The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-01-22
Death of Ex-Governor Coburn.


On Sunday, Jan. 4, Hon. Abner Coburn died
at his home in Skowhegan, aged nearly 50 yrs
He began life poor, but by honest industry and
business sagacity, accumulated fortune, and
died millionaire. He realized that the acqui.
sition of wealth did not depend so much upon
what IA man earned, as what he saved or used
judiciously. His rule was, never to spend money
in any way that would not bring profitable re-
turns. In his life we have II noble example for
young men to follow lie was a man of rare
integrity and true worth. His abilities were
recognized by the people, and they honored
him with public trusts. The multiplicity and
extent of his large business interests. never
precluded him from attending to those general
duties which make a man useful to others.
Few men are so pre-emnently public spirited.
His capacity for work was remarkable. Wheth-
er in the halls of legislation, in the Governors
chair, or in a councillors seat, he was As much
at home as when chairman of the Board of
Trustees of a college, or President of railroad
corporation or of a bank. He filled many Of
fees. and filled them well. He was Trustee of
the College at Watervile 80 years, and large
part of that time was chairman of the Board.
The utmost confidence was placed in his tudg-
ment by business men.
Among the able men to whom Maine is in
debted for developing her resources by building
up her splendid railway system, Governor Co
burn stands precninent. Soon after the roads
now comprising the Maine Central We're con-
solidatcd, times of great depression came on.
Business was dull; the Company were in debt !;
the creditors were camoring for their pay. At
this critical juncture, the president and few
of the directors decided to visit Gov. Coburn
and get his advice. He simply took his pen,
and endorsed the company's paper for $780,
000 By his laconic stroke, confidence was re-
stored, ard success was the issue.
In politics, Gov. Coburn belonged to the old
Wing party; but when the Republican party
arose he was one of the first to enter its ranks,
and he remained one of its firm supporters to
the end.
He was Governor of the State in 1868, the
most trying crisis in the history of the country.
But few States had so competent a war-gover-
nor. His methods were not always pleasing to
some politicians, or to those clamoring for pre-
ferment; for he considered the public good of
welfare of the State. in his view, was above the
welfare of individuals. While Chief Executive.
he adopted the same rules that governed him in
his large private business. Thus his conscen-
tious regard for the right, his strong convic-
tons. his we'll known sagacity and financial
standing, inspired the greatest confidence.
He was always ready to donate to chart
table institutions. Colleges and academies and
also scores of churches, testify to his un-
limited benevolence. His name will live in the
hearts and memory of thousands. The objects
to which he contributed 50 literally from
time to time for many years were most gener-
ously remembered in his requests. Colby Uni
versty receives 100000 The American Bap-
ti>t Home Missionary Society, 5000 600. The
American Baptist Foreign Missionary Union
$780, 900. The Maine Baptist Convention for
mission and religious work IN the State, $780,
900. Coburn Classical Institute at Waterville,
100000. Wayand Seminary. Washington, D.
c.. $4,000 Houlton Academy, $4,000. Show
he gan Baptist churche for permanent fund.
$4,000. But he did not limit his gifts to OBJ
jlect> connected with bis own denomination.
The Maine State College of Agriculture & Me-
chan1c Arts receives 100000. The Maine Gen
eral Hospital. 100000. The Maine Insane
Hospital, $4,000. Maine Industrial School for
girls. $4,000. Bloomfield Academy $1,000. Free
Public Library in Skowhegan. $50 900. Fund
for worthy poorin Skowhegan. $50 900 Show
hogan Hall Association. $4,000. Lot of land
for Public Park. to the town of Skowhegan.
The residue of his estate goes to his kindred
and friends.
HIS funeral took place Jan. !. at the Baptist
church in skow hogan. and was largely attend
ed There We're present the Governor of the
State and his Council, members of both branch
es of the legislature, Railroad Presidents,
directors and other officials, College Presidents
and faculties, etc. Rev. DR.. Pepper, President
OF Colby University, delivered the address
Other clergymen assisted i'll the services Sell
dom, if ever, have the distinguished men of
Maine paid such honor to the memory of one
of her sons. Our State should congratulate
herself on having Il citizen thus honored for his
personal worth, respected for his integrity,
loved for his benevoence, and commended for
his wisdom in disposng 50 .judieiously of his
immense wealth. Of his eight brothers, not
one survives him, and the Coburn name now
becomes extinct But he has left monument
more enduring than marble
Speaking of the indictments of liquor sellers
at the recent term OF court the Prog. Age says
Indicted Hut.
while Republicans who are as deep in the mire,
appear to have been passed over" There are
none 50 blind as those who won't see and that
appears TO be the trouble with our contempor-
airy. As a matter Of fact there We're. and we
are sorry to say it, TWO Republicans among
those indicted. We ale glad to notice that in
the same article the Age denounce> the meth