The Republican journal., 1912-04-04
Back Numbers.

Two recent deaths in one family in
Machias recall boyhood memories Of that
historic town. Few towns in New Eng
land of it's size could compare with it in
the intelligence. culture and sterling
qualities of its people. The old families
included the Longfellows. J from the
same stock as the&poet; the Porters
Ito one of this family Machias is indebt-
ed for her public library; the O'Briens,
of Revolutionary fame; the Crockers,
: the Hills. Sargents, and others, all more
or less distinguished and all worthy, law
abiding, God-fearng citizens. Two men,
bers of the Holway family, and | think
the last of their generation, died within
one week. Miss Ellen c. HolWay,
daughter of the late John and Leonice
Croker Holway, died March 3, 1912,
aged 81 years. AS recall her she was
something Of an invalid. and it seems
surprising that she should have attained
so great an age She was fond of flow
ers, and in the season there was wealth
of bloom around the hospitable Holway
home, on what was known as the Dublin
side of the Machias river l recall her
as working about her flowers out of
doors, or seated in low rocking chair on
the right Of the fireplace in the sitting
room beside a closet which contained,
among other books, full set of Dickens
works, which l borrowed, volume at
time, and read and reread. A sister,
Martha, taught private school in a
small building near the house. and was
worshpped by her pupils. Another sis
ter married DR.. Peabody, a gifted but
very eccentric man, and they are sur
vived by two daughters who are engaged
in educational work. A writer ir the
Machias Republican says of Miss Hol-
way:
In Miss Ellen C. Holway Machias has
lost one of its Oldest and most loyal citi-
zens. Her long life covered more than
half the history of our town and in the
interests and activities Of these long
years she took her full part. She saw
the town change from its small begin
ming and simpler ways, and for all the
improvements she had a real enthusiasm.
In those early days she was associated
with company of fine women, many of
whose names are treasured household
memories among US today, and she was
almost the last of the group: Mrs. Hard
ing, Mrs Harwood, Mrs. Porter, Mrs.
Burbank, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. George F.
Talbot, Miss Ursula Penniman, Miss
Eliza Crocker-tr truly noble and honored
company. They organized the first Side
walk society and Benevolent society;
they worked for the church organ and
the town clock; they spent their time and
money freely in the Soldiers Aid society
during the war.
Later Miss Holway was much inter
ested in the town library, and was one
of the first to aspire to and work for the
new building. Her love for gardening
and flowers was very great, and even
in her last illness she was never too feeble
to eXclaim with pleasure over a new
blossom. Her home was a center of
hospitality, and many are the guests of
many generations whom she has enter
tanned.
March 10th, brother of Miss HolWay,
William c. Holway, the oldest and one
of the best known residents of Machias,
died at his home in that town, in his 93d
year. He is recalled, with his brother
Ladwick and Joseph O'Brien, as one of
the promising young men of the place, a
a promise amply fulfilled in later years,
when he became one of the leading bust
ness men of that section, conducting
store, engaging in shipbuilding and do
ing an extensive numbering business. For
30 years he was member of the Con-
gregational church. His wife died IN
1888, and ne is survived by a son and two
daughters, all of Machias- Samuel w.
Holway, Miss Leonice Holway and Mrs.
George H. Harper.