Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-23
JOSEPH n. WALL.
One Of Augustus Assessors Dies, Monday, OIL
Consumption After Several Months illness.

Inc many IrlenQS OF Joseph II. w all,
one of the board Of assessors of the
city Of Augusta, were greatly shocked
to hear of his death although it has
been expected for some time, as he had
been i'll for several months, with con-
sumption. He died at $40. Mon
day morning. at his home on the
river road, nearly two miles from the
city.
Mr.. Wall was born on October 30,
1913. in the same house in which he
died, the farm then being owned by his
father. Joseph II. Wall, and was near
ly So years old. He always lived on
the home farm and passed a very
quiet life. He was a successful farmer
and had a very comfortable home and
we'll kept farm in which he took a
just pride. He was not actively
connected with any church but he was
a member of Augusta Lodge, r. & A.
M, and was generally loved and re-
spected by all with whom he came in
contact. He was man Of sterling in
tegrity and worth. ~ 2 jss-'
He was married WHEN quite a young
man and had two children. His wife
died in November. 1856, and his
daughter in February. 1890. His son,
Alton J. Wall. survives him and will
continue to live on the homestead.
Mr.. Wall received good education,
being a graduate Of III" high school
and was very well read man. For
IA years of his life he was a carpenter
but Still kept up his farm and at the
end of that time he went back on the
farm.
Mr.. Wall was always a good
citizen and was greatly interested
in all matters pertaining to the well
fare of Augusta. He held several
Offices in the city. He was a member
of the board of aldermen in 1862, 1.
member Of the common council in 1873
1874. an overseer of the poor in 1881
1882 and was elected to the board of
assessors in 1888 and had served con-
tinuously, with the exception of
1884.
There was no man in the world who
knew more about the values in the
city, both real and personal, and his
long experience on the board made him
a valuable help to the other members.
He was reelected. last spring, for a
term Of three years. During the win
ter he had the grip and it developed
into consumption and from that time
to the time of his death he was a
great sufferer. His last meeting
with the board was June 16 when the
taxes were committed. He visited
the city within month, however.
and made a gallant struggle to the end
against the disease.
Mr.. Wall was man of judicial fair
ness of mind. All who served
with him upon the board Of assessors
will bear cheerful testimony to the fact
that he was singularly free from pref
udices. He was always courteous
and attentive listener. and was actual
ed in his official work by a sincere de-
sire to deal justly and fairly with all
men. With rare good judgment he
combined ready tact which enabled
him to avoid needless frictions. and
retain in an unusual degree the con-
fidence and good will Of his fellow citi-
zens.
His sympathies were broad. Those
who served with him in his Off
cial duties know how jealousy he
guarded the little fund appropriated
for attachments in order that it might
be applied to the relief of those de-
serving cases of extreme need which
stood in special want Of 1t. II he some
times refused to distribute It in re-
Spouse to the calls of those with in
comes sufficient for their comfortable
livelihood, his associates on the board
knew that he had in mind the sick, the
aged and the widowed. who were with
out such income, and to whom the re-
lief afforded by the abatement fund
meant the actual necessities of life.
His kindly heart never failed to beat
| in sympathy for such cases, and his