The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-07
OBITUARY..
MARK P. EMERY.


| MIR. Mark p Emery died at his resi-
denoe on-Free street in this city yester-
day morning, after an illness of several
weeks from Inflammation of the stomach
and bowels.
In 1856 two brothers, John and An
thony Emery. came to Boston. The lat
ter settled in Kittery. The grandfather
OF Mark T. was descendant of Anthony
ana native of Biddeford. His son
Thomas was born in Buxton. and there
Mark p. was born, Feb. 18th, 1917. He
was therefore 81 years of age, though his
appearance was that of a much younger
man. His boyhood was passed on the
farm and his education gained at the
town school nd at Gcrham Academy
When twenty years of age, unaided pecu-
niariIy, he came to Portland. He be-
came a clerk in the firm of Smith &
Brown, grocers and lumber dealers. The
members of that firm, St. John Smith
and John B. Brown, viii always be re-
membered in the history of Portland, as
two of its most prominent, as we'll as
successful merchants. Eight years after
his entrance as clerk, young Emery, then
% years of age, became partner with
John B. Brown and Jedediah Jewett,
who was afterward collector of the port.
The firm name was j. B. Brown & Co.
The partnership continued for three
years, when it was dissolved, and Mr..
Emery went into business for himself as
manufacturer and shipper of shocks
and an importer of sugar and molasses.
He continued until 1852, when, on &C.
count of impaired health, he took q rest
for several years and passed the greater
part of the time at his old home in 3ux-
| ton.
In 1865 ne took in Henry Fox as part
ner, with the firm name of Emery & Fox
and continued in the same business until
1868. 1t was very profitable business
then. when sugar was stored in barrels,
and the firm prospered. But as the use
of shocks began to decline on account of
the introduction of bags as receptacles for
sugar, the firm, in 1860, added the lum-
Der business to their extensive shipping
and import trade, and continued as lum-
Der merchants till 1876, when the partner.
ship was dissolved, and Mr.. Emery
sought to retire from the cares and du-
| ties that he had sustained so industri-
onsIy for the previous forty years.
1t would perhaps be difficult to enumer-
ate all of the ways and means in which
Mr.. Emery's money and energy have
been potent for the commercial advance
lnent of the city. He was one of those
who established the line of steamers to
New York and for years Emery & Fox
were the agents for the company and
managed the business, the steamboats,
landing at their wharf. He was direc-
tor of, and large owner in the stock of
the Maine Steamship Company, dlrec-
tor of the First National Bank, and a
trustee Of the Maine Savings Bank, and
his financial ability was recognized as of
the highest order. Whatever enterprise
has seemed promising for the interest of
the city he was ready to contribute and
encourage. There is scarcely transport
tation line eenterirg here which he has
not thus encouraged. It may also be said
that there is scarcely any worthy object
for which he has not literally contrib
uted.
AS member of the committee of the
First Parish church for many years. no
one was more active in every way, in sus-
tanning and fostering its powerful infu
enue.
He was an alderman for two terms,
during which time, as chairman of the
committee of the Fire Department., be
purchased the first fire engine used in
Portland. Mr.. Emery was eight years
the treasurer of the State Reform School
and took a great interest in it's financial
management. His connection with the
Maine Bible Society was that of a leading
spirit His liherality in giving has
been displayed at his native town of Bux-
ton as notably as elsewhere. Though a
Unitarian himself, no was the prime
mover in the renovation and improve
ment of the Baptist church at Buxton
Centre and contributed largely both of
his time and money. He also gave to the
Iar ish parsonage few years ago. 1t
was cherished custom of his to invite
is own pastor and intimate friend, DR..
Hill. of the First Parish, now deceased,
to 90 out to Buxton and preach at that
church some time during the summer.
| The First Parish choir also was invited.
He also took much interest in the Con.
greg ational church at Groyeville, contri-
buted largely to relieve it of debt, and
then told the committee to buy as good a
bell as they cared to select, and he would
pay for it. He annually contributed to
| the support of the Congregational church
at Buxton Lower Corner, and attended
service there not infrequently. 1t was
the church that his father attended.
Mr. Emery's wife, who was a sister of
the late st. John Smith, died number
| of years ago. He leaves no children.
| pucoI IrTI0NC TO THE MEMORY