The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-03-23

CAPT L. M. PARTRIDGE
Lewis NJ Partridge passed to higher life
at his home in Stockton Springs Feb. 28th
after short illness of acute bronchitis He
Is survived by his wife; his son, Melvin, now
residing in the far west, and his daughter
Leora. One of nine children, he was the last to
go. Capt. Partridge was born in Prospect,
Maine. on March "a. 1928 His father was
Josiah Partridge, son of Sarah Shute, whose
father was C"l. Benz. Shute, one of the
earliest settlers of this region, and who own
ed the house on French's Point, Standpoint
now known as the old French house. He was
the first postmaster in the town, and the only
Justice of the Peace in the whole territory
from Belfast to Frankfort. Couples came
from as far away as Castine and Islesboro to
be married by him. His mother was Eleanor
WOOD Grant, daughter of Capt. James Grant
atfectionately called" Capt. Jimmy" who in
her early days Commanded the now famous
! old schooner Polly" His childhood was
very happy one, near him lived his six
uncles, brothers of his mother, all very pros
porous, owning one hundred acre farms, and
with large families for his playmates. His
father also owned large farm and was anxi-
Gus to keep on the farm this, his second boy,
the Oldest boy, John, having left home to fol-
low the sea; but the farm work was irksome to
the lad. and he, too, felt the call of the sea.
and longed to something of the great
world. The love for the sea was an inherit
ance from the grandfather. "Capt. Jimmy"
AT the age of seventeen he left home. and
a4ted upon his chosen calling. At that time
he lost his mother, and home never seemed
so dear again He quickly rose to be master
mariner, and a. the age of twenty-one took
command of the sch. Marquise. Among
the vessels he sailed was the brig Melvin,
schs. Marion A. Gould. Glenview, Crimea.
Windward, etc, In 1852. soon after the gold
fever broke oat in California, he, with eight
other young men from Prospect and two from
Rockland Me, took cabin passage in the fine
new ship Eastern State and sailed around the
Horn for the gold mines. He was the last of
them all to pass away. Remaining in Cali
fornia but one year he returned home and
took his brothers vessel he having had a new
one built for him. In 1856 he married Miss
Mary S. Mudgett, also of Prospect Four
children, two sons and two daughters, were
born to them; one son dying in infancy, and
one daughter in early maidenhood. In 1859
he came to Stockton, where he had since made
his home. In 1860 the schooner Windward
was built for him in the Stockton shipyards.
! On her maiden voyage from Turks Island to
Portland. Me-, she was captured by the Priva-
teer Jeff Davis and himself and crew we're
taken aboard the mau- -of-war and held for "a
hours; but for some reason, perhaps only
known to Capt. Partridge. he was released,
and took his vessel IN safety to her destina-
ton. Among his papers is document given
him by the commander of the Davis insuring
him immunity from further molestation. At
the close of the war, owing to ill health he
sold his schooner and retired from the sea.
and entered the store of Roberts & Hichborn,
where he kept the books for a time, but with his
ambition he was not content with this posi-
tion. therefore, though then 81 years of age.
he went to Belfast and entered the law office
of Hon. Nehemiah Abbott and in 1873 was ad-
mitted to the practice OF law at the Waldo
County Bar. Hon. Joseph Williamson of Belfast
was the first man to take him by the hand and
call him brother, and to the day of Mr.. Will
llamson's death. which occurred several years
ago, he was staunch friend. For many years
Capt. Partridge was the only lawyer in town,
devoting his time largely to probate cour t
business, for which there was the most urgent
demand. In 1866 customhouse was estab-
lished and he was appointed deputy collector,
which Office he held for nine years, or until
the decline of the shipb ulding industry in the
town. In 1868 charter for Savings Bank
was obtained and he was made tn cashier. II
was incorporated in 1868, and closed in 1885.
owing to the decline of shipbuilding, and the
press of his other business Every depositor
was paid in full with interest. He was a
member of the Masonic fra ternity and an Odd
| Fellow. He was always int crested in all that
made for the betterment of his town. but
though many times urged to take public office
his fidelity to his busin ess would never allow
him to spare the time. OF calm judicial
mind, many were the disa greements and mis-.
understandings his counsel was asked to
strengthen out, making his office court of ar
bltration as it were. He never failed to effect
an amicable adjustment. He was faithful and
conscientious in his business and er ready to
lend helping hand to anyone in need. No
one ever appealed to him in vain. MANY are
the widows and orphans who have blessed his
name for the help and comic rt he broug ht
them in their time of distress and bereavs.
ment.
Capt. Partridge was of a most social and
genial nature. Always sunny-hearted, and
ever looking on the bright side of life, with
smile and word Of cheer for all whom he met.
His was very magnetic personality, and he
made and held many friends. His disposition
was exceptionally sweet and gentle. He was
dear lover of children, and always greatly
beloved by them. His was very successful.
useful, and happy life. His capacity for en-
Joyment was unusually large. He delighted
In everything beautiful in nature, and art.
| and music was his greatest pleasure. He had