Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-31
REV. ABEL w.
POTTLES DIES AT
1870 A. NJ, THURS.
Well-knOwn Methodist Clergy
man-Had Served in Pull
pit for Fifty Years

After notable career that included
90 years of continual service as a.
Methodist clergyman, Rev. Abel War
rem Pottle died at 1880 A. NJ. Thurs
day at his home "a Elm street, after
lingering illness brought on by heart
failure and general breakdown. He
was ~ years old and would have been
so, Sept. %. His illness first began to
take effect early in May. A few weeks
later, with Mrs. Pottie, he went to
Cape Cottage with the hope of recup-
Grating, but there seemed to be littlel
chance of his recovery, and the family.
returned to Waterville July 13 He wasl
unable to get out of bed Saturday and
had been confined there until his
death
Mr.. Politics. career as a clergyman.
is perhaps the most remarkable of any
in the State. Beginning in 1861, imme-
diately after his graduat ton from Bos-
ton University, he preached continual
II with no longer stay at one time at
one pastorate than three years, until
1911, when he retired. He was pastor
at Buckfield at that time and moved
to Waterville soon after.
He was one of the IA children of Mr..
and Mrs. Abel Pottle and was born
Sept. %, 1884, in Salem. He attended
his common schools. and then entered
Phillips Academy. After a short course
there he entered Kent's Hill Seminary
from which he was graduated Short
ly afterward he took up his theologi-
cal course in the theological school Of
Boston University, then located in
Concord, n. H. He was graduated with
the class of 1861, and at once began
preaching in a small parish at Beth
ell. While filing this pastorate he mar
ried Miss Martha Eaton. They had
five children, of whom but one, Mrs.
Joseph Warren of Cumberland Mills.
Is now living. At that time the laws
of the Methodist diocese would not per-
mt clergyman to fill one pulpit for
more than two years at a time, and
at the expiration of his two years. Mr..
Pottle went to oxford. The pulpit re-
striction was then extended to three
years and for that number of years
he faithfully filled pastorates in West
brook. Kittery. Saco. Bath, and at the
Congress Street Methodist church,
Portland, and az the Pleasant street
church in this city. He first came TO
Waterville in 1870. and at the expira-
ton of his time moved away. In 1881
he returned and remained five years.
While filling the local pastorate he was
appointed presiding elder of the Au-
evsta district, and filed the offic every
creditably, both while here and While
in Kents Hill. For the second time
Mr.. Pottle was called to the West
brook and Saco churches, and while
at the former in 1894 went to Califor-
mia on account of the illness of his
daughter. Miss Alice Pottle. The Gold
en- West claimed him for one year,
wehn he returned to his parish.
Boothbay Harbor was the next move
that Mr.. Pottle made. and from there
to Bowdonham and thence to South
Paris, followed by year at Lisbon
Falls.
The golden jubilee of his services as a
Methodist clergyman was commemorated
most fttingly while in Buckfeld, the
community in which he served as reg
ular pastor. Fifty years of untiring zeal,
devotion and fidelity to his calling had
told upon him and he withdrew in per-
son, but not in heart or mind, from the
active ranks. His retirement was fol-
was in 1911. Since that time he has lived
quietly with his second wife, who was
Miss Theresa, and to whom he was mar
ried in 1900. Mr.. Pottle as a minister was
| splendid example of the old school, who
| gained their knowledge by hard, persist
| ent application with none of the present
day advantages. His store of knowledge
was incalculable. His kindness, generos-
| ity and goodness were without bounds,
and during the half century that he serv-
ed the people of Maine his unassuming,
mild, yet enthusiastic and ennobling per-
sonality drew to him hundreds of friends.
| Thousands have listened to his sermons,
which were always scholarly. helpful
and uplifting. and his death takes from
the ranks of Maine clergymen a faithful.
earnest and sincere man, who was willing
to labor with the multitudes.
His wife, daughter, Mrs Joseph War
rem of Cumberland Mills, three mrothers,
George Pottle of Lewiston, State asses
sor and former mayor of that city, James
| of Fresno, Cal. and Charles of st. Paul,
Mimi, are the only immediate survivors.
The funeral services will be held at P.
M. Sunday at the Methodist church. The
pastor. Rev. II. c. Turner, will have
charge of the services and will be assist
ed by Rev. j. M. Frost, Rev. D. B. Holt
| of Portland, Rev. G. l. Spear OF South
| Paris and Rev. W. F. Berry of Water
VILE. Interment will be made in the
: Pine Grove cemetery.