The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-01-20
Obituary..

He was the son of Capt James and Lucy
Rich Atwood, and was born in Bucksport,
Me-, April IS, 1926. His grandfather came
from Provincetown and settled in Bucks
port about 1870. They were a sea-faring
people. James, the father of Freeman, early
went to sea and rose to the command of a
brig. His earnings were for years invested
with prominent firm of ship owners. The
firm failed, and with its failure went every
dollar he possessed. III luck followed him
from this time, though his courage and en-
ergy were unfailing. At the age of thirty
he was drowned at sea, leaving a young
widow, without means of support and de-
pendent on her three children-Joan aged S,
Freeman aged 6, and Sarah aged 4 years.
But the young mother by her own exer-
tions kept her little family together for four
years, when she married Mr. Samuel White
of Winterport, to which place she, with her
children, removed. Here Freeman Atwood
lived until he grew to young manhood. A
few weeks of schooling during the winter
months were the only advantages he ever
had for acquiring an education. The rest of
the year it was hard, earn est toll on the farm
He knew but little of pleasure and recrea-
ton. At the age of eighteen he left home to
make his way in the world. His poss essions
at that time were substantial clothing, good
health, q clear mind, aud a loving mothers
blessing. He took charge of the farm of
Capt Thomas Kilburn of Bucksport one
year. He then, in company with his broth
er-in-law, the late Joshua Kilbu IN of Win
terport bought farm and they went earnest t.
ly to work to pay Tor their new home. He
remained on this farm four years, when he
sold out anI bought an interest in the stage
line running between Monroe and Bangor.
At that time staging was laudable and
profitable business. A well equipped four
horse coach was run each day. MIR. At
wood himself drove for several years and
boarded with the late Horace McKenney, the
other owner of the line. Always fond of
horses and driving he acquired the reputa-
ton OF being one oi the most skillful aud
safest of drivers. After selling his interest
in the stage line he bought the large and
valuable farm in Monroe village which he
owned at the time Of his death. He was an
intense aGmirer of fine horses and cattle.
He bred and sold many of the former, among
them the celebrated trotting horse Hopeful |.
In former years he dealt to considerable
extent in live stock and bought for the
Brighton market large numbers of cows and
yokes of oxen. But few men took greater
interest in public affairs of local nature,
and he was ever ready to lead in any enter
prise that would tend to improve the condi-
ton of his townsmen. Few men, not dis
tinctly public, had greater powers as pub
Tic speaker His voice was often listened to
and with respect ard admiration. Many
articles that have attracted notice have
fallen from his pen. He was for several
years member of the board of selectmen of
his town; was elected to the legislature in
'65, and served on the Maine Board of agr-
culture three years. He was the first pres-
dent of the Monroe Dairy Association mar
shal at the fairs of rue Waldo & Pen0 0bscot
Agricultural Association sixteen years, and
was its president twelve years, during
which time he saw the annual fairs of the
society grow from what would now be call
ed a small town fair to the magnitude of
county fair second to none in the State. To
his energy and orogressiveness is due, in a
large degree, the success of the society. In
1917 he married Miss Maria Weston of Win
terport. Four children were born to them
a son, DR.. c. F. Atwood of Winterport, Me-,
Lula E., the wife of DR.. A. S. Baker of
Byron, Mimi, and A Abbie S., the wife of Dr.
j. j. Sewall of Roxbury, Mass. The first
born, Ellen Maria, died in infancy. For a
year or more Mr.. Atwood had suffered from
a malady which though troublesome, was
not regarded as dangerous. About the first
of December, from exposure or over exer-
tion, it assumed more aggravated form and
gradually grew worse, until about two weeks
before his death he took his bed. On Jan.
Sd alarming symptoms developed and it was
plain that the end was not far off. He pain
lessly and peacefully passed away on the
evening of Jan s. 1895 he was one of the
most genial and social of men, and one of
the most kind and accommodating of neigh
bors. Generous to fault, he was ever read "
to aid the needy and lend helping hand to
all. His counsel was wise and often sought
Those who associated with him in his daily
life both admired and loved him, and in his
family he was father always considerate
and affectionate. Indeed it can be truly
said that his life was success and its work
we'll done. J.Js
Morning Light Grange, Monroe, Jan. 18th,
adopted the following resolutions of re-
spect:
Whereas, God in his allwise providence
has seen fit to remove our beloved brother,
Freeman Atwood, from our order, and
while we bow with submission to His will,
we would not forget those whose hearts are
saddened by this great bereavement.
Resolved, That we, officers and members
of Morning Light Grange, do hereby extend
to Sister Atwood and family our heartfelt
sympathy in this their deep affection and
would commend them to that Divine Master
above who doeth all things we'll.
Resolved, That in the death of our brother
the order has lost a true friend. the family
kind husband and father, and although he
will meet no more with us here we will ever
hold him in loving memory.
Resolved, That our charter be draped in
mourning for thirty days, and that a copy of
these resolutions be entered on our records
ceased; also copy sent to The Republican
Journal for publication.
JThsr " : psssss B1wss Committee
EDWIN JENKINS. Resolutions.