The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-07-27
OBITUARY..

Melvin A. Stephenson, who died in this
city July 10th at the home of his brother
Dayton F. Stephenson, aged Al years, II
months and 10 days, was born in East Bel
fast, the son of A. K. P. and Lucy Nj. Steph
enson. When a young man he was employ
ed in the shoe factory of Critchett & Sibley
but II years ago was compelled by i'll health
to resign his position there. Later he was
employed for about years as clerk in the
store of Mayo & White, confectoners, and
then bought out their retail business on
High street and with G. c. Coombs formed
the firm of Stephenson & Coombs. Mr.
Coombs later wishing to engage in other
business sold his interest to Leo NJ Sargent
and the firm became Stephenson & Sargent
Last November Dayton F. Stephenson
bought Sargent's interest and the firm be-
came Stephenson Brothers, and SO con-
tinues. Since year ago last November
the deceased, who had been in the same
store for thirteen years, had been able to
pay little personal attention to business.
| His disease was consumption and at the
| time of the fire in the building he took cold
and this with the smoke aggravated his
trouble. He spent some time with his sis
ter in Skowhegan, hoping the change might
be beneficial, but after returning to Belfast
he failed gradually until the end. In his
last illness he had every attention. Nothing
was left undone that could prolong life and
relieve his suffering, but medical skill was
powerleSs to arrest the progress of that
ba cd
is survived by his father, two brothers,
Dayton F. and F. Fl. Stephenson, and one
sister, Mrs. F. A. Wood of Skowhegan.
His wife, who was Miss Cora V. Poor of
Searsmont, died eight years ago. OF the
deceased it may be truly said that he had
not an enemy in the world. Quiet and un-
assuming in manner he made friends of all
with whom he came in contact during his
business career, and many were the mes
sages of sympathy that came to him during
his last illness. In business his word was
as good as his bond and the strictest integ-
rity and fair dealing characterized all his
transactions. The funeral was held July
street, Rev. Ashley A. Smith, pastor of the
Universalist church, officiating. Waldo
Lodge, l. o. o. F., performed the ritual
work, and Silver Cross Lodge, r of P, at
tended in body. The floral offerings were
many and beautiful. The bearers-two
from each of these orders-were l. I.
Clough, E. L. Cook, Frank Prescott and
Elmer F. Knight. Interment was in the
family lot in Grove Cemetery.
Dolly Coburn Black, wife of the late Cap
tain Alex. Black, died in Standpoint July
II, aged 81 years and months. The death
of Mrs. Black takes from the community
not only the oldest resident but a descendant
of one of the oldest settlers of the town.
Her parents, William French and Agnes
Riddle, were married in New Hampshire
and came to Standpoint, then Prospect, in
1907 Born of good colonial stock and in
heritng the sterling traits of their noble
ancestors the heritage bequeathed to them
with strong muscle and broad intellect
crowned their labors with large measure
of success, that still bore evidence in the
life that has so recently passed away Mrs.
Black, the sole survivor of family of eight
1912. To them were born Annie S., now
| Mrs. Stephen Goff; Emma j., William F.,
Coburn A. and Martha c.. Coburn died
when two years of age. During her early
married life she accompanied her husband
on several sea voyages, bringing home many
quaint mementoes of other lands The in
cidents of travel she related to her family
| md fria ~,
recent years, when her memory was un-
usually retentive, were very interesting.
She retained her interest in home, church
and country affairs until very short time
before her death. The later years of her
life were spent quietly at her home, where
1t may truly be said of her, ''She looketh
we'll to the ways of her household and
eateth not the bread of idleness'' "She
stretcheth out her hands to the poor, yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy"
The last week in January she fell and broke
her hip, from which accident she suffered
intensely and was tenderly cared for by
her three daughters. A woman of strict
integrity and strong Christian personality,
she bore the weight and burden of her de-
clining years, especially the excruciating
pain of the last few months, with remark
able fortitude and patient resignation to
her Heavenly Fathers will that cast silent
benediction upon all who came under her
influence. OF q truth we can say-"Thou
shalt come to thy grave in full age, like as
shock of corn cometh in, in his season."
In the death July II at the Massachusetts
General Hospital, Boston, of Wilbur Web
ster, the town of East Jefferson, n. H., lost
a good citizen and man of strong business
activities. Mr.. Webster's health had been
seriously affected for the past six weeks,
and upon his removal to the hospital three
weeks ago the hidden nature Of hts disease,
cancer, had developed to an extent to be
| recognizable. The deceased was IS years
of age and born at Union, Me. His early
life was spent in that section. As young
man he engaged in the shoe knife industry
at North Bridgewater, Mass, now Brock
| ton, Mass. Thirty years ago he went to
| East Jaffrey, n. H., and continued the same
business, selling out eight years ago to e. j.
Kimball & Son. Mr.. Webster then estab-
| lished the Granite State Tack Company
| acting as its president, with his son as
| treasurer. Mr.. Webster was twice married
| His second marriage to Lizzie Hamilton OF
Qrna M,cc