Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-24
Captain n. 2. Blanchard

Captain Henry F. Blanchard passed
away at his home in Jefferson, Maine, ON
Wednesday, February IA, after an ILL
ness of several years, at the age of 20.
The funeral services were held at his
late residence on Saturday. conducted by
Rev. A. A. Bennett, pastor of the First
Baptist church of jefferson. He was
buried under Masonic rites. The floral
tributes were beautiful Interment was
at Highland cemetery.
Capt Blanchard was born in Rumford,
Maine. April &c, 1887. He had his own
way to make. as his father died while he
was young boy. He attended common
school and high school, studying hard at
home and when he was II years of age
he entered the Maine Wesleyan Seminary
at kent's Hill. Later he attended for a
time what is now Colby College, lie
taught school to obtain money to get his
education.
He studied law in Providence and New
York. after which he returned to Maine
and opened a law office at Rumford
Point. About 1858 he married Miss Julia
Griffith of Dixheld. She died two years
later leaving one son, Ernest, who died
in early manhood.
In the fall of 1861 Capt. Blanchard en-
listed as private in Co. G, LIST Me. Cav,
He was rapidly advanced, being made i'll
turn corporal, sergeant, End lieutenant,
then captain. His regiment participated
in more engagements than any other
regiment in the service and exceeded any
other cavalry regiment in the number of
it's killed and wounded. In one skrmish
Capt Blanchard's horse was killed I'M
der him and he himself was severely
wounded. He took part in many of the
great battles but missed the Battle of
Gettysburg, as he was at that time con
fined in Libby prison. At the close of his
service he was A. A. adjutant general
at City Point, Virginia. In March. 1865,
having served his country three years
and seven months, he resigned on ac-
count of disab ility.
At the close of the war he opened a
law Office in Augusta. Later he became ),
member of the firm of Baker & Weeks
under the firm name Of Weeks & Banch-
ard. This Arm rapidly became one OF
the most important pension-claim Offices
in the State and did a large business.
While a resident of Augusta Capt.
blanchard was active in the best inter-
ests of the city and was identified with
of the South Congregational church and
conducted large Bible class in that
Sunday school. He was a member of
the Military Order of the Loyal Legion,
ca plain of the Capitol Guards for num-
Der of years and at one time president
of the Kennebec Natural History and
Antiquarian Society. He was prominent
Mason, taking his first Masonic degree
in June, 1865. In February, 1866, he was
made a Knight Templar and was emf
nent commander in 1882 and 1883. He was
the oldest commander of Trinity Com
mandery.
In politics he was a staunch and life
long Republican. He served for eight
terms as city clerk, resigning at the end
of that time In 1858 he was the Repuh-
lican candidate for mayor. A paper of
that time deacribes him as "a gentleman
OF rugged integrity of character.
Upon the death of his partner. Mr..
Weeks, Capt. Blanchard moved to Bos-
ton, where he practiced law for several
years. On account of failing health he
was obliged to give up his business,
which he did very reluctantly, and retired
to his summer home in Jefferson.
His wife. who was Miss Susan J. Nor
cross of Augusta, and one son, Harry
H. Of Boston, survive him; also grand
daughter Mrs. Herbert Leadbeater of
Jefferson. and one at-granddaughter.
Capt Blanchard's keen intellect and
broad viewpoint, together with his kind
ness of heart, won and kept for him
many friends. His advice and help were
sought by many, some of his old
clients coming long distances to consult
him. Always genial courteous and
thoughtful of others, he was truly lone
of natures noblemen." His kindly pres
ence will be greatly missed. Modest and
unassuming though he was. his place in
the community was a large one. The
tribute paid by Mr.. Bennett will be
echoed in many hearts: "The world is
poorer because he Is gone
The following quotation, found in Cap
tain Blanchard's scrapbook, might we'll
have been his rule of life so nobly did he
follow it's import:
II expect to pass through this world
but once; it, therefore, there can be any
kindness l can show. or any good thing
I can do to any fellow human being. let
me do it now. Let me not defer or
neglect 1t, for I shall not pass this way
again. Let this be my epitaph; What l
spent, I had; what I have saved, 1 left
behind; what I gave away, l took with
me-"