USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 34
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockport > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 34
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During the summer of this year a great deal of excitment resulted from the killing of a Rockport boy, Willie Cain, the son of Robert Cain, and the mysterious deposition of his body. On July 12, the Cain boy with two other boys was in a boat on the Lily Pond, and from that time the Cain boy disappeared. It was supposed that he was pushed out of the boat by the other boys, who told various and conflicting stories of his disappearance, one being that Willie was killed with a club and thrown into the pond. Afterwards the boys denied their stories first told and claimed to know nothing about their companion's death. A num- ber of days afterwards the body was found in Goose River stream, in Eben Thorndike's meadow, a long distance from the place of the boy's death and it was thought that the body had been re- covered by some one cognizant of the crime and carried to the place where it was found. The two boys were bound over to the September term of the Supreme Court, when they were tried, one of them being convicted of manslaughter and sentenced
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to a term in the Reform School and the other acquitted.
On Aug. 30, 1881, the Portland steamer "City of Rich- mond " was wrecked by running upon Mark Island in a dense fog. No lives were lost and several days afterwards the vessel was raised and towed into Rockland.
Sept. 23, memorial exercises, in honor of the assassinated President, James A. Garfield, were held at Megunticook Hall. Eloquent and appropriate addresses were delivered on this occasion by T. R. Simonton, Rev. C. G. M. Harwood, Rev. B. C. Wentworth, Rev. W. R. Cross and Rev. C. P. Nash.
Joseph H. Bowers of Rockport died April 7, 1880, at the age of 63 years. He was the son of Joseph Bowers and was born in 1818. He was a joiner by trade and an upright and honest citizen. From the formation of the firm of Carleton & Norwood, Mr. Bowers did the joiner work upon all the vessels built by the firm and its successor, Carleton, Norwood & Co., until the time of his death. Mr. Bowers was deeply interested in Masonry and was several times master of St. Paul's Lodge. He married Elizabeth W. Dillingham by whom he had the following children : Arabella, Nellie J., Carrie, (who married Eugene R. Bowler) and Edwin H.
Austin Sweetland also a resident of Rockport, died April 9. Mr. Sweetland was born in Hope, Aug. 20, 1806, where he lived until a young man when he removed to Rockport village and en- gaged in the business of manufacturing lime. He subsequently went into the grocery business. Mr. Sweetland was a lifelong Republican and in 1864 was appointed Postmaster of Rockport. He held this office until his death, a period of seventeen years. Mr. Sweetland was prominent in Masonic circles and in 1851 was elected the twenty-second master of Amity Lodge. He was largely instrumental in the organization of St. Paul's Lodge at Rockport in 1855 and was its first master. Mr. Sweetland married Sarah Archer of Waldoboro. He had four sons, viz : Edwin, Oscar, Granville and Augustus.
Albert S. Eells, son of John Eells, died Oct. 23, aged 72
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years. He was one of the early business men of Rockport village and was noted throughout life for his strict integrity and sincere Christian character. Mr. Eells married Abigail Piper by whom he had the following children : Agnes, Albert F., John H., and Deborah, (who married Walter Tolman.)
Dr. John G. Thomas who died in December, 1881, was the son of Glover Thomas, and was born in North Haven, coming to Camden with his father when 10 years old. He spent his boy- hood on the farm on "Belfast Road " now known as "Shelbourne," attended school in the "old red schoolhouse " and later at the Camden village High School. As a boy and young man he was remarkable for his fine physique and agility having no rivals in the High School as a boxer, wrestler and all-round athlete. He was one of the early graduates of the Castine Normal school. He also took a special course at Phillips Exeter Academy and a scientific course at Harvard. He was very successful as a teacher and was for a time associate principal of the Hallowell Classical Institute and was also principal of the Patten Academy. He studied surgery at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and graduated at the Bowdoin Maine Medical School. He began practise in West Medway, Mass., but desiring a broader field, removed to Worcester where he had a large and lucrative practise. He is survived by a widow and one brother, Mr. Joseph E. Thomas who lives on the "Belfast Road," Lincolnville.
Capt. George W. Thorndike, son of John and Sarah Thorn- dike, and grandson of the pioneer Robert Thorndike, died Dec. 25, 1881, at the age of 66 years. Mr. Thorndike was born in Searsmont, Maine, but his life was really spent in Camden. He followed the sea for twenty-five years, and built the schooner, Larmatine. When he left the sea he went into the tanning busi- ness with James Scott and D. H. Bisbee. Later, Mr. Bisbee retiring, the business was continued by the remaining two partners until several years prior to Capt. Thorndike's death. In religion Mr. Thorndike was a Universalist. In politics he was originally
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a Whig, but left that party to help form the Republican party with which he continued to indentify himself until 1872, when he supported Horace Greeley for the presidency. When the Green- back party was established he became one of its ablest champions in this section. He cast one of the five Greenback votes cast in Camden in 1877, and from that time contributed many articles on the subject of currency reform to The Camden Herald, for which paper he was correspondent for eight years. He was greatly interested in the Masonic and Temperance societies of his town, and at the time of his death was Deputy Grand Chief Templar for Twombly Lodge, I. O. G. T. In all that he under- took, Capt. Thorndike was bold and radical without rashness. "He dared to stand alone and battle for what he thought to be right." Capt. Thorndike married Theresa Barrett, daughter of Ephraim Barrett. They had four children : William H., Theresa L., Emeline S., and Ephraim B.
1882. The annual March meeting this year was held on the thirteenth of the month. A. D. Champney was elected Town Clerk ; J. P. Wellman, Jere. McIntire and A. Lamson, Selectmen and F. H. Calderwood Treasurer. The town voted to purchase a farm for the poor and subsequently the Hosmer Farm was pur- chased for that purpose.
There had been considerable controversy about the liability of the village corporation to pay to the town a tax upon its village (Megunticook) hall, many claiming that it was legally taxable, while others claimed that it was the property of a municipal cor- poration and therefore could not be taxed. This year the town decided to tax the property and passed the following vote : "Voted to instruct the assessors to assess a tax on Megunticook Hall building and lot at Camden village and also voted that the assessors be instructed to refer the question of taxing Camden village hall property to the Courts and act on their decision." 1
1. The sequel of this vote was a law suit brought by the town against the village corporation, which was reported to the Law Court to determine whether the village hall property could be legally taxed by the town
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This year the "Fusionists " re-nominated Gov. Plaisted, the Republicans nominated Frederick Robie and the regular Green- back party nominated Solon Chase, for governor. In addition to these candidates the "Independent " Republicans nominated Warren H. Vinton and the Prohibitionists, William T. Eustis. Mr. Robie was elected by between 8000 and 9000 plurality over Gov. Plaisted thus bringing the Republican party back into power in the state, which power it has continued to hold to the present time.
In Camden Gov. Plaisted received 535 votes, Mr.Robie 317, Mr. Chase 14, Mr. Vinton 5 and Mr. Eustis 1. Among the votes cast for Representative to Congress was one for "Rum Did It." Wilder S. Irish, Fusionist, of Camden was elected sheriff receiving in Camden 507 votes against 314 for his opponent. Dr. Hosea B. Eaton, Fusionist, was elected Representative to the Legislature, receiving 491 votes, while the Republican candidate, Cornelius T. Hosmer, received 346, and Amos Barrett 15.
The George S.Cobb Post No.63, Grand Army of the Republic, was chartered October 26, 1882, at Camden village by Augustus B. Farnham, Dep't. Commander of the state. Eighteen veterans of the war of the rebellion were the charter members and the following first officers were elected : John F. Tobin, Commander ; James S. Cleveland, Adjutant and George E. Barnes, Quarter- master. The Post took its name from a son of one of the old and most esteemed families of the town, who early enlisted in his country's defense, was a young man of noble character and a gallant soldier and who lost his life at Petersburg. The Post had its headquarters in the Cleveland block until burned out in 1887, but soon after found permanent quarters in the Carleton building,
The Law Court decided in favor of the village corporation on the ground that " Buildings and other property owned by municipal corporation and appropriated to public uses are but the means and instrumentalities used for municipal and governmental purposes, and are therefore exempt from general taxation, not by express statutory prohibition but by necessary im- plication." 77 Me., 530.
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Elm street, where it was again burned out in the great fire of 1892. After the re-building of the village it had excellent quarters in the Curtis block until the building of its present hall on Mechanic street which was completed in June, 1899. The Post has had on its rolls 220 comrades. It lost quite a number of its members when the Fred A. Norwood Post was organized at Rockport, and has lost many by death, but has always been and still is one of the strongest Grand Army organizations in the state. 1
Rev. Edward Freeman, A. M., was born in Mendon, Mass., April 2, 1806. He graduated from Brown University, Providence, R. I., numbering among his classmates, Henry B. Anthony, U. S. Senator from Rhode Island, 1859 - 1884 ; Nathan F. Dixon, member of Congress from Rhode Island, 1849- 1851 and 1863- 1871; Rev. Edward A. Stevens, D. D., Missionary to Burmah 1836 - 1886. Mr. Freeman began life as a teacher in Bellingham, Mass., and Waterville, Maine. In 1836 he was ordained a Baptist minister serving as pastor of the churches of his denomiation in Oldtown and Camden, Maine and Bristol, R. I. In 1843 he returned to Camden and settled upon what has since been known as the "Freeman Farm" on Belfast Road, where he passed the remain- der of his life, carrying on the farm, preaching and teaching school. He was for many years principal of the Classical School in Camden village held in the "Baptist Vestry," which was at that time partly owned by Mr. Freeman. Under his tuition many young men who afterwards became prominent and successful in political, business and religious circles, were prepared for college
1. Members of the Post who held rank in the Army or Navy are as follows : Wm. P. Simonton transferred from 26th Regimentand commissioned Lieutenant in the 8th Regiment. Joseph F. Stetson, Ensign on U. S. S. Savanah, Kensington and at U. S. Naval Rendezvous, North Atlantic fleet; Rev. V. P. Wardwell, promoted First Lieutenant in 6th Regiment ; Gershom F. Burgess, Lieutenant 8th Regiment, brevetted Captain; David W. Arey, promoted to Mate, U. S. S. Sabine ; Jo-eph B. Crane, Mate on U. S. S. Itasca; Wm. F. Brown, Lieutenant 26th Regiment ; Arthur B. Arey, promoted to Mate and served on U. S. S. Sabine, Colorado, Mendoto, Malvern, Allegliany and Bienville ; Rev. C. P Nash, Chaplain, 7th Michigan Cavalry.
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among whom might be mentioned, Hon. Seth L. Milliken and Rev. Dr. Nathaniel M. Wood. He also made a hobby of teach- ing navigation and many who afterwards sailed their ships over all the waters of the globe learned their navigation under Mr. Freeman's instruction. Mr. Freeman also served for a time as chaplain of the Maine State Prison. He was for a long time superintendent of schools for Camden and held other municipal positions. Mr. Freeman was several times married. His first wife, whom he married in 1834, was Harriet E. Colburn by whom he had nine children, viz : Edward L., Sarah C., (who married Esic Owen), Ellis C., Maria W., (who married Alonzo R. Williams), Perrin P., Wayland B., Harriet D., Celia, (who married Charles W. Arnold) and Franklin D. In 1853 Mr. Freeman married for his second wife, Susan Glover, by whom he had four children, viz : Julia C., John C., Phila F., (who married Theodore Munroe ), and Ralph. Three of Mr. Freeman's sons, viz : Ellis C., Perrin P., and Wayland B., were brave soldiers, during the great rebellion, serving throughout the war. Mr. Freeman's eldest son Edward L., went to Rhode Island as a young man where he still resides, being one of the most prominent men of that state. He was for 30 years a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly and served both as Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. He is Railroad Commissioner of Rhode Island, (which position he has held for many years), and State Printer. He is also one of the most prominent Masons of New England, being Past Grand Master of Rhode Island and as a Knight Templar, Past Grand Commander of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. His son Joseph, has been twice elected Mayor of Central Falls, R. I. Edward Freeman died in Camden, Jan. 28, 1882, at the age of nearly 76 years.
Dr. Rotheus E. Paine died May 31, of this year. He was born at Exeter, Maine, Oct. 18, 1834 and was therefore in his forty-eighth year at the time of his death. He graduated at the Maine Medical School in the class of 1857 and entered upon his
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practise at Hampden, Maine. In 1863 he entered the service of his country as surgeon of the 18th Regiment of Maine volunteers and continued in the service until the end of the war. Soon after the close of the war he settled in Camden and soon established a large practise in this vicinity. Dr. Paine was a man of fine presence and bearing and while in the army had a reputation as the handsomest man in the 18th Regiment. He was a gentle- man of pleasing manners and a well read physician. He was much interested in politics being an ardent Republican. Dr. Paine was one of Camden's most prominent Masons. He acted for several years as secretary of both Amity Lodge and Keystone Chapter and was the thirty-third Master of the Lodge and the eighth High Priest of the Chapter. He was District Deputy Grand Master from 1873 to 1875. He was also a member of Claremont Commandery, K. T., of Rockland and had taken many of the degrees of the Scottish Rite. At the time of his death he was Grand Royal Arch Captain of the Grand Chapter of Maine. Dr. Paine was twice married his first wife being Alta V. Pease, and his second wife Marion Goddard of Washington, D. C. By his first wife he had one daughter who died in infancy and one son, Arthur C.
Henry Knight, one of the most successful business men that Camden ever produced, died Nov. 7, 1882. Mr. Knight was born in Otisfield, Maine, Dec. 11, 1810, being almost 72 years of age at the time of his death. He started out in life as a poor boy and gained all his success by his activity and well directed efforts. About the year 1843, he established himself in the stove and tin business in Camden and about a year later married Miss Jane Dyer of Searsmont. By his strict integrity, intelligent business methods and hard work he accumulated a handsome property. His store was located on Mechanic street on what has since been known as the "Johnson Knight lot." In his later years he took into partnership his sons Johnson and Henry to whom he gave charge of the more active prosecution of the business
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and devoted himself more especially to his farm and the care of his property. When the Camden National Bank was organized Mr. Knight was elected its first president which position he held at the time of his death. Mr. Knight was a just and upright man, never oppressing the poor but giving them long credit and favorable terms. He was for years an esteemed member of the Congregational Church and a most valuable citizen of the town. To Henry and Jane Knight were born four children; Johnson, Henry, Oscar A., and Elizabeth, (who married J. H. Montgomery.) Joseph H. Mirick died Dec. 25. Mr. Mirick was the son of Joseph Mirick, was born in Princeton, Mass., Sept. 15, 1806, and came to Camden as a boy with his parents. He was a carpenter by trade. He was greatly interested in Masonry, being a prominent member of Amity Lodge and for a long time its secretary and was an upright and respected citizen. He married Mary Bass and their children were, Joseph, Ephraim, Nathaniel and Charles.
Mr. Mirick's brother, Augustus D. Mirick, who died June 12, 1887, was born in Princeton in 1808. He was a ship car- penter by trade and in the fifties he, in company with Nelson Pendleton ,did a shipbuilding business for several years, building several vessels. He married Sarah Stetson, by whom he had four children, viz : Frederick, Sarah Adelaide, William H., and Elizabeth T.
At about this time Joseph H. Martin who had been one of the most prominent citizens of Camden removed to Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. Martin was the son of Alexander Martin and was a native of Rockport village. Alexander Martin came to Camden when a young man and was employed for a time by Dr. Joseph Huse. Afterwards he went to Rockport village where he en- gaged in the grocery business. He built the brick block on Central street, Rockport, where the Post-office now is and was one of Rockport's most highly respected and best known business men. He married Harriet Tolman and their children were,
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Joseph H., and Edward. He died in April, 1880, at the age of 70 years. Joseph H., was born in March, 1845. He received his education in the common schools of his town and one term at a business college in Boston. When 16 years of age he went into his father's store and at once developed so remarkable a business capacity that he soon took charge of the business which he looked after until he enlisted for the Civil War. He entered the First Maine Cavalry Regiment but was soon transferred to the staff of Gen. Adelbert Ames. After serving with honor in the war, he went back into the store, and later (about 1866) formed a partnership with his father and younger brother, Edward, which firm manufactured lime and did a general mercantile business. After removing to Minneapolis he carried on a brokerage business in which he was very successful. Mr. Martin was an able busi- ness man and distinguished for his integrity and sterling personal character. He took great interest in politics. He served the town as Representative to the Legislature in 1874 and 1875 and was elected to the Senate in 1877. In 1878 he was his party's candidate for Representative to Congress but was not elected. Mr. Martin's popularity and the confidence that his townsmen had in his ability and integrity, are attested by the fact that although a Democrat, he always received many Republican votes whenever he was a candidate for office. He died in the West in January, 1904. Mr. Martin married Isabella Whiting, by whom he had one daughter, Mildred.
1883. At the annual meeting held March 12, A. D, Champney was elected Town Clerk ; W. D. Pierce, J. W. Thorn- dike and J. P. Simonton, Selectmen, and James Perry Treasurer. Mr. Pierce resigned the position of first selectman soon after the meeting and another meeting was held March 26, at which J. P. Wellman was elected to fill the vacancy.
This year Mt. Battie Lodge, No.102, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Camden village on March 27. Prior to this date twelve citizens of Camden had received the degrees of the order in Waldo Lodge
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No. 12, at Belfast, for the purpose of organizing the Lodge at Camden. The officers of the Lodge installed at the time of its institution were, Thomas C. Atwick, N. G .; L. M. Kenniston, V. G .; Wm. H. Pascal, Sec'y .; Geo. Burd, Treas .; Fred D. Aldus, Warden; Isaac Coombs, Conductor ; Edwin S. Rose, R. S. S .; Frank J. Wiley, L. S. S .; Edwin C. Fletcher, R. S. N. G .; Augustus H. Knight, L. S. N. G .; Joseph H. Carleton, R. S. V. G .; and Henry Knight, L. S. V. G. With the organization of this Lodge, Odd Fellowship took a new start in Camden and has from that time flourished. Mt. Battie Lodge is now one of the large and successful bodies of the order in Maine having an active and vigorous membership of over 200.
Among the citizens of the town who died during this year was Dr. Jonathan Huse who departed this life on Nov. 30. Dr. Jonathan Huse was the son of Rev. Jonathan and Ruth Emerson Huse, and was born in Warren, Maine, April 27, 1811. His father was for many years pastor of the Congregational Church in Warren. Dr. Huse received his early education at the well known Warren Academy under the tuition of Cyrus Eaton, the noted professor and historian and afterwards studied medicine with his uncle, Dr. Joseph Huse of Camden: He also pursued a medical course of study at the Medical School of Bowdoin College, ( Maine Medical School) where he graduated in 1832. He soon afterwards commenced in Camden the practise of his chosen pro- fession, which he carried on for the period of half a century. As a physician Dr. Huse was skillful, discreet and successful. In many ways he was years ahead of his time, strongly advocating the modern ideas of out of door life, ventilation and diet, even under vigorous opposition. His genial and affable manners and broad common sense way of advising his patients accomplished as much for the sick as the medicine he gave. Dr. Huse began the practise of medicine in Camden during the lifetime of his uncle, Dr. Joseph Huse, and in turn, his son, Dr. Benjamin D. E. Huse, began practise here during his lifetime so that for a
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period of 110 years Camden has always had a "Dr. Huse" in active practise. While giving his best efforts to his profession Dr. Huse was deeply and actively interested in politics, being a life long Democrat of the old school and never swerving from the Democratic faith. He was Postmaster of Camden under President Polk's administration and Deputy Collector of Customs under the administration of President Pierce. He was one of the organizers of St. Thomas Parish, was its Senior Warden for many years and a liberal supporter of the Church. Says one of his neighbors : "Pre-eminently was Dr. Huse a man of domestic tastes. He took delight in his grounds, his trees, his rocks, his brook, his house, his open fires, his pictures - all that makes home pleasant in a material point of view. Not only in these, but in the affections of a devoted and loving family he found and appreciated a lovely home." Dr. Huse married in 1839, Mary Amelia Howe, daugh- ter of Hon. Joseph Hall, and to them the following children were born : Marion E., Helen F., (who married Joseph F. Stetson ), Amelia T., Dr. Benjamin D. E., William H., and Emma L., (who married Rev. Henry Jones, present Rector of St. Thomas Church.)
1884. The annual meeting of 1884 was held March 10. The following officers were elected : A. D. Champney, Town Clerk ; J. P. Wellman, J. W. Ingraham and Otis A. Fish, Selectmen and James Perry, Treasurer. It was voted to refund the five per cent. town bonds by an issue of four per cent. 5-20 bonds to the amount of $31,000.
This year, once again, and for the last time the "bridge question " raised its troublous head in town in an article being inserted in the warrant for the March meeting to see if the town would place an iron bridge over Goose River at Rockport village. The voters were not ready for the question at that time and the meeting was adjourned to April 14. It then re-assembled to con- sider the purchase of the proposed bridge when it was "voted to purchase an iron bridge of 159 feet span with iron joist, in place
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of the wooden bridge now over Goose River at Rockport." It was then voted to raise for that purpose $3,000 by assessment and $10,000 by loan bearing interest not exceeding four per cent. This action did not meet the views of all our citizens and on May 24 another meeting was held to see if the town would vote to rescind the vote to purchase a bridge as aforesaid, which the town voted to do. This action, however, did not deter the friends of the bridge from continuing the agitation in its favor and on June 16 another meeting was called to vote again on the same subject, at which it was again voted to "purchase an iron bridge." This time the town voted to raise $12,000 for the bridge $5,000 by assessment and $7,000 by loan bearing not more than four per cent. interest. The result of these votes was the present iron bridge at Rockport.
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