Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-03
DR.. AMOS WILDER.
Sketch Of His Life.


CARLY Thursday morning Nov. l, 1894,
u,s horn in Pembroke, Maine, May ID
1904 He was descended from rugged
Eastern Maine stock. His fathers name
was Theophilus Wilder and his male ances
cor. bore that name for number of IN
broken generations. The roots of the fam
liz we're in bingham, Mass.
Dr.. Wilders father lived to be 81. He
ros farmer and country merchant, and
like the doctor mother, Lucy Lincoln (who
lived to be 93) was of the serious and re-
uo;ous cast, of much determination and
individuality, types of Puritan stock famil-
lar and revered.
DR.. Wilder was one of three boys. Ben
i.min died in middle life; Moses i, still
living, a. nearly 80 years of sge-a farmer
Of influence in Washington county, an e1-
representative.
OF the two sisters who reached maturity
the survivor Mrs. Mary Lovejoy of Mill
TOWN. N. B. was with her brother when he
died.
Until l849, when Amos was 25 years of
age and went to California, he worked on the
home farm and in his fathers store at Mill
town opposite Calais. His trip to the gold
country was ground the Horn" with asso-
ciates of his youth, and he stayed until the
spring of 1851, bringing back little save
ruined health, with which he has battled
ever since. By dint of effort he got enough
money together to enable him to take a
course of dental study in Baltimore and up
to 1867 he practiced in Calais and the sur
rounding country with that fidelity to de-
tail which characterized everything he did.
Failing health forced him into less con-
6ning work and when 43 years of age
he moved his young family to Augusta
and boldly entered upon new oc-
cupation, purchasing an interest in the
oil cloth manufacturing plant at Hallowell,
the firm being Page, Wilder & Co. This
business, barring lease of five years. DR..
Wilder continued to his death, having many
years ago acquired the full proprietorship.
DR.. Wilder was first of all a mechanic.
He was not business man in the common
acceptance of that term, though the lack OF
ouickness, shrewdness and ready adapta-
bility to changing conditions, was largely
compensated for by his order and method,
thoroughness and conservatism. He took
no risks and there were no loose ends.
Upright in his dealings, scrupulously care
full to meet engagements, thorough IN
everything that passed through his hands,
his goods became favorably known as char
acterized by the mans own qualities.
His zeal and capacity for going to the
bottom of things that interested him were
subject of remark. He forever wanted to
know the "Why" Had his original and fer
tile mind been trained to pure scientific work
he might have become eminent. A skilled
mechanic commanded his admiration be-
yond that of any other man. He allied
himself closely to such i'll the perfecting OF
his own inventions in connection with his
factory, and in the mechanical contrivances
which served as his diversions. The
Scientific American" publication was his
delight and conQuests of science favorite
theme His researches in microscopy were
not uncomfortable.
Those who remember DR.. Wilder apart
from his business, as he was dozen years
ago in his strength, recall genial, friendly
man, a lover of humor, and devoted to
rod and gun with few chosen friends. No
man who loves the woods and brooks can
be out of tune with the worli or with his
fellows. A good story, if clean. would at
any time break his quiet; and his last Ill
ness was cheered for those about h m oy
flashes of humor that recalled the days be-
fore the years and silent suffering drove
him to reserve. DR.. Wilder was far from
an ELUSIVE man, but those who loved him
were surprised sometimes by glimpses into
ueep SOUL. Ills Telhtlous "Ah hi' W.
ployes were ever cordial, and in time OF
sickness or trouble the doctor would hnd
secret ways to be of use as if ashamed or
anything approaching sentiment. lie was
ever suspicious of shams and was some
times too sweeping in his judgments; but
he respected sincerity wherever found.
A year ago last summer he visited New
York city, but the rush and roar accent
uated his conviction that his period
of activity had passed and that
home and quiet were his province. lie
was temperate and methodical to the last
degree, and his enjoyment of life to three
score and ten is fresh reminder that care
full invalids often outlive the robust.
He leaves widow and three children,
DR.. Julian Wilder of Augusta; Amos Par
ker, newspaper man of Madison, Wis.
and Miss Helen, who lives at home.
The funeral will occur this afternoon al
O'clock, from the house.
State HOUSE. Notes.
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