Name/Title
William Henry Kilby Obituary | Eastport Sentinel, June 22, 1898Description
From Eastport Sentinel, June 22, 1898
Obituary
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WILLIAM HENRY KILBY.
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The name and fine likeness that embellish this page belong to the. Man whose memory we delight to honor. There are familiar to the readers of the Sentinel everywhere by personal acquaintance or by reputation.
Mr. Kilby was born at Eastport, March 24, 1820, in the old Hayden house now occupied by Genl. S. D. Leavitt, on Boynton street.
The District of Maine was separated from the State of Massachusetts March 15th, 1820. Mr. Kilby had been a resident of what is called the “Pine Tree State”. Only nine days when the actions of the two commonwealths were ratified.
Mr. Kilby was the eldest son of the late Daniel Kilby of Eastport, a name of Dennysville. His mother was Joanna Hobart. His ancestry were of staunch old colony stock. The two grandfathers, Capt. Theophilus Wilder and Isaiah Hersey both served in the Revolutionary army. The third was Col. Aaron Hobart of Abington, Mass., a noted manufacturer who cast cannon balls to furnish equipment for the patriot forces during the great national struggle for liberty.
At an early age, Mr. Kilby became interested in the public affairs of his native town, particularly in historic matters. He improved every opportunity to acquire knowledge. His education came largely from the schools taught in Eastport, with a few months at an academy in Massachusetts. He had keen perceptions and possessed a bright memory; with these faculties he was prepared to impart knowledge to the pupils under his charge at schools. His interest in educational matters increased year by year and he was elected a member of the school committee.
As early as 1847 he became interested in the organization of a Lyceum in the town and was elected secretary and treasurer of the local organization. In the season of 1845-6 he delivered an address on “Commerce.” At a later date he addressed a large audience on “Public spirits and the wants fo our town.”
Mr. Kilby was not a politician in the narrow sense of the term, but was always interested in state and national affairs. Upon attaining his majority he became identified with the old Whig party and used his franchise for the promotion of the policy of that party. When the Republican Party was organized he took his place in the ranks among its supporters and has always been true to his convictions on political questions. He cast his vote for the election of our noble Lincoln. He served his constituents acceptably two terms, 1863-4, in the state legislature. When General Taylor was elected to the presidency in 1849 Daniel Kilby was appointed Collector of Customs for the District of Passamaquoddy. His son Wm. II, served as Deputy Collector through the administrations of Presidents Filmore, Pierce and a portion Buchanan’s term. Her proved himself a most valuable officer.
Shortly after retiring from the Customs service he became clerk on board a steamer of the International line running between Boston and St. John, N. B. He continued in the service five years. In 1856 he was appointed agent of the International line at Boston; later he served the company in the same capacity in Eastport until retiring from active life, when he returned to Boston and resided there up to the time of his death.
During all these years from early boyhood, Mr. Kilby has taken a lively interest in all the public affairs of his native town. Prominent among these was the public library, for which he has put forth unceasingly effort to make a grand success. His labors in that direction is distinctly remembered by many of the citizens of Eastport. His earnest, eloquent and convincing appeal to the voters in a speech made in town meeting a few years since in favor of the town taking action to secure the fine large lot on which the building is located, will be readily recalled, as well as the touching na impressive address he delivered at the dedication of the handsome building. It is to his painstaking care and good judgment that the library is now in possession of its most valuable collections of historical and literary works. Generous contributors had placed at his disposal considerable sums for the purpose of purchasing books. To the management of the peavy Public library his loss will be one not easily to be filled, for his knowledge of the needs, and best methods in the conduct of such an institution were extensive and his interest constant.
In religious matters Mr. Kilby was an exemplary, every day christian of the Unitarian denomination. He loved the church of his father, where the children oof the family were taught in early life the tenets of religious faith. In this as in all other characteristics peculiar to the man, he was a perfect type of true manhood.
His writing has a place another than local literature. His chosen signature, “Quoddy,” is well known. The productions of his pen have furnished interesting reading for patrons of the Sentinel, The New Englan Magazine, and other publications.
His book, “Eastport and Passamaquoddy,” will be treasured with sacred care as a work of great historical value from a local standpoint, and as embodying the patient and living literary labors of man years; for the history was written and completed while the author was still employed in business pursuits.
For more than a half century Mr. Kilby has been a valued contributor to the columns of the Sentinel, and in its recent years besides the voluminous correspondence over the signature of “Quoddy” our subscribers have had the pleasure of reading a good deal besides without understanding that it came from his pen. In the fall of 1842 the Washington County Agricultural Society held its first cattle show and fair at Pembroke, and the report that appeared in the paper was written by W. H. Kilby. In the issue of the Sentinel of May, 1898k the descriptive article, accompanying an illustration, on the location of the Washington County railroad on the island, was from his pen. And as late as the 8th of the present month, items of local historical interest were received from him for publication. He was an easy writer with unusual gift for word painting, and his communications always had matters of interest and value to impart.
Mr. Kilby did not hold membership in any of the numerous fraternal secret organizations, but he was connected with the pine Tree State Club in Boston, The Boston Unitarian Club, The Maine Historical Society, and Essex Institute, also a member of local associations.
The dearest spot on earth to him was “home sweet home.” Among the scenes of his boyhood clustered many pleasant memories. The old trees and the gurgling brooks in the fields and pastures near his father’s and mother’s home in the picturesque little village of Dennysville and Edmunds he loved to look upon. He was strongly attached to kindred and friends, and none more so than those who could reciprocate socially in the interchange of memories of by gone events.
Those who have looked upon his manly form, standing erect with clasped hands and eyes intently fixed upon some familiar object that carried his mind back to the scenes of hy boyhood, will not soon forget the dear friend who has mingled with us so many years. Many today mourn his death That no more “gems of bright thought” will come from Quoddy’s pen brings sadness into the hearts of his many friends.
Funeral services were held in the Unitarian Church on Thursday afternoon at four o’clock, Rev. T. E. St. John officiating.