The Republican journal., 1903-01-15

LUCIUs II. MURCH.
City Clerk Lucius II. Murch died at his
home ON Congress street Thursday, Jan.
Sth, aged "a years, 10 months and 13 days.
Two years ago he had long illness, OF a
rheumatic nature, and never fully recover
ed from its effects He attended the City
Government meeting Monday evening. Jan.
5th, and it was then noticed that he was i'll,
and he was not able to perform his work
with his usual promptness and correctness.
He was at the office Tuesday and attempted
to do business, but could do little. He fail
ed rapidly after reaching home Tuesday
afternoon, and died shortly before noon
Thursday.
Mr.. Murch was born in Unity in 1888, a
son of the late James B. and Mary L. Illus
sey) Murch He attended the public schools
of Unity, and Hampden Academy. The
family came to Belfast in 1858, and the son
entered the post Office as clerk. In 1861 he
entered the employ of the Eastern Express
Co., as messenger on the steamers plying
between Portland and Bangor. After a
few years in the express business he was
employed in The journal office as book
keeper, proof reader, ETC., until 1869, when
he established mail order business in
books, pictures and novelties, advertising
his goods in the newspapers, and by circu-
lars, under the name of the Union Book
Company. In January, 1S7Oshe established
monthly paper of 8 pages, called The
Union Banner, and continued it one year.
A few wears later he closed out the Union
Book Co. business and returned to news
paper work in The Progressive Age office,
continuing with the paper until 1892 lie
was elected City Clerk in 1877 and held the
office one year. Iii 1886 he was again
elected City Clerk and served continu-
ously until his death. He served on
the Board of City Assessors, and few
years as trustee of the Free Library. He
began when boy keeping record OF the
weather, and made and recorded his
observations three times day for more
| than 40 years, ceasing only when failing
| health prevented him from attending to it.
In April, 1855, he began as official reporter
of the weather for the New England
| Meteorological Society, and when the L. S.
| Department vi tooui'S" viz
! management of the weather reports in
March, 1892, Mr.. Murch was appointed
official observer for Belfast He joined the
| Good Templars when a young man, and
was Chief Templar of Belfast Lodge sew
era terms. He became member of the
Maine Press Association in 1889, was for
some years historian for Waldo County,
and was member in good standing when
he died
Mr. Murch was noted for his unwavering
adherence to whatever he believed in, for
great accuracy and attention to details in all
his work, and for straghtfOr ward honesty
in all things His settling the affairs of the
Union Banner we'll illustrates his business
PRINCIPLES After continuing the paper a
year he saw that it would not pay the next
year, and suspended with the December
number Many of his subscribers had paid
in advance and he refunded to every one
the amount overpaid.
A staunch Democrat from the first, and
always ready to uphold his belief, some of
his warmest friends were among his pollt-
ical opponents. He was an active worker
in his party, and served the State, county
and city committees many years. He rarely
failed to attend State, District or County
| Convention, and was always present at the
primary caucuses.
He leaves one sister, Lottie A, wife of
B. L. Smith, Esq, of Patten. He was I'M
married.
Funeral services were held at his late
home Sunday afternoon and were largely
attended. Rev. A. A. Smith officiated
The City Council marched from the city
rooms to the house and attended in a body.
The bearers were Aldermen Perkins and
ii atch and Councilmen Hubbard and Wood