Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-19
Distinguished Maine Man
Dies at Portland.
Active In Public Life and a
Distinguished Writer.
Native Of East Maehias Graduate
Of Bowdolu, Class Of 81.

Portland, Me-, Aug. .1S-Hon. George
e. Talbot died Saturday after a sick
mess of three weeks.
F. MIR. Talbot was born at East Machi-
RS. ade., June 16, 1919. and graduated
. from Bowdoin College in 1887. He
]: practiced law at skowhegan and at
Columbia: = Washington county. and
then moved to East Machias and final
s ly to Machias.
He took an active part in the anti
slavery movement and was a personal
19rfend Of Horace Greeley. Garrison,
yPhilips, Pillsbury and others who were
early advocates of freedom. In 1919 he
WAS the candidate of the Free Coil
Z party for Governor and received 1887
votes In 1880 he was again candidate
and received 1926 votes. In 1854 he was
one Of the leaders in organizing the
Republican party in Maine. and in 1859
he refused to follow the lead of Horace
Greedy, who was bitterly opposed to
the nomination of William L. Seward
.fers the Presidency, and was warm
Supporter of Senator Seward until the
j debate between Abraham Lincoln and
stephen A.. Douglas made Lincoln
Heading candidate.
In 1860 he was q delegate from Maine
ITO the Republican convention at Chi
cago and was on the committee on res
( olutions. He strongly opposed Horace
!, Greeley's proposition to abandon the
plank protesting against the introduce
ton of slavery into the territories.
Mr.. Talbot went over to the Lincoln
forces and led in making Hannibal
Hamlin of Maine the candidate for
Vice President. During the campaign
he was active with voice and pen, made
, speeches and wrote for all the leading
Republican papers, especially the New
York Tribune.
He was appointed by President Lin
coin United States district attorney for
the district of Maine, held the office for
nearly 10 years and was pittcd against
the ablest lewycrS of the State. He re-
moved to Portland after receiving his
appointment.
Tn 1875 he helped to revise the con-
.stitution of Maine, and in 1876 was APP
. pointed by President Grant solicitor of
the treasury.
In 1888 the publishing house of the
Unitarian church published his famous
book, Jesus, His Opinions and Char
acter." While revercnt in tone, it was
aggrcssively radical and was attacked
and defended with great vigor by many
able men, He took a very prominent
part in the National Association OF
/. Unitarians and wrote much for news
( papers and magazines.
He was one of the earliest friends
1Fof Hon Thomas II. Reed, and had
Jamuch to do with his rapid political adj
sSyancement He did not forget the de-
Asertion of Reed by Joseph II. Manley
IN 1896.
In 1894 he received from Bowdoin
College. the degree Of LII. ID. ana was
for years a leading member OF the
/ Maine Historical Society. and Of the
snoted Fraternity Club of Portland. and
was an active member of the First
q Parish Unitarian church.
When the celebrating of far-off MS
torical events remotely connected with
/ the history OF American threatened 10
,sbecome craze he made speech DC
Eforc the Maine Historical Society adj
ksocating celebrating the birth of Adam:
a His scarcasn, was by many regarded
Il as not inferior to that of Reed. his ad-
z dresses and public papers were logical
and his wit was to the last Keen. TIC
worked up to three weeks ago.