USA > Maine > Oxford County > Buckfield > A history of Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine, from the earliest explorations to the close of the year 1900 > Part 19
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In the law he was held in high esteem on account of his apti- tude for business, his quick insight, and rapid methods, and also for an unusual ability to adjust cases by the fairness of mind which enabled him to see both sides, and bring opponents to an understanding. He was senior counsel for the defendant in the famous Trefethen murder case and after two long trials secured an acquittal. His elaborate argument was published with the proceedings by the Commonwealth. For some years he was a member of the State House Construction Committee, and was influential in obtaining the open space about the building so es- sential to its effect.
It was in February, 1897, after he had taken a much-needed rest in 1896 from the arduous duties of his profession, that President-elect Mckinley between whom and him existed a warm friendship that ripened till the former's tragic death into the closest relations, made him the unlooked-for offer of a seat in his cabinet, with a choice between several offices. The sug- gestion was such a surprise to Mr. Long that there was some de- lay in his acceptance, but he finally selected the Navy, thinking that under its able chiefs of department its perfection of routine was such as to make the position of Secretary of the Navy com- paratively easy in a time of profound peace such as was then enjoyed.
His nomination was sent to the Senate by the President and on March 5, 1897, it was promptly confirmed, but to his surprise, after a short time, the post of Secretary of the Navy became one of unexpected importance. After a few months of enjoyment of the otium cum dignitate of the position, during which he had an opportunity to become familiar with the duties of his office, and a chance to learn to know the qualities of his subordinates, the outbreak of the war with Spain made the office of the Secretary of the Navy, contrary to all expectations, one of the most re- sponsible positions in the United States.
To this surprising emergency Mr. Long brought the calm good judgment and ready perception which have never failed
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him in his administrative career. Recognizing the need of tech- nical counsel, he promptly called about him the most experienced naval men and organized them into a board of strategy. The purpose of this board was to devine and forestall the possible plans of the enemy, and to devise a plan of campaign to which the best skill in the profession should contribute advice and knowledge.
The results of this well considered scherre promptly testified to its value. The success of Dewey in Manila Bay speedily brought about a respectful consideration from those nations of the old world which in the beginning were most hostile in their attitude towards the United States.
The forethought of the Secretary of the Navy had insured proper preparation for the event long before war was declared.
"Let me know," he said, "just how much money you need to put the ships in sailing order and you shall have it." Congress had made an emergency appropriation of fifty million dollars of which more than twenty millions were put by President Mckin- ley at the entire discretion of Secretary Long, thus giving him the means of carrying out the promise, and when the 19th of April, 1898, came, the navy was ready, and its victory was the first thing to turn the scale among foreign governments, and to win for the United States the enthusiastic moral support of England, most important to it at this crisis. During the year of the war, the business of his department involved amounts aggregating $140,- 000,000, every cent of which was properly accounted for.
The story of the astounding success of our fleets in the Phil- ippines and Cuba, without the loss of a vessel, is a tribute not only to the valor and ability of officers and men, but also to the foresight and wise supervision of the Secretary, owing to which the great increase in the laboring force at the navy yards, in the beginning of the war, was accomplished without undue rush, and under such regulations as resulted in obtaining only skilled men. Also the right commanders were sent to the right places.
Though the Secretary modestly awarded the merit to the able department chiefs, no one can deny that mal-administration at the head might have brought about fatal delays or lack of proper equipment at the right time ; and the country did not fail to rec- ognize that in the Secretary of the Navy, the right man was in the right place, and gave him its entire confidence.
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A little untimely neglect, a few appointments for some rea- son besides proved ability, a lack at headquarters of an intelli- gent plan, and the lack of a master hand at the helm, might have brought about disaster, a lagging campaign, disaffection at home, and the mockery of those outside spectators whose sympa- thy it was important to win.
One of his considerations for the comfort and welfare of the sailors at the front was the provision of refrigerating supply ships, which are practically innovations in naval warfare, and never before were hospital ships so admirably equipped for service.
After the war with Spain was over, Secretary Long gave his direct attention to increasing the material and personal efficiency of the naval service, and also to the reduction of the expendi- tures of his great department to the lowest limit consistent with efficiency. During his incumbency the entire personnel of the navy was re-organzed upon a new basis ; the naval militia organ- izations of our various states were fostered and encouraged, the upbuilding of the navy was carried on with a proper regard for our future necessities, and the beginning of the 20th century found him urging upon Congress a naval reserve force to act as an extension of the navy in time of war, and thus enable the regular establishment to be kept at the lowest limit consistent with due regard for the care of our vessels during peace times. He resigned early in 1902.
A subordinate said of him during his term of office: "Sec- retary Long's devotion to the business of the department is com- plete. Reaching his office before nine (the opening hour ) every morning, he makes it a point to answer every communication addressed to him. When this is accomplished he gives the rest of the morning to the examination of and decision in matters of business of the various bureaus, and to receiving official and pri- vate visitors. Nor does he leave the department until all the let- ters are signed, and every item of the day's business has been completed .*
A gentleman, who was his guest for a few days during the war, was struck with an interview at which he was present, be- tween the Secretary and two Senators who came to advocate some plausible scheme. Mr. Long listened to them with his usual cor- dial deference, but, when the plan had been laid out before him,
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politely asked a question or two, which showed that he had laid his finger at once upon the weak point in the proposition, and aft- erwards could not be moved by any specious argument or per- sonal influence to give his consent to it.
This honesty and keen perception of shams have been inval- uable to Mr. Long in his executive positions and he has that prac- tical sense and celerity in dispatching business characteristic of the able administrator, which always makes itself felt. Exciting the least possible friction by a courteous and conciliating bearing, he obtains what he wants without bluster or fuss. Behind his suavity of manner lie a resolute will, and a passionate, high spirit in excellent control, and his playful ease never detracts from a simple and manly dignity upon which no one dares to presume, while his acuteness prevents deception.
Perfectly reasonable in listening to argument, deliberate in coming to an important decision, Mr. Long is entirely tenacious of a position once taken as the result of his mature judgment, and this clearness and moderation, combined with resolution, give his opinions great weight in cabinet councils. Sharing the anxiety with regard to the ambassadors in Pekin at the time of the massa- cres in the summer of 1900, the Secretary of the Navy alone firm- ly maintained the logical opinion that the foreign ministers must be alive, since we knew for certain of the one death which had occurred and by the same token would probably through the same channel have information of other deaths. This shrewd judg- ment, though ridiculed at home and abroad, proved to be correct, and is another instance of that sagacity which has often stood the administration in good stead.
Add to these qualities a great power of turning off work with coolness, insight, and dispatch, apparent freedom from doubt or anxiety, a large serenity of temper, the capacity to change prompt- ly from one duty to another, combined with a fresh, gay humor which enlivens and makes palatable serious counsel-and we have an ideal administrator, whose steadiness and cheerfulness in emer- gencies were a great support to the Executive as well as to public confidence.
Such briefly, is the sketch up to the beginning of the 20th cen- tury of the life of a typical American, who has performed his duty simply and effectively to his town, his state and his country. The story shows no dramatic events, no melancholy depths, no daz-
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zling glory, but a career manly, efficient, distinguished, honorable alike to the individual and to the civilization of which he is a char- acteristic product.
In estimating the causes of his success we must not fail to take into account, after his sincerity, and the kindliness of his nature, his exceptional mental ability and his remarkable gift of oratory, especially that which is best characterized as "occa- sional," the aptitude for speaking at a given moment words beau- tiful and appropriate which move every listener and touch the heart.
In his speeches Mr. Long has the literary gift of grace and poetic feeling, but still better he has the power to comprehend and express the popular sentiment, not with effort, but from true understanding. He is by turns playful, tender, impassioned ; he can strike the keynote of the moment, always. Of dignified and appropriate eloquence, he is a master. His published speeches give a clew to his character, and in them the true, hearty, kindly simplicity of the man are clearly apparent, lighted up by that cheerful optimism, that boundless confidence in the future of the race, which distinguish him.
One of his warmest friends, speaking of him, says: "He has no personal enthusiasms, and no vanity. He never thinks highly of anything he does himself, but only feels that anyone in his place would have done as well." And this feeling he brings to bear on historical characters whose greatness he feels to be the greatness of the hour, of the opportunity, rather than of remark- able heroism or ability.
Whether one agrees with this or not, that he believes it, is a part of the unpretending nature of a man who thinks that doing one's duty is easy and natural to every one, and that its simple performance in high moments must lead to high results. Great men he considers myths, and when we search for his own best title to distinction, we find it in that large common sense-the common sense of Washington, of Lincoln, of Queen Victoria, which acts sincerely and acts wisely, because it feels with the people, and knows instinctively the larger human needs.
In summing up his character, Mr. Long's great friendliness and sympathy must not be forgotten, a generous helpfulness that all his townspeople recognize so fully, that every one of them turns instinctively to him in an emergency for aid and advice, sure
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of comprehension and service given without stint. That flower of courtesy which recognizes every individual as having equal rights distinguishes him from lesser men, and wins him a place in the popular heart, such as can only be gained by something genuine, cordial, and unpretending in the individual himself.
In looking back over his career we find nothing adventitious in his success in life-no struggle for effect, no ambitious grasp- ing for power, no powerful backing, no great financial support. We have only the straightforward progress of a country lad of fine abilities and sound judgment, endowed with the gift of silver speech, who, by the sheer force of his intellect. and his honorable fulfillment of every duty which fell to him, rose in time to dis- tinction in his town, and in the capital of the state, to the highest place in the gift of the commonwealth, and to one of the most re- sponsible positions in the nation. We see him filling these offices with efficiency and dignity, with no shadow on his fair fame, respected by his fellow-men of all stations; and we are anew proud of a country where such a character is sure of recognition, and in which we can truly claim he is no uncommon type of the public men who are the result of the splendid opportunities for development afforded by the United States of America.
He has been President of the Alumni of Harvard College, and is now President of the Harvard Board of Overseers. He holds many other positions: President of the Unitarian Club, of the Massachusetts Total Abstinence Society, of the Trustees of Derby Academy in Hingham, of Westford Academy, Mass., and of Hebron Academy. Me., and of the Puritan Trust Co. He was Chairman of the Commissioners who remodeled the State House twenty years ago. In Hingham he has held the usual positions of Moderator for many years and of school committee man. He also published in two volumes a history of the New American Navy, as well as his volume of After-Dinner and other speeches and many occasional poems.
Mr. Long, while on his annual visit with Mrs. Long to Buck- field, was taken ill. The following day they returned to their Hingham home. Later in the week he had a more serious attack from which he never rallied, and passed away on Saturday evening, August 28, 1915.
John D. Long just missed the Presidency ; but was everywhere recognized, as the scholar in politics, the model public man of his day, and the first citizen of Massachusetts ; honors fairly won in a life time of honest endeavor, and greater far than any tempo- rary public position, often dependent upon anything but real merit, could ever bestow.
Washington Long
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HON. WASHINGTON LONG.
Washington Long, youngest son of Thomas Long, was born on the home farm on North Hill in Buckfield, April 6, 1811. He attended the district school and worked in his boyhood with his father. While still in early youth he went to live in the family of his brother, Zadoc Long, who had established himself in busi- ness in Buckfield Village and in whose home Washington had the education of instructive influences. It was at this time that he laid the foundation of the political interests to which he was de- voted all through his life. Later he went to Turner, and was in business there. In 1850 he went to Lyndon Plantation, now Car- ibou, in Aroostook County, and engaged in trade. From this time he was identified with Aroostook County and became one of its most prominent business and political leaders, known through- out the State. He lived in Lyndon five years. and then took up his permanent residence in Fort Fairfield in the same county, thenceforth regarding it at his home. He was in partnership there in trade with Jesse Drew, who, like himself was an emi- grant from Oxford County. This partnership continued until Mr. Long's appointment, under the first administration of Abra- ham Lincoln, as Collector of Customs at Eastport, that Custom district including Aroostook County. This office he held nearly nine years. At the expiration of his last term he retunred to Fort Fairfield.
He was an earnest and active Republican from the beginning of that party, taking part in its conventions ; going as a delegate to the National Convention of 1860, which nominated Lincoln. He sometimes spoke in public, but was especially forcible and effective in that arena of local argument at the fireside or on the street and in the village store, which in our rural politics often accomplishes more than a set speech on the stump. Buckfield people whom he knew, as they all knew him, remember his skill in this direction. He read the leading papers, was a disciple of Horace Greeley, kept up acquaintance with our leading men, fol- lowed the debates in Congress, and was an encyclopedia of per- sonal, national and local politics and public men. He talked easily, had a ready wit and knack of direct homely expressive speech, and was a welcome guest at any family circle or neigh- borly gathering. Henry D. Irish of Buckfield sometimes refers to the days, when a mere boy, he sat at his father's hearth on
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North Hill a near neighbor to Thomas Long and listened, with an interest that no late hours could repress, to Washington Long dis- coursing on the public news and characters of the day during an evening call.
Mr. Long never lost his interest in Buckfield. He often re- turned to it as to his old home. He owned till his death a house in the village, where his twin sister, Mrs. Harriet Lovering and his sister, Mrs. Thankful C. Bacon lived. The people regarded him as one of their own. He was a member from Aroostook County on the Governor's Council during the gubernatorial ad- ministration of Lot M. Morrill and a member of the Legislature from Fort Fairfield in 1879. During his later years he passed a good deal of his time in Lawrence, Kansas, in which he became much interested socially and otherwise and made investments there. But it was to Fort Fairfield and Aroostook County that he was most devoted, contributing largely to the material and social interests of the community, and to the prosperity of that section of the State. His influence was always strongly on the side of public and private morals and reform. He erected a large and expensive building to provide a suitable hall for Fort Fairfield. He was a faithful member of its Congregational church, and died in that town Oct. 21. 1882, fearless of death and ready to go. He is buried in Buckfield with his father's family in the old burying ground at the foot of North Hill.
[ The following lines were read and sang at a memorial service held in his new hall, Sabbath P.M., October 22, 1882:]
Within these virgin walls, now scarce complete, Fit emblem of the spotless life he bore, 'Tis fitting here, in sadness thus to meet, To bid farewell to him we greet no more.
With anxious care, and oft with weary feet, Early and late he watched the progress still Of this fair structure, deemed by him most meet, To leave as his memento of good-will.
We here behold a public need supplied By his last crowning deed of lengthened years; Yet still we contemplate with higher pride
His moral worth, though now recalled with tears.
Those loved him most who long had known him best, Who knew his tender, sympathetic lieart, That ever yearned for fellow-man distrest, And of each burden took a gen'rons part.
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We mourn his loss; we fain would have him still ; 'Tis hard to part. We feel the chastening rod,
But meekly yield to the Diviner Will,
Trusting that now he rests at home with God.
ZADO( LONG, JR.
Zadoc Long. Jr., son of Zadoc Long, was born in Buckfield, April 26, 1834. He went to the village schools and to Hebron Academy. He was then employed for a few years in the village stores, being at one time in partnership with his cousin, Carroll Loring. It was not long before he went to Boston and became a salesman in the hardware business with one or two large firms. In this vocation he travelled much in Maine and later in the Western States, and his personal bearing and business dealings were such that he was successful and highly esteemed. It was on one of his trips that he died at Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1866.
Few young men brought up in Buckfield have been more uni- versally beloved. His manner was cordial, his heart was "big as that of an ox" and his presence was good cheer. He was full of music, singing, and playing the violin with that sympathy that goes to the heart. He was the merriest of story tellers, and he overran with wit, anecdote and humor. He attracted around him, wher- ever he went, hosts of friends, who still recall, especially in his native town, his abundant life and spirits, his generous and un- stinted helpfulness and his sympathy and humor.
He married Ruth A. B. Strout of Portland, granddaughter of Rev. George Thomes, a preacher and long a resident of Buck- field. There were four children of this marriage: Zadoc Long, 3d, who lived much of his childhood with his grandfather and grandmother Long and was the delight of their old eyes, a sweet, loving generous boy, now dead ; Charles Strout Long, now with the Eastern Drug Company in Boston; Julia E. Long, now the wife of Edward C. Forbes of California, and Ruth Cardie Long, a professional singer in Portland and Boston, whose voice was of the most exquisite sympathy, now dead and lying with her father and mother in the Buckfield cemetery. All these children were much in the town in which were so many of their relatives on both the father's and mother's side, and are well remembered there.
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JOHN LORING.
The family to which the Buckfield Lorings belong is the same as that of nearly all of the name in New England. They are descended from Thomas Loring of Axminster, England, who, in 1635 left that place for the colony of Massachusetts Bay, with his wife, Jane Newton, and sons, Thomas, born in 1629 and John, born in 1630. He settled in Hingham, Mass., early in 1636 and in 1641 removed to Hull, an adjacent town, where he lived until his death. The fifth child of his oldest son, Thomas, was Caleb, who settled at Plymouth. Mass., and married Lydia Gray in 1696. He was a physician and settled in Plympton, where he died on an es- tate, which his descendants have continued to occupy until within recent years.
The ninth child of this Dr. Caleb Loring was Capt. John, born Nov. 15, 1715 at Plympton. He was captain of the Bridgewater troops which marched to Crown Point and is supposed to have been killed in the attack on that fort or during that campaign. His son, James, born May 1, 1739, was a sergeant in his father's company and also was a Revolutionary soldier. He married, Jan. 1, 1770, Jane Kingman at East Bridgewater. Their children were John, the first of the name in Buckfield, Laban who settled in Hat- field, Mass., and James who lived and died in Bridgewater, where his descendants may now be found.
From the foregoing account of the family for which we are indebted to Mr. John A. Loring of Springfield, Mass., it appears that John Loring of Buckfield, son of James, the Revolutionary soldier was a direct descendant in the sixth generation from Thomas, who settled in Hingham in 1636. He was born in Hat- field, Mass. It appears that in his youth he was ambitious for an education ; for he worked out for his board and an opportunity to attend school and after several years of study, he became a suc- cessful teacher in Bridgewater. He there married in 1794, Jennett, daughter of Joshua Barrelle, and moved to Turner, Me., where his father-in-law, the progenitor of all the people of his name in that town had also settled. While in Turner Mr. Loring engaged in trade and also in the manufacture of oil and card boards. He ap- pears of record there in 1804 as Justice of the Peace and trustee of the ministerial and grammar school fund. He removed to Buckfield in the spring of 1805. At that time the lower part of the present site of the village was all an alder swamp, with only
John Loring
Lucius Loring
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two houses on the southerly side of the stream, the Capt. Parris louise and a small one-story house near the present summer house in Kimball N. Prince's yard. He bought the latter house, cut away the alders and that year built a store, twenty-five feet square, just south from the store now owned by Randolph C. Thomes. This store, until the days of the railroad, was a notable center of country business. Here he engaged in trade and continued his former Turner business of making card boards. He remained in business many years, the store finally passing into the hands of his son. Lucius, with whom he resided until his death. During his later years he was in feeble health, suffering greatly from asthma. He died in Buckfield. April 1, 1851, aged 80 years, 9 months and 14 days.
The marriage record of Mr. Loring in Bridgewater invests him with the title of esquire, which he continued to bear during his whole after life and he is now seldom recalled in memory except as "old Squire Loring." He was a Justice of the Peace many years, and his court sittings were prominent features of by-gone village days. Saturdays were then field days in Buckfield, on which the people from all the surrounding community would flock to the village for trade or convivial gossip and the incidents of the day usually resulted in some litigious affairs to be aired the fol- lowing Monday before Squire Loring. These courts were first held in his house, but the crowd became so intrusive upon his domestic affairs that he built an office for the better convenience of an eager public.
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