Historic Union Cemetery

Mr. Filkins was born in New York in 1840, and was graduated from the law school of the Boston University, being afterwards admitted to pratice before all the Massachusetts courts. Entering the Union army in April, 1861, he served five years and a month. He came to California in 1881 and has resided most of the time since in San Francisco and this town - being thoroughly at home here. The late attorney was a lawyer of considerable experience. He was faithful, conscientious and plodding. Generous, courteous, obliging, of unfailing good nature, he had friends by the score and few if any enemies. Among his warmest well wishers was his successful rival for the district attorneyship of this county; and only a few days before his death he had concluded an arrangement to take charge of Mr. Buck's official and private practice, during the conteplated absence from the state of that officer.

The funeral of Mr. Filkins took place under the direction of San Mateo Lodge, No. 168, F. and A. M. Public services were held in the Masonic lodge room, Master P. P. Chamberlain conducting the service, assisted by Rev. C. S. Fackenthall, himself a mason. The pall bearers were Brothers Alphonso Green, Lon Cook, George Holden, W. C. Lund, representing the Masons; and Comrades Hallett and Rhodes representing the G. A. R. The service at the grave was purely Masonic.

The service was attended by several friends of the deceased, among them his aunt, Mrs. H. A. Dunham, and his cousin, Mrs. Hill, there being no other relatives in Califoria. The coffin was covered with flowers, arranged by loving hands of Redwood and elsewhere, and from amidst them the calm, untroubled features of the dead looked out as peacefully as if in sleep.

Mr. Filkins had been married, but left no children. He was a member of Gen. Geo. S. Evans Post, of San Mateo Lodge and of the Knights of Honor. In the latter society he was insured for $2,000 and his aunt, Mrs. Dunham, has applied for letters of administration on his estate, which is believed to be inconsiderable, except the insurance above mentioned.

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