The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-28
OBlTu RY.
Henry w. hersey.

| Mr.. Henry w. Hersey, city treasurer Of
| Portland, died at 7.45 O'Clock yesterday
| morning after an illness Of several weeks
| duration. The announcement was received
by the public with profound sorrow, for Mr..
| Hersey was widely known and universally
| respected. His long service as city treasurer
had brought him in contact with almost
every citizen of Portland, and his urbane and
| courteous manners. his kind and considerate
| treatment, which was extended to the
humblest as heartily and uniformly as to
the most influential, had won for
| him not merely their respect, but
| their affection as well. Mr.. Hersey
was model public officer-always digni-
| fed. always self-possessed, always patient
and pains-taking For twenty two years the
management Of the finances of the city
was largely in his hands, and his task,
| frequently very difficult and perplexing
one. was always performed in a manner that
commanded the approval Of everybody. The
full value Of his services can be appreciated
only by those who are acquainted with the
duties of the Office he filed. and the close re-
lation between its skilful management and
the prosperity of the city. Indeed
tuc Ocbindt0 VI nk. hCEScJs WutLueI
as man or public officer,
high though it was with everybody, was al
ways enhanced by more intimate acquaint-
ance. He attracted men to him by his cour-
teous and engaging manners; he held them
| by his admirable traits of mind and heart.
| 1t is very rarely that a man dies leaving be-
hind so general feeling of personal loss In
| the community. Oftentimes the mourning
| for public men is perfunctory, and a mere
| intellectual manifestation. In the case Of Mr..
| Hersey it is genuine and heartfelt. Regret at
the loss of capable and faithful public Off
Ger Is swallowed up In grief at the loss Of
kindly, sympathetic. manly man.
Henry w. Hersey was the son Of Elias
Hersey, an old merchant of Portland, for
merly Of the firm of Hersey & Warren. He
was Portland boy, born March 18th 1921.
He was educated in the Portland schools
and was schoolmate Of Judge Webb's and
Stephen K. Dyer's in Portland Academy
As lad he was noted for his accuracy and
quickness Of computation. For few years
he served as clerk in the Canal National
Bank and afterwards in the treasurer's Office
of the Atlantic and st. Lawrence railroad
when Mr.. Charles E. Barrett was treasurer.
March 9th 1868 he was elected city treasurer
and reelected every year since. He was
married December oath. 1876 to Miss Ellen
l.. Gerrish, daughter of Mr.. Joseph NJ. Ger
rish. who was former treasurer OF Portland
Mrs. Hersey and two daughters. Josephine
and Edith, survive.
Mr.. Hersey was one Of the Oldest Odd Fell
lows In Portland. He was charter member
Of Ligonia Lodge and Eastern Star Encamp-
ment, and the only living charter member OF
those two bodies at his death. He was chair
man of the Board Of Trustees of Eastern
Star Encampment for many years. and al
ways took a deep interest in the order. He
was member of the Odd Fellows Mutual
Relief of the city and of the State Relief.
and was also vice president of the Veteran
Odd Fellows Association.
Mr.. Hersey was treasurer Of the Soldiers
and Sailors Monument Association, and was
treasurer, we understand, of several chari-
table organizations. He was also a yestrv-
man of ST. Luke's Cathedral.
At meeting of the finance committee held
yesterday morning, 1t was voted to close the
treasurer's office until April 1st. The fac on
the City Building was displayed at half msst Va
and the treasurer's office draped In mourn
ing.