CAPT. OLIVER PREBLE BRAGDON

 CAPT. OLIVER PREBLE BRAGDON

Bar Harbor Record

March 9, 1910

Capt. Oliver Preble Bragdon was born on Waukeag Point, now Sorrento April 24, 1826, died Feb. 20, 1910, at his home on Bridgham Hill, surrounded by his children and grand-children.  He is the last of the family of Jotham and Lydia Welsh Bragdon which consisted of one daughter and four sons.

Capt. Bragdon commenced going to sea when nineteen years of age, at twenty years Capt. he was master and pary owner of a fishing vessel, from that time until eleven years ago he continued as master of coasting vessels, sailing for John S. Emery and Co., of Boston.  For twenty years Capt. Bragdon was elected to the Maine Legislature as representative in 1880 - 1881 and as senator in 1883 - 85.

Capt. Bragdon was married to Miss Lydia Arey Feb. 8, 1852.  Their ? den wedding eight years ago was a very happy celebration.  Brs. Bragdin of Twin Falls Idaho, Mrs. Marie Havey of West Sullivan, and two sons, Henry of Bar Harbor and Edward, living nearby, survive him, also Mrs. Nellie Martin. Mrs. Julia Pancoast, Kenneth Fremont, Ruth Abbie and Maurice Bragdon, James, Rosa and Florence Hayey, Carlyie and Doris Bragdonm grand children.

Capt. Bragdon joined the Baptist church when a young man, though always loyal to his own church, during the years when there has been no Baptist preaching he has given the best that he had tio God., by serving his fellowmen, so that men have had faith  in his religion because he made it real in the living of his daily life.  He has been Supt. of the Sunday school through three generations, at times he has simply held it together by his own efforts when it seemed that all his teachings and all his prayers were availing nothing,  but these last years the helpful became the helpless.  He was elected honorary Supt, with the schools expression of what his service had meant to the school and to the town.

Fu eral services were conducted at the home Wednesday  afternoon by Rev. Mr. Drew of Winter Harbor who spoke from the text "Precious in the sight of the Lord is The Death of His Saints."  Mr. Purdy assisted, and on Sunday morning gave a brief talk on what the influence of such a life lived in a manly way among men, of about his religion  would mean for all succededing generations.  Mr. Anthony sang "Face to Face."  The flowers were from the Sunday school, Pythian Sisters and family friends.

"His youth was innocent, his riper age

marked with some act of goodness each day;

and watched by eyes that loved him calm and sage,

faded his late declining years away

meekly he gave his getting up and went

to share the holy rest that waits

a life well spent."