The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-22

Knight in respect to the memory Of our late
brother, Hon. Benjamin Kingsbury, Jr. L do moi
feel competent to speak in relation to the eharae
ter and virtues of one who has occupied so many
exalted positions of trust and honor.
cannot do justice to the memory OF him whose
active and honorable career has so suddenly been
terminated His DEATH though not unexpected,
came suddenly and silently and feelings Of sor-
row filled the hearts Of all who knew him. For OF
him 1t may be said, as 1t has of others, "that no
one who had come within the radiance of mis- gem
ial presence could fail to retain the most agreea-
BILE and lasting memory of him.
Judge KingSbury was born in Boston In 1913.
He was educated in the public schools Of Boston
and at Framingham Academy At the youth
full age of Is he became preacher in the Meth
this was the proudest moment OF his life, to him
then mere boy to stand up in the pulpit and
speak to large congregation.
At about this time he became the founder and
editor of Zion's Herald which he published in
Boston. He then became interested IN law, ana
pursued his studies in the ofi1ce OF ROBERT ran
tOul Jr of Boston, where he was admitted to
Suffolk bar and practiced his profession for more
than three years. He was then induced to be
come the editor of the Democratic Morning Post,
printed in Detroit, Mich, where ne resided tor
some time. He came to Portland in lS42 and
commenced his labors here as editor Of the ferl-
land American and afterwards as editor OF the
Eastern Argus which latter position he hled Tor
more than ten years.
He was the surveyor Of the port Tor four years
under the administration of President Polk. He
was Judge of our Municipal Court from 1868 to
1870. In 1870 he was elected mayor OF the
a representative in the Legislature for two years.
but for the last twelve years of his life he was
constantly engaged in the practice OF his profess
sion.
AS an editor he maintained the principles adj
vocated by his paper with zeal and ability, grace
fully yielding when IN error ever ready 70 forgive
court he presided with dignity and impartiality.
In his administration of the criminal law, there
was no harshness or vndctveness. AS lawyer
he was a good counsellor, reliable and strictly
honest true to the interests Of his clients and he
enjoyed the full confidence OF all members OF the
AS legislator, he was an earnest worker, an
easy speaker; and when aroused was f0rmlda-
bic antagonist in debate Familiar with parlia-
mentary law, and of courteous manners, made
him pleasing and excellent presiding officer over
deliberative bodies. AS citizen, his daily life
for more than forty years in this city, seen and
known by all, is his best eulogy.
He was engaged or interested in every move
ment whereby the condition OF his fellowmen
might be improved. He was prominent in the
management of some of our most important char
liable institutions, and was ever ready to devote
his time and money to alleviate the distress OF
those around him. In society, at home, in his Of
fee, or wherever he might be, whether busily en-
gagged in the discharge of important duties or at
leisure, he was always the same KIND, courteous,
the full measure of his days. and while respected
and honored by all his venerable form has been
taken from among u.s. ana we snail @ LII mss S , MS
And finally, for one who has filed so many I'M
portant positions of trust and honor, public and
private, and so faithfully and well guarded the
trusts committed to his charge, may it not be said
in the language OF the poet that ne mas lett pe-
hind him footprints on the sands OF time
At the close of the remarks, Judge Virgin
responded in able, sympathetic language, or
dered the proceedings of record, and ad-
journed the court for the day, as an addi-
tional token of respect for the deceased
members.