Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-03
CLAW Lincoln Statuette
By Franklin Simmons
Nou In State Library

principal facts In the life OF Franklin |
Simmons: He was born at Webster,
Maine, Jan. II. 1889, son OF Loring
and Dorothy (Bachelor) Simmons,
During his infancy his parents re-
moved to Bath, where he attended
school and where he hrst manifested
his passion for art. When he was
about 10 years Of age his parents re-
moved to Lewiston. Here while in his
early teens he got minor position in
the Hill Mill office where he was a
favorite. But the noisy, busy. manu-
featuring environment did not lessen
the force Of the art influences 50 at
tractive to him. He turned from draw
ing to modelling. having learned that
statutes were first modelled in clay,
he procured the necessary material,
and without instruction, developed
his earliest exhibitions of the sculp-
tors art. ct is probable that to this
period belongs the Lincoln statuette.)
Learning the need of completing his
education he entered Bates college,
and finished the classical course.
Later he had small studios in Wa
terville, Brunswick and Portland.
where he modelled some portrait
busts. The winter Of 1866 he spent
in Washington, D. c., where the
members of Lincoln's cabnent and
about forty leading officers of the
Civil war sat to him for life sized
medallons, which were cast in
, bronze Among his sitters were:
Generals Grant, Sherman, Meade.
Sheridan, Hooker, Burnside, Banks,
Butler and Custer, and Admirals
F'arragut and Porter.
! In 1867 being commissioned by the
State of Rhode Island to execute a
; statue Of Roger Williams for the
National Capitol, he decided to go to
Europe, and the close of 1868 found
! him and his young wife settled in
Rome. His first works produced in
| Rome were the Roger Williams
statue; and the group Grief and
! History" which crowns the Peace
monument in Washington.
After the death of his wife, in
| 1872, he returned to the United
States, but on receiving several COM
missions. again went to Rome, where
in his studio he produced most of his
works, with frequent visits to Amer
lea. until his death December 6, 1913.
Among Mr. Simmons early COM
missions were the marble statue of
William King first Governor of
Maine, for National Statuary Hall:
and a bronze statue of Edward Little
for Auburn, Me. Among the most
Ir
in Washington are the equestrian
monument in bronze of General
Logan, in the iowa Circle; and the
! marble statue of heroic size of Cen
! cral Grant IN The rotunda of the Capt.
toll
! Mr. simmons is represented in this
country hy about one hundred por
trait bus;s in marble, besides many
in bronze. and fifteen public monu-
menis Among the latter, the bronze
statue Of Longlcliow at Portland.
.\mong the ideal works he has ex-
/ ccutod are ''Galatca,' Paris and
Helen" and "Sybil' all bronzes.
Tho Promised Land" THE Mother
= Of Noses" "Medusa," Penelope" all
marbles. AND a plaster cast of his
last work. "Hercules and Alcestis"-
all Of which are in the possession of
the Portland Society of Art, and
/. known as the Franklin Simmons Me
mortal.
! Mr.. :! mmons received tho degree
of \. NJ. from Bowdoin, Colby and
! Bates college. He was thrice dec
grated by the King of Italy. His last
decoration being Commentators Of
tho Crown of Italy. He was married
. second time, June 8, 1892, to the
Baroness Won JENSEN, daughter of
John Francis Slocum of Providence,
Il, T. She died Dec. >, 1905. In the
last years Of his life, Mr.. Simmons
planned for the Memorial art col
lection for his native State, which
was bequeathed to Portland in his
will
Two traits Of character stand out
in Mr. simmons lifeworl-he had a
definite aim as to what he would be.
He wanted to be a sculptor before he
had seen bust Or statute. And he
had a tireless energy. no obstacles
discouraged him. His early develop
mcnt was through laborious self
culture, he advanced and refined his
exquisite skill through years of
patient study.