesta
lions, placed in command of "a large schooner and
thus made his first voyage as captain This proved
for owner and master. ~
!. From that time he followed the sea almost con-
unuonsiy until 1862, when, at the urgent solicita-
tlon OF MS wife, he decided to abandon his seago
ing life and moved to Gorham. In 1869 however
ne was induced to make one more yoyape of four..
teen months, to the Chincha Islands, aside from
Wnlch the last twenty-five years of his life have
been spent in Gorham,
For many years his voyages were to the West
ina Lnala Islands made sixtyfour trips to Cuba,
put during the latter part of his seagong life he
mace longer and more important voyages to Euro
pean ports and the gusno islands of the Pacific.
lie was married in 1885, to Elizabeth H. Higgins
daughter of Micah Higgins, and sister of Rsuben
ana Emerson Higgins, prominent citizens of Cape
EnzaDeth; Capt John Higgins, well known ship
master, who died in Portland few years ago: JEFF
ferson Higgins of Englewood III, and Micsh Hig-
gins OF this city. His married life continuing
nearly tfty years was an exceednly happy one, and
sne worthy couple between whom the tenderest af-
1ecton existed were hoping in August of the pres
ent year to celebrate their golden wedding His
Nal wlie. mose excellent woman, and worthy com
Panion OF most excellent man, survives him.
Their only child, a beautiful daughter having died
at the age OF thirteen, many years lago he leaves
no issue. His nearest relatives are four pieces Mrs
=. A. Sawyer, Mrs. DR.. Wood, Mrs. E. M. Rogers,
MIS- M 9. Young, and two nephews, Capt. Silas H.
Mariner OF Oakland, tCal:, and Mr.. Henry Stan
whose marine paintings are quite widely known, is
an adopted son of Capt. and Mrs. Stanwood
He was very fond of his chosen avocation, and
most faithful and successful in it. During the 40 odd
years of his seafarng ife for more than thirty of
whichshe was in command of many different YES
sels no serious accident befel him or either of his
vessels, and it is said that during all these VOYAGES
he never fell short of provisions or water A man
OF strict integrity, honest, frank and just in all his
dealings, scrupuousy temperate in his habits
kind hearted and eyen-tempered, he had no garb of
goodness to wear on shore and put off at sea- but
was the same IN whatever situation he was placed
de was one OF the first to abolish the use of groe on
shipboard substituting strong coffee for intoxicat-
Ing liquor when it seemed necessary to splice the
main brace" He was also careful observer Of the
Lords Day when at sea, and instead of that COM
mon custom o. allowing only Sunday for washing
ana mending clothing, he gave his men Saturday
afternoon for this purpose, and insisted upon their
doing such work then. One who knew him very in
timately for many years, writes: 81 never knew
him speak harsh word or even give short answer
to anyone in all my life.'' He was very hospitabe
and noted for his kindness and humanity Being
no respecter of persons his friendly aid was ex-
tended wherever it seemed needed, whether it
were pecuniary assistance, good words, advice and
influence.
He was earnest and most active temperance
man. but while this included decided hostility to all
use OF intoxicating liquor it did not stop there; but
be was temperate in all his ways-in speech and in
conduct, and the influence of his whole life was
soothing, cheering and helpful.
Though his early education had been quite linalt-
ed he made great deal of his later Opportunities
and was for many years both careful reader and a
good observer. He was very found of the Bible
and especially interested in the historical portions
OF 1t. He had literally worn out one COPY by CON
slant use. How many times he had read it all-or
particular parts-ls not known; but it appears by
memoranda in the one he made daily use Of during
the later years of his life that he had read that
copy through fifteen times. He was yery fond of
Secular as well as sacred history, and had within
short time finished reading Gibbons Rome, with
which, even TO dates and other mnutiae so hard to
fix in the memory, he had a surprising Familiarity
His attachment to his relatives and friends was
very strong; almost the last time he left his house
to attend the funeral of Capt. Coyle in fuidl-
ment of mutual pledge made by these two kindred
spirits that the survivor should attend the funeral
of the other.
The death of SO good and exemplary man is a
serious loss not only to surviving relatives and
friends, but to the community of which he was a
valuable and worthy member. His example and in.
huence, however, will long survive him. and it can
truthfally be said of him that though dead he yet
speaketh.'