The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-02-10
The CoIburn Shoe Store
IN MEMORIAM-WILFRED B. RICH.

Wilfred B. Rich, who was so sadly called to
meet the supreme demand of nature at a day
of his greatest usefulness as citizen and to
those dependent upon him, was branch of
the extensive family planted in South Jack
son by his great grandfather, Joel Rich, a
pioneer settler of that township, whose wife
was from the former prominent Gates family
of Thorndike and jackson. His grandfather,
Joseph Rich was prosperous farmer, dea-
con of Free Will Baptist church, and most
jealous worker in old-time religious channels,
having a wife of extraordinary strength Of
character the person of Judith jackson, of
the Jacksons of Unity; her brother, Peter jack
son, having been leading man in Waldo county
politics sixty years ago. His father, Ransom
Rich, the only survivor of the family of Dea-
con Joseph Rich, was elected selectman of
Jackson in 1854 by the Knownothing party,
which then swept everything before it for a
brief period throughout the county. Ransom
Rich was also a selectman of Brooks more than
twenty years later, and at his advanced age il;
still in excellent health. The mother of Will
fred Rich is of the we'll known Chase family of
and intellectual life of that community from
its early days, his cousin being prominent
merchant there at the present time. The wife
of his grandfather Chase was Wiggir, a
member of that family having been for man.
years, to the time of his death, one of Bel
Wilfred was given for a middle name that of
his uncle Babson Chase, a most promising
young man of Brooks, who died greatly la
mented in early manhood.
Life became serious problem with Wilfred.
Even in his youth he was quick to appreciate
the Importance of education and developed the
student at tender age. Physically frail, but
mentally strong, his ambition made him a
teacher in the public schools when mere
boy, while at the same time pushing his law
studies in which he was so proficient and well
read that he attracted the attention of T. r.
Simonton, then well known among leading
lawyers of the able Knox county bar, who in
vited him to become partner Immediately
upon his admission to the bar at the age of
twenty-five. His career since it was COM
menced professionally had been one of in
dustry and integrity that brought him the
confidence of the communities in which he has
lived, by whom he was called to serve them in
public office, and always to their satisfaction.
Modest end unassuming in manners loving and
gentle in disposition, with an energy and su-
perior ability which from financial standpoint
made his life success, his integrity was
never questioned and all his business associates
were his personal friends. He exemplifed in
himself the public spirited citizen, equal to
every duty that devolved upon him, the care
full and thoughtful guardian of his venerable
parents, the steadfast friend, and will long be
remembered for possession of those high quail
ties that adorn and ennoble the character of
man. Among the sons of Waldo county he
will have place in the galaxy of those who
have found other homes and made for her hon
ored names, unblemshed regulations and the
dearest memories. He lived his own eulogy in
daily epics, and when death closed his earthly
career SO prematurely, it came painlessly and
found him Like one who wraps the drapery
of his couch around him and lies down to
pleasant Dreams"