The Republican journal., 1900-09-27
OBITUARY.

Oliver &. Critchett died at his home, No.
IT High street, Friday, Sept. 21st, after a.
long illness. He has long been identified
with the leading manufacturing industry of
the city-the shoe factory-and his death
will be mourned by many, not only those
directly connected with that establishment
but our citizens in general Mr.. Critchett
was born in Gambia, n. H., Feb. 8, 1881. a
son of Moses and Nancy Gordon Critchett
In childhood he was an invalid, which pre-
vented him from attending school, but his
health improved as he grew older, and he
learned the shoe-maker's trade He learned
to read and write at spare moments. and
gradually acquired good, practical business
education. He first worked in Gambia. Y
H., as apprentice and journeyman, and his
first business venture for himself was MAX
ing shoes in large numbers for c. c. Dixie of
Stoneham, Mass He afterwards became a
member of the shoe manufacturing firm of
Richardson 4 Critchett of Stoneham. In
1877 the Belfast Manufacturing Company
erected shoe factory in Belfast which was
leased to Jenkins Lanes Sons of Boston. and
hlchardson " Crltchett came here to operate
1t. The firm continued about a wear after
coming to Belfast, when Mr. Richardson re-
tired and Mr.. Critchett carried on the mann
lactuflnS business alone for about a wear.
when MI. Adm V. Chapman of Boston entered
into oco-partnership with Mr.. Critchett under
the firm name of Chipman & Critchett and
they commenced manufacturing shoes on
their own account Their financial backing
having failed in 1873, Chipman 4 Critchett
prosecuted their business under difficulties
Tor short time, but not being able to carry
1t on as they wished wound it up honorably
ana discontinued. Shortly after this, or in
October, 1880, Mr.. A. c. Sibley of this city
entered into copartnership with Mr.. Critch-
ett under the firm name of Critchett Il Sib-
ley and commenced manufacturing shoes
for their own account. In 1884 H, P.
Thompson was added to the firm and
the name changed to Critchett, Sibley Il
Co. In the early days the factory en-
ployed about $50 hands, which was gradu-
ally increased until it now reaches 800 or
more. The firm has maintained from the first
the reputation of sending out high grade
work and it has paid out many thousands of
dollars in wages to employees, all of whom re-
side in Belfast or the immediate vicinity.
The factory has been several times enlarged
as the business increased and is remarkably
we'll equipped and under fine system
of Management Mr., Critchett and his
partners were quick to see and adopt any
improvement in machinery or in the details
of business or work.
Mr.. Critchett married Mary A. smith of
Gambia, who survives him. They had one
the fathers business, and was foreman of
one of the departments of the factory when
he died, May z9th, last, leaving one son,
Ralph O. Critchett. now a student in Dean
Academy. Mr.. Crtchett leaves two sisters
and one brother, Mrs. Eliza Buswell and
Miss Sylvia Critchett of Gambia and Charles
Critchett of Stoneham. He was of quiet
manner, and strictly honorable in all his
dealings. He was ever true and loyal to
his family, friends and native town and GEN
erous to "a fault. He was an ardent fish
erman. and took great interest in stocking
the local waters with improved fish He
was Freemason and Knight Templar.
The funeral was held at his late residence
Tuesday afternoon. There was large at
tendance of business man, and a large dele
cation from the shoe factory attended in a
body. The factory was closed from Satur-
day morning to Wednesday noon The
services were conducted by Rev A. A.
Smith. The floral offerings were simple
but elegant. The body was escorted to the
railroad station Wednesday morning by
Palestine Commandery, Knights Templars,
with Sir Knights c. B. Hall, Chas H. Bray,
R. II. Moody and Robert Burgess as bearers.
The family and Mr.. L. Cally accompanied
the remains to Gambia, n. H., for interment
and where brief services will be held.
In the early morning hours of Tuesday,
September 18th, Mrs. Augusta Maria Dev-
ereaux, released from her long continued,
painful illness, entered into eternal life, at
her home in Stockton Springs, Maine The
deceased was the eldest child of Mr. and
Mrs. Louis Blanchard and was born in Pros
PoSe UNIV oboGheoll opI llSSJ ocpl. II, 1000.
Had she survived one day longer she would
have reached the age of siXty-two years.
At twenty, she was married by the late Rev.
Rotheus Byram, to Capt. Albert Devereaux
of Prospect. This union was blessed by
two children, Eugene (Mrs. Phineas Grif-
fin of Cambridge, Mass, and Dr. Herbert
B. Devereaux, at present of this place, who
both survive her. During her early mar
ried life Mrs. d. accompanied her husband
on his sea voyages, making her home at her
fathers when not away. In 1867 she and
her husband removed to Bucksport, Maine,
where they resided until November 1879,
when they came to Stockton, buying the
place which has since been the family home.
In the fall of 1884 Capt. Devereaux sailed
from Port of Spain, Trinidad, and never
reached Philadelphia, the port of destina-
ton. The strain of this intense anxiety
and sorrow was most nobly borne by the
loving wife, thus showing her natural fac
ulty of hiding her troubles from the world,
her cheerful disposition keeping alive
''hope'' even after other friends had des-
paired From this time ON her mother-love
centered more than ever in her children and
it was to nurture them carefully that she
devoted all her anarpv 4 most thOuuht-