The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-30
Eben Wade.

1 age III City yCobCiudJ hOOb, w 40
well known to the older Portland merchants,
| especially those who were engaged in the
| West India trade. He was descended from
| Thomas Wade, the first of his family who
came to this country, and who settled in
Massachusetts. His grandfather, Ichabod
Wade, the eldest son of Thomas, lived in
Rehoboth, Mass, and was an officer in the
paymaster's department of the army during
the Revolution. bis wife used to tell her
children how she was employed, at times,
cutting up the sheets of the Revolutionary
scrip to pay the soldiers of the command to
which her husband was attached. Ichabod's
oldest son was Lewis Wade, who also re-
sided on the family farm in Rehobotb, and
and who married Sarah Peck of Swanzey,
June 16. 1856. They left family of ten
children. of whom Eben, the subject of this
sketch was the next to the youngest, and the
| last survivor.
Eben Wade was born at Rehoboth Feb
| 49, 1902, and was consequently in his SSth
year at the time of his death. When quite a
young boy he entered the counting-room of
| his uncle, Benjamin Clifford, of Providence,
| r. l., and was SO energetic and active, show
ing such an adaptability for business, that,
at the youthful age of sixteen, he was sent
to Turks Island with cargo which he dis
posed of to great advantage, and returned
with cargo of salt which was equally pro-
htable. Before he was twenty-one years of
age he went to Cuba, and there formed a
| partnership with a Mr. Bowen, under the
| firm name of Bowen & Wade. The part
nership lasted several years, and was then
dissolved, Mr.. Wade joining the firm of
Mariategui, Knight & Co., of Havana, as
the junior partner. The firm was very sue
cessful, and the late Mayor Mcclellan of this
city-who as Capt. Mcclellan was often con-
signed to the frm-used to speak of his adj
miration of the executive ability of Mr..
Wade who he had seen, with forty sail of
vessels, all at one time under his orders
taking in their cargo S. During the early
years of Mr.. Wade's business residence in
Havana the island was in terrible condi-
ton owing to the pirates and bandits that
infested it, and he often spoke of the great
relief that came to the merchants when
Tacon was made captain-general and put an
end to the ruffians. He had known before
Tacon came, how pleasant it was to be fred
at half dozen times in the early evening, in
going the short distance of single square.
In fact few people ventured out after sunset
Between 1880 and 1910 Mr.. Wade retired
from active business, and settled in Provi-
dence, where his wife's family resided and
where he slways held his own residence.
Here he took great interest in the affairs of
the city. He was a member of the CITY
Council, and as a member of the Council
acted as auditor, before that office was
created. He was strong Wing and was
urged at one time to accept the nomination
for mayor. He declined but named the
party candidate, Hon. Thomas Burgess
brother of Bishop Burgess, formerly of this
city-who was triumphantly elected. He
was elected president of the National Bank.
OF which, If we are not mistaken, the late
Mr.. Bourne was cashier. He took great
interest in military matters, and was colonel
of the Cadets, a rival organization to the
well known Light Infantry. He was on the
staff Of Gov. Fenner, and with section of
his command, kept watch over the governors
residence. at the time of the celebrated
Dorr war.
About 1886 Mr.. Wade returned to active
business in Cuba. and became a partner in
the commercial house of Story, Spalding &
Co. The firm name, through the death of
the senior partner, was afterwards changed
to Adolf, Spalding & Co. In 1869 the other
partners having died or retired, Mr.. Wade
formed new firm with Mr.. George p. Bell.
under the name of Wade, Bell G. Co. In
1873 falling health caused his retirement
from business, after over fifty years of
active, unwearied exertion, and in 1875 he
came to Portland where he has since resided.
During his long career in Cuba he was the
observer and participator in many of the
marked events that characterized the island.
When the remains Of Kane, the celebrated
Arctic explorer, were brought to Havana, at
the urgent request of the authorities and
merchants. he officiated as chief marshal of
the funeral procession, which included the
Captain General, the heads of departments,
the military and marine stationed In that
city. When he left Havana it was with the
respect. regret and esteem of the business
community He was one of the most am
liable OF men, thorough Christian gentle
man.
Mr.. Wade married Sept 10. 1881. Sarah
Clifford, of Providence. She died in 1871
ana the only surviving member of the family
Is Mr.. l.. Clifford Wade of this CITY. The
remains Will be taken to Swan Point Gem
et'ry. at Providence, for interment