Daily Kennebec journal., 1885-01-05
ABN ER COBURN.

The death of Abner Coburn removes fr ON
life one of the most prominent men of the
State. Starting from an humble po-
sition, Mr.. Coburn amassed, by his own in
dustry, cspabiity, and economy, q large for
tune-the largest held by any person in the
State, amounting to several million dollars.
He also served as q member Of the Executive
Council, member of the Legislature, and
Governor of the State, and was one of the
electors chosen on the republican ticket at
the late residential election. In business
and in politics he was noted for sound sense,
excellent Judgment, caution and honesty.
He was not man polished in manners and
speech, but he was kind and sincere, kept
his word strictly. and had host Of friends,
who respected him for his solid worth. His
business concerns were mostly with lumber,
and wild lands, but he was also largely in
terested in railroad shares, and with
other operations outside of those to
which he chiefly gave his attcn-
ton. Though careful Of his property
he was generous, helping many who needed
assistance. and bestowing literally to public
benefactions-ss witness Coburn Institute at
Waterville, built and endowed by him for
Colby University, at a cost of 100000.
The esteem with which he was held at his
immediate home is shown by the following
article from his home paper, the Skowhegan
Clarion. in 1882, at the time he was nominated
for Governor:
For the first time in the history of this
State, the county Of Somerset is honored BY
the nomination Of one Of its citizens to the
Gubernatoral chair. We hail the event with
profound satisfaction, and speaking for our
county, return thanks to our fellow citizens
| throughout the State for this manifestation
Of respect, confidence and regard.
| Abner Coburn is worthy Of the honor con-
| ferfed upon him. He has reached the mature
years of manhood without q soil or stain or
blemish upon his character. Engaged for
thirty years past in large and constantly in
creasing business, he has so borne himself
that no man can speak III of him while count
less numbers will testify to his probity. his
purity and his liberality. In this immediate
community where he was born and where he
has spent his entire life, he enjoys the un-
bounded respect of his neighbors without
reference to political divisions. Like his
venerable and honored father, Eleazer Co
burn, deceased some years since, re is thor
oughly identified with the business interests
of the community, and like him also his
name will pass wherever known as the syn
oDym Of IAN honest man, the noblest work
of God"
| Mr. CoburD, though never a politician, 10
not unfamiliar with public life. He has re-
peatediy served in the State Legislature and
been several times member Of the Executive
Council In such stations he has always ex-
hibited the same practical common sense and
the same infiexibie integrity that have so uni
formally distinguished him in the manage
neDt of his private affairs. At a time when
our State finances need the most prudent
administration, and when economy and fru-
2aliiy in our public expenditures will be more
than ever demanded, the selection of such
man as Abner Coburn is peculiarly fitting and
appropriate.
As Governor of the State Mr.. Coburn
proved himself to be all that the above article
claimed for him. He was one of our best
Governors, leaving high reputation for the
honesty and capsbilty with which he dis
charged that important public trust His
name will long live in honor in the State which
he served wisely and well, and in the magni-
bcent Denefaction left to our neighboring
town on the Kennebec.