Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-02
Mr. Horace n. Han,len.

Mr. Horace n. hamlen.
The angel of death that has lowered
over our fair city the past fatal win
ter. robbing many households of their
choicest treasures, could not have
called away a citizen better known or
more beloved than Horace Hedge
Hamlen. whose death. Sunday even
ing. has already been announced in
these columns.
MIR. Hamlen was the son of the late
Charles Hamlen. ESQ.,. who removed to
this city from Sidney. establishing
himself in the grocery business here.
which he continued until his retire
ment on account of old age. with the
respect of his fellow citizens. whom he
had faithfully served in several i'm
pOrtant official positions. Horace was
born on the 10th of October. 1886. He
attended the public schools. mastering
the full course in the High school, He
entered his fathers; store when a mere
boy. serving as clerk for many years
On his father retiring from business,
he formed partnership with his
| brother Frank. in 1857. continuing the
business at the old stand. under the
| firm name of F. l.. e. H. Fl. Hamlen
| Desiring a more extensive acquaint-
anoe with our public men of a national
| reputation. he spent four years in
! Washington, u. c.. two in the census
! bureau. and two in the pension office
Returning to Augusta. by an over
whelming petition he was made
| postmaster in 1870, succeeding James
A. Bicknell. Esq. and held the place
until 1881. being succeeded by Hon.
Joseph Fl. Manley.
The most of the time while hold
| ing this Office Mr.. Hamlen was
the acknowledged local leader of
the Republican party. directing
its destinies with wisdom which
was born of great natural talents and
remarkable knowledge of human ma
ture. While chairman of the city COM
| mittee he was in no sense a boss
but quietly guided the course of polit-
ICal events in such way that the
voters were conscious of doing them
| selves special favor by walking in
| the pathway which he had so success
| fully marked out. He knew personally
| every voter. even to the color of his
| eyes. Take the figures of his prelimin-
| airy canvass, and you could calculate
the final result with remarkable ac-
curacy. He made himself familiar with
the habits of life and ruling character
istics of every voter. With the posi-
BILE exception of James G. Blaine. Au-
gusta never had more wise and tai
| ented political leader.
| Although frequently urged. Mr.. Ham
len would never accept a city or cOun-
ty office August 2. 1877, he was elect
ed director in the Granite National
Bank, position which he filled up to
the time of his death. Seventeen years
ago last Autumn he established the
harness and supply business on Water
street in the store now occupied by
&c. H. Mason. Shortly after. he removed
to his present quarters in the Alden
wooden building. corner Of Water and
Oak streets. where for many years he
employed some 80 men in manufacture
ing harness for his large trade. Lat
Iterly the crew has been decreased 20
some six or seven men.
| Mr. Hamlen was never married ever
making his home at his fathers house.
When his own mother died and his
father on Nov. s. 1860. married for his
second wife Mrs. ROxanna MavO
Horace loved the new mother with
tenderness and devotion of an own
child. So attracted was he to her that
when her eyes closed in death it SEEM
ed like the second passing away Of his
mother. although the grief was greatly
intensified. Since then his hOuSekeeper
has been Miss Elisa Mayo. daughter
of his second mother. and truly no
brother and sister ever established or
abided in a happier home. Love and re-
spect. thoughtfulness and considera-
ton for each others wishes. abided In
that home as a constant guest.
Yesterday, we asked business man
or Water street who had known him
well for half a century. to name Mr..
Hamlen's leading characteristic. He
answered with choking utterance: "All
that was good. and nothing that was
bad" Should we cover pages of manu-
script the story could not be better
told He seemed to live FOR others. 20
earn money to bestow 1t upon those
who needed 1t more than he, and he
disl;ked to let any one know that h"
was doing good While in his sickness.
suffering almost unendura BILE pain. his
only anxiety seemed to be about the
men that would be thrown out Of en-
n,ovment if anything should happen to
min, He was tender and thoughtful t"
others, always knowing when to speak
the kind and appreciative words.
profound reader, and one remembering
and treasuring up all he had read, It
was equal to liberal education to. be
often in his presence. While not a
member Of any religious denomination,
he contributed literally toward the
sunport of the First, Baptist CHURCH.
which he revered astthe church of his
n.rents. But if to be Christian is to
believe in the verities of Gods word.
and live a life of helpfulness to his
brother man. then he was Christian
IN the best sense of the term. few
DAYS before his death. when he was
CONSCIOUS that the shadows were gath
ering around him. he added as pest
script: Goodbye, perhaps" and quot
cd as the sentiments of his heart.
I.angfellow's ''Thanatopsis," begin
ming; so live that when the SUM
mons comes" etc.
And thus he did live. Friend Of nay
: youth, farewell! Green be the turf
above thy grave: and we who wait
awhile here below shall hold thy men,
, ory ever precious.