The Portland daily press., 1891-03-23
OBITUARY..
Hon. Asa w. n. cIapp.

Hon. Asa w. n. CIapp.
Hon. Asa w. 81. Clapp, a Representative of
one OF the Oldest and best known Portland
families, died at his residence. corner Of Elm
and Congress streets, about o'clock yester-
day AFTERNOON. Mr.. Clapp had been failing
last during the past year, although he had
not been confined to the house but for few
months before his death, which was due to
complication of troubles pertaining to his
great age.
Asa w. 81. Clapp was the descendant in
the sixth generation from Thomas Clapp,
who was born in Dorche ster, Eng, In 1897.
came to America in 1858 and settled in Wey-
mouth, Mass, where he was made freeman
in 1888. Thomas Clapp's descendant, Abel
Clapp was farmer like his ancestor, but had
been honored by all the leading positions in
the gift of the town. His oldest son, Asa
IS. 1852, was an officer of the Revolutionary
army, and man of national reputation.
he established himself as a merchant
In Portland, in 1896 and enjoyed higher
credit than any other American merchant of
his time. During the embargo, and war of
1925 he gave more than half Of his large
fortune to sustain the national credit, and
took his place In the ranks as volunteer
soldier. After the war was over he became
again famous In the commercial annals of
the country.
Captain Asa Clapp had large family, of
whom his son Charles Q,-who died several
years ago-and Asa w. II. are best remen.
bered here
Hon. Asa W. FL. Clapp was born March
6, 1905, In two story house of wood which
stood until the fire Of 1866 on the north cor
ner Of Middle and Pearl streets. He at
tended Portland schools, and among his
schoolmates was Mr.. Charles Barrett now
living on Deering street. He completed his
education at the military academy at Nor
witch, Vt, then under the superintendent of
Capt. Allen Partridge. Mr.. Clapp's chums
while there, from Portland, were Thomas
Robinson, John Dicks, Geo. Bartoi, Phinehas
+. Varnum, VIM. Widgery and VIM. Brooks.
After graduation at Norwich in 1923, Mr.
Clapp returned to his home and went through
strict course of mercantile training In his
fathers counting room. He then engaged in
foreign commerce on his own account, which
he pursued until age untitled his father to
manage his large property alone. when lie
retired from active business pursuits. This
was Ia 1S4S. Since that time Mr.. Clapp has
not engaged In mercantile affairs.
Throughout Mr.. Clapp's long life he was
always interested In politics, and was
thorough Democrat. In 1881, he was aide to
Governor Smith with the rank of Lieuten-
ant Colonel. In 1876 he was member Of the
thirtfeth Congress- aud was instrumental in
securing the passage Of an act by the govern
ment to purchase the City Exchange building
for custom house and post office.
When the Atlantic & st. Lawrence Rail-
road was conceived Mr.. Clapp took great in
terest In the proposed scheme and wasimade
director of the company. He was also deep
ly Interested in the Maine General Hospi
tai and the Public Library, of both of which
institutions he was director.
In 1884 Mr.. Clapp married Julia NJ, daugh-
ter Of Gen. Henry A. s. Dearborn, former
mayor of Roxbury, Mass. who died some
years ago. and leaves one daughter, who re-
sides at sthe homestead, Miss Mary j. z.
Clapp.
The residence in which Mr.. Clapp lived
and died Is one of historical Importance. 1t
was built In 1764-and was then two-storied
by Daniel Davis, the first lawyer who came
to Maine after the Revolution. After he
was made Solicitor General for Massachu-
sets he was compelled to remove to
Boston and he sold his house to
Capt. Asa Clarp for $780, Paris, the
architect, remodelled it. added the third
story and the ornaments, and put on the Gu
pola. the first ever seen In town. He also en-
larged the hall and built the handsome, open
circular staircase leading to the cupola. Here
President Munroe was entertained on his
visit to Maine in 1917. Here President Polk,
accompanied by James Buchanan, secretary
of state-afterwards president-and Commo-
dore Stewart, called on the venerable pa
| triot In 1S47, and arrangements were made to
I entertain President Jackson. who had ac-
cepted an invitation, but be never proceeded
further than Portsmouth, N. II. Here Mr..
| A. W. FL. Clapp. after his fathers death, dis
pensed graceful hospitality.
Mr.. Clapp was gentleman of the old
school, with spare, upright figure. and genial
manner. and his familiar presence will long
be missed.
Rev. Frederick rockingham.
Rsv. Frederick rockingham, for 20 years
pastor of the First Unitarian church In Mil
ton. Mass. died Thursday after weeks
illness. He was born In Montreal April o,
| 1926, and was the son Of John and Louise
Goddard l(Archibald) rockingham. He
| graduated at Harvard College in 1S49. Six
| years later he graduated at the Harvard d.
vinity school, having meanwhile spent two
years in study In Germany. Returning home
| he was ordained In 1856. and became pastor
| Of the Park street Unitarian church Of Port
land. A few years later he accepted call to
Buffalo, NY. Finally he became pastor of
the First Unitarian church Of Milton, where
his sterling qualities and benevolent traits
made him endeared to all his congregation.
man OF. the Milton school board, and was a
member Of the board of trustees of the Mil
ton cemetery. Twenty years ago he married
Miss Lois Wright OF Lowell, who was a
teacher at Greenfield. She survives him.
Mr. rockingham was an ardent believer In
cremation, and a few years ago attempted to
| form a society for its advancement In Bos-
ton. His body will be cremated at Buffalo
| Rev. Roderick Srebbins, son Of Rev. DR..
| H0ratiO lStebbins, was elected his colleague
and is now acting pastor.
Joseph e. Johnston.
| WASHINGTON, March 21-Gen. joseph E.
Johnston died shortly after Ii o'clock to-
night at his residence on Connecticut avenue.
The General had been suffering the past
three weeks from an affection of the heart,
aggravated by cold caught soon after Gen.
Sherman's funeral In New York.
The funeral services over the remains of
Gen. Johnston will be held at st. Johns
| Episcopal church Tuesday morning at IL
O'Clock. The interment will be In Green
Mount Cemetery, Baltimore.
Gen. Johnston was born in Virginia In
1907. He was member of the class of 1929,
United States Military Academy, being a
classmate Of Robert E. Lees. He was COM
missioned second lieutenant and assigned to
the 4th Artillery. In 1886, after varied ser
| vices, he was promoted to first lieutenant,
being attached to Gen. Scotts personal staff.
Later he was transferred to the corps of to-
biographical engineers, in which arm Of the
| service he performed valuable service for
several years, receiving brevet of captain
for bravery In the Florida war. In 1916 he
| Mexican war with credit hainp nrom ofad