USA > Maine > Oxford County > Norway > A history of Norway, Maine : from the earliest settlement to the close of the year 1922 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
The old house on the corner of Main and Whitman streets, in the upper story of which Mr. Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., wrote the story that made him famous, "The Gunmaker of Moscow," was then the store of Mr. Increase Robinson. Where Mr. James Danforth resides, was Mr. Robinson's dwelling house, which has undergone very great remodel- ing.
No other kind of a structure but a meeting house has ever stood on the lot occupied by the Universalist church. The first house of worship erected there was sold to the Baptist society in 1829, and moved across the street near the schoolhouse. It was afterwards dis- posed of and became a part of the tannery of Mixer & Watson. It is now used in the same locality for a barn or stable.
And now I come to the last place to be mentioned in the Norway village of 1825. It is the house in the corner formed by Main and Pleasant streets, and known in later years as the Granville L. Reed
120
HISTORY OF NORWAY
stand. Then there were two dwelling houses-one near the two roads and the other farther back, reached by a driveway from the road. In the first lived the families of the widow of Joseph Rust and my brother, Jonathan B. Smith. In the other lived Capt. John Rust and his family. Captain John owned the mills, at the upper end of the village.
Mr. Horatio G. Cole, after coming to Norway and beginning busi- ness as a wool-carder and cloth-dresser, boarded for many years in the family of Capt. John Rust.
This completes the mental picture of Norway village as it existed in 1825.
What a great change has taken place since then. The main thor- oughfare has been crowded with new buildings, new streets have been opened and sections have been built up which then were covered with forest trees. Three fires have wrought great changes in the appear- ance of the village, particularly the last which destroyed such a large number of the beautiful shade trees, and swept away many of the old landmarks. I have noted the passing of the old landmarks with regret, but if I have been instrumental in preserving some of them, it will be a great consolation to me in my last days, for through all its changes I have ever cherished with pride the village where I was born.
Sebastian S. Smith (1896) in Lewiston Journal.
121
HISTORY OF NORWAY
CHAPTER XXI.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The early settlers of Norway were never without religious instruction. Missionaries and itinerant preachers frequently came here and we read of many of the people going into the neighbor- ing town of Paris on Sabbath days to attend religious meetings. But the first organized effort to obtain regular preaching was in 1798, when a few men from Norway and Paris united with others from New Gloucester and Poland, to have Rev. Thomas Barnes, an eminent Univeralist preacher, come to Maine, from Gloucester, Massachusetts, and form a circuit of these towns for his religious work. He accepted the call and settled in Poland and began his labors. The next year the Universalist society was organized in Norway. Two years after, a church was built in the village-the lot being donated by Capt. Henry Rust. This meeting- house was afterwards (1828) sold to the Baptist Society and moved across the street and a new and more commodious structure built on the site of the old house. In 1805, this Universalist society was incorporated by Act of the Legislature. The petitioners for it were: Samuel Ames, Levi Bartlett, Capt. Josiah Bartlett, Anthony Bennett, Nathaniel Bennett, Josiah Bisco, Jonas Bisco, Peter Buck, James Buck, Ebenezer Cobb, Elisha Cummings, Isaac Cummings, Noah Curtis, Jr., Jacob Frost, Jr., Joseph Gallison, Benjamin Herring, Benjamin Herring, Jr., Gen. Levi Hubbard, John Knight, Daniel Knight, Dudley Pike, John Robinson, Capt. Joseph Rust, Capt. Henry Rust, Jr., Samuel Smith, Daniel Staples, Elias Stowell, Daniel Stowell, William Stowell, Jacob Tubbs, Benjamin Witt and Charles Young.
REV. THOMAS BARNES was a great preacher in his day, and for the sixteen years he was pastor of the Norway and the other societies of his circuit, he built up a very strong church here, which was re- garded as the leading one of the village and town for nearly one hundred years. He died in 1816, at 67, and was first buried at Poland but some sixty years afterwards his remains were re-interred in the Norway Pine Grove Cemetery.
REV. BENJAMIN B. MURRAY.
Benjamin B. Murray, born in Vermont in 1801, appears to have been the first settled minister of the Universalist faith, in Norway. He came here in 1827, and remained four years, but during that period he preached half of the time in Gray, Rumford and at West Bethel. During his pastorate four churches were built in the places where he preached. He is said to have been a preacher of marked ability. He married Deborah Hooper of Leeds in 1824. By her he had five children, Eliza Ann, born November 9, 1825, married George F. Cooper, Lawrence, Mass .; Benjamin B., born June 19, 1828, Colonel of the 15th Maine in the Civil War and promoted Brigadier General, married Fanny G. Farnsworth; Mandena L., born March 11, 1830, died March 31, 1831; John B., born September 12, 1832, married Minerva G. Durgin of Woodstock. All but first named born in Nor- way. His wife died in 1834. He died after 1886.
122
HISTORY OF NORWAY
REV. C. G. MILLER
REV. W. W. HOOPER
REV. C. E. ANGELL
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
123
HISTORY OF NORWAY
REV. HENRY HAWKINS.
Henry Hawkins was pastor of the society here from 1833 to 1837, when he removed to a farm in Oxford. He died in Norway, May 31, 1866.
REV. TIMOTHY J. TENNEY.
Timothy J. Tenney was settled here as pastor of the Universalist society for some six years, beginning about 1840. Mr. Tenney was one of the ablest preachers of that faith and a ready and forcible writer. All efforts for the promotion of moral worth and betterment of society, had his earnest and hearty support. He married Izah B. P. Gibson, daughter of Hon. Samuel Gibson. He died at Glover, Ver- mont, October 8, 1854.
REV. EDWIN F. QUINBY.
Edwin F. Quinby was the successor here of Rev. Mr. Tenney. He stayed two years and went to California during the excitement over the discovery of gold there. After three years he returned to Norway and died here Aguust 26, 1852, aged about thirty-five.
REV. JOHN L. STEVENS.
John L. Stevens, born in 1820, was undoubtedly, the most literary preacher the Universalist society here ever had. He came to Norway about 1850, and remained three years. With James G. Blaine he pur- chased the Kennebec Journal in 1855, and went to Augusta. As editor of that paper, he made it a power in Maine. After fifteen years ser- vice on the Kennebec Journal, during which time he was elected to both House and Senate of the Legislature, he received an appointment in the diplomatic service. Largely through his means the Sandwich Islands were annexed to the United States. He was also United States Ambassador to Sweden and was the author of a "Life of Gustavus Adolphus." He died at a good old age.
REV. JOSEPH C. SNOW.
Joseph C. Snow, born in Indiana, September 12, 1833, was one of the best pastors of the Universalist society in Norway. He was settled over the parish in 1858, and removed to Auburn in 1863, after his return from serving ten months as Chaplain of the 23rd Maine. He had much ability as a writer as well as a speaker, engaging manners and a pleasing address. No pastor of this church society was ever more popular. He married in 1863, Sarah J., daughter of Jeremiah Howe. They had two children, Frederick E., born September 12, 1864, and Charles J., born April 21, 1871.
REV. NATHANIEL GUNNISON.
Nathaniel Gunnison, born in New Hampshire in 1811, came to Norway in 1865, and preached here for four years. He was one of the most forcible and energetic of the ministers of the denomination who ever had a pastorate here. Mr. Gunnison was a great worker and organizer and a good financier. He would have achieved great success as a politician. He had served with distinction as Consul at Halifax during the latter part of the Civil War. While here he helped to organize the Norway Savings Bank, being one of its chief
124
HISTORY OF NORWAY
promoters, and was selected for its first president. He was twice married and had one child by his first wife and five by second, Ann L. Foster, all born before he came to Norway. He died at Water- ville, August 25, 1871.
REV. LEMUEL H. TABOR.
Lemuel H. Tahor, born in Vermont in 1809, began preaching in 1837, and was settled over the Norway pastorate in 1869. He re- mained here till 1877. He married Deborah D. Curtis of Vermont and had five children, all born before coming here. His preaching was strong and energetic, but he was not a pleasing speaker.
REV. J. A. SEITZ.
Rev. Josiah A. Seitz was born in Melmore, Ohio, Mar. 27, 1837. He married Miss Rebecca J. Brown. His higher education was ob- tained at Oberlin University. He qualified for the practice of medi- cine but finally decided to enter the ministry, and took a course in theology at St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, and became a noted preacher of the Universalist faith. He accepted a call to the pastorate of the church society of the denomination in Norway in 1877 and was here some four years. While in Norway he began the publication of the New Religion, a denominational paper. Some twenty-five years ago he retired from the ministry, made his home at Cos Cob, Ct., and devoted his life to literary pursuits. He was a fine pulpit orator and an able writer. No Universalist preacher who ever had a pastorate here excelled him in literary ability except John L. Stevens. Mr. Seitz was the author of several books, a vesper ser- vice for the church and other productions. He died at his Connecti- cut home, Sept. 30, 1922. His wife, with whom he had lived for over 60 years, and his son, Don C., survive him. A daughter, Europa, whom Norway people remember as a bright, lovable girl, died many years ago.
REV. WASHINGTON W. HOOPER.
Washington W. Hooper was born in Queens County, N. Y., Febru- ary 15, 1853. He graduated with the degree of B.D. in 1873, at St. Lawrence University in Canton in that state and came to Norway in 1881 as pastor of the Universalist society. He remained three years, then he went to Mechanic Falls where he was settled as pastor of the society there for three years more. Afterwards he had charge of a parish at Orono and Oldtown and later was State Missionary to the Universalist societies in Maine. He married Miss Mary D. Shackley of Norway, and they had two children-a boy and a girl, who died young. She was a lovely girl,-pure as gold.
He died April 16, 1902, and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery. Mr. Hooper was a popular preacher, a good speaker and a true friend. He had literary tastes, and was the author of several publications.
REV. CAROLINE E. ANGELL.
Miss Caroline E. Angell, born in Smithfield, R. I., June 28, 1842, graduated with high honors at St. Lawrence University, N. Y., in 1876. She had charge of a parish in Pittsfield for seven years and came here in 1884, as successor to Rev. W. W. Hooper. She was the
125
HISTORY OF NORWAY
pastor of the society here for twenty years-far longer than any other Universalist minister. From here she went to Freeport, where she remained several years,-finally retiring from ministerial work. Rev. Miss Angell was a good speaker and preacher. She was admired and loved for her Christian character and pleasing manners. No pas- tor of the society was ever more popular. She died March 28, 1917.
REV. SAMUEL G. DAVIS.
Samuel G. Davis came to Norway from New York as the successor of Rev. Caroline E. Angell. His health was not good enough to per- form the duties of a very large pastorate. Had it been, he could not have been secured for the salary the society here could afford. The society and community at large were very fortunate in having him as its pastor and a citizen. He preached a religion of character, that touched the heart and moved to good deeds and an upright life. Mr. Davis had a manly, noble and lovable nature, and his life here was a living sermon. He had what few preachers of any denomination I have listened to possessed-real piety. His pastoral labors closed here in 1908. He died a few years after.
REV. MERRILL C. WARD.
Rev. Merrill C. Ward succeeded Rev. Samuel G. Davis in the pas- torate of the society. He was here some four years, when he ac- cepted a call to preach in Massachusetts, since which time Rev. Ches- ter Gore Miller, resident pastor of the Universalist society at South Paris, has ably and acceptably occupied the pulpit of the church here.
REV. CHESTER GORE MILLER.
Rev. Chester Gore Miller, present pastor of the Universalist church societies of Norway and South Paris, was born in Elkhart, Indiana. He is about fifty-five years old, and is the only child of Milton B. and Mary E. (Gore) Miller. When very young his parents removed to western California where the father took great interest in the exclusion of the Chinese from the United States, and was the author of the Act of Congress to that end. Mr. Miller's education was obtained in the public schools of San Francisco. His early religious convictions were greatly influenced under the teaching and preaching of that famous Unitarian clergyman, Rev. Thomas Starr King. After a year's residence in Chicago and five in New York, he went to southern California, living at Santa Barbara and Pasadena. At the latter place he became interested in Universalism and was influenced by the pastor of the church society of the denomination there, Rev. Dr. Everett L. Conger, to enter the divinity school of Tufts College, Massachusetts, and was ordained to preach in June, 1898. He was first settled over a pastorate in western New York and in 1899, mar- ried Edith G., daughter of Wm. B. Mitchell of Wilkes Barre, Pa. They have three children: Ruth Gore, a student in the Philadelphia School of Design for Women; Alan Conger, attending the divinity school of St. Lawrence University, N. Y., and Wilber Beach, a student in the high school at South Paris. Rev. Mr. Miller was pastor of the Uni- versalist church society at Jamaica Plain, Mass., three years, and for five years of the society in Portland. For fourteen years he has been pastor of the society at South Paris and since 1912, he has also been
126
HISTORY OF NORWAY
pastor of the Norway Universalist society. His residence has been retained at South Paris. The labors performed by this clergyman are prodigious. He has had no summer vacation rest for years. Mr. Miller is one of the leading preachers of the denomination in New England.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NORWAY CENTER
THE CONGREGATIONALISTS.
The early settlers in the vicinity of Fuller's Corner and on the western side of the lake were largely Congregationalists. Meetings were held at first in private houses and we read of religious gather- ings at the capacious house of Amos Upton, the Revolutionary soldier, near Fuller's Corner. Mr. Joseph Martin was leader of the choir. Later in summer, meetings were held in Maj. Jonathan Cummings' barn. A church was organized in that section of the town in 1804. Seventeen joined the church and Timothy Stone was selected as its first deacon.
REV. NOAH CRESSEY.
Noah Cressey, born in Salem, N. H., April 9, 1777, graduated at Williams College, took a course of study in theology and was licensed to preach. He came here in 1807, was settled as pastor of the Nor- way society and remained till 1820.
A Mr. Stoddard had been an occasional preacher here and had hopes of being called as the settled pastor of the society. He met with opposition and particularly from Jonathan Cummings, the most influential man of the town of that period, but not a church member. Stoddard was not selected, some things against his character coming
127
HISTORY OF NORWAY
to light, and at his last meeting he took the occasion to get square with Major Cummings and stated that he had experienced a remark- able dream. Satan in the infernal regions had been informed, he said, that there was to be settled preaching in Norway which must be prevented, and he ordered his fleetest steed to be ready to take him here. One of his counsellors inquired if there weren't some one in Norway who could do the business equally as well. After a moment's reflection he said, yes, there was Jonathan Cummings, who would carry out his wishes just as well as he could. And it seems, remarked Stoddard, "that Satan's agent has accomplished his master's purpose." Most fortunate was it for the society and the town that Mr. Stoddard was not called to the pastorate and Rev. Noah Cressey was. A meeting-house at Norway Center, built by Maj. Jonathan Cum- mings, was completed in 1809. That year the Congregational Society was incorporated. The strong men among the sixty-eight petitioners were Job Eastman, Benjamin Fuller, Joshua Crockett, Amos Upton, Eliphalet Watson, Aaron Wilkins, Ward Noyes, Nathan Noble, Jona- than Cummings, Luther Farrar, William Hobbs and Timothy Stone.
All in all, as preacher, teacher, and citizen, Rev. Noah Cressey was the most eminent pastor of the denomination that Norway has ever had. He left a lasting impression for good upon his society and in the whole town in the field of educational effort. His labors here closed unfortunately in 1820, because the society felt too poor to pay his salary. Rev. Mr. Cressey went from Norway to North Yarmouth, where he remained eight years. For twenty years there- after he was a missionary to the church societies in New England and the West. He preached in Sanford from 1850 to 1861. He died in Boston, Mass., December 15, 1867, in his 91st year. The Congre- gationalists ought to erect a monument at Norway Center to the memory of this excellent preacher and good man.
For four years, the pulpit at Center Norway was supplied half the time by Rev. Joseph Walker, who was settled over a parish of the denomination at South Paris. This not proving quite satisfactory, in 1826, Rev. Henry A. Merrill received a call to preach in Norway for five years, but he continued here in the ministry for three years more. He must under these circumstances have been much liked and popular with the denomination.
REV. CHARLES SOULE.
Charles Soule, a descendant of George Soule, the Mayflower pil- grim, born in 1794, was a graduate of Bowdoin, class of 1821. After a course in theology at Andover, Mass., he graduated and in 1826 took charge of the Academy at Bridgton, and was pastor of the church society there. He was called to the pastorate of the Norway society in 1836, and remained till July, 1845. Next to Rev. Mr. Cressey he was the most scholarly preacher of the denomination in Norway.
REV. CHARLES PACKARD.
Charles Packard, born in Minot, in 1818, was a graduate of Bow- doin, and the Bangor Theological Seminary. He immediately received a call to be pastor of the society here, and his ministry in Norway
128
HISTORY OF NORWAY
continued for four years to December, 1849. He married, the same year he took charge of the parish, Miss Hannah F. Holt, daughter of Uriah Holt. They had two children born in Norway, Charles F. Packard, October 19, 1846, and Anna Maria, August 5, 1849. Mr. Packard was much interested in education and all moral reforms. He died suddenly in February, 1881, aged 63.
Rev. Harrison K. Strong came here in April, 1850, and died in July, 1855. He was succeeded by Rev. Horace Pratt, who was fol- lowed by Rev. Nathaniel Richardson, Rev. Philo B. Richardson, and Rev. J. Loring Pratt. The pastorate of the last ended in 1866, since which time the society has been served by the pastors of the Second Congregational Church society in the village which was organized in January, 1853.
The first minister of this society was Rev. Asa T. Loring. His pastorate was seven years. Rev. Philo B. Wilcox served two years, Rev. Amory H. Tyler four years, Rev. Thomas T. Merry six years, Rev. George W. Kelley one year, and Rev. Nathaniel S. Moore one year.
REV. EDWARD E. BACON.
Edward E. Bacon, born in Marshall, N. Y., August 1, 1845, was graduated from Hamilton College in 1873, and after a theological course of study was called to the pastorate of the Second Church society here in 1877. He remained in Norway three years. Mr. Bacon was a good preacher. His sermons were always carefully pre- pared and well delivered.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NORWAY
129
HISTORY OF NORWAY
REV. CHARLES L. MILLS.
Charles L. Mills, a missionary to the Congregational Church so- cieties, preached here in 1875, during which time there was a great revival. He was an effective pulpit orator, and had a truly Christian character, endowed with piety. Such a preacher will never lack for hearers of his sermons and believers in his doctrine. The pews will always be filled, and there will be no occasion to coax or push people into church for they could not be kept away. Aggressive preaching of Christianity is passing away. The age calls for the scholarly preacher who is filled with piety. It will soon come to be recognized that with learning, ability, a good address, and a blameless life, piety is essential for the successful pastor and preacher.
REV. ALEXANDER WISWALL.
Alexander Wiswall was born in Glasgow, Scotland, August 1, 1846. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1873, and at the Bangor Theological School, and came to Norway as pastor of the society in the village in 1881. He was here about six years.
REV. BATES S. RIDEOUT.
Bates S. Rideout accepted a call to the pastorate of the society in 1887. He was born in Garland, September 10, 1853; graduated at Bates College, 1881; Cobb Divinity School and Andover Theological Seminary. He married in 1888, Miss Rose Chadbourne of Lewiston, a graduate also of Bates. His pastorate here continued to his death, February 5, 1910-the longest of any of the Congregational clergy- men since the settlement of the town. Under no other pastor has the society so flourished. Mr. Rideout was a Trustee of the Public Li- brary for many years, and a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. He was much interested in educational matters and all moral reforms, and was popular with all classes of people. Two children, Edith M. and Florence A.,-both graduates of Bates College. The latter died, greatly lamented by all who knew her, October 18, 1919.
REV. ROBERT J. BRUCE.
Robert J. Bruce, one of the rising preachers of the denomination, was settled over the pastorate in Norway in 1910. He remained till 1919, when he accepted a call to the pastorate of the St. Lawrence Congregational society in Portland. In May, 1922, he accepted the call of the Plymouth society at Syracuse, N. Y., one of the wealthiest and strongest church organizations in New York.
THE BAPTISTS.
Missionaries of the Baptist faith occasionally came among the early settlers and preached to those who would hear them. William Parsons was a Baptist and preachers of that faith found a warm welcome and much assistance from him. He with a few others united with the church at South Paris, then called "Stowell's Mills" or "Cape Ann." In 1806 a church society was formed here, ten members from the Paris society taking their dismissal for that purpose. William Parsons was chosen as deacon and Rufus Bartlett clerk of the new society. Rev. John Wagg was ordained as pastor, a position he held for three years. He proved to have been not adapted to the work
130
HISTORY OF NORWAY
and the society suffered an injury from which it has never recovered even to this day. For eighteen years there was only occasional preaching by itinerants or missionaries. Meetings were held in pri- vate houses, generally at Dea. William Parsons'.
Capt. John Rust, son of the proprietor of Rustfield, on the death of his father, in 1812, came into the possession of the mills at the head of the village and some land in the vicinity. He did not settle here till about 1816, after the death of his brother, Capt.
REV. EDWARD S. COTTON
Joseph Rust. His dwelling house and stable were built in connection with those of Joseph in the corner of what is now Main and Pleasant streets. Captain John appears to have put some life into the feeble society, though he did not have the energy and push exhibited by his two brothers who settled in Norway.
The Universalist society having waxed strong, found in 1828 that its church was too small to accommodate the society and people who desired to attend its meetings, and it was sold to the Baptist society and moved across the street to a lot north of the school-house, which
131
HISTORY OF NORWAY
had been donated by Capt. John Rust. Years afterwards the build- ing was sold and changed into a tannery operated by Lee Mixer and Ceylon Watson.
REV. JOHN HAINES.
John Haines was the first settled pastor of the society after it had acquired a meeting-house. He began his pastoral labors in 1804, at Swanville. Two years later he went to Vinalhaven, where he re- mained four years, and then removed to Livermore, where his labors met with great success. He found the field here so well cultivated by the Universalists and the Congregationalists that his success at Livermore was not repeated and he resigned his pastorate in 1836. Still the society has never been without a few strong men-and probably never will be-who would and will not see it die. The society owes its existence to the Parsonses and the Milletts.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.