The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-09-30
Death of John Aver.

John Aver, Oakland's most prominent
citizen and business man, died at his home
IN that town Sept. Goth He had been i'll
his life had been despaired of for many
days. The Kennebec Journal published
the following obituary:
John Aver, second son Of nine children
OF Thomas B. and Sibyl Chase Aver, WIS
born in Freedom, Me-, in 1925; was edu-
Gated at the Freedom Academy and at the
Maine Wesleyan Seminary, kent's Hill.
| Possessing extraordinary mathematical
talent, he made a special study Of civil
engineering, and in 1851 was in charge of
the construction of the Penobscot & Ken
peoec Railroad, from Waterville to Ban
gor, and until 1854 was acting superin-
tendent for the contractors. From 1855
TO 1888 he was engaged in railroad sur
veys in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He
came to Oakland in 1858, and since then
has been closely identified with nearly all
Its business industries. He first entered
the employ of the Dunn Edge Tool Co. a S
travelling salesman in 1865, and was at
once made treasurer and general manager.
From corporation with a nominal CAPT
tai, the Dunn Edge Tool Co. became one
| largest producer of scythes in the world
The Somerset railroad was organized in
1868. Mr.. Aver became director that
year, was elected president in 1872, and
since that time has extended and man
aged the road against the opposition of its
enemies and discouragements that would
nave appalled, and crushed ordinary men.
! hen the Somerset railroad seemed to
have lost all OF its friends, when towns
and individuals repudiated their subscrip-
tons, when it was necessary to become
personally responsi BILE to connecting roads
tor advance freight charges, then its pres
ldeDt became invincble. He was elected
trustee eff the Maine Wesleyan Seminary
III 1869, trustee and first president IF the
Cascade Savings Bank in the same year.
In 1888 he built the Cascade Wooden
mill ready for its machinery, vas made a
director and treasurer Of the company in
1889. These positions of trust, in add
ton to the management of the Dunn Edge
Tool Co. and the presidency of the SOM
erset railroad, he held till the day Of his
death.
1T is not imperative to trace a man :
genealogy to substantiate his claim to an
ehYiahe position, earned wholly by him
self, One must De measured by his sue
cess ana indged by the community in
! which he resides and by those with whom
he comes in daily contact. To record
ones merits 50 universally acknoN ledged
is an agreeable task. The lives Of such
men as John Aver make history which
their descendants may read with pardon
able pride, and, closely studied, give a
clear knowledge Of the strength which
develops communities and States. and Of
the motive power which controls them for
the public good
John Ayers boyhood sounded the KEY
note Of a future active life. 4 student Of
men and of literature, an original thinker,
a deep reasoner and a Conscientious Oh
server of lite's duties, one could safely
predict the successful business career that
placed him among the leading men of the
State.
Mr. Aver was married in 1885,, to Olive
A. Furber of Lewiston, by whom two
children were born: William Madison,
born in Bangor in 1856 who graduated
from Dean Academy in Franklin, Mass,
member of the Maine Legislature in 1890
81, delegate to the Republican National
Convention IN Minneapolis in 1892, and
now superintendent of the Somerset rail
road; Mary, born in Oakland in 1868, edu-
Gated in Massachusetts and Paris, France,
now Mrs. David X. Phillips of Marble
head, Mass. Mr.. Aver was married the
second time, Sept II, 1880, to Annabel
Holt of New Sharon, Me-, by whom he
had three children: John, born in 1888;
Benjamin, born in 1885, and Paul, born in
1887.
John Aver exhibited marked character
istics, was a man of strong individuality,
of incorruptiole integrity, reserved and
leticent, tenacious of his opinions, yet
most forbearing toward his enemies, and
charitable to a fault, and always a Re
publican in politics.
No need TO fear the approach of Group If
You have DR.. Thomas Eclectric OIL in the
house. Never was a case that it wouldn't
cure if used at the outset.