Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-02-08
JUDGE DEeRlN6 DEAD.

1 JOOGc OccNtN1 OGSO
FAIRS OLDEST CITIZEN PASSES AWAY
AFTER ROUNDING OFT ALMOST
CENTURY.
Rich in years and as rich In the esteem
OF his fellOwmen, Judge James
Deering Of south Paris, after rounding
out almost century Of life, passed
peacefully into the world beyond last
Saturday at halt-psst eleven O'Clock In
the forenoon.
For the past week or two the genial
| face aud familiar figure OF Judge Deer
| ing. pushed about Ia his movable chair.
have be,n missed from our streets and
| it Was generally know that the judge
was an. vet the family and the attending
physician had hardly expected that the
end OF his long aud useful life Was so
near. Every one had shared the hope
that the Judges strong constitution,
happv disposition and correct habits
would enable him 20 reach the century
mark-aud vet he came 30 near To IL
that il might be even cruel TO wish that
the few remaining months could DE al
lowed when perhaps those months would
h4ving brought suffering 20 one who
was universally loved aud respected.
james Deeriug, or Judge" Deering,
~ he wss familiarity called, was born
Nov ,, l7q> He was the son of Joseph
and Hannah Jameson Deering, aud
grandson OF John aud Eunice (Spinney)
Deering. His ancestors came from
Engisni aud were among the tirs;
settlers OF Scarboro. Maine, several OF
them following the occupation OF ship
Nrights.
John Deeriug. grandfather OF the
iudse) WAS the father OF six children.
Ills fourth child, Joseph, (tNther OF the
Judge wss bern Oct. 6, 1854 An ex-
cellent workman Sui man OF much
intelligence, he WAS in prosperous cir
cumstances and occupied prominent
position In the community AT OLD
orchard. Nsine. where he resided. In
March. l779, M married Hannah jameson,
daughter OF william jameson, OF Old
Orchard. and became the father OF eleven
children az whom the Judge" was the
ninth. The Judges father died In 1884
lacking but few DAYS OF iOurseore
wears.
In his early msuhOoi Judge" Deer
ing completed an apprenticeship In
notwithstanding or Notwithstanding a.
twas called In olden times, In factory
in Saco. Maine, where he obtained very
thorough knowledge Of the trade
shortly after, when passing through
south Paris on his way 20 visit n brother
who lived in oxford County, he took
note OF the fact that the locality was
remarkably favored with ~ster-power
and space. the main requisites for such
an establishment rs he hsd worked 10 Al
S4co. OF course 70 him, whose only
cspital was his skill. the idea Was
dream. but being of n practical turn OF
mind he determined 10 make beginning
here. however humble. Accordingly
Nth the most mske-shift appliances, he
began 20 manufacture chairs, cutting
his timber in the woods, kiln-drying II
for use. splitting II by hsnd, and operat-
ing but Que small turning lathe, which
ne ran with 4 primitive vet ingenious
arrangement, by water power. some
Of the chairs made In this way sre still
10 be found in town, interesting memo
rails OF an industry that has aided In
developing The locality and monuments
to the thorough workmanship of y mar
whose energy reflects credit upon his
name.
Judge behring's venture proved
signally successful. As business In
cree sed he enlarged and improved his
shops and machinery until az length the
dres N Of his youth WAS more than real
iyed. when his business vas established
on a secure foundation he began 10 IL
vest in real estate. He has owned land
in al parts of the village. He built
eight dwellings, thoroughly repaired
many more. and cleared great deal OF
wild land. The large house on High
Street that has ever since been his resi-
dence. was erected by him In 1856. In
1876 ne withdrew from active business.
In 1923 he was married 10 Eliza Moore,
daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth
Morse Moore of South Paris. Ihe
product Of this marriage was three
children. Elizabeth H., wife OF hon.
WIN X Porter William, and Mary T.,
the latter of whom has made her nome
with and cared for her aged father faith
fully and devotedly until his death.
Judge behring's only son. William, has
developed 4 business career successful
Derhsps beyond that OF any nstive 81
Paris. After engaging la business IN
Sopth Paris for eleven years, he removed
20 Portland where he became in 1860 the
l. a,ior mariner OF the well-known firm OF
Dasripg Nilliken & Co. Withdrawing
trom this firm ne removed 70 Chicago
and engaged with company In the
manufacture Of harvesting machinery,
which company he afterwards bought
our md later With his two sons ann MS
u,ph.x urxanized the Deering Harvester
| Company. the largest manufacturers IN
the world in their line OF goods.
| Judge Deering and his wife celebrated
,ba siy,ieth anniversary Of their marriage
lin March. 1883. Mrs. Deering, whose
hs.l,b was excellent throughout her
lifetime, died from an accident Ia iao,
being then in her ninetieth year Inc
"Judge' and Mrs. Deering were members
OF the Methodist Episcopal church al
south Paris. and liberal supporters.
The Judge was a heavy contributor 70
the church building fund. He also built
the parsonage and made present OF u
to the society. He has always been =
public spirited citizen, aiding every
| snovems nj 10 serve the best interests OF
the town. -
In bis advanced age he has been 8
familiar figure on our streets. retaining
IN a remarkable degree bis intellectual
powers. and sharp wit. He has been an
apcompromising Republican since the
Avs az Abraham Lincoln. and his poiui-
Ie,l ana historical "reminiscences were
sIyays entertaining. He had q genial
smile. hand shake and kino worn IoI
everybody, aud no man In oxford County
VAS ever held in higher esteem oy MS
fellow citizens. ~,
The memory Of Judge Deeriag viii
not soon fade. IL IL . dream crowded
with pleasant recollection!