Person:Roy Wardwell (1)

Living with Parents in Penobscot at 1900 census Also listed boarding in Augusta.

Listed in Augusta Directory in 1901 & 1903, working as bookkeeper for Cushnoc Paper. Living at 13 School Street. In Augusta at 1906 Penobscot census. At 81 Bangor Street in Augusta at 1910. Living in Augusta at 1920 census where he is listed as working as "accountant at Maine State House". Living on Pleasant Street in Portland at 1930 census, working for a Newspaper, owns home valued at $15,000.

World War I Draft Registration Card says he was tall and of medium build with blue eyes and brown hair.

He was elected to 3 terms as the Maine State Auditor, serving from January 1, 1917 to January 2, 1922.

Listed in the Augusta Directory in 1913 as the Secretary of the Abnaki Club and employed as a Clerk at the Cushnoc Paper Company.

"Arthur N. Soule, John D. Newman, and State Auditor Roy L. Wardwell encamped for a week in a log cabin on Punchbowl pond, where they are in quest of big game. The have with them an experienced chef in the person of Fred Hayden of Kingsbury Siding." --Daily Kennebec Journal 10 October 1917

"State Auditor Roy L. Wardwell arrived Thursday forenoon and went to the Women's reformatory on the Norridgewock road to inspect the books of the superintendent." -Daily Kennebec Journal 22 March 1918

"The primary nomination papers of Roy L. Wardwell of Augusta, the present State Auditor, candidate for re-nomination in the Republican primaries, have been filed at the Department of State. " -Daily Kennebec Journal 23 April 1918

"Saturday evening's Portland Express, in its 'With Us Today' column, had the following relative to State Auditor Roy L. Wardwell of this city, together with this portrait: 'It's a far cry from cabin boy to State Auditor, and in making this long leap Roy L. Wardwell holds a unique record. All his life, Mr. Wardwell has been bowling along under full sail, with a fair wind and everything drawing, and it is whispered that if he doesn't encounter head winds he may finally cast anchor in one of the biggest political ports within the gift of the people. Born in Penobscot in Hancock county, in a community of sea-faring folk, Wardwell made his first voyage as a cabin boy when in his teens. He sailed around the world in square rigged ships and rose to be a mate. Then the song of the sad sea waves grew monotonous to his ears, and he came ashore. After a course in Portland business college, he chartered the good ship 'Optimism' and soon catching the fair 'trade winds', he trimmed his course for Augusta. For 13 years, he sailed in Kennebec county as an employee of the Cushonoc Paper Co. At the end of this time, he launched his own craft, R.L. Wardwell & Co. with a full cargo of paper and twine, and as a wholesaler did a prosperous business. While he was sailing peacefully along in the placid waters of commercialism, his craft suddenly plunged into the troubled waters of politics. Cap'n Wardwell didn't change his course, however, nor did he reef a single sail, but in 1909 with the GOP flag at his masthead he sailed right into the Augusta Common Council. He proved such an able political navigator that in 1912 he was made President of the Republican Club of Augusta, and with everything set even to his baby tops'ls he blew into the office of city treasurer. When Gov. Milliken launched his gubernatorial boom, Cap'n Wardwell followed in the wake, and finally landed a berth on the Ship of State as superintendent of the State Auditor's cabin." -Daily Kennebec Journal 20 May 1918

"The Red Cross War Fund Treasurer, Roy L. Wardwell, reports that the total amount received Monday for the Augusta district, which includes Augusta and its branches, was $44, 315, an increase of over $800 over the last report." -Daily Kennebec Journal 04 June 1918

"Roy L. Wardwell, of Augusta, Republican was re-elected State Auditor over Charles B. Day of Richmond with a sustantial plurality. Unofficial returns from 212 out of 522 towns gave Wardwell 35,164 and Day 28,190. If the same gain is maintained throughout the state, Wardwell's plurality will be close to that of Senator Fernald." -Daily Kennebec Journal 11 September 1918

Listed in 1934 Augusta directory as treasurer of Gannett Publishing Co.

"Roy L. Wardwell, 74, 194 Pleasant Avenue, former State Auditor and executive of the Guy Gannett Newspapers here, died at his home Monday after an illness of five years. He was born Oct. 29, 1874 at Penobscot, son of LeRoy and Aroline Buker Wardwell. Following in the seafaring footsteps of his father, Mr. Wardwell, at the age of 14 years, signed on a ship as a cabin boy. He was at sea for nine years, sailing on several trips around the world. Later he attended the Portland Business College, after which he was employed for 13 years by the Cushnoc Paper Company, Augusta. In 1900 he married Winnifred Cushman at Penosbscot. They had one daughter and two sons. In 1909 Mr. Wardwell was elected to the City Council of Augusta and six years later became treasurer of that city. In 1916, Mr. Wardwell was elected to the post of state auditor. He held that position until 1921, when he resigned to become an accountant with the Guy Gannett Newspapers. He later became business manager and treasurer. Since leaving the Gannett firm in 1935, Mr. Wardwell has been retired. Besides his widow, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Lowena W. Haskell, Portland; two sons, Gerald C. and LeRoy Wardwell, both of Portland; two sisters, Mrs. Bernice W. Wardwell, San Bernadino, Calif., and Mrs. Lowena Rice, Eagle Rock, Calif. and three grandchildren. Private funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at 3 William Street. Internment will be in Evergeen Cemetery." -Portland Press Herald 18 October 1949

A legal notice on the probate of his will appeared in the Portland (Maine) Press Herald 16 November 1949.

1. ↑ World War I Draft Registration Card.
2. ↑ Portland (Maine) Press Herald 18 October 1949.

   Portland (Maine) Press Herald 18 October 1949

3. ↑ Portland Press Herald 18 October 1949.