USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Stetson > History of Stetson, Maine, 1800-1931 > Part 7
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FOREIGN DECORATIONS
HERSEY, MARK L. Major-General, 4th Division.
French Legion d'honneur (officer) by Presidential Decree of August 6, 1919, and French Croix de Guerre with palm under order No. 20, 149 "D" dated July 7, 1919, General Headquarters, French Armies of the East, with the following citation :
"A general officer of high professional and moral standards, who after having brilliantly commanded a brigade of the 78th Division during the offensives of St. Mihiel and the Argonne, distinguished himself at the head of the 4th Division."
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
MOSES HERSEY married Dorcas Lord. Their children were: Oliver, Nathan, (grandfather of Gen. Mark L.) Moses and General Isaac.
Oliver married Abigail C. Knight, (born in Alfred, August 17, 1790). Their children were: Augusta R., Harriett A., Mary L., Nancy Thompson Clark, Rachael, Charles, Abigail, Cornelia, Dorcas, Oliver, Elizabeth, and Francis Frederick.
Nathan's children were: Charles,. Frank, and Olive, who married George Hersey, mother of Gen. Mark L. Hersey.
Olcut Hersey married first, Julia Wing and for a second wife, Lizzie Folsom of Exeter. His children by the first wife were: Dana, John, Augusta V., Mertie and Cora.
John married Sara Coan of Exeter. Their children were: Wilber, Harry, Llewellyn, John Roy, and Maude, who married Percy Smith.
Llewellyn married Edna Mclaughlin. Roy married a Helen Leavitt. Mertie married Arthur Philips.
CHAPTER XII. STETSON IN THE WARS
Stetson lays claim to one Revolutionary soldier, Oliver Hartwell, Jr. It is known that at least six Stetson men were in the war of 1812: Stephen Cook, Levi Cooper, Samuel Cowen, Thomas Dresser, James Fenderson and James Rogers.
Thomas Dresser, Jr., was in the Aroostook War of 1839.
OLIVER HARTWELL, JR.
"Hartwell's Landing" on Pleasant Lake takes its name from the family of Hartwell that first came to Stetson about 1818 or 1820. The name does not occur in the assessors report of 1818. Oliver Hartwell was chosen a fence viewer in 1823, the first mention of his name on the public records.
The farm in Stetson, Maine, now owned and occupied by John Trickey, has been known for many years as the Hartwell homestead. It was founded by a Revolutionary soldier, Oliver Hartwell, Jr., who was born in September, 1761, and died November, 1854. He married Rachel Shattuck of Groton, Mass. (born July, 1767 and died July, 1816). Their children are as follows: Sarah, (Mrs. David Lakin) Rachel, Asahel, Nancy, Peggy, Clarissa, Oliver, Margaret, Eliza, Ruth and Richmond (born January 29, 1816).
About 1818-1820, Oliver Hartwell, Jr. moved from Groton, Mass. to Stetson. He married, for his second wife, Kiziah Mathews Chase. Their children were: Sumner, Nancy, (born October 5, 1823) and Roxanna (born May 5, 1826).
Sumner, (born September 10, 1821, died January, 1899) married Janette A. Powers of Stetson in 1852. They lived in the old homestead. Their children are
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
as follows: Dora, now Mrs. C. E. Vickery; Emma, now Mrs. Lakin; George Sumner and Frank W., both deceased.
Lloyd Arthur Hartwell, fourth son of George Sumner and Annie Allen Hartwell, was the last Hartwell occupant of the old homestead from which he moved in 1930, making more than 100 years occupancy by the Hartwell family.
STEPHEN COOK was born in Brunswick, September 27, 1797, and his wife, Susannah in Farmington, August 3, 1801. Their children were: Lydia Anne, David B., Judith Mary, Susannah, Lavina, all born in Farmington, and Stephen, Jr., who was born in Stetson, January 3, 1838.
LEVI COOPER was born in Parsonfield, N. H., October 5, 1804. His wife, Ann J., was born in Wolfboro, N. H., June 26, 1805. Their children were: Mary E., Abigail F., Lydia A., and Henry B. F. He died in Stetson, March 15, 1881.
THOMAS DRESSER and his wife, Caroline, had the following children : Ebenezer, born May 21, 1816; Thomas, Jr., William, Susan E., Joseph R., Caroline, Seth D., David D. and Sarah D., born in Stetson, January 6, 1835. The Dresser family originated in Denmark about the year 800. The first American ancestor came from England to Salem, Mass. in 1638. Joseph K. married Lucy Hurd, later married Mary Prentiss Allen. His children by Mary were: Julietta, Rolfe, John, Porter, Georgia, Freeland, Francis Fisher, Lulu, Maud Smith, Willie, George, Vira Wright.
LAKIN'S CORNER
The four corners in Stetson known as Lakin's Corner, near the Etna line, was named for Capt. David Lakin, who was born January 2, 1783 and died July. 12, 1873. He married Mrs. Sarah Hartwell LaBree, half-sister to Sumner Hart- well. She was born in Farmington, Maine, November 8, 1790 and died October 22, 1865, aged 74 years, 11 months, 14 days. Their children were: Elizabeth, Sarah, John and George Washington, born October 22, 1823. Elizabeth was born August 26, 1810, married Ebenezer Piper and lived in Kenduskeag. Sarah, (Sally) who married William Wheeler, lived in Newport. She was born July 7, 1812. John married Abigail Pierce and lived in Massachusetts.
David Lakin removed from Groton, Mass. to Stetson and built and lived in the first frame house in town. This house later fell into decay and an old cellar on the northeast corner of the so-called Lakin's Corner still marks the site. When this house was passed its usefulness, a new house was built on the southwest corner adjoining the Hartwell farm, where he lived with his family until his death. The son, George, unmarried, occupied the homestead until it was burned. The old cellar still marks the site.
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
STETSON IN THE CIVIL WAR
Stetson has every reason to be proud of her sons whose names are on the roll of veterans of the Civil War. Brave men, all, and each, deserving of the honor which they won at risk of their lives and some at the cost of life itself.
BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONATHAN A. HILL
Brevet Brigadier-General Jonathan A. Hill had the unusual distinction of rising from private to general in one war. The story of his service is one of great honor, and, if space permitted, should be given in full, but it can be said that he was among the most brilliant of the officers of that war and his service merited every honor that came to him. He suffered the loss of his right arm in the hotly contested fight at Deep Run. He returned to his regiment and was in command until the surrender of Lee's army. He was again wounded at the battle of Appomattox Court House. He remained in the service on detached duty until February 2, 1866, when he was mustered out of the service. He later served as postmaster of Auburn.
CAPTAIN HENRY F. HILL was born in Stetson May 24, 1843 and entered the service as first sergeant, Company I, Seventh Maine Volunteers. He especially distinguished himself at Antietam and saved the life of his regimental commander. In recognition of this act of bravery, he was commissioned captain, command- ing Co. A of the Seventh Maine Regiment, He fell at Spottsylvania as he was leading his company within twenty yard's of "the bloody angle."
HEZEKIAHI HILL died March 10, 1889, at the age of 84 years, 9 month. . His wife, Emily M., who lived to be 64 years old, died December 16, 1868. Their children were: Jonthan, Charles, Hollis, Abigail, Emily and Benjamin J. Hazen Hill was born in Northwood, April 2, 1808. Matilda, his wife, was born in "Newderum," June 23, 1811. Their children were: Lorenzo F., and Lorenzo B.
MAJOR JOEL W. CLOUDMAN
Another name that stands out with great vividness after more than sixty- five years is that of Major Joel W. Cloudman, who raised a company of 125 men in less than two weeks for "Baker's District of Columbia Cavalry." His oppor- tunities for advancement were probably lessened by his assignment for a time to the duty of recruiting rather than active service for the entire period of his army experience. He was a distinguished officer and much beloved by those under his command, in whom he took a great personal interest. Letters written by one of the soldiers who was under his command show the respect in which he was held. Soon the last of these heroes of '65 will be gone, but it should never be forgotten that they offered all and suffered much.
Conspicuous among the men of the Civil War period were Lewis Barker and William Plaisted, who were enlistment officers for the Union Army. Here Barker was at his best as a public speaker, for few men were so gifted as stump speakers. Mr. Plaisted was at that time owner of the tannery and an influential citizen. He was a brother of General Harris Plaisted, who was later Governor of Maine.
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
STETSON'S ROSTER IN THE CIVIL WAR
Dinsmore, Frank A. 2d Regt. Inf.
Daniels, Richard H.
15th Regt. Inf. D. C. Cav.
Kenney, Daniel R.
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Jenkins, Isaac N.
Kenney, Samuel G. 6
Getchell, Joseph T.
Seavey, Reuben M.
66
Goodwin, Charles H ..
Shaw, Columbus
Lakin, Corydon B.
Shaw, Omer
Crockett, Charles W.
66
Curtis, Uriah 1st
Hodgkins, G. W.
7th Regt. Inf.
Tate, Henry 1:
Howe, William S.
66
Berry, Daniel
9th Regt. Inf.
Cunningham, John
Dinsmore, Gustavus H.
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Caverly, John
Hill, Benjamin J.
Rice, Luther F.
2d
Heald, DeWitt C.
Davis, Stephen
D. C. "
McKenney, Oliver H.
11th Regt. Inf.
Goodwin, John W.
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Cochran, Charles A. Foster, Charles H.
66
66
.
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66
Townsend, Fred P.
66
Locke, Augustus D.
"
66
Crockett, John B.
17th
McKenney, Thomas
Emerson, Cyrus W.
Langley, William A. . 66
66
Osgood, Marquis D. L.
(reenl.)
Plaisted, William P.
66
Weymouth, Seth H. 1st
66
Stewart, Brook D.
Marble, Josiah M.
11th Inf.
Sylvester, Drummer
66
Cooper, Henry B.
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66
Whitten, Warren L.
. Glastator, Joseph
Langley, Moses B.
12th Regt. Inf.
Hammons, Chas. E.
66
Ferguson, George H.
Hubbard, S. S.
McKenney, John
Jordan, John A.
66
18th Regt. Inf.
Wood, Cyrus
Moore, Albion K. P.
15th
Dorr, Joseph P.
Ranney, Moses, Jr. 66
Hurd, Josiah E.
Sylvester, Daniel W. 17th
Seavey, Reuben W.
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16 66
Stevens, Alvah
Tufts, Rodolphe A.
Souther, Joseph
McKenney, Jacob C.
Wing, L. P.
Jordan, Henry W. Allen, John O.
22d
Weeks, Newell 21st
Cloudman, J. W.
D. C. Cav.
Langley, George W.
Curtis, James, Jr.
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6
Langley, William A.
Getchell, John K. 66
66
Wiggin, Robert F.
66
Jenkins, Isaac
66
Abbott, John
15th 66
Davis, James P.
1st Regt. Cav.
66
Hill, Jonathan A.
Lawrence, David
66
Kenney, Silas H. 66
Kinney, Horace S.
66 6
Wood, George W.
Morton, William W.
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66
Abbott, Charles H.
66
Watson, Charles
15th Regt. Inf. 6
Fogg, Benjamin F. Hoyt, Lorenzo Berry, Paul
1st Regt. Cav.
Tabor, J. V.
6
66
.
66
Clark, P. F. R.
McKenney, Daniel R.
16
66
Dinsmore, Allen T.
...
66
.
Fowles, Samuel
Hurd, Samuel, Jr.
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66
16
66
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Van Buskirk, Henry C.
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
Boober, Sherman
15th Regt. Inf.
Marshall, Alfred
15th Regt. Inf.
Langley, Henry
Damon, R. R.
18th
Lowell, Joseph I ..
6 6 Bean, Horatio F.
Bean, G. W.
Darling, Hiram
. .
Dresser, David
U. S. Army
STETSON IN THE WORLD WAR
MAJOR WILLIAM DUNNING IRELAND
Major (now Col.) William Dunning Ireland resides in Portland and is among the leading bankers of the state. He was born in Bangor, June 1, 1894 and educated at Stetson, at M. C. I., and at Bowdoin College, where he graduated in 1916. He married Mary Elliot of Brunswick and has four children: Nancy, Priscilla, William, Jr., and Mary Louise. His rapid rise from private to major during the World War is explained in the following report of the Adjutant General: "Ireland, William D., Captain 103d Machine Gun Battalion, 26th. Division.
"French Croix de Guerre with silver star, under Order No. 14,210 "D," dated March 10, 1919, General Headquarters, French Armies of the East, with the following citation :
"A very courageous and meritorious officer. From November 8 to 11, 1918 at Ville Wood, near Verdun, he maintained the liason of his unit's fire, giving to all the finest example of devotion to duty."
His service record follows:
WILLIAM D. IRELAND
1
Called into active service April 13, 1917 as a Private, 2nd Maine Infantry.
Appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the same Regiment April 20, 1917. The designation "2nd Maine Infantry" was changed to 103rd U. S. Infantry at about the same time.
Left the United States for France September 26, 1917. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant in France January 9, 1918, and re-assigned to the 103rd Infantry. Transferred to the 103rd Machine Gun Battalion May 9, 1918.
Promoted Captain June 19, 1918.
Promoted Major February 22, 1919.
Served in the following offensive actions: Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne.
Served in the following defensive sectors: Chemin des Dames, Northwest of Toule, and St. Mihiel.
Received three Divisional Citations and the Croix de Guerre from the French Government.
Discharged with the rank of Major, April 18, 1919. Present rank Lt. Colonel, Infantry, Officers Reserve Corps.
May 22, 1931.
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(deserted)
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
ROSTER OF STETSON MEN IN WORLD WAR OFFICERS: Hersey, Mark L., Major General Ireland, William D., Maj., Inf.
MEN:
Champoux; Joseph
Goodwin, Raymond C.
Hartwell,. Denver
Hudson, Walter
Johnson, Aaron C.
Johnson, Freeman C:
Johnson, Henry P.
Kenney, Floriman J.
Perkins, Henry M.
Prescott, William A. (died in service)
Ridlon, Magnus F.
Tasker, Clair S.
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
CHAPTER XIII. PRESENT TOWN OFFICERS
1st Selectman L. G. MERRILL
2nd Selectman A. A. DAMON
3rd Selectman. M. M. HATFIELD
Town Clerk IVAN B. FRIEND
Town Treasurer WILLIAM A. LAWRENCE
N. D. MERRILL
School Committee
H. M. TARR
E. E. HAMM
Superintendent of Schools. ELMER E. EDDY
Roud Commissioner RAY FOGG
Tux Collector
E. E. HAMM
CENTENIAL COMMITTEE
GENERAL COMMITTEE
C. R. Ireland, Chairman; L. G. Merrill, A. A. Damon, M. M. Hatfield, Sadie White, Alice Merrill, Nellie Ireland, Mamie Lawrence, T. S. Mills, Anna Fogg, G. H. Foster. Honorary members: W. P. Clark, W. P. Allen, Addie Perkins and Sarah Friend.
Historical Committee: Charles R. Ireland, Chairman; Lizzie Friend, Minnie Goodwin, Aaron Johnson.
Antique Committee : Sadie White, Chairman; Alice Merrill, Lucy Merrill, Minnie Goodwin, Weston Allen and Henry Randall.
Correspondence Committee : Marion Johnson, Chairman; Jennie Ireland, Mary Demerritt.
Committee on Decorations: Mamie Lawrence, Chairman; Eda Smith, Lottie Wesley, Hattie Abbott, Elizabeth Merrill.
Programme and Printing Committee: Helen Lawrence, Chairman; Leslie Merrill, George Foster, A. A. Damon, T. S. Mills, M. M. Hatfield.
Reception Committee: Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Merrill, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Ireland, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Foster, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Lawrence, Mrs. W. S. Smith, Mary Demerritt, Green Demerritt.
Committee on Parade and Sports: William Stuart, Clarence Abbott, Watson Henderson, T. S. Mills, Ray Fogg, Bernard Shepardson, Boy Scouts.
Committee on Refreshments: Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. W. A. Lawrence, Chairman.
Souvenirs and Badges: Mrs. John Carpenter, Mrs. Charles Bond, Mrs. Still- man Lawrence, Mrs. Harry Ridlon, Mrs. Frank Mason, Mrs. Edna Prentis. .
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INDEX
Poem-Ploumen . Pioneers. 2
Foreword
3
Chapter
1 .- Grant from the Commonwealth
5
Chapter
Il .- Plantation Named
8
Chapter
III .- The First Settlers
13
Chapter
IV .-- The Clark Family and Others
16
Chapter
V .- Property Valuation in 1818.
2.1
Chapter VI .- The First Map 25
Chapter VII .- Postmasters 30
Chapter VIII .- Incorporation 37
Chapter IX .- Early Settlers 40
Chapter X .- Other Settlers 19
Chapter
XI .- Major General Mark L. Hersey
57
Chapter XII .- Stetson in the Wars 58
Chapter XIII .-- The Town Fathers 61
Committee 64
Conclusion 66
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HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
CONCLUSION
Stetson, Barker, Hill, Allen, Clark, Rogers, Cloudman-what names to con- jure with! What a pity that such men and women should ever be forgotten! Perhaps their descendants, given a similar environment, might measure up to the stature of the pioneers. It stands us all in hand to stop a moment in these busy days and walk where once cur forebears walked, to hear again the ring of the woodman's axe clearing the forest, to see the ox-cart slowly threading its way . over stumps and between trees to Clark's Hill, to see the first meagre crops and the log cabin and the children with rag-wrapped feat trudging to school through the snow. From those early trundle-beds, have gone men in every walk of life, some are famous, many more have became the bone and sinews of the nation.
Stetson, today, is like the Spirit of Progress that, having dropped into a peaceful repose when the tannery days kept all of its citizens busy and hustling, still slumbers on undisturbed by the hushed voices and easy tread of the present generation. Who knows but what, fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers, a future age, seizing opportunities now unrecognized, will rouse her from her slumbers to a greater usefulness and a larger prosperity. And so-
"Let's tak' a cup o' kindness yet For Auld Lang Syne."
LILLA WOOD DANIELS.
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