The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-18
OBITUARY.
Robert Smith, Jr.

The PRESS has already noticed briefly
tie death of Robert Smith, Jr. who
passed away at his residence in Kenne-
bunk, january Is, 1894, within a few
miles of the spot lin Kennebunk port>
where he was born November 20, 1901.
Within the limits of a circle of not over
five miles in diameter, his long, useful
and spotless life was passed. No stronger
instance OF the truth of Gray's Elegy is
known to us; that one, whose mind and
strength were fully equal to the per-
Torrance Of. the most arduous duties and
the highest trusts, quietly pursued the
even tenor of his way along the secluded
pathway of private life, content with the
faithful performance of it's business and
its duties. And these were to the close
scrupalously discharged.
For thirty years. Mr.. Smith was ship
builder upon the Kennebunk river, at
"The Landing near the house where
the venerable Hugh McCulloch was born
and spent his youth. Between these two
kindred minds youthful friendship and
esteem sprung up, which continued
throughout their more than four score
years. At first, upol attaining his
majority, Mr.. Smith was associated with
the late James Titcomb in shlpbuilding:
but after very few years they carried
| on their business in neighboring yards,
| with undininished friendship and
esteem. Of all those who, in the last
| fifty years, have here embarked in this
| business for which Kennebunk was once
| famous, only these two prosecuted it SO
successfully as, at their retirement, to
retain the competency which their skill
and industry had acquired. The rugged
coast of Maine has been strewed With
financial, as we'll as physical wrecks
| from her shipyards. Mr.. Smiths success
was due to traits that would have COM
manded it anywhere, in any field Of
human activity. professional. political or
scientific; faculties of large grasp, con-
and above all, and through all an in
stinctive faithfulness and honesty.
| One who, in the city Of New York, had
| met many of the men there most promi-
nent in business and political life, after
| over thirty years acquaintance with Mr..
Smith, said to the writer that he never
met any man upon whose comprehensive
| foresight, sagacity, and sound, discrimi-
| mating judgment he would so implicitly
| rely. Yet such was Mr.. Smiths retiring
| modesty that these qualities were never
| displayed in any public function from
which he shrank, but the use and
knowledge of them were confined to the
small circle of relatives and friends by
whom he was appreciated, and within
which was all his happiness. He was
married April ~, 1896, to Lucy W.
| Roberts, who died. after married
| felicity of over half century, January
IL. 1852. Three children survive these
parents, Miss lisa A. Smith, who occupies
| the Kennebunk home; Mrs. Wildes, wife
| of Commander Frank Wildes, U. S. N,
and Mrs. arney wife Of Fessenden ".
| Carney. of this city; who can have no
home rememb rance that is not one of
| gratitude and affection. After enjoying
during his entire ninety two years of life
the full possession of his uncommon
powers, Mr.. Smith succum bed after a
few days illness to the severe cold or
| grippe, which has been SO prevalent and
| fatal in Kennebunk this winter. He
| leaves behind him no ADLER and wiser
| citizen none more kind, and honest, and
true in every relation of life.
| Mrs. Lucy II. LeProhohon.
| Biddeford, January 17.-Mrs. Lucy H.
| LeProhon of Augusta, who came to
Biddeford last week to attend the funer-