Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-12-20
Eibridge s. Poor.

Elbridge Scott Poor was born In An
dover, Maine, Dec. 2S, 1874; died al
Chapman, Kansas, Nov. 4, 1904. BE
came of old Revolutionary stock, and
was the eldest son of Elbridge and Susan
Bragg Stevens Poor. His death was
very sudden and unexpected, although
he had not appeared as well as usual for
some time, but was not confined to bis
bed, and not to the house until two days
before his death. He dressed himself
and came down stairs to the family sit.
ting room just two hours before he pass
ed peacefully away.
He was most tender, loving husband
and father, a faithful, loyal friend. He
leaves wife, four sons and one daugh-
ter, two brothers and one sister, to emu
late his virtues and mourn his loss.
His early life and training was among
the beautiful hills of Maine, in typical
Puritan home, whose environments I'M
parted lasting influence throughout bis
life-an inheritance Of which man may
justly be proud.
Leaving this home after a common
school education, he entered the busi-
ness college at Springfield. Mass, from
which he graduated with honors.
Going from there to Bellaire, Ohio, he
held q clerkship in the Benwood Nail
Works. Here he first confessed his love
for Christ and united with the Presbyte-
rian church in Bellaire in 1865.
After spending about four years with
the Benwood Nail Works he returned
east, and was married in Concord, N.
H., in 1869, to Miss Frances E. Jordan.
Returning TO Ohio for one year, he
caught the western fever, and came to
Kansas in the fall of 1870.
For a few months he was telegrapher
at Wamego, Kan, then was appointed
agent and operator for the Union Pacific
Railroad at Chapman, Kan, then a new
station, on the wide prairie, without
another building than the depot in which
they lived. He held this position eight
years. He was the first postmaster in
the town, which Office he filled for sew
eral years. Opportunity coming, he
entered the mercantile business, erecting
small building, moved the post office
into it and continued in this business
number of years. His brother, A. j.
Poor, from Maine, joined him, and in
1875 they built the first grain elevator In
the town of Chapman. In 1880 he with
drew from the grain business and moved
to his farm one mile from town, where
he lived to the time of his death.
He never sought political honors, but
always took a deep interest in all ques-
tions at issue, and advocated any meas
ure that tended to the betterment of the
He always stood firm for
the right in everything, and nothing
could swerve him in his convictions.
He assisted the Methodists' in their first
endeavor to start a church here, and
aided their first pastor, Mr.. Antrim, in
many WAYS. Later he was leader in
establishing a Congregational church
and forming its society, OF which he was
deacon and an earnest and devoted mem-
Der and worker during his life. He was
connected with the Sunday School as
and teacher for many
wears. He also held the Office of clerk
of this church, from its organization
until his death, 21 years. Worship with
out song, to him, was void, and he sang
Gods praises continually with wondrous
ofttimes amid trials and
of most serious nature. He
was a member of the school board for
many years, and took very active in
terest in its work.
Science has measured many things,
but naught can measure the influence OF
a pure, peace-loving citizen, always
Quick to see the need, and then to carry
out the deed to its completion. Such
was Mr.. Poor, ever ready with willing
hands and CHEEKY words and smile to
help his fellow men.