The Portland daily press., 1898-12-28
OBITUARY..
MOS Es GREENLEAF PAMLER.

MOS ES GREENLEAF PAMLER.
Mr.. Moses Greenleaf Palmer died in this
city at his residence on Spring street, yes
terday afternoon, after long Illness
Moses Greenleaf Palmer, was the second
son OF John and Betsey (Nichols) Palmer,
was born at Norr1dgewock, September IS.
1892. and was consequently in the Nth
year of his age. He was educated in thu
district schools of his native town and
at Bloomfield academy. At the age of
IL he enlisted to take part in the NADIA
waska war, and the blookhouse is still
standing st Fort Fairfield, a monument
TO the company in which he served In
1S4s he established himself in business
with his brother, Summer c., In Fox
boro, Mass, as manufacturers and inven-
and hat factory, and Mr.. Palmer's in
vention consisted of q plaster of Paris
block, instead of the hand made wooden
bonnet block formerly used. This inven-
ton came into general use. Six years
later he returned to Maine. but retained
his interests in the bonnet factory.
In lS4l, he opened the first wholesale
millinery store ever established in Maine,
and built up a lucrative business, from
which he retired in 1861. In 1867 he es-
tablished the Palmer Shoe company in
this city, which became known far and
wide and is still unfolding its great
reputation, although the ownership has
changed.
Mr.. Palmer was also charter member
of the first horse railroad company orga-
nized in Portland, and later its treasur-
er. The directors thought him extrava-
CANT however, because he deemed it nec-
cessary to have Two horses, driver and
conductor for each car, and new mama
ger was elected after which the "bobtail'
cars were run with one horse and with
out a conductor, each passenger putting
his fare in a box fastened at one end OF
the car. Three years later Mr. Palmer
had the satisfaction of seeing the old sys-
tenn restored.
In 1889 Mr.. Palmer retired from active
business life. In 1879 he was elected
treasurer of the Old Orchard Camp
Meeting Association, and much OF the
development of that great watering place
was due to his efforts. He has always
since his first election held the position.
at the time when the affairs of the Sec
ond National bank were in precarious
condition. he purchased a majority of the
stock, a new board of directors was chos-
en-, the business became good and closed
out to the First National bank at a hand
some profit He also was instrumental
in elevating the stock of the Maine Gen.
trail railorad to its proper value, and was
also among the first to advocate the in
PRODUCTION of the electric light into the
city.
Mr.. Palmer married Miss Martha Jane
Aver, the daughter of Rev. Philip Aver
of Monmouth. They had three children,
of whom George, superintendent of agents
of the New York Life for Maine. New
Hampshire and Massachusetts,, alone sur
wives.
Mr.. Palmer was member of Portland
lodge of Masons, and the only surviving
member of ths board of trustees who held
office during the erection of the Chestnut
street Methodist Episcopal church edifice,
upon the building committee of which
he also served Mr.. Palmer had won for
himself the just reward which falls to
the individual effort and faithful citi-
zenshlp.