History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 200

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100

USA > Maine > Penobscot County > History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 200

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One of the largest dry goods establishments in Bangor is that of E. C. Nichols. Mr. Nichols was born in Corinth, Maine, December 9, 1838. His parents, Hum- phrey and Marcia (Tyler) Nichols, had seven children, of whom E. C. is the fourth son. His father was a farmer and he spent his early life on the farm, receiving a com- mon school and academic education. In 1857 he came to Bangor and entered the store of S. & J. Adams as clerk, where he remained one and one-half years, but his health failing he went out of the store and traveled through the country peddling goods. This he did not only as a business but to regain his health. After regain- ing his health he went to Lowell and entered into a machine shop, but not liking the business he remained but a short time. After this he taught school in Brad- ford. In 1859 he came back to Bangor and clerked for Silas S. Drew one year. He also worked for J. P. Bass one year and then went into business with J. T. Rines. This firm, under the name of Rines & Nichols, con- tinued four years when Mr. Nichols sold out his interest and bought out A. Kirkpatrick & Co. He carried on business alone about four years, when, his health failing

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

him again he went to New York and entered the Hy- gienic establishment, where he spent the winter. He liked the system so well that he went back and studied for the practice of medicine. His business needing the care of a competent man he took in Mr. Kirkpatrick and his brother, W. E. Nichols, as partners, while he re- mained in New York until business called him back here and forced him to remain and give up medicine. Mr. Nichols married Sarah Tyler for his first wife. She died in 1876 and he married Ellen Morrill. He has one daughter, June by name. Mr. Nichols employs about twenty-five hands most of the time. He manufac- tures largely and employs ten salesmen in his large store on Main street.

James D. Glynn, of the firm of Glynn & Reynolds, book and stationery dealers, is a son of John and Bridget (Fay) Glynn, both born in Ireland. They had nine chil- dren, of whom James D. is the oldest living. He was born November 11, 1855, in Bangor. His parents came here in 1840. After receiving a common school education in the schools of Bangor, James commenced life for himself in the store of D. Bugbee & Co., in this city, where he remained thirteen years. In July, 1881, he opened with Mr. Reynolds a wholesale and retail book and stationery store at 142 Exchange street. Mr. Glynn married Lena M. Lutz, daughter of Jacob J. Lutz, of this city. Mr. Glynn is a young man of ability and the firm is already doing a fair share of business in their line.

Mr. David Bugbee, senior member of the firm of David Bugbee & Co., booksellers, stationers and book binders, 5 Strickland's Block, was born in Pomfret, Ver- mont, and having become in different places master of the several branches of his trade as book-binder and blank book manufacturer, came to this city in June, 1836, and set up business in a chamber in Smith's Block, No. 17.Central street. The following year he moved to the ground floor, occupying the front for a stationery and book store on a small scale, and the rear for his bindery. He was the first to introduce here metallic pens, which were then coming into use and dis- puting the field with the old goose quill. He was also first to sell newspapers at his counter, and at one time was disposing of two or three hundred copies of the Boston Daily Mail. The original wooden block on Ken- duskeag Bridge, on the site of that the firm is now in, was burnt in 1836; and when it was rebuilt, two or three years after, Mr. Bugbee moved into his present location in which his stock was a little watered by the great flood of 1846. In October, 1849, the entire block was de- stroyed by an incendiary fire, Mr. Bugbee losing every- thing in the store and bindery, amounting to $14,000, with only $4,000 insurance. Before the roof fell in he had secured a store in Phillips & Witherly's block on Ex- change street, and in five days was restocked. The block was soon rebuilt and he moved back into it. In 1854 Mr. E. F. Dillingham, for seven years a clerk in the store, became a partner, forming the present firm. In 1870 they were again driven out by fire, which so far destroyed the block that it was remodeled and much

improved, the firm in the meantime and until re-occupy- ing, sojourning at No. 20 Main street. The stability and success of this establishment are due to those virtues of steadfastness, diligence and prudence, which have of late years been growing rare, and with what disastrous results are too apparant. The senior member commenced with nothing but his trade and his pluck-has followed it without change, excepting enlargements from time to time, for forty-five years; always holding his business well in hand, and never being afflicted with ambition for a spread. Whether these qualities are worth anything, we leave the success of the establishment to speak for itself. The junior member has also been the "left bower" of the establishment.

Bangor can boast of having some first-class hotels. The Exchange, as kept by Smith & Thayer, is one of the best. This house, or a part of it, was built by Zadoc French in 1827. When completed it then seemed so large that it was called "French's Folly," for it was then thought to be by far too large for a town like Bangor. Since then it has been greatly enlarged from time to time, and is now often crowded to its utmost capacity. The house is owned by the estate of Abraham Woodard. Mr. Woodard kept the house for over thirty-five years. After his death, in 1876, Mr. Smith managed it for the estate for three years, when it was leased to the present propri- etors. Mr. Smith is a native of the State. His father, William Smith, was formerly of Exeter, and also lived in Waterville. He was a farmer, and spent his early life on the farm. He received such an education as the com- mon schools afforded, and early began life as a clerk in a hotel at Orono. From Orono he went to Augusta and engaged as clerk in the Stanley House, where he re- mained till 1864, in which year he became connected with the Exchange as clerk for Mr. Woodard, remaining until the death of the latter in 1876. The management of the house was then placed in his hands until it was leased by himself and Mr. Thayer, in 1879. Mr. Smith married Miss Melvina Seidlinger, of Waldoboro. Their family consists of one son and one daughter.

Whitman M. Thayer is also a practical hotel man, having been for many years connected with the best hotels in other portions of the State. He was born in Sidney, Maine. His father's name was Barnabas Thayer. In early manhood he followed the carpenter trade for a time, and at one time was a butcher. He commenced his hotel life in the Franklin House, in Augusta, with a Mr. Longfellow. He finally sold out to Mr. Long- fellow and leased the Kennebec House, which he kept four and one-half years, when it was burned. Mr. Thayer then went into the saloon business in Augusta, in which he continued about two years. In 1864 he bought the Mansion House, and kept it until 1877, when it was burned. He became connected with Mr. Smith and the Exchange in 1879. Mr. Thayer married Miss Sarah J. Reynolds, daughter of Milton Reynolds, of Sidney. They have one son and one daughter, both at home.

The firm of Dole & Fogg, as at present called, pro- prietors of the Bangor Planing and Moulding Mill, has

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

been established about fifteen years under the present name, though Mr. John Dole had been for many years previous carrying on the business. John Dole was a native of Limerick, Maine. He came to Bangor in 1837, and remained here about ten years, then went to New Hampshire and lived eight years, coming back here again in 1855. The mill was built by Albert Dole in 1854. John bought out his brother and continued it until 1866, when Mr. Fogg was taken into the firm. Mr. Dole mar- ried Harriet Cook, of New Hampshire. They have two sons, George E. and William B., both with their father in the mill and office. Mr. Fogg also came here from Limerick about 1843. Since then he has lived here. This firm employs from thirty to forty men.

The Wiggin family originally came from New Hamp- shire. Andrew Wiggin, the father of Andrew Wiggin of Bangor, married Susan Dame of Durham, New Hamp- shire. They had two children, twins, born four months after Mr. Wiggin died. Mr. Wiggin had also by a former wife and three children. The name of Mr. Wiggin's twin sister was Susan. She married Jacob Frost of Gorham, Maine. Andrew Wiggin came to Bangor when a boy, in 1827. After learning his trade of carpenter and builder he began business for himself. In 1836 Mr. Wiggin married Elizabeth A. Dean, daughter of Col- onel B. S. Dean, of Bangor. They have seven children now living, having lost one in infancy. Their names are Rudolph R. of Bangor; Sullivan B. of Ellsworth; Clara, now Mrs. Brooks of Portland, Maine; Susan D .; Andrew Jr., now with his father in business; Hannah E., now Mrs. Jewell of Portland, Maine; and Nettie C., now at home. Mr. Wiggin carries on quite a large business, employing from five to. twenty men according to the season.

The largest factory for the manufacture and re-cutting of files in the State is that of Job Collett, on Exchange street, foot of York. Mr. Collett was born in Milk- sham, Wiltshire, England. His father, Thomas Collett, came to the United States when Job was a child. Thomas Collett and Jane (Marks) Collett had nine children of whom Job was the youngest. His father carried on the file business in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Job was early instructed in all the details of the business. His father came to Bangor to dispose of some files and was so well pleased with the opening for business here that he sent his son James here to open a shop. The shop was opened in 1844, and run by James until he was taken sick in the spring of 1845, when his father came to assist him. They then opened a hardware store in connection with their shop. James died the next year, 1846, and soon after Mr. Collett went to Connecticut, leaving Job to conduct the business here. Soon after this Mr. Woodbury was admitted to a partnership in both the hardware and file business. In 1852 Mr. Col- lett bought out Mr. Woodbury, and has since continued the file-making business alone, Mr. Woodbury continu- ing the hardware business. When this business was opened here it was thought that first-class goods in this line could be purchased only in England, but Mr. Collett has proved to the people using files that this was a mis- take. His business has been constantly on the increase.

He at first only re-cut files, but in 1856 he began to make the "slim taper " saw file, a new pattern introduced by him. It is one of the most popular styles in the country. He now makes every description of file from the minutest, weighing only two ounces to the dozen, up to seventy-two pounds to the dozen. He now employs from eighteen to twenty hands, and makes about six thousand dozen files per year, which sell for $18,000. Through all the vicissitudes of business Mr. Collett has always been enabled to do a safe business and pay one hundred cents on the dollar. Mr. Collett looks after and superintends his own business instead of trusting it to others. He married for his first wife Miss Julia M. Leathers, daughter of Isaac Leathers. She died in 1852, and Mr. Collett married Miss Elizabeth A. Sawyer, of New- burg, for his second wife. He had one daughter by his first wife, Jennie M., deceased, and three children by his present wife, viz: Charles T., Carrie M., and Henry E.

Henry A. and Charles C. Wood were practical tin- plate and sheet-iron workers, and commenced the manu- facture of tin and iron ware and selling stoves in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, in 1835. They moved to Bangor in 1839, starting their business at No. 2 Mercantile Block, under the style of Henry A. Wood & Co., the firm continuing till 1851, when William H. Bishop, the foreman of their work-shop, became associated with them under the name of Wood, Bishop & Co. C. C. Wood retired from the firm in 1854 on account of ill health, and went West. V. S. Palmer then became a partner, but retired in 1855, when the firm name became Wood & Bishop, continuing such till 1864, when John F. Colby, their book-keeper and salesman, was admitted partner, and the firm again became Wood, Bishop & Co., which has continued unchanged since that time. Edwin Bishop, of Dover, Maine, became a partner in 1865, and retired in 1869, when Charles H., son of Henry A. Wood, was admitted. The firm now consists of Henry A. Wood, William H. Bishop, John F. Colby, and Charles H. Wood. The firm occupied the stores at the head of Mercantile Block until 1872, when they bought at public auction the store now occupied by them. In 1867 they bought of Messrs. Eastes & Whittier their foundry property, including patterns, tools and ma- chinery, which they have much improved and enlarged, increasing its production three-fold over its former busi- ness. They employ about sixty men at the foundry and in the manufacture of tin and sheet iron ware. Their trade extends all over our State, and they sell largely in New Hampshire and Vermont. Camp cooking apparatus has long been a specialty, and there are few lumbermen in our whole country that cannot testify to the excellence of their wares and their adaptation to the purpose de- signed. They have orders for these goods from all the States where lumber is cut. Their stove trade has stead- ily increased from 1839-their foundry being exclusively devoted to this manufacture and wares appertaining to it -and they find it impossible to supply their orders. Their stoves have heretofore been designed for burning wood, but as this is becoming exhausted and coal is tak- ing its place, they are adapting their manufacture to the

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change, and are producing new and beautiful styles of cooking, office, parlor and other stoves for burning coal.

The history of Morse & Co.'s mills goes back into the last century. William Hammond and John Smart built a saw-mill on the site in 1795. [A saw-mill is said to have been built some years before by William Potter at the falls near "Lover's Leap."] This subsequently, and probably, directly passed into the hands of William and Charles Rice and Obed Haynes, the latter probably building the grist-mill, as it was known as "Haynes's Mill." These parties in 1812 sold a portion of the privilege to John Holt, of Hampden, for a fulling and carding mill, from whom to Morse & Co., it came suc- cessively through Allen Clark, Mr. Hodgman, and E. O. Pendleton. John Pearson became the proprietor, except- ing the fulling and carding mills, in 1814, when they were known as "Pearson's Mills." In 1832 Captain Jacob Drummond came to this city, buying in and con- tinuing in partnership with Pearson till 1851, when he bought out Pearson, the mills then becoming known as " Drummond's Mills." Deacon Alexander Drummond carried on the grist and plaster mills for many years for the proprietors, and Jacob, before his death, gave him one-fourth of the property. Jacob Drummond was Mayor in 1844, and died in 1852. L. J. Morse and H. P. Oliver carried on the saw-mill under lease from the Drum- mond heirs several years previous to 1858, and from 1858 to 1866, the same, associated with Frank Hight, (Morse & Co.) run the mills in the same manner. In 1856 a steam engine was put into the grist-mill, and in 1858 the old saw-mill was torn down and rebuilt and steam power put in. In 1860 Morse & Co. purchased the McQuesten mill, near Lover's Leap, built by John Webster, and in 1864 put in their salt works there. They had carried on this mill several years previous to 1860 on lease. In 1866 Morse & Co. took Orin Oliver and Ralph W. Morse into the firm, and bought out the Drummond heirs. E. O. Pendleton also joined the firm at the same time with his carding-mill interest, which he sold to the concern in 1873, since which time he has leased the same. Ralph W. Morse died in 1870, and Walter L., son of L. J. Morse, entered the firm in 1874. Upon buying out the Drummond heirs they tore out the old grist-mill and rebuilt it, putting in a larger engine to run it, and to afford power for various mechanical in- dustries occupying the block, among which are the furni- ture manufactories of G. W. Merrill & Co., Webb & Nason, axe and shave factory, and E. H. Tibbetts, cof- fin-maker. By successive purchases they have acquired the title to all the shore property about their mills, ex- tending to Meadow Brook on the mill side, and much of the opposite shore, affording ample room for present and prospective needs. Their mills are thoroughly fitted up, and have surplus power and accommodations for addi- tional industries. They use steam-power supplementary to their water-power. No logs now come down the Kenduskeag Stream to either of their saw-mills. The upper mill opposite "Lover's Leap," which manufac- tures salt, salt boxes, and shingles, receives its stock of lumber-poplar, bass, and spruce-in the winter season

by land transportation; and the lower saw-mills are sup- plied with logs coming down the Penobscot River and rafted up the stream to their mills, where they are taken up over the dam by machinery and stored in the mill- pond. The salt manufactured at their works is of excel- lent quality and is rapidly extending its sale, having the whole market at the north, and finding its way to some of the border Provincial towns, and reaching into the west- ern portion of the State. Of the seventy-five thousand bushels of salt received at this port the past year, they imported about forty thousand. The last year's product of their salt-mill was one hundred and forty thousand boxes of the several sizes, equal to one hundred and fourteen thousand boxes of twenty pounds each; while the plaster- mill annually produces from two thousand to three thou- sand tons. During the summer season they employ from sixty to seventy men, and probably half this number in the winter when their saw-mills are shut down. This firm also has an interest in the Bangor Foundry & Ma- chine Company, and a half interest in the firm of A. H. Thaxter & Company, Exchange street, the heaviest house in the city in corn, and dealers also in flour and shorts. The trade in this city and vicinity is largely supplied with meal ground at their mill. For enterprise this firm is second to none, as is apparent in the enlargement of their business as indicated above, the senior members having grown up in the establishment and being identi- fied with it by hard labor and sagacious management.

B. N. Thoms, one of the oldest carriage manufacturers in Maine, was born January 5, 1816, in Falmouth, Maine, though his parents soon moved to Portland. He is a son of Benjamin and Sarah Thoms (nee Sarah Lunt). They had ten children, all of whom except one lived to maturity. Benjamin N. is the fourth child and third son of this family. At the age of seventeen he commenced to learn his trade with Moses & Freeman, of Portland, where he worked two years, when he entered the factory of Stevens & Emerson, who manufactured carriages ex- clusively, with whom he remained about two years, when he went to Augusta, Maine, and entered the employ of E. G. & J. P. Wyman. He remained in Augusta seven years, during the first of which he worked for the Wy- mans, but in 1839 he bought out E. G. Wyman and be- came a partner in the firm under the name of Wyman & Thoms. He came to Bangor in 1845, and engaged in carriage blacksmithing, in which he continued about seven years. In 1852 he opened a carriage manufactory in connection, so that since then he has been engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of carriages. He married Lydia P. Wharff, daughter of Isaac B. Wharff, of Guil- ford, Maine. To this couple have been born eight chil- dren, only three of whom are living. The names of the living are Helen A., now Mrs. Whitman, of Bangor; Charles F., who also lives here and works with his father and brother in the factory ; and Henry B., who is in com- pany with his father in the business. Their factory is lo- cated on Harlon street, Bangor, where they employ from ten to fifteen men. Mr. Thoms has been one of the Council from his ward, and is well and favorably known as a fine business man.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

The firm of Dole Brothers, of Bangor, consisting of the two brothers, M. B. and J. Albert, was formed in 1865. Their father, Albert Dole, was a native of Limer- ick, Maine; he moved to Bangor in 1832. He had four sons and three daughters, viz: Albert Henry, Sarah F., and Mary Elizabeth (all of whom are now deceased); William B., of this town; J. Albert, also of Bangor ; Olive M., now Mrs. Horatio Blood, of this city, and John Henry, also in the city. J. Albert Dole married Miss Emma H. Drummond. They have one daughter, Miriam. Wil- liam B. Dole married Mary Wyman Leighton, of Port- land, Maine. They have one son, Arthur W. The Dole Brothers have large furniture warerooms on Hammond street. They manufacture much of their furniture, em- ploying about eighteen men the most of the year. They manufacture the Dirigo School Desk and Folding Seat, which they invented and patented. This is one of the oldest enterprises of the city. It was founded by Ed- mund Dole in 1810, and is now in the hands of the third generation. It is one of the most complete establish- ments in the State. J. Albert was first lieutenant in the First Maine Heavy Artillery during the civil war.

Jonathan F. Parkhurst is the son of Hale Parkhurst, of Unity, Waldo county, Maine. Hale Parkhurst had seven children, three by his first wife and four by his second, Jonathan being the oldest son of the family. He was born February 27, 1829, in Unity, Waldo county .. On becoming of age he went to California and remained two years. He then came back and bought cattle in Mis- souri and Arkansas and drove them to California, contin- uing at this business two years. He then came home and went into trade in Unity Village, Maine, also having stores in China and Freedom. He came to Bangor in 1866 and started the saddlery business, continuing one year, and then opened in connection with this the trunk business, in which he is still engaged. He has the largest trunk factory in Maine. His place of business is No. 20 Central street, where he has a large and well- filled store. He married Mary Fowler, of Unity. Mrs. Parkhurst died, and Mr. Parkhurst married for his second wife Susan A. Haskell, of Knox, Maine. He has three children, two girls and one boy, viz: Mary L., Fred H., and Esther B.

One of the prominent photographers in Bangor is Mr. F. C. Weston, who came to this city in 1868 and en- gaged in business. His father, Wesley C. Weston, was a native of East Corinth and had two children, F. C. and Sanford. Mr. Weston has a fine suite of rooms in the busi- ness part of the city, located at No. 2 Smith Block. He married Miss Nellie E. Simpson, of Hudson, New Hamp- shire. They have no children. Mr. Weston is well supplied with all the requisites for first-class work.

William I. Currier, the senior member of the firm of Currier & Hook, has lived in Bangor over forty years and is well known. He has been in the business of sail- making for many years. In 1864 Mr. George Hook came in as a partner. They deal also in flags, cordage, and sail-makers' stock. They employ from six to ten hands on an average. They do quite a business in sell- ing material, as well as in the manufactured article.

Mr. M. Gilligan came to this country when about twelve years of age. His father, Peter Gilligan, of Ire- land, had three children, Michael, William, and Laugh- lin. Michael learned the tailor's trade and in 1834 be- gan business for himself in Bangor. He continued this business until 1862 when he sold out and went into the army as a sutler with the First Maine Heavy Artillery, and continued till the close of the war. At the close of the war he came back to Bangor, where he had always had a house and property, and engaged in commercial business, continuing wholly in this until 1876, when he opened his select family boarding-house on Hammond street, which he still manages. In connection with this he is in the employ of the Sanford Steamship Company. He married for his first wife Mary J. Lord, a daughter of William Lord, of Portland, Maine. He had five chil- dren by her, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Gilligan died in 1864. Mrs. Gilligan married for his second wife Georgiana Washburn, of Saco.

Pierre McConville was born in Carlisle, England. His father, James McConville, had six children, of whom Pierre is the eldest. Mr. McConville came to this country in 1869, locating in Philadelphia where he re- mained until 1853, when he came to Bangor, and on his becoming of age engaged in his present business of shipping and commission merchant and ship broker. His office is at 28 Exchange street, Bangor. He mar- ried for his first wife Mary A. Halliburton, of Hampden, who died in 1866. Mr. McConville married for his second wife Clara E. Dudley, daughter of John Dudley, Esq., of Hampden. He has one child by his first wife, and one by his second, viz: Lillie H. and Bessie D., now at home. Mr. McConville has served as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. He was the first Presi- dent and one of the originators of the Young Men's Christian Association of this city, which was organized last January.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 200

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co. Number of Pages: 1100

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100