WASHBURN, Reuel [1793-1878] -- American politician

He was graduated at Brown University in 1814. He read law with Gov. Albion Keith Parris, at Paris, Me., and was admitted to the bar of Oxford County in 1818.

He soon came to Livermore where his brother Israel was living, and settled at North Livermore, which continued to be his home till his death, except one year (1851-52) which he spent in Oshkosh, Wis.

He was Register of Probate for Oxford County from 1821 to 1823. He was State Senator in 1827 and 1828 and a member of Gov. Enoch Lincoln's Council in 1829.

He was nominated for Congress by the Whig party in 1828, and lost the election by but five votes (and those said to have been irregularly cast).

He was Representative to the Legislature five years between 1832 and 1841, and Judge of Probate for Androscoggin County from 1857 to 1859, when he resigned. He died at town-meeting March 4, 1878. He had just spoken vigorously upon some matter which was before the meeting, and sitting down, immediately expired. [Genealogical Notes of the Washburn Family]