USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 42
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockport > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
Rockport also lost two prominent citizens this year, John H. Eells who died March 6, and Joseph H. Carleton who died August 14.
John H. Eells was the son of Albert S. Eells and grandson of the early settler, John Eells. He was born in Camden about the year 1845 and always made Rockport village his home where he was actively identified with various industries. He was practically the owner and was manager of a large lime plant, en- gaged in ship-building and in trade. He was a Trustee of the Camden Savings Bank and was held in the highest regard by all his business associates and neighbors. He represented Camden in the Legislature in 1886 and 1888 and while at Augusta looked carefully after the interests of his constituents. Mr. Eells married Ella G. Adams of Portland. Having been in poor health for a long time, Mr. Eells, accompanied by his wife, sought the genial climate of southern California hoping to-regain his wasted strength. He was unsuccessful in the quest, and died in Los Angeles at the age of 58 years.
Joseph H. Carleton was the son of Philander J. Carleton and was born in Rockport village, Dec. 29, 1859. Mr. Carleton was very prominent as one of the younger business men of this section and was a member of the firm of Carleton, Norwood & Co. For some twelve years, ending in 1898, he was located in Portland, looking after his firm's business in that city. He was also, from 1882, a member of the firm of Carleton, Pascal & Co. doing business at Camden village. He was a Democrat in politics and served the Rockport class as Representative in the Legislature in 1903.
Charles W. Henry, a summer resident of Rockport, and a man well loved by the people of the two towns, died at his home in Philadelphia, Pa., on Nov. 23, 1903. Mr. Henry was born in Philadelphia in 1852, received his education in the public schools
548
HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
and at the age of twenty he acquired his father's interest in the lumber business conducted under the name of Henry, Bayard & Co. and remained a member of the firm until his death. He was exceedingly successful and prominent as a business man and was deeply interested in the municipal affairs of his native city. He held many positions of trust and responsibility, both public and private, and was interested in many financial and industrial institutions. In 1899, Mr. Henry purchased the McIntire farm on Beauchamp Point, Rockport, where he made his summer home during the remainder of his life. Afterwards he purchased adjacent property and various other choice pieces of real estate in Rockport and Camden. He at once proceeded to develop his property, building cottages, laying out and constructing roads, which he afterwards dedicated to the public use, and brought many of his friends to this region who also assisted in developing the two towns as summer resorts. He was the chief promoter of the Camden Yacht Building & Railway Company and had many plans for advancing the interests and prosperity of Rockport and Camden, using his wealth and great business ability for the benefit of these towns and their people who held a large place in his affections. No native of the two towns took a greater interest than Mr. Henry in the welfare and progress of their people and institutions, whether on business, political, moral or religious lines. He interested himself in the political success of his friends here ; was principally instrumental in the organization of the Rockport Y. M. C. A .; was a constant attendant at the services of the Camden Congregational Church and was generous in his con- tributions toward the maintainence of these and all other merit- orious local institutions, and, as a noble-hearted Christian gentle- man, endeared himself to all the people of this locality. His widow, who was Miss Sallie B. Houston, and son, T. Charlton and daughters, Gertrude and Elizabeth, still make their summer home at "Orchard Farm " on Beauchamp Point.
Ma city in t B.
were A. I
state Wil the plur
Mr. Cobb
the li cans Tthe D
549
CONWAY MEMORIAL
CHAPTER LXII.
CONWAY MEMORIAL.
1904. This year at a special town meeting held on March 10, Camden again voted on the question of adopting the city charter, and again rejected it by a vote of 436 to 122.
At the annual meeting held March 14, there was no change in the principal town officers elected in 1903, except that Samuel B. Haskell was elected Treasurer.
The annual town meeting of Rockport was held March 21. W. F. Dillingham, Clerk, and A. D. Champney, Treasurer, were re-elected and Fred W. Andrews, Corydon S. York and Otis A. Fisk were elected Selectmen.
Three candidates for governor were again in the field at the state election this year. The Republicans had nominated William T. Cobb of Rockland, the Democrats, Cyrus W. Davis, the Prohibitionists, Nathan F. Woodbury and the Socialists, Wilbur G. Hapgood. Mr. Cobb was elected by about 27,000 plurality.
In Camden Mr. Cobb received 384 votes ; Mr. Davis, 311; Mr. Woodbury, 7 and Mr. Hapgood 30. In Rockport Mr. Cobb received 148 votes and Mr. Davis 172.
The political campaign in Knox County was this year one of the liveliest and most exciting for several years. The Republi- cans were more confident of winning than for several years, while the Democrats, well organized and strongly entrenched, were
550
HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
equally confident. What the result would have been under the usual conditions cannot be known, for a mistake in the ballots sent to the two towns of Rockport and St. George, involving the whole County ticket, and necessitating the use of "blanket stickers " by both parties, resulted in such mutilations of the ballots cast in both towns and such a difference of opinion on the parts of the two boards of municipal officers as to the validity of the votes cast 1 that a variance of opinion will always exist as to what the result would have been but for this unfortunate occur- ance. The returns, however, showed that the whole Democratic ticket was elected, the Senator and Register of Probate by a very few votes, and the balance of the ticket by pluralities ranging from about 100 to over 300.
Reuel Robinson of Camden was again the Republican can- didate for senator, his opponent again being L. M. Staples .. In Camden the senatorial vote stood, Robinson, 404; Staples, 290. L. E. Bramhall of Camden was Socialist candidate for Clerk of Courts, receiving in Camden 29 votes. Chas. K. Miller of Camden was Democratic candidate for Judge of Probate receiving 355 votes in Camden to 346 for his opponent Chas. E. Meservey. E. H. Bramhall of Camden was Socialist candidate for Judge of Probate and received 27 votes in Camden. George H. Page of Appleton, Republican, was elected Representative in the Camden class.
W
Rockport had no candidate for any office at this election except John F. Bennett of that town who was Socialist candidate for County Treasurer and received 1 vote in his own town. In the Rockport class K. F. Marshall of St. George, Republican, was elected Representative.
At the presidential election in November, the votes for electors in the two towns were as follows : Camden, Republican,
1. In Rockport the "blanket ticket " voters were counted and returned, while in St. George exactly the same kind of votes were rejected as invalid. Each political party claimed that it was the looser by the mistake.
3
SC th
p R R se
R C B st CO CL
sta p res Ting
ma
19
18
sh
551
CONWAY MEMORIAL
363 ; Democratic, 160. Rockport, Republican, 125 ; Demo- cratic, 155.
The winter of 1904, was the coldest since 1875. Penob- scot Bay was frozen over and for several weeks teams passed from the main land to Islesboro. Both Camden and Rockport harbors were frozen over for several days. Rockland harbor was covered with ice for a long period and Belfast harbor for a much longer period. For a time the island boats came to Camden instead of Rockland, the harbor being closed for a shorter period than at Rockland. During this winter this section sustained quite a severe earthquake shock.
Dexter W. Russell of Camden, died Dec. 27, 1904. Mr. Russell was born in Warren, Me., May 29, 1827, and came to Camden in the year 1848. He at first worked in Alden and Bachelder's block mill. Later he went to New York to learn to strap blocks and on his return continued to work for the same company. Afterwards he carried on the blacksmith's trade, oc- cupying a shop on Bay View Street for many years and continued his business up to the day of his death. Mr. Russell was a stalwart Republican in politics always true to the interests of his party. He was an honorable man, kind neighbor and highly respected citizen and maintained toward his friends an unswerv- ing loyalty. He was a member of Amity Lodge, F. & A. M. On June 9, 1849, Mr. Russell married Esther A. Jones a native of Warren. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell were, Franklin E., Emma A., Elizabeth A., and Carrie L., (who married Israel E. Decrow.)
Abel Merriam, a prominent Rockport citizen died July 13, 1904. Mr. Merriam was a native of Camden and was born in 1820. He was the son of Jonathan and Tryphena (Gleason) Merriam, who were married in Princeton, Mass., in 1802 and shortly afterwards came to Camden. Their children were, William, Ezra, Sophia T. G., Jesse G., Abel, Jonathan and Jonas. The subject of this sketch was, in early life, a caulker by trade.
552
HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
In 1840 he went to Rockport village and in 1854 he there formed a partnership with Albert S. Eells carrying on a ship building business and a general store. This partnership was dissolved and the firm of Merriam & Shepherd was formed in 1857, which continued unlil 1872. Mr. Merriam was Selectman of Camden in 1862 and '63 and represented the town in the Legislature in 1865 and '66. In 1867 he was Republican candidate for senator, but shared the fate of many other candidates of that party in Knox County namely,- was defeated. Mr. Merriam first married Rachel Fuller. Their children were Wilson A. and Charles B. For his second wife he married Harriet H. Curtis and the children of this marriage were Sophia G., (who married E. S. Philbrook), Harriet R., Edward C., and Alice T., (who married H. H. Miller.)
Mr. Merriam's eldest brother, Hon. William Merriam, was a man of considerable prominence while residing in Camden. He was born in Camden in September, 1805 and lived here until 1861. When a young man he carried on the business of a tanner, being associated with his father-in-law, Moses Parker. He after- wards opened a shoemaker's shop in the old Masonic building and later was a book-seller in the same building for many years. He held many official positions in town, among them being that of Selectman for seven years. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1848 and '49, was State Librarian in 1850 and a member of Gov. Lot M. Morrill's Council in 1858 and '59. In 1861, under President Lincoln's administration, he was appointed head Measurer in the Boston Custom House. Mr. Merriam was a Methodist and greatly interested in the formation of the Methodist Church at Camden village and in the erection of the meetinghouse there, of which he was one of the chief promoters. Mr. Merriam married Maria Parker, by whom he had a large family of sons and daughters. Those who attained maturity are Andrew, William, Jr., Maria, (who married S. C. Goodwin), Ellen S., Frank and Ida A.
1905. At the Camden annual meeting held March 20,
ces
Ca
553
CONWAY MEMORIAL
no change was made in the Town Clerk, Selectmen and Treasurer.
At the Rockport annual meeting also held March 20, W. F. Dillingham and A. D. Champney were again re-elected Town Clerk and Treasurer, respectively and Geo. H. M. Barrett, Corydon S. York and A. A. Packard were elected Selectmen.
The winter of 1905, was a repetition of the preceding one
QUICK LUNCH
Main Street, Camden Village, 1905
in severity, the bay being frozen over for a large portion of the time. There have never been two such severe winters in suc- cession at any other time in the history of this region.
This year Mr. Justus C. Strawbridge of Philadelphia, one of Camden's summer residents, macadamized the road. from his residence on Melvin Heights to Camden village at an expense to
D.
e
554
HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
him of some $10,000, which road he afterwards dedicated to the public use.
Megunticook Encampment, No. 11, I. O. O. F., was in- stituted at Camden, June 15, 1905. The following are the first officers installed : Reuel Robinson, C. P .; Charles G. Weaver, H. P .; John F. Soper, S. W .; John T. Leach, Scribe ; R. Frank Ames, Treas .; E. H. Young, J. W .; G. W. Varney, G .; F. O. Clark, 1st W .; J. A. Brewster. 2d W .; John Mckinney, 3d W .; E. M. Curtis, 4th W .; E. F. Stahl, 1st G. of T .; R. E. Richards, 2d G. of T .; John Johnson, I. S. and Oscar Ford, O. S.
Capt. Stanley Amsbury of Rockport, died Jan. 22, 1905, in Shanghai, China, at the age of 36 years and 5 months. Capt. Amsbury, himself a skilful and successful master mariner, came of a family of skillful and successful sea captains. His grandfather, Capt. Jabez A. Amsbury was born on North Fox Island (now North Haven) in January, 1800 and followed the sea until 1840, being master of many vessels hailing from Camden, Rockland and other Penobscot Bay ports. In 1840 he moved to Camden, and bought a farm at Goose River where he passed the remainder of his life dying in 1845. At the time of his death he was engaged in the collection of pensions for widows of Revolutionary soldiers .. He was a prominent Mason, having received the 33 degrees of the Scottish Rite. He married Mary C. Thomas and their children were, Thomas, Oliver, Winthrop, Helen, (who married Capt. C. S. Packard), Horatio, Edwin, Sarah, (who married Capt. Wm. Harrington), Jabez A., Jr., and Augusta, (who married Clifford Jordan.) Several of these sons are among the most successful and prominent sea captains of the past half century, sailing the seas in command of some of the largest and finest ships flying the Stars and Stripes. Capt. Stanley Amsbury was the son of Capt. Jabez A., Jr. He was born in Rockport, Aug. 12, 1868, and like so many others of the family went to sea. For a number of years he served as chief officer with his father, and in 1894 became master of the bark, "Adolph Obrig " owned
E
a d of M 1 M to
CO
555
CONWAY MEMORIAL
by Carleton, Norwood & Co. in which he sailed with great success until 1904, making long voyages to the far East. In 1904 he was offered the position of Master of the "Acme" one of the large steel ships of the Standard Oil Company, which offer he accepted and had just taken charge of the vessel at the time of his death. Capt. Amsbury married Frances C. Brastow.
Dr. Oliver Sherman died this year at Bermuda where he was visiting, on Jan. 13. Dr. Sherman was the son of Ignatious Sherman and was born in Camden, June 9, 1837. He received his medical education at the College of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1858, at Harvard University and at Bellevue College, New York, where he graduated in 1864. He practised in Nashville, Tenn., St. Louis, Mo., and New York City, until 1885 when the illness of his mother called him home. He remained at home ministering to her needs until her death in 1893, after which his business interests and those of his family kept him in Camden during the remainder of his life. He never married.
Rockport lost a valuable citizen in the death of Rev. Thomas E. Brastow, on Dec. 9, 1905. Mr. Brastow was born in Brewer, Maine, Aug. 13, 1835, being 70 years of age at the time of his death. He graduated from Williams College in the class of '61, and from the Bangor Theological School in 1864. He was or- dained to the gospel ministry, Oct. 11, 1865, and installed over the church at Jackson and Brooks, Maine. He was later pastor of the churches of his denomination at Sherman Mills and Orland, Maine. On the death of his father-in-law, William Carleton, Jr., in 1876, Mr. Brastow came to Rockport and took Mr. Carleton's ice business, later taking into partnership E. A. Morrill and W. A. Merriam. Afterwards the company, previously known as Carle- ton & Co., acquired the stock and business of the Rockport Ice Company and carried on the business under the name of that corporation, Mr. Brastow being Treasurer. In 1904 Mr. Brastow sold his interest in the company and retired from active business
556
HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
life. Mr. Brastow was an honored member of the Camden Congre- gational Church and was for twenty-one consecutive years Superin- tendent of its Sabbath School. He was a fluent speaker and ex- cellent sermonizer and frequently supplied the pulpit of his own and other churches. He was pre-eminently a good man of deep and
genuine piety. Mr. Brastow was not a politician but in 1879 and 1880 was the Republican candidate for Representative to the Legislature. He also served as a member of the Rockport Super- intending School Committee and in other positions. Mr. Brastow was twice married, both of his wives being the accomplished daughters of William Carleton, Jr. By his first wife, Frances E. Carleton, he had one daughter, Frances C., (who married Stanley Amsbury) and by his second wife, Sarah L. Carleton, he had one son, William T.
1906. The annual town meeting at Camden was held March 12, at which the same principal town officers were elected as the year before.
The whole amount of tax assessed in Camden this year, was $46,993.86.
In Rockport the annual meeting was held on March 26. The principal officers elected were, W. F. Dillingham, Town Clerk ; G. H. M. Barrett, R. T. Spear and A. B. Packard, Select- men and Herbert C. Butler, Treasurer.
The whole amount of tax assessed in Rockport this year, was $26,520.53.
The Republicans re-nominated Gov. Cobb this year, the Democrats, Mr. Davis, Prohibitionists, Mr. Woodbury and the Socialists, Charles L. Fox, for Governor. The campaign pre- ceding the election was one of the most interesting in the state for many years. The Legislature of 1905, with the purpose of enforcing the prohibitory law stringently and uniformly in all parts of the state, had created an enforcement commission, or as it is popularly known, "the Sturgis Com- mission," from Senator H. H. Sturgis of Cumberland County, the
D
ta
m ma
R th
a S
m
st
a
Tot
557
CONWAY MEMORIAL
author of the law, which is also known as the "Sturgis Law." This commission, appointed by the governor, was given power to appoint deputy commissioners in any part of the state where it seemed to them that the local officers were remiss in enforcing the prohibitory law, the duty of these deputies being to enforce the law. This new departure naturally aroused a great deal of feeling and antagonism among those who were opposed to the rigid enforcement of the law, and a cry was raised throughout the state demanding the repeal of the "Sturgis Law," and a re-sub- mission to the people of the prohibitory amendment to the state constitution. This, together with some other state issues, great- ly encouraged the Democrats and led them to wage one of the most aggressive and vigorous campaigns that the party had under- taken in the state for many years. The Republicans, however, were successful in the election of Governor, Congressmen and the most of the important officers of the state, together with a safe majority in both branches of the Legislature, but the majority in the state was greatly reduced, Gov. Cobb's plurality over Mr. Davis being less than 8,000. The Prohibitory party cast but few votes in the state, its members mostly preferring to vote the Republican ticket. Knox County went more strongly Democratic than usual, the Democrats electing their candidates for senator and county officials by majorities ranging from 500 to 760.
Camden this year, for the first time since the division of the old town, gave a Democratic majority at the state election. The vote for governor was as follows : Cobb, 310; Davis, 391; Wood- ward, 3; Fox, 24. J. H. Montgomery of Camden, Democrat, was elected Representative in the Camden class, receiving 436 votes to 267 for Jethro D. Pease of Hope, Republican. J. Crosby Hobbs of Camden was Democratic candidate for County Com- missioner and received in Camden, 457 votes to 248 for H. F. Kalloch, of St. George, Republican, 18 for John F. Bennett of Rock- port, Socialist and 2 for G. B. Thompson of Camden, Prohibitionist. Wilder S. Irish of Camden, Independent candidate for Sheriff re-
1
558
HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
ceived in Camden 58 votes.
Rockport continued Democratic giving Gov. Cobb 184 votes, Mr. Davis, 220, Mr. Woodbury, 5 and Mr. Fox, 16. John F. Bennett of Rockport was Socialist candidate for County Com- missioner, receiving 17 votes in his own town. Clarence E. Paul of Rockport, Democrat, was this year re-elected Register of Deeds. In Rockport he received 219 votes and his opponent, Frank B. Miller, 185. In the Rockport class, K. F. Marshall and William M.Harris of St.George were again candidates for Rep- resentative. This time Mr. Harris was elected.
The winter of 1906 was the mildest for many years. It was succeeded, however, by a late, tempestuous and disagreeable spring.
A most important and interesting event of this year, taking place in Camden, was Conway Memorial Day, August 30, in honor of the brave deed of William Conway, in refusing to haul down the American flag at Pensacola in 1861. 1 Mr. Conway's heroic act had to a great degree, become forgotten, and many of the present generation did not even know that such a man had lived. Capt. John O. Johnson of Liberty, believing something should be done to immortalize the deed, interested the Maine Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion in the matter of erecting a memorial with appropriate exercises, and the Loyal Legion in turn interested the town and the national naval authorities in the same, and the result was the unveiling of the boulder and tablet in the presence of perhaps the largest com- pany that ever assembled in town. At one o'clock, Wednesday, Aug. 29, Admiral Robley D. Evans, arrived with seven of the largest battleships of the navy, viz : the Maine, (flagship), Missouri, Kentucky, Kearsarge, Indiana, Iowa and Alabama, together with the destroyers, Worden, Whipple, Lawrence, Truxton and McDonough. These magnificent vessels were anchored just out- side the island and ledges and were open for the inspection of the
1. See ante Chapter XL.
Cob
2 e
559
CONWAY MEMORIAL
public on Wednesday P. M., and Thursday A. M., and thousands visited them. On Wednesday evening the fine band from the Maine gave a concert in front of the Bay View Hotel and the war ships gave an electrical display with their search lights. On Thursday afternoon over ten thousand people witnessed the parade and exercises, in honor of which the village was beautifully and elaborately decorated. The parade, headed by Chief Marshal,
Elm Street, Camden, Decorated for Conway Day
F. D. Aldus and Aids, J. A. Brewster and Frank Pullen, mounted, was made up as follows : Seven Companies of Blue- jackets with their Band ; Town and Corporation Officers ; Gov. Cobb and Staff ; Admiral Evans and Staff ; Admiral Davis and Staff; Other Officers of the Fleet ; Togus Band; Members of the Loyal Legion ; Members of the G. A. R. The literary exercises
e
e e
E
e
1
d
e
e
f
560
HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
which were of a most interesting character, were held at the Camden Trotting Park at 1.45 P. M. in the presence of a large concourse of people and were as follows : Address of Welcome by Thomas A. Hunt, First Assessor of Camden Village Corporation ; Reading of Letter from President Roosevelt 1 by Dr. Henry S. Burrage ; Address by Gov. Cobb ; Address of the Day by Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain ; Address by Capt. John O. Johnson. Following these exercises was the unveiling of the boulder 2 on Elm street 1. President Roosevelt's letter :
THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
SIR :- I wish it were in my power to be present at the time when the erection of the Conway Memorial is to be celebrated. As this is not possible, will you let me express, through you, my appreciation of the action taken in erecting this memorial ? Conway stands as typical of the best among those admirable enlisted men of the army and navy to whom this country can never pay too great a homage. The fidelity and patriotism of the sailor, shown under the most trying and difficult circumstances when his commanding officers proved faithless, should be graven on the hearts, not only of our people as a whole, but especially upon those of our people who fill the regiments of our army and man the ships of our navy. I again congratulate you upon thus commemorating his sturdy loyalty.
Sincerely yours, THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
To Major Henry S. Burrage. Togus, Maine.
2. The boulder furnished by the town of Camden, weighs from 25 to 30 tons and was hauled from near the cottage of Otto Kirschner on Ogier's hill, to the school grounds by 60 horses. The tablet furnished by the Loyal Legion, is in- scribed as follows :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.