Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-08-20
OBITUARY.
COL. JOHN F. wHrrcoxH.

EDlss JUN Re WhAAttAh6.
Col. John r. whitoomb, senior member
81 the firm OF whitcomb, Haynes & Co.,
ope OF Ellsworth's foremost business men
and most hlghly-esteemed citizens, died
Wednesday afternoon OF last week. His
death came after an illness of three years,
~ a complication of diseases. Though his
friends were prepared for the fatal
termination OF his disease, the sorrow at
his death was no less keen. No death in
recent years has caused more widespread
sadness in Ellsworth.
lohn F. whitcomb was'Rorn in Ellis
worth Sept. /, 1888, the son Of Eleazer and
Abigail whitcomb. AS young man, he
,nqrned the hiscksmith's trade with his
father.
He was working at this trade at the
outbreak of the Civil war. he enlisted
ON sept. 10. 1862, being mustered in soon
after as first lieutenant of Co. C..
2sth Maine. On the death OF Captain
Gray, OF his company, Mr.. whiteomb took
command, and was at the head of his
company in some OF Its most important
engagements. He participated in the
battle at Irish Bend, in the long march In
western Louisiana, and in the memorable
siege of Port Hudson He was mustered
gu, at Bangor Aug. II, 1853
Returning to Ellsworth, Mr.. whitcomb
engaged In trade, In October OF 1863,
opening a general store at Ellsworth
Falls. which was the nucleus OF what was
destined 10 become the leading business
and manufacturing industry in Els
worth. In May, 1866, his brother in-law,
Charles II. Haynes, was taken into part
pership with him, and the firm became
Whiteomb & Haynes. In November, 1875,
John o. whitney was taken into the part
nership, and the firm name became Whit
comb, Haynes & Co., which has since con-
tinued.
Gradually the firm enlarged its business,
branching out In new lines. Its lumber
ing operations coon became its most i'm
portant branch, beginning with the
manufacture OF barrel slaves, OF which 1t
has become the largest manufacturer in
Maine, and later adding long and short
lumber manufacturing. In connection
with this business, the firm became the
lsrges, owner OF timbcrlands in Hancock
county, with extensive holdings also in
Washington county. II also became ex-
teusiveiy interested in shipping, owning
its own fleet OF vessels.
The firm thus became, through its vsri-
Gus operations, the largest industry in
Ellsworth, position 1t has now held for
many years.
Col. Whitcomb, always o staiwart re-
publican, had served In various public
capacities. He was postmaster OF Ellis
worth from 1867 to 1871, and represented
this city in the State legislature in 1877
and 1873, In 1874 he was appointed lieu
tenant colonel on Gov. Dingiey's STAFF
Col. whitcomb married, Nov. %, 1850,
Miss Madillna G. Haynes, who survives
him, with one son Benjamin b., deputy
collector OF customs at Ellsworth. An
other child, daughter, died In early in
fancy.
Col. wkitcomb was a commandery
Mason, and q past-commander OF VIM.
Ii. II. Rice post, G. A. X.
In all the affairs OF business and social
life. Col. whitcomb filled large place.
His VAS, to marked degree, one of those
kindly natures which makes itself felt in
any community, and the sentiment felt
for him was more nearly akin to love than
TO mere admiration.
The funeral was held at the home on
Main street Saturday afternoon. The
day was one of general mourning in Els
worth, all business places being closed.
The house was crowded with friends, and
flowers, in magnificent proiusion, told
their own story. Rev. f. B. Mathews
otiieiated. The bearers were four nephews
OF the deceased - John D. Whitney,
Charles n. Whitney, Martin II. Haynes
and Harry w. Haynes. interment was at
Juniper cemetery.