National Republican., 1888-02-16
HON. DANIEL Il, sosrEs.
The End Of q Distinguished and Use-
fuI Career.

In the death Ct Hon. Daniel L. somes, form.
erly member Of Congress from Maine, but
for the last twenty-five years resident Of
this city, distinguished and useful career is
ended, and the community loses o most
worthy and honorable citizen.
Mr.. Bomes was bora at Meredith, now La.
coma, N. H., May 20, 1916. He received au
ACADEMIC education; and was married in early
life to Miss Laura Chase Of his native place,
In 1916 he. moved to Blddeford, Me-, where
he became largely interested in various busi
ness enterprises, and was very prominent In
the temperance and antl-slavery movements
Of the time. He established in Biddeford the
Eastern journal. now the UniOn and journal,
newspaper. He was the first mayor OF Bidde-
ford, and was several times reelected In
that position he was active in executing the
"Msine law" which was the first prohibition
law passed In the United States, and under
his administration at least proved successful
He organized the City Bank of Biddeford In
1855, and was for several years Its president.
He had manufacturing establishments. In
Saeo, Biddeford, and Lewistown, Ne and a
business establishment In Boston.
lie was always active in public aiiairs during
early life, and was one OF the original organ.
supporter of Fremont and Dayton in 1856.
In 1858 he was elected 10 the thirty.sixth
Congress from the district now represented by
radical Republican and strongly expressed his
views to the country; notably in n patriotic
speech delivered by him In the House of Repre-.
Sentatives Feb. 16 1861.
During the war he was a friend and conf
dant OF President Lincoln, who often sent for
him, sometimes late at night to come to the
executive mansion TO confer on matters Of
He was closely associated with Hannibal
Hamlin, Horace Greeley, John p Hale, Henry
Wilson, and other leading men OF the earlier
Republican party,
Although pronounced in his Republican
views, he was of gentle and pacific disposl-
tion and OF moderate temper, from which facts
he was chosen member of the "Peace Con.
stemming the tide OF war feeling that swept
over every obstacle in that turbulent time.
In 1862 Mr.. somes settled In Washington and
for several years was prominent practitioner
before the patent office. He also turned his
attention 10 inventing and took out over sixty
patents, many OF them relative to the general
an inventor he showed great originality and
versatility. More than twenty-five years ago
he proposed the system OF transporting fresh
for accomplishing L; but. as in the case f Of
many inventors he was too early for his time
and failed to reap the bereiits of his inven-
tion, which is now IN quite extensive use
throughout the country by other people.
Mr. Somes had an extremely hopeful and
genial nature. He was most tender and kind
hearted husband and father. In fact he had
marked manly strength and vigor, and was
always model gentleman in his manners, aud
the soul of honor in his dealings aud inter-
course with his fellowmen.
For several weeks past Mr. Somes has been
i'll with a severe cold, which on last Friday
morning became aggravated and assumed the
symptoms of congestion of the lungs. This
malady was followed on Saturday morning by
paralysis of his right side. Most Of the time
after that he was insensible. gradually sinking
until his death. which occurred on Monday
the 18th of February, at 10:15 p. m.
He had four sons, two of whom died In youth.
Only one son survives, Mr.. f. c. Somes, a
prominent patent attorney of this city. Mr..
Byron Somes younger son, who was night
editor OF tho Boston Globe. and young man OF
much promise. died about one year ago.