Page:One of a thousand.djvu/80

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66 BOURNE. BOURNE. tion of the United States at Philadelphia, and in 1889 was House chairman of the centennial committee to New York, at the centennial of Washington's inauguration. Mr. Bottum has always been a student of national affairs; is a' staunch supporter est and managed the business alone until 1838, when he sold out the business, his whaling investments having become suffi- ciently important to demand his full atten- tion. Devoted to his business, he rapidly- increased its volume, until he became at one time the individual owner of more whaling tonnage, probably, than any other man in the country, if not in the world. During the late civil war, when other owners, disheartened, were selling their vessels to the government, Mr. Bourne not only retained his property, but, with his usual pluck and sagacity, bought five new vessels, and prosecuted the business with redoubled vigor. Although always interested in politics, first as a Whig and then as a Republican, Mr. Bourne never sought any political office. He was, however, repeatedly called upon to serve his fellow-citizens in posi- tions of responsibility and trust. Decided in his views, and fearless in expressing them, he often met with opposition, but never failed of an election when a candi- JOHN B. BOTTUM of protection to American industries and markets, and an opposer of free trade. Ik- was active and a welcome speaker in the last presidential campaign, and did his full share in presenting the claims of the Re- publican party to the suffrage of his fellow- citizens in the State. BOURNE, JONATHAN, son of Jonathan and Hannah (Tobey) Bourne, was born in Sandwich, Barnstable county, March 25, 181 1, the tenth of a family of eleven chil- dren. His father, a sturdy New England farmer, trained his sons to habits of indus- try, and taught them lessons of self-reliance. At the age of seventeen Mr. Bourne went to New Bedford, and entered the store of John B. Taylor, remaining nine months, and then spent the winter months in attendance at the village school in his native town. The next spring he attended the school of B. F. Fry, New Bedford ; then found employment in the grocery store of John Webster, with whom he sub- sequently entered into partnership. He soon after purchased Mr. Webster's inter- JONATHAN BOURNE. date. He served three years as alderman of New Bedford, and five years in the executive councils of Governors Robinson and Ames. Mr. Bourne was three times chosen delegate to the national Republican con-