USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 41
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockport > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 41
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Benjamin C. Adams, son of Samuel G. and Adeline (Cush- ing) Adams, died Oct. 28, 1901, at the age of 70 years. Mr. Adams was born at Owl's Head, South Thomaston, but he lived his life in Camden. For forty years Mr. Adams and his brother Joshua, were in business, the firm name being J. & B. C. Adams,
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a firm most favorably known in the business world for its integrity and square dealing. Mr. Adams possessed rare business ability. He was honest, careful and methodical and it was always said of him that "his word was as good as his bond." He was for many years a Director of the Knox Woolen Company, was elected its President in 1876 and its Treasurer in 1890, holding both offices at the time of his death. Mr. Adams was a quiet, thoughtful and courteous gentleman of the old New England type, a devoted husband and father and valuable citizen. In politics he was a Republican and was much interested in his party's welfare. Mr. Adams married, Nov. 6, 1865, Sarah B., daughter of Judge Horatio Alden. Of their four children the eldest, a son, died in infancy. Their three daughters are, Fannie L., (who married Wm. T. Plummer), Bessie A., and Adeline, (who married Gordon S. Carrigan. )
Rockport this year lost three prominent citizens. John S. Foster, Esq., who died Feb. 21, at the age of 49 years, Capt. Franklin Shepherd who died Feb. 26, at the age of 60 years and Elliot Orbeton who died May 27, at the age of 79 years.
John S. Foster, Esq., was born in Montville, Maine, Jan. 15, 1852. He received his academic education at the town schools, Freedom Academy and Castine Normal School. After leaving the Normal School he successfully taught school for several years. He began the study of law in the office of Judge George E. Johnson of Belfast, in 1875, and remained there until admitted to the bar in 1878. He first began the practise of his profession at Thorndike, where he remained about two years, when he came to Camden, settling in Rockport village where he continued to practise until his death. Mr. Foster was a successful attorney and merited and received the regard and confidence of his fellow- townsmen by his honesty and careful business methods. He was several times Collector of the town and also held the offices of Treasurer and Superintendent of schools. In 1880, Mr. Foster married Hattie J. Higgins of Thorndike.
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Capt. Franklin P. Shepherd, the son of Jotham and Margaret (Ingraham) Shepherd, was a native of Camden, and was born Oct. 28, 1840. He early went to sea and soon rose to the command of large vessels, being one of the successful master : mariners of his day. His whole life was devoted to his profession until he retired in 1896. Capt. Shepherd married for his first wife Susan M. Jameson. They were the parents of two children : Robert E., and Annabel, (who married Geo. T. Hodgman. ) For his second wife he married Maggie C. Wolfe. They were the parents of four children all of whom died in infancy.
Elliot Orbeton was born at West Camden (now West Rock- port ), Feb. 14, 1821. Being bereft of his father in childhood he had to provide for himself at an early age, and was thereby almost wholly deprived of school privileges, but by his industry and integrity became one of the successful and respected business men of this section. From early manhood to the year 1864 he worked at the blacksmith's trade. In 1864 he built a store at West Camden and engaged in the general merchandise trade to the end of his life. He was intensely interested in the affairs of his village and town and had much to do in promoting the highest welfare of both. Being a level-headed, discreet business man, his advice was often sought in important matters pertaining to public and private affairs. He served in many municipal capacities, being on the Camden and Rockport boards of Selectmen for four terms. For seventeen years he served the old town as Collector of taxes, and few men have been his equal as a Collector. He was also for eight years Postmaster at West Camden. In politics Mr. Orbeton was a Republican from the organization of that party and a strong advocate of temperance. In 1843 Mr. Orbeton married Eveline, daughter of John Achorn, and they passed their whole life in his native village in the same house, which has been enlarged and modified from time to time. Of their twelve children five died in infancy. The remaining seven reached and passed middle life before death again entered the family. They were, Eliza, (who
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married J. A. Clark ), Augustus, Amelia, (who married Capt. W. T. O'Brien of St. George ), Eva, (who married S. L. Andrews), Ada, (who married G. A. Andrews), Avilla, (who married Dr. F. W. Gordon of Sterling, Ill., ) and George, who lives on the home place.
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CHAPTER LXI.
RECENT EVENTS IN THE TWO TOWNS.
1902. Camden. There was no change from 1901 in the Town Clerk, Selectmen and Treasurer elected this year at the annual meeting held March 24, except that the first and second Selectmen changed places, Mr. Hobbs being elected First Select- man and Mr. Wilbur, Second.
This year the town for the first time voted to choose a com- mittee of 21 citizens, whose duty it should be to consider the various articles in the town warrant and make a report to the annual town meeting, recommending what action the town should take under each article, especially those articles calling for appro- priations. Since then the town has each year appointed a com- mittee of this character and its recommendations have seldom been over-ruled by the voters in town meeting. This has resulted in reducing the aggregate of appropriations and in other respects has contributed to the advantage of the town.
Rockport. This town also made no change in its principal town officers at the annual meeting also held on March 24, except in the case of Second Selectman to which office William H. Clough was elected.
Gov. Hill was this year re-nominated by the Republican party and re-elected. The other gubernatorial candidates were Samuel W. Gould, Democrat, James Perrigo, Prohibitionist and Charles L. Fox, Socialist. This year the Prohibition party cast
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the largest vote ever cast by that party in the state, its candidate for governor receiving 4,429 votes.
In Camden the vote for governor resulted as follows : Hill, 330 ; Gould, 295; Perrigo, 10; Fox, 47. Rockport's vote for governor resulted as follows : Hill, 140; Gould, 251; Perrigo, 8; Fox, 8.
Central Street, Rockport Village
The same forces that effected the election of the Demo- cratic senatorial and county tickets in 1900, continued to influence the voters this year, resulting in the election of the Democratic candidates for senator and county officers by substantially the same pluralities as at the preceding election. Reuel Robinson of Cam- den was the Republican candidate for Senator receiving 357 votes
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in Camden, while his Democratic opponent, L. M. Staples, received 284. Wilder W. Perry of Camden was the Prohibition candidate for Senator receiving 8 votes in Camden. F. P. Alexander of Camden was Socialist candidate for Sheriff receiving in Camden 46 votes. Frank H. Ingraham of Rockport was Republican can- didate for County Attorney and received in Rockport 164 votes to 242 for Philip Howard, Democrat. Clarence E. Paul of Rock- port was Democratic candidate for Register of Deeds and received in Rockport 246 votes to 147 for Frank B. Miller, Republican.
The Legislature of 1901 made various changes in the classi- fication of the towns in the state for the election of Representa- tives to the Legislature, and among them separated Camden and Rockport which had been classed together since the division. The Camden class now consists of the towns of Camden, Hope and Appleton and the Rockport class of Rockport and St. George.
In the Camden class the candidates for Representative were Camden men, viz : Charles C. Wood, Republican, E. Frank Knowlton, Democrat and George W. Varney, Socialist. Mr. Knowlton was elected, the vote in Camden resulting as follows : Wood, 306; Knowlton, 344; Varney, 29.
In the Rockport class the candidates were Rockport men, viz : William J. Robbins, Republican and Joseph H. Carleton, Democrat. Mr. Carleton was elected. The vote in Rockport resulted as follows : Robbins, 133 ; Carleton, 266.
This year in May, Megunticook National Bank started busi- ness in Camden. The following were the first officers of the bank : Joshua Adams, President ; Guy Carleton, Cashier ; Joshua Adams, G. E. Carleton, H. M. Bean, W. Grinnell, G. T. Hark- ness, E. F. Knowlton, C. E. McIntire, J. H. Montgomery, E. C. Fletcher, C. W. Babb, A. L. Moore and John Pascal, Directors. This bank has a capital of $50,000, and is doing a prosperous business.
Another business corporation was organized this year in September, viz : the Camden Yacht Building & Railway Company.
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This company was promoted chiefly by the late Charles W. Henry of Philadelphia, a prominent summer resident of Rockport. It purchased all the land and shore rights on the eastern side of Camden's inner harbor, built two marine railways there and has since been conducting an extensive business. The first officers elected were, H. M. Bean, President; Reuel Robinson, Clerk and Treasurer ; H. M. Bean, Charles W. Henry, W. Grinnell, A. J. Q. Knowlton, W. E. Schwartz, H. L. Shepherd and Reuel Robinson, Directors.
This year the Camden Trotting Park, owned by the Camden Trotting Park Association, opened with a most successful celebra- tion on July 4. This park has an excellent half mile track, and is the only park in the state having a sub-way entrance. It has since been the scene of many successful celebrations and races and for a number of years several successful and interesting fairs were held there.
Penobscot View Grange, No. 388, P. of H., was organized at Glen Cove, Rockport, March 24, 1902, with the following first officers : Frank H. Ingraham, M .; Parks Buker, O .; Chas. A. Sylvester, L .; Henry J. Billings, S .; Hiram M. Gregory, A. S .; Lizzie E. Gregory, C .; Margaret Billings, Treas .; J. E. Rhodes, 2d, Sec'y .; L.C. Jackson, G.K .; S. Louise Shaw, Ceres ; Belle M. Gregory, Pomona ; Hattie A. Buker, Flora; Ava W. Jackson, L. A. S. This Grange now has a membership of 110 and has recently completed a large hall building at the Cove.
John Pascal of Rockport, died July 2, 1902, at the age of 84 years. Mr. Pascal was born in Warren, July 24, 1818, and moved to Rockport village about the year 1852 and entered the employ of Carleton, Norwood & Co. as master-builder, for whom he built 62 vessels. He was a most skillful and successful builder of vessels, and a man of staunch and rugged honesty, who possessed the respect and regard of all his fellow citizens. Mr. Pascal married Clementine Thorndike. They had one son, Chester L.
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Mr. Pascal's brother, Alexander Pascal, was born in Warren about the year 1813 and came to Rockport village at about the same time that his brother did. He was a carpenter by trade and built many houses in this vicinity. He was a highly respected citizen and was much interested in the institution of Free Masonry, being a charter member and the first Treasurer of St. Paul's Lodge. Mr. Pascal married for his first wife Sarah Andrews and their children were Emily, (who married W. B. Richardson) and Mary Antoinette (who married Joseph H. Norwood.) For his second wife he married Sophia A. Russell, the children of this marriage being Charles A., William H., and Louise.
Capt. John Woster, a well known farmer, died August 8, 1902, aged 82 years. He was born in North Haven, Maine, and was the son of David and Lydia Crockett Woster. For years he was master of the packet running from North Haven to Camden. In 1864 he bought the Jonathan Corthell place on Hope road, where he carried on quite extensive farming. He married for his first wife Sarah Fernald and their children were Margaret, (who married John H. Wright), Eliza A., (who married first Ephraim T. Hark- ness and second Oren S. Waterman), Orris B., Flora, Henry, Mary Jane, Mary, (who married Fred G. Andrews), Edgar, Edwin, Oscar, Abbie, (who married Herbert M. Howe), John and Frank. By his second wife, who was Lelia A. Mathews, his children were, L. Eva, Charles M., Clara D. C., (who married first David C. Rollins and second Wm. H. Hosmer), Alice C., (who married Fred W. Brown), Louisa G., Fannie E., (who married Harry L. Brown.) In all Mr. Woster was the father of 19 children, three of whom died in infancy.
Thomas H. Hunt of Camden died, Dec. 14, 1902, at the age of 82 years and 8 months. Mr. Hunt was the son of Simon Hunt, and succeeded his father in his business which he carried on most successfully all his life, giving it his attention almost up to the time of his death. Mr. Hunt was born in Camden, April 13, 1820. He married Sarah B. Keene of Appleton who was his
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helpmate for almost half a century. Mr. Hunt was in business continually for 60 years and in the old store on the corner of Elm and Chestnut street for 58 years. He was a quiet man, honor- able in his dealings, careful in his business and methodical in his habits. He was a constant worshipper at St. Thomas Episcopal Church for 47 years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were three, Carrie I., who died in infancy, Thomas A., and Fred E. The latter died in early manhood.
1903. This year on petition of a large number of the leading business men of Camden, the Legislature passed an Act which was approved, Feb. 13, incorporating the "City of Cam- den," subject to the approval of the voters of the town. This act, if accepted by the voters within five years from its approval, will give Camden a modified form of city government, with a Mayor and one board in its council consisting of ten Aldermen. It will also do away with Camden Village Corporation which by the act is merged in the city and will give the city a municipal court. 1 On Feb. 28, a town meeting was called to vote on the question of accepting the city charter, which the town refused to accept, the vote standing : No, 311; Yes, 133.
The Camden annual meeting was held on March 16. The Selectmen and Treasurer were again re-elected and E. E. Boyn- ton was elected Town Clerk.
Rockport held its annual meeting on March 23, electing W. F. Dillingham, Clerk ; Fred Andrews, Wm. H. Clough and I. B. Keene, Selectmen and A. D. Champney, Treasurer.
In May, 1903, Dr. George Shorkley of Camden, joined the Ziegler Polar Expedition as surgeon-in-chief. A staunch vessel, the America, had been constructed especially for the expedition, which left Vardo, Norway, July 10, its passengers and crew hav- ing strong hope of succeeding where so many had failed and of reaching the north pole during the following year. The expedi-
1. For Camden City Charter, see Maine Acts and Resolves of 1903; Private and Special Acts, Chapter 25.
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
tion reached Franz Joseph Land, where it was to pass the winter and there on Nov. 21, had the great misfortune to lose its vessel with a large portion of its supplies by its being overwhelmed and sunk, while lying in Teplitz Bay, by an ice floe driven by a gale. After this misfortune the members of the expedition made several dashes over the ice in the direction of the pole, but in their crippled condition were unable to reach a higher latitude than 82 degrees and 14 minutes North, which was no higher than the ship reached before her destruction. The relief expedition did not reach them during the summer of 1904, and they were obliged to pass another winter in the ice, thrown upon their own re- sources for their food and other necessaries of life. The summer of 1905 also passed without the coming of the relief expedition, but just at the edge of autumn when the ice was about to close in upon them again, when it seemed to the al- most discouraged explorers that another terrible winter must be passed at the North and when their friends at home had almost given them up for lost, the relief ship appeared and rescued them from their perilous situation. The expedition lost but one man who died of disease. Dr. Shorkley reached Camden, Sept. 30, 1905, none the worse for the hardships he had endured, and the thrilling and perilous adventures through which he had passed in his heroic attempt to reach the pole. 1
Megunticook Grange, No. 423, P. of H., was organized at Camden, Sept. 21, 1903. The following first officers were in- stalled : Geo. E. Nash, M .; Sylvester Phinney, O .; Cora B. Morse, L .; Willis P. Young, 2d, S .; Jas. C. Morse, A. S .; Eliza O. Woster, C .; O. B. Woster, Treas .; Lucy E. Pendleton, Sec'y .;
1. In May, 1902, Dr. Shorkley acted as surgeon to the Baldwin - Ziegler auxiliary expedition, returning in November of the same year. The object of this expedition was to relieve the Baldwin -Zeigler Polar expedition sent out the year before. Prior to settling in Camden, Dr. Shorkley served in the war with Spain, being commissioned First Lieutenant of the First Regiment of Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers. This regiment lay in southern camps and had the same experience as the Maine Regiment. While in camp Dr. Shorkley was detailed as sanitary officer of the Third Brigade.
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G. A. Morse, G. K .; Mary A. Nash, Ceres ; Geneva F. Dow, Pomona; Josephine Phinney, Flora; Annie Young, L. A. S. This Grange now has a membership of 166.
In October and November a small pox epidemic raged in both Camden and Rockport. There were between twenty and thirty cases in all, the most of them .in Camden. Some of the cases were serious but none fatal. The prompt and effective measures against the spread of the disease, taken by the authori- ties of the two towns resulted in stamping it out in a few weeks. 1
This year is marked by the death of two prominent Camden citizens, Isaac Coombs who died March 12, and Thaddeus R. Simonton who died April 29.
Capt. Isaac Coombs was born in Islesboro, Maine, April 28, 1827, and was nearly 76 years of age at the time of his death. He was of French descent his ancestor settling in New Meadows, Mass., early in the seventeenth century. Capt. Coombs early went to sea and was master of a vessel at the age of 21. In this capacity he followed the sea for thirty years, commanding several large and notable vessels, among them being the transport ship, Onward, during the civil war, from 1861 to 1863, carrying troops and munitions of war for the government. In this ship he trans- ported the Twenty-first Maine Regiment from New York to New Orleans, in February, 1863. In 1875, Capt. Coombs retired from the sea and devoted himself to shipbuilding in Camden until 1892 building during this period twelve vessels, owning a large part in each. As a ship-builder he was associated for a time with Samuel Q. Day and later with Capt. Joseph T. Conant. Capt. Coombs was a Democrat in politics and was greatly interested in political and municipal affairs. He served in various town offices including that of Treasurer in 1890-91 and Selectman in 1893. He was also Assessor of Camden Village Corporation and Treasurer
1. Camden has been visited by this scourge but seldom. In the winter of 1864 however, a small pox epidemic broke out here which caused the schools and churches to be closed for a long time, and resulted in the death of several persons.
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of the Corporation in 1893 when the new "Opera House" was built and it was as much due to Capt. Coombs' pluck and deter- mination as to any one thing, that the building was finally erected. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1872. In 1894 he was appointed Postmaster of Camden by Pres. Cleveland and served four years in that capacity. He served for many years as President of the Camden Home for Aged Women. Capt. Coombs was an enterprising and progressive citizen and fearlessly advocated whatever he considered to be for the best interest of his town, being an apt and ready speaker. He was one of those men who are always young and to the day of his death, in public matters, generally trained with the young men of the town. Capt. Coombs was an enthusiastic Mason, being a member of Amity Lodge, Keystone Chapter and Claremont Commandery. He was the forty-first Master of his Lodge and was a Past High Priest of the Chapter. He was also a member and Past Grand of Mt. Battie Lodge, I. O. O. F., and at one time was President of the Business Men's Association. Capt. Coombs was thrice married. His first wife was Elmira Drinkwater, by whom he had three children, all of whom died young. His second wife was Arethusa Drinkwater, sister of his first wife, by whom he also had three children, Louis, Myra D., and Ferdinand I. A few months before his death he married Harriet Handley.
Hon. Thaddeus R. Simonton, for many years one of the best known public men of eastern Maine, was the son of William Simonton and was born at Simonton's Corner, Camden, Sept. 27, 1829. He received his education in the common schools, Belfast Academy, Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Bowdoin College, graduating from the latter institution in 1853, in the same class with Hon. Melville W. Fuller, Chief Justice of the United States. He studied law with Nehemiah Abbott of Belfast, was admitted to the Waldo Bar in 1855 and began the practise of his profession the same year in company with Hon. Ephraim K. Smart at Cam- den. He was appointed the first County Attorney of the new
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County of Knox in 1860. In 1861 he was appointed Deputy Collector of Customs for the port of Camden and held that position for eighteen years. In October, 1882 he purchased a half in- terest in The Camden Herald and became its editor and manager which position he continued to hold for eight years. He was State Senator from Knox County in 1885-86, and was elected
Thaddeus R. Simonton
presidential Elector in 1888, casting his vote as such for Benja- min Harrison. In 1890 he was appointed by Secretary Windom, Special Agent of the United States Treasury and held that office until 1893. In 1898 he was appointed by Gov. Powers, Clerk of Courts for Knox County, which office he held for over two years. Mr. Simonton was several times prominently talked of in
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connection with both a gubernatorial and congressional nomina- tion. Mr. Simonton was a strong friend of temperance. In 1880 and '81 he was Grand Chief Templar of the Grand Lodge I. O. G. T., of Maine and when in the Senate was chairman of the committee on temperance. He was a well read lawyer and good advocate. He was an excellent stump speaker and platform orator and lecturer, and as such his services were often in requisition both in this and other states. He possessed a fine literary ability and was the author of "Picturesque Camden," the first and one of the best of the excellent works that have been issued descriptive of Camden's unrivalled attractions as a summer resort. Mr. Simon- ton was much interested in Masonry. He was the twenty-ninth Master of Amity Lodge, serving two terms. He was the first High Priest of Keystone Chapter, was Junior Grand Warden of Maine from 1866 to 1868 and Senior Grand Warden from 1868 to 1870. Mr. Simonton married Josephine Hall and their children are Anne W., and Joseph H. At the time of his death he was 73 years and 7 months of age.
William V. Lane, a former citizen of Camden, died here July 26, 1903. Mr. Lane was born in Vinalhaven, Nov. 4, 1849. He was a photographer by trade and a master at his calling. He came to Camden about 1883, built the gallery now owned by Potter and continued in business there for 15 years when he re- moved to Boston. While here Mr. Lane was for many years Chairman of the Board of Assessors of Camden Village Corpora- tion in which he was greatly interested especially in the success of the new "Opera House" of which he was one of the most en- thusiastic promoters. He was President of the Business Men's Association and served one year as town Road Commission- er. Mr. Lane married first, Viola Calderwood and second, Annie V. Gray who died quite suddenly a short time prior to Mr. Lane's death. He had been in poor health for some time and in his sorrow and physical weakness came back to visit the scenes where had been happiest and most prosperous, when he was suddenly
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stricken down by apoplexy, dying in a few moments after the attack.
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