History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 78

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 78

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In 1840 the town reached its maximum number of in- habitants, containing then one thousand seven hundred and four. By the census of 1880 there were one thou- sand five hundred and three, making a loss of only ten during the last decade.

The following is a succinct but partial view of the statistics of population, voters, and wealth in this town: Population in 1830, 1,077; 1840, 1,704 ; 1850, 1,550 ; 1860, 1,597; 1870, 1,513; 1880, 1,503. Polls in 1860, 374; 1870, 443; 1880, 380. Estates these years, $233,- 7II, $391,711, and $421,649.

The rest of the history of this town is the history of its citizens and its enterprises, which are best described each under its proper title.

In the meantime Corinna has been made a part of Penobscot county, by act of the Maine Legislature dated February 10, 1833, which will be found in the Appendix.

SCHOOLS.

Since schools lie at the foundation of all good govern- ment and are among the first considerations of the intel- ligent settler, we will treat this subject first of the more detailed matters. Before school districts were organized the mothers and fathers taught their children what they themselves knew. After a few families had settled in town, their children were accustomed to collect at Seth Knowles's and the Rev. B. P. Winchester's homes to learn proficiently in "the three R's." Elder Winchester was especially interested in the education of the young, and was much beloved by his pupils. As the number of inhabitants increased, school-houses became necessary. Accordingly, the first one was built about fifty rods east of Mr. Knowles's. It was a sample of the most primi- tive kind then built. In one end was a fire-place, while on either side of the aisle ranged the long board seats, the terror of the smaller pupils and the field of artistic execution for the boy having inventive brains and a jack- knife.

It was the custom for the scholars to cut their own wood, and the master's time was divided between the use of the ferule and trying to persuade green rock-maple to burn. The large open fire-place occupied nearly the entire end of the house, and on its broad hearth, up the spacious chimney, roared the fire. Entire logs, two and three feet in diameter, were rolled in and burned with- out splitting.

In the western part of the town was built another school-house, for the accommodation of the students in that section. It was erected on the same general princi- ples as that in the eastern part.

The books used by the pupils of that day consisted of a Webster's spelling book and a Pike's or Daboll's arith- metic. The schools were in session only a few weeks during the year, and the boys and girls were obliged to travel long distances over poor roads filled with snow to obtain the little education that could be then had from the common school. Yet there were many who, improv- ing the opportunities that they did have, obtained a very fair education.

The next school-house was built at Moor's Mill, and is now occupied by Samuel Fowles as a blacksmith-shop. This school-house was in early days the scene of the rough side of school life. That teacher who did not answer the ideas of the school as a good fellow, was car- ried from the school-house by the larger scholars and left upon a snow bank to cool his anger. One teacher, by the name of Christopher Page, seemed to inspire the big boys with something of fear, if not of reverence, and taught many successful terms in Corinna and vicinity.

As the town developed from year to year, and other districts became necessary, other school-houses were built, until at present there are within the town seven- teen districts and parts of districts, with fourteen school- houses.

At a special meeting held in April, 1817, two hundred dollars were raised to be expended in schools, but no School Board was elected. The following year a com- mittee of seventeen was chosen, to supervise the schools and superintend the expenditure of the money. No regular Superintending School Committee was elected till 1822; but a Board of School Agents, varying from six to eighteen, was chosen who filled the double office of Committee and Agent. The amount of money appro- priated was two hundred dollars per annum, until in 1822 it was changed to three hundred, and kept at that amount for several years. In 1821 the local and school taxes being paid in grain, the teachers were required to take their pay in the popular currency of the town.

No money was even raised for a free high school, and until 1875 no district record was kept by the Superin- tending School Committee.

Among the prominent teachers of the common schools in the past were Robert Knowles, a native of the town and one of its prominent citizens; Levi Lucas, of Saint Albans, a master in every sense of the word, who ruled as with a rod of iron; and Christopher Page, familiarly known as "Chris," who probably taught more "hard scholars" in Penobscot county than any other teacher.

In the summer of 1881 a graded course of study was introduced into the primary and grammar schools at Corinna village (Moor's Mills). No pupils have yet been graduated from the school.

At the annual town meeting of 1881 the town voted to purchase text-books for the use of scholars; but at a special meeting called soon afterwards it was voted to rescind that vote.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

CORINNA UNION ACADEMY.

In 1850 Dr. Jacob Elliott, a prominent citizen, pro- posed to build an academy for the higher education of the young men and women of the vicinity. Through his strenuous exertions and the liberality of the citizens, an amount of money then thought sufficient to erect the building was raised. In addition to this, in order that the school might be endowed, notes were given by indi- viduals, of which only the interest, it was understood, should be paid at the end of each year, to be applied to the running expenses of the school. The site selected for the school was in the western part of the village, upon an elevation overlooking the town. The building com- mittee, desiring to construct a permanent building, ex- pended the money raised for that purpose before they had completed it. To finish the academy it was neces- sary to call in the fund-notes. This was done, and the structure was ready for occupancy in 1851.

Elliott Walker and wife were the first teachers of the academy, and at once established the school.in public favor. After having charge of the school for several years, he removed to Newport, in this county, to enter upon the practice of law.

The Hon. Llewellyn Powers succeeded Mr. Walker as Principal of the Academy. Mr. Powers was a very suc- cessful teacher, and was liked both by citizens and scholars. Mr. Powers carried into his school work that same energy which characterized him as a lawyer, and his school was always well attended.

Professor Sawyer was principal for a longer time than any other teacher. Under his management the school was well attended. He was especially well versed in mathematics and grammar.

Professor D. H. Sherman was very successful, and he obtained a large attendance at the academy. While teaching he purchased a telescope for the use of the school, and in the small hours of the night, when the planets were in conjunction, the Professor's horn could be heard calling out his astronomy class to witness the move- ments of the heavenly bodies. This aroused the anger of the citizens, and many were the imprecations pro- nounced against him.

Isaac R. Worth, of East Corinth, succeeded Professor Sherman, and was beloved by his students. He was obliged to close his second term in the eighth week on account of failing health, and soon after died, mourned by a large circle of friends.

Among other teachers have been the Rev. Charles E. Young, a Baptist clergyman ; H. E. Trefetheran, E. D. Pratt, a Mr. Smith, and Wyman B. Piper, the present principal. Mr. Smith retired one night in his usual health, and was found dead in his bed the following morning.

The Academy was formally incorporated on the 4th of June, 1857. Through the efforts of John Benson, M. D., of Newport, who represented Newport and Corinna in the State Legislature, the academy received a grant of a quarter of a township of land, lying in the northern part of the State. Three other academies received severally a grant of the other three-quarters. Agents were chosen

by the trustees of each school to sell the township Volney Sprague, Esq., was selected to look after the in- terests of Corinna Academy, and sold the quarter-town- ship for $1,600. The proceeds were at first invested in United States bonds, which were afterwards exchanged at a premium for State of Maine bonds below par. By this means the fund was increased to $2,142. No part of the principal is allowed to be expended in repairs or for the use of the school.

During the summer of 1879 three courses of study -- college preparatory, classical, and scientific-were pre- pared by Mr. Piper, the present principal, and adopted by the' trustees. Each course covers four years of three terms, each ten weeks long.

In June, 1881, the thirtieth anniversary of the school, two students, were graduated, one each from the classical and the college preparatory courses. During that sum- mer Dr. Jacob Elliott, who in the meantime had re- moved to California, offered the trustees a gift of $1,000, provided the citizens would raise $1,900 before the 10th of August. Failing in this, the school did not receive the offered donation.

CHURCHES.

The first religious meetings in Corinna were held under the auspices of the Free Baptists, by Rev. John Palmer in the barn erected by Samuel Lancey .- They were after- wards held in the school-house erected in town, until the year 1851. Then Mr. Benjamin C. Moor liberally gave a building lot for a church, a few rods from the shore of the pond on the east side; and the citizens raised the money to erect a building thereon. The conditions of the gift of the land were that when it ceased to be oc- cupied as a church lot, then it should revert to the former owner. The house was dedicated as a "Union " church, and is owned and occupied by Methodists, Baptists, Christians, and Adventists. Each pew-holder has a vote in the annual meeting of the owners in deciding which denomination shall have the use of the church for the Sabbath that his pew claims. There being fifty-two pews in the church, each one of them has the right to use the house one Sabbath in each year. Since the railroad was built through the town, the church is conveniently near the depot for week-day meetings.

Soon after the completion of the church at Corinna village, the citizens of Morse's Corner, two miles east of the village, desiring to construct a more substantial house than the one already built, contracted to have one put up and to be finished in hard wood. After its com- pletion they purchased a bell, which, with that in the Academy building, are the only bells in public struc- tures in the town.

The Free Baptist church was first organized in School District No. i, in the southeastern part of the town. This church removed to Morse's Corner after that house was built. This Free Baptist society by and by went out of existence, but was re-organized under the efforts of the Rev. Jason Mariner, and now has a membership of over forty. The Free Baptists have never had an organ- ization at the village church.

In September, 1822, the Rev. Isaac Case organized

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

the First Baptist Church, of ten members, in the town, the text at that time being from Hebrews xiii. 5: "Let brotherly love continue." During the infancy of the church there was no ordained pastor, but Cushman Bas- sett, a prominent man in the town, occupied the pulpit as lay preacher. After him, Moses Martin, from China, preached for the denomination. The Rev. B. P. Win- chester, who was a prominent citizen, occupied the Bap- tist pulpit for more than thirty-five years, after the re- moval of Rev. Mr. Martin. Since the death of Elder Winchester, the Rev. Messrs. David Stewart and William E. Noyes have been the pastors. In 1872 the church celebrated its semi-centennial, at which its history was briefly related by Rev. Charles E. Young, formerly a member. At present there are twenty active members, who support preaching one-fourth of the time at Corinna village and the school-house at the Centre. Among the most prominent members of the church during its his- tory have been Rev. B. P. Winchester, Rev. David Stewart, Cushman Bassett, and Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Young. As one of the oldest members remarks, "our church has been a constant light, never going out nor dazzling by its brilliancy."

The Rev. J. S. Johnson, of New Hampshire, and Rev. Zebulon Manter, of Newport, organized the Christian church, April 20, 1867, with a membership of twenty- one. This was increased to thirty-three the following day. This church occupies the house at Corinna village one-fourth of the time. It has had in all seventy-seven communicants, of whom five have been dropped, ten have been discharged by death, four by letter, and fifty- eight remain on the church books. Rev. Joshua T. House was pastor of the church from the year 1867 to 1874.

During the year 1875 Rev. Samuel Bickford occupied the pulpit. From 1876 until the present time Rev. J. T. House has been the regular pastor. In connection with this church a ladies' sewing society has been formed, to raise money for church purposes. The report of the treasurer gives one hundred and forty dollars as the amount of funds in her hands at this writing. They have already purchased blinds for the church at the vil- lage, and have furnished the pulpit.

The Second Advent church consists of two branches, and has no regular pastor engaged. Elder Campher re- sides in Corinna, and preaches occasionally.

The Methodist Episcopal circuit of which Corinna formed a part included the section extending from Exeter on the east to Harmony on the west, and included those towns. David and Richard Knowles were the only mem- bers from "Warren township, No. 4," and attended church in Exeter. They belonged to a preachers' aid society known as the "Sheep Concern." Each one that joined this society was obliged to set apart a sheep, the proceeds of which were to be paid to the support of the preacher. From that time the Methodist church has had communicants from Corinna. After the church was built at Corinna village, the Methodists occupied the house one-fourth of the time, and are in the circuit with Exeter, at which place is the parsonage. One of the

first missionaries to Africa went from the Exeter circuit, and died in Africa-a Rev. Mr. Cox.

PARIAN LODGE, NO. 160, F. AND A. M.

Several Masonic brethren, who resided in Corinna, long desired to have a lodge of their own, and in 1870 petitioned the Grand Lodge of Maine that they would establish one for them. For some time Meridian Splendor Lodge in Newport opposed its institution, and atter their objections were answered Dexter Lodge claimed jurisdiction. The Grand Lodge compelled the Corinna Masons to work two years under a dis- pensation. It being shown that the jurisdiction was in Meridian Splendor Lodge, Fisher Lodge No. 160, Free and Accepted Masons, was instituted with the usual rites and ceremonies. Winkworth S. Allen, who had formerly been Master of Dexter Lodge, was the first Master of Fisher Lodge. After him as Masters were Robert Knowles, Charles A. Dorman, Clement C. Libby, and A. J. Knowles, the present Master. The Lodge de- rived its name from Paul M. Fisher, M. D., a prominent man and earnest Mason. In 1876 the name was changed from Fisher to Parian; and in 1881 it numbered seventy-three members in good standing.

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

Rev. David Stewart, in the autumn of 1827, de- livered the first temperance lecture in the town, prob- ably the first in the county, and organized a temperance organization of thirty-six members, of which a Mr. Payne was president. Another society was organized in the northeast part of the town in School District No. 3, con- sisting of forty members. Their meetings were open for all to enter, and were free for the discussion of the tem- perance question. The Sons of Temperance formed a society at Morse's Corner, which organization was moved to Moor's Mills.

In July, 1874, the Good Templars organized a society, which increased in 1879 to two hundred and eleven members. This society first met in Butler's, then Fow- les's, and lastly in Temperance Hall.

In the winter of 1879 Deputy Commander John Young, M. D., came from Massachusetts and instituted a Commandery of the United Order of the Golden Cross. This society continued its organization during the winter, but in the spring, on account of the dissatis- faction of its members, it adjourned sine die.

BUSINESS PLACES.

By far the best business buildings in Corinna village are Eagle Block and the grist-mill attached. Eben Roberts bought the old grist-mill of Robert Moor, and afterwards sold to E. P. Burrill and William A. Ireland. After the purchase of the mill property by Messrs. Burrill and Ire- land they erected a substantial brick mill and constructed a granite dam, on the condition that the town would exempt them from taxation for ten years. Soon after the completion of the mill the town concluded to repudi- ate its promise, and consequently taxed the mill. In 1877 Burrill & Ireland concluded to make an exten- sion of their mill, and erected Eagle Block. This build- ing is of brick with three stories and a basement, and

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY MAINE.

contains a shoe store, a variety store, a lawyer's office, a doctor's office, a jewelry manufactory, a temperance hall, a market, a grain elevator, and three grain bins capable of holding ten thousand bushels. The grist-mill attached contains five sets of stones, and is used for grinding all kinds of grain.

The next buildings that would attract the attention of the traveler are the Woolen Mill and Iron Foundry. The former is a wooden structure, three stories and a basement in height. It was built by Messrs. J. & C. A. Dorman. The Dormans came to Corinna, purchased the site for the mill about one-third of a mile south of the village, and commenced the erection of the mill. In 1875, at a special town meeting, the town voted to lend this firm $5,000 at six per cent. interest, and to take as security a first mortgage on the mill and privilege. The following year the Dormans attempted to obtain another loan of two thousand dollars, but the town voted to pass the article. Upon this failure twenty citizens loaned one hundred dollars each, and took a second mortgage of the privilege on the west end of the dam, and a first mort- gage on the custom wool-carding machinery. The Dor- mans failed to fulfil the contract of their mortgage, the town foreclosed its claim, and by a decision of the court came into possession of the mill. The twenty persons holding the other mortgage, obtained the wool-cards. The town, after the foreclosure of its mortgage, rented the factory to Charles Greenwood for three years. At the expiration of this time Mr. Greenwood purchased the mill, paying for it five thousand five hundred . dollars. The factory is a "two-set " mill, for the manufacture of repellant, and employs about thirty hands.

In the fall of 1879 the carriage shop, owned and oc- cupied by Lewis Hutchins, was burned, and in its place was erected another more commodious building. This was intended as a carriage shop; but Mr. Hutchins, form- ing a partnership with J. P. Nelson & Son and George W. Nutter, another building was erected for a foundry and the first one used for a finishing room. The Messrs. Nelson and Mr. Hutchins sold their interest in the busi- ness to G. W. Nutter, who conducts it at present, mak- ing all kinds of castings.

The next prominent building in town is the hardware store owned by J. P. Nelson & Son and occupied by J. H. Steward, a hardware merchant and American Express . agent. There are two post- offices in the town, one at Corinna Village, the other at Corinna Center. Mr. E. P. Burrill is Post- master at the former, Mr. W. S. Allen at the latter.

Three-quarters of a mile south of Moor's Mill, on Alder Stream, is a saw-mill for the manufacture of long lumber, a shingle-mill, and a steam-pump factory. Around these industries nestles a quiet little village. West of this village, and near the horseback, is a brick- yard belonging to Mr. S. S. Burrill. In the northern part of the town, on the Dexter Stream, is a mill owned by John Moody and built by him for the manufacture of lumber and shingles. South of his mill and on the same stream, is Richard Lincoln's shingle mill. At the latter place several dwellings have been erected and a railway

switch graded for the accommodation of shipping lum- ber. At Morse's Corner E.' W. Holt has furnished a machine shop and manufactures Holt's "tire upsetter," for shortening tires without cutting.

Besides the above named places of business there are several grocery and variety stores, two apothecaries, and a hotel.

THE DEXTER AND NEWPORT RAILROAD.

When the question of the Newport & Dexter Rail- road was agitated the inhabitants of Corinna" at once took a prominent part in the encouragement of its con- struction. The town promptly voted to lend its credit in aid of the construction and completion of the Dexter & Newport Railroad, to the extent of fifty thousand dol- lars on the terms and conditions mentioned in an act of the Legislature approved January 25, 1867. Several citizens agreed to raise the money for its survey. After its completion Robert Knowles was appointed Station Agent, and filled that office acceptably until the con- struction of the Western Union telegraph line from New- port to Dexter. Then Thomas F. Hegarty, the present agent, was appointed. Two trains daily each way pass over the road and connect at Newport with the Eastern and Western trains of the Maine Central Railroad.

The principal products shipped over this road are hay, potatoes, grains, eggs, apples, and meat. Several cattle- buyers make Corinna their headquarters, and ship meat to the Brighton and Boston markets. Frequently ten tons of carcasses alone are sent at one time."[Ship-tim- ber is also loaded at this point from the surrounding towns, to be sent to Belfast and neighboring ports.

THE CORINNA HERALD.

March 27, 1876, Mr. Fred J. Whiting issued the first number of the Weekly Herald, a four-column folio de- voted to local interests. The following year Mr. Whiting moved his office from the small building on Dexter street to Eagle Block, formed a partnership with A. Phinney, and enlarged his paper to a six-column folio, changing the name to Corinna Herald. In August, 1881, the paper was removed to Pittsfield, Somerset county, and the old name of Weekly Herald restored.

THE CORINNA SOCIAL LIBRARY

was incorporated September 3, 1849, and had a moder- ately successful career.

The Corinna Circulating Library is now in existence, and is kept at the village. Mr. E. Folsom_is Librarian.

THE CIVIL LIST OF CORINNA.

The following is a list of the town officers since the incorporation of Corinna :

1817-William Elder, Joseph Pease, Constant South- ard, selectmen; William Elder, town clerk; Ebenezer Nutter, treasurer; Benjamin Hilton, constable; no school board.

1818-William Elder, Abraham Bean, Ebenezer Nut- ter, selectmen; William Elder, town clerk; Benjamin P. Winchester, treasurer; John Couliard, constable; a school board of seventeen.

1819-William Elder, Ebenezer Nutter, Benjamin P.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Winchester, selectmen; William Elder, town clerk; Joseph Pease, treasurer; Seth Knowles, constable; a school board of six.

1820-Ebenezer Nutter, Benjamin P. Winchester, Abraham Bean, selectmen; William Elder, town clerk; Joseph Pease, treasurer; Seth Knowles, constable; a school board of eighteen.

1821-Ebenezer Nutter, Abraham Bean, Jonathan Knowles, selectmen; William Elder, town clerk; Joseph Pease, treasurer; Seth Knowles, constable; a school board of six.

1822-Abraham Bean, William Elder, Benjamin P. Winchester, selectmen; William Elder, town clerk; Joseph Pease, treasurer; Ebenezer Nutter, constable; Thomas Brown, John Hubbard, Joseph Turner, regu- lar school committee.

1823-Benjamin P. Winchester, Abraham Bean, Eben- ezer Nutter, selectmen; Benjamin P. Winchester, town clerk; Joseph Pease, treasurer; James Smith, Jr., con- stable; Thomas Brown, John Hubbard, Joseph Turner, superintending school committee.

1824-Benjamin P. Winchester, Abraham Bean, Ebenezer Nutter, selectmen; Benjamin P. Winchester, town clerk; Joseph Pease, treasurer ; Seth Knowles, con- stable; Thomas Brown, John Hubbard, Joseph Turner, superintending school committee.

1825-Benjamin P. Winchester, John Hubbard, Joseph Turner, selectmen; Benjamin P. Winchester, town clerk ; Joseph Turner, treasurer; James Smith, Jr., constable; Abram Seaver, John Hubbard, Esq., superin- tending school committee.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 78

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