Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-08
Samuel fessenden Dies
1nesdayai Stamford, Conn,
4 Native Of Rocklaad, Me-,
and Active N Politics.
Served With Distinction In Civil
WaF...Aetlve Life.

Stamford, Conn, Jan. Samuel
Fessenden. of this city, a former state
senator and one of the most prominent
men in Connecticut. died TODAY from
heart trouble.
Mr.. Fessenden had been i'll for a
long time but at times he would seem
to have regained his former strength
and would re-engage in his law prac-
tice and as states attorney for Fair
field county with his old-time visor.
During the last three months the re-
Japses due to kidney trouble brought
about marked changes in his appear
ance and his friends and family were
prepared for his death during one Of
the sinking spells. which became more
frequent. Affection of the heart also
developed and this morning during one
Of these spells. his life ebbed away.
Mr.. Fessenden was a native Of Rock
land. Me-, where lie was born on April
IL. 1s47, one of II children Of Rev. Sam
uel G. Fessenden.
He had two uncles in the Lower
Branch Of the 37th Congress. While
a student at Lewiston Academy. Mr.
Fessenden enlisted in the eth Maine
Battery and served in the campaign of
the Wilderness and afterwards was q
captain In the I'd United States In
fantry. his appointment being recon-
mended by General Grant. He served
ut later period with the LIST Maine
Battery and on the staff of General A.
+. Howe. At the close OF the war Mr..
T'essenden left the service and in 1869
was graduated from the Harvard Law
School. His family in the meantime
had moved to Stamford. He began the
practice Of law here and in 1880 was
appointed states attorney for Fairfield
county, which office he held until his
death.
Early in his public career he became
prominent figure in politics. going
TO the General Assembly in 1874 and
1879. In 1876 he was a delegate to the
Republican national convention which
nominated Rutherford B. Hayes for the
Presidency again n delegate in 1884
and WAS made secretary of the nation-
al Republican committee. taking active
part in the Blaine campaign. 1t was
one OF the great disappOintments Of
his life when that nominee was defeat
ed. When Thomas B. Reed IF Maine
was Il candidate before the Republican
national convention Mr.. Fessenden
headed the Connecticut delegation. He
worked hard for Mr.. Reed. ard when
Joseph Manley swung away from Mr..
Reed. Mr.. Fessenden gave utterance TO
the words God Almighty hates a quit
ter"
Mr.. Fessenden cherished the ambition
during lis entire political life of going
to the United States Senate. In 1899
he was n candidate before the General
Assembly and had Morgan G. Bulkelcy
as an opponent. 1t was warm con-
test and Mr.. Buckley threw his
strength to Joseph Il. Hawley and de-
feated Mr.. Fessenden. This was in
1899 and in preparation for the fight.
Mr.. Fessenden had gone to the House
four years before and had been Speak
er. Ten years later he went to the
Senate. Senator Hawly then being in
i'll health, for the purpose of taking
part in the senatorial fight. Senator
IIawley died and MIR. Fessenden as
candidate had Mr.. Bulkeley again as
an opponent. The latter won.
Upon the death of Senator Platt a
few months later. Mr. Fessenden was
again Il candidate for the senatorship
hut withdrew and in the great contest
which followed. he finally threw his
strength to Mr.. Brandegee. who was
nominated by the Republicans on the
37th ballot. Mr.. Fessenden's with
drawal. II later became known. was
due to failing health. He went TO
Europe for n time but the decline could
not DO stayed. He kept at his practice
with energy and appeared in court ac-
lively as late as November. Among
his fellow practitioners his attention
10 duty and his interest in politics were
considered little short of wonderful.
Mr.. Fessenden's wife died in 1905.
Two daughters and one son. and three
brothers and seven sisters survive.