USA > Maine > Oxford County > Norway > Centennial history of Norway, Oxford County, Maine, 1786-1886, including an account of the early grants and purchases, sketches of the grantees, early settlers, and prominent residents, etc., with genealogical registers, and an appendix > Part 37
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above the foundation by the job, with the usual reservations. William Frost 2d, Ansel Dinsmore, and Moses Houghton were chosen a com- mittee to prepare plans and specifications. At a meeting of the com- mittee, November 23d, bids were opened from Moses Houghton for nine thousand dollars, and from Henry Cotton and Charles Pike for eight thousand seven hundred dollars. Neither of the bids were accepted Freeland Howe was instructed to go to Montreal with reference to get- ting reduced freight on lumber, and William Frost 2d was instructed to go "up country" and purchase the lumber.
At a meeting of the committee, December 7th, 1872, Jonathan Blake was authorized to get the certificate of bonds for ten thousand dollars, with coupons payable semi-annually at seven per cent, payable at the pleasure of the town after two years, and not to exceed fifteen years. William Frost 2d, reported on the cost of the different kinds and grades of lumber for the building, delivered at South Paris, payable within thirty days after delivery. At a meeting of the committee holden December 10th, it was voted unanimously to accept an offer from Moses Houghton to put up the building for eight thousand dollars. Specifica- tions and a contract were made out in due form, setting forth the size and quality of the building to be erected, which was signed on the one part by Moses Houghton and on the other by the members of the com- mittee. At a meeting of the committee, January 16th, 1873, John L. Horne was chosen a sub-committee to purchase an engine and boiler. At the last meeting of the committee holden May 3d, 1873, it was voted to accept the building of Moses Houghton on condition that he make some slight changes, and at the same time it was voted to pay him forty-seven dollars and fifty cents for extra work.
The establishment of the shoe factory here very soon had a marked effect upon the business of the village and town, and more than realized the hopes and expectations of those who had been foremost in bringing it about. There was a marked increase in population, rents soon be- came scarce, new streets were laid out, and new building enterprises projected, and the Village, always enterprising and thrifty, entered upon an era of growth and prosperity unknown before. The business went on prosperously until the expiration of the lease. In 1882, Henry M. Bearce and John L. Horne were chosen by the town to re-lease the
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factory building, which was done, the old firm renewing their lease, and in 1883, the town received five hundred dollars as its first rent of the shoe factory.
The firm of B. F. Spinney & Co. only brought a portion of their business to Norway, but continued to run an establishment in Lynn. In the autumn of 1885, on account of threatened interference by labor organizations with the business at Norway, the firm about made up their minds to reunite their manufactures at Lynn. This news was received with consternation by the people of Norway, and after mature deliberation it was decided to call a town-meeting to deliberate upon the situation. After several meetings had been held, resolutions were offered and unanimously passed, and a committee of citizens was selected to represent the interests of the town. The resolutions signed by the committee, were as follows : -
We, the voters of the town of Norway here assembled, learn with regret that B. F. Spin- ney & Co., Shoe Manufacturers, contemplate moving their business from this town, in conse- quence of a Lasters' Union being formed, thereby controlling prices of work to such an extent as to destroy all advantages gained by manufacturing shoes here in Norway, therefore be it
Resolved, that we tender to B. F. Spinney & Co. our thanks for the many acts of kindness, and laborious exertions by himself, and others connected with the firm, in doing what was intended to make a success of shoe manufacturing in the town. While regretting exceedingly the movement of forming any organization, having in view the object of dictation, we, the citizens and property holders, would respectfully request (if not now too late) that we may be allowed a hearing. in this matter, to see if some arrangement cannot be made, satisfactory to all parties, whereby the business can be continued to run as successfully and harmoniously as for the last twelve years, and the following gentlemen constitute a committee for that purpose : John L. Horne, W. H. Whitcomb,
Chas. E. Holt, Henry M. Bearce, Wm. P. French, Geo. E. Gibson, Freeland Howe,
Solomon I. Millett, A. F. Andrews, Ansel Dinsmore, J. L. Partridge, Nathan W. Millett. Irving Frost.
This resolution brought out the following communication from the firm of B. F. Spinney & Company : -
LYNN, MASS., Aug. 7, 1885. W. W'. Whitmarsh, Esq., Town Clerk, Norway, Maine.
DEAR SIR :- Your favor enclosing resolution passed at your Town Meeting held Aug. Ist, was duly received. We thank the people of your town for the kind spirit of the resolution and assure you that our wish is to keep in mind the interests of the town so far as we can do so without definite injury to ourselves. The present situation of affairs is serious. Without doubt the labor question will assume formidable proportions during the next year or two and how to meet the issue most wisely is now our most important thought. We located a portion of our business in Norway solely with the object of protection. The writer has always
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assumed and still believes that the business of the firm would have been more profitable con- ducted in Lynn under one organization, than separated as it has been. The sense of safety however has been the controlling motive in keeping us with you. That element being elimi- nated our best judgment leads us to believe that remaining in Norway simply accumulates difficulties at no corresponding increase of economy in the management of our business. The writer will be glad to confer with your Committee as suggested in your vote at any con- venient season.
Yours truly,
B. F. SPINNEY & Co.
After conferring with the committee, the firm finally made a proposi- tion to move their entire business to Norway, provided the citizens of Norway would build another building of sufficient capacity to accom- modate it. This was no small undertaking on the part of the citizens of Norway, but there being no other alternative, in a large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens held at Concert Hall, it was decided, without a dissenting voice, to accept the proposition of B. F. Spinney & Com- pany, or of L. P. Bartlett Jr. & Company, which was the firm name of the Lynn branch of the business, which was substantially as follows : The citizens to build a new shoe factory building, two hundred by sixty feet in size, and three stories high, and lease it to the firm for a term of years, the firm to keep the building in repair, and insured, and pay a rent of five per cent on the cost, and to deed to the citizens so much land as should be necessary for the building. The shares were fixed at twenty-five dollars each, and the stock was immediately put upon the market. The business men of Norway Village subscribed liberally, and very soon the building was assured. Plans and specifications were made, the building was placed under contract, and the machinery was moved in in November.
NORWAY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The Norway Library Association is one of the achievements of 1885. A lively interest was manifested in the enterprise as soon as it was started and it so nearly run itself that it only required guidance and direction. An organization was effected by the choice of the following officers : President, S. S. Stearns; Vice-president, Marcus F. Brooks ; Secretary, Charles F. Whitman ; Treasurer, Frank Kimball ; Trustees, John L. Horne, A. S. Kimball, E. N. Clement, Frank W. Sanborn, Mrs. Alice Fuller, and Miss Rhoda Pike. Mrs. Alice Fuller was chosen Librarian, and Reformers' Hall was secured as a temporary
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library-room. A fair was held in the interests of the library, and finan- cially was a great success, the receipts aggregating nearly six hundred dollars. Many donations of books have been made and with the funds from contributions and the receipts of the Fair, the library has received an impulse which insures its permanence and usefulness.
WATER WORKS.
One of the more important improvements in the Village, and a much needed one, is the Water Works. A stock company was organized for this purpose and a majority of the stock is held by the citizens of Nor- way, giving them a controlling interest. The contract for the con- struction of the works was made with H. R. Worthington & Co., of New York, late in the autumn of 1885, and operations were commenced early in the spring of 1886. The terms of the contract provided that the pumping station and reservoir should be constructed, the mains laid, and the hydrants put in by the first day of September. The pumping station is at the foot of the Great Pond and the reservoir on Pike's Hill. Italian help was mostly employed in constructing the works, although preference was given to local workmen. After the works were well under way, a contract was made with the Village Cor- poration of South Paris, to extend the main to that place and put in a certain number of hydrants for the use of that Village. The works have been completed and give good satisfaction.
NORWAY VILLAGE IN 1886.
At the present time, Norway Village is much the largest village in Oxford County, and among the largest, most thrifty and prosperous villages in the State. Its manufactures are important, both water and steam-power being extensively used; it has lighted streets, improved water-works, good hotels, excellent schools, an efficient fire company, a public library, churches representing the more important religious organizations, several benevolent and social societies, and an increasing and intelligent population. Its growth and material prosperity have been steady and unchecked for more than twenty years. Even in the panicky times, when there was great business depression all over the
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country, and the depreciation in real estate entailed great losses upon individuals and financial institutions, Norway Village kept the even tenor of its way, and the depreciation of real property was scarcely noticeable. The future growth and prosperity of the Village are well assured, and in the march of progress, it will no doubt maintain the front rank already gained.
As a comparison of the business of the Village at the present time, with that of 1852, as shown on another page, as well as for future refer- ence, the following statement is given. It will be noticed that some of the industries of 1852, notably the manufacture of paper and the foundry business, have been discontinued, but others have taken their places, so that the capital invested and amount of help required have steadily increased.
William H. Whitcomb has been in the dry goods business with differ- ent partners, since 1861. His partner, since 1884, is Thomas Smiley, and the firm name is Whitcomb & Smiley. They carry a stock con- sisting of dry goods and groceries of from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. Sometimes they have engaged largely in the manufacture of men's clothing.
Charles N. Tubbs & Company do a dry goods and grocery business, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. They commenced in 1873.
S. B. & Z. S. Prince, sisters, are extensive dealers in dry and fancy goods, with a capital of something over five thousand dollars. They commenced business in 1885.
C. E. & F. P. Brackett do a large business in dry and fancy goods, commencing in 1883, at Brackett's Branch Store.
Charles S. Cummings commenced the furniture business in 1879, and has invested forty-five hundred dollars. He also has a thousand dollars invested in groceries.
Edwin W. Howe has been in the dry goods business here since 1850. He uses a capital of about five thousand dollars.
A. D. & F. T. True, at Steep Falls, have been engaged in the dry goods business for a year past, with a capital of two thousand dollars.
George W. Hobbs has run a variety store since 1878, with a capital of two thousand dollars.
Mrs. Anna Noyes continues the drug business commenced by her
Tannery of J. L. HORNE & SON, Main St. NORWAY MF
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late husband, A. Oscar Noyes, in 1855. Her capital stock is ten thou- sand dollars, and her annual sales amount to fifty thousand.
Samuel L. Crockett has been in the drug business since 1881.
F. Q. Elliot commenced to run a clothing store here in 1879, and carries a stock valued at six thousand dollars.
J. F. Huntington & Company have done business here since 1882, in ready-made clothing and gents' furnishing goods, with a capital of from five to seven thousand dollars.
Webb & Wakefield, with a capital of eight thousand dollars, have kept ready-made clothing and gents' furnishing goods, since 1885.
Harry Lane, since 1882, has carried on the business of merchant tailor and dealer in gentlemen's furnishing goods.
Jackson Clark, since 1855, has carried on the boot and shoe business, with a capital of eight thousand dollars.
John F. Allen, since 1880, has been in the boot and shoe business, with a capital of six thousand dollars.
E. E. Millett commenced a year ago, in the boot, shoe, and leather business, with a capital of five thousand dollars.
James O. Crooker has been in the hardware and stove business since 1864, and has invested in his business about ten thousand dollars.
Charles G. Mason, since 1877, has dealt in stoves, hardware, and agricultural implements, with a capital of four thousand dollars.
B. F. Spinney, L. P. Bartlett, and C. W. Chase, under the firm name of B. F. Spinney & Company, commenced the manufacture of shoes here in 1872. They employ seven hundred hands, their weekly pay- roll exceeds six thousand dollars, and their annual sales amount to over a million dollars.
John L. Horne succeeded Mark P. Smith in the tanning business in 1852. He was succeeded by the Norway Tanning Company in 1885, of which George L. Davis is President, J. A. Nickerson, Clerk, and H. L. Horne, Treasurer. The directors are the President and Treasurer, and E. G. Wallace and G. N. Reed. The paid up capital is one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars ; the gross annual sales, half a million dollars; number of hands employed, one hundred and fifty; monthly pay-roll, forty-eight hundred dollars; they make twenty-four hundred sides of leather per week, and as many splits. They use, annually,
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thirty-six hundred cords of bark, and two hundred thousand pounds of grease. The first steam engine used in Norway was put into this tan- nery by Mr. Horne in 1854.
Charles B. Cummings commenced business in the Village in 1860. He has gradually enlarged it until it now embraces wood, lumber, pressed hay, grain, meal, and flour; also manufactures shingles, shoe- boxes, heels and heeling, and pasted shoe stock. He employs one hun- dred hands, has invested seventy-five thousand dollars, pays out weekly to help, eight hundred dollars, and sells annually, two hundred thousand dollars' worth of goods.
The Winslow Packing Company, of which Benjamin Tucker is agent, has a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. The company packs sweet corn, and does an annual business amounting to thirty-five thousand dollars. One hundred and fifty hands are employed during the packing season, at an average of one dollar and fifty cents per day. The factory went into operation in 1881.
Jonas W. Swan and George P. Rowe, under the firm name of Swan & Rowe, manufacture clothing to the amount of eighteen thousand garments annually. They commenced business in 1883.
Horace E. Mixer commenced the manufacture of carriages, in 1882. He has twenty-five hundred dollars invested, and gives employment to four hands.
James L. Partridge and Frank A. Danforth, under the firm name of Partridge & Danforth, have done a milling business since 1884. They are also dealers in corn and flour. They have invested ten thousand dollars and their annual sales amount to thirty-five thousand.
Plummer & Haskell commenced business in 1885, and at the present time have invested five hundred dollars.
Charles L. Hathaway since 1877, has dealt in lumber of various kinds, doors, sash, blinds, and mouldings. He keeps invested in his business, ten thousand dollars.
Since 1885, W. C. Leavitt has been in business in the manufacture of tinware, in connection with the hardware and stove business of Charles G. Mason.
W. C. Pierce has six thousand dollars invested in the manufacture of picture frames, art goods, and artists' supplies. He commenced here in 1881.
E
GEO M. WALKER & CO LITH BOSTON
Residence of C. L. HATHAWAY. Main St. NORWAY. ME.
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HISTORY OF NORWAY.
Mrs. Frank E. Chase came here from Waterville in 1877, and does a large business in millinery and fancy goods. She keeps two thousand dollars invested in her business.
Mrs. Will Moore and Mrs. M. E. Woodsum have been in the milli- nery and fancy goods business here for a year past; the former has a capital invested of twenty-five hundred dollars, and the latter of two thousand.
Cyrus S. Tucker continues the harness business established by his grandfather; he commenced in 1866, and employs a capital of five thou- sand dollars in the harness business. .
T. G. Goodwin and John A. Bolster are dealers in coffins and caskets, and the latter in gravestones and monumental work. Mr. Goodwin begun in 1850.
Hiram L. Libby has three thousand dollars invested in the carriage business. He commenced in 1883.
Horace Cole commenced about twenty years ago, in the jewelry busi- ness, and deals also in clocks and watches.
W. S. Abbott keeps a saloon, and A. J. Nevers, J. M. Jewett, and Joseph S. Holt deal in fish.
James C. Bennett and A. T. Bennett are dealers in meats and provis- ions. They commenced business in 1870.
Justin Everett has been engaged in the meat and provision business since 1885.
Orrington M. Cummings commenced the livery stable business here in 1870. He keeps twelve horses, and has a capital invested in his business of twenty-five hundred dollars.
John M. Cummings, with a capital of ten thousand dollars, has done a livery business here since 1880. He keeps thirty horses.
A laundry was established here in 1886, by O. H. Spaulding.
The bakery here is carried on by C. E. Rines, a store is run in con- nection with the bakery.
Robert Noyes still runs the book-bindery here, established by him many years ago.
Miss Lucretia Buck, Mrs. Stephen Seavy, Mrs. W. W. Twombly, and Mrs. C. Pulsifer, are dress-makers.
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F. W. Sanborn has a job printing-office, and also publishes the Oxford County Advertiser.
George A. Cole operates the carding and clothing mill once operated by his honored father, Horatio G. Cole.
Norway Village also has two good hotels, four blacksmith shops, two photographers, two hair-dressing saloons, with carpenters, masons, mill- wrights, dentists, and various other trades and occupations. The change in the personnel of the business is very marked since 1852. E. W. Howe, T. G. Goodwin, and Robert Noyes are the only ones who were in business then, and are engaged in the same business now. Some have died, many have left the town, while others have either retired from business, or engaged in other pursuits. Thus it has been, and thus it will continue to be in the future. Constant change is scarcely less a law of business than a law of nature. A census of the town and vil- lage, taken in September of this year, shows the population to be three thousand three hundred and thirteen, and of the Village Corporation, two thousand two hundred and seventy-seven, a gain in the town of seven hundred and ninety-four since 1880.
CHAPTER XXX.
OTHER EARLY INDUSTRIES OF NORWAY.
A BRIEF account of the early manufacturing interests of Norway, out- side of the Village, will form the subject of a brief chapter. In 1801, Amos Upton built a grist-mill on a brook that run through his land at the north part of the town, doing nearly all the work himself, even to the making of the mill-stones. The mill was capable of doing only a small business, but it was a great convenience to the people living in the vicinity. It passed into the possession of Mr. Upton's oldest son, Francis Upton, who also became possessed of the small farm connected with it. He carried on the mill and cultivated the land for a few years, and then exchanged the property with his brother Amos for a farm. He erected a new mill on the same stream, a little higher up than the old, and did considerable business in custom grinding. Jonathan Swift then bought the property and built a new and better mill, which has changed hands several times since.
On the same stream on which Amos Upton built his grist-mill, and about a mile below, in 1819, Major Elijah Hall and his son Thompson Hall built a saw-mill which was burned in 1823, with much lumber lying about it. It was a dry time, and the accident was the result of fires running in the woods. The owners rebuilt the mill, and subsequently sold it to Isaiah Hall and Darius Holt Jr. In 1836, the mills were again destroyed by fire, and again rebuilt to be a third time burned in 1844. The last two conflagrations were caused by overheated stoves which were used in warming the mill. The mills were rebuilt by Dud- ley B. Holt, and afterward passed into the hands of David Porter Stow- ell, then of Paris, but recently deceased at Dixfield. There was also a saw-mill erected quite early on the Everett brook.
Major Jonathan Cummings built a saw-mill on the outlet of Little Pennesseewassee Pond, as early as 1804. In 1805, it was taken down and moved to another location further down the stream ; it was not a success, never did much business and was allowed to rot down.
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HISTORY OF NORWAY.
Columbus and David R. Holden of Otisfield, and George Pierce of Har- rison, built mills on Crooked River, in Norway, about the year 1833, and David R. Holden moved into Norway the following year. These mills did a large business, were burned November 19th, 1844, rebuilt and were operated by the Holdens, many years.
Colonel John Millett owned and operated a saw-mill situated on the outlet of North Pond, a little more than a mile east of Noble's Corner. William W. Berry was occupying the mill-house and taking charge of the mill in 1835, and continued in Mr. Millett's employ quite a number of years. He was afterward engaged with the Holdens at Crooked River.
John March, the father-in-law of Ebenezer Hobbs, while a resident of Norway, run a carding-mill, but I know not of its location.
I have attempted only to give a brief outline sketch of some of the early industries of the town, outside of the Village, particularly those connected with mills. Probably some omissions have been made, but they cannot be of great importance. The water-power of Norway, out- side of that afforded by the overflow of the Great Pond, is limited, and is of even less importance now than it was before the forests were felled and the lands cleared up. Outside of the Village and the Steep Falls, which now really constitute one village, Norway is pre-eminently an agricultural town, and the chief employment of its rural population is tilling the soil; it has been so in the past, is so now, and will continue so to be.
CHAPTER XXXI.
VILLAGES IN NORWAY.
THE first Congregational Church was located at the center of the town, and, had other circumstances favored it, a village would doubtless have sprung up there. A store was erected near by by William Hobbs, and received some patronage, but there was no water-power to give stability and permanence to business, and nothing to attract settlers to the spot. At the very first, the center of business in the town was unmistakably on the outlet of the Great Pond, and this locality possessed so many advantages for a business center, that it has grown and pros- pered without much effort in its behalf. It has had no rival in town, for the good reason that on account of its fine location, its permanent water- power, and its pleasant surroundings, the fact has been recognized that any attempt at rivalry must prove abortive. Some little hamlets have sprung up in different parts of the town, with a store as a nucleus, a blacksmith shop, and post-office, which have been a great convenience, but the people throughout the town have always done the most of their marketing at the Village.
FULLER'S, OR SWIFT'S CORNER.
This place in the north part of the town, took its name from Benja- min Fuller, the early settler. Deacon John Horr put up a small store near this corner in 1807. The year following, William Leslie moved it across the road, partly finished it, and then sold it to Uriah Holt. Mr. Holt finished it and fitted it for a store, and in 1810, Aaron Wilkins commenced trade there. He traded three years, and then the store stood unoccupied until 1817, when William Pingree went into trade there. He occupied it about a year, and then sold it to Jonathan Swift and Ansel Field of Paris. Two years later, Mr. Swift bought out Mr. Field, and continued in business alone for many years. From him, the place took the name of Swift's Corner, by which it is generally desig- nated at the present time, though some of the elderly people of the
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