USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 17
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T. Frank Davis came from New Portland, in the fall of 1871, and worked at harness-making in an apartment of J. War- ren Smith's blacksmith shop, at West's Mills. He was rather unsteady in his habits, and remained in town less than a year.
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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
Charles M. Hilton, having served an apprenticeship at harness- making with John Woodward, of New Portland, and subse- quently worked at his trade in Lewiston, began business for himself at West's Mills in the spring of 1873. He first located in his father's shoe-shop, at the west end of the " Long Bridge," where he remained until he formed a co-partnership with Richard Caswell in the grocery business. While thus engaged, his shop occupied a part of the store. On dissolving, Mr. Hilton rented the Butler house and moved his harnesses, stock and tools there, where he remained until the completion of his grocery store in the fall of 1880. Since then he has carried on both harness-making and the grocery business together.
CHAPTER X.
MERCHANTS.
First Store in Town .- Esq. Peter West .- John West .- Johnson & Mitchell .- George Cornforth .- Capt. Jeruel Butler .- Charles Butler .- Col. Peter A. West .- Capt. Freeman Butler .- John Allen, Jr .- Thing & Allen .- James Davis .- John Ma- son .- Moses Tolman, Jr .- Esq. Samuel Shaw .- Israel Folsom .- Col. Benjamin Luce .- Christopher Goodridge .- Cyrus N. Hutchins .- Willis & Allen .- Zacha- riah Withee .- John W. Dunn .- Supply B. Norton .- Rufus Jennings .- Enoch Hinkley .- Amos S. Hinkley .- Isaac Norton .- Warren N. Willis .- Boyden & Manter .- Maj. James Cutts .- Franklin & Somerset Mercantile Association .- John Willis .- Willis & Clayton .- John and Benjamin N. Willis .- Duley & Nor- cross .- James M. and Alonzo Norton .- James M. Norton & Co .- Asa H. l'atterson .- Caswell & Hilton .- Shaw & Hinkley .- IIarrison Daggett, Etc.
UNDOUBTEDLY the first store in Industry was opened and kept by Aaron Daggett, who came to this town from New Vineyard. He erected his store on lot No. 16, on the Lowell Strip, owned by his brother, Peter Daggett, and also built the house now (1892) owned and occupied by George Luce. The date of his entering trade cannot be learned, but the period of his mercantile operations must have been about 1811 .* At that early period goods were very dear at Hallowell and Boston, and the great expense of transportation added much to the cost. These conditions were very unfavorable to the country trader, especially in a new settlement like Industry, where the people had but little to exchange for goods aside from the products of their land. Some bad debts could hardly be
* The fact that Mr. Daggett sold his real estate in New Vineyard Dec. 10, 1810, would seem to indicate this. The land sold consisted of the homestead lot No. IS, in 2d Range, bought of his father and brother Peter, and lot No. 15, in the same range, Jonathan Look being the purchaser.
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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
avoided, and when all the circumstances are taken into con- sideration, it does not seem so very strange to find that after a few years Mr. Daggett became involved in debt and was com- pelled to clandestinely leave the country. His brother, who had been his surety, was drawn to the verge of financial ruin by this unsuccessful venture.
Esquire Peter West was the first merchant at West's Mills. Soon after his removal into his new two-story house, in 1812, he purchased a small stock of groceries and sold them out at his house. A few years later he built a large store, two stories high, in which he traded for many years. His son, John West, succeeded him in the store and conducted the business for several years. He exchanged his store in 1843 with Daniel S. Johnson, for a house in Gardiner, Me. Mr. Johnson, in com- pany with Isaac S. Mitchell, purchased some goods in addition to those bought of Mr. West and traded for a short time. Hc subsequently sold out to a younger brother, Nathan S. John- son, who likewise traded in company with Mitchell for a brief period. These last named gentlemen were at one time located in the Col. Benjamin Luce store. George Cornforth began trading in the West store Sept. 1, 1847, and continued in busi- ness until 1853, when he closed out his stock and went to Australia to dig for gold.
Capt. Jeruel Butler built a store at Butler's Corner early in the present century, and being a man of means, carried quite a heavy stock of goods. He manufactured potash in connection with his other business, and frequently went on long foreign voyages in command of merchant vessels.
Charles Butler, a son of Capt. Jeruel, erected a store in 1817 on the site now (1892) occupied by Charles M. Hilton's harness shop and grocery store. After trading here some five years, he sold his goods to his brother-in-law, Col. Peter A. West. Colonel West continued in trade up to near the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 12, 1828. Moses Tolman, Jr., took charge of Col. West's store and sold out his stock of goods and settled up his business. The store then passed into the hands of Capt. Freeman Butler, who had previously been
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MERCHANTS.
in trade with Albert Dillingham at Farmington Centre Village. Capt. Butler traded here until 1834, when he became financially embarrassed, and his brother, Edward K. Butler, came to In- dustry in 1835, sold out his goods and settled up the business as best he could.
John Allen, Jr., then came to town, rented the store and opened for trade with a fine assortment of dry goods and groceries. Like all tradesmen of his time, Mr. Allen sold liquor. He traded until 1839 with varying success, but, finding the business unremunerative, he left town, and his goods passed into the hands of his creditors. He went from Indus- try to Presque Isle, in Aroostook County, where he engaged in farming and eventually acquired a handsome fortune.
Jesse Thing, having purchased the store in 1836, devoted it to various uses until 1845, when he procured a small stock of goods and, in company with his father-in-law, Elder Datus T. Allen, began trading. They added largely to their stock in trade, its value increasing three-fold from 1845 to 1849. How long Elder Allen was in company with Mr. Thing is not defi- nitely known. It seems that misfortune followed the occupants of this store with an unrelenting hand. Mr. Thing traded until 1854, when he became encumbered with debts and his property passed into the possession of his creditors. A year later the store was destroyed by fire, together with several other build- ings standing near, including a dwelling-house, stable and a building in which potash was manufactured.
James Davis erected a store at Davis's (now Goodridge's) Corner, probably about 1818. There is a degree of uncertainty as to the extent of his business, but it is believed he did not carry a very extensive stock of goods. Capt. John Mason, of Accotink, Fairfax County, Va., writes : " In 1821 there were four stores in Industry, but none were in active business. Esq. West's store was in charge of his nephew, Col. Peter A. West, and had very little custom. James Davis's store at the centre of the town was little more than a post-office, while Capt. Jeruel Butler's store at Butler's Corner, was closed entirely."*
* The fourth store was at West's Mills, owned and occupied by Charles Butler.
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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
During that year Mr. Mason built a small store and shoc- shop a short distance south of Deacon Emery's and opposite the Jonathan Pollard house. He was a single man and made his home in the family of Deacon Emery. He traded here about two years, dealing principally in groceries, boots and shoes.
Moses Tolman, Jr., came to West's Mills in the spring of 1826, and erected the store now ( 1892) occupied as a dwell- ing-house by Joseph Eveleth. By the middle of July Mr Tol- man was established in business and continued in trade until December, 1827, when he sold out to Esq. Samuel Shaw, who came from Tamworth, N. H. Esquire Shaw engaged Asaph Boyden to come to Industry as his clerk, and to him was en- trusted nearly the entire management of the business.
Thomas H. Mead, also from New Hampshire, began trad- ing in the Shaw store early in the year 1830. He lived first in the John Gott house, more recently occupied for many years by Richard Fassett, and afterwards in the family of Jacob G. Rem- ick. Ilaving a large sum of money stolen, he became dis- heartèned, gave up his business and left the place in the latter part of the year 1833. Israel Folsom was Mr. Mead's succes- sor, and although the latter did not leave town till 1833, as previously stated, the town records show that Mr. Folsom was licensed to retail liquors at his store June 9, 1832. The store remained the property of Esquire Shaw until 1836, when he sold it to Col. Benjamin Luce. In November of that year Col. Luce purchased a stock of goods, re-opened the store and es- tablished himself in trade. He had either as a clerk or a part- ner for a short time, John W. Dunn,* who had previously been in trade at Allen's Mills. Colonel Luce continued in trade until his death, which occurred quite suddenly July 14, 1842.
* There must be an error in the date of Col. Luce's entering trade, which was furnished the writer by his daughter, Mrs. Warren Cornforth. John W. Dunn was chosen constable and collector of taxes in Industry April 12, 1836. On the second day of May following, a special town meeting was called "to choose a collector and constable in place of John W. Dunn, who is about to leave town." Consequently it must have been in November, 1835, that Col. Luce opened his store.
MERCHANTS. 197
Just previous to his decease he bought a very extensive stock of merchandise, which was sold out by his brother-in-law, John West Manter, who had been appointed administrator of the estate. Christopher Goodridge came from Rome, Mc., early in October, 1843, and located in the Col. Luce store at West's Mills. His brother-in-law, David Rockwood, acted as clerk, and had entire control of the business much of the time. Mr. Goodridge remained in town until the spring of 1844, when he returned to Rome. The next occupants of this store, as nearly as can be learned, were Mitchell & Johnson, of whom mention has previously been made. As to who succeeded Isaac Mitchell and Nathan S. Johnson there seems to be a diversity of opinion. One, in particular, whom it seems ought to know, is confident that it was Cyrus N. Hutchins .* Another is of the opinion that Asaph Boyden and John C. Manter occupied the store in the winter of 1846-7, and that Mr. Boyden finished off his shop for a store the following summer.t Much as the author regrets his inability to verify either of the above state- ments, the matter must remain a question of doubt. John West and Peter West Manter, two brothers, were in trade in this store a short time between 1843 and 1849, but the exact date can not be determined.#
Benjamin N. Willis began trading in this store in the fall of 1849, or early in the year 1850. At the end of two years he took in as a partner E. Norris Allen, son of Elder Datus T. Allen, and the business was continued for a year or more under the firm name of Willis & Allen. The store was subsequently used for a blacksmith shop, tin shop, post-office and dwelling- house, until late in the year 1865, when it was again fitted up as a store by Thomas P. Patterson, who opened with a well selected stock of dry goods and groceries. Early in the spring of 1866 he disposed of his stock of goods to R. Oraville Cald-
* Mrs. Mary C. Gilmore, relict of Nathan S. Johnson, and daughter of Peter West Butler.
+ Mrs. John H. Viles, daughter of Col. Peter A. West.
# Mrs. Warren Cornforth, a niece of the above-named gentlemen, is of the opinion that they were in trade in the winter of 1848-9.
25
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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
well and Joel Hutchins, who came to Industry from Rumford, Maine. The business was conducted under the firm name of Caldwell & Hutchins for two years, and then sold out to John and Benjamin N. Willis, who were trading in the store built by the latter, and the business of the two firms merged into one.
About the time that Moses Tolman, Jr., began trading at West's Mills, Zachariah Withee built a store at Withee's Corner, where he traded for many years. He also bought ashes and manufactured potash, as did nearly every country merchant in those days.
John W. Dunn, whom, it is said, came from Lewiston,* erected a two-story building at Allen's Mills, probably in the summer of 1833, and finished the first floor as a store. He immediately began trading, and early in 1834 took into partner- ship Supply B. Norton, to whom he sold a half interest in store and goods. Their stock in trade was valued at six hundred dollars by the assessors in 1835, though its actual value un- doubtedly exceeded that amount. They kept an excellent assortment of dry goods and groceries, and received a liberal patronage. These gentlemen remained in partnership only a few months. Mr. Dunn then sold his entire interest to Mr. Norton, who thenceforth conducted the business alone. Hc remained in trade and also made potash until he sold out to Rufus Jennings, April 10, 1841. Mr. Jennings traded eleven years with varying success and no little opposition from those envious of his successful enterprises. Such opposition not be- ing conducive to a remunerative business, Mr. Jennings was at length compelled to close up his business at a great sacrifice. While in trade he was largely interested in the manufacture of potash, and also operated a carding-machine and fulling-mill a portion of the time. Since Mr. Jennings closed up his busi- ness, the store has been occupied at infrequent intervals by different individuals with a limited stock of merchandise, but no one remained long in trade.
Early in 1832 Enoch Hinkley, Jr., of Freeman, Me., built a
* Authority of Joseph Collins, Jr., son of Joseph and Annah (Hatch) Collins.
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MERCHANTS.
store at West's Mills, now ( 1892) occupied by Harrison Dag- gett as store and post-office. He began trading early in the summer of 1832. Ere he had been long established in his new store he was succeeded by his brother, Amos S. Ilinkley. The career of the latter as a merchant was as brief as that of the former, and we next find Isaac Norton in charge of the business. Before the store had been built a twelve-month, it passed into the hands of Cyrus Freeman, a shoemaker and tanner, who made boots and shoes in connection with waiting upon customers. Freeman becoming embarrassed through heavy pecuniary losses of his brother, eventually disposed of his goods, but continued to occupy the store as a shop and dwelling-house for several years. The writer has not been able to learn that this building was again occupied as a store until 1859, when Warren N. Willis enlarged, remodeled and greatly improved it. He then opened the store with a fine stock of general merchandise, and traded until May, 1860, when, in consequence of financial embarrassments, the store was abruptly closed. It was subsequently partitioned off into a dwelling-house, and occupied for many years by Peter W. Butler and family. Later it was occupied by Charles M. Hil- ton as a harness shop, and in the fall of 1889 the building was purchased by Harrison Daggett.
In the spring of 1847 Asaph Boyden and John C. Manter formed a co-partnership. An addition was built to Mr. Boy- den's cabinet shop and the building finished for a store. They began active business in August, 1847, and continued in trade until the fall of 1848. Their goods were purchased in Hal- lowell and Boston, and from the former place were hauled to Industry, this being the most accessible point from which to receive freight. Major James Cutts succeeded Mr. Boyden, and the firm name was changed to Cutts & Manter. These gentle- men traded some five years and then closed their storc.
Early in 1854 a number of enterprising gentlemen residing in the vicinity of West's Mills, began agitating the subject of forming a stock company for the purpose of establishing a general merchandise store at that place. The Franklin and
200
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
Somerset Mercantile Association was organized February 19, 1854, as the result of this movement. The Association drew up and adopted a constitution and enacted a code of by-laws to govern its transactions. The store previously occupied by Cutts & Manter was leased, an extensive stock of goods pur- chased, and the Association opened their store about April I, 1854, with Moses Bradbury as salesman or agent. The Asso- ciation continued in business until the spring of 1862, when Nathan S. Johnson, who had previously been salesman for the Company, bought ont the entire stock, the whole business be- ing formally conveyed to him May 12, 1862. Mr. Johnson proceeded to sell out the goods and closed the store in about a year after he came into possession of the property.
Benjamin N. Willis, in 1853, after closing up trade in the Tolman store, by selling his goods at auction, erected a com- modious structure nearly opposite the one just mentioned. Ilere he again entered trade, and later took in as a partner his brother, Warren N. Willis. He exchanged his store, goods and stand in the autumn of 1855, with Oliver Stevens, for a farm. Mr. Stevens traded abont four years and sold out to John Willis, Oct. 9, 1859. Early in the summer of 1860 Mr. Willis purchased his brother Warren's stock of goods, and subsequently took him in as a partner. In 1862, having pur- chased the old Esquire West store, he moved it back from its original site a sufficient distance to make room for the Stevens store, which he also moved across the street, connecting and virtually formed them into one building. John Willis and his brother continued in trade until March, 1865, when the former sold out his interest in the goods-to his brother-in-law, George W. Clayton, who, in company with Warren N. Willis, continued the business under the firm name of Willis & Clayton. Early in the winter of 1866 Willis & Clayton closed up their business and left town, and the store was unoccupied for a short time. Soon after this John and Benjamin N. Willis remodeled the interior, made some needed repairs and re-opened the store near the middle of April, 1866, with a large and varied stock of merchandise. These gentlemen remained in trade a little more
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MERCHANTS.
than two years, in the meantime absorbing the business of Caldwell & Hutchins as previously stated. May 8, 1868, John and Benjamin N. Willis sold store and goods to Sampson Duley and William W. Norcross, who came from Stark. The firm of Duley & Norcross had a large run of custom and was generally liked. Mr. Norcross retired from the firm in the fall of 1868, after which the senior member continued the busi- ness alone until September, 1871, when he sold out his entire property, consisting of store, goods, house and land, to James M. Norton. Mr. Norton immediately took into partnership his brother, Alonzo Norton, and together they conducted the busi- ness for a period of over twelve years. The firm also engaged largely in lumbering for several winters. January 14, 1884, J. M. & A. Norton dissolved partnership, and Alonzo withdrew from the firm. James M. Norton, who retained the business, then took in as a partner his nephew, Harrison Daggett, who had previously served him as clerk, and the firm was known as J. M. Norton & Co. Mr. Daggett was very popular with the patrons of the store, and while a member of the firm had nearly the entire charge of the business. Owing to impaired health he withdrew from the firm, and the co-partnership was dissolved April 23, 1888, greatly to the regret of his many friends. Since the retirement of Mr. Daggett, James M. Norton has given his personal and undivided attention to the business, re- ceiving a good share of the public patronage. Late in the fall of 1874, Asa H. Patterson, who then owned the William Corn- forth farm at West's Mills, moved a building to the south end of the bridge which spans the mill pond and finished and fitted it up as a store. He purchased a good assortment of dry goods and groceries and had been in trade nearly two years, when, on the 5th day of August, 1876, he sold his property to Richard Caswell, reserving his stock of merchandise and the use of his store for one year. Mr. Patterson sold out the larger part of his goods and retired from trade on the expira- tion of the lease of the store.
On the 13th of August, 1877, Charles M. Hilton moved his harness business into this store, and in company with Richard
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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
Caswell purchased a small stock of groceries. They continued in trade until the fall of 1879, when the co-partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hilton retired from the business. For nearly ten years thereafter Mr. Caswell continued trading in groceries to a limited extent and then closed his store. Soon after this Harrison Daggett leased the building, purchased a line of groceries, and on the 7th of March, 1889, re-opened the store to the public. Mr. Daggett occupied it about eight months and again it was closed. The next and last occupant was Henry Oliver, who traded there about a year and moved to Madison Bridge in the summer of 1891.
Early in the month of August, 1880, Charles M. Hilton laid the foundation for a harness shop and grocery store on the site of the old Thing store, burned in the spring of 1855. Work was forwarded expeditiously, and by December the structure was ready for occupancy. A well-selected stock of groceries was purchased, and by the last of December Mr. Hilton was well established in his new quarters. Up to the present time ( 1892) the capacity of his store has been enlarged by two separate additions.
Adeline Shaw and Eunice Hinkley opened a millinery and fancy goods store in October, 1842, in a portion of the John West house, now ( 1892) occupied by James M. Norton, but for want of sufficient patronage they closed up their business after a few months.
John H. and Alonzo Goodwin, sons of Reuel Goodwin, of Industry, opened a shoe store at West's Mills, in 1855, locating in the old Esq. West store. They continued in busi- ness some three years, with varying success, and then engaged in other pursuits.
In the fall of 1889, Harrison Daggett purchased the store built by Enoch Hinkley, more recently known as the Peter W. Butler stand, employed Rev. John R. Masterman and Rufus Jennings to raise the roof and finish the building inside and out. The work was so expeditiously pushed that inside of six weeks the low ordinary looking one-story building was trans- formed into a comely two-story edifice. The ground floor being
MERCHANTS. 203
a neat pleasant store, the second floor a large well-lighted room to be used as a shop for the manufacture of men's coats. Nov. 2, 1889, Mr. Daggett moved his goods from the Caswell store and established himself in this store, where he still re- mains, receiving a full share of the public patronage.
At Allen's Mills, Herbert B. Luce has kept, for some years, a small stock of groceries. In the summer of 1891 Mr. Luce finished a building, which he purchased, into a convenient store, and now he carries a well-selected stock of groceries and pro- visions.
Elbridge H. Rackliff also carries a small stock of groceries, etc., in connection with a full line of tinware and Yankee notions.
A few others, whose names are not mentioned in the forego- ing chapter, have probably traded in Industry to some extent, such as Pelatiah Shorey, David M. Luce, John E. Johnson, Joseph Eveleth, Oscar O. Allen, etc., etc.
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CHAPTER XI.
EVENTS FROM 1810 TO 1830.
Condition of the Settlers .- Expense of Transacting the Town Business .- Pounds and Pound-Keepers .- Attempts to Establish a New County to Include Industry .- Gower's (now Allen's) Mills Becomes a Part of Industry .- " The Cold Fever " Epidemie .- The Thompson Burial Ground .- New Vineyard Becomes a Part of Industry .- Great Gale of 1815 .- Question : "Shall the District of Maine Be- come an Independent State?" Agitated .- Vote for Maine's First Governor .- Population Increases .- " Blind Fogg." -- First Sunday-School .- Road Troubles .- First Liquor License Issued .- The Residents of New Vineyard Gore Pass the Ordinance of Secession and Ask to be Made Citizens of Strong .-- The Town Receives Additions from Stark and Anson .- Subject of Building a Town-House Discussed .- Great Drouth and Fire of 1825 .- First Meeting-House in Town .- Meeting-llouse Erected at the Centre of the Town .- The Industry North Meeting-House.
THE commencement of the second decade of the nineteenth century found the inhabitants of Industry struggling bravely for existence. Although their condition in some respects showed a marked improvement, still their lives were character- ized by incessant toil and frugal economy. The oppressive Embargo Act had been repealed, but the want of unity among the States composing the Federal Union and the threatening and aggressive attitude of England, were sources of constant anxiety and alarm. Having no regular mail, the suspense when an alarming rumor once got abroad was, to say the least, decidedly unpleasant.
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