The Republican journal., 1912-05-30
In Memorianl.
Oscar ]. Farwell Of Thorndike, Me.

proper that We pause amid the busy activities
of life and consider the lives of our departed
friends, to drop tear of regret on the graves
OF our former comrades. We are told that
lone touch of nature makes the whole world
kin" and what more tightens the universal
cords of brotherhood than to look for the last
time on the face of our dear departed? The
universally of death lessons not its terrors,
and it makes no insidious distinction. The
smiling infant, the sturdy youth, sweet faced
maidens and aged, care worn men, ripe in
years, are alike its victims. 1.-THE rags
wretchedness and the purple robe of power
lind common level in the democracy of
DEATH" The child just budding into conscious
existence turns from its play and seeks safety
in its mothers lap when it looks on the face of
dead playmate. Young men and maidens be-
come pensive and quiet when death steals into
community and touches friend or COM
panion. The man of business starts when he
learns that acquaintance has been taken
from family and friends, and the unuttered
question of every FACILITATING heart as it looks
upon the silent form is, "Who next?"
The mortality of Thorndke has been unusual
~ AHA 81 ouA ing lut past I"o years. ooIIe 10
of our people have passed away in that time,
and this includes some of our most prominent
and respected citizens, and we sadly miss sew
eral of those who have been familiar on our
streets. and closely identified with the business
| interests of the community. Probably no man
who has passed from among US has been more
closely identified with the business interests.
! has tQkap ri tbo
welfare of the town, than the late Oscar J.
Farwell, whose death occurred on March 10,
1912. MIR. Farwell was born in Unity, on the
old Farwel homestead, January 10, 1889. He
came from the farm, where the best citizen
ship and highest principles of business integ
rity are nurtured There he learned the in
valuable lessons of conservation, economy,
labor, and an abiding faith in his fellowmen
Having secured what education the town
school and the academies could give the stu
dents in those days he made prompt use
of it in teaching school. But the limited OPP
portunities of his environment not satisfying
his ambition, he sought, with several of
his companions, for better conditions in
California. Arriving in Sacramento in 1851.
4 he soon secured the position of principal
of the city High school, but the allure
ment of the mines soon urged him on to
more strenuous endeavors. After five years
in the mines and in the lumber business. in
which he engaged quite extensively and was
very successful, he returned to his native
State and opened general store in Thorn
dixie at "Harmon's Corner" and was appointed
postmaster. And in those days the country
grocery store was 1.-The" institution of the
town. He held the various offices from town
clerk to that of selectman, and was chairman
of the board for several terms. He was often
urged to allow his name to be used on the bal
lot for county or State office, but always re-
fused, saying his business interests would not
permit. In the year 1870 he married Miss
Lydia Ware, daughter of the late Rev. Elijah
Ware of Thorndike and to them were born
three sons, all of whom survive him. Soon
after the building of the Belfast and M.
H. Lake R. R., Mr.. Farwell moved his business
to Thorndike Station. His increasing business
demanding more help. he took in as partner
Mr.. John Tiltcn. After few years, thinking
he was satisfied with his business success he
retired from the firm and confined his work
to his investments. But he soon found
that, ''the allurements of the game" were
still upon him, and he again assumed the
active management of affairs. Upon the
death of Mr.. Tilton Mr.. Farwell took in as a
partner his eldest son, William. Mr.. Farwell
had severe attack of the grip in the winter
of 1908. and soon after gave up his entire bust
ness to his sons, William and Oscar ]. Jr. By
sterling integrity and strict business princi-
pies he had increased his business from the
small store of so years ago to be the larg-
est in the county outside of Belfast. 1t was
not unusual for them to buy and ship 100 car
loads of potatoes in a season. Although he
was obliged to give credit to large class of
his customers he was never known to press
one unduly, or to take an unreasonable advan-
| tage of any man. Being man of more than
ordinary business ability, his opinion was
sought and his judgment taken by many in
the community. He loved his business and
carried it on with the most strict integrity,
One writer says: ave enjoy ourselves only in
our work, and our best doing is our best en-
joyment" Carlyle says: BLESSED is he who
has found his work. Let him ask no other
blessedness. He has work, life purpose,
he has found it and will follow it, "Work,"
says one, 'indeed, has been commended as the
highest wisdom as well as the greatest enjoy
ment Of life." 1t may we'll be said that he
who has succeeded in his life work, and has
built up a successful business on lines Of moral
integrity surely in this days of question
able business methods may be called public
benefactor
In the hour Of need he always lent helping
hand and no worthy cause ever appealed to
him in vain. Before there was any church Or
ganization in the village, for years he took
charge of the subscription list to provide for
preaching SERVICE and with his own hand made
up any lack of funds that might be needed.
And when church was finally built his hand
was not slack in the good work.
Mr.. Farwell came from family of promi-
nent representative and business men. His
only brother, Edward S. Farwel late of Rock
land, was prominent in the business affairs of
that city and was collector of customs for that
district at the time of his death. His uncle,
the late Joseph Farwell, was in his early man
hood captain on one of the Boston and Bangor
| Steamship ca g heats and was laroaJv ;ntar.