History of Durham, Maine, with genealogical notes, Part 10

Author: Stackpole, Everett Schermerhorn, 1850-1927
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Lewiston, Press of Lewiston journal company
Number of Pages: 540


USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Durham > History of Durham, Maine, with genealogical notes > Part 10


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).


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21


H


F


D


E


B


25th Me.


D


Samuel Cary.


Nathaniel D. Chase. 66 ¥


19


Corp. Sergt. 66


E


13 Mass. 25tlı Me. 30th Mc.


Sept. 29,'62 Dec. 12, '63 Jan. 19, '65 Sept. 29,'62 Oct. 4, '61 Dec. 12, '63


Sept. 5, '65 July 10, '63


[1864.


Arthur L. Coombs.


39


Wagr. Privt.


F


25th Me. 10th Me. 30tlı Me. Ill. Vols. 25tlı Me. 16th Me. 5th Me. 66


Oct. 4, '62


July 10, '63


William Davis.


28


Corp.


I


Aug. 14,'62


--


Francis Day.


22


Privt. E


E


Charles Doughty.


46


D


A


66


B


18


I


B


7th Me. 1st Art. 9th Me. 16th Me. 25th Me. 10th Me. 11 U.S.I. 5th Me. 1st Me. 16th Me. 7th Me. 25th Me.


June 24,'61 May 3, '61 Sept. 23,'64 Aug. 21,'61 Sept. 29,'62


Aug. 5, '61 June 5, '65


Joseph P. Gatchell. Nelson Gatchell.


20


D


66


B 5th Me. Ist Art.


Dec. 18, '61


Pr. corp. D. Jan. 24, 1862. D. in hospital, Dec. 15, 1862. Enlisted from Biddeford.


James Gatchell. Eben Gould.


20


B


James E. Covel.


17


Albert Crockett.


18


E


Sylvester Cushing. John H. Davis.


20


66


D


June 24,'61 June 24,'61 Aug. 22,'61 Jan. 2, '64 Sept. 22,'61 Aug. 14,'62 Sept. 29,'62 Oct. - '61.


July 10, '63 Sept., '62.


Discharged, May 8, 1862.


20 26


Privt. Corp. Privt.


E F


18 20


66


A K


Wound. Gettysburg, July 1, '63. Pr.corp .; taken pris. Aug.19,'64. Promoted corp. and sergt. Discharged Oct. 3, 1861. Discharged for disability. Died of wounds, Apr. 10,'64. Promoted corporal. D. Annapolis, Md. Oct. 5,'63.


George Duran. Benj. F. Estes. Jeremiah Estes. Julius E. Eveleth. Andrew G. Fitz. Henry E. Fitz. B. Franklin Frost. Almon J. Gardiner. Chas. C. Gatchell.


31


19


July 13, '65


21 26


Corp. Band.


I


16th Me. 1st Me. 10th Me. 25th Me. 5th Me.


Aug. 5, '61 May 7, '63 July 10, '63


Isaac M. Bishop. Isaac A. Blethen.


24


Willard A. Bowie.


18


19


Wm. D. Brewster. Silas Campbell.


18


May 19, '65 July 10, '63 July 10, '63


July 10, '63


Disch. disability, May 20,


66


[Aug. 28,'62. Discharged for disability, Died at Fortress Monroe [Feb. 8, 1862.


Wm. W. Bailey.


Corp. Privt.


B


Sick; discharged Feb. 4, '63.


18


66


Promoted corporal. Killed [Nov. 27, 1863.


Killed, Antietam, Sep.17,'62. Sick; disch. July 31, 1865.


July 27, '64


Joseph T. Dennison.


24


D


12th Me.


IO4


HISTORY OF DURHAM


NAME.


AGE.


RANK.


COMP'Y.


REGT.


MUSTERED IN.


MUSTERED OUT.


REMARKS.


Amaziah Grant. Samuel R. Grant. Henry Hackett. Edwin D. Hall. Daniel Harvey. Charles Haskell. 66


John D. Haskell.


John Q. Jordan.


18 21


Privt. Corp. Privt.


66


K


D


A


E


16th Me. Ohio Rgt. 20th Me. 25th Me. 29th Me. 30th Me. 20th Me. 66


Aug. 29,'62 Sept. 29,'62 Sept. 16,'64 Dec. 12, '63 Aug. 29,'62 Aug. 29,'62 May 3, '61 Sept. 29,'62 Aug. 29,'62 Dec. 12, '63


Aug. 5, '61 July 10, '63


[1863.


Killed, Gettysburg, July 2, D. of disease, June 19, 1864. Enlisted from Gardiner.


Pr. sergt. Wounded June 21,'63. [Trans. to Vet.Corps, Oct.11,'64. D. Pt. Lookout, Aug. 30, '62. Pr. corp. and sergt. Dis. '64. Never joined rgt. Dis. Portland. Tr. Vet. C. D. June 30, '64. Killed by sharpshooter near [Richmond, Aug. 1, 1864.


Promoted sergeant. [in Durham, 1862. Dis. for dis., April11, '62. D. Tr. to Vet. C., Sept. 25, 1863.


Dis. for disability June 5,'62. 66


66 66 April 20, '63. 66 July 17, '64. Pr. corp. D. in hosptl. July 9,'65. Discharged July 10, 1865. Re-enlisted 1865. Wounded [Sept. 19, 1865.


Enlisted from Lewiston. Pr. 1st sergeant. Killed Chantilly, Apr. 11,'62. Resigned Aug. 8, 1861. Disch. as supernumerary.


Killed at Pleasant Hill, Apr. Not mustered in. [9, 1864. Never joined Co. Mustered out.


Roscoe Sylvester. Sam'l M. Thomas. Alonzo G. Turner. George Tuttle. Rufus Tuttle.


25


Mus. Privt.


H


5th Me. 20th Me. Mass.Inf.


June 24,'61 Aug. 29,'62


Discharged Oct. 3, 1861. Disch. for disability, March [5, 1863.


Dropped from roll by order, '62. Discharged. [D. Durham,'62. Pr. principal musician.


Thomas Tuttle. Irving Tyler. Joseph Tyler. Francis Venus.


18 25


Privt.


D


25th Me.


Oren S. Vickery. Wm. A. Walker.


30


18


66


K


D


E


1st Art. 32dl Me. 25th Me. 8th Me.


June 24,'61 Aug. 29,'62 Aug. 29,'62 Sept. 29,'62 Sept. 29,'62 Sept. 16,'62 June 24,'61 June 28,'64 May 6, '64 Sept. 29,'62 Dec. 21, '63


Disch. for disability, Oct. 4, Disch. June 2, 1865. [1862. Discharged June 5, 1865. Killed at Gaines's Mill.


Pr. 2d. Lieut. Wounded at [Slaughter Mountain.


[18,1863. Lost an arm in battle. Dis. Feb. D. of fever, Mar. 6, 1862. Detailed to Signal Corps,'63. [Prisoner at Andersonville.


D. in Andersonville prison, July [29,1864.


Geo. L. Macomber. Joseph Macomber. Melvin W. Marston. Chas. S. Merrill. Horace P. Merrill. James R. Merrill. John Merrill. Seward Merrill. Wm. S. Michaels.


18


18


18


28


31


66


B


K


20th Me.


18


40


James H. Miller.


23


Horace H. Moody.


18


Enoch F. Newell.


29


Joseph Newell.


31


66


G


5th Me. 20th Me. 17th Me.


Samuel Newell.


45


Mus.


E


30th Me. N.Y.Vols. 13th Me. 25th Me. 30th Me. 1st Me. . 10th Me. 20th Me. 30th Me. 10th Me. 25th Me. 1st Art. 32d Me. 9th Me.


Dec. 10, '61 Sept. 29,'62 Dec. 12, '63 May 3, '61 Oct. 4, '61 Aug. 29,'62 Dec. 12, '63 Oct. 4, '61 Sept. 29,'62 Dec. 30, '63 Mch. 23,'64 Oct. 8, '63 Nov. 16, '61 Sept. 29, '62


Jan. 6, '65 July 10, '63 Aug. 21,'65 Aug. 5, '61


Geo. H. Parker.


21


Drumr. Corp. Privt. 66


H


66


K


66


E


F


23


Corp. Privt.


D


Benj. F. Roberts. Nahum Roberts.


18


32


21


K


B


12th Me. 25th Me. Wis. Art. 25th Me. 13th Me. 3rd Me. 66


July 11, '63 July 10, '63 June 28,'64


Frederick H. Strout. Freeman H. Strout. Newell Strout.


21


26


28


21


Corp. Sergt. Capt. Corp.


K K K


G


30th Me.


Prescott R. Strout.


Revillo Strout. Sumner N. Strout. $6


18


Sergt. Lieut. Privt.


D


E


E


25th Me. 30th Me. 5th Me. 17th Me.


Sept. 29,'62 Dec. 12, '63


Daniel Sutherland. Orville Swett.


21


1


E


D


19 19


66 Mus.


K


5th Me. 20th Me.


June 4, '65 July 10, '63 July 10, '63


21


66


D


D


5th Me.


Chas. A. N. Waterman. 66 66


June 21,'65


Tr. to 31st Inf.


Chas. W. Wills. Joseph O. Wilson. Sam'l A. Wilson.


21


66


1 A


E


F


F


16th Me. 1st Cav. 5th Me. 1st Me. 10th Me. 11 U.S.I. 25th Me. 20th Me.


Oct. 4, '61 Oct. 4, '61 Aug. 14,'62 Feb. 19, '64 June 24,'61 May 3,'61 Oct. 4, '61


Sept. 29,'62 Aug. 29,'62 Aug. 14,'62


July 10, '63 July 16, '65


George F. Joy. George G. Leavens. Sam'l Loring. Sam'l B. Libby. Wm. McIntosh.


18


28


22


19


.€


H D


E


30th Me.


K 20th Me.


E


K


Aug. 29,'62 Mch. 13,'65 Dec. 12, '63


Edwin Osgood.


Jeremiah Osgood. Albert W. Owen. 66


21 18


E D


E H


Wm. H. Pollister. Cyrus A. Roak. Alfred Roberts. 66 66


19


19


Wm. H. H. Roberts. Edmund II. Soper. E. W. Stetson. Benj. F. Stevens. Geo. T. Storah.


28 18


66


C


Sept. 29,'62 Dec. 4, '61 June 4, '61 June 4, '61 June 4, '61 Dec. 12, '63


July 10, '63


20


Mch. 13,'65


18


18 18


Privt.


10th Me.


May 7, '63


45 20 44


29 18


21


Corp. Privt. Sergt.


D


K


I


1865


July 10, '63 June 5, '65 Aug. 20,'65


H


1st Me. 25th Me.


Aug. 29,'62


Aug. 20,'65


C


F


20


D


K


E


Pr. Corporal. Killed in action, Jan. 3, 1864. Disch. Feb. 5, 1863.


July 10, '63


Died of wounds June 14, '64.


Corp. Privt.


Aug. 5,'61


REV. ALLEN H. COBB.


IO5


A FEW OUT OF MANY


IX.


A FEW OUT OF MANY


REV. ALLEN H. COBB was born in Barnstable, Mass., 21 Nov. 1780. He was admitted to N. E. Conf. of the M. E. Church in 1802, and settled in Durham in 1818, where he remained till his death, 15 Sept. 1856. He was a member of the Convention that formed the Constitution of Maine in 1820. He repre- sented Durham in the Legislature nine years. Was Sen- ator from Cumberland Co. two years and two years a member of the Executive Council. He once said "If life could be lived over again, I would continue in the itinerancy, rather than enjoy civil honors." He preached here and there, as opportunity was afforded throughout his life. In 1848 he was readmitted to the Maine Conf. as a mark of respect for his valuable services and placed on the superannuated list. "He was faithful in all that was committed to him, ever ready with his counsel to serve any, and emphatically a friend of the poor, the widow and the orphan. As a preacher he retained his popularity to the last. He was clear, methodical and instructive in his discourses. A great crowd attended his funeral, and the falling tear and subdued feeling showed how much he was loved."1


He married (1) 14 April 1807, Jane Ferguson of Durham who died 13 Feb. 1815; (2) 16 April 1816 Nancy, sister to his first wife. She died 21 Feb. 1871, aged 80 yrs. He lived on the "Hallowell Road " between S. W. Bend and Methodist Corner. The Records of Durham show 276 marriages solemnized by him.


By his first marriage the children were JOHN, born in Bethel I April 1808, who was for many years a useful and beloved member of the Maine Conf., as is still his son, Rev. Gershom F. Cobb ; MARIA, who m. Elbridge Osgood ; HANNAH ; and SUSAN, d. 21 Nov. 1837, aged 23 yrs.


By second marriage there were GEORGE F .; CHARLES


1Minutes of Maine Conference. Memoir written by Rev. Chas. W. Morse.


106


HISTORY OF DURHAM


CORYDON, born in Durham 17 Sept. 1818, m. 5 June 1842 Esther Sydleman, d. at Colorado Springs 18 July 1889; their children born in Durham were Allen Corydon, b. 13 Jan. 1853, and Frank Woodbury, b. 20 Nov. 1851 ; EDWARD, b. 25 Sept. 1820, lives at 179 Brookline St., Boston, Mass .; ALLEN, b. 7 Oct. 1824, d. 22 Dec. 1834.


HON. NELSON DINGLEY, Jr., son of Nelson and Jane (Lambert) Dingley, was born Feb. 15, 1832, on lot 90 in Durham, in the house now occupied by Herbert Wagg. So many extended biographical sketches of him have been published that it is here needful to state only the salient points of his career. When he was very young, his parents removed to Parkman, thence to Unity, Me. He entered Waterville College in 1851 and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1855, having meanwhile gained much experience as a teacher, writer and debater. He studied law with Fessenden & Morrill of Auburn and was admitted to the bar in 1856. He purchased the LEWISTON JOURNAL in 1856, added a daily edition in 1861 (when his brother Frank L. Dingley became connected with him in business) and soon gained for it a reputation as an advocate of Republican principles, anti-slavery, temperance and good morals. He was chosen Representative from Auburn to the State Legislature, 1861-2, and from Lewiston 1863-4, 1867 and 1872. Was twice elected Speaker of the House. In 1867-8 he was at the head of the State Lodge of Good Templars. In 1873 he was elected Governor of Maine and re-elected the following year. During all this time he was conspicuous as a political writer and speaker. In 1881 he was elected a member of the National House of Representatives, and has been a member of every Congress since that date. His speeches on American Shipping and National Finance have caused him to be recognized as a leader. He has served as Chairman of several very important committees. In 1894 he was made Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, and became leader of the Republican majority of the House. He was tendered by President Mckinley the posi- tion of Secretary of the Treasury, but preferred to remain in the House. He was in 1898 a member of the International Commission to adjust differences with Canada. The success of the Dingley Tariff Bill has confirmed his reputation as a financier and statesman.


HON. NELSON DINGLEY, JR.


107


A FEW OUT OF MANY


Mr. Dingley is a member of the Congregational Church and was Moderator of the National Congregational Council in 1894, at Syracuse, N. Y. He was honored with the degree of LL.D. by Bates College in 1874 and by Dartmouth College in 1894. Durham is proud of him, and he has no reason to be ashamed of Durham. He showed his loyalty to his native town by delivering the principal address at her Centennial in 1889.


Since the above was written Mr. Dingley has died at Wash- ington, D. C., 13 Jan. 1899, of pneumonia, lamented by the entire nation. The loss of his public services is deeply felt. All parties unite to do honor to the memory of a noble and eminently useful life.


THOMAS ESTES was the son of Caleb and Lydia (Bishop) Estes, and was of the fourth generation from Richard Estes, the Quaker immigrant, who came from Dover, England, to Boston in 1684 and afterwards settled in Lynn, Mass.


Thomas Estes was born in Durham, Maine, August 20, 1784, and died there October 16, 1870, on the farm which he purchased in the southern part of the town. He married Betsey Hayford Alden of Greene, Maine.


He was a man of sound judgment and a prosperous farmer. Though his own early education was somewhat limited, he was a great reader and strove to give his children all the advantages possible in acquiring an education beyond the common school. He was a Justice of the Peace, performed the marriage ceremony, did conveyancing for his neighbors and townspeople, and held office on the board of selectmen. He represented Durham two years in the legislature.


Attaining his majority during the administration of President Jefferson, he early became imbued with the principles of the Democratic party and adhered to that faith through all the mutations of politics until he died. He was a great admirer of Andrew Jackson who was his beau ideal statesman.


He was born and reared a Quaker, but choosing to marry out of the society and thus incur its penalty he was "disowned," as was the custom in those days for such "worldly behavior." His religious sympathies, however, remained with the society of his Quaker ancestors, and long years before his death he again united with it. A Quaker from principle and love of peace- one of the cardinal tenets of that denomination-while discoun- tenancing disloyalty and rebellion, he did not look with favor


108


HISTORY OF DURHAM


upon Friends taking up arms and joining in the fratricidal strife between the States during the Civil war, believing such action on the part of Friends inconsistent with the fundamental teachings of the Quaker discipline. But he was a lover of the whole Union and did not countenance in any sense the secession. A man of sterling integrity, positive and honest in his convic- tions, and well informed on all public questions, he never shrank from political discussion.


As a neighbor he was obliging and tolerant to those disagreeing with liim. He was a temperance man from principle and liabit. As a father of a large family-twelve children whom he lived to see grown men and women-he was one of the kindest of men and indulgent in all that conduced to their tem- poral welfare and happiness. Somewhat stern in his manner, never playful nor frivolous, only a word or a look from him was required to command silence and obedience, whenever the boisterous children had their "little differences" as he termed it His death occurred before that of any of his children, and he lived to see his youngest child nearly forty years and his oldest nearly sixty years of age. Being of a vigorous constitution like his ancestors, he transmitted the priceless inheritance to his children.


Retaining his mental faculties in a remarkable degree to the last, he passed away in peace, with an unfaltering trust and child- like faith in the love and mercy of his God. He attained the ripe old age of eighty-six years, and was buried near where repose the ashes of his ancestors in the old cemetery near the Friends' meeting house at South Durham.


COL. WM. R. G. ESTES. The subject of this sketch was the son of Thomas and Betsey Hayford (Alden) Estes, and was born in Durham November 22, 1830. He was the eleventh of twelve children-six sons and six daughters. His grand- father, Caleb Estes, was one of the early settlers of Durham, settling there in 1769. On his mother's side he traces his ancestry to John Alden of the Mayflower, and is the eighth in lineal descent from him made famous in history and song. He is of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Benjamin Alden, and his great-grandfather, William Hayford, having been soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Born and reared on a rugged New


THOMAS ESTES.


COL. WILLIAM R. G. ESTES.


.


109


A FEW OUT OF MANY


England farm, inured to its toil, he early learned to be self- reliant.


He was educated in the schools of his native town, and the academies at Litchfield and North Yarmouth. It was his inten- tion to pursue a college course at Bowdoin, but trivial events often change the current of one's life, and so it was in his case, when he abandoned the idea of a literary life and chose a more active vocation, that of shipbuilding which he followed summers, teaching school winters. On the decline of shipbuilding, in the spring of 1855, he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where, with an older brother, he began the foundation of a mercantile life. Remain- ing in the West three years, he returned to Maine, and in 1861 located in Skowhegan, where he built up a successful business which he continued some thirty-six years, and where he now resides in the enjoyment of a pleasant home.


He has been twice married. First to Maria E. Osgood of his native town, who died in 1864, leaving a daughter. His second wife was Caroline Walker of Skowhegan, who has been his companion since 1865.


His political affiliations have been with the Democratic party, but he has never sought office nor aspired to political honors. But believing in party organization, he has been active on town, county and state committees, and has always taken a deep interest in national politics. By the choice of his political towns- men he was appointed Postmaster for Skowhegan by President Cleveland, and held that office under two administrations over a full term, raising the postal service to a high standard.


He obtained his military title by serving on the staff of Gov. Alonzo Garcelon.


Though by education and parental training a Quaker, his independence of character and habits of thinking for himself led him to embrace a broader and more liberal theology. Firmly anchored to the hope of an immortal life beyond the grave, his belief is that, in the Fatherhood of God, all will ultimately be brought to holiness and happiness.


He joined the Masonic fraternity on reaching the required age, in 1853, in Freeport Lodge, where he now holds an honorary membership, and has since been an active and prominent Free Mason, serving as master of Somerset Lodge at Skowhegan three years in succession, and holding in the Grand Lodge of


IIO


HISTORY OF DURHAM


Maine many important offices, from District Deputy Grand Master to Grand Master. He has been active, also, in some of the so-called higher Masonic bodies, notably in the Grand coun- cil of Royal and Select Masters, where he held the office of Grand Master, and also in the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, where he served two years as Grand Generalissimo- then declining promotion. Though not active in Scottish Rite Masonry, he is a member of Portland Consistory and a thirty- second degree Mason.


He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.


LEWIS ALDEN ESTES, son of Thomas Estes, was born in Durham II Dec. 1815. He graduated at Bowdoin College in the class of 1844. In 1847 he took charge of a Friends' Boarding School in Richmond, Ind. From 1870 to 1875 he was President of Wilmington College, Ohio. He then resigned and became President of the bank of Westfield, Ind., and also engaged in farming. He married (1) 24 Feb. 1848 Huldah C., dau. of Nathan C. and Abigail (Robinson) Hoag of Monkton, Vt. She was associated with him as a teacher for many years, b. 17 Sept. 1817, d. 6 Aug. 1875. He married (2) 12 Dec. 1879 Esther Owen Brown of Westfield, Mass. His two sons, Ludovic and Thomas Rowley, were graduates of Haverford College, both teachers, and both have died within the past year.


JULIUS EDWIN EVELETH, b. July 2, 1841, at Durham, attended the public schools of his native town and later the Lewiston Falls Academy ; after which he taught in Brunswick and New Gloucester. At the age of twenty-one years he enlisted in the 25th Me. Reg. for the term of nine months and at the expiration was mustered out of the service. He again taught school at Brunswick and then went to Boston and secured a position with R. H. Stearns & Co. where he remained for ten years. In Jan. 1873 he, with four other salesmen, left the employ of Messrs. Stearns & Co. and formed the house of Russ, Cobb & Co., Importers and Jobbers. In 1890 Mr. Cobb retired and the firm name changed to Russ, Eveleth & Ingalls, thie present style. As a buyer of foreign goods Mr. Eveleth's duties have required visits to Europe twice a year for the past ten years. Mr. Eveleth's home is in Lincoln, seventeen miles out from Boston, where he has for several years been a member of the


5


JULIUS EDWIN EVELETH.


JOSEPH MARRINER GERRISH.


III


A FEW OUT OF MANY


School Board and Trustee of town funds. He is also a member of the Boston Art Club and of the Pine Tree State Club of Bos- ton. He mar. Aug. 22, 1868, Mary Adeline, dau. of Harvey Reed of Livermore, Me., by whom he has had five children, Mabel (deceased), Charles Frederick (Mass. Inst. Tech. 1895), May Pauline, Edwin Harlan, and Julius Malcolm.


JOSEPH MARRINER GERRISH. He was the son of Capt. Nathaniel and Sarah (Marriner) Gerrish and was born in Royalsborough 24 Mch. 1783 and died in Portland 30 April 1853. For record of his family see Genealogy of the Gerrish family in this book.


It is related of him that when he was a youth and drove ox- teams with masts to Freeport he sometimes halted at the school house on lower County Road, where Sarah, daughter of Parson Herrick, was teaching school. He took his place in the spelling class and "spelled down" all the pupils, he being a famous speller.


The journals of Portland at the time of his death speak in very high terms of the character and public services of Mr. Gerrish. Especially the Hon. William Willis, author of a History of Portland, pays a tribute to his memory. Mr. Gerrish went to Portland as a poor boy and at first found employment in the office of Samuel Freeman who was then Clerk of Courts. In 1807 he was made Deputy Sheriff, in which office he continued many years. He was Treasurer of Portland 1823-5, and in 1831 was chosen Representative to the Legislature. Afterward he became proprietor of the Portland Advertiser. After his retire- ment from business his services were often sought as referee and in the administration of estates.


He was Treasurer of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Portland from its organization until 1837. The Records of the Lodge show that the salary voted him was given yearly into the Charity Fund. He was Past Commander of Maine Encampment and a member of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 1818-19 he was Master of Ancient Land Mark Lodge, having served as Senior Warden in 1817.


In every relation of life Mr. Gerrish was a kind, faithful and true man, upright and conscientious in the discharge of duty, and benevolent and amiable in social intercourse. "The peculiar


I12


HISTORY OF DURHAM


excellencies of his character were honesty of purpose, fidelity and generosity to friends, attachment to domestic enjoyments and relations, consistency and steadiness of action, a courteous deportment and polished manners, and the prompt and intelligent discharge of all his engagements, directed by a sincere desire to promote individual and public good." The Argus said, "He was a useful man, ever ready to serve his fellow-citizens. How numerous the pages that must be written to tell of all his half century of good service ! He was a humane man. If he had an enemy we do not know it. He was benevolent. The cause that with beseeching eye or pathetic voice appealed to his heart never went unsatisfied away." The Eclectic said, "He was a man every way worthy of our high esteem. In every relation in life his character shone out in the most estimable light. There were no repelling points to it, but all was well rounded,- all conspired to draw us toward him, to attract our love and esteem." -


JOHN JORDAN GERRISH, son of James and Mary (Syl- vester) Gerrish was born in Durham, near the old Gerrish home- stead 21 Dec. 1821. The meager schooling of a rural district was supplemented by a term at the Bath High School and a winter of teaching in Webster in 1842. In 1846 he became an employé of the old Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad, now the Grand Trunk, and continued in their service till Oct. 1863 and with other Railroads till 1871. Railroading was then in a prim- itive condition, and those engaged in it were expected to know all about it and be ready for any service, such as track-repairing, train-service and general jobbing. Mr. Gerrish acted ten years as conductor, yard-master and assistant to the "Chief." There were plenty of extra hours, extra labors, extra trains, but no extra pay. After 1871 he was for over twenty years in trade in Port- land. He served two years in the lower branch of the City Government and was two terms an Alderman and Overseer of the poor. He served fourteen years as Trustee of Evergreen Cemetery. In all positions his capacity, intelligence, and integ- rity of character have been recognized.


He married, 21 Dec. 1848 Susan R. Small of Lisbon, and has since resided in Portland.


JOHN JORDAN GERRISH.


II3


A FEW OUT OF MANY


ZEBULON KING HARMON, the son of Daniel and Mary (True) Harmon, was born in Durham II Nov. 1816. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the printer's trade in Brunswick, where he remained three years. He was for two years clerk in St. Charles, Mo. Was several years in the County Clerk's office in Portland. For thirty years he was solicitor of claims. He completed for the State a muster-roll of the soldiers of Maine in the War of 1812. He filed over six hundred pension claims. He was an earnest promoter of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a good citizen, honored and respected by all who knew him. He often visited his native town, and took an active part in its Centennial, reading a sketch of Isaac Royall's life. He died in Portland, 16 March, 1895.




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