The Portland daily press., 1886-05-14
BENJAMIN KIngsbury, Jr.

Hon. BENJAMIN Kingsbury, Jr., eX-Mayor
of this city, died at his residence on Oak
street, yesterday morning, at o'clock; after
a long illness, the disease being consumption
of the bowels. Some few weeks ago, Mr..
Kingsbury had apparently improved so much
that he was able to once more visit his office,
but the improvement was only temporary,
and he was soon confined to the house again.
Hon. Benjamin Kingsbury was born in
Boston, July 18th, 1873 He received his ed
ucation in the Boston schools and at Fra
mingham Academy. He entered the Metho
dist ministry at the early age of eighteen,
and remained in the Conference for several
years. 1t was during this time that he be-
came the founder and editor of lions Her
aid, editing the paper for three years. He
studied law with Hon. Robert Rantoul, Jr.,
and was admitted to the Suffolk Bar. After
practicing few years, he went to Detroit,
Michigan, through the influence of Hon.
John Wentworth of Chicago, a stanch
friend of his, and there became editor of the
Democratic Morning Post of that city.
In 1912, Judge Kingsbury came to Port
land and became editor of the Portland
American. Afterwards he was editor of the
Eastern Argus for over ten years. He was
surveyor of the port under President Polk
from 1874 to 1S4S. He then resumed the
practice of the law as the partner of the late
Hon. James I. McCobb.
In 1860 Judge Kingsbury joined the Repub-
lican party, making an outdoor speech 10 a
torch-light procession. He was strong
supporter of the efforts to suppress the re-
bellion and offered his services to Gov.
Washburn In 1861 '63 he was member
of the Name House of Representatives from
Portland, serving part of the time as Speak
er pro tempore.
In 1868 he was appointed Judge of the
Municipal Court of Portland, and was reap
pointed in 1867, holding the office until 1870,
when he was elected Mayor of Portland. He
was twice reelected Mayor, holding that Of
fee in 1S7O-71-'72 Since that time he has
held no public office, but was engaged in the
practice of his profession up to the time OF
his death.
He was at one time president of the Maine
Savings Bank and was lately president Of
the Citizens Mutual Relief Society. He was
a trustee Of the Maine Industrial School for
Girls at Hallowell. He was proprietor of
the Tucker Printing House in this city, and
prominent member of the New Jerusalem
Society.
Judge. Kingsbury was leading Odd Eel
low belonging to Ancient Brothers Lodge,
Machigonne Encampment and the Odd Eel
lows Relief He was Past Grand Master
and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge
of Maine. In 1869 he was a Representative
to the Grand Lodge Of the United States,
held at San Francisco. After his return he
delivered number of interesting lectures
on California and Utah. He delivered an
able address at the Odd Fellows reception
of Massachusetts and New Hampshire
brethren in 1869. He was also a member OF
Portland Lodge of Masons, Greenleaf Royal
Arch Chapter and the Masonic Relief.
He was a member of the Knights of Py-
thias, and of the Golden Cross and the Order
of Sons of America He was an honorary
member of the fire department, the G. A. R.,
and Past Grand Master Of the Sons of Tenn
perance, Past W. C. T. of the Grand Lodge
of Good Templars, and ex-president of the
Independent Temperance. Union.
Judge Kingsbury leaves three daughters,
Mrs. Leonard Jordan, of Oakland, Califor-
mia; Mrs. Carr, of Boston; and Mrs. Bald
win, of Portland.
The funeral services will be conducted
Sunday afternoon, at the New Jerusalem
church, by the Rev. H. c. Durham, the houl
to be named hereafter.