The Republican journal., 1913-12-25
SAMUEL A. RENDELL,

SAMUEL A. RENDELL.
A Tribute from an Intimate Personal Friend
To die is the common lot, and mankind must
needs be reconciled to Natures inexorable law.
At not infrequent intervals great figures ap-
pear who exert an impershable influence upon
civilization; but, generally speaking, when a
man is submerged beneath the great tide of
human existence, which forever unheedingly
flows along through the channels of time, he
leaves behind nothing more than a crcum-
scribed ruffiing of the surface. proportionate
to his active participation in the affairs which
happen to absorb the interests of his contem-
poraries. Some are taken in the fulness of
their strength, when their activities are SO
woven into the fabric of the community which
claims them that their presence seems indis-
pensable and their loss an irreparable calamity.
It is the melancholy fate of others to have life
prolonged far beyond the years of efficiency
far beyond the period of "wise saws and
modern instances" and SO remain to play their
part in the closing ages, when, having surviv
ed the great mass of beloved relatives and
life long associates, they wear away weary
years of poignant longing. awaiting the final
! fall of the curtain.
| To be numbered among the latter was the
lot of Mr.. Samuel A. Rendel who died at his
home in Stockton Springs, on Dec 18th, in the
| eighty sixth year of his age. To the younger
generations, and to those who have more re-
Gently taken up their residence in his native
| town, the familiar sight of a white-haired,
dim eyed, old man, moving with infirm tread
about the village streets. has meant nothing
at all; but to those who clearly recall force
full personality, keenly alive to every public
question and vigorously applying himself to
the best interests of the community, his has
indeed been most pathetic figure.
The preparation of what is commonly known
as an obituary is no part of the purpose of the
present writer, that being a matter well left
to more competent pen; rather is it his de-
sire to pay tribute to the man who was,-
"Lest we forget to offer personal tribute
to one who has upon countless occasions prov
ed a veritabe tower of strength, and to whose
counsel and inspiration the writer owes far
more than any hating words of his can con-
vey.
From early manhood Mr. Rendell was i'm
bued with fine public spirit, and this was
combined with something of genius for
political strategy. He gave much energy to
promoting the supremacy of the Republican
party, and to economy and efficiency in the
| conduct of town affairs He worshipped Blaine
next to Lincoln, and was personal friend
and strong supporter of Seth L. Milliken.
Naturally, Mr. Rendell acquired many enc
mics, but none of them could honestly charge
him with lacking integrity of purpose, and in
his public service he never hesitated in
course fearing the effect upon his patronage
as a merchant. single term in the Legisa
/ ture and brief period in the local customs
service. many years ago, was all he sought for
himself, although for considerable number of
years he was the dominant influence in local
politics.
As public speaker he was particularly eff
fective, and at his best when ad-
dressing an audience. His appreciation of
humor was keen, ana he was always ready
with apt story.
The Universalist Society of Stockton owes
him an incaiculabe debt but his service a
labor of love and conviction. He was gifted
with tenor voice far above the ordinary, and
with the late Mrs. Maria Blanchard Hichborn
whose remarkably brilliant and powerful
! soprano has led many contemporary critics to
feel that only from the lack of adequate train
ing it in any wise inferior to that Of any
famous songstress of her generation-sang for
many years in a manner which never failed to
charm their hearers, and which leaves an
abundance Of cherished memories of days not
! to return.
1 He had a fine literary taste and was devoted
to the WORLDS best literature, He also wrote
well. having good vocabulary and logical
| incisive style.
Possessing legal turn of mind. he gave
much time-often It the neglect Of his regular
business--to the perpiexities of his friends
who sought his counsel. He served many times
as administrator and guardian; and for
years managed the home affairs of absent
shipmasters, in the vanished days of sailing
vessels.
He was many-sided man. and for years his
brain seemed to run with the precision of
adjusted, well-oiled machine
By taat chance ruling of circumstances over
which man has no control, though he usually
deludes himself by thinking otherwise, Mr..
Rendells long life passed largely in his
native village, and his field was comparatively
narrow; but the profitable lesson of his opti-
mistic, public-spirite course should not be lost.
He bore many dire Affections in manner
Which exemplifed the highest type of man.
hood. And he died as he had always lived,
man unafraid. filled with perfect faith in the
future life. and an unfaltering trust in the
wisdom of the Divine Father whose ways
passeth understanding.
WHITES CORNER (Winterport
Mrs. A. D. Godsoe went to v aterville Mon
I day to spend the Christmas holidays with rel
atives. "A. R. Wellman went to Hampden
Sunday to meet his little daughter, who has
been with their aunt, Mrs. B C. Ames, for
two weeks. Mrs. Edna Harquail and Miss
Catherine Blaisdel are at home from Castine
Normal School for the holidays. Mr. and
Mrs. c. c. Clements, Mr.. and Mrs. G. H. York
and J. W. Jewett attended the sessions of the
Maine State Grange in Bangor last week