USA > Maine > Hancock County > Ellsworth > History of Ellsworth, Maine > Part 13
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B. F. GRAY
Mr. Gray was born in Sedgwick, Sept. 11, 1829, and came to Ellsworth when a young man. He enlisted for service in the
B. F. Gray
Col. C. C. Burrill
Civil War in 1861. About 1870, he built the Franklin House, and ran it many years, together with a stable. Later he dis- posed of the hotel business, and with his son, Frank E. Gray, under the name of B. F. Gray & Son, conducted a hay business in the Franklin House stable. He is on record as having made the first subscription toward getting the railroad here, and he brought the first street-sprinkler to Ellsworth. He died Dec. 5, 1913.
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
COL. C. C. BURRILL
Col. Burrill was born at Corinna, July 15, 1839. In 1865, he came to Ellsworth to work in the grist-mill. The next year he established a fire and life insurance office. This agency, one of the oldest in eastern Maine, is still conducted by his son, Charles R., under the old name, C. C. Burrill & Son. He began doing banking business in a small way, and in 1873, established the Hancock County Savings Bank. This was followed in 1887, by the Burrill National Bank, of which he was president. Both these banks have merged and is now known as the Liberty National Bank. He also founded the First National Bank of Bar Harbor. He was elected to the Legislature in 1884, and to the Senate in 1886 and 1888. He also served four years on the staff of Governor Robie-1883 and 1884 as aide, and 1885 and 1886 as assistant quarter-
master general.
He died Sept. 17, 1916.
IRVING OSGOOD
Mr. Osgood was born at Bluehill, Oct. 12, 1845. When eighteen years old he enlisted in the Union Army, serving two years in Co. D, 31st Maine. He came to Ellsworth in 1875, and opened photog- raphy parlors, which he con- tinued until his death, Mar. 6, 1914. He was aid-de- camp of the National G. A. R. in 1895, and a past president of the East Maine Veteran Association.
Irving Osgood
CAPT. SAMUEL A. GOODWIN
Capt. Goodwin was born here March 18, 1843. When a young man he started going to sea. His first command was the "City of Chelsea," built for him by the Halls. Later he sailed the schooner "William H. Archer," and for eighteen years was master of the "Harry W. Haynes." He died May 4, 1914.
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
CAPT. HENRY P. JOY
Capt. Joy was born at Surry, Sept. 2, 1842. At the age of sixteen years he began going to sea, and at the age of twenty- five had command of the schooner "Altavelia." His next and last vessel was the brig "Myronus," in which he went on foreign voyages. He retired from the sea in 1879 and entered the firm of Morrison & Joy. At the time of his death, Aug. 19, 1914, he was serving his second year as assessor.
COL. JOHN F. WHITCOMB
Col. Whitcomb was born here Sept. 1, 1838. As a young man he learned the blacksmith trade, and was working at this when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in 1862, being mus- tered in soon after as first lieutenant of Co. C, 26th Maine. On the death of Captain Gray, of his company, Mr. Whitcomb took command and was at the head of his company in some of its most important engagements. He participated in the battle at Irish Bend, in the long march in western Louisiana, and the memorable siege of Port Hudson. Returning to Ellsworth, he opened a general store at Ellsworth Falls in Oct., 1863, which was the nucleus of what was destined to become the leading business and manufacturing industry in Ellsworth. In May, 1865, Charles H. Haynes was taken in partnership with him and the firm became Whitcomb & Haynes. He was postmaster of Ellsworth from 1867 to 1871, and represented this city in the Legislature in 1872-73. In 1874, he was appointed lieutenant- colonel on Gov. Dingley's staff.
Col. Whitcomb died Aug. 13, 1913.
ARTHUR W. AUSTIN
Mr. Austin was born here Dec. 4, 1852. He was educated in the public schools and the Bucksport Seminary. He was surveyor of lumber for the Halls and the Ellsworth Lumber Company. He served the city four years as alderman and eight years as chairman of the overseers of the poor. He died Sept. 29, 1914.
MYER GALLERT
Mr. Gallert was born at Pleschen, Germany, in 1851, and came to America at the age of fourteen. In 1874, he came to Ellsworth and opened a small clothing store and built up a big
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business. When he sold out to C. L. Morang in 1909, he had one of the largest dry goods stores in Eastern Maine. For sev- eral years, and at the time of his death, Oct. 10, 1914, he was secretary to the Union Trust Company.
JEREMIAH T. GILES
Mr. Giles was born at Aurora, June 27, 1850. He started in the lumbering business on a small scale, and soon worked up to be one of the most successful lumber operators in this sec- tion of Maine. He owned valuable timber lands in various parts of the State and in New Brunswick. He was also interested in mining, and spent some little time in Cali- fornia, in the lumbering and mining business. He died Dec. 9,1914.
CHAS. H. GRINDAL
Mr. Grindal was born at North Penobscot, April 16, 1842, and came to Ellsworth a young man to work in a cooperage shop. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1861. He returned to Ellsworth after the war, and a few years later, at the age of twenty- eight, started a grocery store in Water Street, in which he continued for thirty-five years. He retired from busi- ness in 1906, and died Dec. 11, 1914.
Charles H. Grindal
ANN F. GREELY
Mrs. Greely was born here Oct. 15, 1831, a daughter of Charles Jarvis, and was married to E. H. Greely, July 16, 1853. As a young girl she taught school. At the age of twenty years she bought the store and dry goods business of Thomas White, becoming Ellsworth's pioneer business woman, and one of the first women in Maine to engage in business. She continued in
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
business thirty-eight years, selling out in 1888. Mrs. Greely studied medicine, and in 1895 received a certificate to practice under a special act of the legislature. She was the first suf- fragist at Ellsworth, and a well known temperance leader. She died Oct. 22, 1914.
ROBERT M. CAMPBELL
Mr. Campbell was born at Ellsworth, May 21, 1861. As a young man he learned the printing trade in the American office, and then went to Bar Harbor where he worked a few years. He then returned to Ellsworth and opened a printing office, establishing a paper known as the Ellsworth Times. This was succeeded by the Advertiser, and this in turn, about 1886, by the Ellsworth Enterprise, a stock company formed by Mr. Campbell. Soon after he established the Campbell Job Printing plant, which he continued until his death, Jan. 25, 1915. He established the first permanent moving picture theatre here, known as the "Bijou."
SEWALL TENNEY ROYAL
Mr. Royal was born here Feb. 2, 1836. As a young man he worked in his father's mill, and later, after trying one year at sea, he and his brother, Samuel, started a grist mill in Water Street. This business they sold to H. M. & B. Hall, and for many years, Mr. Royal operated it for them. When this busi- ness was discontinued, Mr. Royal opened a small grocery store on Birch Avenue, which he ran until his death, Feb. 10, 1915.
EDMUND BONSEY
Mr. Bonsey was born here in 1837. As a boy he entered the foundry and machine shop of Gording & Standish in Grant Street. Later with his brother, Samuel, he purchased the sash and blind business of Thomas Bros., then located in Grant Street. The business was moved to Water Street, first on the west side and then to the east side, where it is still continued. Mr. Bonsey bought out his brother, and later took in his son, Wilson P., operating under the name of E. Bonsey & Son. Mr. Bonsey enlisted as a musician in the 6th Maine Regiment, July 9, 1861. He died April 14, 1915.
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
PETER STARKEY
Mr. Starkey was born at Belfast, Ireland, Nov. 12, 1833. He came to Ellsworth in 1854, to work for Mr. Ilsley, at the harness-maker's trade. Later he worked for Henry Rollins, Lewis A. Joy and James A. McGown. About 1875 he started in business for himself in Water Street, which he continued until his death, Oct. 16, 1915.
CAPT. JOHN O'KIEF
Capt. O'Kief was born at Calais, Dec. 22, 1839, but Ells- worth was his home the greater part of his life. He served in
Wiggin's Corner, now Moore's Pharmacy; before the entrance was changed to corner.
Company G, 11th Maine Regiment, during the Civil War. Among the Ellsworth vessels commanded by Capt. O'Kief were the schooners, "F. A. Nagle," "David Faust," "Fair Wind," "Doris," "Adam Bowlby" and "Chas. Upton."
He died Nov. 16, 1915.
FRANK S. LORD
Mr. Lord was born at Surry, Feb. 25, 1855, and since early boyhood lived here until his death, Nov. 11, 1915. His first
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
occupation was as engineer of the tug, "Little Round Top." He then bought the coal business which he conducted until May, 1912. He was elected alderman in 1897-98, and to the legisla- ture in 1914. Many times he was urged to become a candidate for Mayor, but declined.
ARTHUR SHUTE
Mr. Shute was born at Somerville, Mass., Jan. 13, 1853. He came to Ellsworth about 1875 and went into the market business, opening a store in State Street, which he conducted for many years. He died Nov. 19, 1915.
FRED B. AIKEN
Mr. Aiken was born at Bucks Harbor, Brooksville, Nov. 13, 1835. He came to Ellsworth in 1860, and with his brothers, O. R. and B. H. Aiken, went into the stove and tinware business, under the name of Aiken Bros. After 1878, Mr. Aiken contin- ued the business alone. At the time of his death, April 4, 1916, he had been in business here fifty-five years. He was a member of the common council in 1877, alderman 1878-79-82-83, and was elected Mayor in 1890-91. In 1890, he was elected a county commissioner and served for six years.
ROBERT GERRY
Was born at Melrose, Mass., Jan. 29, 1822. When in his teens he came with his family to Ellsworth Falls. He was in the lumber manufacturing business for over sixty years. In one season he manufactured 97 vessel loads of ship knees and sleepers. In 1868 he was elected street commissioner, and also served three years as assessor. He was elected Mayor of Ells- worth in 1896. In 1898 he was the populist nominee for Governor of Maine.
MONROE YOUNG
Was a prominent business man here and was elected Mayor in 1873, 1876 and 1877. He was a wide-awake, far-seeing man, one of the first to take advantage of the booming of Bar Harbor as a summer resort. He died in 1879 at the age of 57 years.
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
ROSCOE HOLMES
Mr. Holmes was born at Belmont, Oct. 1, 1842, and lived at Ellsworth since a young man. He came here in 1867, and purchased the Joy & True mill, just above the old water works dam. His father was financially interested in the mill until 1880, when Roscoe bought out his interest, and operated alone until 1889, when the mill was burned. After this he continued several years operating in timberlands. He was elected Mayor in 1881 and again in 1882. He was street commissioner for five years, and had also served as tax collector. He died June 28, 1916.
CHARLES H. HAYNES
Mr. Haynes was born at Trenton, Oct. 7, 1836. After a short time at sea, he entered the store of Whiting Bros., here. He enlisted in Company C, 2d Maine Volunteers, in 1861 and served until his honorable discharge, April 10, 1865. In the Battle of the Wilderness he was wounded, May 5, 1864, receiv- ing three gunshot wounds, two through the left leg and one through the right. He was taken prisoner from the battlefield and removed to Robertson's tavern where his left leg was amputated below the knee. After his return from the war he entered in partnership with Col. J. F. Whitcomb, who had established a general store at Ellsworth Falls, under the firm name of Whitcomb & Haynes.
He died Oct. 15, 1916.
CAPT. JOSEPH M. HIGGINS
Capt. Higgins was born at North Ellsworth, Nov. 9, 1833. At the age of sixteen he began going to sea, and soon rose to the captain's berth. His first command was the brig "Sarah Peters," in which he made foreign voyages, principally to Mediterranean ports. Then the brig "Myronus" was built for him and he sailed her for eleven years. In 1887, the bark "Julia," named for his wife, was built for him, and he com- manded her until he retired in 1892. He was a large owner in vessel property, and devoted most of his time, after he retired, to its management. He was elected an alderman in 1884, Mayor in 1898, and representative to the legislature in 1906. He died Nov. 9, 1916.
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
DR. JAMES T. MCDONALD
Dr. McDonald was born here March 14, 1867. He received his early education in the public schools, graduating from the High School in 1885. He took a commercial course at Gray's Business College, and then entered Hahnemann College in Philadelphia, where he completed his medical course. After practicing two years at Marlboro, Mass., he returned to Ells- worth, where he practiced until his death, Jan. 2, 1917.
George A. Parcher
GEORGE A. PARCHER
Mr. Parcher was born at Pittston, now Randolph, Nov. 29, 1844. He came to Ellsworth when sixteen years old to live with his uncle, Dr. George Parcher, and became employed in the drug store which his uncle established in 1834. Five years
-
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
later he became a member of the firm, and eventually the ruling factor. Thus for more than half a century his name was associated in the business life of Ellsworth. He was the pioneer agent for the American Express Company here, retain- ing the agency forty-three years. He died May 18, 1917.
SAMUEL KIDDER WHITING
Mr. Whiting was born here April 29, 1853. At seventeen years of age he entered the store of H. & S. K. Whiting, established in 1846. He was taken into the firm in 1877, and the firm name was changed to Henry Whiting & Sons. A few years later the firm became Whiting Bros. He became sole proprietor in 1911, and continued the business until October, 1916. He died May 25, 1917.
JOHN A. LORD
Mr. Lord was born here May 27, 1836. He started going to sea when very young and at the age of twenty was commander of the schooner "George and Mary." His next command was the schooner "Warrington," followed by the "Andrew Peters," a con- fiscated English blockade run- ner, and from this to the new "George and Mary." His last command was the brig "Eu- gene Hale." He retired from the sea in 1893 and bought out the confectionery business of Holmes Bros., which he con- tinued until about 1907. He died July 3, 1917.
John A. Lord
EDWARD F. ROBINSON
Mr. Robinson was born at Thomaston, Jan. 6, 1844. He came here with his parents when six years of age. In October,
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
1864, he went into the jewelry business, in which he continued fifty-three years. In 1907 he took his son, Edward F., Jr., in the business, and the name was changed to E. F. Robinson Co. He died June 24, 1917.
CHARLES WHITMORE
Mr. Whitmore was born here March 14, 1852, the son of James P. Whitmore. He followed the trade of his father as an operative mason, working at it in Ellsworth since a young man, and becoming a most expert artisan. He died Feb. 14, 1918.
CHARLES J. TREWORGY
Mr. Treworgy was born at Bluehill, Nov. 30, 1844, and with his parents moved to Ellsworth Falls, when he was four years old. He worked in the mills as a boy, and in 1887 bought out Hartshorn, Ellis & Co., continuing the business until his death, March 29, 1918. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the city, and gave freely to all local needs.
DOREPHUS L. FIELDS
Mr. Fields was born at Orland in 1843, but from boyhood Ellsworth was his home. He served in both the Army and Navy during the Civil War. He served two terms as sheriff of Hancock County; as deputy sheriff and for many years as coroner and on the Board of Health. He died Sept. 4, 1918.
HON. ARNO W. KING
Judge King was born at Lamoine, Aug. 2, 1855. Besides his public school education, he attended Waterville Classical Institute, and entered Colby College, but did not finish the course. He returned to Ellsworth and entered the law office of Chief Justice A. P. Wiswell. He then entered B. U. Law School, from which he was graduated and was admitted to the bar here, in Oct., 1883. In 1884 he was taken into partnership with Judge Wiswell, and the firm became Wiswell & King. Later for a few years, Wiswell, King & Peters, and later Wis- well & King again. He was president of the Board of Trade during its most active years, and also served as president of the First National Bank and president of the Ellsworth Loan & Building Association. In 1907, he was appointed to the
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
Supreme Court Bench of Maine, and served until his death, July 21, 1918.
Ex-SENATOR EUGENE HALE
Senator Hale was born at Turner, June 9, 1836. He was admitted to practice law in Maine, in June, 1857. He located first at Orland, but soon came to Ellsworth and formed a law partnership with Thomas Robinson. After Mr. Robinson's death he formed a partnership with L. A. Emery, afterwards Chief Justice. He was elected county attorney of this county
Hon. Arno W. King
Ex-Senator Eugene Hale
for nine years. In 1866, he was elected to the Legislature. Two years later he was elected to Congress, serving in the lower house ten years, and in 1881 he was elected to the United States Senate. He was re-elected term after term, until his voluntary retirement in 1911, after thirty years of continuous service in the Senate. Twice he was offered cabinet portfolios, and twice he refused. In 1874, President Grant appointed him Postmaster-General and President Hayes offered him the port-
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folio of Secretary of the Navy. He died Oct. 27, 1918, at Washington, D. C.
EDWARD K. HOPKINS
Mr. Hopkins was born at Ellsworth, July 7, 1838. In early life he was engaged with his brother in the lumbering business as J. D. Hopkins & Company, and later J. H. & E. K. Hopkins. They ran a store in Water Street and a foundry. He died Sept. 28, 1918.
SIDNEY P. STOCKBRIDGE
Mr. Stockbridge was born here Sept. 26, 1840. Most of his life was passed in the lumber business, as manager of the firm J. T. & G. H. Grant, and later he held the same position with the Ellsworth Lumber Company. He served the city as alderman and assessor. He died Sept. 11, 1918.
P. H. SHEA
Mr. Shea was born here May 3, 1858. He learned the tail- oring trade with Albert Jelli- son and for more than thirty years was in the business for himself. He died Dec. 25, 1918.
John P. Eldridge
JOHN P. ELDRIDGE
Mr. Eldridge was born at Dexter, Jan. 7, 1853. He came to Ellsworth in 1877, and entered into a partner- ship with Charles Perry, opening a tinware shop and stove store, later buying his partner's interest. He con- tinued in the business until his death, Feb. 7, 1919. He served the city as an alder- man, and the county twelve years as commissioner.
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
CAPT. JOHN Q. ADAMS
Capt. Adams was born here Dec. 28, 1843. As a boy he began going to sea, and at twenty-one took command of his first vessel. For years he sailed in Ellsworth and New York vessels to the West Indies, South America and European poris. He died Nov. 10, 1918.
EVERARD H. GREELY
Mr. Greely was born here April 18, 1832. His business career was varied and long. He first entered the grocery busi- ness with G. W. C. Means. Next he went into the coal business. Following this he went in partnership with G. W. Brown, lumberman, storekeeper and private banker. In the early '60s, he became associated with the Hales in the stable business. He built up one of the finest race horse stables in the state, owning some very famous horses. He died Dec. 21, 1918.
JEREMIAH HURLEY
Mr. Hurley was born at Fredericton, N. B., Oct., 1846, and came to Ellsworth with his parents when three years old. He entered into the carriage making business with Hamilton Joy. He was elected street commissioner in 1900-01-02-07-10. For many years he dealt in timberlands, dying March 15, 1919.
JOHN O. WHITNEY
Mr. Whitney was born at Ellsworth Falls, Sept. 22, 1855. He entered the employ of Whitcomb & Haynes when thirteen years old, and played a very important part in making this the largest lumbering and shipping concern in Ellsworth. He was admitted to the firm, Nov., 1875, and it became Whitcomb, Haynes & Co. In 1915, the business was incorporated under the name Whitcomb, Haynes & Whitney, Mr. Whitney being elected president and general manager. He was president of the Ellsworth Board of Trade, and of the festival chorus. He was a director of the Union Trust Company, president of the Loan and Building Association, and treasurer of the Ellsworth Hardwood Company. He also had an interest in Morrison- Joy & Company and H. C. Austin & Company.
He died March 22, 1919.
ZACHARIAH JELLISON
Mr. Jellison was born here Aug. 3, 1834. He attended the public schools of Ellsworth and the East Maine Conference
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
Seminary, Bucksport. At the age of nineteen he went to Port- land, as clerk for Luther Dana & Co. In 1860, he went into partnership with his uncle at Boston, in the sugar importing business. He was a most successful business man, and although he did not live in Ellsworth, he made the city numer- ous gifts.
He died May 8, 1919, at Brooklyn, N. Y.
C. W. GRINDAL
C. W. Grindal was born here May 13, 1874. As a young man he entered the grocery store of his father in Water Street. In 1906 he took over the business, branching out extremely in the wholesale grain and feed business, and constantly acquir- ing new property in Water Street, as the business enlarged. Later he purchased the coal business of F. S. Lord. He contin- ued in the business until his death May 30, 1919. He was a man of great business and executive ability.
DAVID FRIEND
Mr. Friend was born in Russian Poland in 1842, came to Ellsworth in 1899, and went in the clothing business with Lewis Friend. Mr. Friend was a well known and highly esteemed business man and citizen. He died Dec. 24, 1919.
NEHEMIAH H. MEANS
Mr. Means was born at Surry, Oct. 25, 1824, and died here, where he had made his home nearly all his life, Feb. 23, 1920. He went to sea for many years, reaching the captain's berth when twenty-three years old. He was one of Ellsworth's grand old men.
AUGUSTUS E. MOORE
Mr. Moore was born at Ellsworth, Aug. 13, 1843. When less than twenty years old he started in business for himself, opening a small general store at Ellsworth Falls. He was in the lumber business with his brother from 1868 to 1875, and from that time until 1880 conducted the business alone. In 1898 he moved his store down town, and continued in the dry goods business until his death, April 1, 1920. He served two years as alderman and tax assessor. From 1908 until the time of his death, he was president of the Hancock County Savings Bank.
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
Ex-CHIEF JUSTICE L. A. EMERY
Judge Emery was born at Carmel, July 27, 1840. He grad- uated from Bowdoin College in 1861, entered the office of Hon. A. W. Paine, Bangor, to read law, and was admitted to the Penobscot bar in 1863. In October of the same year he opened a law office at Ellsworth. In 1866 he was elected county attor- ney, and before the expiration of his term entered into partner- ship with Senator Eugene Hale. In 1874-75 and 80, Judge Emery served in the Maine Senate, and in 1876 was elected
Abenaquis Club House.
Attorney General of Maine. In 1883, he was appointed to the Supreme Court bench by Governor Robie, being re-appointed Associate Justice three times. He was appointed Chief Justice in 1906 and held that office until his resignation in 1911, thus completing nearly twenty-eight years on the supreme bench of Maine. He died Aug. 26, 1920.
CHARLES PARIS DORR
Mr. Dorr was born at Orland in 1840. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, and fought in many of the famous and decisive battles, losing his right arm at Spottsylvania, Va., May 10, 1864. On March 13, 1865, he was breveted captain by President Johnson. He came to Ellsworth in 1876 as regis-
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HISTORY OF ELLSWORTH
ter of probate and continued to hold the office for thirty years. He died Aug. 29, 1921.
BURTON B. WALKER
Mr. Walker was born here Dec. 17, 1876. While still a boy he entered the foundry and machine shop of J. H. & E. K. Hop- kins. With the dissolution of the Hopkins firm in 1896, he con- tinued there, and in 1907 the Ellsworth Foundry & Machine Works was incorporated, with Mr. Walker as general manager. The plant was outgrown and enlarged many times. It was one of the most complete plants of its kind in Maine, due almost wholly to Mr. Walker's ability. He died Dec. 22, 1921.
GEORGE E. DAVIS
Mr. Davis was born here March 4, 1852. As a boy he entered the mills and continued in the mill business all his life, having charge of Whitcomb, Haynes & Whitney's long lumber mill. He was treasurer of the Hancock County Farmers Union Grain and Supply Co. He died Jan. 17, 1922.
WILLIAM SMALL
Mr. Small was born here in 1845. As a young man he went to work in the machine shop of McDonald & Pierce. He was a natural machinist and progressed rapidly in his trade, at which he worked in several cities. He served with honor in the Navy during the Civil War. For many years he served the city as Alderman. He died Feb. 22, 1922.
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