History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 103

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780

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Dr. Buzzell's second course of lectures was at Hanover, in the fall of 1835, where he was dissector and assistant in all the operations before the class. He attended his third course of medical lectures at Hanover, and graduated in the fall of 1836.

His practice has been confined, with the exception of four years at Springfield, Mass., where he had the charge of a private surgical hospital, and six years spent in Philadelphia, in con- nection with two colleges as professor of surgery, to the counties of Cumberland and York, in Limerick and Gorham, ete. He represented the classed towns of Limerick, Cornish, and Newfield in the Maine Legislature in 1851-52,-the session when the original Maine Liquor Law was enacted ; was on the special committee to whom it was referred, and did what he could in favor of its passage and to sustain it against

all opposition. lle also represented the town of Gorham in 1869.

Dr. Buzzell edited the Maine Free-Will Baptist Repository eight years, and the Watch Tower two years, which were in the interest of what are now called General Baptists in this State.

That he had his full share of surgical practice will appear from the fact that he has amputated the leg seventeen times, -twelve times above the knee,-the arm and forearm three times, the arm at the shoulder-joint twice, amputated the female breast thirty-seven times, removed the parotid gland, operated for stone in the bladder, removed an ovarian tumor weighing fifty-six pounds, made a resection of the thigh-bone for non-union of fracture, the first time it was performed in New England, etc.

Entertaining always a kind and liberal spirit towards all medical pathies, and ready to meet them cordially as fellow- servants of the people in the treatment of disease, and be- lieving that the several systems of medical treatment have added essentially to the fund of medical knowledge, and man- ifestly modified what is usually called the regular system of treatment, he regarded as the right and province of the honest sreker after medical truth to " prove all things and hold fast to that which is good," and to practice medicine according to the true principles of physiology and good common sense. En- tertaining these liberal views, when the Eclectic Medical Col- lege of Massachusetts was chartered Dr. Buzzell accepted the chair of anatomy and surgery in that institution. lle also received an appointment to the chair of surgery in the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania, and while he resided in Philadelphia he filled the chair of surgery in the l'ennsyl- vania Medical University, the institution that first opened its doors for the education of female students.

Dr. Buzzell is now located at Morrill's Corners, Deering, where he expects to spend the remainder of his days, and in the practice of his profession as far as he is able. And al- though he is now in his sixty-seventh year, he is still healthy and vigorous, having a firm nerve and steady hand, and ready to perform any surgical operation that may be required in his practice.

389

TOWNS OF WESTBROOK AND DEERING.

C. Churchill, President ; Daniel Winslow, Vice-President and Secretary ; Hon. F. O. J. Smith, Treasurer. The Universalist convention, which met in June, at Farmington Falls, indorsed the plan and purpose, and appointed Rev. Messrs. Drew and Brimblecom to address 'our religious public' on the subject. Mr. Brimblecom was at that time in charge of the parish at Stevens' Plains, and was one of the most earnest workers in collecting funds and pushing the matters of the seminary towards completion. Ile was at that time associate editor of the Christian Pilot, and mentions, in the issue of May 23, 1833, ' that the building is now in progress.' In the spring of 1834, ' a brick building, 37 by 70, two stories high, with a cupola,' was erected on land generously given by Z. B. Stevens and O. Buckley, Esq. ; cost of building, about $7000.

" The first term commenced June 9, 1834, with Rev. Samuel Brimblecom, Principal ; Rev. Alvin Dinsmore, As- sistant. Board was secured in private families in the neighborhood, at $1.25 to $1.75 per week. Mr. Brimble- com resigned in the fall of 1836. Between this time and 1839, Mr. Furbush had charge of the school a portion of the time. In 1839, John K. True was chosen principal, and remained until December, 1842; to him the following principals succeeded : 1843, Moses B. Walker and George W. True; 1844, E. P. Hines ; 1846, G. W. Bradford ; 1849, Rev. L. L. Record ; 1851, Mr. Nathaniel IIatch. Rev. J. P. Weston came to the charge in March, 1853. The school had been closed for several terms, and was in a very low state. Mr. Weston gave it new life, and it began to show permanent strength.

" Chiefly through Mr. Weston's untiring efforts, money was raised for building and furnishing Goddard Hall. He resigned in the fall of 1859. From that time the school was under the charge successively of Messrs. C. S. Fobes, S. B. Rawson, and G. B. Ames, until Rev. S. H. McCollis- ter took charge in the spring of 1861. Under his care the institution continued to prosper.

" Rev. J. C. Snow was called in 1869, and under his wise and energetic administration the school was established upon its present basis. Hersey Hall and the new dining- hall were built, new steam apparatus put in, and other im- provements made, to the total amount of $40,000. Mr. William A. Post came in 1872, and administered affairs ably until his resignation, in the fall of 1873.

"G. M. Bodge, A.M., was called to take charge in the spring of 1874, and the school greatly prospered under his care." He continued to occupy the position four years.

In August, 1878, Rev. J. P. Weston, D.D., was called to take charge of the school the second time. IIe is a man eminently fitted to give dignity, character, and success to such an institution.

Dr. Weston was born in Bristol, Maine, July 14, 1815, and graduated at Bowdoin College, in the class of 1840. He entered the ministry at Gardiner, Me., in 1843. For thirteen years-from 1859 to 1872-he was president of Lombard University, at Galesburg, Ill., which position he resigned in 1872, and was called to take charge of Dean Academy, at Franklin, Mass., where he remained till 1877, and after a year's rest, at the urgent solicitation of the trustces and his former students and patrons, he took charge

of Westbrook Seminary. The school already exhibits the good effects of his superior management and ripe experience as an educator.

" The institution provides two courses in the collegiate department, and confers the degree of Laurcate of Arts upon all young ladies who successfully pass examination in a classical course, and Laureate of Science in the scientific course. In the academic department diplomas are granted in two courses, English and college preparatory.

The following table gives the names of the schools in Westbrook, the teachers, and the salaries paid per month for the year ending March 1, 1879 :

Saco Street .- Annie Sawyer, $32.

Main Street .- Annie Sawyer, $32. High school : L. B. Shehan, $125 ; Miss Young, assistant, $125. Intermediate : George F. Johnson, $40. Primary : Emma C. P'ittee, $32; E. H. Ilosmer, $32; El- len Winslow, assistant, $2.4.

Spruce Street .- Jennio Pennell, $24.

Cumberland Mills,-Jennie Pennell, $24. Grammar : 11. H. B. Hawes, $40. Primary : Ida E. Griggs, $32.

Rocky Hill .- Clara F. Woodman, $32.

North Street .- Emily F. Maxfield, $40.

Duck Poud .- Hattie F. Waterman, $32.

Pride's Corner .- A. D. Holmes, $10. High school : J. F. Keene, XI0.

Primary : Mrs. S. L. Chubbuck, $40 ; Nellie S. Pennell, $24.

REVENCE.

Raised for common schools. $2500.00

" high school. 500.00

1060.18

From State mill tax.

school fund.

663.47

for high schools.

500.00

town of Falmouth, order.

20.25

" " Deering

52.58

$5296.48

EXPENDITURES.

Summer term for teaching. $1309.10

Fall

1345.77

Winter

1384.58

Fuel and incidentals ..

277.24

Repairs, ten per eent. of school money

129.64

Amount overdrawn March 1, 1878 349.00

Balance in favor of schools, March 1. 1879

201.15

$5296.48

Whole number of scholars in town ......

Increase over last year

Whole number attending school in summer

fall.

5.50

winter.

557

Average

summer.

156

fall

164

winter

145

The superintending committee report that the schools of the town during the past year have shown decisive im- provement.

" Teachers have labored faithfully, and excited an interest in pupils to progress which deserves our warmest praisc. The attendance compares favorably with previous years. The average attendance for the three terms has been 455, showing an increase over last year of 22.

" Believing that the scholars would be greatly benefited by a change of reading-books, those in use having been in our schools for more than fifteen years, after a careful ex- amination we decided to adopt ' Monroc's Readers,' and introduced them into all the lower schools at a trifling ex- pense by exchanging the new books for the old ones. As the 'Sixth Reader' of this series was used in our high schools, we now have a uniformity of reading-books.

" Mr. Robins having resigned his position as teacher of

1013

390

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

the high school, we engaged Mr. L. B. Shehan. He was assisted by Miss Young, both coming highly recommended, have done good service and proved themselves competent and efficient teachers.

" The high school at Pride's Corner has been in session ten weeks this winter, under the tuition of Mr. J. F. Keene. The school, although small, has been exceedingly interest- ing and the work accomplished satisfactory and pleasing.

"The school at the Duck Pond has been for several years under the instruction of a female teacher. In the school are several large scholars not sufficiently advanced to enter the high school. We believed that the interest of the school would be better promoted by employing a male teacher. We placed Mr. A. D. Holmes, of Brunswick, in charge. The wisdom of our decision is apparent in the wholesome discipline and progress of the school.

" We are happy to report that the citizens and parents are becoming more deeply interested in the progress of our schools, as manifested in all parts of the town." .

During the year " the outlay for repairs has been un- usually large,-ten per cent. of the school money having been devoted to that purpose. The school-rooms on Main Street, Saccarappa, have been altered and improved, being changed into one room, furnished with modern furniture of the latest and most approved style, making it one of the most pleasant and commodious sehool-rooms in town, with accommodations for 112 scholars. The change made it necessary to remove the intermediate school to Saco Street. There is much need of more room in the village, as there are not accommodations for more than two-thirds of the scholars in this locality."

DEERING.

The town of Deering was set off from Westbrook, and incorporated by act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 16, 1871, to take effect March 21st following. The boun- daries were defined by the act, as follows :

" Commeneing at the Presumpseot River, at the line of the town of Falmouth ; thence up said river to the wes- terly corner of the Hunt farm; thence along the westerly line of said farm to the Portland and Rochester Railroad ; thence along the southeasterly line of the Larrabee farm to the Congin road; thence, along the dividing line between the said Larrabee farm and the widow Lamb's farm, to the land of the heirs of Moses Quinby ; thence, along the east- erly and southerly line of the land of the heirs of Moses Quinby, to the Stroudwater Road at the Canal bridge ; thence by the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, westerly, abont ten rods to the line between the farm of the heirs of the late Zebulon Triekey, and the lands of George Johnson and Isaac Johnson; thenee by said last-described line southwesterly to the easterly line of the Slemons farm, being the dividing line between said Slemons farm and the land of George Johnson, southeasterly about twenty rods to the lands of W. D. Boothby ; thence southwesterly, by the dividing line between said Boothby's land and the Slemons farm, to the Cape Elizabeth town line."

These boundaries included a portion of the former town of Westbrook considered equal to about two-thirds of its value ; hence the law required the town of Deering to pay

two-thirds of all the debts and liabilities of the town of Westbrook existing at the time of separation, or that might oceur from any pending lawsuits. A board of com- missioners was provided for by the act, whose duty it was to settle all questions arising out of the division, and in ease of any matter which they could not adjust, to bring it before the commissioners of the county. They were suc- cessful in settling all matters between the two towns in a satisfactory manner, except some expenditures for roads and bridges, which were settled by the county commis- sioners. The town-house and ground, the poor-house and farm, belonging to the town of Westbrook, and situated in Decring, were purchased by the latter town.

TOWN OFFICERS.

The following have been town elerks of Deering : Thomas J. Riggs, 1872; D. F. Small, 1873; Thomas J. Riggs, 1874-79.

The treasurers have been J. S. Ricker, 1872; D. F. Small, 1873; D. D. Chenery, 1874-78 ; George B. Leavitt, 1879.

SELECTMEN.

1872 .- Andrew Hawes, David Torrey, Cyrus Thurlow. 1873 .- Smith Barber, E. C. W. Winslow, G. D. York. 1874 .- David Torrey, Francis Purinton, Solomon Stuart. 1875-76 .- David Torrey, Solomon Stuart, Jonathan Fogg. 1877 .- John C. Phenix, Gilman G. Lane, George W. Johnson. 1878 .- George 11. Crocker, John C. Phenix, Solomon Stuart. 1879 .- Solomon Stuart, Isaiah Ekler, Charles Cobb.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HENRY B. WALKER

was born in Charlestown, Mass., Jan. 15, 1819. Ilis father, Edward S. Walker, was born in Fryeburg, Me., in 1776. Some time prior to 1800 he removed to Charlestown, Mass., where he married Persis Phipps, and by whom he had nine children, all born in Charlestown. Henry B. was their eighth child. His father was a briekmaker by trade. Both the father and mother died in Charlestown, and are buried there.

Ilenry B. received his education in the common school, and at Dodge's Academy, at Charlestown. When eighteen years of age he entered the navy as earpenter's yeoman. After one year's service in that capacity, he became assist- ant paymaster. His first service was on the ship-of-the-line " Ohio," Commodore Isaac Hull, on the Mediterranean Sta- tion. The next on the frigate "Congress," Commodore Joseph Smith, on the Mediterranean and Brazil Stations. In 1846, in company with Purser Edward Bissell, he sailed from New York, as passenger, on the sloop-of-war "Boston" for the purpose of joining the Gulf Squadron. The vessel was wrecked on the island Eleuthera, one of the Bahama Islands, Nov. 16, 1846. He subsequently joined the war- ship " Potomac," belonging to the blockading squadron off Vera Cruz. He left her at Pensaeola in 1847, the last of his naval service. During his naval experience he visited all places of interest on the Mediterranean, also the Holy Land. He returned to Charlestown, and engaged in the

391

TOWNS OF WESTBROOK AND DEERING.

provision business there two years. Ile married, April 22, 1847, Mary A. Lunt, daughter of George W. Hunt, of Westbrook, Me. In January, 1849, he sailed for California via Cape Horn. Upon arrival at San Francisco, in com- pany with eleven others, with a boat brought with him from Massachusetts, he went to Stockton, one hundred and twenty miles in the interior from San Francisco. Owing to the illness of his wife, he returned to Massachusetts,

has since lived. In 1861 he made another trip to Cali- fornia, and was absent two years, visiting Oregon, Wash- ington, and Idaho Territories. He returned in March, 1863. Mr. Walker has followed farming and brick-making during his residence in Westbrook.

In polities he is a Democrat. He has been chairman of the board of selectmen eight years; justice of the peace since 1873; town auditor two years, and has filled other

Photo. by Lamson, Portland,

Henry B. Naller 24

crossing Mexico on the return. Reached home Jan. 29, 1851. His wife died May 6, 1851.

On the 13th of June following he started for California by way of the Isthmus. Remaining there about two years, he returned via Nicaragua, arriving in Charlestown August, 1853. He was again married, May 11, 1854, to Zelia A. Lunt, sister of his first wife. Mrs. Walker was born in Westbrook, May 13, 1825. The same year he purchased of his wife's father the farm, in Westbrook, upon which he

minor offices of trust in his town. Was candidate of his party for representative in 1871.

By his first wife he had one child, who died in infancy.

By his present wife he has five children,-Calvin S., born Sept. 28, 1855; Edward S., born Aug. 12, 1857 ; Henry Perey, born Nov. 17, 1859; Charles B., born Jan. 6, 1864; and Ernest W., born April 17, 1866. The two latter were drowned in the Presumpseot River, March 30, 1872.

CHARLES ROBERTS

was born in the town of Westbrook (then Falmouth ) Jan. 20, 1804, the eldest child of William and Betsey (Hatchi ) Roberts. His grandfather, Benjamin Roberts, lived in the town of Cape Elizabeth (then Falmouth), where his father was born in 1774, and when the latter was a boy the family moved to the town of Gorham. Both his grandfather and father were ship-carpenters, and besides carrying on a farm, worked at their trade. After marriage, his father, in 1805, purchased a farm in Westbrook, on the Saco road, one mile and a half south of the village of Saccarappa. In company with Daniel Trickey he purebased timber lands in the town

of Sebago, and under the firm of Roberts & Trickey carried on a lumber trade in connection with farming for many years. Ilis father died Oct. 24, 1868, aged ninety-three years. Charles Roberts has always lived near the spot where he was born. The house in which he still lives was built by his father in 1816.

In early life he was much employed in driving team con- nected with his father's lumber business. When but eight years of age he drove a team to Portland. He worked eight seasons after he was eighteen years old in his father's log- ging swamp. ITis education was limited to the common schools of Westbrook. He was married May 6, 1832. to

392

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

Eleanor J. Chenery, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Chenery. Mrs. Roberts was born April 26, 1810, in West- brook. They have had seven children, viz. : Frances E., born Feb. 20, 1833; wife of Randall J. Elder ; they have five children. Marrietta B., born March 27, 1835; died May 17, 1871. John, born Oct. 21, 1837; married Martha Roberts, daughter of Joshua D. Roberts ; four children. Annie R., born Oct. 4, 1840; wife of George A. Hunt, of Portland; four children. William, born March 29, 1843 ; living at home. Charles E., born July 27, 1848; married Ella M. Whitney ; two children. Eddie, born May 28, 1853; died Dec. 3, 1858.

With the exception of the time employed in lumbering, as above named, Mr. Roberts has followed farming, and few men in the town of Westbrook with better success. In polities, Mr. Roberts was a Democrat up to the organization of the Republican party, since which time he has acted with the latter. Though the life of a farmer is one of toil, and in this respect Mr. Roberts has been no exception, yet, inheriting a vigorous constitution, kept unimpaired by a temperate life, few men can be found upon whom seventy- five years sit more lightly.

A representation of their home, together with the por- traits of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, appear on another page of this work.

JAMES PENNELL

was born in the town of Gray, Cumberland Co., Me., July 4, 1818, the seventh child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Stone) Pennell. (For a more extended account of the genealogy of the family see biography of William H. Pennell, on another page of this volume.)

At the age of fifteen James Pennell commenced to learn the shoemaker's trade, of his brother, Dixey S. Pennell, with whom he remained three years, attending school winters. He worked thereafter at his trade for two years. In 1838 he opened a boot- and shoe-store in New Gloucester, which he carried on for six years. He then moved to Saccarappa, where for several years he engaged in the manufacture of brick. For one year thereafter he traveled through Maine, New Hampshire, and New York as agent for a patent carriage spring. In 1849, for about two years, he engaged in the manufacture, at Saccarappa, of Vogel's patent loom harness ; and for ten years thereafter, in company with Henry Smith, G. & L. P. Warren, under the firm-name of Warren, Pennell & Co., continued in the manufacture of loom harness. In this copartnership Mr. Pennell had the management of the business. For the next twelve years he engaged with G. & L. P. Warren in the manufacture of wire, at Sacca- rappa. In April, 1875, purchased the store known as the Brackett stand, in Saccarappa, where he now carries on the stove and hardware trade.

In politics Mr. Pennell is Republican. Was county com- missioner from 1866 to 1869; two years selectman ; was commissioner with Samuel T. Raymond, from the town of Westbrook, in the settlement of the business of the town at the time of setting off from it the town of Deering.

Mr. Pennell has been twice married. Ilis first wife was Mary A. Taylor, of New Gloucester, by whom he had four

.children, all deceased. Ilis second wife was Jane M. Haskell, of Saccarappa. They have six children, viz., Frank II., Anna S., Jennie F., Marcia W., Bertha M., and Mary E.

WILLIAM GILMOUR

was born in Distan, near Sterling Castle, Scotland, July 25, 1839, the fourth child of James and Annie (Mithven) Gilmour. The family emigrated to America in 1842, and settled in Lowell, Mass., where, for seventeen years, his father was master machinist in the Lowell Machine-Shop Company. In 1859 the family moved to New York City, where the father died, Nov. 4, 1869. His mother died in Lowell, May 11, 1855. Mr. Gilmour received his educa- tion in the public schools of Lowell. At the age of six- teen he went before the mast on the whale-ship " Eshcol," and returned to Lowell after a thirteen months' voyage, with $45 as his share of the profit. Ile then learned the machinist trade of his father. At the age of twenty he was foreman in the cotton-machinery department of the Lowell Machine Company. In 1861 he enlisted as private in the 1st New Hampshire Regiment for three months; was detailed with others from the regiment for the defense of Fort Constitution, off Portsmouth. He received an honorable discharge at the end of his term of enlistment. He was thereafter employed as machinist on government work in New York City and Portland, and in the navy- yard at Portsmouth. In 1867 he went to San Francisco, Cal., where for one year he was employed in the Union Iron-Works Company, and for three years thereafter had charge of the construction-shops of the Central Pacific Railroad at Sacramento. While at Portsmouth he volun- teered as engineer on the war-ship " Agawam," sent in pursuit of the steamer "Chesapeake," which had been captured by the rebels. In 1871 settled at Cumberland Mills, where for five years he engaged in general mer- chandising. Since 1876 has dealt in real estate. He was married Feb. 21, 1867, to Georgie S. Jack, daughter of Edward and Sarah Jack. Mrs. Gilmour was born in Port- land, May 26, 1843. They have had three children, viz .: Nellie F., born Aug. 2, 1868, died Oct. 6, 1877; Alice A., born May 8, 1871 ; Annie M., born Sept. 29, 1872. Mr. Gilmour voted with the Republican party up to the second nomination of Grant, when he cast his vote for Horace Greeley, since which time he has been identified with the Democratic and Greenback parties. He was elected by them in 1878 a school commissioner and one of the selectmen of the town of Westbrook. The latter position he still holds.

JAMES M. WEBB

was born in the town of St. Alban's, Me., Dee. 14, 1835. Ile lived with his grandparents until he was sixteen years of age. His education was limited to attendance at the common school of his native town, with two terms at the St. Alban's Academy. After working for two years on a farm for Isaac Pierce, at Somerset, Mass., and the same

JAMES PENNELL.

Photos, by Lamisop.

William Galimard lamor 91/26th

Marcas Johnsono George polinson

( PHOTOS BY LAMSON

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE JOHNSON, DEERING, ME.

393

TOWN OF WINDHAM.

length of time in the carpet-factory of Moses Bailey, at Winthrop, Me., he commenced to learn carriage-making of Lemuel Stilson, at Waterville, Me., where he also remained two years. In October, 1857, after working at his trade in a number of places in Maine, he settled in October, 1857, at Saccarappa. In 1862 he enlisted, as private, in Company H, 17th Maine Regiment of Infantry. The regiment was attached to the 3d Brigade, Kearney's Divi- sioa, of the Army of the Potomac. Though Mr. Webb was in all the great battles, and many skirmishcs in which that army was engaged, and often in the thickest of the fight, he escaped, unharmed, to within two days of the sur- render of Lee's army. On the 6th of July, 1865, while fol- lowing up and skirmishing with the rear of the retreating rebel army, he was wounded with a minie-ball in the upper third of the thigh, making a compound fracture of the thigh- bone, necessitating amputation of the leg. From the time of receiving the wound to July following, he was in the hospitals at Annapolis and Philadelphia. During his term of service he received a number of promotions. His first was after the battle of Gettysburg, to sergeant, and soon after to orderly-sergeant; in 1864 to second lientenant, Company K, and the same year to first lieutenant, Company D, both of the 17th Regiment. He commanded Company C in the engagement before Petersburg. He returned to his home at Saccarappa in July, 1865, and was mustered out of service Sept. 18, 1865. He was laid up eighteen months on account of his wound. In 1867 he was ap- pointed postmaster at Saccarappa, and the same year was appointed trial justice. Was chosen town clerk in 1871, and town treasurer in 1874. He still holds these different offices. He was elected county treasurer in 1879. Mr. Webb has always been a Republican, and an active mau in his party. He has been twice married. His first wife was Charlotte Hodsdon, by whom he had three children, viz., George F., Frank Elmer, and Lottie ; the latter is deccased. His second wife is Emma Hodsdon, sister of his first. Their children are Willie W., Lena Blanche, and Isa Maud ; the two latter twins.

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 103

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 780

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780