Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-04-05
Colonel william w. Whltm.rsh.

Colonel William W. Whitmssh died
at his home on Bridge Street, Norway
Tuesday afternoon at about 8 O'Clock
he had been in poor health for tho past
three years and confined to bis room
since Thanksgiving. he had been In q
state Of coma since the Saturday before
his death.
William W. Whitmarsh was born In
Norway May ~, 1885. the son OF John
and Charlotte (Stevens) Whitmarsb, and
has lived oil bis life In bis native town.
On September ~, 1888. he married
Martha c., daughter OF Nj. and Mrs.
Jonathan Blake, who Was born In Bethel
August 10th, 1s48. They had two chill.
dren, Lizzie c., born Nov. 8, 1872, and
Charles born May 20, 1873. The latter
died in June the same year.
Colonel w hitmsrsh's life has largely
been military one. 1t has been closely
woven into the military life of Norway,
which has been more interesting and OF
longer duration than most towns of her
size. She was settled by many Revolu-
tionary soldiers, and took part In the
war OF 1912. In the old militia days she
had several companies within Der terri.
tory. People of the present day remsm.
Der Norway's military history largely
by what has been known az the Norway
Light Infantry.
This company was organized Sept. 10,
1856, with no less Q man than William
Writ Virgin &c captain, and continued
under different organizations until the
opening of the world war, whom 1t was
swallowed up In the 103d United States
Infantry. To date 1t has not been re-
organised but may be 10 the near future.
It had really gone out Of existence no
lees than four times before its disap
psarance In the world wsr,-once on
the discharge of the First Maine Regi-
ment In the civil war, and again when
the Tenth Maine was mustered ont In
the same struggle and still again when
the Twenty. ninth was mustered out. II
took part In the Spanish War and again
lost identity when the regiment sent
from Maine was discharged.
Mr.. Whitmarsh became member Of
this company In boyhood and whom II
marched to the civil war a. . part OF
the First Maine Infantry on May 8, 1881,
Was Q sergeant. This regiment was
mustered out In August. 1851. During
this term of service the company was
commanded by George l.. Beal.
The Tenth Maine Infantry was organ
ICED and mustered into service October
4, 1851, with George L. Beal 40 the
colonel. The Norway company had
been reorganized and formed . uuit of
this organization with Whitmsrsh -
second lieutenant. On October 81, he
wat promoted TO first lieutenant. This
regiment was mustered out on Msy g,
1858.
The Norway company was reorganixed
for the third time during the wsr and
this time formed part OF the Twenty
ninth Regiment, which was mustered
into service Dec. IS, 1858, and served
until the end OF the war. Whitmsrsh
went out % captain OF the Norway com.
pany. he resigned March 8, 1855.
After the war, In the autumn Of 1859,
the Norway Light Infantry Was reorgan-
lied with George L. Beal ~ captain and
William W. Whitmarsh ~ fest Iieuten-
ant. In 1873 Captain Beal was appoint
ed side-de- camp to the commanding gen.
ersl, and Whitmarse became captain, .
post be retained until 1878, when he
resigned. For several years after this
he Was commissary with rank Of Gap.
tain, on the staff OF Gen. John Marshall
Brown, commanded Of the First Brigade,
Maine Volunteer Militia. In 1893 he
was appointed aide-de-camp on the star
Of Governor Henry B. Cleaves with rank
of lieutenant colonel. This ended bis
military career.
In civil life Colonel Whitmarsh served
% town clerk from 1878 TO 1885; and he
represented the town In the Legislature
for the years l884.6. Colonel Whit
march IVES county commissioner from
1881 10 1893 and Il was during this time
that tbe county buildings were moved
from Paris Hill to South Paris.
Colonel Whitmarsh 10 survived By bic
wife and his daughter, who II the wife
Of Captain Mellen w. Sampson, with
whom they lived.