The Portland daily press., 1888-04-17
MAINE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY,
Interesting Papers Read at Its Ses-
sion Last Evening.

The meeting of the Genealogical Society
was called to order at 7.45 by President
Fabius NJ. Ray. Mr.. John t. Hull was ap-
pointed secretary pro TEN. Mr.. Fred o. Co.
nant was elected permanent secretary. The
names of Thos. l.. Merrill. Hall l.. Davis
and James L. Rackleff were presented for
membership. Rev. S. Hopkins Emery and
Capt. j. w. d. Hall of Taunton, MASSEY
made honorary members. The following
sons, proposed at the last meeting were
elected to membership: Peter E. Vose Of
Dennysville, Harriet G. Pulsifer Of Auburn,
Hannah Z. Whittier of Windham.
JOHN f. ANDERSON.
Hon. Marquis +. King, in behalf Of the
committee on resolutions read the following
which was adopteds
The subject Of death affords nothing at
tractive for meditation, and cannot even be
contemplated without filling our minds with
a dread foreboding, which saddens and sub
dues the b0ldest and most defiant feelings OF
our nature.
"Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through his cypress trees
And, hopeless, lays his dead away"
Comforting indeed is the assurance that 1t
is only this mortal body which finds resting
place in the tomb, that this corruption
and this mortal must put on Immortality"
De atb has again broken the little circle Of
our association, and to our hearts comes a
feeling of loss and grief when we recall the
departure from this life Of our late honored
President John Farwell Anderson. HE
died at his residence in this city on the morn
ing Of the 25th Of December, 1887, aged GA
years. He was by profession civil engineer
and has for many years been recognized as a
master. When quite young he served on the
North Eastern boundary Commission, and
has been employed in many important en-
terprises, including that Of constructing the
appointed one of the State Board Of Rail
road Commissioners, when this commission
was established, and continued in that once
until his death.
The esteem in which he was held by his
associates in his profession, cannot be better
stated than by quoting from a published let
ter of George l.. Vose, distinguished en-
gineer, and professor in Bowdoin College,
he says; -. ,.,.. /. GOOD rsrrsssrt.t;vs
of the oldest members Of the profession In
this country. His views were broad, his ex-
perience wide and his judgment always to be
relied upon. / doubt Iif ever his fellow
townsmen fully appreciated the professional
skill shown by Mr.. Anderson in the location
and construction of the Ogdensburg railroad
through I the Crawford Notch. This work
has marked him as one OF the best railroad
engineers, not only in this country but in
ae world. The plans and reports Of that
work have hecome regular part OF the
course of instruction in the European techni-
cal schools. i have endeavored for many
years iu teaching classes in civil engineering
TO place them as nearly as could in Mr..
Anderson's position and to make them fol-
low closely his method of studying an i'm
portant engineering question.
through the Crawford Notch where an error
of a dozen feet in the position of the line
would easily have quadrupled the cost. No
man surpassed him In what we may term
the -eminently American engineering
faculty of making dollar go the greatest
over the Andes or over the Alps If he is al
lowed to spend an unlimited amount of
money: but the man who stands deservedly
in the front rank Of the profession is he,who,
overcoming the obstacles Of nature, never
forgets that the money of the stockholders is
a sacred trust"
Mr.. Anderson had natural taste for the
pursuit OF agriculture, and fondly hoped for
the time when he might retire to the ances-
trail home in Windham. for which place he
ever cherished the liveliest affection. Many
Of what would be considered by, some as
hours OF leisure, were spent In historical
study and genealogical research. Under MS
patient care and labor, a mass OF interesting 3
material has been collected, much Oh which
is fully prepared for publication.
His ancestry have been Of our substantial
citizens, men and women that answered,
whenever called, in the support OF religion,
order and national liberty; prominent and
influential in public affairs; respected and
listened to by their fellow citizens. He was
son of Hon. John and Ann w. Anderson,
and brother of Gen. Samuel j. Anderson,
the Collector of this port.
on the 3Oth Of March, 1S47, Mr. Anderson
was united in marriage with Marcia w. Mer-
rill. who, with three daughters Mrs. E.Gree-
ly Spring, and Miss Fannie Anderson of
Portland, and Mrs. G. w. Lord Of Boston,
Mass, survive him.
In compliance with the vote of the last
meeting, your committee have prepared the