USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Mrs. Bearce survived her husband about eight years, occupying the homestead with slight change in its arrangement. She died suddenly of heart disease, greatly esteemed by a wide circle of friends, and by the church of which she was a member.
The Gifts of Mr. Bearce During his Life. (Not including many smaller gifts.)
To Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College,
$25,000
Church lot on Hammond street,
1,200
Towards building Hammond Street Church,
10,000
Legacies for Benevolent Objects.
To Mainc Wesleyan Seminary and Female College for fund, $10,000
To Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College for Library, 1,000
To Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College for Library Fund, 1,000
To Maine Wesleyan Seminary, fund to aid young men studying for the ministry, 2,000
To Missionary Society of Methodist Episcopal church,
12,000
Total, $62,200
Of which $39,000 came to Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College.
CHARLES DAVENPORT.
Mr. Davenport, though never a member of the Methodist church, has, from early life, been closely identified with its interests. He was born in Bath May 9, 1809, where he still resides. After the death of his father, October 1, 1822, he took care of his mother till her death, at the age of seventy-five years. She was converted under the labors of Rev. Timothy Merritt, and united with the first Methodist church in Bath, and continued in that relation until her decease. Mr.
Chicago Photo-Gravure Co.
ORRINGTON LUNT.
559
C. DAVENPORT.
Davenport was, for many years, a clerk in the office of the Pattens, extensive ship builders, and he has himself been somewhat extensively engaged in navigation. By prudent management he has acquired an ample estate.
From childhood he had been a constant attendant upon the Metho- dist meetings, and connected with the Sunday school. For many years, he served as chorister and Superintendent of the Sunday school, in the first Methodist church in Bath, and when the Beacon street church was erected, in 1852, he served as chairman of the committee.
Previous to the dedication, he advanced over $3,000, the balance of the debt, and took a deed of the unsold pews, although he had already paid for three pews, at a cost of five hundred and sixty-seven dollars and fifty cents. Subsequently December 31, 1872, he made a New Year's present of thirty-three pews, valued at the original appraisal, over three thousand dollars.
He was chosen first Superintendent of the Beacon Street Sunday school, and continued in that office many years. He has for a long time acted as chorister. He was financial agent of the society for the first eleven years, usually paying all deficiencies at the close of each year.
As chairman and treasurer of the Board of Trustees, he has attended faithfully to the duties of his office, and has been a foremost contributor towards the building of the parsonage, and all repairs and improvements on the church.
In 1873, he contributed one thousand dollars towards liquidating the debt of Wesley church. Though not a member, he has been a substantial financial pillar of the Methodist church in Bath. He is one of the original members of the Maine Wesleyan Board of Education, and, for several years treasurer of the board, and he has contributed liberally towards the funds of Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College.
Mr. Davenport was married to Miss Catharine T. Duncan, November 6, 1836, an estimable woman, from early life a member of the Methodist church in Bath.
ORRINGTON LUNT.
Mr. Lunt, now well known and respected as one of the oldest and best citizens of Chicago, Illinois, was born in Bowdoinham, Maine, December 24th, 1815. His father, William Lunt, was a merchant
560
O. LUNT.
and one of the leading citizens of the place. His mother died which lic was ten years old.
On leaving school, Orrington entered his father's store, and, at his majority, he became a partner in trade. Subsequently, on retirement of his father, his brother, William H., beeame his partner.
Mr. Lunt was converted at the age of twenty, manifesting his desire for prayers at a little prayer meeting in the kitchen of a good widow woman, in his native village. He was soundly converted, and a revival followed, which resulted in the establishing of a Methodist church at Bowdoinham village.
Mr. Lunt's record as a christian and a loyal Methodist, is most beautiful and commendable. The room where he first knelt for prayer, has always been, to him, a sacred plaee. For many years, on his return to visit his native village, he always repaired to the house and to that room ; and after it was unoccupied and deserted, he still found his way to the same saered spot, to kneel and re-dedicate him- self to God ; and many years after, when he found the house in ruins, he visited the site, and after fresh conseeration, eut a little piece of the floor to carry away as a relie. He was deeply in earnest from the first, and has maintained a warm religious experience and consistent life of piety all these years.
Mr. Lunt was married the sixteenth of January, 1842, to Miss Cornelia Gray of Bowdoinham, an estimable lady, who still graces his happy home, now in Evanston, near Chieago.
In November of 1842, having sold out his business at Bowdoinham, he removed to Chicago ; he had but little eapital, but abundant energy and integrity, and he soon established a profitable business, chiefly in grain.
In consequence of impaired health, Mr. Lunt retired from business in 1862, in affluent circumstanees, and with his family, traveled in Europe and Asia for two years.
For several years he was treasurer and president of the Board of Publie Works of Chicago.
In 1855, he was elected a director of the Galena and Chieago Union Railroad, and was, for some years its vice president.
No eitizen of Chicago is more esteemed for integrity and honesty, or has borne a more unblemished reputation for uprightness of life and fair dealing than Mr. Lunt. Few men command sueh universal respeet. Though energetic and pushing as a business man, he is modest and retiring ; he has never sought nor been willing to aeeept public offiee.
561
J. J. PERRY.
Mr. Lunt has been actively connected with all the institutions of Methodism since he came to Chicago, and has probably devoted as much of his time and means and perhaps more, to their interests, than any other layman in the city. He was trustee of the Clark Street Methodist Episcopal Church Board for twenty years, and for a large part of the time, its secretary ; a trustee of the Wabash Methodist Episcopal church for several years, and contributed twelve thousand dollars to the building of its church edifice. He has contributed freely to the erection of the Methodist Episcopal churches of Chicago and to many in other parts of the West.
He selected the beautiful town of Evanston, and was one of the founders of the Northwestern University, and of the Garrett Biblical Institute ; is a trustee of both institutions, vice president of the trustees of the University, treasurer and secretary of the Institute. He has devoted nearly as much time to the care of these institutions, as to his private affairs, and without remuneration.
By a gift of twenty or thirty thousand dollars, he founded the Orrington Lunt Library Fund for the Northwestern University, besides numerous other gifts.
He was a member of the great Oecumenical Methodist Couference held in London, September, 1881, and was a delegate to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, holden in Philadelphia in 1884.
Mr. Lunt has had three sons, two of whom are now living, one engaged in business, and one in the legal profession, and one daughter. a gifted and accomplished lady.
The Methodist church in Mainc has parted with many of her sons and daughters, to bless the West, and to found and support the altars and institutions of Methodism in that growing section of our country, but few, if any, of purer lives and more devotion to her interests or of greater usefulness than Orrington Lunt .- (From commnication of Hon. W. Deering.)
HON. JOHN J. PERRY.
Mr. Perry was born in Oxford, Maine, August, 1811, His father, Rev. Dan Perry, was one of the early Methodist itinerants in Maine, whose career is sketched in this volume. He was converted in early life and became a member of the Methodist church. He was a. student in Maine Wesleyan Seminary from 1831 to 1834. Afterwards
36
562
E. T. NUTTER.
he studied law, and settled in Oxford, where he had a successful practice for thirty-five years.
He was four years a member of the Legislature of Maine, two years a member of the Senate, and two years a member of the Executive Council, and two years a member of the Congress of United States of America.
In 1875, he removed to Portland, where he has continued in the practice of law till the present time. He has been a prominent and active member of the church. Through his efforts, largely, the church at Oxford was built.
He was a lay delegate to the General Conference in 1876. He has for many years, been a member of the Board of Trustees of Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and for several years has been treasurer of that institution. He is still vigorous and active.
EBEN T. NUTTER.
Eben T. Nutter was born in Porter, Maine, March 12, 1815. He was converted in 1830, and has been a member of the Methodist church thirty years.
In early manhood, he engaged with his brother, Henry, in the lumber business, in Pennsylvania, and continued in that business twenty years, with success. During that time, he contributed largely towards the erection of a Methodist church near their residence.
In 1862, the Nutter brothers removed to Cape Elizabeth, where they now reside. They are active business men and generous sup- porters of the church and its institutions ; they paid five thousand dollars towards the building of the church at Cape Elizabeth Depot.
Mr. Eben Nutter also presented the society with a fine toned bell for the church ; he and his wife, Martha, have paid about twenty-five hundred dollars towards " Martha's Grove" camp-meeting grounds, in Fryeburg, and they have contributed largely towards the success of the meetings on these grounds.
Mr. Nutter and family will be gratefully remembered for their kindness in furnishing the late Rev. B. Lufkin and wife with a comfortable home, and generously providing for them during their years of superannuation ; also for offering the late Rev. E. B. Fletcher a home in their own family during his last years.
These noble acts of generosity to the aged and worn-ont super- annuates, are beautiful examples of christian charity, deserving perpetual rememberance. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me."
563
BLAKE. DAY.
EPAPHRAS KIBBY BLAKE. BY REV. J. R. DAY, D. D.
Epaphras Kibby Blake was the son of Phineas Blake, Jr., who came from New Hampshire late in the eighteenth century with General Henry Dearborn, a near relative, who was appointed by Washington, Marshal of the District of Maine, 1789. Phineas Blake was, probably, the first class leader of the church at East Monmouth ; he was also a steward and trustee for forty years.
E. K. Blake was born at the old homestead, East Monmouth, April 4, 1804. He was converted when about eighteen years of age, and soon after united with the church of which, for sixty-two years, he was one of the most earnest supporters, by wise counsel, consistent christian life and liberal benevolence. For nearly half a century, he served his church in nearly all of her lay offices.
To Mr. Blake's progressive mind and large generosity is due the present admirable church property at Monmouth Centre. In fact, there is no feature of Monmouth Methodism for the past fifty years of its progress, that does not hear his imprint.
He made his church a constant study, for his. love for her was deep and unwasting. His constancy was undiminished through physical obstacles or spiritual dearth. To all pastors he gave the same loyal support ; from his lips never escaping an unkind criticism or complaint. With what cordial and hearty cheer were all ministers who sought his acquaintance, welcomed to the old homestead! And the Methodist preacher to whom he once gave his right hand, had in Mr. Blake a warm friend for life.
His was a modest, humble, but burning zeal, the heat of love, the intensity of joy in his Master's cause ; no stiff opinions, no attempt to rule, no meddling. Leading by the force of a great character, an acknowledged wisdom, an undoubted devotion to that which was pure and of good report ; he was always in the right place at the right time, and did things in the right way.
Mr. Blake was a man of remarkable ability in public speech. Methodism has been a grand arena for the development of such talent. In richness of thought, the unction of utterance and the happy timing of his efforts, he had few superiors among laymen in the entire denomination. An exhortation from Mr. Blake, in the old times when the brethren of the pews sometimes spoke after the preaching, has redeemed many a poor sermon and sent the congregation home in a high state of religious enthusiasm.
His was a remarkable old age. "His eye was not dim, nor his
564
W. DEERING.
natural force abated." Sad for Monmouth Methodism was the day of his departure.
His wife, whom he married in 1828, and who preceded him to the better land in 1878, was Clarissa True of Litchfield, a woman well suited to such a man, and who sympathized with him in all his zcal for the church.
His brother, Rev. H. M. Blake, was a noted minister of the Maine Conference. A son, Washington, dicd a few years ago. Another son, HI. M. Blake, M D., is a successful physician at Monmonth, and is an honored trustce of our school at Kent's Hill.
WILLIAM DEERING.
William Deering, son of James and Eliza Deering, was born in South Paris, April 25, 1826. He was converted at the age of thirteen and united with the Methodist church in his native village.
He was educated in the district school, with a term each at North Yarmouth, Lewiston and Bridgton Academies, and several terms at Maine Wesleyan Seminary, while under the care of Rev. S. Allen.
He commenced business in the South Paris Manufacturing Company, owning a small woolen mill, saw mill, etc., and store. At twenty- three years of age, he was appointed agent and put in charge of the entire business. Later, he commenced business for himself in country trade.
In 1861, he removed to Portland, and executed several contracts for army clothing, to the satisfaction of the Government authorities.
In 1865, in connection with S. M. Milliken, he established the house of Deering, Milliken and Co., in Portland.
In 1870, he took an interest in the manufacture and sale of grain and grass harvesting machinery, with E. H. Gammon of Chicago.
In 1873, he removed to Evanston, Illinois, on account of the impaired health of his partner at Chicago. The business of the firm increased rapidly, and in 1879, he bought out Mr. Gammon's interest.
In 1883, he formed a corporation and admitted his two sons and a nephew to a share in the business. This is the largest enterprise of its class in the country, the sales amounting to several millions of dollars annually, and giving employment to hundreds of working people.
Mr. Deering united with the Chestnut Street Methodist Church in Portland, in 1862. On removing west, he united with the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Evanston, Illinois, where he now resides.
Meram Peering
565
MRS. N. CALDWELL.
Though quiet and unobtrusive in deportment, Mr. Deering is a man of remarkable business skill and energy ; he has been eminently successful. and a generous contributor to the benevolent enterprises of the church. The church in his native village has often been generously remembered by him, and he has often responded to the calls of other churches in their times of necd. While a member of Chestnut Street Church in Portland, he paid liberally towards extinguishing the heavy debt of that church. He contributed five thousand dollars towards the building of the Pinc Street Church in Portland, over twelve thousand dollars to the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College, twelve thousand dollars for the Garrett Biblical Institute, and seventy-five thousand dollars to the North Western University, besides numerous smaller donations. For twenty years past he has paid for charitable objects, on an average, fifteen thousand dollars a year.
Mr. Deering has for many years been a trustee of Maine Wesleyan Seminary, a trustee and member of the executive committee of the North Western University, a trustee of the Garrett Biblical Institute, and president of the Chicago Home Missionary and Church Extension Society ; he was a lay delegate from Maine Conference to the General Conference in 1872, and was elected a lay delegate to the General Conference of 1884.
In the midst of his numerous engagements, Mr. Dcering has often served as a teacher in the Sunday school, and has faithfully responded to all the claims of the church npon his money or time. He is a man of decided convictions and broad views, a courteous, intelligent, christian gentleman. S. A.
MRS. NANCY CALDWELL,
Mrs. Nancy Caldwell was a woman of rare excellence. Intelligence and piety, in a high degree, were harmoniously blended in her character Her religious experience affords a beautiful illustration of the Wesleyan doctrine of christian perfection. Her maiden name was Woodward.
She was born in North Yarmouth, Mainc, January 27, 1781. When she was ten years of age, her parents removed to Bakerstown, now Poland, Maine, where her acquaintance with the pioncers of Methodism commenced.
She makes special mention of Rev. Joel Ketchum and Rev. Stephen Hull, from whose instructions she derived much benefit. Referring 37
566
MRS. N. CALDWELL.
to her deep convictions and determination at this early period of life, she writes : " I cast in my lot with the Methodists, together with my parents, brothers and sisters, and though unworthy of a place among them, I bless God that I ever heard their name, much more, that I ever became one of their number."
In her nincteenth year, she was married to Mr. William Caldwell of Hebron (that part of the town now called Oxford). Mr. Caldwell was an intelligent and worthy farmer, of Methodist parentage.
When about twenty-five years of age, Mrs. Caldwell became a confirmed invalid, and through life continued to suffer greatly from broken health.
About this time, her attention was called to the doctrine of entire sanctification ; she found, on examination, that her religious life did not come up to the scripture standard; she commenced at once to seek for a pure heart, making the Bible her study. She also found much help in reading Baxter's "Saints' Rest " and the Life of Hester Ann Rogers.
Among the duties presented to her mind with great distinctness at that time, were those of bearing a public christian testimony, and of conducting the family devotions, as this duty had not yet been commenced by her husband. She accepted these tests of full conse- cration, and was, ever after, faithful to her convictions, taking turns with her husband in leading the family devotions, and improving all suitable opportunities for publicly testifying for Christ.
" March 1st, 1806," she writes, " was truly a memorable day. I had never supposed it possible that the soul, while in the body, could enjoy so much of heaven. I felt as perfectly free as an infant, from the defiling nature of sin."
Her health at this time was considerably improved ; she commenced a life of christian faithfulness, not only by her public testimony, but by personal endeavors to lead individuals to Christ. The salvation of her children and neighbors became an object of intense desire and fervent prayer. It is no matter of surprise, therefore, that the children of such parents should all be converted at the family altar, or that they should attain to positions of usefulness and eminence in life. Zenas, the eldest, after graduating at Bowdoin College, became Principal of Maine Wesleyan Seminary in 1825, Merritt succeeding him in this office, and afterwards serving for many years as Professor in Dickinson College. Leonard became an esteemed farmer, succeed- ing to the homestead, and Nancy became the wife of the late Dr. E. Clark of Portland.
567
LYDIA MC LELLAN.
While Zenas was a student in Bowdoin College, he was a class- mate and room-mate of the late Franklin Pierce, afterwards President of the United States. During a winter vacation, Pierce taught a district school in Hebron, and boarded at Mr. Caldwell's. Ascertain- ing that family devotions were held in the evening, conducted by Mrs. Caldwell, he requested the privilege of being present on these occasions, and was in the habit of kneeling with them at the family altar. Mr. Pierce always remained an intimate friend of Zenas, and often spoke in kind terms of the good influence of the Caldwell family upon his life.
Mrs. Caldwell met with sore trials and temptations, and at one time lost the witness of perfect love.
In 1812. she attended a camp-meeting, for the special object of regaining this lost treasure. She there met with Rev. Timothy Merritt, through whose judicious advice she was enabled to regain the lost blessing.
"From that day," she writes, " which has been many years, I have had the assurance that the Lord is mine, and I am his."
A young man came to live in the family ; he became an object of her special solicitude, as were all others thus providentially thrown in her way ; he was converted, and was subsequently called to the ministry ; he became a member of Maine Conference, and for some time was a missionary in Africa, Rev. J. G. Pingree. Mr. Pingree attributes whatever he has become in life, in the way of usefulness, to the salutary influence of Mrs. Caldwell.
She continued her christian activity through much bodily suffering, till the close of life. She ontlived her husband and her sons, and some time in 1864, removed, to spend her closing days with her daughter, Mrs. Clark, in Portland, where, amidst the kindest attentions, her health rapidly declined. Her physical sufferings were great, but her peacc was constant, and on the eleventh of June, 1865, she passed from earth to heaven, with words of praise upon her lips.1
LYDIA MCLELLAN.
Lydia Mclellan, wife of the late General James McLellan, of Bath, Maine, daughter of Stephen and Mary Rogers, was born in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, December 19, 1779, and died in Bath, May 22, 1860,
1 Abbreviated from "Leaves from the Journal of Mrs. Nancy Caldwell, by Rev. James O. Thompson, 1886.
568
LYDIA MC LELLAN.
:aged cighty. Her father removed, with his family, to Hallowell, Maine, in her childhood.
On April 3d, 1799, she was married to James McLellan, and they made their first residence in Monmouth, Maine. They had thirteen children, of whom six (daughters) are living ; one of them is the wife of Rev. J. B. Husted, formerly a member of Maine Conference, now .a superannuate, residing in Watertown, Massachusetts.
While living in Monmouth, her mind became greatly exercised under the preaching of the Methodist itinerants, and she suffered much mentally ; for some months. Under the preaching of Rev. Epaphras Kibby, at Monmouth, she was wonderfully saved. The extraordinary occasion is particularly described in the sketch of Mr. Kibby, in this volume (p. 399).
"Her change was so great, and the love of Christ so constraining, that she witnessed to all, high and low, what the Lord had done for her soul, making good the prophecy, 'Your sons and daughters shall prophesy.' Some thought her crazy, and recommended to send for her parents to take her home; but to the praise of God, that testimony begun, was continued sixty years, on all occasions, where there was liberty, ever acknowledging the grace of the Lord Jesus." -(Stevens' History of Methodist Episcopal church, Vol. 4, p. 41.)
In 1806, her husband removed his family to Bath. This, to her, was a dark day, as she found no Methodists there. Lee had preached there as early as 1794 ; also Wager, Stoneman, Broadhead and Mudge had preached in the place, and a class was formed near the village ; but for want of oversight, it had become extinct.
Bath, at that time, contained about fifteen hundred inhabitants. There were but two religious societies in the place. She, with her family, attended worship with the Congregationalists, and was cheer- fully allowed to attend their communion service. Soon she prevailed upon Mr. Blake and wife who were Methodists of Monmouth, to remove to Bath.
Mrs. McLellan, Mrs. Blake and Mr. Berry who lived some three miles from the village, voluntarily united in a class and met weekly in a building owned by Gen. Mcclellan, and through the persistent eucouragement of Mrs. McLellan, this little class meeting was kept up for some years, without increase, till at length their number increased.
The establishment of a permanent Methodist society in Bath, is very largely due, to the active exertions and indomitable perseverance of Mrs. McLellan. Her husband at length united with the church,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.