History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 59

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 59

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT. COUNTY, MAINE.

to the Legislature, where he became a leader. In 1843, at the age of thirty-four, he was in Congress, and repre- sented the Fifth District of his State in the Twenty-eighth anp Twenty-ninth Congresses successively. In the mean- time he kept up his practice of the law. He was never an idle man. He did not neglect his clients, and he did not neglect his friends. He was a good and reliable lawyer.

But his political duties became more onerous. In 1848 he was made a Senator of the United States, and then he relinquished the practice of law, except occasion- ally to argue a case in the United States Court. As Senator, as Governor of the State, as Vice-President of the United States, he could not give his attention to the calls of his profession at home. Now, as Minister to Spain, he may have his attention directed to some ques- tions of international law; otherwise his connection with the profession, practically, is probably at an end.

Mr. Hamlin's great strength has lain in his knowledge of men. He early learned that every American deemed himself fundamentally the peer of every other man, and acted accordingly. The consequence was that he be- came and continued to be eminently the people's man. He never assumed to be above his fellows, and when some upstarts affected to sneer at certain of his pecu- liarities, Governor Kent used to say: "Let them sneer; Mr. Hamlin knows what he is about." To do one a favor was always his delight. It is a common saying that he was "always true to his friends." It might be added that every one was his friend when a personal service was de- sired. In all matters at Washington, whether in the Departments or elsewhere, when his aid was requested he invariably gave it his personal attention, without del- egating it to others, and without considering whether the request came from a friend or a foe. One among many instances showing the disposition of Mr. Hamlin in this respect is the following :

Among his political enemies at Hampden was one who opposed him with remarkable virulence, even carrying his political unfriendliness to the extent of personal hate, and he knew that Mr. Hamlin was aware of it.

After the Rebellion had become a fact, and military lines were established, so that passing from the Confed- eracy to the Republic could not be accomplished without a pass, this man found himself in a dilemma. A be- loved daughter was within the confederate lines, near Fortress Monroe, and he was anxious to get her home. Being in Washington, he learned that she could not be got through the lines without a pass from the Secretary of War. He had no one to assist him in getting one. All sorts of fears arose within him in regard to his daughter's safety, and he became very nervous. He was at his wits' end as to what to do. He knew no one to whom to apply, except Mr. Hamlin; and he was too conscious of the wrong he had done him to dare to ask him. But there was no alternative, and he made the venture. Having heard his request, Mr. Hamlin said, in his familiar way :

"Jim, you know you have done everything to injure me; you forgot the old school copy that we used to write

from: 'It is a long road that has no turn.' How can you ask me to help you ?"

Captain Jim took some time to reply. At length the hard answer came:

"Yes, 'Squire; I did quite wrong. I'm sorry, but -_ "

" Well, Jim, I'm going to do you Bible justice. I am going to heap coals of fire upon your head. Go with me."

They went to Mr. Stanton; . Vice-President Hamlin procured the pass, and, handing it to the Captain, told him he need have no further anxiety; he could get his daughter now. Captain Jim broke right down. The tears flowed freely. He could say nothing: he was too full. Thrusting the pass into his pocket, he went away, procured his daughter, and carried her home. He ceased to be an enemy of Mr. Hamlin.

HON. ELIJAH L. HAMLIN

was born in Livermore, Maine, March 29, 1800. He established himself in the profession in Columbia, Wash- ington county, where he practiced successfully several years. He had the confidence of the leading business men in that part of the State. On the decease of Colo- nel John Black, of Ellsworth, it was found that he was nominated executor of his will. He removed to Bangor about 1836. His private business required so much of his attention that he did not make himself conspicuous at the Bar. He had much to do with the politics of the State. He became a member of the Maine Historical Society in 1859, and from that time was much engaged in historical matters until his decease. He was first President of the Bangor Historical Society, and made many valuable collections for its cabinet. To his inves- tigation Mr. Parkman, in his "Pioneers of France in the New World," (page 271,) acknowledges his indebtedness for a knowledge of the locality on Mt. Desert Island where the Jesuits attempted to establish their mission in 1613-Fernald's Point. Mr. Hamlin was Land Agent of the State in 1838 and 1841, and was Mayor of Bangor from March, 1851, to March, 1853. He was also Rep- resentative to the Legislature from Bangor in 1846 and 1847. He died in Bangor, July 16, 1872, at the age of seventy-two. He was an older brother of Hon. Hanni- bal Hamlin, formerly Vice-President of the United States and the present Minister to Spain.

GENERAL CHARLES HAMLIN,

son of Hannibal Hamlin, was born in Hampden, Sep- tember 13, 1837. He prepared for college at Hampden Academy, and graduated from Bowdoin in 1857; was admitted to the Bar of Penobscot county in 1858; com- menced practice in Orland, Hancock county, November 10, 1858; continued there until the War of the Rebel- lion, when he went into the army and was there between three and four years, coming from it with the commission of Brigadier-General. He went into practice in Bangor in 1865. In 1867 he was appointed Register in Bank- ruptcy, which office he still holds.

General Hamlin has done a large business in the pro- fession. After he became Register his time was nearly all given to that business until recently; the cases in that

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

court having been generally disposed of, he is now giving his attention to the law. As Register General Hamlin performed the duties of the office ably, systematically, and with good judgment. He was the City Solicitor two years. He is a good lawyer, reliable, courteous, and attentive to the wants of his clients.

GEORGE P. SEWALL.

Mr. Sewall was born in Franklin county, Maine; read law with Hon. H. Belcher, in Farmington; after admis- sion to the Bar commenced practice in Dexter ; and about 1835 established himself in Oldtown. He was for several years a copartner with Samuel Cony, who was afterward Governor of the State. He has continued in the practice of law in Oldtown until the present time, and done a very large business. He has been a leading citizen of Oldtown and much connected with the town affairs. Finding Oldtown a favorable locality for an academy, he was largely instrumental in having one es- tablished there. He has been considerably connected with the politics of the State, and has represented his town and the county in the Legislature. During his later years he has been very much interested in agricul- ture, and has done much for the advancement of that department of industry. He has paid particular atten- tion to fruits.

Mr. Sewall has been a good lawyer, and true to his clients ; and in politics has been very influential. He was opposed to the Rebellion, and by speech and action accomplished much for the cause of the Union. He has for several years been a co-partner with John A. Blanch- ard, the firm name being Sewall & Blanchard ; but his health is now so infirm that he gives little attention to business.

He is a man of much humor, and the anecdotes re- lated of him are innumerable. One or two will give a taste of the quality of his wit.

While in the House in 1851-52 his seat was at one end of the Hall, and the seat of a member who was in- terested with him in a certain measure, was at the other end. They were as far from each other as they could well be, Sewall being in one of the lowest seats and his coadjutor in one of the highest. The coadjutor had a stentorian voice, and was to make the speech. Before- hand Mr. Sewall said to him that the distance was so great between them that it might be difficult for him to hear all that he said, and he must speak pretty loud.

" How shall I know when I speak loud enough?"

"Oh, I will have a newspaper before me, as if reading, and I will raise it gradually until I can understand you."

That was satisfactory, and the member began with tones distinct enough to be heard all over the house. But Mr. Sewall did not understand. The paper went up; the voice went up. Still Mr. Sewall did not understand, and the paper arose again, and the voice arose, but Mr. Sewall was not yet satisfied, and the paper kept its up ward movement, with a glance occasionally from Mr. Sewall, to the effect that more volume was required; and this was continued until the voice could reach no higher pitch. People in the street wondered, and the speaker, reeking with perspiration, discovering that the paper was

stationary, sat down exhausted, but satisfied with his effort. The House was satisfied; Mr. Sewall was satis- fied; and if the measure was not carried, it was not for want of satisfaction.

On another occasion a voluble member had the floor, from whom came, in the opinion of Mr. Sewall and others, more sound than sense. During the effort the gentleman made frequent requisitions upon the page for water. After exhausting several glasses Mr. Sewall be- came exhausted by the gentleman's exuberance, and arose :

"Mr. Speaker," he said, "I rise to a point of order."

The Speaker-"The gentleman will state his point of order."

Mr. Sewall-"I wish to know, Mr. Speaker, whether it is agreeable to the rules of this House, that a windmill shall run by water?"

The windmill lost its motive power for that day.

At one time Mr. Sewall wanted some cedar posts ; his neighbor, the Colonel, also wanted some; and as Mr. Sewall professed to know where there were some good ones; they went together in the woods for them. Their journey was supposed to be upon domains of different proprietors, the Colonel being one and a Massachusetts landholder another, and so on. Mr. Sewall hinted at the propriety of supplying their wants from the land of the non- resident proprietor, as he had no thought for the welfare of Oldtown. At length they came to a spot, the aspect of which was gratifying.

"There," said Sewall, "what do you think of that?"

"Splendid," was the Colonel's response.

"If you will cut it, I will haul it," said Sewall.

It was agreed. The posts were cut and hauled agree- ably to the agreement. One half went to the Colonel's and the other half to Sewall's house. Before the hauling was completed the Colonel was induced by Mr. Sewall to divide a pine tree between them on the same condi- tions. Portions of the cedar and pine went into the com- position of these two gentlemen's front fences. There was no interference and everything was accomplished satisfactorily to both parties. Some time afterward the Colonel, in running the lines of his lot, came to a spot that seemed familiar, and on examining it critically he found it to be the place where he and Sewall had carried on their lumbering operation, and that all of the cedar and pine had been taken from his own land, instead of from that of the Massachusetts proprietor.

It is said that for a long time afterward the Colonel was in the habit of telling the story with unction.

HON, ALBERT G. WAKEFIELD.

Mr. Wakefield was born in Montpelier, Vermont, and losing his father at an early age, he had a fair experience of log-cabin and log-school house life. Like a large portion of the young men who amount to anything in this country, he had to work his way. After leaving the log school-house familiar with reading, writing, and Adam's arithmetic as far as "the rule of three," he as- pired to a knowledge of grammar, and made his way to Auburn, Massachusetts, where he found a higher grade

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

of school than that he had attended. When he informed the teacher of his desire to become acquainted with grammar-

"Grammar!" said the instructor, with staring eyes, " that will do you no good; you had much better study the Catechism !"

But the pupil was persistent, and the teacher gave him the instruction he requested. By the close of the term he knew all of grammar that he could learn there. He also satisfied his teacher with his proficiency in the Westminster Catechism,which was then a sine qua non in the schools. The next winter he was employed to teach the same school.

But a man with the qualities young Wakefield pos- sessed does not stop with school-teaching. He will be educated. He applied to the Rev. Enoch Pond, then a clergyman in Auburn, but now the venerable Doc- tor of Divinity, President of the Bangor Seminary, and the celebrated author of many books-for assistance in preparing for college. He did not apply in vain. In due time he entered Brown University, from which institution he graduated in 1830. Making his way to Bucksport in the fall of that year, he took charge of the High School there, and was its Principal for one year. After he had closed his engagement with the Bucksport school, he came to Bangor and entered the office of that thorough lawyer, William Abbot. After studying with him and at the Cambridge Law School, he was admitted to the Bar in Bangor in 1834. Since then he has prac- ticed his profession successfully in Bangor. The entire confidence which he inspired in those who committed their business to his care, brought him a practice of which any lawyer might be proud. He has been largely connected with the city government, having been Mayor two terms, and in both boards at various times; has been City Solicitor and upon the School Committee, and chairman thereof for many years. He has also been a trustee of the State Insane Hospital for several years. A modest man, Mr. Wakefield has never sought an office, and when in office he has performed his duties faithfully and without ostentation. He is a sound lawyer. and a most estimable citizen.

HON. HENRY E. PRENTISS,

son of Henry Prentiss, of Paris, Oxford county, Maine, was born February 12, 1809. He was in the Military Academy at West Point as a cadet for four years, and afterward as a teacher. From there he went to Louisi- ana. He came to Bangor in 1834-35, and studied law with Messrs. Kent and Cutting. He was admitted to the Bar in January, 1836, and went to Orono, where he commenced practice the same year, in connection with Israel Washburn, Jr., who afterwards was a Representa- tive in Congress and Governor of the State. The part- nership continued until 1839. Mr. Prentiss then moved to Bangor. He had a large practice and was an incessant worker; but the emoluments of the profession were not satisfactory. He became convinced that there was more money in the timber-lands of Maine than in the profession; and after a time he devoted himself to the

development of that idea with an assiduity that rewarded him with an abundant fortune. Had Mr. Prentiss contin- ued in the practice of the law, he was so inveterately diligent that he would have been successful. But he was a farmer's boy. He loved the open air and took pleasure in long journeys on foot, especially in the forests, where he saw beauties that the devotee of Coke never dreamed of. He was a good citizen, and was appreciated. He represented Bangor in the Legislature, was connected with the municipal affairs of the city, and was elected Mayor.

He died very suddenly, in June, 1873. The Bar adopted resolutions of respect. The following, presented by Hon. A. G. Wakefield, contains a correct summary of his qualities :

Resolved, That, in the death of our late brother, Henry E. Prentiss, in the vigor of life and in the full tide of usefulness as a citizen and a man, we have experienced a sorrowful bereavement; that, by his cheer- ful temper, courteous manner, and genial companionship, he had endeared himself not only to his brethren of the profession, but to all in the circle of his acquaintance; that while pursuing his professional duties he took a high and honorable position as a member of the Bar, and established the reputation of a good lawyer; that in early life, when surrounded by adverse circumstances, he cheerfully and manfully prac- ticed severe economy; but when wealth had crowned a life of industry, he used it to minister to a refined and cultivated taste, and in liberally and gracefully dispensing his charities and hospitalities for the happi- ness of others; that with a full knowledge of the power belonging to money, rightfully used, it was always to him a servant, and never a master; that he practiced in an eminent degree untiring industry and perseverance, unspotted integrity, and loyalty to dnty in all the relations of life; that in all things he was strictly honest, and the faculties of his large mind were so evenly balanced that he was well qualified to meet all emergencies of life at all times.

HON. JOSIAH CROSBY,

son of Oliver Crosby and Harriet (Chase) Crosby, of Atkinson. He was born in Dover, New Hampshire, November 14, 1816, and went with his family to Atkin- son in 1820. He fitted for college at Foxcroft Academy ; graduated at Bowdoin in the class of 1835; took the de- gree of A. M. at the same college in 1838; studied law with Alfred Johnson, of Belfast, and Frederick Hobbs, of Bangor, and Charles P. Chandler, of Dover; was ad- mitted to the Bar in Piscataquis county, September, 1838; was in practice in company with Mr. Chandler six months; then at Levant, now Kenduskeag, a year and a half ; then at Exeter, Maine, until January, 1845, when he removed to Dexter, where he has since practiced, hav- ing business in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset counties, and in the United States courts for Maine.

Mr. Crosby has been twice married-first, in 1844, to Henrietta Hill, daughter of Henry Hill, of Exeter, by whom he had two children, who died in infancy. His wife died in December, 1846. His second wife was Mary Bradbury Foss, daughter of Simon Foss, of Dex- ter, February 27, 1849, by whom he has had nine chil- dren, eight of whom are now living.

In politics Mr. Crosby has been always a Whig and a Republican. In 1857, 1863, and 1865, he was Repre- sentative to the State Legislature from the class of Dex- ter and Corinna. In 1867 and 1868 he was Senator from Penobscot county, and was President of the Senate in 1868. In the other years of his legislative life he served

Josiah Crosby

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

on the judiciary committee. Mr. Crosby was an active member of the Legislature, watched all the business, and in important matters took part; giving all his time and thought, when necessary, and making, in many in- stances, elaborate speeches, which were listened to and read with much interest, and oftentimes influenced legis- lation. In 1870 he made a speech before a committee of the Legislature, against the consolidation of railroads, which attracted much attention. It was published, and in the minds of some had the credit of defeating the bill. He has made addresses on various public occa- sions, and published much in relation to public meas- ures. He has been engaged in important cases in the civil, equity, and criminal courts (State and United States), sometimes involving life, sometimes character, and sometimes large amounts of money ; and has met with his share of success. In his financial affairs he has been moderately prosperous. He has had much to do with matters in which his town has an interest. He framed the Dexter Railroad project, which has been a success, paying the farmers who invested in it their six per cent. interest, as he predicted to them it would. He is a Director in the First National Bank in Dexter; has been counsel and attorney of that bank, of the Dexter Savings Bank, and of the Dexter & Newport Railroad Company from the beginning; and has been the Moder- ator of every annual town meeting in Dexter for the last twenty-five years.

Mr. Crosby became a member of the Maine Historical Society in 1868. He says:

I have ever been a Unitarian in religion; of temperate habits, fairly industrious, but not so excessively industrious as to endanger my life, as too many men, especially Yankees, do. And now, at the age of sixty-two, I feel nearly as young as ever. My family is the source of measureless happiness to me, far beyond the dreams of wealth. Upon the whole, I have but little inclination or cause to find fault with the world.

HON, LEWIS BARKER.

Mr. Barker was born in Exeter, in this county, Febru- ary 18, 1816. His father was Nathaniel Barker, a native of Exeter, New Hampshire, who first established himself in Limerick, Maine, and afterward (1802) in the town- ship in Penobscot county to which he was instrumental in giving the name of the place of his nativity. His mother was Sarah Pease, a native of Parsonsfield, Maine, a woman of rare qualities. Lewis was educated in the common schools and Foxcroft academy; but his employ- ment was that of a farm laborer, alternating with that of teacher, until he became of age. He then read law with Albert G. Jewett, in Bangor, for one year, and completed his studies with Messrs, Kent & Cutting. He was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1841, and commenced practice in Stetson, where he remained until 1871, when he removed to Bangor, and has continued to practice there since. He has for many years been a member of the House and Senate of Maine, and was Speaker of the House in 1867. He has been twice elected a member of the Ex- ecutive Council of Maine, and is now (1881) an Exec- utive Councillor.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Francis 28

Hill, of Exeter, and has had two children-a daughter, Evvie, who acquired some distinction as a writer, and died at the age of twenty-four, and a son, Lewis A. Bar- ker, a lawyer, the junior member of the law firm of Bar- ker, Vose & Barker, of which firm the subject of this sketch is the senior member. When Mr. Barker estab- lished himself in Bangor, he commenced practice alone; afterward he received his son as a partner, and the firm name was Barker & Son.

Mr. Barker has fine qualities as an advocate and pub- lic speaker, is successful with juries, and is esteemed so with the electors in political campaigns. He has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party, and has done much profitable work for his party on the stump in various years in several of the New England, Middle and Western States. He is an indefatigable worker, and now is as active and apparently as vigorous as he has been at any time in his life. He is the brother of Noah Barker, of Exeter, a distinguished citizen of the county and State, and of the late David Barker, the poet lawyer.

LEWIS A. BARKER.

He is the son of Hon. Lewis Barker, and was born in Stetson, Maine, in August, 1854. He graduated at the Albany Law School in 1875, and was admitted to the Penobscot Bar the same year, when he commenced practice in Bangor with his father, under the firm name of Barker & son. In 1876 he became the junior mem- ber of the present firm of Barker, Vose & Barker. In 1875 he married Miss Maggie, only daughter of Moses L. Appleton, Esq., deceased, formerly one of the leading members of the Penobscot Bar. Mr. Barker possesses qualities which will enable him to do credit to his family and the profession.

HON. THOMAS W. VOSE.

Thomas Wyman Vose was born in Portland, Maine, July 3, 1830. At the age of three years he came with his father's family to Orrington, near Brewer village. In his fifteenth year he commenced to learn the trade of ship joiner, and continued in that business until the win- ter of 1851, attending the common school in the winters, excepting one winter, when he attended Hampden Acad- emy, where he commenced preparation for college. After this he diligently pursued the work of preparation, teach- ing, and working at his trade during vacations. He en- tered the scientific department of Hanover College (New Hampshire) a year in advance, and graduated from that institution in July, 1858. After gradua- tion he entered the law office of Albert L. Kelley, in Winterport, and was admitted to the Bar of Waldo county at the May term, 1860. Since then Mr. Vose has been a great worker in his profession. He opened an office in Winterport, and very soon had the confidence of the people. They elected him Representative to the Legis- lature from the class of Winterport and Frankfort in 1870, and his county sent him to the Senate in 1871. In January, 1872, he removed to Bangor, and his abilities were recognized in Bangor, as they were in Winterport. He was elected City Solicitor in 1875, and has served in

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 59

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