USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Atlas and history of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 19
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resignalion to take effect Deo. lat. Mr. Ford's sermons showed talent as well as culture. Methodists .- There was no effort made by the few Methodiels lu lewiston and Auburn to ratablish meet. Ings until Jnly, 1848, when " Camp-meeting" Juhu Allow, puder the direction of the missionary society, catoe and spent a short time in preaching to the Lewiston Falls Blisstoo, as it was then called. At that time they held their meetings at Auburn, in Union and Village halls. Rev. Charies Andrews wos the first permisnout minister appointed to the mission, who come here In July, 1×43. Ilis salary, as fixed by the board, was 8176, Ite was Inappointed in 1850.
In 1851 Rev. Ezekiel Robinson was appointed to the charge, with a salary of #350. During his pastorate lhe place of worship was changed from Auborn to Jones's Hall, in Lewiston, which was occupied for some years. Mr. Robinson was reappointed in July, 1852. Rev. Benj. Foster was appointed lo the charge in July, 1853, Mtr. Foster was earnest and zenlons in advocating ihe erection of a house of worship. Through his infinence, and largely nuder bis direction, a lot was procured on Park Street, and a substantial wooden biliting, containing a base- ment which Is need for a vestry, was orected, and dedl- cated Sept. 9, 1854. Alr. Foster was pastor of the chorob two years. Rav. Il. M. Blake was appointed by tho confe- rence as pastor of the church in 1865-56, It became while under his charge, 1856, self-supporting. Rev. Hi. B. Abbolt was pastor of the church for Iwo yrara, com- menoing in the spring of 1857. Io May, 1853, Rev. Chas. Mnuger becamo pastor of the church, and sustainsi this relation for two years. It was during his pastoratr, April 1, 1801, that the church was divided and the river Was made the "dividing line." This depletion did nol arrionsly embarrass the church, Rev. J. Mostillin was pastor of the church ilbring the years -1861-62. In 1863, Rer D. B. Randall became pastor of the church. He was reappointed in 1864. Rev. I. B. Abbott was again appointed to the pasiorale of the church in 1865. Mr. Abbott continueil his labors with the church for three years. In 1868 Rev. Ezekiel Martin was appointed pastor of the church and remained two years. Itev. Cyrus King hecame pastor of the ohnrch in 1870, but remained ouly one year. lie left the conference and removeil Wesl. The present pastor, Rev. Chorles J. Clark, was appointed lu 1871.
The Main Street Methodist Church was organized In June, 1670, having a membership of only slx person4. It has now a membership of Dearly one humred amt thirty. Blev. 11. B. Abbott, wbo had boun pastor of the l'ark Street Church for five years, was appointed pastor of the church eud commencer his labora the first Sabbath In June, 1870. He closed his labors with the church May 4, 1873. Tho society worships in the old Baptist church, curlier of Main and Lisbon streets,
Episcopal Church .- The parish of Trinity church was organized In 1654, by efforts of Rev. George P. Giddings, ol Ilhneis, then on a visit to Auburn. He huld the first service in Union Hall, Auburn, on the 11th May, of that yuar. The persons who took an active part in forming the church were Jolin Dnekworth, Charles Bradley, L. W. Keeler, George L. Drinkwater, Byron W. Watson, Richard Nicholson, N. I. Jackson, Silas Tiloomb, and George A, Merril. Mr. Giddings minlstereil to tha church abont six months, aod then returned to Illinois. Sulse- quently, with serious intervals of vaenncy, the follow- ing clergymen hova been rectore or missionaries officiating in this parish, viz .;- Rev. F. Gardiner, from July, 1855, lo October, 1856; Rev. J. B. Southgate, from August, 1857, lo Juna, 1858; Rov. D. C. Ingrahain, during the year 1859; R.v. N. F. Ludium, from early In the year 1860 to the latter port of 1862; Rev. W. Il. Collins, from the foriner part of 1863 to the last of April, 1865 ; Rev. W. M: William, from May, 1865, to the latter part of the yenr 1868; Rev. E. F. Baker, from January, 1869, to October, 1870; Rev. II. L. Yeweus took charge as & missionary in February, 1871.
The publio worship of the parish was removed to the Lewiston side of the rivor during Mr. Gardiner's iniuistry, being held lu Lisbon (sınall) Hall.
The present ohoroh, corner of Pork and Ash streets, was huit iu the year 1859, and consecrated to the worship of God according to the order of the Protestant Episcopal Churob by the late Bishop Rurgesa, on the 21 st September, 1859, The parisb, nmall In the beginning, has uever grown to be large, though sometimes It bas expanded considerably, and again been greatly diminished. Originally formed alinost wholly by American oltizons It is now composed almost eutiroly of people from Lan- ensbire, England.
The St. Joseph's (Irish) Catholic Church,-The first Gotholio servire held in Lewiston was at the house of 1'. McGillicuddy, in Juno, 1850, by Rov, Charles MuCallion, of Portsmouth, N. 11. This building, formuely the old red school-house situated near the site of the Continental luiil, was parebased by Mr. MuGillicuddy the first of the previons Alny. Subsequently msetlogs were held by Father MoCallion in the Bates dye-house, the grist-mill building, as well as in several other places. , Father MeCalliou continued to visit Lewiston at regular Intervals, onco In four weeks, until worship was established in the chapel, formerly the Baptist, on Lincoln Strert. The Catbolics bought the chapel of the Franklin Co. It was formerly provided with nettees, but these were removed and the society purchased the news, fifty-two In unmber, in the Oid South meeting-house, and set them up In the chapel,
It was during Faiher MleCallion's ministry that Miss Angosta A, Davis, daoghler of Dea. Stephen Davis, of this city, a lesober in the high school, became interested in the moral aed religious welfare of the Irish children, and established a Sabbath-school, which was held, for the most of the time, tu the high school room, Miss Davin received tho co-operation of Father MeCallion, the leading Caiholles, as weil as mnauy of the Protestanl people
St. Peter's (French) Catholic Church,-The first services harld by the French Catholles was at the chapel (Irish) on Liucolu Street, by Rev. Edward Loternesen, July 2, 1870, who remained nutti October, 1871. He was onceceded hy Itov. Peter Ilevey, who held his first sorvlee October 11, 1871. Subsequently, October 22, Fatber Hevey addressed his congregation on the limportance of the ereutiou of a honso of worship, to which the sucioty responled with commendable zeal. A lot was first purchased on l'ine Street, corner of Ash, hut was abandonod, and the lot on Bartlet Street seenred instead. The corner stono of the new church edifice was laid July 7, 1872, In the presence of Bishop Bacon, The honse is now completed with the exception of the tower, amit was dedioteit May 4, 1873 ; Bishop Bacon conducting the services. The building ts of the Gothio style of architecture, and Is built of brick with granite himmings. It will cost, when compleled, $50,000.
Universofist Society. - In February, 1858, fifteen persone, residouts of Lewiston, petitioned lohu Swith, Esq., to Issue a warrant to one of thetr number, directing him to notify a meeting of the subscribors for the purpose of or- ganizing a rellgions society, to be known as the Firal Universalist Society of Lewiston. Judge Smith, lesued & warraul dalod February 16, 1858, and the first legel meet- lug was held at the house of G. H. Littlefield, on Bates Street, February 23, 1858. At this meeting John Suith was chosen clerk, and a oommiltes, consisting of Timothy Walker, John Smith, and George W. Farr, wore chosen lo draft a constitution and by-laws, The constitution and by-laws were reported anil necopted alarob the 9th. Subsrqocotly, May 28, the society choose a committee consisting of Survol Hulry, Gourge W. Farr, and Timothy Walker, to " present the society to the Maine Courcution of Universallsts, for admission Into the fellowship vi that body." Tho suclety voted July 6, 1858, lo Insti uut the Assessors to engage tho services of Rov. C. II. Webster for mine mouthu. Mr. Webster had been for sowto time pastor of the Hight Street Universalist Church in Aubnru, but at this time was not engaged in pastoral labors. Ite limmediately assumed the pastorate of the society, which he retafurd for about two years. Soon after Mir, Webster's resignation the society became extinot, The soulety frat held their meetings in Jones's Hall, hint subsequently worsinped in Lisbon Hfall.
The Bates Street Universalist Society was organized Angosl 17, 1803, tho mureling being beld at the Muni- vipal Court Room. B. F. Farber was chosen minderator, and John Smith clerk. On tho 23d of August, a con- stitution and by-laws were adopted. At this meeting the clerk was Instructed to correspond with Rev. Martiu J. Steere for the purpose of seonring hla servlens us pastor ; propositions made hbo, he acocpled, and commuenved his lahore ju April, 1864.
Iw December, 1803, tho question of tho erection of a house of worship was presuted to the society, and Turasures lustituted lo sconre the speedy preotion of a connuodious and convenient church edilire. A lot of the onsterly side of Bates Street, between Ash and Five, Was procured (September, 1864), of the Franklin Com- pany, and ground was broken in December of that year, Subsequently the lot was abandoned, aml The lot on which Ibeir house of wor-hlp now stands, was presented lo tbe society by N. W. Farwell, Rag. The house was commeenced in 1865, and finished in March, 1860. It is 55 x 75 feel, nud tho front is eleboralely finished in lho Tuscan order of architecture. The autleure room is 53 x Gl feet, and contains 10G pews, with a seating capacity sufficient to arcommodale five hundred persons. The church was dedicated Mørch 15, 1866. The sernion was preached by The pastor, Ruv. M. J. Steere, and the dodi- ralory prayer was inade by Rev. George Bales, of Anburn, It was built at a cost of $22,000. In the evening Mr. Steere was formally Installed peslor of the church, at which time au appropriate sermon was dullvered by Rev. Mr. Bolles, of l'ortiand.
Mr. Steere reminived pastor of the oburch and society until October, 1869, when be closed huis pastorale greatly to the regret of his people, who had under hia ministry enjoyed unusual prosperity. Mr. Stecre was an ensy and graceful speaker, a soulal and successful pastor, and took a deep interest In the prosperity of the place. A olurrh was organized by Mr. Steere, March 20, 1865, consisting of nineleon members. It has now a membership of sixty, one-half of whom aro resident.
Mr. Sleere was succesiled In April, 1870, by Rev. J. H. Arinles, of Ridgoway, New Hampshire, who remajord uu- 111 May, 1871. He Is now pastor of a church on Long Island. Rev. J. W. Hives, the present pastor, anocouded to tbe pastorite in August, 1872,
The Friendh' Society. - The history of the Friends' So- ciety Is Involved in much obscurity. Mr. Amos Davis was, umloubtedly, the first person of that persuasion In Lewiston. He was a very worthy man, and took a great interest In the prosperity and usefulness of The society. Mr. Davis was the fret eller of the church, and remaineil such unlit his decease, March 20, 1815. This office, after his death, was filled by his son, David Davis, whom muauy of our oltizens remember as a most exemplary mau, as well as a very useful oitizen. He died January 6, 1851, Mr. Lovl Meador succeeded Mr. Davis in this office, He died April 2, 1872. Mr. Amos Davia fitted up at his own expense a smalt building iu the old burying ground, on Saballis Street, for a meeting and school-house, which was occupied for This purpose several years, The Friends built the first meoting- house in town, which was completed Iu 1811, It was situated on the Vinleg place, where it remained until 1856, when it was takeu down and re- mnoved Dear Laae Goddard's on the river road, The Friemls' meeting-honse was occupied for many years as a tounbouss. The society Is now quite small. Second Adventists .- The Second Adventist church was organized in August, 1866. There had been, for nearly tiventy years, occasional meelinge of these people, In this place, but no attempt towards an organization until the above dale. The ILInerant character of the Allvent min- Istry rendered permanent meetings aud preaching una- vailable.
'The church did nol settle a pastor until January, 1856, but anatalned pubhe worship more or less regularly, the desk being supplied by different clergymeu, but moure Before their organization they worshiped In different Subsequently Rev. Putor Mclaughlin, of Bath, held servions bore one-half of the timo. He was succeeded by Rev. Thoinas Konney, whose time was equally divhled between Lewiston and Bulduford, Rev. John Cullin was the first olergymonu permanently localed here, and remained about two years. lie was succeeded hy Rev. Dauiel Whoelan, whose ministry occupied uearly olx yesra. Rev. J. A. T. Dumin was the immediate sno- veasor of Father Wheelan, and remained sixteen months. Rev. Mr. Durpio was succeeded by Rov. M. Lucy, the present Inoumbeut, In October, 1802. halle, and sometimes have been admitted Inlo some of the churches ; but since that time they hell meetings for nearly four years lu Gratfam and Skinner's Hall on Bates Street. For several years the church has occupied a minall ball in Central block. The society have never had a resi- deut olergyman. generally by Rev. Isano Weston. Rev. Uriah Balkam, the first pastor, causa from Wiacasset, aud was Installed pastor of the chorob January 30, 1856. The sermoe on liris occasion was by Itev. B. S. Carpeuter, of l'ortland ; prayer by Rev. E. Jones; right-hand of fellowship by Ker. J. Drumwond, of Auburn, aud obarge lo the chiproh by Rov, Geo. E. Adams, D. D., of Brunswick. Mr. Balkam continued bis labors with the church for more than four- leen years, having resigued May 1, 1870. His pastorate covered tha more important ereuts in the liatory of the ohnroh, having commenced hin labors during its infanvy, The Hater-power on the Androscoggin is one of Ibe besl In New England, and is formed by a ledge of gneiss and The foundation was completed in the antitinu of that The new oharoh, St. Joseph's, located on Main Street, was built under the immediate direction of Father Incy .. T'ha corner atone was laid with appropriato ceremonies, mioa schisi which crossea the river diagonally, and ia so extended as to form the bed of the river both below and above lbe falls, as well as the sides, In Several places The Iadgo rises above the water level and forms small Iwiands whloh serve as abutments to the dams. The aud olosing them after It had received mature strength. As a postor, Mr. Baikain brought large experience; as a preavhier, varied oubiure and more than oritloary talents. [ June 13, 1864, Bishop Bacon, of Portland, officiating. Rev. F. F. Fordi, the second pastor of tho oburoli, was (malulled May 1, 1671, aud resigned in Nov., 1872, hala1 year, aud the buliding Amsbed in 1867, at a cost of $55,000. [ untural fall is about thirty-eight feel, and is increased to
ville, who cominenced his pastorate early In Janonry, Alr. Burgess'a charge, Mr. Burgass's resigaotion cansed
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ffly by the dsms. The volume of water at the lowest stage la 94,000 onhlo feet per minute for eleven hours a day, or simat 8900 borse-power, of which ouly abant
Below the falls, about two miles, is an nnlmpreved power of 1500 horse, and a mile and a half ahove the falls Is ou animproved power of 2500 borso, These two would drivo abont 250,000 spindles.
The only body of wsier which lies wholly In Lewiston, Is Noname l'ond, abont one mile long and half a mile wide, lying on the left of Sabattis Read, osarly font miles from the bridge. There is a small water-power at the ouilet of this pond, which Is now unimproved.
Sut and Grist-mills,-The saw- mill already referred to, which was ereoted by Lawrence J. Harris, in 1770-1, on the bank of the river, nearly where the grist-mill now stands, way destroyed by tire niwont 1765, a short time after il came into the possession of Colonel Little. There was no dam across the river nor canal at that anrly day. The water was conveyed into a mioall poud by mesus of a ilume which extended into the river and rested on the ledge near the summit ot the falls. A dam was built across the valley, just above the mill, renching the hill ou the easteru side, and touching a spur of lodge, which dropped out on the banks of the river and formed a part of the westeru portion of the dam. Scine three years after the erection of the saw-mill, Mr. Harris put up a small grist-mili, which was probably the first iu Lewiston. This building stood a few years and full into the river.
A large buildlug was put up hy Colonel Little in 1809, on the site of the old sans-uilll, which wan occupiril as a snw, grist, and futling-mill. It also contained a cariling machine. A damn, tho first built across the river here, and & caust, on which tbo Lincoln Mill is situatril, was courtrurteil the same year. This miff was buried in the spring nf 1814. Shortly sfterwards Colonel Little rebuilt the mill, which stood until ahont 1851).
In 1851 the Water-power Company bullt s saw-mill al the hend of the falls and excavateil a canal, largely through the ledge, by which the water pasars to the mall. It was leased lo Captain Daniel Hollind for five years, but was burned lu the fall of 1852. Captain Bolland did All extensive business.
In March, 1850, it was leased to S. R. Bearon & Co., who are still the present lessees of the mill. The mill has one gang, Que board circular, Que shluglo, and one lath saw, and a plauing machine.
Iu 1815, S. It. Benrve & Co. bullt a large steam-mill, 60 x 114 feet, at a cost of about $60,000, on the margin of the river, a short distance above the Maine Central depot. They commenced manufacturing lumber havre the Fear following. This mill has a gang, shingle, olapboard, and latb saws. It Is one of the best constructed mills In the State. This Arm manufacture about twenty-five willino feet of Inther of all kinds per minum, valued al 8200,000, and employ about two hundred men,
A steamu-mill was built at Barker'a mills in 1847 by Read, Small & Co. at a cost of 87500. It had une alngle saw, one shingle, and one lath machine. The noill was destroyed hy fire September 10, 1852, and rebuilt the same year. In October, 1859, It was purchased by James Wood & Co., and removed to Its present sito ou Androscuggiu River, aboul one half mile above the Maine Central depol. In 1860 the company was incorporated as the Steam-mill Company, with a capital of $50,000, which has since been increased lo 8100,000. The company own some thirty- five thousand acres of timber-laul, mostly sprnce, on the Androscoggin and its tributaries. The company have somle sixty men In their employ, and disburse about 83500 per month. The mill has one muley saw, one shingle, and one Intb machine. The company has maun- fartured the past year 4, 684,110 feet of long luntber, 2,402,900 laths, 1,886,000 shingles, and 195,000 clapboards, valued at 890,000.
Abont 1775 Jacob Barker built a grist-mill at Barker's milla, which, after the destruction of the Harris will, was the only one In Lewiston for sever il years. Some two years afler Mr. Barker huilt a saw-intli ou the sume stream, where he did considerable busiuass in manufao- Inring lumber. These mills were rebuilt, once or twice, by his son, Gyrns Barker, and once, abont 1836, by his grandsou, Nelson P. Barker. Dweiley and Moore are the proprietors of the grist-mill, and manufacture about 50,000 bushels of meal annoally. They are also the proprietors of the saw-will, and toannfacture 150,000 feet of Inmber per annumn.
Abont 1800 s saw-milll was built on the rips, opposite Boxer's Island, by William Blasdell aud Thomas Jepyou They built a dam frein the east side of the river to the Island, and from the Island to the western sido of the river. The mill was burnel about 1812.
A saw-mill was early built on the Stetson Brook by Jaines Randall. It was Anally taken down and removed to Animrn, near Phineas Dill's. A shingle will was erecteil by Jameson and Given on Ibe same stream below the saw-mill.
A saw-inill, about 1800, was erected at the ontlet of Noname l'ond hy Col. Joel Thompson, Capt. Isaar Colton, and Capl. Josepb Dill, where they manufactured con- siderable ship timber,
Elrard Bales had & saw-mill on the brook below the Stephon lart place. It was built about 1819.
Manufactures .- Lewiston Fills Manufacturing Com- pnay .- Previous to 1819 there wus, on the site of the old Fred woolen mill, a small carding and fulling will, owned by Cul. Josiah Little, which had been carried on, for some years, by various parties. This year Col. Little procured the servlees of Alr. Dean Frye, of Brunswick, Inther of Coi. Frye, a man of large experience, in cardlug wool, as well as Iu fiulshing oluth. Under hils manage- Went the business readily assnaied an importance wbich It had never before experienced. The inill was nufor- The Franklin Company .- This company was Incorpo- rated with a capital of 81,000,000, April 8, 1854, but was nol organized uutll November 25, 1856, and look posses- sion of the property of the Water Power Company ibe following Apris, which it still retains. tunately destroyed by Gre In 1829, and the present mill, 88 x 60 feet, and three storles high, was built In 1830. The basement was occupied ns a clothier's fulling mill, and the second story for carding rolls and finishing cloth. li was carried on by Mir. Dean Frye aud his son, John M. The spring freshel of 1862 took away a sootion of the dam adjoining the eastern shore, which was replaced by a substantial granite damn during that year. Bubre- quently, 1863, '4, the remaining two meetious were com- pleted, the whole cost being about $100, 000. This is one Frye, whose previous experience aud skill in this bus !- ness soon gave character and Initueove to the enterprise. Snocessful in this operation to an extent unusual for those days, the Messrs. Frye were induced to make the experiment of manufacturing sallnet. This new effort of the most substantial structures of the kind In the required more capital as well as a breader basis of action, conniry. This company owns the water-power, canals, and to seoure these a charter, for tho Lewiston Falla Manufacturing Company, was obtained from the legisla- ture February 26, 1834. This was the Orst charter granted to any persons for manufacturing ,purposes In
and land la the immediate vicinity of the falls on both sides of the river, as well as several hundred acres of land In and around the thiekly settled portion of tho olly. They lease the water power to the different manufactur- Lewiston. The corporators were Jolin M. Frye aud Wil- |Ing companies with which to ron their wills. They also
chaseil February, 1856, of the Frankilu Company the l'urler Mill, which comtoenoul manufacturing as early as Mr. Bemls was the first agent of the Water Power Co., | 1-58. The name was Immediately changed to Continental who was sncoew led by Geo. L. Ward in 1850, Mr. Ward ! Mills. The number of spindles sre 27,360, There aro was succeeded by Benj. I. Leeds, who remained with 1860, when A. D. Lookwood assumed the sgelloy of the company, which he retained about eleven years, Mr. N. W. Farwell, of this chy, became agent in 1871, sud ro- signed In Feb., 1873.
The Lincoln JAN .- The success which attended the manufacture of cotton goods in the "' Obl Cottou Mit," In- duced a number of the most outerprishig citisens of Low- Inton to apply to the legislature for a obarter for s cou. pany, with the right lo manufacture collon goods mors extensively than hal been attampled by the proprietor of the " Old Cotton Mill." The charter of the new company was granted March lat, 1845 ; the corporatora being Calvin
When the present adilltions are compluled the Contl- mental will be one of the largest intills in the country. During the past yesr (1872) thure has been sdiled to the original nitil s hrick structure 230 feet in length by i5 In width, and fivo stories high, waking the whole built- ing 554 feet in length ; to which has been sdiled's wing exluniling westorly, parallel with the oross canal, 346 Gorliam, Bilaha Stetson, Daniel Cary, Daniel Briggs, Juhu feet and 15 feet In width. The new part has been covered M. Fryn, Nebun B. Reynolds, IInwe Weeks, Steven Davis,
with a Mansarl reof which will the coming sesont be Edward Little, and Alonzo Harcelon, Thecorporation war extended over the originst mulil; a collom-house ami called the " Lewiston Falla Cotton Mill Company," with boarding biooks will be preoted. These sibiltions will carry the ospacity of the inill up to about 70,000 spitulles. There havo beou three agoula convooled with this ourjmy- railon-Menars. It. A. Hurllong, S. 1. Abbott, and K. S. Davis, the present agent. the right to manufacture cotton grunds, and to hold In real and personal estate property not exceeding $100, 000. Soon after the ohsrler was obtained the proprietors com. menced the construction of the mill, which was built by Capt. Daniel Holised. There was a large excavation to be made in the leilge near where tho casteru extremity of the inill was to rest, which consumed considerable thina, but which was carried forward with commendable energy auri skill. The fonmilation was completed and the brick work commenced September 1st, 1845. Bufore, however, the mill wan coorpleted, it was bought-Marel 5, 1846- by the Lewiston Water Power Company. This company commenred negotiations for the purchase of the mili in October of the preceding year. It was finished during the following summer, and the dral loom " started up" Octo- ber 5, 1846. Mr. Zoba Bliss was the superintondont of the mill for suversi yonrs. The mill was 40 x 102 feet, and five stories high.
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