Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-06
Abner COburn.
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE DECEASED.

ancestors on both sides were Puritan stock
His father was a native of Dracut, Mass.
who came to Somerset county in Maine, II
early life, and for forty years was one of the
most prominent men in the State. He repre-
scented his county in the Massachusetts, Gen
eral Cour. in 1911, and several times subse
quently He was federalist in politics. Or
his mothers side, Gov. Coburn's ancestors
were equally prominent. His grandfather
died in consequence of exposure in plotting
the Arnold expedition through to Canada
In early life Governor Coburn knew what toi
and hardship were. There were few advan
tages for boys at that time. He managed tc
pick up the rudiments of an education at the
district school and the new academy. Before
he was twenty he was teaching distrc,
schools in winter, and 'boarding round"
The father of Abner Coburn 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
1925, when go years old, he began surveying
on his own account, and for number OF
years was an expert surveyor.
10 1880. Eleazar Coburn and his sons, Alb
ner and Philander, began their numbering
operations Oh the Kennebec. At that date
they made their first purchase of timber
lands. Under the firm name of f. Coburn
& Sons the business was continued until l845.
when the father died; at that date the firm of
A. & P. Coburn was formed Few business
firms in Maine have been so widely known,
or have done so much business. 1t may be
safely added that no firm has been more sue
cessful or won a more enviable reputation
for sagacity, persistence and sterling business
integrity. The secret of their ultimate sue
cess in the land and lumber business was
their rare judgment in buying, and their
tenacity in holding when panic and disaster
came to others. Thus they became the larg-
est land owners in Maine, possessing at one
time $50, 900 acres of land in Maine,-or
over 700 square miles. Nor was their enter
prise in this respect confined to Maine. They
owned at one time &C, 900 acres of valuable
lands in the West, and recently Abner Co.
burn became the possessor of $4,000 acres
more through his connection with the North
ern Pacific railroad. In 1872 the firm sold
the bulk of their lands 10 Maine for about
81, 400, 900. but through the failure of the
purchaser to make payment the lands revert
ed 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,
we're enabled to build their road from Au-
gusta to Saow hogan. connecting at the for
mer place with the Portland & Kennebec
road. Gov. Coburn was elected president of
that road and when it was leased to the Port
land & kennebec he became a prominent
director of the consolidation, and was also a
director after these roads consolidated with
the Maine Central. In 1875 he was elected
president of the road and held that position
till 1878 when he declined to serve longer.
Many years ago Mr.. Coburn became a
director of the Skowhegan bank, and suisse
quently its president. When it reorganized
under the national banking act as the First
National Bank of Skowhegan. he was made
president, which position he has since held.
He was also president of the Skowhegan
Savings bank.
Governor Coburn always took deep in
terest in political matters Born federal
ist, he gave his first vote, in 1924, when 81
years of age. for John Quincy Adams. After
wards Mr.. Coburn found his political affinity
in the whig party. He was first member OF
the Maine House in 1888. and again in 1910,
when Hon. Hannibal Hamin was Speaker,
and again in 1874, when David Dunn OF
Poland was Speaker. In 1852, when Gen
Scott was the whig candidate for President
Mr. Coburn was on the Electoral ticket
Upon the breaking up of the whig party.
Mr.. Coburn naturally adhered to the republi-
can party. He did not wait, but was in the
organization at the begnning-one of its
! 4 H.,
A. z. Morrills council, and in 1857 mem.
Der of Governors Hamlin and Williams
council In 1860 he was an elector on the
Lincoln ticket. In 1862 he was the republi
can candidate for governor, and was elected
receiving AZ IA votes to 32,l0S for Bor
Bradbury, democrat and 6,764 for General
Jameson. war democrat. Gov. Coburn filled
the office during the most trying year of 1869
"A year when the duties of the Executive
were delicate and arduous. In the year.
which have followed, men who then thought
that the success of the Union party would be
endangered. were Mr.. Coburn again nomin
ated have frankly declared that Maine never
had a more efficient administration than
that of Gov. Coburn. But the situation was
such that it was deemed most prudent to Sc
! lect a candidate the next year from the ele
ment known as war democrats. The change
in no way abated the zeal of Gov. Coburn
| He labored earnestly for the election of hi,
successor and for the cause. He has since
/ been honored by the party in many ways, anC
has been one of its sturdiest supporters.
| As is well known Mr.. Coburn was elected
a Blaine elector at the last election, ant
President of the College. 1t was while at
tending to his duties in this connection at thi.
city, in December, that he was taken sick anG
was carried to his home by special car.
| For wears Mr.. Coburn was a trustee anC
vice president of Colby University. To hi,
| liberalitv on many occasions to his business
tact and potent influence, the institution owes
much of its present prosperity and well-as
sured future. The trustees have recognized
his services by naming one of the building.
Cohurn Hall His munificent gift to thu
trustees of Coburn Institute with an endow
ment fund of $4,000, is one of his large
hearted acts in favor of the University. Ii,
also became early Unidentified with the College
of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and fol
wears was president of the board of managers
| To his liberality omerset county is indebted
for an elegant court house and largely to thu
same generous donor the town of SkowhegaI
is indebted for one of the best public halls il
the State.
| Although not member. Governor Coburr
was constant attendant Of the Baptis
Church, to which he was evidently much at
tached. He doubtless contributed more mon
ey for the building of churches and forward
| ing the interests of that connection than an,
other man in the State. His private chart