Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-15
PHINEAS MILLER AUGUR,
Sudden Death of the Well.KnoWn
Prohibition Lender

Prohibition Leader.
MIDDLETowN, July 14.-Phineas Miller
Augur, candidate for governor in the fall
election on the prohibition ticket, died
suddenly this morning at his home in
Middlefeld. His age was sixty-fve.
For the past three years Mr.. Augur has
complained of heart trouble and expected
that his death would result from that dis
ease. He was at work yesterday as usual
in his hay field, and last night ate hearty
supper. Shortly after supper he retired.
At 8 o'clock this morning he and his
wife were awakened by the noise of a car
riage passing the house and he asked his
wife what time it was. After she had told
him he apparently fell into deep sleep.
At 4:3O his wife again awoke and called
her husband, and on receiving no answer
became alarmed. She then discovered he
was dead. She hastily summoned her son
Alfred, who went for a physician, but
medical skill was of no avail, as he had
been dead about half an hour before he
was discovered.
Mr.. Augur leaves wife and three sons,
E. P. Augur, the city surveyor of Middle
town; Alfred, who lives with his father,
and Edwin, who occupies house on his
fathers farm.
Mr.. Augur had been prominent man
in the prohibition party, and at the last
fall election he was unanimously nominated
for governor by that party. He was also
prominent in farming matters, and was the
state pomologist. He was member of the
state board of agriculture and owned
large farm in Middlefeld, including an
immense peach orchard, and was an au-
thority on all matters pertaining to agri-
culture. He was deacon of the Congre-
gational church, and was well liked. By
his death the prohibition cause loses one
of its strongest hackers. He was man of
large physique and of very happy dispo-
sition.
Mr.. Augur was born in Middlefeld
February 20, 1926. In his youth he took
up surveying and was appointed county
surveyor, which Office he held for several
years. In 1866 when Middlefeld set off
from Middletown, he was appointed town
assessor and computed the first list of the,
town; He was also appointed a member
of the board of education, an Office
which he held to the time of his death.
In 1859 he went to the legislature as
one of the Middlefeld representatives.
He served one term. While there he was
a member of the committee on incorpor-
atoms He joined the Middlefeld Congre-
gational church in his early youth and has
been q deacon since 1850. In 1869 Mr..
Augur was appointed member of the
state board Of agriculture, an Office which
he held two terms, declining a reelection.
In 1872 he was appointed state pomologist
and held the Office until his death.
In 1876 he was delegated to collect an ex-
hibit of Connecticut's produce for
the centennial at Philadelphia. The
exhibition attracted favorable COM
ment from all who saw it. When he
was twenty years of age Mr.. Augur married
Miss Lucy E. Parmelee, who survives Him.
Besides their sons he leaves two daughters
Mrs. G. A. Dudley and Mrs. a. F. Dud-
ley Of Guilford Mr.. Augur when boy
attended Mr.. Posts academy in Meriden.
he and two sons conducted a large farm in
Middleield, raising all kinds of fruit, al
though making speciality of peaches. He
was considered the best authority on
peaches in the state.
The funeral will take place Thursday af-
ternoon at $50 o'clock.