Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-11
Death OF an Aged rowr--.a.

Death OF an Aged xowr---..a-
Mr. Gardner Phillips died 1t his late home
on Swan street, Augusta, At ! o'clock P. n.
on Saturday last, aged e3 years. Mr.. Phil
lips "a. the only child Of Asa PHILIPPE. Jr.,
and ApphiA Chalmers Phillips. the nrss a
native of winsIow. Me-. and the latter Of
woolvich. Mass. Mr.. Phillips was born in
Albion, Ne, Jan 81, 1906. where he con-
timed TO lire upwards Of forty yers, tie
re mainder of his life, about forty-t~o years,
being speni in this city.
Possessed of strong mental poxers, be
naturally desired 10 obtain an educ .tion, anG
therefore made good Use Of the common
school AMI academic privileges within his
reach. After Having China Academy, then
Furnishing restitution, he spent sevsrai
year. in teaching. being very successful, il
some instances accepting difficult positions.
nd ~ his tao, AMI energy br.nxinz ori-
o4l of chaos, converting unruiy and stubborn
stills into trzctsble and obedlent pupils.
10 early manhood, havinga strong hkins
for fine mechanical work, he learned tie
business Of carriage making and continued
10 ii until falling sight compelled him, two
vars ago, TO abandon business entirely.
He was a thorough master of his bushes.
and could make every part of a carriage,
from the rough wood and iron TO the La.
stroke Of the stripping pencil used in orna-
menting the finest vehicles. His work j.
known throughout the Safe as OF the best H.
material and workmanship. Ten or NOR
years ago he obtained letters patent for TIL
busines wagon, with which the majority Of
the traders of the city are familiar, as wei
~ many 10 other tosn.. He was successful
I in hi, business. Early in his business career
he was subjected to heavy losses by his
willingness 10 aid others. who proved un-
worthy of his confidence. and thus 10 hi,
subsequent years he was m ide 10 suffer an
irrepsrab.e injury. He was ever confident
and resolu'e, and hence he accumulated more
than enough for every need unto the end,
Although ever diligent in his calling be
found time TO read much, and he was well
posted on the current questions Of interest.
fhe Washingtonlan movement found H.
him an earnest supporter, and from
the day he joined that honoreo
body of moral workers he was an indefatics-
bic laborer in the temperance cause. He
was marshal of this city at the beginning OF
the prohibtory movement introduced b,
l.
isued in the State under that law. No sac
riiice was too great when the cause could b,
served either by moral or legal means. IL
war equally interested in religion, and BY
large gifts of money and continuous persona
service, he supported the church of his faith,
(Uniyersalist) for nearly three score years.
The church building at Albion and the frs,
one in Augusta, erected by his denomination
were long monuments Of his associate liber-
atty.
Mr.. Phillips was a man of the greatest pos.
Inverness of character, determined, cour.
'geous, surcharged with energy, yet Away,
,opeful, co1slderate and sympathetic, he
could net fail to impress others deeply and
overcome obstacles which would appall
xeaker natures. Thoroughly conscientious,
ne could tolerate nothing that seemed wrong
n friend or foe, and often was n owed to
-ternly rebuke what he felt he could not
nut condemn in his heart. In his home h
was afectiona.e, Il n1er thoughtful, seif-sac
rlticing. providing everything for his wife and
children that love could suggest and pnrse
! procure. lie was three times married, hi.
second wife living only few weeks after
( heir marriage. The third wife, the mother
t all his children, died some hf cen years
ago. Three children died before him-oue
son being killed in the battle of Cedar
Mountain in 1852, and three daughters sur
viye hiT, o CT whom is the wife of Rev I
J. Mead, editor of the Gospel Blnner, one
tbs wife of {. l. Chalmers OF a prominent
hardware firm ia Bangor, and the third
= unmarried. has been the keeper of his
nome since his wife's death lie was OF
he hardy Scotch race, his mother being the
eice of the cell brated DR. Chalmers OF
scotland, and this reveals the source of his
vigorous iEtvil,c tual and moral powers. HIS
great physical !uscr, and his resolute purpose
"a evs r, thing that il tere.ted him. Gen
Chalmers II Miss, Is second cousin of hi.
mother, the rela,onsh p not being agree
able to Mr.. r., however, during the war
period Owing to severe afilicton of his
eyes, h. was nearly bind for two years, but