Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-08-23
ERASTUS REDMAN DEAD.
HE WAS ONE OF ELLSWORTH S
MOST ESTEEMED CITIZENS.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER IN BUSINESS
POLITICS AND RELIGION-A USE
FUL LIFE.

The entire community was startled
yesterday Wednesday, morning to learn
of the sudden death at his home on
Bridge Hill, of Erastus Redman, one of
Ellsworth's oldest and most highly
esteemed citizens-at the age of seventy
six years.
His lifeless body was discovered about
O'Clock in the morning in the stable,
whittier he had gone few moments be-
fore.
Mr.. Redman had not been feeling we'll
| for two or three days previous; he had
had several slight attacks of dizziness,
and his stomach was somewhat disor-
dered, but nothing serious was antici-
pated.
Up to about five years ago Mr.. Redman
had from childhood enjoyed excellent
health. At that time paralysis of the
arteries of the foot was followed by senile
gangrene, and he submitted to an ampu-
| tation of about one-half the foot. But
since hat operation, the effects of which
his vigorous constitution withstood Won
derfully we'll, he has had no serious diff
ficulty until few days ago.
Erastus Redman was born in Brooks
vile, this county, on July 2, 1918. He
was the only son of the late Hon. John r.
Redman who was born i'll Castine, and
who came to Ellsworth, having been
elected sheriff, in 1850. He brought with
him his son Erastus as deputy sheriff.
During crisis in political affairs the
young deputy, as a coroner, was made act
ing sheriff, being designated by the
judges.
Erastus married Sarah Redman, his
second cousin, of Brooksville, who died
in 1892. Two children, one boy and one
girl, died in infancy. Arletta ", who
married n. w. Littlefield, an attorney of
Providence, r. l., died in 1880; the sur
viving children are Abbie s., wife of f.
F. Robinson, of this city; Hon. John p,
Erastus F., Margaret r., wife of c. A.
Cole, of Pawtucket, r. L., and Fannie B.,
wife of DIR. George F. Keene, of Howard,
RI.
For short time Mr.. Redman conducted
| a hardware business in the Peters block,
now occupied by J. w. Coombs but " hen
Writings store burned, he gave up to
them the store.
President Buchanan in 1851 appointed
Mr.. Redman's faith collector of the port
of Castne, and Erastus went to that
town, bought the stock of goods of Til
den Bros. and carried on general mer
chandise business for four years, his fam
lily remaining in Ellsworth.
He then returned to Ellsworth b. purchas-
ed the Otis block on Water street (the
building now occupied by +. F. Redman
& CO.. and began the lumber business
with his ather under the firm name of j.
! r. K +. Redman. This partnership
lasted until the death of the father in
1872
The business was continued by +. Red
man K Son Erastus F., and still con-
tinues, their interests being on the
Penobscot river at Olamon, that end of
! the business being conducted by Holmes
| Bros. x Co.
In politics Mr.. Redman was a lifelong
democrat. In 1S4S and 1919 he was a
member of the State legislature. For
years he was school agent for the Bridge
Hill district He was a candidate for the
first mayor OF the city, but was defeated
by James +. Davis. He was appointed
collector of customs for the district of
Freuchman's buy in 1855, " hch position
he held for four years. He was elected
aldermen from his own ward ten times.
In religious work Mr.. Redman Was
ever active. He was chosen deacon
way back in DIR. Tenney's time and was a
constant attendant at all the services of
/ the Congregati church. He was es-
pecially active in sunday school work
During his long and active life he
maintained the reputation for business
integrity acquired in early life. He was
one of the few lumbermen in this section
who weat hered the financial storm of
1873. He accumulated considerable
property, and leaves besides a small
amount in life insurance.
Funeral services will probably be held
on Friday, the 24th, at the homestead on
Bridge Hill.