History of Androscoggin County, Maine, Part 50

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Boston, W.A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1050

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Hon. Jacob B. Ham, son of Colonel Ebenezer and Judith (Barker) Ham, was born in Lewiston, March 24, 1824. He was educated in the town schools and the Lewiston Falls Academy. He early engaged in trade and was always interested in mercantile pursuits. Mr Ilam's rugged character and evident ability soon brought him before the public, and he became one of the leading men in the county. He was representative to the legislature in 1854-6, and selectman of Lewiston in 1859, and in 1860-62 was chairman of the board. In 1863 Mr Ham was elected with great unanimity, as the first mayor of Lewiston, and was re-elected in 1864. Mr Ham was at the head of the municipal government of Lewiston during the entire period of the Civil War. During these years of anxiety and great responsibility he managed the affairs of the town and eity with rare judgment and ability. Lewiston's quota was always ready at the time designated by the government, and in all of the affairs of the place which came under his control he showed executive ability and tact. He was appointed by the governor as Maine's commissioner to the New Orleans Exposition, and ably represented the state. His mind was so cast that he not only took great interest in the city, state, and county, but he also took much delight in intellectual pursuits, and traveled in almost every state in the Union, in Mexico, Cuba, and Europe. Ile had a fine appreciation of the rare and beautiful, and the instinets of the antiquary. His was an active, vigorous, and robust life, maintained with wonderful poise, until the end came, Sep- tember 3, 1888.

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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.

Prof. Thomas Hill Rich, A.M.,1 son of Hosea Rich, an eminent physician and surgeon, was born in Bangor, is a graduate of Bowdoin College and of the Theological Seminary in Bangor. For three years he taught Latin and Greek in East Maine Conference Seminary at Bucksport, for two years was in the Portland High School, and for six years was assistant teacher of Hebrew at Bangor. Since 1872 he has been professor of Hebrew in Cobb Divinity School. He has published metrical versions of portions of the Old Testament. Of his version of Nahum The Christian Mirror said: "His purpose has been well accomplished. The paraphrase is in iambic measure, unrhymed, but easy and flowing; the diction pure, and the effect of the whole pleasing. It is remarkable how much of grace and power is added to these inspired pro- ductions by presenting them in a dress worthy of their originals." Other creditable critics have said that this version was comparable with and similar to Matthew Arnold's metrical versions of portions of Isaiah. Journals like the New York Independent have given high words of praise to his work. Mrs Caroline W. D. Rich (wife of Prof. Thomas Hill Rich) is a lineal descendant on the paternal side from John Stockbridge, who came from Kent, England, in 1627, and on the maternal side from John Leavitt, who came from England in 1628. Mrs Rich has written several books, some of which have passed into second and third editions. A poem of considerable length was written for the centennial of Turner, is embodied in the " History of Turner," and also is in book form. Poems of the imagination, legends, and ballads have appeared in the leading publications of the day. Translations also have been added to her literary work as well as hymns, some of which may be found in hymn collections.

The early center of business was at Lowell's Corner, but, about 1845, business houses began to cluster around and on lower Main street, leaving but the store of James Lowell at the Corner when the railroad came in 1849. Lower Main street did not retain its commercial supremacy after Central Block was built and Lisbon street was laid out and partially opened. John W. Perkins (the first dry goods merchant, established early near the bridge,) moved to Central Block, others followed, the post-office was removed to a building standing where J. T. Small's office does, at the head of Lisbon street, and the tide of business enterprise flowed that way. As new stores were demanded, Lisbon street was by degrees opened and has developed into the great commercial thoroughfare of to-day. The old arcades near Cedar street were built by the corporations soon after their extensive surveys and laying out of streets, to draw trade that way, but it refused to come. With the opening of Sabatis road and the new road to Lisbon down Lisbon street, easy

1 Condensed from sketches in " Poets of Maine."

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transportation for their produce was given to the farmers to the east, and that developed trade. The mills brought workmen who must have houses, food, and necessaries of life and business steadily increased. By 1860 the population was 7,424, and the valuation had increased fourfold in ten years and was $2,426,374. The growth has been very rapid, Bates College has made the city an educational center, and Lewiston is among the most prosperous cities of New England, and increasing in size, wealth, and improvements with cach year. It now has a valuation of $12,144,494. The French comprise from one- fourth to one-third of the population. The original seven wards of the city are unchanged in limits and have this population : Ward 1, 2,796; ward 2, 2,243 ; ward 3, 2,482; ward 4, 2,761; ward 5, 5,049; ward 6, 4,103 ; ward 7, 2,267 ; a total of 21,701. Jones's Block, now lower Maine Central station, was built about 1851, Central Block in the last of the 'fifties, Journal Block in 1862, Savings Bank Block in 1868, Lyceum Block in 1872, Centennial Block in 1876, Frye Block in 1877, Seruton Block in 1883, Sands Block in 1885.

The address of Mayor Newell, on assuming office, gave the financial con- dition of the city, March 1, 1891, thus: Liabilities, $1,099,000; resources, $182,752.11. He further says :

At the beginning of the last municipal year, the city report shows that the floating debt was $65,800. It is now $109,000, but of this sum $44,000 has been expended toward the construction of the new city building; and the floating debt then existing has not been increased by the ordinary expenditures, but has, as the figures show, been somewhat decreased. The amount of $44,000 this year added, is now invested in the city building.

The net debt of the city is $916,247.89, but of this sum $500,000 is represented by the water loan, which is more than self-sustaining, so that this is not a burden upon the city, nor, in reality, a debt. The same may also be said of the 2,250 shares of the Lewiston & Anburn Railroad, whose face value is $225,000, and which is to-day worth $337,000. These two items of our indebtedness, aggregating, in money values, $837,000, do not constitute a burden upon the tax payers of our city, because they are a paying investment, not only from a money point of view, but they are important factors in the material progress and development of its business interests, and contribute in no small degree to the value of our taxable property. This leaves the debt, not self-sustaining, $79,247.89, with a valuation of $11,250,000 worth of taxable property, and makes a financial showing which compares favorably with that of any city in New England, and is in fact, equaled by that of very few. None of the outstanding bonds mature during the year. $100,000 of them become due on the first day of January, 1893; but it is thought that it will not be advisable to pay the same at maturity, owing to the heavy expenditures incident to the loss and reconstruction of our city building. For this reason, an act has passed the present legislature enabling the city to fund the same when due. This can be done at a low rate of interest, because the financial standing of our city is such that the bonds are looked upon as a safe investment.

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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ALONZO GARCELON, A.M., M.D.

T HERE is now living a man who has had more to do in the various move- ments of the last fifty years that have produced the Lewiston of to-day, than any, or perhaps all others. We refer to ex-Governor Alonzo Gar- eelon, known to his townsmen and throughout this county by his extensive and long-continued medical practice as "Doctor Garcelon." He was born in Lewiston, on the ancestral farm in the central part of the town, May 6, 1813. His father, Colonel William Garcelon, was a prominent citizen, and his mother, Mary (Davis) Garcelon, was a grand-daughter of the old-time Quaker surveyor and land-owner, Amos Davis, and daughter of David Davis. Dr Garcelon was trained to practical agriculture on the extensive farm of his father, with the advantages of the town schools, and an occasional term at private grammar schools until 1829, when his higher education began at Monmouth Academy, where he studied 18 months. He then was at Waterville Academy for two terms, taught a school in Waterville, in the district where resided the author of Kenney's arithmetic, the winter term of 1831-2, attended Newcastle Academy the next spring, and entered Bowdoin College in the fall of 1832, graduating in 1836. During his college course he taught winter schools, and went to Alfred in the fall of 1836 as principal of Alfred Academy. After three terms of success he relinquished teaching, to become a medical student. Passing a few months in the office of Dr Abiel Hall, he entered Dartmouth College, and also placed himself as a private student of the distinguished surgeon, Dr Muzzey. In 1838 Dr Muzzey was elected professor of surgery in the Medieal College of Ohio at Cineinnati, and at his request Mr Garcelon went with him. The best opportunities for instruction were now afforded the student, among others that of attending a large hospital where numerous surgical operations were performed. He graduated as M.D., in March, 1839, but remained in the hospital until October. Returning to Lewiston he began practice, and by a strange combination of circumstances leaped at once into prominence and extensive practice. From that time he has enjoyed a successful career as a physician and surgeon. He was one of the originators of the Maine Medical Society, one of the charter members, and a president of the Androscoggin County Medical Association, and has been honored with many responsible positions in medical bodies. He was a hospital surgeon in the Civil War.

Always public spirited and positive in his thoughts and their expression, his attempts to improve Lewiston have been unceasing. He was one of the

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Alowy Gariclon.

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few who struggled to establish manufacturing, and built the first mill-the Lincoln. The next step toward development was good roads and more of them. He originated a central highway for the section east of Lewiston, and after several years of opposition, Sabatis street was laid out in 1846. With two or three other far-sighted men he fought the battle with conservatism, and next the Switzerland road, College street, and Lisbon street were located. Then the railroad question came up. Dr Garcelon was one of the first to give personal attention to get, first, the Grand Trunk located to Danville Junction, next the Maine Central, and then the Androscoggin railroad. In gaining these Lewiston gained, but the active workers sacrificed time and money. The growing town demanded a newspaper to voice its needs and advantages. Dr Garcelon proposed to his brother-in-law, W. H. Waldron, to furnish the capital for one if he would conduct it. Mr Waldron accepted this offer and the Lewiston Journal was established. The idea of adding to the importance of Lewiston by making it the center of a new county originated with Dr Garcelon and the battle for this was begun, ending with success after a pro- longed contest. During each session of the legislature while this was in agitation Dr Garcelon and his map of the towns was a conspicuous figure at Augusta. The next important step was the securing of Maine State Seminary for Lewiston. Dr Garcelon was one of the most persistent and generous workers in accomplishing it. In doing this he and nine others became owners of the first site selected. This they laid out as Riverside Cemetery. It was through his forceful energy that the Lewiston & Auburn Railroad was built.

Dr Garcelon was of Whig ancestry, but while in college found himself in unison with Andrew Jackson's stand against nullification, and cast his first votes for Jackson men. He soon became a Free-soiler, and during the Civil War was a Republican. At the close of the war he was in line with the Democratic party on leading questions, and was strongly opposed to the Republican action in attempting to impeach President Johnson, and in the reconstruction measures. He had always been active in politics, was repre- sentative from Lewiston in 1853 and 1857, and was in the state senate of 1855. He was the Democratic candidate for member of Congress in 1868 and did good work as an educator, but the district was so strongly Republican as to preclude from the first all hope of an election. He was elected mayor of Lewiston in 1871, the first Democrat to hold the position. He received the Democratic nomination for governor in 1878. There was no choice by the people and he was chosen by the legislature and served in 1879. He has ever been prominent in the councils of his party, was a delegate to the first Republican national convention, and a delegate to the Democratic national convention at St Louis. Of quick decision and great rapidity of action, Dr Garcelon will always make his presence felt. Those who know him best speak highest of his social nature, generous kindliness, and other qualities that give

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him unbounded popularity. As a citizen he stands in the front rank. At the age of nearly fourscore years, his eye is undimmed, his physical and mental vigor well sustained, and his chief delight is driving one of his blooded horses 20 or 30 miles a day on a professional trip. Dr Garcelon married, first, Ann Augusta, daughter of Job Philpot, of Somersworth, N. H. She died in December, 1857. Their surviving children are Charles A. (general superin- tendent of the Pullman Palace Car Company, with offices at Chicago, Ill.), Ellen E., Alonzo M. (a physician of Lewiston), Edward L. (of Warren, Mass.). January 13, 1859, he married Olivia N., daughter of Captain Arehi- bald Spear, of Rockland, (now deceased). Their daughter, Edith S. (Mrs Frank C. Dennis), resides in Kansas City.

HON. NELSON DINGLEY, JR., A.M., LL.D.

Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr,1 the eldest son of Nelson and Jane L. Dingley, was born in Durham, Me, February 15, 1832. Beginning life with only their stout hands and brave hearts as capital, his parents removed the next year to Parkman, Piscataquis county, where they lived on a farm for a short time, and then took charge of the village tavern, with which a store was connected. In 1838 they removed to Unity, Waldo county, where his father was engaged in trade for several years and was highly respected by his fellow-citizens, being frequently elected one of the selectmen of the town, and once representing the county in the state senate, notwithstanding he was a Whig, and his town and county Democratic. The son was distinguished in the village school for his studious habits and good scholarship. In vacations he aided his father in the store and on a farm which the latter owned. When he was 12 years of age he attended a high school kept in another part of the town, walking three miles every morning and night, and earrying his dinner with him. At the age of 16 he was instrumental in organizing a section of Cadets of Temperance in the village where he resided, which proved a very efficient temperance educator in the neighborhood. In this organization he engaged in debates, and exhibited that deep interest in temperance which has distinguished his maturer life. At 17 he successfully taught a winter school in the town of China, 14 miles from his home, and continued to teach every winter but one for the next five years. In 1850, at the age of 18, he became a student at Waterville Academy, of which the well-known Professor J. H. Hanson was principal, and there com- pleted his preparation for college, entering Waterville College (now Colby University ) in 1851, and remained there a year and a half, and then became a student at Dartmouth College, at which institution he graduated in 1855, with high rank as a scholar, debater, and writer. After leaving college Mr Dingley studied law for one year with Morrill & Fessenden, at Auburn, to

1 From P. C. Headley's " Public Men of To-Day."

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which city his parents had removed while he was in college. In 1856 he was admitted to the bar, but instead of entering upon the practice of law he decided to become a journalist, for which profession he had always manifested a decided taste, having been a frequent contributor to the local press, both during and after his collegiate course. In September, 1856, he purchased one- half of the Lewiston Journal, of which he had been practically the editor while studying law; and a year later he became sole proprietor and editor. The Journal, with a daily edition added in 1861, at which time his younger brother, Frank L., became associated with him, rapidly increased in circulation and influence under his management, and soon became the most widely circulated and most influential political newspaper in Maine-distinguished not only for its able and candid advocacy of Republican principles, but also for its decided temperance and moral tone.

Mr Dingley's active political career commenced at the same time with his journalistic life, although from a boy he had taken great interest in political questions. His first vote was cast in 1854 for Hon. Anson P. Morrill, the anti-slavery and temperance candidate for governor, a political combination from which arose the Republican party of. Maine during the following winter. He threw himself into the Fremont Campaign in 1856, with all the ardor of youth and ability of age, writing editorials for his paper in the day-time and speaking in behalf of the Republican cause in the school-houses of adjoining towns in the evening; and although only 24 years of age he was recognized at once, not only as a young man of high promise, but as already a valuable advocate of the Republican cause. In 1861, at the age of 29, he was elected representative to the state legislature from Auburn, in which body he at once took high rank; was re-elected in 1862, and chosen Speaker of the House at the session of 1863. In 1863 he removed to Lewiston, and a few months after was elected to the legislature from that city; and at the opening of the legislative session of 1864 was unanimously re-elected Speaker, the duties of which position he had discharged with great ability and success. At the state election of 1864 he was elected to the House a fourth time, and at the session of 1865 was again tendered the position of Speaker, which he declined, preferring to take his place on the floor, in which position he was the recog- mized leader of the Republicans of the House. He was also a representative to the legislature from Lewiston in 1868 and 1873. During his six terms in the state legislature he took an active and leading part in the debates and business, serving on the committees on Judiciary, Education, Railroads, and Federal Relations; framing, advocating, and carrying through important legislation, including laws to enable Maine to fill her quotas in the Union army, to aid soldiers' families, to establish a system of free high schools, and a general railroad law. Ilis speeches were always brief, logical, and effective - never made for display, but simply to carry the measure in hand. A brief, but

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earnest and eloquent speech made at the session of 1865, in advocacy of the resolution to ratify the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, was regarded at the time by those who heard it as one of the most effective ever made in the state house. During the dozen years from 1861 to 1873, when Mr Dingley was taking so conspicuous a part in the state legislature and state polities, he participated in every political campaign, delivered numerous addresses before educational, temperance, and religious conventions, and many lectures before lyceums. In 1867-8 he was at the head of the State Lodge of Good Templars, an important temperance organization, and regarded an acknowledged leader in the temperance and prohibitory movement in Maine.

In 1873 Mr Dingley was nominated as the Republican candidate for governor of Maine by a vote of two to one against two popular opponents, and was elected by about 10,000 majority. In 1874 he was re-elected by over 11,000 majority, declining a third nomination in 1875. His services in the gubernatorial chair in the promotion of economy, the equalization of taxation, and in securing a revision of the state constitution, were so valuable and acceptable as to win the approbation of even his political opponents. He was one of the delegates-at-large from Maine to the Republican National Conven- tion in 1876, and served on the committee on resolutions, and was one of the sub-committee of five who drafted the platform. He actively participated in the presidential campaign of 1876, and in the state campaigns of 1877-8-9 was regarded as one of the ablest speakers and writers in the state on the financial issues raised by the Greenbackers. In 1879-80 he was chairman of the Repub- lican executive committee appointed to prevent the success of the Democratic- Greenback attempt to count out the Republican legislative majority, and in that capacity did good service. In the presidential election of 1880 he labored effectively for the Republican cause, both in his paper and on the platform. In 1881 he was elected by the Republicans of the Second Congressional District to fill the vacancy in Congress caused by the resignation of Hon. William P. Frye, receiving a majority of 5,124, nearly twice as large as was ever before given to any candidate in that district, and took his seat in the House at the opening of the first session of the Forty-seventh Congress, in December, 1881. His first speech in Congress was made April 25, 1882, on "Protection to American Shipping," the House being in committee of the whole on the bill to create a tariff commission. This speech was listened to with unusual attention, and was pronounced by the Washington Star "a speech of much ability and force, giving promise of a successful career in Congress," and by the Wash- ington correspondent of the New York Tribune "one of the best speeches ever made by a new member." May 17, 1882, Mr Dingley spoke in the House on the bill to extend the corporate existence of national banks. His speech was regarded as so able and satisfactory a discussion of the national banking system, that it was reprinted by the Republican congressional committee and

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widely circulated as a campaign document. Under a joint resolution intro- duced into the House by Mr Dingley and passed August 7, 1882, he was appointed a member of a joint committee to investigate the condition and wants of American ship-building and ship-owning interests. This committee, of which Senators Conger of Michigan, Miller of New York, and Vest of Missouri, and Congressmen Cox of New York, Robeson of New Jersey, MeLane of Maryland, and Page of California, were members, met in New York City, November 15, 1882, and heard the testimony of a large number of gentlemen interested in shipping. The report of the committee was drawn up by Mr Dingley and unanimously agreed to by the committee. The report was regarded as a very able and valuable document. The committee reported a bill to remove certain burdens on American shipping, framed by Mr Dingley which subsequently became a law. While this bill was under consideration in the House, January 6, 1883, Mr Dingley made a speech on the "Revival of American Shipping," in reply to Congressman Cox, which placed him at once in the front rank of Congressmen, and gave him a national reputation. As this was the first step that had been taken by Congress for half a century to encourage American shipping, the measure attracted much attention, and gave Mr Dingley a merited reputation as the leading friend of the American merchant marine in Congress.

Mr Dingley was re-elected to the 48th, 49th, 50th, 51st, and 52d Congresses by large majorities, having been nominated by acclamation each time by the Republicans of the Second Congressional District of Maine, composed of the counties of Androscoggin, Franklin, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, and Sagadahoc. During his long term of service in Congress, Mr Dingley has been one of the most prominent Republican leaders, taking a leading part in tariff, financial, and shipping legislation, and recognized as an authority on all these subjects. Among the public measures which he has originated and successfully carried through are the Shipping Acts of 1884 and 1886, the Act creating the Bureau of Navigation in the Treasury Department, the Worsted Classification Act, and many other important measures. He has served on the Committee on Banking and Currency, Merchant Marine and Fisheries (which committee was created on his motion), Alcoholic Liquor Traffic, and Ways and Means. In the first session of the 51st Congress, he took a very prominent part, as a member of the latter committee, in framing the Mckinley tariff, which became a law October 1, 1890, and went into effect five days later. Mr Dingley never speaks in the House unless he has something to say which will shed light on the question under consideration, and for this reason he always obtains an attentive hearing, and exerts a marked influence on both sides. His speeches on the " Shipping Question," January 6, 1883, March 11, 1884, and January 7, 1891; on "American Steamships for American Mails," February 10, 1885, March 30, 1886, and July 13, 1888; against the "Free Ship" bill, May 22,

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History of Androscoggin County, Maine, Part 50

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew, ed Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Boston, W.A. Fergusson & co. Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Boston, W.A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1050