Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-23
SEARSPoRT
Death Saturday Afternoon Of
Judge Joshua w. Black, One
of the Towns Most
Prominent Citizens

Searsport, Me-, Feb. 21.-(SpeciaD-
fudge Joshua ". Black died at go p.
NJ. Saturday. Joshua ". Black was
born in Searsport 70 years ago, the son
of the late Mr.. and Mrs. Joshua Black.
His early life was spent in the village
and when the war broke out he enlist
ed In April. 1861. in Co. I, 4th Maine.
Owing to his extreme youth and his
fathers objections. he was sent back
from Rockland, whittier he had gone
with the company.
In September, 1852, he again enlisted.
this time in Co. n, 18th Maine. He
participated in Banks expedition. was
at the siege and surrender OF Port
Hudson and at Springfield. landing
when the Confederate Colonel Logan
made his famous raid ON the place.
Here he performed a gallant service,
carrying a message to the pilot Of the
Union steamer Clinton, which. was
loaded with ammunition. thereby saw
ing the vessel and many lives.
When the war closed he passed sev.
eral years in Massachusetts,, return
ing to Searsport in 1870. He took the
census Of the town that year and in the
year 1880. For many years he was
agent Of the American Express; for
ten years he was foreman of the Pc
nobscot Engine Co.; was correspon-
dent Of several county and State pa
pers and agent for The Associated
Press. From 1872 to 1873 he was deputy
sheriff: from 1854 to 1887 deputy COL
lector Of customs and from 1889 to 1893
was postmaster. He served as post
master again under Mckinley. Roose-
welt and Taft. until the Wilson admin
istration. He was life long Republic
can, always alive to the interests Of
the party and an earnest worker
For some 20 years he was the trial
justice Of the town until succeeded a
few years ago by Judge John Sulii-
van. He was for some years the local
agent for the Eastern S. S. Co. He was
a charter member ard past grand
Of Searsport Lodge. L o. o.
F. charter member and past
commander Of Freeman McGilver Post,
c. A. r.. served on the stan of depart
ment commander in 1881 and was a
member OF the Council of -Administra-
ton: was aid-de-camp on the staff OF
National Commanders Palmer, and
Adams; was past president Of the
18th Maine Regiment: and a past mas
ter OF Mariners Lodge F. and A NJ {:
was member Of Corinthian Royal
Arch Chapter, King Solomons Council
and Palestine Commandery Of Belfast
and later of Searsport r. A. Chapter
Mr.. Black was married in 1874 to
Miss Eliza E. Bickmore of Searsport
and Of this union two daughters and one
son were born. The youngest, Miss
Edna, died about six years ago in June
and in October Of the same year. Mrs
Black also died.
The other daughter. Jessie married
John II. Montgomery of Bucksport
They have three children. Edna B., Hill
dred and John II. Jr. His only son.
Lieut.. Frederick Fraser Black, inherit
ing his fathers patriotic spirit, was
graduated from West Point and is now
in the United States Infantry, stationed
in Honolulu. H. l.. in the L. S. Signal
Corps. He has one son, Frederick
Ross. His wife was formerly Miss
Blanch Ross. daughter of Capt. and
Mrs. Andrew NJ. Ross Of Searsport.
A few years ago Judge Black married
Mrs. Theodate Beal, formerly Miss
Merrithew Of Searsport. They have had
q pleasant home in Main street.