History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 28

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

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Mr. Richardson is an able and vigorous writer and a practical printer, having learned the trade in the office of the Waterville Mail before entering college. Ile graduated at Waterville in 1853, became tutor in 1855, and was after- wards assistant, then chief, editor of the Portland Press. Besides his editorial labors. he has produced a timely work spoken of elsewhere) on the financial question of the day, which has been lately published by the Appletons, of New York.

In its present field the Advertiser expresses Republican opinions, but not as a party organ,-aiming primarily at a faithful publication of the news without reference to its political bearing, and discussing the events of the day with reference to principles rather than immediate results.

Among the graduates of the Advertiser office are some of the leading journalists of the country. James and Erastus Brooks have already been named. Others are Charles G. Came, the leading writer on the Boston Journal; Edwin F. Waters, one of the publishers of the Boston Advertiser ; Edward Haskell, managing editor of the Boston Herald; S. R. Niles, the well-known advertising agent ; ('harles G. Gammon, commercial editor of the New York Journal of Commerce ; Zenas T. Haines, of the New Orleans Press; and Royal W. Lincoln, of the Portland I'ress.

FIRST SEMI-WEEKLY.

The first semi-weekly paper in Maine, and probably the first east of Boston, was an edition of the consolidated East- ern Herald and Gazette of Maine, issued in 1796, by John K. Baker, a former apprentice of Mr. Wait's. Mr. Baker seems to have manifested a good deal of newspaper enter- prise. Ile had obtained the papers of both the other pub- lishers, and, occupying the field alone, proposed to furnish the news more rapidly than by weekly installments. This might have been practicable but for the impossibility of getting his papers distributed to subscribers in the country by mails which only went once a week, and then chiefly on horseback. This Mr. Baker soon discovered to be the great difficulty in the way of sustaining a semi- weekly, and his paper went under. He, however, continued the weekly issue till 1800, and was succeeded by Daniel George, who continued it till 1804. Mr. Baker went to the State of New York, and from thence to Vermont, where at one time he kept a tavern. It does not appear that he ever after followed his ocenpation, although he was eonsid- ered a very excellent printer.

FIRST DAILY PAPER.

The Portland Courier, issued in 1829, was the first daily newspaper in the State of Maine. It was inaugurated by Seba Smith, the original " Jack Downing." Mr. Smith, a gentleman of fine literary taste, had previously been editor of the Eastern Argus. He was the husband of Mrs. Eliz- abeth Oakes Smith, whose superior abilities as a writer are known throughout the country. Mr. Smith graduated at Bowdoin College in 1818, and was a man much admired for his genius and loved for his sweetness and simplicity of character. Among the several books which he published the most noted was his " Jack Downing Letters," which have given him national fame. Hle also wrote charming verses, and fills a high niche as a poet. Mr. Smith died a few years since in Brooklyn, N. Y.

The last proprietor of the Courier was Elbridge G. Waterhouse. It ceased to exist many years ago. A file of it is preserved in the library of the Portland Institute.

THE EASTERN ARGUS.

In September, 1803, the Eastern Argus was established to support the administration of Thomas Jefferson, by Cal-

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THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PRESS.

vin Day and Nathaniel Willis. On the 8th of November, 1804, Mr. Day retired, and Mr. Willis continued sole pro- prietor of the paper. Mr. Willis was father of N. P. Willis, the poet, and of Mrs. Parton (" Fanny Fern"). He suffered persecution from his political opponents, and soon went to jail for the freedom with which he uttered his sentiments. Bnt Mr. Willis, like all martyrs to the cause of liberty, turned his persecution to good account. Week after week the Argus would appear with its flaming leader, headed " fifth, sixth, or seventh week (as it might be) of the imprisonment of the editor for daring to avow senti- ments of political freedom." IIe lost nothing by being imprisoned, but was in fact largely the gainer in the end, for the people, out of that love of fair play inherent in the human breast, rallied to his support, and his paper increased in circulation and influence.

It is said that in those days of political bitterness the printers and compositors, who were required to work at night on the paper, used to go armed to protect themselves from assaults of their adversaries, who were supposed to be lying in wait for them.

In 1808, Francis Douglas purchased the establishment. Mr. Willis retired and removed to Boston, where he estab- lished the Boston Recorder, said to have been the first ex- clusively religious journal in the United States, merged a few years since with the Congregationalist. He also estab- lished the Youth's Companion, which is still published.

In 1820, Mr. Douglas having been killed by the acei- dental discharge of bis gun on his return from a shooting excursion, Messrs. Todd & Co. became proprietors, and in 1821 the senior partner purchased the whole interest. In 1822, Seba Smith, who afterwards obtained wide celebrity by his " Major Jack Downing Letters" and other writings, became a partner and continued four years, retiring in 1826. During his partnership, in 1824, the Argus was issued semi-weekly.

In 1831, Charles IIolden became a proprietor, but retired four months later. In 1832, Mr. Todd established the tri- weekly, and in 1834 sold the establishment to Charles Holden, who soon associated with himself Ira Berry, and the following year established a daily edition, continuing also the tri-weekly and weekly, all of which have been published ever since.

In 1836, N. W. Green became a partner, and the year following Ira Berry retired. In 1838, Mr. Green retired and John Appleton became a partner. In 1842, Mr. Ap- pleton retired and Eliphalet Case became a part proprietor. In 1845, Mr. Case sold bis interest to O. L. Sanborn, of the firm of Sanborn & Brother, booksellers, and retired from the editorial charge of the paper. He was afterwards editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer and of the Portland Advertiser. IIolden & Sanborn continued proprietors, with Benjamin Kingsbury, Jr. (since mayor of Portland), as editor, until 1855, when the establishment was purchased by John Appleton, afterwards United States Minister to Russia, John M. Adams, George F. Emery, since connected with the Boston Post, N. L. Woodbury, then postmaster of Portland, Charles Q. Clapp, A. W. N. Clapp, ex-Mem- ber of Congress, Nathan Clifford, now Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and George F. Shepley, late Judge

of the United States ('ireuit Court, the paper being under the editorial charge of Mr. Appleton, for whom during 1853 Mr. Adams conducted it, Mr. Appleton being Secre- tary of Legation at London.

In 1857, Mr. William G. Chadbourne and Mr. Angustine llaines purchased an interest. Mr. Appleton assumed edi- torial charge of the Washington Union, and by choice of the proprietors Mr. Adams became editor-in-chief. In 1858, Nathan Clifford retired, and in 1859, N. L. Woodbury, William G. Chadbourne, and George F. Emery retired, all selling their interests to Mr. Adams. In 1860, John Ap- pleton sold his interest to Moses McDonald, who soon after sold to II. C. Barnes. Prior to 1866 Mr. Adams purchased the interest of all the other proprietors, becoming the sole owner, and in the great conflagration of that year, July 4th, the whole establishment was destroyed, the complete files of the paper and its account and subscription books alone being saved. The loss was about five thousand dollars above in- surance. For three weeks the Argus was issued from the office of William Noyes, of the Saco Independent, who kindly tendered his facilities for the purpose. The Argus was then re-established in Portland, and has since been managed in all departments by Mr. Adams. It has always been Democratie, consistently maintaining the principles of Jefferson which it was founded to support.

JOHN MILTON ADAMS.

His father, Nathan Adams, was born Jan. 28, 1778, and bis grandfather, Nathan, born Dec. 1, 1757, was a son of Ezekiel Adams, of New Ipswich, N. H., whose sister, Dolly Adams, married Isaac Appleton, the father of the Boston merchants, Nathan and Samuel Appleton. The New Ipswich Adamses had the same ancestors as the Mas- sachusetts family, but were inclined to piety rather than to polities, producing a whole line of deacons and clergymen of the strict orthodox faith. The late Nehemiah Adams, D.D., of Boston (being perhaps the most distinguished i, was cousin of Nathan Adams, father of the subject of this narrative. His mother, Susan, was the daughter of Ezekiel Merrill, of Newbury, Mass., also a soldier of the Revolution, who married Sarah Emery, of the same town, a lady of remarkable energy and sagacity. moved to Bethel, Oxford Co., thenee to Andover while it was still a wilderness. She was the first white chill born at Andover; was educated at Fryeburg Academy and at Mrs. Putnam's school, Bruns- wick ; she was a school-teacher ; was the youngest of eight children, who all lived to marry and raise families. Both his grandfathers were soldiers of the Revolution. His father was the first postmaster of Rumford, served in the war of 1812 for the defense of Portland, was a public-spirited, respected, and influential citizen. He contributed one- fourth to build the first church at Rumford Point. Ile fell from a ladder upon the barn floor, cansing a fracture of the skull, and in a few hours died (1830 ).

John Milton Adams, son of Nathan and Susan Mer- rill ) Adams, was born in Rumford, Oxford Co., Me., Sept. 22, 1819. On arriving at school age, he attended district school until ten years old, when his father died, leaving him the oldest of five children. He was under the instruc- tion of his mother until fifteen, when he attended one

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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

term at Turner, and was a student for one term at Bethel Academy. For two winters following he taught school, attending Bridgton Academy during the intervening sum- mer. In the spring of 1838, during what was known as the "Aroostook war," he volunteered, and was made orderly in the company of Capt. Joshua I. Hall, of Rumford. It moved no farther than Augusta, and was discharged after about one month's service.

In May, 1839, he received an invitation, through the influence of his life-long friend, Isaac W. Talbot, to take charge of the academy at New Market, Kent Co., Md. IIe promptly accepted, and conducted the school to the entire satisfaction of the school board until December, 1840, when the death of a brother called him home. In 1841 he became a student of Gorham Seminary, then in charge of Amos Brown, remaining there two years, teaching during winter vacations. Ile spent the year 1843 at the French college at St. Hyacinthe, Canada, where he acquired facility in writing and speaking the French language. In the spring of 184f he began the study of law in the office of the well-known firm of Fessenden & Deblois, Portland, at the same time teaching French. In the fall of 1844 he attended a meeting in the mayor's office, with a dozen other gentlemen, including the late John A. Poor, to con- sider the matter of building a railroad to Montreal. This was the inception of the enterprise in which he afterwards took an active interest.

The following winter he taught the school at Turner, and in 1816 he was admitted to the Cumberland bar, and im- mediately commenced practice in Portland. In 1848 he formed a law partnership with John A. Poor ( afterwards the well-known railroad man). In 1850-51 he made a tour of Europe, visiting most of its capitals and the large cities, and acting as correspondent of the Railroad Journal of New York, writing chiefly on the systems of European railways, and was appointed on the staff of Governor Ilub- bard, whose election he had earnestly advocated before his departure. In 1852 he was Superintendent of Schools for Cumberland County, not, however, relinquishing the prae- tice of the law. In 1855 he edited the Argus for John Appleton, then secretary of legation at London, during which time the political campaign was very exciting, and Samuel Wells, the Democratic candidate for Governor, was elected. In 1856, Mr. Adams was appointed reporter of judicial decisions, and prepared volumes 4F and 42 of Maine Reports. He formed a law partnership with Nathan Clif- ford. In May, 1857, Mr. Clifford being appointed Justice of the I'nited States Supreme Court, and Mr. Adams being unanimously selected by the proprietors to the editorial charge of the Eastern Argus, he relinquished his law prac- tice and accepted the position, which he has ever since held, becoming sole proprietor of the establishment only a few months before its destruction in the conflagration of 1866.

April 16, 1867, he married Adela S., daughter of Wil- liam W. Hobbs, of Norway. Their children are Susan M., Sarah W .. and John M. Adams, Jr. Since he has been a resident of Portland, Mr. Adams has ever been interested in the prosperity of the city,-its publie enterprises and the welfare of its citizens. His position in connection with one of the leading journals of the Eastern States for the

past twenty years has brought him face to face with the great political questions of the State and nation, in the dis- cussion of which his ready pou, his lucid exposition of facts, and his prompt and unreserved opinion, expressed through his paper, have won the confidence of the thinking people who read its columns. lle was a member of the State Legislature from Deering in 1877-78.

THE PORTLAND PRESS.

The l'ortland Press was established in June, 1862, by Newell A. Foster, J. T. Gilman, and Joseph B. Hall. Mr. Foster was a Portland printer who had had experience in publishing, who took a strong and intelligent interest in politics, and who belonged to an old anti-slavery family in New England. Mr. Hall was editor of the droostook: Herald and Secretary of State. Mr. Gilman was editor of the Bath Times. At the outbreak of the Rebellion some earnest, spirited, and patriotic articles which appeared in the columns of the paper under his control attracted the attention of leading Republicans, and from that time they looked to him as the proper man to edit the leading news- paper of the State. Mr. Gilman brought the subscription list of the Bath paper, and Mr. Hall that of the Aroostook paper, to the Maine State Press, the weekly edition of the Portland Press. Encouragement and pecuniary aid were given by prominent Republicans in the city, and the paper became a success. Mr. Gilman's strong and incisive edito- rials, so thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit of those stirring days, at once commanded publie notice; but the success of the venture was due more to the great business capacity, untiring energy, and intelligent and firm political convictions of Mr. Foster than to any other one causc. Until his death, in 1868, he was the controlling spirit of the Press.

Mr. IFall remained in the firm less than a year. Mr. Gilman edited the Press, with the exception of less than a year, until September, 1867, when he was succeeded by Mr. H. W. Richardson, now editor of the Evening Adver- tiser. In 1866 the paper sustained a severe blow by the total destruction of its office and material in the great fire of that year which burned half of Portland. But, alone of the dailies in the city, it lost no issue. The paper of the Gth of July appeared four hours after the usual time, printed ou the largest press left in the city,-nine by twelve inehes, -and containing the best account of the conflagration that appeared that morning. Even before the office was con- sumed new type and press were ordered, and in two weeks were in use.

In November, 1868, Newell A. Foster, who had conducted the business department of the paper from the start, and was its owner, died. Feb. 26, 1869, the Portland Publish- ing Company was incorporated, bought the Press and the printing-house attached, and continued the publication of the paper. The late George II. Knowlton, of Biddeford. then assessor of internal revenue for the first district of Maine, was employed as managing editor. Ou his death he was sueceeded by George Gifford, of Vassalboro', now United States Consul at Nantes, in the republic of France. In March, 1872, Mr. Gifford retired, and was succeeded by Mr. Stanley T. Pullen, of Portland, who became chief

Photo, by Lamson, Portland.

Edward. St. Elwell

EDWARD HENRY ELWELL was born in Portland, Me., Dec. 14, 1825. His ancestors trace their descent from the Ellwells of Gloucester, Mass. William Patterson, his maternal grandfather, came to this town in the latter part of the last century, and set- tled on an estate on Free Street, near its junetion with Middle Street. His father, Charles Elwell, and both his grandfathers were ship-masters, sailing out of this port. He early manifested a predilection for the sea, and spent the idle hours of his boyhood about the shipping in the docks. His education was gained at the public schools of the city, and at the age of' sixteen he entered a commission store, where he spent one year. In the year 1842 he entered the office of the Daily American newspaper as an ap- prentice to the printing business. This paper was then published by Gen. Thomas Todd, and edited by Benjamin Kingsbury, Jr. He remained there until the paper was discontinued, a period of two years and three months. After spending some two years as a journeyman in the office of the Christian Mirror, then published by the late Rev. Asa Cum- mings, he took charge, as foreman, of the office of the Free- Will Baptist Repository, published at Limerick, Me., where he remained a little more than a year.

Ile then joined with the late Elwin Plummer in the enterprise of starting in Portland a new weekly literary paper, called the Northern Pioneer. The first number of this journal appeared July 1, 1848. In less than four months it gained a circulation of eleven hundred copies. At the end of that time Mr.

Elwell purchased Mr. Plummer's interest in the paper, and united it with the Portland Transcript, then published by the late Erastus E. Gould. Mr. Elwell took charge of the united journals on the 25th of October, 1848, and has continued as editor of the Transcript since, a period of over thirty years. Under his editorial management the circulation of the Transcript has increased from three thousand to twenty-two thousand. In continuous service, though not in years, Mr. Elwell is the oldest editor in the city. Hle was one of the founders of the Maine Press Association, and its first vice-president. Ile has served three years as president of the association, and has always been active in its affairs. In 1871 he made the tour of Europe, writing letters for his paper which attracted much attention. He is the author of an historical and descriptive work, entitled " Portland and Vicinity," and of a pamphlet giving an account of the editorial excursions to Aroostook in the years 1858 and 1878, and of the settlement of that vicinity, both of which have had a large sale. Mr. Elwell is well known as a lecturer in the State of Maine, having, during several years, devoted a portion of his time to the lecture field.

In 1857 he removed from the city to the suburb of Woodford's Corners, in the town of Westbrook (now Deering), where he has since resided, serving four years on the school committee of Westbrook.

In 1852 he married Sarah C., daughter of Capt. John Polleys, of Portland. Of this union have been born eight children, five of whom are living.

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proprietor of the paper, and its editor-in-chief' and business manager,-positions he still occupies.

Under its new editorial and business management the Press has increased its facilities for the collection of news, widened its range of discussion, kept pace with the rapid march of journalism, and greatly enhanced its material pros- perity. Originally started as a political paper, it now de- votes great attention to the varied interests of the State, and to the consideration of art, science, and literature, and the wide range of topics which command the attention of news- paper readers. Its material prosperity has kept pace with its eularged facilities and the spread of its influence, the daily edition having a large circulation, and the weekly Maine State Press being a recognized organ of influence in the country districts of Maine.

THE PORTLAND TRANSCRIPT.

This highly successful literary and family paper dates its origin in 1837, when the first number was issued by Charles P. Ilsley, who published it for a time in quarto form. Mr. Ilsley started the paper without a subscriber, and continued to conduct it ten years. He had been editor of the Port- lund Daily Times, issued in 1836 ; he also had charge of a neatly-printed weekly called the Eclectic, published about four years by Edwin Plummer, and subsequently to leaving the Transcript, in 1859, was editor of the Evening Courier. He was a prolific and versatile writer, and a gentleman of liberal ideas.

The Transcript was for a time published by Short & Pennell, and by Newell A. Foster. In February, 1845, Mr. Foster sold it to William H. Jerris, who combined with it the remains of the American, and continued to publish it till October, 1846, when he sold it to S. H. Colesworthy, who put it in folio form, and sold to Erastus E. Gould, a graduate of the Argus office, in 1848. Mr. Gould restored the quarto form and carried it on six months, when Edward II. Elwell became one of the editors and proprietors. Mr. Elwell and Edwin Plummer had been publishing the North- ern Pioneer, a weekly literary paper started by them in July, 1848. The Pioneer became the property of Mr. Elwell, and was united with the Transcript, the latter being pub- lished by Messrs. Elwell and Gould, under the firm-name of Elwell & Co. Mr. Gould remained with the Transcript till his death. Subsequently the Eclectic was united with the Transcript, which brought in Messrs. Pickard and Weston. The paper has since been published by Elwell, Pickard & Co. Mr. Weston, in 1860, sold his interest to Charles Pickard ; but the firm remains the same, embracing Mr. Elwell, and the brothers S. T. and C. W. Pickard.

The Transcript has reached a well-deserved rank among the literary papers of the country, by the patient assiduity and well-trained ability of its proprietors. Faithful to good principles and to the best interests of the State, it is received and appreciated by thousands of families, to whom it is a most valuable auxiliary in the education of the rising gen- eration. Its subscription list has reached a point surpass- ing auy other in the State by thousands.

THE LEADER.

This paper is published in the interest of the Greenback party. It was started by Elliot King, formerly of the New

Era, on the Ist of January, 1879, and has attained a large cir- culation. It is a weekly, twenty-eight-column folio, owned and published by Elliot King. F. Montgomery, editor.

THE NEW ERA,

also Greenback ; first issued Nov. 30, 1877, incorporated as a stock company. It is under the present editorial man- agement of F. A. Clark.

THE SUNDAY TIMES.

The first number of this paper was issued Aug. 8, 1875, by Giles O. Bailey, editor and proprietor. It still continues under the same management, having attained a large circu- lation. The present circulation is about three thousand. It is a seven-column l'olio, issued every Sunday morning.

THE SUNDAY SUN,

by George O. Gosse and Brother, editors and proprietors, was started March 23, 1879. As a new candidate for pop- ular favor, it has already achieved quite a success. its cir- culation being reported at two thousand.

CHAPTER XIX.

COUNTY PRESS (Continued).

Newspapers and Periodicals- Brunswick Telegraph-Bowdoin Sci- entifie Review Bridgton News-Religious Papers-Obsolete Pub- lications-Miscellaneous.

BRUNSWICK.

The Maine Intelligencer, the first paper in Brunswick, was established in September, 1820. It was edited by John M. O'Brien, a gentleman who had graduated at Bow- doin College in 1806. A college elub of young men, of whom Jacob Abbott, now so well known as a writer, was chairman, contributed to its columns. The paper did not prove remunerative, and was discontinued at the end of six months.

The Maine Baptist Herald was begun July 17, 1824. It was the first paper coinciding with the faith and practice of the primitive Baptists ever published in the United States. It was edited about six months by Benjamin Tit- comb, Jr., a graduate of Bowdoin College in 1806, and son of the first printer in Maine. After this it was under the sole management of the publishers, and continued weekly about six years, during the last two years of which it was called the Eastern Galacy and Herald. During the latter part of the period of its publication it had attained to a list of cleven hundred subscribers.

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 28

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