History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 83

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 83

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The latter water lies in two ponds, one stretching from a point three-fourths of a mile above the centre of the town to the the north part of Dexter village, one and a half miles. Half a mile northwest of this terminus a short channel about forty rods wide connects the upper lake with Dexter Pond proper, a fine body of water, two and one-third miles in length by nearly three-fourths of a mile in breadth at the widest part. This extends to the town line, two miles above the southwest corner, and a very short way into Ripley with a small bay. The entire length of the two sheets of water, taken together, is three and a half miles.

Pleasant Pond comes in at the other side of the town nearly a mile from the southeast corner. It is a long, narrow sheet, in dimensions about one mile by forty rods. It begins at West Garland, in Garland town, and but forty to fifty rods of the west end of it lie in Dexter. The Kenduskeag Stream, whose lower part and mouth are familiar and valuable features of the site of Bangor, flows through Pleasant Pond. It takes its rise in Dexter, at a point midway between the center and the west line of the town, near School No. 3, and flows southerly and southeasterly to the pond at its head in Dexter, receiving on the way the waters of two small affluents, which effect a junction a few rods north of it.

Between Pleasant and Dexter Ponds, and in the south central part of the town, is another small lake, lying in the form of an arc, about a mile long and sixty rods in greatest breadth. It receives two small streams near its head, and another near the middle of its north shore. Its outlet, about one and a half miles in length, is one of the first tributaries of the Sebasticook Stream, itself receiving from the south and eastward two small tribu-

taries. The Sebasticook is the outlet of the northeast sheet of Dexter Pond, and flowing through Dexter village is spread into several ponds for mills and factories. The power afforded by this stream was doubtless the deter- mining cause of the location of the village here. It re- ceives from the east a petty branch and the outlet afore- said, and flows by a south course into Corinna. West of it, in the southwest angle of the town, three other brooks have their heads, and flow in Dexter a distance of one to one and a half miles. In the opposite or southeast angle of the town, one of the tributaries of the Alder Stream has its head and part of its course.

Watering the north part of Dexter, and coursing along and near the county line, is the main stream. The head- waters of this are in Garland. It enters Dexter almost exactly at the northeast corner, and flows through a length of more than six miles on the border of the town, leaving it for Sangerville three-fourths of a mile west of the northwest corner. It welcomes six small tributaries on the way. Near its exit passes another brook, which flows nearly two miles in this town to the northwestward, and passes into Ripley. The half dozen small streams about the head of Dexter Pond, and the four received on the north shore of its main body, complete the enu- meration of waters in the town. About twelve hundred acres of the town are covered by its lakes, Dexter Pond alone taking five hundred.

The wagon-roads mostly radiate from Dexter village- one to the northeast, running across a corner of Garland into Piscataquis county, and intersected by two north and south roads; one to the northwest, across the channel connecting the two parts of Dexter Pond, and separating into two branches half a mile beyond it, both going north to Sangerville, and one crossing the Dexter road. and following the north shore of the pond into Ripley ; two others running west and southwest into Ripley on the other side of the pond, connected by a cross-road about two-thirds of a mile from the town line, and two roads into Corinna, striking off from the southernmost of them, one of which has a short branch directly into the village ; another to the southeastward and eastward, passing into Garland, and intersected by one north and south road near the village, and by three cross-roads, two of which go into Corinna, and one southeastward across the corner of Garland into Exeter and toward Bangor ; and still another eastward road, which branches on the edge of the village, the two highways it forms running with a general distance of about three-quarters of a mile apart into Garland. All the roads within the town, ex- cept some short neighborhood tracks, are thus compre- hensively described. The road on the south town line,

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Reuben Flanders.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

however, beginning at the southeast corner, and running the whole width of the town into Somerset should be mentioned.

At or near the most important road-junctions school- houses are situated; and mills, factories, and shops are numerous in the town, particularly at Dexter village .. At this place are also the Town Hall; Regular Baptist, Free- will Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist and Union churches; a high school and two other school-houses ; a common or public square in the north part, a cemetery in the south, and two other cemeteries east of the village. There is also a small cemetery two miles north of the village. Nearly all parts of the town are well populated. South Dexter is hardly a village, but rather a pretty dense settlement along the road on the line between Dexter and Corinna, for about a mile from the southeast corner of the town.

A HANDSOME COMPLIMENT.

The following remarks, complimentary to this town, are made in Coolidge & Mansfield's History and Descrip- tion of New England:

Dexter is a fine specimen of a New England town, abounding in hills, vales, and ponds, and is regarded as among the best farming towns in the county, though it is more generally known for its excellent water-power and the general thrift and enterprise of its inhabitants. The village lies at the outlet of a beautiful pond of about one thousand acres, fed entirely by springs, furnishing a safe and unfailing water- power, never affected by freshets or drought. The fall in this pond is one hundred and fifty feet in three-quarters of a mile, there being nine improved privileges within the distance, turning sixteen large wheels, which propel a great variety of machinery.

This was in 1859.

SURVEY AND SETTLEMENT.

Dexter is situated on the summit or height of land forming the divide between the Penobscot and the Kenne- bec Rivers. It is said to have been surveyed as early as 1772, but was not settled for nearly thirty years. Finally, in the spring of 1801, several settlements were begun in this tract. It is probably not now known who was the first to break the soil or forest within the present limits of the town; but Ebenezer Small, who had immigrated from Gilmanton, New Hampshire, is usually credited with bringing in the first family. An immigrant named Elkins was also doubtless among the earliest, as the settlement was first called Elkinstown. A considerable immigration from various parts of New Hampshire set in. Among the new comers were Joseph Treker, Seba French, William Mitchell, Simeon and John Stafford, and the Shepley, Smith and Maxwell families. Several families also came in from the west of the District of Maine. One of the oldest settlers, Mr. Jeremiah Abbot, has con- tinued to reside in the town to an extreme old age.

The first physician in the region was Dr. Burleigh, from Sandwich, New Hampshire, who occupied the first house that was painted within the present limits of Dexter.

ORGANIZATION, ETC.

It has already been mentioned that this township was surveyed in 1772. It was Township No. 4, of the Fifth Range. In 1803 its boundaries were established and the tract partitioned into lots, after a plan prepared by Sim- eon Stafford, and divided among the settlers. It seems,

however, to have remained nominally the property of the State, since it was not formally granted by the General Court until March 13, 1804, when Amos Pond and eight associates became grantees of the township.

"Elkinstown" subsisted as a popular and plantation name until 1816, when, on the 17th of June of that year (anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill), the planta- tion became a town by act of incorporation, under the name of Dexter. It was so called as a tribute of respect to the Hon. Samuel Dexter, of Boston, who was exten- sively interested in it. It was the two hundred and sev- enteenth town erected in the district.

GROWTH.

The population of Elkinstown in 1810 was 136. Dex- ter had 461 in 1820 (a rate of increase-240 per cent .- scarcely paralleled by any other part of the country dur- ing any similar period), 885 in 1830, 1,464 in 1840, 1,948 in 1850, 2,363 in 1860, 2,875 in 1870, and 2,563 in 1880.

The number of polls in Dexter in 1820 was 95; in 1860, 403; in 1870, 611; in 1880, 679.

The valuation of estates for these several years was $27,390, $465,023, $1,006,966, and $963,029. But $331.20 were reported in 1812.

In 1818 the first post-office in the town was established. It was supplied by a mail carried once a week on horse- back from Bangor to Skowhegan.

A MEMORABLE TORNADO.

The hurricane of 1848 was probably the most destruc- tive that ever occurred in these parts. It tore up many of the largest trees by the roots, and crushed some of the most strongly built structures in the town. The aggre- gate destruction wrought by it was immense.

THE CHURCHES.

The Universalists seem to have had the pioneer reli- gious society in this town. At all events, theirs was the first meeting-house erected in Dexter. It was put up in 1829. The denomination has two resident clergy in the town-Rev. J. E. Clark, pastor in charge, and Rev. J. F. Witherell, without charge.

The Congregational church of Dexter was organized July 22, 1834. It has no resident clergyman at present, but is dependent upon supplies, as are also the Catholic, and the Advent people, both of which denominations have societies in the town.

The Calvinistic or Regular Baptist is likewise vacant just now. Elder Jason Mariner fills the Free Baptist pulpit; the Rev. Thomas Marsden is rector of the Prot- estant Episcopal church; and the Rev. G. R. Palmer was last year in charge of the Methodist Episcopal society.

BANKS AND NEWSPAPER.

The Dexter Savings bank was organized December 16, 1867. November 1, 1880, it reported deposits and profits to the amount of $147,631.80, with 1, 156 depositors and a special reserve fund of $53,873.81. Mr. A. F. Bradbury is President of the bank, and George Hamilton, Treas- urer.

Dexter has the only National bank in the county, out-

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY MAINE.

side of Bangor. It has a capital of $100,000. Charles Shaw is President and C. W. Curtis, Cashier.

The Dexter Gazette is published every Friday at the village, by Mr. M. F. Herring. Some history of it is comprised in the chapter on the Press of Penobscot County, in the first division of this work.

ASSOCIATIONS.

The principal of these in this town are the Penobscot Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons; the St. John's Royal Arch Chapter; the Plymouth Lodge, No. 165, of Odd Fellows; the H. T. Safford Post, No. 8, of the Grand Army of the Republic, organized October 16, 1874; Dexter Grange, No. 155, of the Patrons of Hus- bandry; Dexter Lodge, Independent Order of Good Templars; the Dexter Reform Club, and the Dexter Cornet Band.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

One of the most notable institutions of Dexter is the Town Library, which contains about one thousand five hundred volumes. Mr. A. Spingall is the librarian.

The only post-office in the town is that established long ago at Dexter village. Mr. H. L. Wood is the postmaster.

The Dexter Park Association, which has a driving or racing ground near the village, was incorporated February , 1874

About the same time (February 20, 1874) was incor- porated the Dexter Cheese Factory.

Other manufactories are the Dexter Woolen Mills and that of the World's Fair Churn. Five establishments are manufacturing lumber, two have grist-mills, five boots and shoes, two carriages, one doors, sash, and blinds, furniture, coffins and caskets, two clothing, three tin- ware, three cooperage, one leather, one marble, one stoves and plows, one medicines, one shovel handles, and one soap.

There are in the town about fifty merchants in the different lines of merchandizing, five resident lawyers (one of these, the Hon. Josiah Crosby, was President of the State Senate in 1868), four notaries, five physicians, three dentists, one auctioneer, two insurance agents, two livery-stable keepers, three barbers, four watch-repairers, two tailors, two photographers, one printer, three paint- ers, one millwright and machinist, five dressmakers, four "boss"-carpenters and builders, five blacksmiths, one baker, and other tradesmen and artisans.

Two hotels-the Merchants' Exchange and the Dex- ter House-are kept in the town, besides three dining- rooms.

Two stage-lines are run from Dexter village-one to Dover and Foxcroft, by W. G. Merrill, proprietor of the Merchants' Exchange, and the other to Moosehead Lake, by H. A. Ayer.

TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1880.

Nathan F. Roberts, Eben M. Tibbetts, L. M. Hasel- tine, Selectmen; Levi Bridgham, Town Clerk; Hiram Bassett, Treasurer; Allen Merrill, Constable and Collec- tor; Willard B. Goff, D. W. McCrillis, Constables; J. Eugene Clarke, School Supervisor.

Justices-Josiah Crosby, Charles_W. Curtis, Morrill Sprague, N. Wyman, George Hamilton, T. H. P. Pierce, L. B. Waldron, Quorum; P. McCrillis, Joseph Sanborn, V. A. Sprague, Josiah Crosby, J. M. Jordan, Trial; V. A. Sprague, N. Wyman, Dedimus.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

The following honorable notice was given one of the most celebrated of the sons of Dexter in the late war, in one of the Adjutant-General's Reports for the war-period:

Brigadier-General Lysander Cutler, of the Army of the Potomac, in early life came to Maine from Massachusetts, and settled in Dexter. At the time of the difficulties growing out of the northeastern bound- ary question, he was Lieutenant-Colonel of a regiment sent to the frontier. In 1857 he went to Wisconsin, where at the breaking out of the war he was appointed to the command of the Sixth Wisconsin Regiment of Infantry, composed largely of Eastern men. The regi- ment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and afterward to the command of General McDowell on the Rappahannock. It was in the second battle of Bull Run, where its commander received a dangerous wound in the thigh. Upon his recovery he was appointed to the com- mand of a brigade in the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Gettysburg General Cutler led the first column that engaged in the strife, under the command of Major-General Reynolds, who was killed, and he was actively engaged in the whole of that terrible and decisive struggle, losing three horses which were shot from under him, but es- caping himself unharmed.

Stanley Adelbert Plummer, a native of Dexter, born in February, 1846, is mentioned in the Roll of Honor of Bowdoin College as having been a graduate of its class of 1867, and serving one year in the "unassigned in- fantry" during the late war.

Mr. Job Abbott, of Dexter, the Superintendent and half owner of the woolen-mill at Dexter, is a son of Jer- emiah Abbott, of Andover, Massachusetts. Jeremiah Abbott came to Dexter in 1820, and engaged in farming. He bought the water privilege here, and was prominent in the early history of the town. He married Lucy Saf- ford, of this town, daughter of John Safford. Their fam- ily consisted of two daughters, beside the subject of

this sketch-Hannah, and Olive A., not married. Mr. Abbott died July 21, 1879; Mrs. Abbott died September 26, 1866. Job Abbott, the subject of this sketch, was born December 15, 1827, in Dexter. His father had built and was running the mills here when Job was old enough to go to work. He received a common and high school education, and has, since becoming of age, always been connected with the mill here, until he is now one of the proprietors and acting superintendent. He mar- ried Amanda L. Field, of Carmel. They have two chil- dren-Arthur P., and Helen G.

Joseph M. Hazeltine, of Dexter, is a son of William and Hannah (Sturtevant) Hazeltine, who came from New Hampshire and settled in Dexter, in 1820. He was born in New Portland, New Hampshire, in 1792. Mrs. Hazeltine was born in 1798. Mr. Hazletine was a far- mer, and a soldier in the War of 1812. The only surviv- ing member of his family, besides James M., is Mrs. Lovinia Mitchell, now residing in Troy, Minnesota. Mr. Hazeltine died in 1875, and Mrs. Hazeltine in 1871. Joseph M. Hazeltine married Roxanna Merrill, Decem- ber 31, 1846. Their family consists of two daughters, living now at home. They have buried one daughter.

RESIDENCE OF JOB ABBOTT.

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE A. ABBOTT.

AMOS ABBOTT & CO.

ESTABLISHED 1830.

ABBOTT'S WOOLLEN MILLS, DEXTER, MAINE,

J12

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Mr. Hazeltine has been a farmer, but now resides in the village of Dexter.

Mr. George Hamilton, Treasurer of the Dexter Savings Bank, was born in Dexter, December 11, 1824. His father, Robert Hamilton, was a native of Ireland, and came to Dexter about 1820. He married Mary Semple before leaving the old country, but left soon after for America. Their family consisted of ten children, seven sons and three daughters-James S., deceased; Hugh, deceased; John, now of Dexter; George; Mary S., de- ceased; Margaret, wife of David M. Coats, of Minne- opolis, Minnesota; William P., now in Minnesota; Samuel, living in Dexter; Isabella, married Elijah Simonds, of Oxford, Massachusetts; and Joseph, now living in Minnesota. George Hamilton, on arriving at age, engaged in trade here in Dexter. He has always resided here and engaged in trade until the for- mation of the Dexter & Newport Railroad. He devoted some years to that, and is at present treasurer of the company. While in trade here he was for eight years postmaster. Mr. Hamilton has long been prominent in town affairs, serving as School Commissioner, Selectman, etc., for many years. In March, 1878, he was elected Treasurer of the Dexter Savings Bank, in which position we now find him. He is also one of the Directors, and Vice-President of the First National Bank of Dexter. He was elected to the Legislature in 1876, and served during the winter of 1876-77. Mr. Hamilton married Sarah F. Coolidge, daughter of Cornelius Coolidge, one of the early settlers of this town. Mr. Hamilton died July 15, 1881, leaving one daughter, Sarah A.

William Eaton was born in Weare, New Hampshire, September 6, 1802, and emigrated from that State to Dexter in 1824. He continued to reside here until his death, April 25, 1881. He was married the year after 1 ; arrival here, January 29, 1825, to Julia Ann Haines whose natal day was November 6, 1808. They had children, who survive, as follow: William L. Eaton, now of San Francisco, California; Julia A., now Mrs. Waters, of the same place; Walter D. Eaton, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, and Florence S., now Mrs. Herrick, of Dex‘ Mr. Eaton was a clothier, and ultimately be- came a merchant. He was no politician or office-seeker; was honorable and square in all his dealings, and always paid is debts.

Nathaniel Dustin, of Dexter, is a descendant of the heroic riannah Dustin, so famed in the Indian history of Massachusetts. He is a son of Nathaniel and Jerusha (Murch) Dustin. Nathaniel Dustin was a son of John Dustin, and was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, but his father moved to Vermont while Nathaniel was but a lad. He lived also in New Hampshire. He was a farmer and lived to be sixty-nine years old dying in Chelmsford, Mass. Mrs. Dustin lived to be eighty-four. Their family consisted of three sons and one daughter : Benjamin F., deceased in the army; Nathaniel, Diantha, deceased; Daniel H., died in Minnesota, though tempo- rarily there as an attorney for the Government, ere Min- nesota became a State. Nathaniel Dustin was born November 24, 1814, in Bradford, Vermont. He lived

in New Hampshire until he was nineteen years old, when he went to Lowell and worked in the Middlesex factory for two years. He came from Lowell to Dexter in 1836, and has since lived here. For a time he was employed in the factories here as a finisher, sorter, etc. After leaving the mill he went into trade and also en- gaged in farming. He is at present proprietor of the foundry and machine shop, also has a hardware store. Mr. Dustin married Sarah Jumper, daughter of James and Sally Jumper, of Dexter, early settlers of the town. They have three sons living and have lost four. The living are William H., Frank E., and George; all with their father in business in Dexter. Mr. Dustin has long been one of the prominent men of the town. He has often served on the board of Selectmen, was for many years Postmaster and in 1871 was a member of the Leg- slature. He is a Director in the Dexter & Newport Railroad, also a Director in the First National Bank, and one of the trustees in the Savings Bank.

Arthur B. Safford, Esq., of Dexter, is a son of Simeon and Sarah (Washburn) Safford. Simeon Safford was born in Dexter. His father's name was also Simeon, a native of New Hampshire. Simeon and Sarah Safford had eight children, viz: Axcia, deceased; Gancelo, now in Dexter; Wealthy, deceased; Arthur B. Ronoisco, of Dex- ter; John, now living in Michigan, and Annie, deceased. Mr. Safford was in the lumber business in Abbott, and owned a mill there. He is still living in Corinna as is also Mrs. Safford. Arthur B. Safford was born February 26, 1837, in Abbott, Maine. He learned the machinist's trade and worked at that business until about 1863, when he went to Cuba and engaged in the manufacture of sugar. Since that time he has spent the winter there each year, though he comes to Dexter during the hot sea- son. He has a fine home in Dexter. Mr. Safford mar ried Hannah Fifield, daughter of Captain John M. Fifield, of Dexter. They have no family. Two of his brothers, John and Gancelo, were killed in the army.

Milton L. Abbott, of Dexter, one of the partners in the Abbott Woolen-mill, is a son of Pascal and Hannah (Foster) Abbott. Pascal Abbott was a native of An- dover, Massachusetts. He was formerly a manufacturer of woolens in Andover, and came from there to Dexter in 1847, and became interested with his brothers, Jere- miah, Amos, and Joshua Abbott, in the mill here. Pas- cal Abbott had two wives. By his first wife, Mary Ab- bott, he had one daughter, deceased. By his second wife he had three sons, viz : Isaac F., deceased; Milton L., and Pascal J., of Dexter. Mr. Abbott died about 1861. Mrs. Abbott is still living in Tilton, New Hamp- shire, at the advanced age of eighty-six. Milton L. Abbott was born October 21, 1838, in Andover, Massachusetts. He came to Dexter at the age of ten with his father. Here he has since lived, and for business has always been connected with the mills in some capacity. He married Miss Julia Sewall, daughter of Rev. Daniel Sewall, and granddaughter of Rev. Jotham Sewall, one of the founders of Bangor Theologi- cal Seminary. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have two children, Edward S. and Winnie W. In 1879 and 1880 Mr. Ab-

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bott was elected member of the Legislature to represent this town and Corinna.

Mr. Loring D. Hayes, of Dexter, is a son of John and Martha (Fifield) Hayes. John Hayes was a native of New Hampshire and a farmer. He married Martha Fifield. Their family consisted of eight children, six sons and two daughters: John W., deceased; Charles, deceased; Mary J., Loring D., Seneca P., Elmira, and Franklin, deceased. Mr. Hayes moved from New Hampshire to Garland in 1800, and was one of the first settlers in the town. Loring D. Hayes, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood on the farm. He first engaged in business himself in Garland, where he kept a store for eight years. His first move from Garland was to this town in 1851. Here he was engaged in the dry goods and grocery business "for fifteen years. In 1867 he bought the Exchange Hotel and kept it for nine years, at the end of which time he again engaged in trade and has since continued in the dry goods and grocery bus- iness. Mr. Hayes married Miss Lizzie S. Higgins. They have one son, Franklin. In 1850 Mr. Hayes represented Garland and Exeter in the Legislature.

Dr. G. B. Clough, of Dexter, was born in Readfield, Maine. His parents, Jacob and. Hannah (Bartlett) Clough, were natives of Readfield. His grandfather, Jabez Clough, came from New Hampshire. Jacob Clough was a shoemaker by trade, and had ten (children, of whom Gilman B. was the second son. He (Gilman) was early taught the shoemaker's art, but did not find the business congenial to his taste. At the age of six- teen he entered Dr. Hill's office, in Augusta, and began the study of medicine, attending the High School at the same time. This was at the time the first term of the High School was opened in that city and he was a mem- ber of the first class. He remained in Dr. Hill's office over nine years and then went to New York and attend- ed lectures at the Medical University, now Bellevue Hos pital. From there he went to Augusta and soon we find him attending lectures at Brunswick, in the Medical De- partment of Bowdoin College, from which he was grad- uated in 1856. The next year, 1857, he came to Dex- ter and located. Here he has ever since lived. In the practice of his profession he is successful, and is widely known in this section of the State. He married Miss Ellen Norton, of Mount Vernon, Maine. They have one son, Horace by name, and have lost a daughter.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 83

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