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HON. JOSEPH A. LOCKE, of Portland, Me., was born in Hollis, York County, Me.,
December 25, 1843. and is a descendant in the sixth generation from Capt. John Locke, of Hampton. (now Rye), N.
H., who came from Yorkshire, England, in 1644, - it is believed, - and first settled at Dover, N. H., where he
became a land owner. Through both his father, Stephen Locke, son of Caleb Locke, of Hollis, and mother, Lucinda
Clark, daughter of Charles Clark, of Hollis, Mr. Locke is descended from the historic Pepperrell and Frost families,
of Kittery, Me.
In his early childhood, Mr. Locke’s parents moved to Biddeford, where he fitted for college, graduating from Bowdoin
College, in 1865, with high rank, being the salutatorian of his class. He taught in the High School, Portland,
the first two years after graduation, having charge of classes in Greek, Latin, Chemistry, and Mathematics. While
teaching, he was pursuing his law studies: then entered the law office of Davis & Drummond (Judge Woodbury
Davis and Hon. Josiah H. Drummond), and was admitted to practice in the State Courts in 1868, and in the U. S.
Courts in 1869.
He settled in Portland, remaining a short time after admission with Messrs. Davis & Drummond, and then, October,
1868, opened an office in the Boyd Block, which had just been finished, where, by close application to business,
and the care and fidelity with which he attended to all matters entrusted to his charge, both in office business
and the trial of cases in the Courts, he acquired a large and successful law practice, commanding the confidence
of all with whom he came in contact. In 1880 he formed a co-partnership with his brother, Ira S. Locke, under the
firm name of Locke & Locke, who still continue the business. Besides their large general practice of the law,
they are Trustees of several large estates, and have the charge of many trust funds entrusted to their care.
Mr. Locke has ever taken great interest in educational matters. For several years, after teaching in the High School,
be was a member of the School Committee of Portland; has been for many years a member of the Board of Trustees
of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College, at Kent’s Hill, Me., and the last twelve years President of
the Board.
Mr. Locke has been frequently honored by his fellow-citizens with positions of honor and trust. Among others, he
was twice elected Representative to the State Legislature, viz.: for the seasons of 1877 and 1879; at the last
session being the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House, but defeated by the combined vote of Democratic
and Greenback Representatives. The following year he was elected a Senator from Cumberland County. This was the
memorable session of x 88o, when an attempt was made to organize the Senate by aid of votes of those who had received
certificates of election from the Governor and Council, but who were not legally elected by the people (as per
decree of the Court). Mr. Locke was the leader of the Republican Senators in contesting this action, and by his
judicious management prevented the attempted wrongful organization of the Senate. At its legal organization, January
12, 1880, he was elected President, being the youngest man who ever occupied the chair. This is the first instance
since the organization of the State that a member has been elected President of the Senate his first term. He was
returned to the Senate of 1881 and re-elected its President. In 1883 he was elected a member of the Governor’s
Council, and held this position, by subsequent election, for four years, since which time he has entirely devoted
his time and attention to his law practice.
Mr. Locke has been prominently connected with the Masonic Fraternity, having held the highest offices in the Grand
Chapter, the Grand Commandery, and Maine Consistory; and is at the present time Senior Grand Warden of the Grand
Lodge of Maine.
Mr. Locke was married, in August, 1873, to florence E., daughter of Joseph H. Perley, one of the leading merchants
of Portland, by whom he has four children, viz.: Grace Perley, John Richards, Allan Stephen. and Joseph Alvah,
Jr.
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