The independent-reporter., 1909-11-11
en,rt'An1.
DEATH O. MON. A. n nixsy.


shewhssAa pses.s vsss she<ksd
and grlsss1 last .ssk 10 learn ef The
sssth from sesis eroachitis of Hon
A r. Bixhy. formerly Of this p,ace.
% November Q. at hls hems N Pssa-
aena. Cal. 10 which place he removed
n 1901 shortly after HE retirsment
from active easiness. A letter re-
esi,sd By Mrs. y. II. Buck on Fri.
iay In which Miss Bisnchs Bixby
spoke OF her father 40 In his usual
health and spirits was followed Sat
arday By the telegram announcing
the fact Of his death. No further par
tieriars have ye, been received.
The deceased wss, we'll known In
skowhegan during his long business
life here. III health forced him TO
cave this place for the more favor
able climate Of California where his
friends were glad to know he was
greatly benefited. He and his daugh-
ter returned for q visit In 1907. Miss
Bixby has the sympathy of q multi
tude of old friends. nsighbors and &C
quaintancss in her bereavement
Augustus Rufus Bixby was born
in Norridgswock. Me-. Dec. II. 1899.
the son Of Deacon Rufus and Betsey
Weston Bixby.
He attended the Norridgswock
town schools and taught for q time
there. His education was continued
nI41vn0alA N 0knWh0-
gan in hich town he found employ
store of Eben H. Neal In 1856 he
went to California where he spent six
or seven years in prospecting and
mining, returning to Maine In 1863.
The following winter he was In
Washington where he tried to enlist
in the Union army but was not al
lowed to do 80 because of physical dis
ability. In 1864 he went to Mime
sofa where he and his brother en-
gagged In business for a very short
time.
As the climate did not agree with
Mr.. Bixby, he returned again to
Skowhegan where he became part
ner in the book and drug business
which he carried on successfully un-
III Luc Cl0B0 Vi LIE OoolAC0o AlC. hC
company name was at first Bixby &
Phillips, but six years later a new
partnership was formed with Fred
erick r. Buck and the firm remained
Bixby & Buck to the end of the chap
ter.
During these years of business life.
Mr.. Bixby took an active part in af-
fairs here. He was one of the incor-
% Y,ta
Works; a promoter of the Skowhegan
Electric Light Co.. of which he was
treasurer and collector for twelve
years; director and acting treasur-
er Of the Skowhegan and Norridge-
wock Electric Railway Co.. until q
severe illness in 1896 compelled him
to resign.
In politics Mr.. Bixby was an earn
est supporter of the Republican party.
He was a member of Gov. Robie's
council during the iatter's last term
md In 1890 was appointed by Presi-
dent Harrison. \ commissioner of the
Worlds Columbian Exposition.
He was connected with the Somer-
set lodge OF +. & A. M. Somerset
Chapter Royal Arch Nasons and De-
Moray Commandery, knights Tenn
plars. He was for many years an
aonored member Of the Island Av-
enue Congregational church at Skow
hogan and for twenty-five years the
efficient superintendent of Its Sabbath
school.
Mr. Bixby was twice married. His
first wife was Miss Mary e. Hopkins
of Norridgewock who died in 1866,
and he married the second time, Miss
Sarah II. Spaulding OF Skowhegan,
whose death preceded his own by
thirteen years. A daughter of the
last marriage, Miss Blanche survives
hin.