The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-17
T. D. Brainord.

| The funeral of Hon. r. o. Braiuerd
took place from his residence on Friday
afternoon at 2 o'clock. Impressive ser
vices were conducted by Rev. Mr.. Weed,
a former pastor, assisted by Rev. II. r.
Wood. Appropriate singing was fur
nished by a select quartette consisting OF
Mr.. Goodwin, Mrs. Sadie Hunnewell,
| Miss Beulah Woodsum and Mr.. Fred
Fall. The large house was packed with
people while many remained out OF
doors. All business places and schools
! in the village were closed at the hour of
the service. People were present not
only from all parts of the town but
many came from the surrounding towns.
This great concourse of people, the
many and beautiful floral tributes, the
| bowed heads and falling tears, all indi-
Gated plainly In how great esteem Mr..
| Brainerd was held by all classes. He
was born In 1881. and WAS SO years and
5 months of age at the time of his death.
His father was DIR. James H. Branerd.
| He was we'll educated in early life and
continued q close student to the hour OF
his departure. He went to Wisconsin in
1856 and was for ten years the successful
editor and publisher OF the jackson
County Banner. He learned the print
ing business 10 the office of the Water
vile Mail. For six years, while in the
West, he was a probate judge. After
: h. tAAn iaA
with all the interests of the village and
town. For over 20 years he was post
master, and would have held the office
longer but for a change In administra-
ton. He kept general store In China
for 80 years, and so conducted his busi-
ness as to gain and hold the confidence
of all who had dealings with him. He
had held nearly every town office of i'm
portance, being the head of the town
committee for years. He also acted for
some time as deputy sheriff. He was
greatly interested In all educational
work, being chairman of the school
board at the time of his death. He was
religious man and deeply interested in
the spread of Christianity, both at home
and abroad. He was converted In early
youth and became member of the
church. He held important offices In
the church and was for many years a
successful teacher of a Bible class. But
he was not only a firm believer In Chris
tianity but living example OF righteous
ness.
He was a man of strong character,
keen intellectual ability and positive
opinions. He was conservative and
always tried to look at things on all
sides before forming conclusions, and so
they were generally correct. He was
devoted not only to his family, but WAS
interested in whatever would benefit the
whole community and the world at
large. He delighted to help others 10 all
ways that he could. His wife, who was
Miss Maria Washburn, daughter of Zeba
Washburn, leading lawyer, preceded
him to the Heavenly Land, five years
ago. Mr.. Brainerd believed fully in the
power Of the press, and gave to 1t his
hearty support, not only acting as
correspondent but frequently writing
articles on various topics for publication.
He leaves four children, viz: DIR. Walter
s. Brainerd of Pemaquid; Newell W.
Brainerd, Esq, clerk OF courts for Som.
erset county; Estelle NJ. Brainerd,
leading w. C. L. U. worker, and now |
president of Kennebec county w. c. T.
u, and Helen N. Brainerd. There are |
also several grand children. They have
the heartfelt sympathies OF wide circle
of friends and acquaintances In their
very great sorrow.
For the reasons stated above few men
could be missed from the community
more than he OF him 1t may be truly
said: "He rests from his labors aud his
works do follow him." FL. r. W.