Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-11-26
OBITUARY..
HARVEY z. HINCKLEY.


sentatiGeeI elect of the class towns of Blue
hill, Surry and Dedham, and member of
tie republican county committee, died
suddenly Friday, Nov. 20.
To the oft-repeated phrases, Life is I'M
certain and 1--WE know not what day
may bring forth, everyone yields ready
acquiescence, but their true meaning is
never 80 fully realized as when one falls
suddenly from the ranks Of active work.
ers, and those who were keeping step
with him in the onward march of life,
find the place he was wont to fill forever
more vacant.
This has been the experience of the
many friends of Harvey P. Hinckley, who
was called so suddenly from earth Friday
morning, Nov. 20. Mr.. Hinckley had
been i'll since November 9 with pneumo-
mia, and although not so seriously i'll as
many have been with that disease, there
had been anxiety with regard to his re-
covery. But fears gave place to encourage
ment and hope as each day of the last
week found him improving.
Friday morning after sitting up in his
room and eating his breakfast, he re-
marked to his wife that he did not know
as he should be able to attend the concert
Thanksgiving evening, but thought he
should be well enough to have a little
company at home on that day. Soon after
he lay down again Mrs. Hinckey saw
sudden change come upon him. Help
was summoned at once. and restoratives
of every kind We're used, but to no avail
The tlre1 heart had ceased to palpitate.
Harvey P. Hinckley was The second son
Of the late Hon. J. r. Hnckley. He was
thirty-seven years old July 1, 1896. He
attended the town schools and academy
of his native town. But when his school
days We're over, he did not consider his
education finished, for by reading and
observation he was always adding to his
store of knowledge and information
He had taste for higher grade OF litera-
ture than most young men possess, and
many gems of poetry and prose he COM
nltteu 10 memory.
The writer well remembers being in
conversation with him when some allu-
sion was made to Longfellow's "Morituri
Salutamus," at the time it was given to
the public in Harper's Maya zine, and
he repeated Il large portion of it, having
committed the most if not the whole of
that lengthy poem to memory. What
ambition may not have been inspired by
the engraving on the mind of such lines
as these:
"And ye who fill the places we once filed,
And follow in the burrows that we titled
Young men, whose generous hearts are beating
high.
We who are old and are about to die
Salute you hail you take your hands in
And crown you with our welcome as with
flowers"
day we make the poets words our
own:
"What greetings come there, from the voiceless
dead:
What salutations. welcome or reply?
What pressure from the hands that lifeless lie?
They are no longer here; they all are gone
Into the land of shadows"
At the age of fifteen Mr.. Hinckley
began the life of sailor, having all
boys passion for Following the sea-.
He held the position Of second officer and
that of first officer for quite number of
years. His voyages were mostly to for
eign countries, and his graphic descrip-
tions of places and customs in OF her lands
made his letters very interesting to his
correspondents at home. On one voyage
he was absent from the United States
two years, and covered $1,000 miles Of
travel
In 1888 he retired from sea- arng life
and engaged in business as the senior
member in the firm of J. Il. Hinckley's
Sons, in the general grocery and dry
goods business. He and his younger
brother Arthur have always been relied
upon as men of honesty and integrity.
Few men had better prospects of long
life, prosperity and happiness than Mr..
Hinckley. Comfortably settled in the
house his father occupied so long-with
business well established. with his
chosen companion and two children to
gladden. his home, with the confidence of
his fellow townsmen whose votes had so
recently been cast in hearty support of
his representing the town in the State
legislature, he has fallen in the strength
of manhood. What lesson to those who
remain, of the brevity and uncertainty OF
human life!
Mr.. Hinckley was a Free Mason and
filled positions of honor and trust in that
organization. He had studied faithfully
and carefully its principles, and was well
versed in the various workings of the
order.
Not only will he be missed in the home
circle, the places Of business, the Masons'
lodge and the town at large, but the