The Portland daily press., 1890-07-17
OBITUARY..
Edward Henry ElwaII.

Edward Henry EIweII.
Mr.. Edward 81. Elwell, senior member of
the firm Of Elwell, Pickard g. Co.. propri-
etors Of the Portland Transcript, died of a
complication of diseases at an early hour
yesterday at the West End Hotel at Bar
Harbor, whittier he had gone after the visit
OF the Maine Press Association to Machias.
MIR. Elwell was in his sixty-ffth year, having
been born in this city December IA, 1926. Mr..
Elwell had been out of health for some time
but up to Sunday his condition had not
given his friends cause for alarm. He kept
the house Sunday, but felt better on Mon
day and went to Bar Harbor. Tuesday he
complained of severe pains In the chest, but
was thought to be on the mending hand. He
grew worse however during the night and at
8 o'clock yesterday morning passed away
Mr. Elwell was one of the best known
men in the state, and he had at the same
time an extensive acquaintance throughout
New England and even further away. His
name as the editor of the Transcript was
known nearly all ever the Eu glish speaking
world.
Mr.. Elweli's father was Cha-les Elwell,
well know sea captain sailing out OF this
port for many years. His birth place was
In an old mansion house long ago demolish-
cd, situated on Free street near the corner of
Cross. Mr.. Elwell in his youth had strong
inclinations toward the sea, and to follow in
the footsteps of his father and grandfather;
but the force of circumstances tended to
change the direction of his career. After re-
ceivinga common school education in the pub
lie schools of this city, In 1S4l he entered
commission store where he remained one
year. In 1912 he conceived a desire to learn
the printers trade and to accomplish that end
entered the Office Of the Daily American of
which BENZ. Kingsbury, Jr., was the editor
Mr.. Elwell remained with the American I'M
til its death, period of two years and three
months. In 1916 he went to work in the
composing room Of. the Christian Mirror then
published by the late Rev. Asa Cummings.
In 1847 he moved to Limerick, be coming
foreman of the Free Will Baptist Repository,
then published in that village. July /, 1S4S,
he and Edwin Plummer started a weekly
literary paper called the Northern Pioneer.
The newspaper was success from the start,
attaining circulation of HOO copies in four
months. Mr.. Elwell bought Mr.. Plummer
out and united the Northern Pioneer with
the Portland Transcript, established by the
late Charles P. Illsley in 1887, and at that
time conducted by Erastus E. Gould, the
firm name being Elwell & Co. Mr.. Gould
continued In partnership with Mr.. Elwell
until his death. Later Mr.. Elwell united
the Eclectic with the Transcript, bringing
into partnership Mr. Samuel T. Pickard and
the late Edward Weston. Mr.. Weston sold
out in 1860 to Charles W. Pickard, since
which time the firm has been Elwell, Pickard
g. Co. Under Mr.. Elwelrs management the
Transcript has enjoyed degree of prosper
ity second to none in the state. At the time
of his death Mr.. Elwell was the Oldest editor
in point of service in the state. Although
Mr.. Elwelps best work for the past forty
two years has been given to his paper he has
found time to do considerable outside liter
airy work, the most of it being of an histori-
cal nature, and dealing with his native city,
"Boys of 49," Fraternity Papers," 'Busi-
ness Houses of Portland" Portland and
Vicinity" and an Account of the Editorial
Excursions to New Sweden in 1858 and
1875" are his principal works. Beside these,
several carefully prepared papers in the col
lections of the Maine Historical Society, of
which Mr.. Elwell was a valuable member,
remain as monuments to his pains taking
labor as historian.
Mr.. Elwell was one of the founders of the
Maine Press Association, being its first vice
president and afterward for three years
president of the association. In 1871 Mr.
ElUoII mo- Fri to
series Of valuable letters from there to his
paper.
Mr.. Elwell has never sought nor held poll
tical Office although having removed in 1857
to Woodford's Corner. Westbrook, now
Deering, he was elected a member Of the
town school committee serving four years.
He has since been an officer and an active
member of the Deering Village Improve
ment Association. Besides being member
eff the Maine Press Association Mr.. Elwell
was an active member of the New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts, Associations. and
of the Fraternity Club of this city.
In 1852 he married Sarah c., daughter of
the late Capt John Polleys. He has had
eight children of whom five now survive;
Edward H., Jr., Frank A., who were asso-
ciated with Mr.. Elwell in the Transcript
Office. DR.. Walter E., of the National Mill
tary Home at Togus, Mabel and Margaret.
During the entertainment at Machias last
week, while the Roquedale clam bake was
in progress. Mr.. Elwell made remark, ex-
pressing his appreciation of the hospitality,
which now has an added significance. He
said, "This is an easy people to fall in with,
but we have hard work to get away from
them"
The Transcript. issued yesterday. contains
letter from Mr.. Elwell, dated at Machias,
and describing the journey of the Maine
Press Association. This is the last work for
his newspaper which Mr.. Elwell was per-
mitted to do. At the close of this letter he
promises another, which will never be writ
ten.
Notes.
A despatch from Zurich reports the death
of Gottfeld Keller. the poet
Mr.. John Pike, the eldest citizen of Dan
yers, Mass. died Tuesday. He was born In
Falmouth, Me-, Sept. %. 1898, and for several
years was resident of Lynn, Mass. In
1925 he removed to Danvers and engaged in
the trade of blacksmithing. He was twice
married, his last wife surviving him. BE
leaves five children.
The Fish Market.
j. w. Trefethen reported yesterday the
arrival nf tho Glnunaetar eohoopor Fduuo I'd