Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-27

schools of his native town and at Kent's
Hill. AS early as at the age of IL he
became a school teacher and taught for
several years
When boy of 20 he came to Augusta
Libby, afterward a justice of the Maine
Supreme court. There he studied a year
and then entered the Harvard Law
school, from which he graduated in June,
1872. The previous March he had passed
the examinations and been admitted to
the kennebcc bar, and in July he formed
a partnership with Mr.. Libby. This con-
tinued until the fall of 1873 and from that
time until 1889 he continued in practice
alone. From 1889 until the time of his
death he was clerk of courts of Kenne-
| bee county. most popular and efficient
official, always courteous and obliging
and never found wanting in the faithful
performance of the slightest detail of his
| important office. In 1888 he was appointed
United States commissioner for this dis
| trict and has since served as such. He
| has always been loyal Republican and
| much sought after as a speaker in cam
l~paigns.
as the county in the highest positions
| in its gift. For two terms, 1896 and 1897,
he was mayor of the city, elected by
| overwhelming majorities, and proved an
able and business like official. Previous
to that he had been city solicitor for
nine years, and for the same length of
time served on the experimenting school
committee. In the volunteer militia of
Maine, Mr.. Choate was long and actively
| interested. He enlisted in the Capital
Guards as a private i'm May, 1882, and
| rose steadily through the grades to the
captaincy of the company. In 1859 he be-
came lieutenant colonel of the First reg
lment In 1893 he was appointed inspector
general upon the staff of Governor
Cleaves with the rank of brigadier gen.
eral. This gave him the title of gen
eral' by which he has been generally
known among his friends in recent years
Mr.. Choate was also n member of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com
| pany of Boston and had served as a
| sergeant of that organization.
With Masonry Mr. Choate has been
actively identified for many years and
| few men have been better known or
more mighty respected among the craft
| in Maine. He had served as master of
| Bethlehem Lodge and as high priest of
CushnOc Royal Arch Chapter, and also
rs the hOnOrcd eminent commander of
| Trinity Commandery. He was also an Off
| Ger in the Scottish Rite bodies and n
| sd degree Mason, He was also ac-
| tive in the grand bodies of the State, and
| in 1901 was the grand master OF the
| Ing of the Augusta Masonic temple, Mr..
| Choate bore a prominent part serving as
a member of the building committee, and
| later as q director of the corporation and
| served on the executive committee of the
| Ahnaki club. Mr.. Choatc loved the great
| principles of Masonry and made them a
| part of his life. The fraternity loses one
| of it's most devoted and honored leaders.
In religion Mr. Choatc has long been
| Identified with st. Marks Episcopal
| church. He became one of the wardens
| of the parish in 1885, and for 20 years
was member of the vestry. The present
church cdifce was conducted mainly
| under his personal supervision, and is
one of many monuments to his memory.
| Mr.. Choate was married. November o.
| 1877, to Charlotte r. Wyman of this
city, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Josiah P.
| Wyman. His wife and their daughter
| survive him.