The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-01-10
Death of William Ph,lbrick

After period of declining health ex-
teuding over several years, Hon. Will
liam PhilbFck, one of SkoW hegan's
oldest and most respected citizens, died
at bis home on Elm street, Saturday
morning.
The deceased was born in this town
on January II, 1923, the son of samuel
and Betsey hite) Philbrick. He re-
eeiyed his education in the common
schools and at Bloomfield Academy.
After leaving school he spent few
years in the south, principally at Mobile,
A la, where his brother samuel was en-
gagged in business at the time. Soon
after returning home he. with his
brothers.in-law, Reuben kidder and
Samuel ID. Arnold. built starch fac
tory at East Madison, at which they car,
RED on profitable business for several
years In December, 1915 he entered
the store OF A d p. CoburA as clerk
aud bookkeeper, thSy being at the time
aud for many years wards the
largest owners of tD0erlduds in Maine,
aud i'll the four years 10 which he WAS
IN constant touch with their extensive
business ha gained much experiences
aud made acquaintance which contrib
uted largely 10 the success he attained
in after years. In DC ober, 1919, he was
chosen cashier OF the Skownegdn state
bank, now the First National Bank of
skowhegan tie filled the position of
cashier for seventeen years, retiring in
1856. but tor some years atterward was
connected with the institu ion as mem
Der of the board of directors. 1t the
spring of 1865 he was chosen treasurer
OF the Kennebec Log Driving company,
serving In this capacity for % years and
finally Iesigning in favor of his son,
samuel ". PhlIbrck
Mr.. Phibrick was one of the trustees
of Bloomfield Academy and of the
Skowhegan Public Lib airy aud hau
held various other Offices OF honor and
trust. He became of age during the
days of the Wing party and cast HIS
first vote for their great leader, Henry
Clay He was afterward connected
with the Republican and Greenback
parties, and WAS the congressional can
didate of the latter party for this dis
trict in 1878 sud 1880, being defeated by
only few votes III each instance. In
town and filled the office, with the ex-
ception of two or three years, until 1862,
and portion of this period he vas also
town clerk. In 1867 he rep esented
kowbegan in the house of representa-
lives and in 1868 he was a member of
the Governors council. For the three
Years preceding 1873 he was >tate Bank
Examiner aud during his last year of
service in that capacity he was elected
TO the Maine Senate While IA member
of that body he served upon the com
mittee on Banks and Banking and per
formed a prominent part in revising the
laws pertaining to "avipgs Banks. His
last important public Office was that of
Insurance Commissioner, during the
year of 1879. Another important trust,
of less public character discharged by
Mr.. Philbrick. was that of executor of
the Alonzo Coburn estate.
The deceased is survived by his wife,
formerly Miss Nary Russell, to whom he
was married in October 1850, and by
three OF the five children born of this
union, Mrs. Emma Bnrrill, Samuel w.
philbrick and Fred r Philbrick, all
residents of this place
Rev. G. Hayden, pastor of the Uni.
versalist Church of Augusta, conducted
at the family home at eleven O'clock
Monday morning. The place of burial
is the family lot in the North Cemetery
Mr.. Philbrick commenced his business