The Republican journal., 1915-01-14
DEATH OF "oUR GEORGE"

10th. at his home, "a Miller street. aged "a
years, months and days. Few knew of his
illness and its serious nature was not realized.
and the news of his death was great shock to
the community in which the greater part of
his life had been spent and in which every
one was his friend and admirer. We can think
of no one at this time whose going out will be
SO deeply felt and sincerely regretted, both at
nome and abroad, for he was known through
his writings far beyond the borders of his
native State. For some months past Mr..
Quimby's intimate friends had noted with ap-
prehenslon indications of failing health and
had missed the quaint or witty remarks which
were his usual salutations. When his daughter
Mrs. Pineo, and the little granddaughter of
whom he was SO fond left for their home in Ha-
vana, Cuba. Mr.. Quimby felt their departure
deeply and it is believed that he knew his con-
dition then and felt that he would never see
them again. In his last days. before he was
obliged to take to his bed, he must have suffer-
ed extremely, but he made no complaint. would
have no medical aid and continued the dailv
visits to his Office as long as he was physically
able. He was there for the last time Jan. End.
and Jan. 8th DR.. Elmer Small, the family phv-
sician was called. 1t was case in which med
ical skill was powerless, death resulting from
a complication of diseases.
Mr.. Quimby had been identified with The
Journal for nearly if not quite half century
During the % years that VIM. H. Simpson was
the editor he contributed to the local columns
and wrote series of articles that gave him
wide reputation as humorous writer, This
led to his engagement by the Boston Globe.
for series of articles which appeared in that
paper with illustrations. He continued his
contributions to The Journal under the pres
ent editor and through his connection with the
paper became a member of the Maine Press
Association In 1eS5, was its poet on one occa-
sion and an always welcome attendant at the
annual meetings and on the summer excur.
sions. To everybody he was "Our George"
with all that the prefix implies, and that this
regard was Statewide was evidenced on a
press excursion to Aroostook county, when
the first person called for at each place visited
was "our George" and it was remarked at the
time that the Governor of the State would not
have been looked for with more interest or
more heartily greeted. MIR. Quimby while al
ways ready to take part in social affairs at
hcme had avoided publicity abroad, and was
rather forced into what we believe to have
been his first after dinner speech. Hon. Fred
Atwood was entertaining a large company at
his hospitable home in Winterport and when
cigars were lighted and the post prandial ex-
tho pr,f
called upon. but said that Mr.. Quimby was
duly authorized to represent The Journal. He
was, of course. wholly unprepared and unac-
customed to public speaking, but it will be the
testimony of all present that he made the
hit of the evening, and our mutual friend,
Howard Owen of Augusta, will, we are sure
testify to that fact. In later years he was
called upon to address the Sons and Daughters
of Maine at the Waldorf f-Astoria in New York.
the Pine Tree Club in Boston and the associa-
tion of Maine people in Somerville, Mass.
In September, 1885, trip down the bay
in DR.. W. H. Winslow's cutter yacht Pilgrim
call was made on Mr.. and Mrs Nelson Mullen
at North Haven and of this visit Mr.. Quimby
said in The Journal:
find that can get nowhere that my fame
has not preceded me. l made a call in COM
pany with our Local on lady at one of the
islands. After an introduction she said: at is
rather funny, but l was thinking of you to-
day." Of course felt little fattered that
an entire stranger should be thinking of me
and l said ,Ah! eyes," she said, II was making
soap and could not help thinking of Our
George" don't know why, unless it was be-
cause there was SO much lye in it,
One of Mr.. Quimby's most popular articles
was ION Making Soap" and it was called for
long after its original publication, as were
many of his other con tributions.
For many years Mr.. Quimby was a foremost
figure in all social affairs, ever ready to take
any part assigned him. He appeared often in
amateur theatricals and was heartily greeted
and enthusiastically applauded by the audi
ences. He filled the unenviable position of
judge at baby shows, was indispensable at pic
MICS and excursions, and succeeded the late
Charles Treadwell as the champion chowder
maker of Belfast. Those who have not eniov.
ed the hospitality of Mr.. Quimby at The Pines,
Quantabacook, and partaken of one of his
chowders have missed good deal. Much
more might be said of the lovable, and loved.
one who Eas gone-the devoted husband and
father, the loyal citizen, the true friend who
death has taken from us-but words are futile
when such parting comes.
George Albert Quimby was born June 8
1841, in the old Angler house, which stood on
the site of the Memorial building, the son of
the late Phineas Park Quimby and Susanna
(Haraden) Quimby. and was the youngest of
their five children, of whom Augusta Susan
(Mrs J. W. Frederick) is the sole survivor
William Henry, the Oldest son. died in August
1857, and was followed later by John H. and
William H. When George was three years
old his father built the house at Is Court
street now occupied by William H. Quimby,
and which las since been known as the Quinn.
by homestead Mr.. Quimby was educated in
the public schools of his native city. He in
herited his fathers taste Of reading, bis en-.
quiring mind and ready and natural wit. When
young man he went to New York to clerk in
the ship chandlery of Thayer & Sargent, and
later for short time was engaged in the
| cigar and tobacco business with his cousin
VIM Oumhv in MINI hut lou,d