USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > History of Camden Commandery, no. 23 : Knights Templar, Camden, Maine, chartered February 10, 1905 > Part 4
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The Christmas observance this year was held as usual. In addition to the regular program, a mixed quartet, con- sisting of Sir Adin L. Hopkins, Dr. C. H. Jameson, Mrs. Henrietta Martin and Mrs. Alfred Wilman assisted by Mrs. Belle Tyler at the piano, rendered several Christ- mas hymns.
Eminent Sir John L. Tewksbury gave the Christmas address.
Twenty seven dollars was collected for charity work.
The following were knighted this year: Frederick S. Powers, January 29th; Arthur T. Mullen, April 23rd; Elmer E. Joyce, June 18th, and Colin L. Coombs, Decem- ber 3rd.
1930
January 28th, the Commandery had the pleasure of having Em. Sir Edward K. Gould, Past Grand Command- er of the Grand Commandery present at an anniversary supper as their guest. Em. Sir Gould gave an interesting and instructive address on Templarism.
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February 11th, the twenty-fifth anniversary conclave was quietly observed. Eminent Sir Charles G. Weaver, the only charter member present, was publicly cited for his twenty-five years service to the Commandery and given a rising vote of appreciation. It was also voted to purchase seventy-five copies of the History of Camden Commandery compiled by Em. Sir John L. Tewksbury.
Biographies of Commandery Members
Leander M. Kenniston
Eminent Sir Leander M. Kenniston was born in Apple- ton, Maine, June 25, 1839. He was educated in the com- mon schools of his native town, and for several years was a teacher.
He came to Camden March 21, 1863 and started work with the Camden Anchor Company, a concern that made ship anchors for a third of a century and whose anchors were carried on ships all over the world. He came to be an authority upon the manufacture of anchors and held the position of foreman at the works for many years.
His only political office was that of Assessor of the Camden Village Corporation, a position he held from 1911 to 1916.
Eminent Sir Kenniston was the most prominent and devoted Mason in Camden for a period of over fifty years. He joined Amity Lodge, No. 6, December 4, 1863, was its Worshipful Master in 1868, and served as Secretary for a period of twenty years.
He joined Keystone Chapter Royal Arch Masons, No. 24, in 1869 and served as High Priest in 1884 and was its Secretary from 1890 to 1916, a period of twenty-six years.
He was knighted in Claremont Commandery, No. 9, Rockland, November 21, 1887 and was Eminent Com- mander in 1894 and Prelate in 1897. He dimitted to be- come a Charter member of Camden Commandery, No. 23, and was instrumental in getting the Charter for the Com- mandery. He served as Eminent Commander under dis- pensation and was elected Eminent Commander in 1906 and re-elected in 1907.
He was a member of King Hiram Council, No. 6, Rock- land, a thirty-two degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a mem- ber of Maine Council, Order of High Priests.
Eminent Sir Kenniston was one of the organizers of Seaside Chapter, No. 70, Order of the Eastern Star and its first Worthy Patron. He attended the sessions of the
LEANDER M. KENNISTON Eminent Commander 1906-07
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COMMANDERY
Grand Lodge of Maine from 1879, until his death in 1916, missing but one session in that period. In the Grand Lodge he served as Senior Grand Warden in 1882, and was Grand Captain of the Host in the Grand Chapter of Maine in 1897.
For many years he was a Trustee of the Charity Fund of Amity Lodge.
In addition to his Masonic activities he was interested in Odd Fellowship, being a Charter member of Mt. Battie Lodge, of Camden and its second Noble Grand.
In 1915 he and his wife, Clementine (Hemingway) Kenniston celebrated their golden wedding.
Eminent Sir Kenniston died at Camden, May 27, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Kenniston were the parents of one daugh- ter, Mrs. Evelyn Heal.
Joseph F. Shepherd
Eminent Sir Joseph Frederick Shepherd was born at Rockport, Maine, April 12, 1872, the son of Samuel E. and Ellen (Andrews) Shepherd, both of Rockport.
He attended the public schools of Rockport, Coburn Classical Institute of Waterville and Colby College, class of 1893, and is a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity of the latter institution.
He married Bertha B. West of Philadelphia, by whom he had three children, Elizabeth, Katherine and Frances, the two latter of whom are living. In 1914 he married Florence (Munroe) Hartley of Auburn, and they live at Winthrop, Mass.
While living in Rockport he was associated with the Rockland and Rockport Lime Company, later going to Boston as their representative, and at the present time is in business at Boston, with offices at 141 Milk Street.
He is an Elk, member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club, and the University Club of Boston, and a member of St. John's Episcopal Parish of Winthrop, Mass.
He was raised in St. Paul's Lodge, No. 84, of Rockport, exalted in 1896 in Keystone Chapter, No. 24, Camden, and was knighted in Claremont Commandery, No. 9, Rockland January 22, 1899, dimitting to become a Chart-
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er member of Camden Commandery, No. 23.
He served as Generalissimo under Dispensation in 1905, was elected Generalissimo in 1906 and 1907 and Eminent Commander in 1908, the second Eminent Com- mander of the Commandery, and the Senior living Past Commander at this date (1930).
Elkanah E. Boynton
Eminent Sir Elkanah Edward Boynton was born in New York City, April 6, 1870, the son of Alvah and Harriet (Spear) Boynton.
His early life was spent in Rockland, where he attend- ed the public schools and afterwards the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy from which he graduated.
He came to Camden in 1895 and purchased the drug business of Edwin Fletcher which he conducted to the time of his death, being at that time the oldest active business man on the street in point of years of service.
Eminent Sir Boynton was intensely interested in town affairs and gave freely of his time to the community prob- lems. He served as Town Clerk from 1903 to 1909 and was a member of the Board of Selectmen from 1925 to 1929, serving as Chairman the last two years.
Eminent Sir Boynton was raised in Amity Lodge, No. 6 in 1892, exalted in Keystone Chapter, No. 24 in 1923 and served as High Priest in 1898. He was knighted in Claremont Commandery, No. 9, Rockland, June 12, 1899 and dimitted to become a Charter Member of Camden Commandery, of which Commandery he was Eminent Commander in 1908.
He was a member of Maine Council, Order of High Priesthood, a member of King Hiram Council, R. & S. M., Rockland, a noble of Kora Temple, Mystic Shrine, Lewis- ton, Seaside Chapter, O. E. S., the Camden Rotary Club and most of the local organizations.
He married Jennie I. Ingraham of Rockland and died at Camden April 23, 1929 and is buried at the Achorn Cemetery, Rockland, Me.
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COMMANDERY
Reuel Robinson
Eminent Sir Reuel Robinson was born at Palmyra, Me., September 25, 1858, the son of Daniel and Susan (Bruce) Robinson. He prepared for college at the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield, Maine and graduated in 1877. He graduated from Bates College, Lewiston, in the class of 1881, was class orator and received the degree of A. B., 1881, was class orator and received the degree of A.B., and three years later the A. M. degree. He married Blanche G. Atkins of Camden, December 22, 1885.
He came to Camden as Principal of the High School in 1883 and was successful as a teacher, but law appealed to him more strongly and he entered the office of Thad- deus R. Simonton to continue the study of his profession. He was admitted to the Knox County Bar in 1888 and was elected Judge of Probate for Knox County the same year. Although he was an ardent Republican and much sought as an organizer and campaign speaker, his only political office held was as Judge of Probate and Post- master of Camden, a position to which he was appointed in 1922 and which he held at the time of his death. He attended nearly all the county and state conventions of hs party and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1916.
Judge Robinson was intensely interested in all phases of life in his adopted town, and especially so in the indus- trial development, and was a Director and Assistant Treasurer of the Camden Woolen Company, and a Direct- or and Treasurer of the Penobscot Woolen Company. He was for many years a Director of the Camden Yacht Building and Railway Company and served as its Presi- dent for three years.
Judge Robinson was a gifted orator and was much sought as a speaker, especially as a Memorial Day orator.
He was also a gifted writer and served as Editor of The Camden Herald for three years and wrote innumer- able sketches and poems for the Herald and other pub- lications. Several of his Masonic poems are incorporated
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in the body of this history. His best known publication are his history of Camden and Rockport, History of Amity Lodge and History of Keystone Chapter.
In 1915 he organized the Literary Club known as the Decemvir Club, a club composed of ten local men who meet monthly for dinner and for discussion of a paper prepared and read by one of the members. This Club is still in existence, just starting its fifteenth year (1930).
He was a valued member of the Board of Trustees of the Camden Public Library and for several years was Treasurer of the Board.
In early life he became interested in fraternal organi- zations and held all the subordinate offices in the Odd Fellows Lodge and served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine in 1893-94.
He was raised in Amity Lodge in 1885 and was Wor- shipful Master in 1890. He served as Secretary of Key- stone Chapter from 1887 to 1890 and was High Priest in 1892.
He was knighted in Claremont Commandery, Rock- land, June 15, 1903 and dimitted to become a charter member of Camden Commandery, and served as Eminent Commander in 1909. He served as Prelate from 1911 to 1924 a period of thirteen years.
Upon the occasion of the First Past Commanders' Night of Camden Commandery in 1917, Judge Robinson was presented with a beautiful silver loving cup, the gift of his Camden fraters in token of his long and faithful ser- vices in Camden Commandery.
He was also a member of King Hiram Council of Rock- land, one of the early members of Kora Temple, Mystic Shrine, Lewiston and a Past Patron of Seaside Chapter, O. E. S. and a member of Maine Consistory, Portland.
He was made an honorary member of Amity Lodge in 1924, one of the few to be so honored for long and honor- able service in the history of this ancient lodge.
He died at Camden, June 19, 1927.
REUEL ROBINSON Eminent Commander 1909-Prelate 1911-24
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J. Tyleston Gould
Eminent Sir J. Tyleston Gould was born in Union, Me., June 14, 1876, the son of Tyleston and Fannie (Wight) Gould.
His father died a few months before J. Tyleston was born, and he was brought up in the home of his grand- parents.
He married Eva Thurston, and to them were born two sons. They made their home in Rockport where Eminent Sir Gould was engaged in the grocery business.
Eminent Sir Gould served his town for several years as Selectman, and also as Tax Collector.
He was raised in St. Paul's Lodge, Rockport, was exalt- ed in Keystone Chapter in 1900 and was knighted in Claremont Commandery, No. 9, Rockland, January 21, 1901, dimitting to become a Charter Member of Camden Commandery.
He served as Eminent Commander of Camden Com- mandery in 1910.
Eminent Sir Gould was accidently drowned at Bath, Me., June 24, 1914 while returning from a Commandery Pilgrimage at Farmington, and is buried at Camden.
Charles G. Weaver
Eminent Sir Charles Gilmore Weaver was born in Wal- doboro, Maine, April 27, 1859, the son of Gardner B. and Sarah F. Weaver. He attended the public schools of that town until he was nineteen years of age.
After three years spent in Massachusetts, he returned to Maine, and for five years was employed at the Georges River Woolen Mill at Warren as a weaver and loom fixer. In 1886 he moved to Lewiston, Me., for a short time, then to Bridgton, where he found employment at his trade in the Woolen Mills.
Coming to Camden in 1887 to work in the new Camden Woolen Mill, just starting, he has been a resident of Cam- den ever since, with the exception of some few years spent in Bridgton and Worcester, Mass., setting up looms.
He followed woolen weaving for twenty-eight years in
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all its details from weaving to designing, fifteen of these years as overseer of weaving, and for the past twenty years has been janitor of the Camden High School.
Eminent Sir Weaver married Lucy Jane Watts of War- ren, May 3, 1884, and they attend the Chestnut Street Baptist Church.
He has been an Odd Fellow for forty-eight years, a member of the Subordinate Lodge, Encampment and Re- bekah Lodge, the last two of which he is a Charter mem- ber and Past C. P. of the Encampment.
Eminent Sir Weaver has had an active career in all the Masonic Bodies of which he is a member and has always been intensely interested in Masonry.
He was raised in Amity Lodge, No. 6, Camden on April 6, 1894 and became Worshipful Master in 1903. He was exalted in Keystone Chapter, December 12, 1894 and was installed High Priest in 1901.
Greeted in King Hiram Council, R. & S. M., of Rock- land, Noember 15, 1901 and consecrated in Maine Coun- cil of High Priests May 8, 1901 by Josiah H. Drummond, President.
Eminent Sir Weaver was knighted in Claremont Com- mandery, No. 9, Rockland on May 21, 1900, and took a dimit Nov. 14, 1904 to become a Charter Member of Cam- den Commandery, No. 23, organized the following spring. He was Prelate of the Commandery under Dispensation and elected Prelate in 1906 and 1907. He served in the line until his election as Eminent Commander in 1911, for the next nine years served as Guard and since 1921 has conferred the Red Cross and Malta degrees on over one hundred candidates.
At the twenty-fifth Anniversary Conclave February 11, 1930, Eminent Sir Weaver was cited as the outstanding Templar Knight of the Commandery and received special recognition at that session for his twenty-five years of Active Templar Service.
He received the degree of the Scottish Rite in the Rock- land Bodies to the Eighteenth Degree in 1904 and 1905 and in Maine Consistory the 32 Degree on May 19, 1905.
He is a Charter member of Seaside Chapter, No. 70,
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O. E. S., Camden which was organized February 26, 1900 and chartered May 17, 1900.
He has been President of the Masonic Temple Associa- tion since 1922 and is a Trustee of Amity Lodge Charity Fund.
Jesse H. Ogier
Eminent Sir Jesse Hosmer Ogier was born in Camden, Maine, February 13, 1871, the son of Joseph W. and Ab- bie W. Ogier, and a descendant of one of the town's earl- iest settlers, Abraham Ogier, a French Hugenot who came to Camden about 1773. His great grandfather Lewis and his grandfather Abraham were influential citizens and zealous Masons, being two of the "Immortal Nine" who held the charter of Amity Lodge during the dark days of the anti-Masonic excitement.
Eminent Sir Ogier was valedictorian of the class of 1889, Camden High School and graduated with honors from Colby College in the class of 1893.
His first venture in the newspaper field was at Damaris- cotta, where he purchased and edited the Damariscotta Herald. While at Damariscotta he married Emma Fuller, October 6, 1896.
In June 1898 he purchased the "Camden Herald" and continued as Publisher and Editor until his death. After his death his wife continued the publication for a few years, and sold her interests to Col. Ernest A. Robbins, the present owner and editor.
Although a natural orator and much interested in poli- tics, Em. Sir Ogier never held political office except that he was Superintendent of Schools at Damariscotta and held the same position several years at Camden. He also acted as Moderator at several town meetings.
He was made a Mason at Damariscotta, but afterwards affiliated with Amity Lodge of Camden, of which lodge he was Master in 1904. He was a member of Keystone Chapter and served as High Priest in 1904. He was knighted in Camden Commandery Nov. 19, 1907 and was Eminent Commander in 1912. He was a member of Maine Council, Order of High Priesthood, a member of King
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Hiram Council and a Past Patron of Seaside Chapter, O. E. S., also a Past Chancellor Commander of Camden Lodge of K. of P.
Eminent Sir Ogier served at one time as President of the Maine Press Association and was Class President of his Colby Alumni Class.
He was one of the Charter members and active in the Decemvir Club, a local literary club composed of ten men.
He died Nov. 1, 1920, after a long illness of tubercu- losis and is survived by his wife and two children, Doris B. and Albert B.
Alfred F. Beverage
Eminent Sir Alfred F. Beverage was born at North Haven, Maine, October 28, 1867, the son of Nathan P. and Ada (Frye) Beverage.
He came to Camden about 1870 and attended the pub- lic schools, including three years at the Camden High School. In 1895 he married Cora M. Dow and they have one son, Henry S., who resides in Portland.
Eminent Sir Beverage is a printer by trade and has worked for the Camden Herald, but for the past thirty years has been in charge of the printing department of the Ordway Plaster Company, a mail order business at Camden.
He has considerable dramatic ability and for many years has been in demand in amateur theatricals and local minstrel shows, usually in the leading role. He has taken part in hundreds of shows in this and surrounding towns.
Eminent Sir Beverage was raised in Amity Lodge in 1894, served as Worshipful Master in 1898 and 1899, exalted in Keystone Chapter in 1897 and served as High Priest in 1902.
He was the second to be knighted in Camden Com- mandery October 6, 1906, served as Prelate in 1908 and was Eminent Commander in 1913.
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Charles A. Wilson
Eminent Sir Charles Alton Wilson was born at Isles- boro, Maine, August 1, 1858, the son of Joseph and Mary (Heald) Wilson. His early life was spent in Lincolnville, but he was a resident of Camden for forty years, coming here about 1885.
At the age of eleven he went to sea in the schooner C. D. Oliver, and for seventeen years was engaged in the banks and mackerel fisheries.
His wife's maiden name was Mary Brackett.
Retiring from the sea he was employed for a time at the Knox Mill, but soon went into business for himself as a cabinet maker and painter. He was made a Master Mason in Amity Lodge in 1887 and served as Worship- ful Master in 1903 and 1904 and was District Deputy Grand Master of the Ninth Masonic District in 1913.
He joined Keystone Chapter in 1889 and served as High Priest in 1897.
He was knighted in Claremont Commandery March 4, 1901, but dimitted to become a Charter member of Cam- den Commandery and its Eminent Commander in 1914. He served as Recorder of the Commandery from 1919 to 1924. He was a member of King Hiram Council and a Past Patron of Seaside Chapter, O. E. S.
He died at Camden, January 5, 1925.
George A. Tuttle
Eminent Sir George Alvin Tuttle was born October 24, 1847 at Charlestown, Mass., the son of James and Ann Tuttle. He attended the grade schools of that city and went with his parents to Richland, Wisconsin in the spring of 1866. He married Lucy L. Smith of Loyd, Wis., who died November 2, 1876, leaving two girls. He mar- ried Nellie L. Curtis, November 10, 1878 and there was born to them a boy and two girls.
He came to the State of Maine in 1890 where he fol- lowed his trade of stone mason.
February 10, 1903 he joined Amity Lodge, No. 6, was
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exalted in Keystone Chapter, No. 24 the same year, and was knighted in Claremont Commandery January 18, 1904, dimitting to become a charter member of Camden Commandery and its first Treasurer, holding that position eleven years when he was elected Eminent Commander in 1915. He was High Priest of Keystone Chapter in 1908 and again in 1914.
Eminent Sir Tuttle is also a member of King Hiram Council, of Rockland, a noble of the Mystic Shrine of Kora Temple, Lewiston, and a member of Maine Con- sistory, 32 Degree Scottish Rite.
Since 1925 he has been a resident of the Wisconsin Masonic Home at Dousman, Wis.
Allie O. Pillsbury
Eminent Sir Allie Oakes Pillsbury was born in Rock- land, Maine, November 13, 1876, the son of Captain Mon- tero and Emma (Rogers) Pillsbury. He attended the public schools of Rockland and the Commercial College, afterwards learning the plumbing trade which he has since followed.
Eminent Sir Pillsbury has a long and honorable mili- tary service and is a veteran of two wars. From 1896 to 1907 he was a member of the Tilson Light Infantry Company of Rockland, serving as Captain of the Com- pany in 1906. From May 2, 1898 to October 30, 1898 he served with his outfit in the war with Spain, holding the rank of Sergeant. From May 15, 1918 to September 3, 1919 he served in the World War in the Quartermast- er's Department, being stationed overseas for a year.
He is a member of Anderson Camp, No. 7, Sons of Union Veterans, and Commander of the Camp in 1896, is a member of Freeman- Herrick Camp, United Spanish War Veterans and served as Commander in 1926. He is also a member of Arey-Heal Post, American Legion of Camden.
Eminent Sir Pillsbury was made a Mason in Amity Lodge, No. 6 in 1909, two years after moving to Camden, and served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1914,
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he was exalted in Keystone Chapter No. 24, R. A. M., and served as High Priest in 1915.
He was knighted in Camden Commandery March 26, 1912 and served as Eminent Commander in 1916 and was Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Commandery of Maine in 1923. He is a member of King Hiram Council, R. & S. M., Rockland, a member of Maine Council of High Priest- hood and served as Worthy Patron of Seaside Chapter, No. 70, O. E. S. in 1922.
Eminent Sir Pillsbury married May Bates Reed of Cam- den, October 1, 1924, is a valued member of the Camden Board of Trade, by religious preference an Episcopalian, and has one daughter, Marion, by a former marriage.
Edwin F. Burkett
Eminent Sir Edwin Forrest Burkett was born at Char- lestown, Mass., November 5, 1866 the son of Edwin and Catherine (Sartelle) Burkett.
He attended the common schools of Charlestown and early in life learned the baker's trade which he has since followed.
He followed his trade in various towns in Massachu- setts, Bridgton and Camden, Maine, becoming associated with his brother Eminent Sir Benjamin C. G. Burkett in the firm of Burkett Brothers, opening the business which they still conduct in Camden about 1910.
Eminent Sir Burkett joined the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery at Bridgton, Maine, but at the present time is a member of Amity Lodge, Keystone Chapter and Camden Commandery, affiliating with the latter body May 9, 1911, and serving as Eminent Commander in 1917.
He is also a member of Seaside Chapter, O. E. S., King Hiram Council, Rockland and Kora Temple, Mystic Shrine, Lewiston, as well as a Knights of Pythias.
He married Ethel Snow of Rockland, and they live on Washington Street, Camden.
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COMMANDERY
William F. Rankin
Eminent Sir William Frederick Rankin was born at North Vassalboro, Maine, October 24, 1870 the son of Thomas and Hannah (Morrow) Rankin. He attended the common schools of Vassalboro and Waterville High School.
He came to Camden in 1891 and was employed by the P. G. Willey Company until 1920 when he purchased the harness business which he still conducts (1930) on Me- chanic street, Camden. Eminent Sir Rankin was raised in Amity Lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M. June 30, 1911, was exalt- ed in Keystone Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M. in 1912 and was knighted in Camden Commandery June 17, 1912.
Eminent Sir Rankin has held every line office in the Commandery, was Eminent Commander in 1918 and has served as Prelate since 1923.
George E. Allen
Eminent Sir George Edgar Allen was born in South Hope, Maine, January 21, 1864 the son of Joshua and Sophronia (Grinnell) Allen. His mother was a direct descendant of Governor Bradford, one of the Pilgrims who came to America in the Mayflower, she being of the seventh generation.
He attended the common schools of St. George, Maine, and a private High School.
He married Mary E. Goggins, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George E. Goggins of Milbridge, Me., in 1887, and they have one son, Hervey C. Allen, who is associated with his father in business.
Mr. Allen's early manhood was spent in St. George where he conducted a clothing store, and was afterwards employed in telephone work.
After coming to Camden he established an insurance and real estate business which has developed into one of the largest on the Maine coast.
Mr. Allen served as Town Treasurer of St. George for several years, and served the town of Camden as Selectman in 1927.
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Mr. Allen has always been an earnest worker for the development of Camden, both as a summer resort and industrially. He is a Director of the Maine Coast Real Estate Company and a Director and Clerk of the Penob- scot Woolen Company, a Director of the Camden Yacht Club, a former President of the Camden Board of Trade and organizer, charter member and first President of the Camden Rotary Club. He is a Republican in politics, a lover of clean sports, and by religious preference a Bap- tist.
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