David Robinson Straw Jr

  General Notes:

Sprague's Journal of Maine: David Jr was educated in public schools and graduated Bowdoin College 1859...admitted to the Piscataquis Bar 1862. Was a practicing lawyer in Guilford for many yrs. He with Otid Martin established the insurrance agency of Straw and Martin in 1880 amd he was a member of the Firm until the time of his death...died Guilford..April 18, 1908.

Obit from Bowdoin College pamphlet (not available)

The obituary from the Kennebec Journal April, 20 1908 reads: "Guilford, Maine, April 19, 1908: "The death of David R. Straw Jr., aged 72, one of the most prominent men in this section of the state, occurred Saturday. The cause was a general breakdown due to old age. Mr. Straw was born in this place in 1836, one of the 13 children of David R. and Caroline Straw. He was educated at Phillips Andover Academy and Bowdoin College, graduating from Bowdoin in the class of 1859. He was admitted to the practice of law in Piscataquis County in 1862 and for many years was one of the most prominent lawyers in central Maine. He was a member of Mt. Kineo Lodge, A.F. and A.M. and also St. John's Commandery, K.T., of Bangor. He was an Odd Fellow as well. For several years he has devoted his time to the supervision of private business interests. Together with Otis Martin he founded in 1880 the insurance agency, Straw and Martin, [whose office today survives as the Guilford Historical Society]. Mr. Straw was instrumental in starting the several woolen industries in this town and also the extensive slate quarries in Monson. [In 1889 he was President of the Monson Maine Slate Co.] On June 16, 1873, Mr. Straw was married to Ellen L., daughter of Abner Downing. She was born in Norway, Me., November 23, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Straw have had the following children: Alice B., born March 9, 1877, who died February 20, 1884; Grace M.,born September 25 1880; and Harold D., born April 7, 1882. They also have an adopted child, Doris W., who was born August 12, 1893. Mr. Straw has been Town Clerk and Treasurer for a number of years, and he served on the Board of Selectmen one year." ........"The family residence, one of the handsomest in the locality, was built under his own supervision. It stands on elevated ground, and commands a beautiful view. Both Mr. and Mrs. Straw are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church."

photo courtesy of T & S Sollenbarger from a family album

census 1880 Guilford, Piscataquis, ME
David O age 44; lawyer; born c1836 ME; parents born ME
Name: David O. STRAW Age: 44 Estimated birth year: <1836> Birthplace: Maine Occupation: Lawyer Relation: Self Home in 1880: Guilford, Piscataquis, Maine Marital status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Head of household: David O. STRAW Father's birthplace: ME Mother's birthplace: ME

Ellen D. age 33; born c1847 ME; parents born ME
Alice B. age 3; born c1877 ME
Name: David O. STRAW Age: 44 Estimated birth year: <1836> Birthplace: Maine Occupation: Lawyer Relation: Self Home in 1880: Guilford, Piscataquis, Maine Marital status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Head of household: David O. STRAW Father's birthplace: ME Mother's birthplace: ME

1900 Guilford, Piscataquis, Maine
David B. 1836
Ellen D. 1847
Grace M. 1881
Harold D. 1882
Doris W. 1894

Find A Grave Memorial# 77266338

David married Lena Ellen Downing, daughter of Abner Downing and Alice Lovejoy, on 18 Jun 1873 in Guilford, Piscataquis County, Maine. (Lena Ellen Downing was born on 23 Nov 1845 in Norway, Oxford County, Maine, died on 11 Dec 1918 in Guilford, Piscataquis County, Maine and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery Guilford, Piscataquis County, Maine, USA.)