The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-01-07

contributed literally to educational or
charitable purposes. Few men In Maine
have done so much for the establishment OF
the higher educational Institutions. To
the skilful management Of Mr.. Coburn and
his associates, the old Bloomfield Academy
fund was so increased that 10 the Skowhe-
gan High School, one Of the best 10 the
State, generations will realize the benefits
of opportunities for higher education. For
years he has been Trustee and Vice Pres
ident of Colby University. To his liberal
IT, on many occasions, to his business tact,
and potent Influence, and Institutions owes
much of It's present prosperity and we'll
assured future. The Trustees have recog-
nixed his services BY naming one Of the
buildings Coburn Hall. He slso became
early identified with the College Of Agri
culture and Mechanic Arts, and for years
was President Of the Board of Managers.
In the interests Of this institution he die
played the same zeal which characterized
his life, whether engaged In private busi-
ness or public affairs. In the dark days of
the institution, 1t always had his earnest
support which secured 1t friends which no
other man could have brought to its assist
ance. To those institutions and several
others he contributed literally. To his lib
erality Somerset County Is indebted for an
elegant Court House; and largely to the
same generous donor the town OF Skowhe-
gan Is indebted for one Of the best public
halls In the State.
Although not member, Governor Coburn
was q constant attendant OF the Baptist
Church, TO which he was evidently much
attached. He doubtless contributed more
money for the building OF churches and
forwarding the interests of that connection
than any other man in the State. His pr-
vate charities may be said to be almost
numberess, and his kindly deeds were done
SO unostentatiously and so much In the
spirit of Christian charity that very few of
them were ever known or ever will be. In
this, he was q man OF deeds rather than
woeds. Neither Abner Coburn nor bis
brother Pnilander were ever married.
The amount OF work which Mr.. Coburn
has been accustomed to DO Is simply incred-
ible. He always attended to his business
correspondence, writing all his letters In
clear, round hand. Even up to 1872, he
did much Of the routine work In connection
with his business. Most wonderful Of all
is that with all his cares and responsible
ties, private and public, Governor Coburn
found time to acQuaint himself thoroughly
upon all current subjects Of Importance.
No topic of Importance was discussed In
the public press which he did not under
stand. In this particular be displayed a re-
mdT AnuIC pcWCi VI ktoSPiuS ooiCut pOiheo
and retaining them. On all leading ques-
lions relating to the fuances and prosperi-
ty of the country, Mr.. Coburn might well
be regarded as an authority. But promi-
nent as Is Mr. Coburn, measured by his sue
cess as a business man, by his capacity as
a financier and 10 the management Of great
enter orises, aud his usefulness as y private
citizen ano public servant, his GROWING
glory will be found In mis- exalted personal
character. His life was singularly simple
and conspicuously pure. Indeed, he was
SO far removed from the appearance Of hu.
man fraility, and his life so open and SO
spotless, that idle gossip never trified with
his name. Wealth ard great success did
not make HIN arrogant. His habits aud
manner Of living were simple even to fru-
gality. He detested that show best known
as shoddyism. He respected men for what
they were rather than for what they pos
sessed. Slow to promise but prompt to
fulfil, he was one of those rarest Of men,
who perform better than they promise. In
every relation Of life, whether as business
man, q private citizen, neighbor or pub
lie servant, he was trne man. All these
high attributes so tremendously blended
and so cOnsplcuously displayed throughout
long life, affords 10 Abner Coburn q grand
eur Of character that may be held up as an
illustrious example pre.em inenty worthy of
imitation, and justly entitled to the homage
of the people of State Tor which he has
done SO much. u. A. s.