USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Sebago > Centennial history of Sebago, Maine, 1826-1926 : containing the centennial celebration of 1926, and historical matter > Part 2
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The Sebago Village Church was erected in 1856 by a parish corporation, consisting of ten members: O. D. Dike, S. P. Douglass, N. S. Chadbourne, Reuben Sanborn, John Fitch,
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M. E. CHURCH, NORTH SEBAGO
BAPTIST CHURCH
Luther Fitch, Joseph Ridlon, Charles Hill, Abram Tyler and K. J. Dike, each paying one hundred dollars. The corpora- tion was organized March 24, 1856, and steps were immediately taken for the building of the church. which was dedicated June 25, 1857, by Revs. Cyril Pearl and William P. Merrill. The lot was donated to the parish by William Fitch. The bell was given by Dr. Joseph Fitch Potter. At a council held at this house May 18, 1858, a Free Will Baptist Church was organized, with Joseph Merrill, deacon, and O. D. Dike, clerk. Rev. Charles Bean was installed first regular pastor, who greatly increased the member- ship by his labors.
Rev. J. M. Perkins, the next Free Will Baptist Preacher, came in 1868 and continued to preach until 1872. The meeting-house has been shared with the Congregationalists since 1876, the two congregations joining in the support of the minister.
Congregational Church
Baldwin Congregational Church was organized in 1821, but from 1830 to 1838 this was known as the Baldwin and Sebago Church. For many years thereafter Sebago remained a branch of this church, being regularly served by the pastors installed at East Baldwin. Rev. Noah Emerson, installed June 1, 1825, remained the faithful pastor until January 1, 1850, but was assisted from 1846 to 1849 by Rev. John H. Gowen. Revs. Cyril Pearl, Jos. E. Walker, Joseph W. Brownville, Richard Wickett and E. P. Eastman were later pastors in this field. In 1895 Rev. George Power Merritt was sent to this place by the Missionary Board to revive the work. As a result of his faithful labors dur- ing the summer the church was reorganized, and on November 29th the Union Congregational Parish was organized. The fol- lowing summer Rev. Willis P. Hume was sent to this church and Hiram, remaining with the churches about three years, until September 4, 1898. Rev. Joseph G. W. Herold became pastor January 22, 1899, remaining until July 23, 1901. Rev. E. H. Jenkyns was in charge of the church from November 8, 1901, to November 28, 1903. Since then there have been services during the summer months by several different pastors, including the following: Revs. Charles F. Echterbecker, Don I. Patch, H. A. Lambert, Clarence Whidden, Reeves, John Graham, and Rev. John Wiggin, who was pastor of the church several years ago, preached here during the fall of 1926. The church has a present membership of twenty-three.
North Sebago
There have been meetings held in North Sebago and Larrabee schoolhouses in the years gone by. The late C. N. M. Ward was
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superintendent of a sabbath school for many years in the Larra- bee schoolhouse. In 1903 there was a Methodist Episcopal Church built at North Sebago and has been supplied by the pastors of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Naples.
MILITARY ACCOUNT
John Martin, Robert Libby, Col. David Potter, John Robinson and Robert Usher were Revolutionary soldiers. Benjamin Thorne, John Libby, Reuben Whitney, John Douglass, James Babb, Robert Davis, William Ridlon, Nathaniel Martin, Eli Rob- inson, Joseph Robinson, and Daniel McKenney were soldiers of the 1812 War.
In the Civil War there were forty-seven from Sebago, as fol- lows : Charles A. Blake, Sydney F. Brown, William S. Brown, Benjamin F. Cook, Charles Cole, Alonzo S. Cook, Lewis C. Cross, George Douglass. Jr., Reuben M. Dyer, Thos. Dunn, Am- brose Foss, David M. Haley, Henry C. Hatch, Ira H. Haley, William H. Hill, Charles Johnson, Jas. McKenney, Daniel D. Martin (leg shot off Sept. 15, 1862), John Martin, William H. Martin, Greenleaf T. Mariner, Ira L. Martin, Corp. John Meserve, Jason Martin. Sergt. William S. Phinney, Noah J. Pendexter, Henry M. Pierce, Washington Richardson, Isaac Richardson, Robert R. Robinson, John Rodgers, Andrew Saun- ders, Corp. Thomas T. Storer, Benjamin Shaw, musician, Joshua L. Usher, Wm. H. H. Weeman, Samuel H. Weeman, Jas. Wright. Corp. Edw. R. Wentworth, Wm. Wentworth, Eben Ward, David Ward, Jacob Witham, Alfred Whitney, Frank Storer, William Haley and George Dike. Charles O. Pendexter, raised in Sebago, was Lieutenant in the 31st Regiment, Maine Volunteers. Ambrose Foss is sole survivor.
In the Spanish-American War, Sebago had two: Walter W. Poor, deceased, Carlton D. Martin. World War, Sebago had twenty-five, of whom twelve went across, namely: Israel Ches- sey, Louis Chessey, Alex Chessey, Elmer Blake, Wilford Blake, Chester Wormhood. Carlos Johnson, deceased, Walter McDon- ald, Owen Cole, Raymond Harmon, Harold Shaw, William Martin.
The first schoolhouse in town was south of Howard C. White's on the west side of the road. The Potter schoolhouse was built in 1860. Beech-hill schoolhouse was built in 1836. Sebago Centre School, district first schoolhouse, was built north of Charles E. Fitch's place on the east side of the road and the town of Baldwin used to have its town meeting every other year in this house and Sebago's first town meeting was held there. The brick schoolhouse was built in 1836.
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New Limington's, now Convene's, first schoolhouse was just west of the meetinghouse. In 1847 a new schoolhouse was built west of the present one. It was burned in 1873 and the present one was built the next year.
Dike District. The first schoolhouse was built in 1857. This was burned and another built about 1881.
"Sandy Beach" schoolhouse was built in 1859. Folley school- house was built in 1854. Potter, Dike and Folley schools have been discontinued and the schoolhouses sold.
Potter Academy was built in 1895.
ROADS
I can find no record when the Bridgton County Road was built. Have found it spoken of in 1789. A road was opened from Haskell Landing northward past Hall's mill by Perley Pond in 1821. From Mattocks to East Sebago, 1858, a road was opened. List of men who served as Assessors and Overseers of the Poor since Sebago was incorporated :
Those who served one year are : William Whitney, John Ringsley, John Pugsley, John Kennell, Timothy Goodwin, Nathan Parker, David Brown, Stephen B. Porter, Arthur Boothby, Edwin Pike, Peter B. Young, James Martin, Charles Davis, Albion Fickett, Fred Fitch. Wilbur H. McKenney.
Those serving two years: J. E. McDonald, Robert Staples, Joseph Brown, Richard Larrabee, James Weed, William Fitch, Jr., Albert F. Richardson, Edwin L. Poor, Reuben Sanborn, Amos F. Ward, Will H. McDonald, James L. Chadbourne, Emory Martin.
Those serving three years: William Fitch, Luther Fitch, Arthur Dyer, William W. Fitch, William Ward, Moses R. Dyer, Elijah Fulton, Amos Ward, Almon Young, John H. Lombard, Hartley L. Clough, George H. Babb, George H. Thombs, Charles E. Hunt, Morton Douglass, Harry W. Irish.
Those serving four years: John P. Fitch, Ezra N. McKenney, Orin A. Douglass, Edward S. Douglass.
Those serving five years: Joseph Leavitt, George W. Mc- Kenney, Loring Bacheldor, Anson L. Brackett.
Those serving six years: Oliver M. Pike, William Haley, Jr., Howard C. White.
Those who served seven years: Robert McDonald, Charles A. McKenney, James C. Babb, William C. Poor, Howard E. Irish.
Those who served eight years : Benjamin W. Douglass.
Those who served nine years : Charles H. McKenney, Elmer F. Larrabee.
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Those who served ten years: William Haley, William B. Pike, Thomas B. Jackson.
Those who served thirteen years: Plantville P. Larrabee.
Those who served fifteen years: John D. Martin.
Those who served sixteen years: David Potter.
Those who have served Sebago in the State Legislature as Senators are: Leander A. Poor, two terms; George H. Babb, two terms.
As Representatives :
Oliver Pike
Year 1829
Nicholas Davis
66
1831
Isaac Ridlon
.6
1835-1837
Samuel Dyer
66
1839- 41
Robert McDonald
6.
1842- 47
James Weed
6.
1855
Stephen R. Porter
66
1858
William Haley
66
1860
Amos Ward
1862
Almon Young
66
1865
Charles A. McKenney
66
1868
Luther Fitch
66
1871
John D. Martin
1873-
76
Edwin L. Poor
66
1879-
89
Joseph B. Brown
66
1881
Plantville P. Larrabee
66
1895
Anson L. Brackett
66
1905
George H. Babb
66
1915
Elmer F. Larrabee
66
1925
Orin Douglass, son of Andrew and Casiah Douglass, was born and received his education in Sebago. He moved to Naples and represented that town in the State Legislature in the House, one term. Later he located in Boston in wholesale butter business. When Potter Academy was built he gave the bell.
James, another son born and educated in Sebago, located in Boston and was in the express business for many years. He was in the Massachusetts Legislature for two terms.
Elmer Usher, born and educated in Sebago, moved to Baldwin and served Baldwin in the House of Representatives.
Almon Young, who served Sebago in the Legislature as Rep- resentative in 1865, later moved to Hiram, and went as Repre- sentative from that town; also was State Senator from Oxford County two terms.
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1833
David Potter
1850
Oliver D. Dike
Peter B. Young was born in Sebago and attended school in Sebago and at North Bridgton Academy. Later moved to Hi- ram and went as Representative from Hiram to the State Legis- lature. He also was State Senator from Oxford County two terms.
Oliver D. Dike was County Commissioner for six years, the only County Officer Sebago ever had.
In conclusion I wish to say that Sebago is one of the prettiest spots on earth to me, with her hills and lakes and valleys. Sebago has eight ponds. From Douglass Mountain, which is 1407 feet above sea level and the highest point of land in Cum- berland County, eighteen ponds can be counted, and on a clear day Portland Harbor can be seen. I hope you will all be very generous and overlook all mistakes and omissions. I have tried in my poor way to give a true history of our town.
DOCTORS OF SEBAGO
LELAND H. POORE, M. D.
I was asked, on this memorable occasion, to speak in behalf of my worthy brothers of the medical profession, who have gone out from or who are or have been in any way connected with the history of this, our town of Sebago, which we so highly prize. I am glad of the privilege of being with you today and not only do I appreciate the honor your committee has thus conferred upon me, but aside from all this lies the fact that I am proud to claim this little town, abounding in nature's beauties, as the home of my childhood. There is everywhere visible the results of earnest toilers of today and of yesterday, workers with hand and brain, who have been largely instrumental in the industrial, social, and educational development of our town. Now trusting you will bear with me a little longer, I will return to our M. D.'s and will endeavor, in a few brief remarks, to give you their names and from what data I have been able to obtain, a brief sketch of their lives and work. Of course one hundred years ago dates back to a time when the knowledge of medicine had not advanced to the standard it holds at the present time. All we know of how diseases were treated in those days has come down to us through people from time to time. I have been told that even before Sebago was separated from Baldwin, my great- grandmother Poor was then the only one for miles around to render aid to the suffering. She used to travel on foot or on horseback through snowdrifts with her carpet-bag full of roots and herbs. This shows a great contrast between the ways and means of their time and those of today. I would make mention of Dr. Potter, who was born in this town in 1808 and died in
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1869. He was a successful physician of his time. He resided here at times and took a great interest in its educational welfare. He gave to Sebago a fund for the support of an academy, known as Potter Academy in honor of his memory.
Another physician mentioned in connection with the doctors of Sebago is Dr. Sydney Brown. I was not able to learn much about his life except that he was a successful physician. He was for ten years a leader of the band at Brownfield and was for twenty years in succession Town Clerk of Denmark, in which town he lived.
Dr. Roscoe E. Brown was born in Lynn in 1851. His parents moved to Sebago when he was but one year of age. He received his early education in the common schools of this town. Later he attended school in Bridgton, Maine, and graduated from the high school and Bridgton Academy. He secured his medical education at Bowdoin College, from which he graduated in 1876. He began practice in Weymouth, Mass., and in 1886 settled in Everett, where he remained until his death. He was a member of several societies and filled many important positions, one of which was serving on the staff of surgeons at the Whidden Hospital.
Dr. Orestes M. Brown was born in Sebago, November 13, 1856. He graduated from the University of Vermont at Bur- lington. He first practiced medicine at Bartlett, N. H., then at Cornish, Maine. In 1892 he settled in Everett, Mass., where his brother, the late Dr. Roscoe E. Brown, was then living. He, too, was one of the leading physicians of that city. He was President of the Everett Medical Association and a member of several societies. His death occurred in 1918 and his loss was deeply felt.
Dr. George E. Sanborn, better known as Dr. Everett Sanborn, was born in Sebago. His early school life was passed in the towns of Sebago and Bridgton. He graduated from the Medical School at Burlington, Vermont. His health failing, he departed from this life before he was permitted to follow the profession of his choice.
Dr. H. F. Fitch was born in Sebago, August 9, 1860. He attended the town school, Bridgton High School, and the Uni- versity of Vermont, graduating from this institution in 1888. He began the practice of medicine at Brownfield, Maine, where he is still following this profession. The busy life he has led through these many years is evidence of his success as a physi- cian and the esteem in which he is held. He has always taken
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an active interest in the prosperity and welfare of his adopted town.
Another of Sebago's noted physicians was Horatio H. Cole, who was born in Sebago about the year 1856, received his early education in the rural schools of that town, later attended North Bridgton Academy, and graduated from the Maine Medical School at Bowdoin College in the year 1871. He began the prac- tice of medicine at Rumford, where he remained about two years. Then he moved to Harrison, where he remained the rest of his life. While at Harrison he had a large practice and held several town offices. His health failing him, he departed from this life at the early age of 44 years.
We would also mention Dr. Luther P. Babb, who was born in Sebago and later practiced medicine in Waterville in the early fifties for a time. Later he moved to Eastport, where he died.
Dr. L. H. Poore was born in Bethel, Maine, April 3, 1867, at the home of my mother's parents. Soon after, my parents re- turned to their home in Sebago. I attended the district schools in this town, also graduated from Fryeburg Academy. I com- pleted my medical course at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, grad- uating in 1893. I opened practice at Crescent Lake, formerly Webb's Mills, in Casco, where I have lived to the present time.
I feel it my duty to make honorable mention of Dr. H. A. Lombard, now a physician of Bridgton. He lived at one time with his parents in Sebago. He was also a Bowdoin man. Po- litically he is a Republican, being a member of the Governor's staff during Ex-Governor Baxter's term of office.
Let me conclude by saying that it behooves every generation to write its own records, to leave behind its own memorials. Whatever fame great achievements may bestow, it is ever the most cherished hope of every seeker after fame and fortune to be kindly remembered and lovingly honored on the spot which gave him birth.
LAWYERS OF SEBAGO PHILIP R. WHITE
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
When your committee asked me to say a few words regarding the lawyers of Sebago, I was at somewhat of a loss to know what to say. The Committee suggested to me that they would like my remarks to include a short history of the lives of the men who have practiced law in Sebago and also a history of the lives of the men, reared in Sebago who have become lawyers and gone elsewhere to practice.
At first thot I did not know who in Sebago had become lawyers.
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I knew Edwin L. Poor. Esquire. had been one of Sebago's lawyers, as he has practiced since I can remember. Upon inquiry I found that there had been several other men from Sebago who had been ad- mitted to the bar. There have been a number of Justices of the Peace and Notary Publics in Sebago and included among them have been several women.
The men so far as I can learn who have practiced law in Sebago are Oliver M. Pike, Esquire, Richard Potter, Esquire, Edwin Pike, Esquire, and Edwin L. Poor. Esquire. The men who were born in Sebago and have gone elsewhere to practice are Nathaniel Pike. Esquire. Edward Brown. Esquire, and myself. I have tried to name these men in chronological order.
I have been able to learn a little about the lives of most of these men and will attempt to give you this information which I have gathered.
Oliver M. Pike was probably Sebago's first lawyer. Mr. Pike was born in Cornish. Maine, in 1788. When a young man he came to Sebago and cleared a farm. This farm is on the road leading from Sebago Center to Convene and is well known to the older resi- dents of Sebago as the "Pike Place." The first house that he built was a log cabin. Apparently as soon as this was built he married. His wife was Sara Page of Epping. N. H. The bridal trip was a ride on horseback, both riding on the same horse from Epping. N. H., to Sebago, Maine.
Before coming to Cornish, Mr. Pike's people had lived in Epping, N. H. Mr. Pike later built the house which now stands on the farm he cleared.
There were ten children in his family and probably some of the oldest were born in the log cabin. The children were Bennet, Nathaniel, Oliver, Edwin, Albion, Daniel. Ezra, Hannah, Dora and Elizabeth.
I have not been able to learn anything regarding Mr. Pike's legal education. I believe he was a self-styled lawyer. He was a man of wit, humor, native ability and round common sense. In most of the cases in which he was counsel he appeared for the defendant. I have been informed that his usual compensation while working on a case was fifty cents a day and his board.
I will tell a story that is told of him, which perhaps, as well as any- thing, describes his original approach to all subjects.
Mr. Pike owed a debt which for some reason he did not wish to pay. He was sued, judgment recovered and execution taken out against him. The execution was placed in the hands of the sheriff. Mr. Pike had been away with his oxen and was on his way home
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when the sheriff met him. On seeing him coming and sensing the purpose of his mission, Mr. Pike dashed up and knocked the sheriff down. Mr. Pike then went to the trial justice, complained of him- self and had himself fined. When the sheriff tried to complain of him he found the case had been disposed of.
Apart from his farming and legal activities, Mr. Pike found time to represent the town in various capacities. He was one of the first selectmen in town and was selectman five times thereafter. He was the first representative to the Legislature from Sebago in 1829.
On the whole, Mr. Pike may be given a high place as one of our early settlers.
I think perhaps I can do no better now than to mention two of Mr. Pike's sons who became attorneys-Nathaniel and Edwin.
Nathaniel read law and practiced in Damariscotta, Maine. I think that he devoted most of his life to the law. He was, according to all reports, a successful lawyer.
Edwin lived for a long time on the old place. He did not devote himself primarily to law but to teaching. He taught well over one hundred terms of school. When he did devote himself to law he showed the same abilities as his father and was considered a very difficult man to defeat in any case.
The next man about whom I will try to say a little is Richard Potter. He was born in Sebago in 1807 and was the son of Coi. David and Sybil Fitch Potter and a brother of Captain David Potter. He died in 1838 when he was thirty years old. His legal career was thus cut short by his untimely death, but for the short time he prac- ticed he displayed promising abilities. He is buried in the Old Potter Cemetery which is on the Bridgton Road just above the Town Farm.
I come now to the man who in the minds of Sebago people is best known as Sebago's lawyer-Edwin L. Poor. Probably a great many of the people here know Mr. Poor. Many here knew him better than I did, though I have a distinct memory of him myself. Mr. Poor was the son of Tyler and Almira Barker Poor. He was born in 1839 in Sebago. He was educated in the schools of Sebago and studied law largely by himself. He was first admitted to the bar in 1866. In 1870 he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Ju- dicial Court in Oxford County. In 1905 he was admitted to prac- tice before the Federal Courts.
Mr. Poor was married in 1864 to Amanda Whitney of Bethel, Maine. The children of the marriage were Willie, Leland H., Lu- netta and Lillian.
Mr. Poor had his law office at Sebago Center. He engaged in a general practice and handled all types of cases. He perhaps might be classed as a trial lawyer. He was, as a whole, very successful in his
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practice both as a trial lawyer and as a general counsellor.
Mr. Poor was much interested in town affairs and was selectman twice and superintendent of schools a number of times. He was postmaster of the Sebago Post-office for a number of years. Mr. Poor represented Sebago in the Legislature in 1879 and again in 1889. When in the Legislature in 1879, he was on the Committee on Legal Affairs and Education. In 1889 he was on the Committee on Education.
Mr. Poor died in 1913, having practiced law in Sebago for nearly fifty years.
I must close my remarks shortly but before I do there is one thing which I think that I should say regarding the men reared in Sebago, who have become attorneys. It is this-none of them have been men with great educational advantages. None of them, so far as I know. have attended a law school but have learned their law by themselves or possibly by short periods of study in the offices of experienced lawyers. Their prime qualifications have been native ability and perseverance.
SEBAGO LUNNETTA M. CHESSEY My muse and I went roaming, Some sacred spot to find, Some place of holy memories In constant hearts enshrined, Whereon to rear an altar, Where I my vows might pay, And lay my votive offering On this our festal day.
In classic lands we wandered, Where bard and sage of yore Down through misty ages Their wealth of wisdom pour : Through dim and silent cloisters Where monk and priest and friar In penitent devotion To holiness aspire ;
O'er fields where heroes battled Where blood like water ran,
And the carnage of a day has changed The destinies of man- I leave them all ; and turning, At the temple of my fathers, My dear old native town.
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Sebago, fair Sebago, I hail with love and pride, For there my father's fathers Have lived and wrought and died ; They wrested from the wilderness And from the stubborn soil These fair domains, their homesteads dear- By stern and constant toil,
And still unsatisfied they toiled, With might, will and power, And church and schoolhouse grew apace, Their children's grandest dower, And from these hillside nurseries, Full-girded for the strife, Has many a brave young heart gone forth To the work that ennobled life.
Sebago, fair Sebago, Land of the lake and hill ; No other spot in all the earth Can make my bosom thrill, As when from the crowned hill tops I gaze on the magic scene Where spring with dainty fingers weaves Her panoply of green.
When the violets awaken By the gentle south wind kissed, And earth and sky rejoices, From winter's power released, When the brooks are singing in the vale, And the birds above them sing, And all the air is jubilant With the voices of the spring.
With pennons gaily flaunting In apparent wanton play, The angler and his trusty guide Sail across the far famed bay. And as we gaze upon the scene, A vivid picture comes-
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Of another stream we'll have to cross And the Guide who will row us home, And when we hear his oars Push out from the Golden Shore May we be as ready to embark And dwell with him forevermore.
When the summer birds are carolling In a happy round delay, There comes to dear old Sebago From distant lands away, A host of splendid people Health and happiness to find Among our hills, lakes and valleys And beneath her verdant pine.
But would you gaze on nature Mantled with orbs sublime, Ascend these grand old mountains In the bright October time, When all the royal colors Of the rainbow deck the land- Tinted and mingled wondrously By the great Master's hand.
Sebago, dear Sebago, Fairest of lands thou art. To thee I bring my offering, With the love of a loyal heart. Where'er my feet shall wander, Whate'er my fate may be, Ever in faithful constancy My heart shall turn to thee.
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