Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-20
A Wise Choice.

The Republican legislative caucus
made wise choice. last evening. in
nominating Hon. a. ". Gilman of
Foxcroft, as it's candidate for The
newly created Office OF commissioner
of agriculture. Such a nomination is
place i'll charge Of this important de-
partment gentleman om.ncntly
qualified for the discharge of its
numerous and exactiEg duties. Not
only has he the practical knowledge of
agriculture derived from the active and
successful management of his oWn
he is also recognized as enc of the
clearest headed business men of ouT
State Few men are better known to
the people Of Maine, and none enjoys,
in greater degree. their confidence.
Mr.. Gilman is a gentleman of rugged
integrity. untiring industry, and Il
wonderful capacity for hard work.
He possesses in Il marked degree the
executive faculty. Cordial in his man
ners. broad in his relations. and
straightforward in all his dealings,
he has been singularly fortunate in
making and retaining strong friend
ships He has been called to many
important public trusts, all of which
he has discharged with conspicuous
ability and success.
1t may be said without disparaGc
ment of any one Of the able gentlemen
who aspired to the position of COM
missioner OF agriculture. that no better
man than Mr.. Gilman could possibly
have been found for the place. III his
hands the affairs of the department
will be administered wisely and We'll
Mr.. Gilman was born in the town of
Foxcroft on january %, 1874. His
early life was passed upon his fathers
farm. and in attendance upon the pub
lie schools. In these schools, supple
mented by home training. he prepared
for the Foxcroft Academy, where he
pursued a regular course of study and
fitted himself for a teacher.
For ten years following his gradual
ton from the academy he taught
school six months in the year, and
superintended his fathers farm dur
ing the other six. This combining swo
occupations was very common in Maine
twenty-five years ago. and Mr.. Gilman
was success in both. He soon be-
came known as one of the best teach
ers in Eastern Maine, and also as
one of the most wide-awake and
progressive farmers in his section of
the State.
Mr.. Gilman was married in 1880 to
Miss Mary Elizabeth Loring, daugh-
ter of the late Charles Lorng of Gull
ford, Main. and in the same year
purchased the farin-one of the finest
in Piscataquis county-Where he has
since resided. He has been often hon
ored by his native town, serving Oh its
board of selectmen for q number of
years. on it's school committee for
twenty years. and as a trustee of
Foxcroft Academy. which position he
still holds. In 1882 he was elected to
the Office Of county commission, in
which position he served for six years
With all his other duties Mr.. Gilman
always retained his direct interest in
agricultural pursuits, and personally
suDerintcnded the work of his large
farm In 1890 he was elected to rep
resent his county on the board of dgri-
culture. and in 1893 was elected presi-
dent of the board. In 1880 he was APP
pointed a member of the State valua-
ton commission, and re-appointed to
the same position in 1890 In 1892 he
was appointed an inspector of
prisons and jails and was reap
pointed in 1896.