Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-07
Daily kennebec Journal.
VAUDEVILLE.
FRANK L. THAYER.
wstsryilIe Loses One Of Her Most Prominent
and Popular Business Men.

afternoon, at his home on Silver street,
after a long illness foom Brights DIS
ease.
His condition has been very critical
for many days, yet frequent rallies
gave his friends ground for hope and
of late his condition had been so en-
couraging that his recovery was eN-
nected. 1t was scarcely believed when
the report began to circulate on the
street that Mr.. Thayer was dead. Inc
report had somehow gotten into clrcu-
lation once before and proved ground
less and every one hoped that 1t might
again be the case, yesterday. men
il was found that the report was true
a feeling Of gloom spread over the city
and especially among the business men
who had known Mr.. Thayer so many
wears and all of whom had only the
highest respect and love for him.
Mr. Thaver was first taken sick after
the spring election, in which ne was
the Democratic candidate for mayor.
He worked very hard as usual
throughout the campaign and the emu
found him confined to the house WIN
a severe cold which was not consld-
cred serious at the time. His illness
continued and developed into Bright 5
aisaaco which was the immediate
cause of his death. He was a great
sufferer but bore it all win iil"s' mn =!
cent courage and patience. MS 'o'i''
tion has been watched cloSeiS ~
whole city from the flrst udy u i'9
illness. ,a ~
The deceased was scion Oh ollc -
Watervilles oldest and best KNOWN
families. His grandfather, Or stephen
Thayer. was a prominent citizen ana
one of the leading physicians Of the
town early in the century. lie was oile
~ tho charter members Of Watcrville
Lodge F. and A. NJ. His son. l.. Eu-
,,ana Thaver was the father OF IN"
late Frank l.. Thayer and was one 81
tho leading citizens all his life, heavy
real estate owner and n prominent
business man.
Frank l.. Thayer was born in 1879 IN
the old brick house just south OF lh'
Unitarian church. There were lilrct
hoys in the family, one of Wholh' Il
very promising young man, dled III
1877 of peritonitis. The other brother,
Dr Samuel c. Thayer. is now engaged
in the practice of meicine in Boston.
The deceased was educated in the
schools of the city, graduating uhu'r
the famous instructor, DIR. James H.
Hanson. in the days when 'opurh
Classical Institute was known by the
name of the Waterville Classical IN
stitute and was the High school OF
the CITY. In 1874, he began his actlN"
career in business. entering the store
Of his father, who then carried on q
c,othinp hats and mems furnishing
busjness on the site of the present Peo-
nles' National Bank, Of which the ED
or Thavcr was one Of the directors.
The father and son continued IN pusl-
ness together for 10 years.
When the principles of the old
craanhack party were sweeping over
the country in the 70's, the young MI
Tbaver embraced them with enthusi-
asm and was one Of the most proml-
nant members Of the party in this VI
cinitv so long as a separate organlza-
ton was maintained. When hnally
the old Greenback party was amaiga-
mated with the Democratic party. MT.
Thaver became equally conspicuous IN
the ranks of the latter party. lie was
y tireless worker in the party and when
Mr.. Cleveland was elected, IN 1881 ne
was the unanimous choice of the local
Democrats for the position OF pnstnas-
ter. which office had then been held py
the Republicans for q period OF a
wears. He assumed the duties of the
office in 1885 at the expiration OF the
term of Willard Dunn, and served
very acceptably the full term OF tour
years In 1889. he was elected CITY
treasurer, an office for which his splen-
did business ability admirably htted
him. In 1890. he was elected represeh-
tative TO the Legislature and very ably
served. When Mr. Cleveland was
elected to the Presidency the second
time Mr.. Thaycr was again the choice
Of his party as postmaster and com
pleted the second term as acceptably
as he had the first.
Mr. Thayer was a member Of the
American Benefit Society and always
took much interest in, the work.
Mr.. Thayer was a heavy real estate
owner, having built several fine houses
in different parts Of the city. In lSo,
he built the elegant block which bears
his name. on the corner of Main and
Silver streets Since 1892 he had been
an Office in this block, under the firm
name of Thayer & Drew, Forest X.
Drew being his partner.
Mr.. Thayer married Miss Nora Pull
sifer. daughter of the late DIR. n. q.
II. Pulsifer of this city, who, with three
sons, Nathan p. Eugene and Frank L.,
Jr, survive him. Nathan 7. and Eu-
gene l.. are students at Colby.
Mr.. Thayer was respected as an hon
orable and sagacious business man,
his opinion in real estate being that of
an expert. He was the Democratic
candidate for mayor Of the city for the
past three years and always gave the
Republicans a very close fight. He
was always very popular in the city
and will be sadly missed in the many
interests of the city with which he has
been connected.
The funeral will be held. at o'clock
Sunday afternoon, Rev A. G. Pettin-
gill of the Unitarian church. officiating
The bearers will be Hon. c. f. John
son. Hon. f. L. Jones, c. w. Davis and
Forest Drew.