USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Newport > Brief history of Newport, Maine, 1814-1914 > Part 3
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
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
1
Newport was awakened and has remained awake ever since
The woolen mill was completed about Christmas time of that same year and was formally dedicated with a grand ball in the evening ; special trains being run to and from the same, bring- ing in a very large number of visitors. For awhile the mill was operated by a corporation organized under the style of "East Pond Manufacturing Company," with local officers. In the summer of 1896 the entire plant was sold to Gordon Dobson and John W. Manson of Pittsfield, Henry C. Fuller of Hart- land and Ellis Jones of Hanover, Conn., and these gentlemen associated themselves into a corporation styled "Newport Wool en Company," commencnig the operation of the factory in the month of October, 1906, with Mr. Jones-who had for many
W
30
A BRIEF HISTORY
years been actively engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloth -as Superintendent. The following spring a large addition was built on to the factory and from time to time since then other improvements and additions have been made : particularly the concrete dam across the river just below the lower bridge. built in the year 1910 at an expense of over twenty-five thou sand dollars. The mill has seven sets of cards and fifty-three looms and has been successfully operated by the present com- pany for the past seventeen years, greatly to the advantage and prosperity of our town. Besides the mill and other property purchased by the company in 1896, several fine residences have been erected for the convenience of employees of the corpora- tion, while Mr. Jones has built for the use of himself and his son-the present Superintendent-one of the most modern and desirable residences in our village.
BURDENEL
L
.
...
The factory of the Aroostook Condensed Milk Company was for a while conducted by that corporation. In 184 it was reorganized as the Maine Condensed Milk Co. and another factory was built at Whitefield, N. H. Both plants were sold to the Borden's Condensed Milk Co., Jan. 21st, 1002; since when the business has been continuously carried on by the last named corporation, and much of the prosperity of our neigh boring farmers, and the increased value of their farms, has been brought about through the operation of this local factory. The
-
31
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
present Superintendent is F. M. Sherrard, a gentleman of ex- tended experience in the business both here and at Whitefield
7.7 1W
COOPER BROS' VENEER
٦
32
A BRIEF HISTORY
OFFICE
Fri
NEWPORT BOX & NOVELTY CO.
In the year 1892, through the efforts of local citizens, Free- man B. and Alexander Cooper came to Newport from the town of Searsmont, and erected the large veneer mill on the shore of the lower cove of Lake Sebasticook, operating the same ever since under the style of Cooper Bros., and employing from fifty
33
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
10 sixty men in season. A few years after the building of the veneer mill the Cooper Bros. erected fine residences for them- selves near their mill. In the year 1906, in company with P. I. Oakes, they built the plant known as the Newport Box & Novelty Co., thereby arploying from fifteen to twenty more men in a fire-proof building, 40 by 60 feet, equipped with the very latest up-to-date machinery for the manufacture of woo len novelties. Alexander Cooper died in the summer of 1913. am) very recently a corporation has been organized under the style of Cooper Bros. Co., with Freeman B. Cooper as President. Percy L. Cakes as Treasurer, and Mrs. Arline Cooper as Sec- rotary. for the purpose of carrying on the entire business for- merly dene by Cooper Bros. and Newport Box & Novelty Co
The following year ( 1803) Messes. Davis & Baster of the Portland Packing Co., located a branch at New port and erected the corn packing factory known as Camery No. 11.
Nº 11.
-
1
Factory of the Portland Packing ('n
Wallace E. Racklife was appointed Superintendent of this branch, a position he has ably filled ever since; the factory build- ing was enlarged in the year 1898, and again in 1911, with out- buildings and sheds convenient for the business of the aim- pany, and a large amount of com is put up in season; muy
1
34
A BRIEF HISTORY
carloads of the product being annually shipped to points out- side the state. During the canning season many people of all ages and both sexes are given employment at this factory, and the industry has proved itself to be remunerative to the farmers as well.
In the year 1902 J. H. Weymouth came to Newport from Bangor and established the wool pullery industry, known as the Weymouth Wool Co. The following year the plant -then in successful operation and employing a large force of work- men-was sold to the Swift Co. of Boston and since then has been conducted as a branch of the Consolidated Rendering Co of Boston, Mr. Weymouth remaining as manager of this plant until his death in the summer of 1912, since when the manage- ment has been under the direction of his son, Carl R. Wey- mouth. In 1904 a large scouring mill was added, with me- proved machinery and equipment throughout, and in the year 1910 an extensive addition was built on to the pullery building With convenient railroad tracks and facilities for handling the many carloads of western sheep pelts that are received annually. and for the shipment of the products of the pullery and scout- ing factories, the company afford employment to many men through the autumn and winter months, and well into the spring. and the business is a profitable one for our town.
The Newport Light & Power Co. was organized as a corpus ration in the year 1902 and took over the property at Newport and Detroit that had been acquired by the Smith & Sturtevant Co. the previous year, Mr. Chas. E. Smith remaining as Treas urer and Manager of the company. The business of the com- pany has steadily increased from year to year, with the devil opment of our village, and recently a 100 K. W. power dynamo was installed at the plant of the company in Detroit, At the present time, in addition to the large number of electric light. furnished residences, stores, offices and factories, the company .maintain eighty lights for the purpose of lighting our village streets, and no village of its size has better lighted streets than our own.
35
1774727
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
Where The Kingsbury Moccasins are Made
Em mons W. Kingsbury, formerly of Bradford, Maine, but a resident of Newport Village since 1807, commenced the man ufacture of Indian moccasins in the year 1992. Starting in a modest way, the business has steadily increased and about five years ago a tannery was built for use in connection with the increased demands of the trade. A corporation to carry on the moccasin business was organized in 1905, and the present off- cers are Emmons W. Kingsbury. President ; John E. Kings- bury, Treasurer ; Edward J. Kingsbury. Secretary. The output of this factory is recognized as a standard of merit, the goods being all hand made.
All these varied industries have brought prosperity to the entire town ; the population increasing from HIS8 by the census of 1800, 10 1747 by that of 1910, while in the same period the valuation increased from $404.376 to $854.806. For the year 1914 the town assessors show the valuation to be $881.150, with 500 polls and 462 scholars of school age. Our merchants have benefited by the increase of trade that this prosperity ha brought, and much of this benefit is derived from the patronage of citizens of adjoining towns who are quick to realize that Newport's business men are enterprising and carry up-to-date stocks of goods. A local Board of Trade is maintained and the officers are keenly alive to whatever is needed to add to the progress of the town. The President of this organization is Judson E. Oakes, with Charles M. Barbour Secretary.
36
A BRIEF HISTORY
The beautiful Lake Sebasticook has a reputation far and wide for its excellent white perch fishing, while cottages and sunner homes fringe its shores, affording healthful recreation for our
1
"The Elms"' on livre Stadt
citizens and visitors alike. Many of the latter come here every season and enjoy their vacations in cottages, summer hotels. and as guests of our citizens, and the number of those who annually visit our town is increasing from year to year.
Newport Village
Prior to the opening of the l'enobscot & Kennebec Railroad (now the Maine Central) in 1855 this village was a great stage center between Skowhegan and Bangor, and, until the opening of the Dexter & Newport Railroad in 18, stages were run between Newport and Mooschead Lake, with a line between Newport and Dexter. At times there was lively competition be- tween the owners of competing lines and passengers often bell- fited accordingly. Large stables were maintained here and the local hotels did a good business. Prominent among the litter was the Newport House, conducted by Russ Pratt and situated where the present Main Street block of stores now stands, with livery extending back to the lot now owned by the Odd Fellow In the year 1860 Benjamin Shaw commenced to build the well- known Shaw House, finishing it two years later, and for more than half a century this popular hostelry has served the public
37
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
under a succession of varied ownerships and managements The Shaw House is now owned and ably managed by the Worster Bros.
Scene on Main Street, Newport Village, at the Present Time
In the month of October, 1862, the Newport House was totally destroyed by fire, together with the extensive liveries and sheds connected with it. Samuel Pratt, who owned the land on which the hotel stood, then sold it in lots fronting on Main St. to various parties, and these parties united in the cree- tion of the present Main St. Block in the year 1806. The block as we see it today was remodeled in 19to, when the tall pitch roof was changed to a flat one of fireproof construction.
The first church erected in the village was made possible by the subscriptions of money from those representing different denominations ; this was the beginning of the High Street Union Meeting House Society. The work on the church edifice was begun and finished in the year 1837, the dedicatory services being participated in by clergymen of the several denominations represented by the pew owners, and the church was for a num-
38
A BRIEF HISTORY
ber of years thereafter occupied by the Methodist, Baptist, Con- gregationalist and Universalist Societies; each of these denom- inations being represented in the pulpit one Sabbath in cach month. In the year 1859 the Methodists built for themselves a house of worship on Shaw Street, corner of Middle; this edifice was used by that society until its sale in the spring of 1001 to the newly organized K. of P. Lodge here, but before the order could occupy it for lodge purposes, fire, catching from sparks blown by the high wind of May 17th, 1901, from the burning railroad freight house, burned it to the ground
:
M. E. Church, Simport Village
39
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
The present fine church edifice of the Methodist Episcopal Society, located at the corner of Main and Spring Streets in our village, was completed and dedicated in the spring of 1902; including the land on which the church stands, the total cost was about ten thousand dollars. Rev. 11. W. Norton is the pastor of this society. The parsonage belonging to the society is located on High Street and was originally built, and, for a number of years thereafter, used as an Academy. The Ladies' Aid Society is a valuable adjunct to the cause of the Church,
High Street Union Church, Siapent Village
The first church edifice in town, created in the year 1837. and now owned by the High Street Union Meeting House So- ciety, was entirely remodeled and rebuilt in the year 1902 at an expense of about six thousand five hundred dollars, making it one of the most modern and attractive houses of worship to be found anywhere. At the rear, and connected with the ves- try, are convenient accommodations for the U. B. B. Society. as the ladies' auxiliary to this church is called. Rev. R. L. Kimball is the pastor of this Society at the present time, and the friends of the Church are now planning on the building of a suitable parsonage in the near future.
40
A BRIEF HISTORY
Verport High School
4
This building is the modernized High School Building of this town. Originally built in the year 1874 as District No. 2 school house, it was used for district schools, graded schools and High School, until the growth of our village made it in perative to provide more room for the scholars, In the year 1910 the building was entirely remodeled and equipped with modern conveniences in the work of education, the upper story being set apart for the use of the High School, while the lower story is used for Grammar grades. This year there are thirty six scholars attending the High School and sixty six attending the Grammar grades. Between four and five thousand dollars were expended by the committee in charge of the work of re- modeling and changing over this building as we now see it.
41
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
Circled School House, Nougat Village
No town of its size can boast of finer school advantages than those possessed by Newport at the present time. In the yen loso a large lot of land, fronting on Shaw Street for a distance of some three hundred and twenty feet, was purchased by the town and a new school building erected for the use of the liter mediate and Primary grades; this lot of land adjoins the old school house lot, and the whole is located near to the center of our village, an ideal location. The entire cost to the town of this new building, including land, grading, walks, che, was about fifteen thousand dollars. The number of scholars in the Primary grades is fifty-six: in the Intermediate grades eighty- five, as per the last report of the Superintendent ; giving a total of two hundred and forty-three scholars attending our villige schools.
About three miles from the village, on the road to Corinna. the Gilman District (so-called) school house is located and here nineteen scholars are enrolled.
12
A BRIEF HISTORY
Fire Department
Although maintained by the entire town, the operation of the fire department is mostly confined, by necessity, to Newport Village. With a hand tub and hose carriage purchased in isso as a commencement, the department has grown until in the year 1get it was regularly organized by vote of the town, with a code of by-laws, Chief Engineer and two assistants, whose names may be found in the list of town officers in the front of this book. In roce the town purchased a six-cylinder. 75 H. P. Ilove Gasoline Engine for better protection of property against fire, and the wisdom of this action has been manifested a mnn- ber of times since this addition to the fire-fighting equipment of the town, both in Newport and Corinna villages, This year a hand chemical tank has been added, and ample equipment i- maintained at all times, with an enrolled membership of thirty- eight men in the department, thoroughly drilled and efficient in the fighting of fire. The members are now providing them- selves with uniforms, and, when so equipped, it will be the largest uniformed company of call men of any town in the State of Maine.
Secret Orders
Meridian Splendor Lodge, No. 49. F. & A. M., bears the distinction of being the oldest secret society in town ; having leen instituted on July 18th, 1826; chartered and reg- ularly constituted on July 4th, 1828, with imposing ceremonies : the charter membership was eight ; at the present time the Lodge has a membership of one hundred and fifty-six, with convenient accommodations, and much interest is shown in the work of the order. The regular meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month.
Stevens Royal Arch Chapter, No. 28. F. & A. M. was insti- tuted on July ist, 1868, under a charter issued from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine, with a membership of fourteen ; previous to this time the Chapter had been holding meetings
43
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
under dispension, commencing with the month of October, 1867. The institution of this society was quite an event in the history of the town; there being a parade of Meridian Splendor and several other visiting lodges, with bands from St. Albans and Carmel ; the corner stone of Meridian Hall building (now Old Fellows' Hall) was laid with impressive Masonic ceremonies. followed by the formal constituting of the Chapter in the High Street church. The present membership of this society is nine- ty-two and regular meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month.
Old Hickory Lodge, No. 105. 1. O. O. F., was instituted on Dec. 7th, 1883, with six charter members. Meetings were held in the same lodge room with the Masonic societies. Meridian Hall, and the property was purchased by Old Hickory Lodge. Dec. 9th, 1896; since when the Lodge has expended large sums of money in the improvement of the premises, so that today the order is justly proud of possessing as comfortable and con- venient accommodations as may be found in a town of this size anywhere; recent changes and improvements have made an ideal public hall in the first story of the building, with all mod- ern conveniences. The present membership of this lodge is about two hundred. Meetings are held every Wednesday ove- ning.
Victoria Rebekah Lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 18, 1896, with ninety members ; the present membership is one hundred and forty-four, and the Rebekah Lodge has proved itself to be a very valuable aid in the work of Old Fellowship. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Fri- day evenings of each month.
Nokomis Chapter, No. 42, O. E. S., was organized Jan. 25th, 1897, and formally instituted September 9th, 1897, with thirty charter members; the present membership of this Chapter is one hundred and forty-three, and the society is to the Masonic order what the Rebekah Lodge is to Odd Fellowship. Meet- ings are held the first and third Monday evenings of each month in the Masonic Hall.
Sebasticook Grange, No. 306, P. of 11., was instituted Dec. 26th, 1889, with seventeen original charter members This
44
A BRIEF HISTORY
Grange has been prosperous from its first organization, and within a few years has purchased valuable real estate on Mam Street in our village, fitting up a most convenient hall, kitchen and dining room, and these are in steady demand for use by other societies for the purpose of serving pubhe dinners and belding fairs, being on the ground floor and centrally located The present membership of this Grange is a little over one Lindred. Meetings are held Thursday evenings.
HALL
45
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
Victory Lodge, No. 28. K. of P., was instituted April 25th, 1901, with a membership of fifty ; the present membership is one hundred and three. This order purchased the old Meth- odist church building, soon after organization, and, this building burning within a few days thereafter, the lodge was without a suitable home until the summer of 1908, when it occupied con- venient rooms in the newly created brick block of the Waterville Trust Company (now owned by the Kendeshag Trust Com pany). The lodge has the use of the entire third story of this modern block and holds meetings every Friday evening
Triumph Temple, No. 5. Pythian Sisters, the ladies auxiliary to the K. of P. order, was organized March 24th, 1910, with thirty-five charter members; the procent numbership is sives two and regular meetings are held every Wednesday evening
Patriotic Associations
Prior to the year 1884 the veterans of the civil war were all- liged to go to Corinna in order to become members of a Post of the G. A. R. In this year 11. G. Libby Post. No. 118, was in- stituted in Newport Village with some twenty charter members. The membership doubled within a few years, but by reason of lapse of time and no new recruits for this organization, the mem- bership at the present time has dropped to about a dozen vet- erans. This Post was named after Hollis G. Libby, the first Newport volunteer to lay down his life in the great war of the rebellion. And in this connection it is but fit to add that no town in the State of Maine was more loyal to the Union cause than Newport. More men went to the front from here than was called for on the quota against the town. One hundred and forty-nine men enlisted, twenty-eight of whom re-enlisted ; mak- ing a total of one hundred and seventy-seven men from New- port, or one in every eight of the population of the town at that time. Sixty-two of these volunteers were either killed in action. died in prison or of wounds, or were discharged by disability before the completion of their terms of service, a very large percentage of casualties.
46
A BRIEF HISTORY
As in the furnishing of men for the front, so likewise did the town contribute money and supplies in aid of its volunteers and their families. During the four years of the war the town es pended for these purposes the sum of twenty seven thousand one hundred and seven dollars and eighty cents ($27.107 85). the bulk of this large sum being paid in bounties to those who enlisted. The value of hospital stores, clothing, che, contrib uted by citizens of the town was estimated at $1.750,00. In ad dition to these large sums, the town, with a valuation of les- than $300,000, ( in 1860, $250.534). paid a state tax of $3501 50 in the year 1865, and that same year raised the sum of Şi7 000 for town charges, the bulk of which was to pay outstanding town orders for money hired on account of the expenses of the war.
In the Spanish war of 1808, and the Philippine insurrection immediately following. Newport furnished many volunteers. some of whom gave their lives in the following of the thig
The Woman's Relief Corps was instituted Dec 31st. 18. with eighteen members ; the present membership is about then- ty-five.
J. W. Webster Camp. No. 61. Sons of Veterans, was orgall ized in 1902 and is a valuable adjunct to the G. .. R.
Five years ago a fund was started by the ladies of the Relief Corps for the purpose of erecting a suitable monument in honor of the brave sons of Newport who sacrificed their lives in de fense of the Union. In 1912 these patriotic ladies became in corporated under the name of "Newport Monument AAssocia tion" and a substantial beginning has been made towards ra- ing the necessary amount for a Soldiers Monument. It is hoped that the time is not far distant when the efforts of these ladies will be fully realized and the town will have a fitting monument to commemorate the deeds of valor and sacrifices made by the volunteers from this town in the great conflict of the civil war.
It would not be fitting to conclude the list of organizations in Newport Village without making mention of the Band. Ralph H. Dyer, leader. Usually the Band comes first, and ver- tainly our Band is among the first in merit of any similar or-
£
47
OF NEWPORT, MAINE
ganization to be found in any town of our State. The mem- bers take great interest in the rehearsals and the results of their labors are always in evidence whenever we are favored with band concerts, and all of our citizens take a just pride in the excellency and worth of this Band whenever and wherever it appears in public.
Newport Village has broad streets, with many shade trees of Elm and Maple; concrete sidewalks; an extensive system of sewers; water works, furnishing water from a spring-fed lake some two miles from the village; well lighted streets; might watchman ; municipal court; bank ; convenient railroad facili- ties; a well patronized telephone exchange with both day and night service; many stores, offices and shops. All these, with the churches, schools, societies and industries already mentioned, together with beautiful Lake Sebasticook; the river flowing through the center of the village; and the fine farms all around us; combine to make Newport Village an ideal location for those seeking business opportunities, as well as for those seek- ing health and recreation. Jake Sebasticook is well known for its abundance of fresh water fish of every variety, especially white perch, and is one of the greatest attractions of our town.
Rustic Serne on_Sebasticook River, Nougat, Maine
48
A BRIEF HISTORY
East Newport
-
-
VIELLEAST NEWPORT ME
This section of the town was first settled in isto by Isaac Lawrence on the old Lawrence road, so called, near Lake Se- basticook. Here may be seen the remains of old cellars and orchards, showing where Isaac Lawrence and his three sons. John, James and Eleazer, once lived.
One of the most interesting places in the eastern part of the town is the old "Spaulding House," located at the junction of the Bangor and Stetson roads, at what was formerly known as Marsh's Corner. This house was built about 1845. and for many years was a half-way place between Waterville and Ban- gor for the stage and teams to stop at. The big door-yard used to be filled with wagons at noon-time.
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.