COL. PRESCOTT PASSES AWAY AT SACO HOME
Death Comes After he Makes Plans for the Winter.
NOTABLE CAREER IN BUSINESS
Honored Both at Home and Abroad for Integrity. Charles H. Prescott, founder of the Biddeford Journal and president of the Journal Publishing Corporation died Wednesday a.m., at his home on North street, Saco. He became critically ill of heart trouble on Sept. 28 in Portland, but rallied from that attack. A few weeks later another crisis developed and since that time he had been confied to his home.
This morning he awoke in good spirits, talked of his plans for the winter while awaiting his breakfast, and suddenly sank back on his bed and breathed no more. His death occured at 7.45 o’clock.
Mrs. Prescott hastened to his bedsided only to find life had departed.
The funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the residence, 11 North street, Saco. Burial will be at Laurel Hill cemetery, Saco.
Charles Henry Prescott was born in Barnstead, N. H., August 3, 1857, the son of James Lewis and Harriett Morrill (Tripp) Prescott. Much of his youth was passed in North Berwick, Me., to which place his parents had removed and where his father had established a manufacturing industry which for a number of years, with the assistance of his sons, he carried on successfully and which subsequently developed into one of the largest of its kind in the world. Charles H. received his early education in the town schools and at Berwick academy. Leaving home, he entered Boston university, where he studied law and from which he received his degree. He was admitted to the York County bar in 1880. His inclinations were not strongly toward the law, however, and he soon afterward engaged in the business to which in after life he gave so large a share of his attention.
It was in 1880 that Mr. Prescott, in company with his brother, William W., came to Biddeford and purchased from George A. Hobbs the Weekly Union and Journal. The two brothers published this paper for something more than a year, when William W. retired and Charles H. became the sole owner. In 1884, after acquiring a practical working knowledge of the newspaper business and an intimate acquaintance with the field involved, Mr. Prescott decided that the time was ripe and conditions favorable for the publication of a daily newspaper in Biddeford. As a result of that conclusion the Biddeford Daily Journal came into existence and for thirthy-nine years, under the control and management of its founder, it has held its place among the wide-awake, reputable newspapers of Maine and New England. Throuth all these years Mr. Prescott was the sole owner, publisher and managing editor of the Journal, though recently the business was incorporated and arrangements made which served to lighten his burdens, heavy because of the many important interests which made demands upon his time and attention. Under the new management, much of the reponsibility for the conduct and welfare of the Journal has been borne by others.
Few men in York county have had a business career so long and so successful as Mr. Prescott. In 1905, his publishing business having for the second time outgrown its home and equipment, the new Journal building on Adams street was erected and occupied. This building was especially designed for the newspapaer business, and in desing and equipment is second to none in the state.
When the Biddeford and Saco railroad was established Mr. Prescott became one of its most earnest supporters and later, when enterprise was in danger of being abandoned, he in company with other public-spirited citizesn came to the rescue, reorganized the company and put it on its feet. Having faith in its ultimate success as a public utility, Mr. Prescott invested in the enterprise all the funds he could command and in the course of time became the controlling owner in the property. That his confidence was justified is proved by the fact that almost from the date of its electrification the road has been a steady earner above fixed charges and for some years past a consistent dividend payer. This condition is due in no small degree to the unselfish personal devotion of the man to whom the road’s existence is so largely due.
Mr. Prescott was the first president of the reorganized company and remained at its head during his life. He aws also its personal manager and for a long time its secretary and treasurer. He was, in fact, the Biddeford and Saco Railroad company. He was also a director and vice president of the Portland Street Railroad company, which a few years ago was absorbed by the Cumberland County Light and Power company.
For many years Mr. Prescott was a trustee of the York County Savings bank and following the death of John Berry he became president of that institution. He was also for a long time a director of the First National bank of Biddeford and became its president in succession to the late Charles A. Moody. Both of these responsible positions he held at the time of his death. He was a director of the Union Mutual Life Insurance company of Portland, of the North Berwick Manufacturing company, of the Biddeford Improvement society and of other corporations or associations of an industrial nature.
Mr. Prescott was deeply interested in all local charitable and benevolent institutions. He was a trustee of the Cornelius Sweetser estate and was influential in the building of the Sweetser Home for Boys in Saco. He was an enthusiastic and generous supporter of the Webber hospital, on the board of managers of which he had served from the date of its incorporation. He was a trustee of Thornton academy and always pratically interested in its welfare.
The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Prescott were confied to the Free Masons, and of Dunlap lodge of Biddeford he had long been a member. He enjoyed a unique honor, so far as residents of this vicinity are concerned, in being an honorary member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston. He never cared greatly for club life, though he was a member of several, including the Cumberland club of Portland and the Biddeford and Saco Country club.
Mr. Prescott cas his first vote in 1878. Though alwas a staunch Republican, he was not one of those who can see all the political virtues and none of the political vices in their own party. COnsidering the many and varied activities of his business career, some of them requiring constant supervision, the part he took in local and state politics and in the public service was a notable one. In 1883, when but twenty-six years old, he was elected a member of the Maine house of representatives, being the youngest member of that body. He was re-elected in the following year and was nominated in 1885 for a third term, but declined to serve. In 1895 and 1896 he was chosen as one of the senators from York county.
From 1893 to 1897, during the two terms of Governor Henry B. Cleaves, Mr. Prescott was a member of the governor’s staff. From 1901 to 1905 he was a member of the executive council in the administration of Governor John F. Hill, and was chairman of that body. From 1888 to 1892 he was chairman of the Republican city committee of Biddeford, and from 1887 to 1890, inclusive, he served as treasurer of York county. He was a delegate-at-large to the Republican National convention in 1888, which named Benjamin Harrison for president, and was a member of the committee on resolutions of which William McKinley, then a representative in congress and afterwards president, was chairman.
Mr. Prescott was married Jan. 17, 1882, to Miss Ellen S. Hobbs of North Berwick, who survives him.
Of his immediate family, Mr. Prescott also leaves two brothers and on sister: AmosL., of New York, N. Y.; William W., of Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., and Mrs. A. J. Bristol, of Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
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Biddeford Weeky Journal, Dec 21, 1923.
[S2] Newspaper.
NORTH BERWICK — There was a very informal wedding Tuesday at the residence of Mr. William Hobbs when his daughter, Nellie S. was married to Charles H. Prescott of the Union and Journal. The ceremony was performed by Rev. F. C. Bradeen, in the presence of a few of immediate relatives and invited friends. The young couple started on their wedding tour by the afternoon train. Their trip will include New York, Washington D.C., and will occupy two or three weeks. They have the best wishes of many freinds for a pleasant journey, a safe return and a long life of prosperity. (Source:
The Union and Journal, Jan. 20, 1882).
[S15] Internet.
Source: Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921
1857 - 1923 (66 years)
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