The Portland daily press., 1892-07-22

evening. about $50 o'clock The end
was not unexpected for Mr.. Lynch had
been great sufferer for months with
paralysis. A few weeks ago he was
brought from Washington-his home-to
Portland, but has failed gradually until
his death. The funeral will take place
at 2 p. m. tomorrow, at No. IS Spring
street.
Hon. John Lynch was for many years
before his removal to Washington prom
inent and honored citizen Of Maine He
was native of Portland having been
bornsin this city February 18th, 1925. He
attended the Portland public schools and
in 1912 graduated at the Latin High
School. Very soon after attaining his
majority he began business for himself,
laying the foundations for commercial
success which ultimately led him to an
honorable political career. At first MI.
Lynch was in business alone; but soon a
partnership was formed with MI. A, E.
Stevens, afterwards mayor of the city the
year of the great fire. The style of the
firm was Lynch & Stevens, and they did
large wholesale grocery business on
the corner of Centre and Congress streets,
where the Lancaster building now stands.
The firm also did a large business ship
ping lumber and importing goods from
the West Indies. About 1850 Mr.. Stew
ems retired Nathaniel Ross taking his
place. and the firm name was changed to
Ross & Lynch, and the business was re-
moved to Fore street, so as to be near the
soon-to-be-opened Commercial street.
Ross & Lynch built the third Commercial
street store, brick and granite building.
Soon after the Commercial street build
ing was finished, Mr.. Ross retired and
the new firm of John Lynch & Co. was
formed, the partners being John Lynch,
Peleg Barker and Thomas Lynch, the
latter brother of Mr. John Lynch. The
firm shipped lumber and imported West
India goods, and did very large bust
ness. In time the firm was dissolved.
Thomas Lynch taking the wholesale gro
Gerry business, while the exporting and
importing trade was continued by the
firm of Lynch. Barker & Co., composed
of John Lynch and Peleg Barker. The
new firm was remarkably successful and
for years did the second largest business
in Portland, John B. Brown alone lead
ing them. The firm was then announced
as importers, commission merchants
and agents for the Eagle Sugar
Refinery which they built in
connection with others. The old
sign of the firm may still be
seen on the building at the corner of
Commercial and Union streets.
Mr.. Lynch gradually drifted into poll
tics as the stirring times of the war came
on. He was a Republican member OF
the state legislature from Portland in
1862 and 1864, and during his term OF
service was the leaderaof a spirited move
ment to remove the State Capital to Port
land. From the legislature Mr.. Lynch
was promoted to seat in Congress from
the First District. He took his seat in
1865 in the 39th Congress, having re-
ceived 1906 votes against 12,57S votes
for L. D. M. Sweat. Mr.. Lynch was
continued in Congress for eight years,
taking a prominent and influential part
in the important legislation which
marked the period succeeding the close
of the civil war. He was stalwart Re-
publican, and supported heartily and
ably the policy of the party.
The firm of Lynch, Barker & Co. was
dissolved in 1870. After the expiration
of his last term in Congress Mr.. Lynch
removed to Washington, entering the
newspaper business. In 1862 he had
been one of the leading spirits in estab-
fishing the PRESS, and continued for
many years prominent IN Its
management. So it was not
that he began in 1877 the publica-
ton Of the Washington Daily Union. Mr..
Peleg Barker was for time associated
with him in this enterprise. The paper
was afterwards sold to Stilson Hutchins,
and is now the successful Washington
Post. Mr.. Lynch, after selling the paper,
established an extensive terra Gotta
mandatory in the District of Columbia;
and was engaged in the prosecution of
this business at the time of his death.
He has resided in Washington, but has
been frequent visitor in Portland.
Mr.. Lynch was twice married. His
first wife was sister of his former part
ner, Mr.. Barker, and by her he leaves
one son, Mr.. John Lynch, Jr., Who was
with his father at the time of his de-
cease. A few years ago he married for
his second wife Mrs. Anna Weston, a
daughter of the late Hon. S. E. Spring,
who survives him.
Charles w. BellSnap.
Mr.. Charles w. Belknap died last ev
ening at his residence on Free street.
after about weeks illness from apo
plexy.
Mr.. Belknap was born July p, 1915, at
Leominister, Mass. He first went into
business, that of steamed tripe manufac-
turing, in WATERFOWL, Mass. There here
manned in business until 1860 when he
removed to Portland and engaged here
in the same business as at Watertown.
His only child, Charles, died in 1888.
He leaves widow.
Mr.. Belknap has been one of the solid
business men of the town throughout
his residence here and has retained the
confidence and esteem of the business
r :