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Gc 974.102 H24m 1242391
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01091 7968
/
LONG LAKE AND SHORES CANAL-BOAT "ARTHUR WILLIS"
C
Centennial History of Harrison, Maine
Containing The Centennial Celebration of 1905, and Historical and Biographical Matter
Compiled and Edited by ALPHONSO MOULTON, HOWARD L. SAMPSON and GRANVILLE FERNALD
"All human beings, not utter savage, long for some information about past times."
LORD MACAULAY
"It is wise for us to recur to the history of our ancestors. Those who are regardless of their ancestors * * * * do not per- form their duty to the world."
DANIEL WEBSTER
Published by the Authority of the Town Printed by the Southworth Printing Company Portland, Maine 1909
-
Janthem - $20.00
1242391 PREFACE
It is under circumstances of peculiar misfortune that a large number of the latter pages of this book were written and edited for the printer. On June 28, 1908, Alphonso Moulton, Esq., the principal author and editor, passed to the higher life after a serious illness from an insidious and fatal disease.
The writer hereof having been to some extent a co- laborer with Messrs. Moulton and Sampson, compilers and editors, for more than three years past, in the composition and arrangement of important matter for this work, is conscious of the honor and responsibility which is upon him, in assuming the duties to which he has been assigned by the authority of the Centennial Executive Commitee, within whose control, conjointly with the municipal officers of the town, the publication of the Centennial History still remains.
The general scheme of the Editorial Committee, as communicated to the writer in the beginning of the work of preparation of historical matter, was that first: a series of sketches of the pioneer families of the town, genealogical, and to a degree, biographical, wherever it seemed proper, should constitute a large part of the work; under the be- lief that the true history of the town would be best il- lustrated by authentic histories of the lives, characters and public services rendered, and the part performed by each citizen in laying the foundation of prosperity and in pro- moting the success of all patriotic institutions, which have, to the present time, reflected honor and luster upon their generation. This special commemoration of the pioneers
iv
A HISTORY OF THE
was not to preclude any necessary or deserved recognition of the advent and residence here for a term of years of families or individuals, who by education, character or other qualification have served the inhabitants of the town in a high professional manner in law, medicine, the ministry of religion, or in statesmanship; for some of the most de- voted and useful citizens of the past and present era, were not of the older "first families." Thus, they will observe that in some instances those whom our people have "most delighted to honor," have been born and educated elsewhere.
Another equally important feature of the work was to be : an accurate review of the religious and civil institutions, the general progress of education, and the processes of moral culture and social refinement since the organization of the town. The plan also contemplated reliable histories of the development of the various industries; the improve- ments in methods of agriculture; the useful innovations in the mechanical arts; the origin and successes of manu- facturing enterprises; the accession of wealth and business importance achieved through the mercantile connections of our citizens with other merchants in the large cities and by profitable dealing with the people of their section ; the establishment of town, church and school buildings, and notable private dwellings; the record of the patrio- tism of our people in furnishing troops for the Civil War ; the surprising advent in late years of the means of travel, conveyance of merchandise and personal communication owing to modern scientific discoveries and inventions. The elaboration of these different designs has enabled the writers to present to the citizens of the town and State, a most gratifying word-picture of all the scenes and subjects of interest to them or to the strangers who come within our gates.
V
TOWN OF HARRISON.
Attention may be asked to the fine illustration by por- traits of the good men and women whose lives are com- memorated in this volume, whom some of us knew in their lives and whom we all hold in loving remembrance and veneration.
It is sincerely hoped that the citizens of Harrison, hav- ing let patience have her "perfect work," will appreciate how cautiously the compilers resolved to proceed in every step of their labors, so that every statement in this volume should bear the stamp of complete authenticity; for, though it was their desire to make a book that, to use a common phrase, might be "as interesting as a novel" yet it should not be suspected of containing anything even bordering on the domain of fiction; for that is not history.
The apparent slowness of the progress of compilation of the book has been unavoidable. The natural eagerness and expectancy of our people to see the work in print has been constantly apprehended, and often expressed to the authors and editors. Their inexperience in book-writing, and the immense demands upon their powers of calculation of resources, the failure of many friends to furnish nec- essary data for formulation of readable articles, and the fact that the main brunt of the undertaking came upon one man, whose physical system was being gradually under- mined by the approach of a malady so secret and fatal in its nature that the result even now appalls us as we re- member how suddenly he was called away, is sufficient explanation of the seeming delay, and of the subsidence of force in an intellect that while toiling incessantly for many months in a quest of facts for portraying the careers of individuals, and of the lives of fellow mortals like himself, the devotedness to the object to which he was committed, vividly calls to mind the sacrifice illustrated by the title of a famous story, "A Life for a Life."
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To those friends who have so willingly and readily furnished information concerning their family histories and other indispensable data for the compilers' use, we express our sincere thanks. Without their assistance, we could never have brought the work to so complete a conclusion.
One most valuable assistant, as a guide to the intelligent search for, and use of the necessary data pertaining to the original pioneers, is the "History of the Settlement and Early Settlers of Harrison, Maine, by Rev. Gideon T. Rid- lon," a former resident of the town. It was published in 1877, while a goodly number of the older people were still living, who were among the "first born among many breth- ren" in the old town. We desire to recognize the invaluable merit of that unpretentious work, compiled under circum- stances of so much difficulty at that time, and yet with in- numerable advantages not possessed by us at the present period. In behalf of the citizens of Harrison and adjacent towns, we therefore present our sincere acknowledgments for the timely assistance we have derived from the use of the above mentioned history.
INDEX TO CUTS.
Long Lake and Shores,
Frontispiece
OPP. PAGE
OPP. PAGE
Capt. Elliot Libby,
545
Congregational Church,
135
Alphonso Moulton, Esq., 555
Baptist Church, 145
Oliver Peirce, Esq., 564
Free Baptist Church,
146
Hon. George Peirce, 567
Odd Fellows Hall,
232
Mrs. Hester Peirce Greely, 576
Harrison Public Library,
328
Samuel Pitts, 585
Hon. Harrison Blake,
347
Mrs. Calista (Stuart) Pitts, 586
Dr. Silas Blake,
349
Residence of J. Howard Randall,
587
Judge George H. Buck,
381
Timothy H. Ricker, 588
Albion Hall Burnham,
388
Sherburne H. Ricker, 589
Hon. Sumner Burnham,
397
Thomas Robie Sampson, 598
William Cotton Carsley,
402
Rev. Cassander Cary Sampson, 601
Mrs. Esther (Fogg) Carsley,
403
Mrs. Dorothy Scribner, 607
Newell Nutting Caswell, 410
Stephen F. Tebbetts, 638
Hon. John Woodsum Caswell,
413
Col. Amos Thomes, 652
Hon. Caleb A. Chaplin,
430
Mrs. Abigail (Higgins) Thomes,
653
Hon. Charles Sumner Cook,
443
Mrs. Laura (Kelton) Tolman, 667
Hon. John Dawes, 448
Hon. James H. Tolman, 670
Mrs. Bethia Carsley Dawes, 449
Mrs. J. H. Tolman, 671
Charles Farley, 455
Franklin Walker, 679
Granville Fernald, 465
Charles Walker, Esq., 680
Enoch Haskell, Sr., 487
Mrs. Sally (Barbour) Walker, 681
Hon. Melville E. Ingalls, 514
Dr. S. Loton Weston, 691
William Thomes Kilborn, 529
Rev. George Edgar Kneeland
535
Francis H. Whitman, 699
Almon Kneeland, 536
Mrs. Dorcas (Sands) Kneeland, 537
Mrs.H.Elizabeth (Mead) Weston, 696
Edward Kendall Whitney, 706
Obadiah Gould Cook, 442
Hon. Philander Tolman, 665
CONTENTS
PART I. THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
PAGE
Preparing for the Centennial Celebration, 3
Address of Welcome, by Albert W. Weston, Esq., 17 .
Address of Hon. Charles Sumner Cook, 21
Historical Address by Granville Fernald, Esq., 25
Address of Hon. James II. Tolman, Esq., of Westbrook, 80
Centennial Poem, 92
Centennial Ode, 97
PART II.
HISTORICAL.
Chapter I.
Early History of Maine, IOI
Chapter II.
Scraps of Early Town History,
II5
Sad Events in Harrison, 125
Chapter III.
Proposed New Towns, I27
Chapter IV.
Churches in Harrison,
I35
0
Bo
I
!
x
CONTENTS
Chapter V.
Educational Matters,
I54
Chapter VI.
Transportation in Early Days,
182
Chapter VII.
Business Enterprises, 197
Fires in Harrison, 218
Chapter VIII.
Secret Societies, 227
Temperance Societies, 257
A Famous Old-Time Fourth of July Celebration, 260
Chapter IX.
Agricultural Organizations,
266
Chapter X.
Miscellaneous Records, 286
Harrison in the War of the Rebellion, 316
Harrison Public Library, 326
Harrison Village Cemetery Association, 33I
xi
CONTENTS
PART III. GENEALOGICAL.
PAGE
Apologetic,
335
FAMILY
FAMILY
Abbott,
337
Foster, 472
Barrows,
340
Gray,
475
Bisbee,
344
Hall,
478
Blake,
345
Harmon, 480
Bolster,
358
Haskell,
487
Brackett,
360
Hill,
493
Bray,
37I
Hobbs,
496
Briggs,
375
Howard,
500
Buck,
377
Huntress,
502
Burnham,
387
Illsley,
504
Carsley,
398
Ingalls,
508
Caswell,
406
Johnson,
524
Chadbourne,
417
Jordan,
525
Chaplin,
424
Kilborn,
526
Chute,
440
Kneeland,
532
Cook,
442
Lakin,
538
Cummings,
445
Lamb,
540
Dawes,
448
Lewis,
542
Dorman,
452
Libby, 544
Eastman,
454
Lowell,
55I
Farley,
455
Morse,
552
Fernald,
462
Moulton,
554
Fogg,
469
Newcomb,
559
x
CONTENTS
Chapter V.
Educational Matters,
I54
Chapter VI.
Transportation in Early Days,
182
Chapter VII.
Business Enterprises, 197
Fires in Harrison, 218
Chapter VIII.
Secret Societies, 227
Temperance Societies, 257
A Famous Old-Time Fourth of July Celebration, 260
Chapter IX.
266
Agricultural Organizations,
Chapter X.
Miscellaneous Records, 286
Harrison in the War of the Rebellion, 316
Harrison Public Library, 326
Harrison Village Cemetery Association, 33I
xi
CONTENTS
PART III. GENEALOGICAL.
PAGE
Apologetic,
335
FAMILY
FAMILY
Abbott,
337
Foster, 472
Barrows,
340
Gray,
475
Bisbee,
344
Hall,
478
Blake,
345
Harmon, 480
Bolster,
358
Haskell,
487
Brackett,
360
Hill,
493
Bray,
37I
Hobbs, 496
Briggs,
375
Howard,
500
Buck,
377
Huntress,
502
Burnham,
387
Illsley,
504
Carsley,
398
Ingalls,
508
Caswell,
406
Johnson,
524
Chadbourne,
417
Jordan,
525
Chaplin,
424
Kilborn,
526
Chute,
440
Kneeland,
532
Cook,
442
Lakin,
538
Cummings,
445
Lamb,
540
Dawes,
448
Lewis,
542
Dorman,
452
Libby, 544
Eastman,
454
Lowell,
55I
Farley,
455
Morse,
552
Fernald,
462
Moulton,
554
Fogg,
469
Newcomb,
559
xii
CONTENTS
FAMILY
FAMILY
Peirce,
563
Thomes,
648
Perley,
581
Thompson,
663
Pitts,
585
Tolman,
663
Randall,
587
Trafton,
672
Ricker,
588
Twombly,
674
Ross,
591
Walker,
676
Russell,
593
Washburn,
686
Sampson,
594
Watson,
688
Scribner,
602
Weston,
690
Smith,
609
Whitman,
698
Springer,
612
Whitney,
701
Stanley,
612
Willard,
713
Strout,
615
Witham,
714
Stuart,
621
Woodsum,
717
Tebbetts,
638
Memoranda,
724
PART I.
The Centennial Celebration AT
HARRISON, MAINE,
Thursday, Aug. 3, 1905.
PREPARING FOR THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
T HE date of the first settlement of Harrison seems to be undecided, since Rev. G. T. Ridlon, who made dili- gent search in regard to the matter, says in his "Early Settlers of Harrison" that John and Nathan Carsley came into town with their wives in March, 1793, afterward re- turning to Gorham and remaining there until after the birth of Nathan's second child in 1796; and, further on, that some of the old people claim that John Carsley and his wife never returned to Gorham after first coming to Harrison in 1793. He says that this is probably true. If the latter statement is correct, the first permanent settlement was in 1793; but, if the former supposition is right, it was not till 1796 or 1797. This uncertainty in regard to the exact date, and the impossibility of deciding the matter, are the probable reasons why no attempt was made to celebrate the centennial of the first permanent settlement of the town.
The incorporation of the town on March 8th, 1805, was a certain date, which was a matter of record, and early in the year of 1904 the matter of celebrating its centennial began to be heard of. So far as the writer is aware, Rev. C. C. Sampson, of Tilton, N. H., a native of Harrison, was the first man to broach the subject, the time being early in the summer of that year. The matter did not assume tan- gible form until the following December, when S. C. Smith,
4
A HISTORY OF THE
Esq., drew up a petition to the Selectmen of the town, requesting them to call a citizen's meeting at such a date as they might deem advisable, for the purpose of consider- ing the matter of suitably celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the town. This petition was numerously signed, though there did not seem to be any special en- thusiasm in regard to the matter.
In response to the petition the desired meeting was duly called, and was held at the Town Hall on the afternoon of Saturday, December 10th, 1904. The attendance was very small, not over fifteen persons being present. Quincy M. Chute, (Chairman of Selectmen), was chosen as Chair- man of the meeting, and Howard L. Sampson, (Town Clerk), Secretary. There was a general discussion of the proposed celebration, and all present favored it. No action was taken, except to urge all present to do their utmost towards interesting the people of the town in the movement, and the meeting adjourned, to meet in one week at the Odd Fellows' Banquet Hall.
The adjourned meeting was largely attended and very enthusiastic. After quite a discussion, which called forth several stirring speeches, it was voted to choose a com- mittee to consider the advisability of holding a centennial celebration, and also the matter of suitable exercises for such a celebration, if it was deemed best to hold it. Alvin P. Ricker, Alphonso Moulton, and William H. Bailey were appointed as a committee to select the Centennial Com- mittee, and, after due consideration, reported a list of names to the meeting which was unanimously adopted, but other names were added by nomination from the floor. William H. Briggs was elected as Chairman of the Centennial Com-
5
TOWN OF HARRISON.
mittee, and Alphonso Moulton as Secretary; and at a subsequent meeting, Frank P. Bennett was elected as Treas- urer.
The Citizens' Meeting adjourned, to meet at the same place on Saturday, January 14th, for the purpose of hear- ing the report of the Committee, and acting upon the same. The meeting was held according to the adjournment, and the Committee made its report, the main points of it being that they recommended "a proper observance of the coming Centennial of the Incorporation of the Town, and that the exercises be held at such place in the vicinity of Harrison Village as may hereafter be determined upon, at some time during the coming August ;" and that at the proposed cele- bration there be: "(I) An Historical Address, to be pre- pared by some suitable person, such person to have been at some time a resident of the town; (2) a dinner, to be made as extensive as our means will allow; (3) After Dinner Speeches from former and present residents of Harrison, and Distinguished Visitors from abroad; (4) a Band of Music, to be present through the whole of the ex- ercises ; (5) a Quartette of Singers; (6) that other fea- tures, including a Trades Procession, a Water Carnival, a Display of Fireworks, etc., be taken into consideration by the Committee that may have charge of the matter in the future, and such of them added to the program as may be thought advisable, and that the amount of funds at the disposal of the Committee may seem to warrant." The Committee further recommended that as much money as possible be raised by subscription before asking the town to appropriate anything.
6
A HISTORY OF THE
The report of the Committee was unanimously adopted, and, on motion of S. C. Smith, Esq., it was voted that the Committee then acting in the matter, with the addition of such persons as the meeting might see fit to add to the number, be a Permanent Committee to have full charge of all matters relating to the proposed Celebration. Several additions were made to the Committee by nominations from the floor, and the Centennial Executive Committee, as finally constituted, was as follows :
CENTENNIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
William H. Briggs,
Mrs. William H. Briggs,
George H. Cummings,
Almore Haskell,
Alphonso Moulton,
George E. Tarbox,
Howard L. Sampson,
C. Sumner Whitney,
Dr. James P. Blake,
James Thomes,
Adelbert C. Buck,
Mrs. Anna Dudley,
Mrs. Lida T. Randall,
Mrs. Lizzie Doughty,
Quincy M. Chute,
Joseph Pitts, Mark H. Sawyer,
Mrs. Cora Dennison, Nathaniel H. Seavey,
Mrs. Lena Stone,
Mrs. Alice M. Wilbur,
Mrs. Hattie A. Hall,
Charles F. Ricker,
Mrs. Louisa H. Foster,
George P. Carsley,
Mrs. Rebecca Shedd,
Ernest L. Gay,
Mrs. Nellie F. Keene,
A. Mellen Thomes,
David Kneeland,
Victor L. Jordan,
Clarence B. Caswell,
7
TOWN OF HARRISON.
HONORARY, NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS.
Hon. Melville E. Ingalls, Hon. Charles Sumner Cook,
Hon. George H. Buck,
Albert S. Caswell, Esq.,
Daniel H. Caswell, Esq.,
Willis E. Carsley, Esq.,
Rev. Cassander C. Sampson, , Granville Fernald, Esq.,
William H. Briggs, Chairman. Alphonso Moulton, Secretary Frank P. Bennett, Treasurer.
The Committee at once went to work with a will, the first work in hand being the provision of the funds necessary to meet the expenses of the celebration. A subscription paper was drawn up at the first regular meeting of the Committee, and the members present at once started the ball rolling by pledging about $150. George H. Cummings, Esq., was selected to solicit subscriptions, and did very effective work, being assisted later on by the Chairman and Treasurer of the Committee.
It had been decided to ask the town for aid, and an ar- ticle asking for an appropriation for the purpose was in- serted in the warrant for the annual meeting. At the meet- ing of the Committee held on March 4th, the Chairman reported that $455 had already been subscribed, and, after a very full discussion, it was decided to ask the town to appropriate $300. At first there seemed to be con- siderable opposition to this measure in certain quarters, but the matter was handled so skillfully, both before the meeting and during the discussion when the article was brought up, that the sum asked for was voted unanimously,
8
A HISTORY OF THE
thus placing $755 at the disposal of the Committee, which sum was subsequently increased to about $850, which proved to be more than enough to carry out in full the pro- gram which was afterwards determined upon.
Being assured of sufficient means the Committee began to lay out the work in such a manner as to give assurance that the coming Celebration would be one which would reflect credit upon the town, and of which every inhabitant, or former resident, would be proud, provided that the citi- zens co-operated heartily in the work; and, right here, we feel that it is our duty to say that they did this to an extent never before equalled in Harrison. All differences were hushed, the plans of the Centennial Committee were ac- cepted without question, and unity of purpose and most earnest work characterized every movement from that time on. The full Committee retained the general control over all of the work, but the details of the different divisions were put in the hands of the following sub-committees :
Invitations : - Howard L. Sampson, Alphonso Moulton, Almore Haskell.
Reception : - George E. Tarbox, C. Sumner Whitney, George H. Cummings, Mrs. Lizzie Doughty, Mrs. Lida T. Randall.
Entertainment and Exercises : - Dr. James P. Blake, Clarence B. Caswell, N. H. Seavey, Mrs. Anna Dud- ley, Mrs. Lyman Shedd.
Dinner : - Mrs. Nellie F. Keene, Mrs. Wm. H. Briggs, Mrs. Louisa H. Foster. (This Committee was em- powered to appoint additional members, and to em- ploy such assistance as they found necessary.)
Decorations : - Joseph Pitts, Victor L. Jordan, Quincy M. Chute, Charles F. Ricker, David Kneeland, Mrs. Cora Dennison, Mrs. Lena Stone.
9
.
TOWN OF HARRISON.
All of the committees entered zealously into the work assigned to them, and, though some of the tasks were al- most herculean in their proportions, not a single committee failed to carry through its work in a manner that was emi- nently satisfactory. Neat and tasty printed invitations were procured, and about eight hundred of them were sent through the mails, the design being to place one at least in the hands of each family that had at any time resided in the town, and in very many instances these invitations have been carefully put away to be treasured as mementoes of the "Wonderful Centennial Celebration in 1905."
It was determined to put the Village in holiday attire, and $100 was placed at the disposal of the Committee to use in decorating such buildings as could not well be at- tended to by individuals or families. The work was placed in the hands of the N. E. Flag and Decorating Company, of Boston, and right well was the work done under the direction of their agent, Mr. C. M. Gates. The residents entered heartily into the work, and when all was in readi- ness for the celebration, Harrison Village was certainly a "thing of beauty" as it appeared with its "good clothes" on. About forty residences, places of business, churches, and halls, were decorated to quite an extent, and many of them in a very elaborate manner. Indeed there were but very few buildings in the vicinity of the Village that did not in some way show that the owner recognized the im- portance of the great event that was so close at hand. In addition to all this, numerous flags and banners were hung over the streets, and the Grand Stand where the literary exercises were held, was elaborately decorated and draped, the whole vicinity being brilliant with the national colors.
IO
A HISTORY OF THE
Most certainly the decorators did their work faithfully, and gave good value for the money that was paid to them.
The Committee on Entertainment and Exercises de- termined at the start to prepare a program that would fur- nish ample entertainment for every member of the big crowd that was expected,-one that would be varied enough to suit all tastes, and long enough to satisfy the most ex- acting. Right well did they succeed in every department, from the salute at sunrise to the big display of fireworks that did not end till late in the evening. Dr. James P. Blake, the chairman and resident member, "put his whole soul into the work," and labored unceasingly, the other members assisting as best they could.
One feature, which everybody expected, was an Historical Address, and Granville Fernald, Esq., of Washington, D. C., a former resident of the town, and a man well equipped for the work, was selected to prepare it, and at once signified his willingness to accept the position. He is an experienced and ready writer, with a great fund of information at hand, and he received much aid from other parties, especially from our popular Town Clerk, Howard L. Sampson, Esq., who stood ready to furnish reliable information in regard to almost any subject connected with the past history of the town. But Mr. Fernald was so hampered by lack of time that he was obliged to omit many facts in regard to the town and its inhabitants, that he had in his possession, an omission which the editors of this book have endeavored to make up for as far as possible by the matter inserted in the portion devoted to Town History.
The Committee had hoped to have Harrison's honored son, Hon. M. E. Ingalls of Cincinnati, Ohio, preside at the
II
TOWN OF HARRISON.
Celebration, but his many duties would not permit him to be present on that day. It was fortunate in securing another worthy son, Hon. Chas. Sumner Cook of Portland, to take his place.
As has already been stated, it was voted at the beginning of the preparations to provide a dinner, "to be made as extensive as our means will allow." Probably the dinner proved to be the source of more trouble, worry, and dis- cussion, than everything else connected with the Celebration. Some thought it best to feed the Speakers, Band, Officers and Committees, and Invited Guests sufficient to make the total number two hundred and fifty to three hundred; others favored a "picnic dinner" for everybody that saw fit to bring food, without any special preparation; still others thought it best to provide for all inhabitants of the town, and all former residents; and others, (and this was a numerous class), would be satisfied with nothing less than what would practically be a free dinner to everybody. The greater part of those who opposed this last proposition, did so from the fear that it would prove to be such an immense affair that it would end in a dismal failure. But their fears were eventually overcome, and a dinner prac- tically free to all was the final result, though the decision came so late that many did not avail themselves of the privilege, although about three thousand (3,000) were fed at dinner, and about one-third of that number were pro- vided with suppers. After the hunger of this great mul- titude was fully appeased, great quantities of food were left that the Committee had to dispose of as best they could. Harrison dinners, (or suppers), are never a failure.
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