USA > Maine > Oxford County > Paris > History of Paris, Maine, from its settlement to 1880, with a history of the grants of 1736 & 1771, together with personal sketches, a copious genealogical register and an appendix > Part 30
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Mr. Prince continued to publish the paper, or rather it continued to be published in his name, until March, 1855, when he sold out, and the other shares having been purchased by Rufus S. Stevens and Wm. A. Pidgin, the firm name became W. A. Pidgin & Co. Mr. Pidgin had been in charge of the office since Mr. Mellen took the position of route agent, and had also been local editor. Dr. Brown continued to act in the capacity of political editor. Under the new management, an Agricultural Department was added, with the motto, "Speed the Plow," and with Darius Fobes as editor. His name first appears as such in the issue of March 2, 1855. He sus- tained this relation to the paper until 1859, when the department was discontinued. In the issue of Dec. 12, 1856, Darius Fobes appears as proprietor, with John J. Perry as political editor. There was, however, no real change in the management of the paper, and in April, 1857, the firm name again appears as W. A. Pidgin & Co. Mr. Stevens had then sold out his shares, and Mr. Pidgin had become sole owner. He continued to publish and edit the paper with John J. Perry as political editor, until November 15, 1867, when the establishment was sold to Col. Fred E. Shaw, who in the issue of that date announces himself editor and proprietor. In January,
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
1874, Mr. Shaw sold one-third of the concern to Geo. H. Watkins, who had been foreman in the office. The firm name was now F. E. Shaw & Co. October 20th, of the same year, Shaw sold out his remaining interest to Watkins, and retired from the concern. Dr. Thomas H. Brown's name reappears as political editor from this date, until April 26, 1876, when it disappears, and Geo. H. Watkins is announced as editor and proprietor. Since that time, there has been no change in the management of the establishment. During his editorial career, Dr. Brown managed the Democrat with peculiar adroitness, and with distinguished ability. He was ably succeeded, 1856 to 1874, by Gen. Perry.
The following tables indicate the management of the Democrat, both editorially and otherwise, from the beginning ; the dates indi- cate when the persons opposite began their labors, either as pro- prietor or editor :
PROPRIETORS.
Aug. 20, 1833,
Millett & King.
May 6, 1834,
Geo. W. Millett.
Feb. 12, 1850,
Millett & Mellen.
Oct. 25, 1850,
Geo. L. Mellen & Co.
Jan. 2, 1852,
Geo. L. Mellen.
July 22, 1853,
Noah Prince et als.
Mar. 2, 1855,
W. A. Pidgin & Co.
Dec. 12, 1856,
Darius Fobes.
April 10. 1857,
W. A. Pidgin & Co.
Nov, 15, 1867,
F. E. Shaw.
Jan. 6, 1874,
F. E. Shaw & Co.
Oct. 20, 1874,
Geo. H. Watkins.
POLITICAL EDITORS.
Aug. 20, 1833,
Joseph G. Cole.
Aug. 20, 1839,
Geo. W. Millett.
Jan. 2, 1852,
Geo. F. Emery.
July 22, 1853,
Thomas H. Brown.
Dec. 12, 1856,
John J. Perry.
Nov. 15, 1867,
F. E. Shaw.
Oct. 20, 1874,
Thomas H. Brown.
April 26, 1876,
Gco. H. Watkins.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
OXFORD REGISTER.
The first number of the Oxford Register was issued in December, 1869. Its outside and also its political matter were a reprint of the Maine Democrat, then published at Biddeford. by Watson Brothers. Samuel R. Carter, Esq., of Paris, furnished two columns per week of local matter, which was all there was about the paper to give it a local character. It need not be said that the Register was a Demo- cratic paper, since it was made up from the Maine Democrat, of which George K. Shaw was editor. In April of 1871, . Watson Brothers removed a portion of their type and material from Bidde- ford to Paris, and the inside of the Register was afterwards set up at Paris and printed at the Oxford Democrat office, the outside still being the same as the Maine Democrat. At this time, Mr. Clarence Watson succeeded Carter as local editor. This went on for six months. when in October Mr. Carter bought the concern and became editor and proprietor, though still using the Maine Democrat out- side. Mr. Carter was very industrious in gleaning local news, and the Register under his management became a live, local paper. The Register was sold by Carter to Drake & Whitman of Norway, Nov. 13, 1875, and consolidated with the Norway Advertiser. February following, the consolidated paper was leased to Parris & Mason of Paris, and published as the Oxford Register under the firm name of Parris, Mason & Co., until November 17, 1876. It was intended as a campaign paper, but the elections that year having gone adverse to the democrats, and the lease having expired, the company was dissolved, and C. F. Whitman sold the list and good-will to the Lewiston Gazette.
MAINE EVANGELIST.
This paper was started in Andover, January 1, 1879, by Rev. Ira G. Sprague. Its name sufficiently indicates what was its character. It was a religious paper, and devoted specially to the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church of Maine. Mr. Sprague was a printer before entering the ministry, and so was able to do a large share of the work required on his paper. The Evangelist was a folio in form, size 13 1-2 by 20 inches, and had four columns to the page. It was ably conducted. In June, 1880, the Evangelist was moved from Andover to South Paris, and enlarged to twice its former size. In the January following, it was discontinued and its list transferred to the New York Witness.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
PARIS NEWSPAPER MEN.
ASA BARTON.
The pioneer newspaper man of Paris, was Asa Barton, who was born in that part of Bethel now called Hanover, on the farm since occupied by Orson Powers, October 13, 1793. His father, Aaron Barton, son of Asa Barton of Needham, and Mercy Bartlett of New- ton, Mass., came to Bethel with Jonathan Bartlett, his uncle, and Nathaniel Segar, his cousin, in 1780. The wife of Aaron and the mother of Asa, was Sarah Smith, daughter of Ithiel, born in Cape Elizabeth, but coming with her parents to Bethel. Aaron Barton moved from Bethel to Jay, and thence in 1807, to Livermore. Asa Barton married Lydia, daughter of Thomas Chase of Martha's Vine- yard, afterwards of Livermore. He kept a store in Livermore for a few years, and about 1820, came to Paris. He then moved to Portland, but in 1821, was back at Paris and started the Oxford county bookstore. In 1824, he started the first paper ever printed in Paris, and called the Oxford Observer. In 1826, he moved the paper to Norway in the night time, and it is said without the knowl- edge of the people of Paris. In 1828, Wm. P. Phelps was asso- ciated with him, but in 1830, Mr. Goodenow purchased Barton's interest, and the paper was then published by Goodenow & Phelps. In 1830, he started the Village Spy at Norway, but it was short- lived, and in the summer of 1833, Mr. Barton commenced the pub- lication at Norway, of the Oxford Oracle, but after issuing seven numbers, he sold out to Millett & King and moved to Bangor. He, was there in trade with Emory Livermore, then he studied law and settled in Garland. In 1844, he returned to Norway and remained there until he died in the winter of 1847. The births of four of his children are recorded on Paris records between 1819 and 1825.
GEORGE W. MILLETT.
Col. Geo. W. Millett was the son of Nathaniel Millett of Norway, one of the three Millett brothers who came originally from Glouces- ter, Mass., to Minot, and subsequently to Norway. Col. Millett was born in Norway, July 27, 1813 ; his mother was Martha, daugh- ter of Enoch Merrill of Andover. He entered the office of the
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
Oxford Observer as an apprentice, in the fall of 1830, that paper then being published by Wm. E. Goodenow. He was also with the Jeffersonian, and went with it to Portland in April, 1833. He returned to Norway in August, and in company with Octavius King, who had been his fellow apprentice, he purchased the Oxford Oracle establishment, which he moved to Paris Hill, and began the publica- tion of the Oxford Democrat. At the end of a few months, he pur- chased Mr. King's interest in the concern, and continued to publish the paper until the latter part of 1849, when the entire establishment was consumed by fire. In the following February, the paper was again started by Mr. Millett and Geo. L. Mellen, and so published for about ten months, when Mr. Millett sold out his interest and bought the Norway Advertiser, which had been revived by Moses B. Bartlett, and continued its publication with Rev. Geo. K. Shaw as editor for a portion of the time at least, till 1861, when the paper was discontinued, and in 1865, Mr. Millett went to Worcester, Mass. He subsequently moved to Westboro, and in 1877, he removed to Cambridgeport, and since that time has been in the Riverside Press. He married, in 1858, Emma G. Ames of Norway. While a resi- dent at Paris Hill, he was fourteen years Postmaster, member of the Legislature in 1850, also Colonel in the State militia, having been regularly promoted to that position through the various subordinate grades.
OCTAVIUS KING.
Octavius King was the son of George and Miranda (Hall) King, and a native of Paris. He learned his trade in the Jeffersonian office when the paper was conducted by Hon. Hannibal Hamlin and Hon. Horatio King. When in 1833, the Jeffersonian was moved to Portland, Mr. King went with it. After a few months he returned to Norway, and in August, 1833, in company with Geo. W. Millett, he purchased the Oxford Oracle, then printed at Norway by Asa Barton, and commenced the publication of the Oxford Democrat, and remained in the concern about nine months when he sold out. and moved to Boston. He worked as a carpenter for a while, and then set up a drug store on Washington street, and for many years was a practitioner of eclectic medicine. He married Miss Arvilla. Curtis of Dixfield, and left a son and daughter. He was born July 21, 1816, and died Nov. 11, 1868.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
WILLIAM A. PIDGIN.
William Abner Pidgin was born in Litchfield, Maine, March 25, 1833. His father was Dr. Joseph N. Pidgin, son of Rev. William,* and his mother was Diantha J. A. Rawson, daughter of Capt. Abner, a prominent early citizen of Paris, formerly of Sutton, Mass. Mr. Pidgin entered the Zion's Advocate office as an apprentice, in 1848, when the paper was published by Rev. Dr. Smith, since then a Pro- fessor in Colby University. In March, 1851, the Advocate having changed hands, Mr. Pidgin went to Augusta and was employed on the Kennebec Journal. In May, 1853, Geo. L. Mellen having entered upon his duties as mail agent, Mr. Pidgin came to Paris and was placed in charge of the Oxford Democrat office. He continued in charge after Mr. Mellen sold out to a company, and until the shares were bought up by him and R. S. Stevens of Paris. The paper was then published under the firm name of W. A. Pidgin & Co. until 1867, when Mr. Pidgin sold out to Fred E. Shaw, to accept a position as business manager of the Lewiston Journal. During Mr. Pidgin's administration, the Democrat was much improved as a local and county paper, he having organized a corps of correspond- ents to insure intelligence from each town. This feature of a local paper, now so generally followed, originated with Mr. Pidgin. Mr. Pidgin still retains his position on the Lewiston Journal, and is most efficient help. He married Miss Martha, daughter of Thomas Little, Esq., of Augusta.
ยท
DARIUS FOBES.
Darius Fobes was a native of Paris, and the son of Daniel and Elsie (Hathaway) Fobes, formerly of Middleborough, Mass. He became a Universalist preacher when quite a young man, and had a settlement in Vermont. He was also much interested in agriculture, and was a charter member of the Maine State Agricultural Society, and from 1855 to 1860, conducted an Agricultural Department in the Oxford Democrat. In 1856, he was announced as proprietor, but his name was dropped as such in 1857. He was also connected with a temperance paper in Portland. He married Elizabeth Pottle of Norway. During the war he held a clerkship in Washington, and was afterwards connected with the Sanitary Commission ; he has not
*Rev. Wm. Pidgin was born in Newbury, Mass., March 1, 1771, graduated at Dartmouth, College in 1794, ordained at Hampton, N. H., January 27, 1796, and subsequently came to Maine. He married Miss Noyes. He was a man of culture and author of a work on Eng- lish Grammar. His father was Moses Pidgin, who was quite early at Newbury. .
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
since resided in Maine. He was a man of varied acquirements, and an agricultural writer of ability. He died in Kentucky three or four years ago ; his wife has also deceased, and a daughter is all that remains of the family.
FRED E. SHAW.
Rev. Fred E. Shaw was born in Portland, May 18, 1825. His . father was Elias Shaw, and his mother Eliza Phillips. He learned the printer's art in Portland, subsequently studied law and went into practice in Bangor. At the breaking out of the war, he recruited a company, of which he was elected Captain, and which was assigned as Company D, of the 18th Maine Regiment (1st Maine Heavy Artillery). He did honorable service in the Regiment, and remained with it to the close of the war. In 1864, he purchased the Oxford Democrat of Wm. A. Pidgin, and conducted it both as editor and publisher until 1874, when he sold out, bought the Christian Mirror, and, after a while, moved to Portland. This proved a poor invest- ment and after running it about two years, he sold out and subse- quently bought and published for a time, the Coos Rupublican at Lancaster, N. H. His success here was not satisfactory, and he sold out and moved back to Portland. He then canvassed the State in the interest of the Young Men's Christian Association, and was very successful. He was ordained to the ministry of the Congrega- tionalist church, June 13, 1878, and was soon after called to the church in East Machias, where he yet remains. He was at one time presi- dent of the Maine Press Association. He married Miss Sarah Ellen Benson, a native of Boston, but then residing in Bangor, and has several children, some of whom are married.
ZINA E. STONE.
Mr. Stone was never connected with the press of Paris except as an apprentice, but his father has resided in this town and several of his family are still residents. He was the son of Luther Stone, and his mother was Hadassah Kimball of Bridgton. Born in Bethel, March 30, 1824, at the age of fourteen years, in 1837, he entered the Oxford Democrat office as an apprentice, and as the successor of Chas. W. Walton. He remained in the office four years. He then went to Lowell and worked as a "jour." on the Lowell Adver- tiser, and soon became foreman. In 1854, he started the American Citizen in Lowell, run it two years, and during that time begun a daily. He then went to Chicago and remained a year. In 1857, he
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
started the Tri-weekly, published at Haverhill, and made it a success. In 1860, he bought a half interest in the Vox Populi, published at Lowell, and was connected with it 18 years. In July, 1879, he started the Mail, which is now both a daily and weekly. This establishment is now owned by a company, of which Mr. Stone is president. He was half owner of the Lowell Courier and conducted it from 1861 to 1866. He was married Dec. 31, 1846, to Miss Char- lotte A. Shaw, formerly of Norridgewock. As a whole, Mr. Stone has made the publishing business a success, and has been able to retire from active service on a competency. Accompanied by his wife, he spent some time in Europe, and has visited the chief points of interest in our own country. He is connected with the Historical and other literary societies of Lowell, and is a contributing and valuable member.
SAMUEL R. CARTER.
Samuel Rawson Carter was born in Paris, June 22, 1829. He was the son of Hon. Timothy J. Carter, who was a member of Con- gress from this district, and died in Washington, March 14, 1838. while filling that position ; his mother was Arabella, daughter of Capt. Samuel and Polla (Freeland) Rawson, quite early and promi- nent citizens of Paris. Mr. Carter fitted himself for the legal pro- fession, and was admitted to the Oxford bar. He served one term as Register of Probate for Oxford county, and has also served as town clerk. His connection with the press was with the Oxford Register, which was started in 1869. At first, it was printed in Biddeford, by Watson Brothers, Mr. Carter furnishing weekly, two columns of local matter. In October, 1871, Mr. Carter purchased the paper and became sole owner and editor. He made of it a live. local paper, being very successful as a news gatherer. He was also a ready and interesting writer, and had he chosen to have remained in journalism, might have made it a success. In Oct. 1875, he sold the paper, and it was moved to Norway and united with the Advertiser. Mr. Carter is interested in chemistry, has a laboratory fitted up by himself, and has uncommon attainments in that bewitch- ing science for an amateur. He is also interested in mineralogy, and has studied carefully and successfully the deposits of rare minerals in Paris. He married Feb. 26, 1857, Miss Julia, daughter of Hon. Elijah L. Hamlin of Bangor, formerly of Paris.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
GEO. H. WATKINS.
George H. Watkins, the present proprietor of the Oxford Demo- crat, was born in New York city, August 6, 1854. His father, Henry M. Watkins, was born in Bristol, England, and his mother was Hannah B., daughter of John Besse of this town, whose wife was a daughter of Elder Tripp of Hebron. George H. attended the public schools in New York city until fourteen years of age. This embraced all his regular schooling, but while a clerk two years in New York, and while learning his trade as a printer, he continued his studies and recited to private teachers. He entered the Demo- crat office as an apprentice, Oct. 12, 1870, and served three full years. He purchased the paper in 1874, and has published it since, and has been successful. He was married April 15, 1879, to Annah Russell Cole, youngest daughter of the late Joseph G. Cole. Mr. Watkins has shown much enterprise and push in the manage- ment of the Democrat. He is editor as well as publisher, and makes a paper that is highly satisfactory to the party in the county whose interest it subserves.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
PARIS PHYSICIANS.
Mr. Hooper in his communication to the Jeffersonian, which has been before referred to, says the first physician in Paris was Dr. Barnet. Others say that his name was Barnard, which is doubtless correct. Isaac Barnard of Sutton studied medicine with Dr. James Freeland, and quite probably he came to Paris where so many Sut- ton people lived, to look the ground over. But he evidently did not settle here, but went to Union, Maine, where we find him in 1787. He afterwards moved to Thomaston and was prominent there, repre- senting the town for several years in the General Court of Massa- chusetts. This chapter is made up mainly from the paper of Dr. Thomas H. Brown read at the Paris Centennial in 1879.
DR. CYPRIAN STEVENS.
Dr. Stevens was the first physician who settled in the town of Paris. He probably came into town about 1789. This conclusion is formed from the facts that he came into town unmarried, that he
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
then married Sally Robinson and had three children before the birth of Mrs. Sally Stowell, widow of Rufus Stowell, who was living in 1879, at the age of 82 years. He commenced boarding at the house of Reuben Hubbard, then located not far from the residence of Daniel Fobes, in a pasture, one mile south of Paris Hill. Dr. Stev- ens died July 3d, 1806, aged 38 years. His wife died in 1830, aged 66 years. After the decease of her husband, she continued to prac- tice one branch of the profession until her health compelled her to desist. The Doctor, as well as his wife, traveled on horseback over new and rough roads for many years. At length, when he had bought and improved a farm, pleasure wagons began to make their appearance, and he became the possessor of one. It was nothing more or less than a baggage wagon of the present day, without springs. It was then thought to be a great acquisition ; and Mrs. Stowell says her aunt exclaimed : "Why, you have come visiting in a pleasure wagon !" Physicians were scarce in this region during the doctor's lifetime. The Dr. was popular, and had business from all quarters and from great distances. The roads were few and bad, and the people scattered. He was often called to. attend patients in Hebron, Minot and New Gloucester. It is said that he labored beyond his strength, undermined his health and consequently died young. A very few aged people can remember Dr. Stevens ; but many of the middle-aged people of Paris have heard about him, his character, his social and professional standing, and his services ; and they all, without exception, refer to him as a man and physi- cian whose memory is worthy of high honors.
DR. EBENEZER HARNDEN GOSS.
Dr. Ebenezer H. Goss was the son of Rev. Thomas Goss of Bol- ton, Mass. He married a sister of the wife of Sir Benjamin Thomp- son, (Count Rumford) and was one of the original proprietors of New Pennacook, now Rumford, Me. Dr. Goss resided at Bolton and at Concord, N. H., but settled in Brunswick soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. About 1804, he moved to Paris, where in a limited degree he practiced medicine for several years. He had two children, Gustavus Adolphus and Sarah. The former lived in Paris, and was known as "Squire Goss," and was at one time a candidate for Congress. The daughter married David Mar- shall, the descendants of whom are now living in Paris. Dr. Goss was a talented, well-educated and eccentric man, and many
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
anecdotes are told of his peculiarities and habits. It is said that a party of young men, students and scholars, went to see him and pay him their respects. He saluted them cordially in a foreign lan- guage, and the conversation continued and ended in the same.
DR. CROSWELL.
Not far from 1803, a young man of this name. unmarried, came to Paris, with a view to settlement as a physician. He remained in Paris but a short time, and there is no account of where he came from or where he went. He was also a trader and town clerk.
DR. CYRUS HAMLIN.
The county of Oxford was incorporated in 1805. Dr. Cyrus Ham- lin, then a practicing physician of Livermore, was appointed Clerk of the Courts, and removed from Livermore to Paris. He was the son of Eleazer Hamlin and Lydia Bonney, and was born in Pem- broke, Mass., July 21, 1767. He prepared himself for the practice of medicine, emigrated to Livermore, commenced practice in that town, and was there married to Anne Livermore, daughter of Dea. Elijah Livermore. Several of his brothers settled in Waterford. As before stated, Dr Hamlin removed to Paris in 1806. Although he was appointed Clerk of the Courts, he did not relinquish the prac- tice of medicine in so far as it was compatible with the duties of his office. The Dr. continued in practice till near the close of life, which took place in February, 1829, aged 62 years and 7 months. He was a gentleman, universally respected, a member of the Bap- tist church, and very much esteemed for his kindness of heart, and genial, social qualities. The Dr. was highly blessed in his family, having had eight children who attained adult age, four male and four female, among the former of whom may be reckoned a distinguished physician, a distinguished lawyer, and a distinguished statesman.
DR. BENJAMIN CHANDLER.
Dr. Chandler was the son of Perez and Rhoda (Wadsworth) Chandler of Duxbury, and a descendant of Edmund Chandler or Chaundler, who was in that town in 1633. Dr. Chandler was born in 1782. His brother Seth, also a physician, came to Maine. His sister Asenath, was the mother of Hon. Ezekiel Holmes. Peleg Chandler, an early settler in New Gloucester, was his uncle. Dr. Chandler commenced practice in New Gloucester, then moved to
.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
Hebron, and about the year 1811, came to Paris and continued to practice his profession till his decease. In 1818 and 1819, he was elected a Representative to the Legislature, and went to Boston to discharge his duties, before the State was divided. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon in Col. Ryerson's regiment, in the war of 1812-15 ; but whether he left town to accompany the regiment is not known. He was appointed Judge of Probate immediately after the separation of Maine from Massachusetts, and entered upon the duties of his office June 6, 1820, the successor of Judah Dana, and continued in that office until 1827. Dr. Chandler was twice married, first to Wealthy, daughter of Ichabod Benson, and second to Miss Sarah Barker of Portland, but left no children. His decease took place in 1827, aged 45 years. His remains were deposited in a tomb on the old road to South Paris. The character of Dr. Chandler is often referred to by the oldest inhabitants of Paris, who knew him well. He is represented as a member of the church, as a moral, upright man, amiable in his disposition, unobtrusive in his manners, respected and beloved as a physician, and honored as an able, intelligent and useful citizen by all his contemporaries. Dr. Ezekiel Holmes studied medicine with Dr. Chandler, and married a sister of his wife.
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