Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-25
Henry PerIey MiIliken,

Henry Perley Milliken passed away at
his home on Melville street in this city, at
l.3O O'Clock on Thursday morning, at
the age of 36 years. Although his friends
knew that recovery was impossible, yet
the end came quickly and as sudden
shock. So strong had been his constitu-
ton and his power of will that he had
been confined to his room only since Mon
day last.
Perley, as we all knew him, was the
son of Col. Elias and Hadassah Whitney
Milliken. and was born at Burnham, Nc,
on Dec. II, 1858. His father moved to
Augusta about 1870 and since that time
Periey has made his home in this city.
Completing his education in our public
schools, he entered the numbering business
with his father, and subsequently, in
partnership with his brother, Charles A.
Milliken, under the name of Elias Mlli-
kens Sons, succeeded his father.in the
business at Hallowell.
On January 16, 1888, he married Audrey
H. Patten of this city, the daughter of
Stephen S. Patten and the granddaughter
OF the late Col Geo W Stanley.
We all remember him in the strength
of his fine physique, the very personifica-
tion of manly health and vigor. He
seemed destined to enjoy a long and happy
% t,a loo fIo,.i
all social affairs and was welcome visitor
in many homes. Fond of music he grew
up under the careful training of his second
mother, Mrs. Fannie Milliken, the re-
membrance of whose sweet character will
long remain with us, and for many years he
sang in the choir of the Unitarian church,
where his deep, rich voice still rings in
memory.
He was business man of clear head
and ready hand, of untiring industry and
strictest integrity. Had life and strength
been spared, his business career must have
been most successful.
His life in a broader sense was success,
though cut off in early manhood. Few
men in this community had so many and
so warm friends as he, and he had
them because he was friend to others
Beneath calm and quiet exterior that
might almost be taken for Indifference,
beat heart brim full of sympathy for
the afflicted, of charity for the poor, of
friendship and love for those about him.
Yet so quietly and unostentatiously was
it all done that the gift and not the giver
friends knew where to find him. He
scorned meanness and hypocrisy in every
form An honest, earnest, upright and
downright life was his creed and he fol-
lowed it to the letter. Original in thought,
strong in conviction and firm Of will, his
character was type of true manhood
Yet coupled with this strength of man
hood was the inward gentleness of
womanhood, that quiet, thoughtful doing
unto others, whether others could do unto
him or not
For three long years he battled
against that dread foe, consumption,
which had taken his mother when he was
a boy of six All that loving family and
friends could do for him was done His
wife ministered to his every want with
tenderness and devotion unparalleled.
Every remedy from which relief could be
hoped was tried. A winter at the Barba-
does in 1892 and the following year in the
higher attitudes OF Colorado were all in
vain.
It was while he was in Colorado with
his wife that they were summoned home
in August, 1898, by the sudden death OF
their only child, Henry, a beautiful boy,
8 years of age.
From that time the burden grew
heavier but he bore it without murmur,
and during all the weary months while
he was fading away, no word OF com
plaint ever escaped his lips.
Two years ago he began the building OF
his house on Melville street, and a few
months ago he completed and moved into
if. 1t embodies his thoughts and plans for
many year and in all its appointments
bears his impress
Here, watched and cared for by tender
wife and loving father, and surrounded by
his friends of q lifetime his last days were
spent; and here, as the new day was about
to come in, like tired child, peacefully
and without a struggle he fell asleep.
TO his father and brother and to the
faithful and devoted wife, bereft of child
and hus band within few brief months,
the tenderest sympathy of the whole com
munity goes out in this dark hour.
The memory of life well lived IS theirs