Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-04

PORTLAND, April >.
! Hobart Wood Rchardson, editor and prin
cipal owner OF the Advertiser, died shortly
after noon today at the Maine General Hos
pital, of Bright's disease. He had been at
the hospital for nearly week and had failed
rapidly during that time. Last night be was
taken much worse and this morning his con.
to recognize friend at 10 o'clock this fore
noon. Two hours later he was no more.
Mr. Richardson was born in that part Of
Clinton which is now the town of Benton,
December 8, 1881. He was, therefore, only
81 years of age, though he appeared much
older man. He was the only child of Rev.
Hobart and Louisa Wood Richardson.
His father was one CT the old school Metho-
dist ministers.
Hobart was fitted for college at an early
age. probably about 10 years. His father
thought he was too young to enter college at
that time, so he was placed in the office of
Maxim Wing, publishers of the Waterville
Mail. to learn the printers trade. He en-
tered Waterville College, now Colby Uni
versity, in ls.9 and graduated with the high
:, st nonors in the class of 1868.
Ieu ,esIs later he was chosen tutor
of Wstrriir College. remaining in that po-
sition from 1855 to 1869. He taught Greek
for which he had great love, and gave in
!. II t.vti ia Lain, ell. Ma,lr uistus was
his ftvorite study but lie was not required to
teach that. In 1868 he entered the United
States Land Office in Washington and was
employed there until the following year,
wren he was tfansfe rred TO the United States
Coast Survey, as magnetic and tide observer
While in this service he was stationed, part
of the time at J. asst, in Portland. In 1866 he
entered the office of the Portland Daily
Press as assistant editor and was shortly
promoted to be- editor in chief. He remained
in that position until 1868, when he disagreed
with the owners of the paper because he
- ould not consent to condemn the course of
Senator Fessenden in voting adversely to
the impeachEiept of Andrew johnson.
After leavirg the Press Mr., Richardson
became connected ith the Advertiser. The
daily issue Of the Advertiser had been sus-
pended in LISTS. but the weekly edition had
been published without a break. In 1868
Mr.. X chardsou and others purchased the
subscription llst. printing material and the
sole right to revive the daily edition of the
Advertiser The Adv,r rtser. under MIR.
L cbardsou's control, started with plan that
it has since rarsued-aimipg primarily at a
faithful publication of the news, without
reference 10 is political bearing, and dis
cussing the events of the day with refsrence
to principles rather than immediate results
In 1877 Mr. Richardson was elected a
me- mber of the Maine Historical society and
has done valuable work for that society
Ia 1867 he became editor of the Maine
Farmers Almanac and continued to do this
work until 1874. He was supervisor of the
census for the western half of Maine in
1880 and did the work required of him in
the most accurate and complete manner and
to the entire satisfaction of his superiors at
Washington. He was q member OF the
Maine Charitable Mechanic association.
He was a member of the executive com
mi,tee of the LongfellOw Statue association
and did valuable service in securing the
statue which now stands in Monument
Square. He was member of the executive
committee and committee on design of the
Soidiers' and Sailors Monument association,
He took a great interest in that enterprise
and lived TO see the fund completed. One
of the last acts Of his life, just before he
went to the hospital, was to send his check
for a hundred dollars to the treasurer Of the
Monument association.
Mr. Richardson was concise and power
| full writer, man of the strictest integrity,
and possessed Of = most benevolent and
kindly nature. A large circle Of friends will
mourn his loss.
| Mr.. Richardson leaves . widow and one
son, Ps rcy H., now civil engineer in West
Virginia.
! The funeral will take place at the First
Parish church. at 10 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing. Rev. DR.. Hill will offer prayer and the
body will be taken on the noon train to
waterville, for burial by the side Of his
father and mother.