Person Page - 541

His father had established a shipbuilding firm in 1823, and after receiving a common school education, the son at an early age entered its employ, and in 1854 succeeded with his elder brother to the business, building and managing a fleet of constantly increasing numbers and proportions. Upon his brother's death the firm style became Arthur Sewall & Co. After launching the Roanoke, the last built and largest wooden ship in the world, Mr. Sewall turned his attention to steel, and in 1894 launched the Dirigo, the first steel sailing ship built in America. He was a firm believer in the future of the American merchant marine and of its importance to the nation, and constantly proved his faith by adding to his fleet. He did not confine his activities to the sea, but was largely interested in land transportation. He was director and for nine years president of the Maine Central railway, president of the Eastern railway before its merger in the Boston & Maine, director of the Boston & Maine, New York & New England, and Mexican Central railroads. He was president of the Bath National bank and identified with many industrial corporations. Mr. Sewall was always a Democrat, was a delegate to the national conventions, 1872, 1876, 1880 and 1884, member of the Democratic national committee, 1888-96, candidate of his party for U.S. senator; 1893, and in this year declared in favor of the free coinage of silver, and at the Chicago convention of 1896 accepted the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States.³