History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730

USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 58

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During the year 1870 a free church was opened at the Pool, upon which occasion Dr. Post, of St. Louis, preached in the morning, and Dr. Packard, of Lawrence, in the evening.

There is in existence a flourishing Free-will Baptist So- ciety, but statistics necessary to its history were not ob-

tained. Its pastor, in 1869, was John Malcomb; in 1871, J. Boyd ; and the register for 1872 reports a membership of 196; its deacon, Freedom Parcher.

The church edifices in the village portion of the city are deserving of mention. A stranger notices them at once. Few cities in New England of its size can show so many neat and attractive places of worship. Seating capacity, 9400.

SCHOOLS.

The first schoolmaster recorded to have been employed by the town was John Frost, in 1730. In 1735 a vote was passed to continue Mr. Isaac Thompson schoolmaster. After this the records are silent as to instructors. At the present day much time and money are expended in educa- tion, and the schools of this city will bear a favorable com- parison with any of its sisters in the State. The following school statistics have been arranged from the last report of the State superintendent : Whole number of districts, 12; parts of districts, 2; number of graded districts, 1 ; number of school-houses, 21; estimated value, $40,000; number between ages of 4 and 21, 3475 ; average attendance, 1190 ; amount of school money expended from April 1, 1877, to April 1, 1878, $16,838 ; amount available from town tax, $12,605 ; from State tax, $5537; local funds, $153 ; total, $18,295 ; balance unexpended, $1457.

GRADED SCHOOLS.

The graded schools of the city number as follows: First primary, 10 ; second primary, 6; intermediate, 5; gram- mar, 2; high school, 1. In these schools 30 teachers are employed, at an aggregate salary of $12,680.

The high school building, on Washington Street, was erected in 1848. The high school opened Juue 4, 1849 ; William K. Vaill, Principal. On that day 23 pupils were present ; 1 was added July 26th, and another August 4th. In 1852 the number was 70; in 1853, 93; iu 1855, 88; in 1858, 84. The following is the number reported for the year ending Jan. 1, 1879 : Whole number registered, 113; fall term, 79 ; average, 77 ; winter, 79; average, 75.

The principals of this school have been : William K. Vaill, June 4, 1849, to Nov. 5, 1849 ; Horace Piper, Nov. 5, 1849, to Sept. 5, 1859 ; Edward A. Rand, Sept. 5, 1859, to June 28, 1861 ; C. P. Parsons, Nov. 15, 1861, to Nov. 21, 1862 ; Frank A. Hill, Dec. 1, 1862, to May 27, 1864; Edward Parker, Jr., Sept. 3, 1864, to Feb. 3, 1871 ; J. W. Keene, February, 1871, to Oct. 14, 1871; M. R. Chase, spring, 1872, to June, 1874 : A. S. Keyes, Aug. 31, 1874, to June, 1878 ; Wendall O. Fletcher, September, 1878, and present principal of the school.

The Summer Street grammar school is under the charge of Thomas H. Emery, principal, and Charles Walker, as- sistant. Of the grammar school on Spruce Street, Royal E. Gould is principal, and Miss Lizzie Knights assistant.

The assistants in the high school are Miss Augusta Bur- bank and Miss Olive Moulton.

A monument was erected by the teachers and pupils of the Biddeford high school to the memory of Miss Nancy M. Shaw, of Portland, who died Dec. 14, 1855, aged twenty-seven years, and who had been for nearly five years a respected teacher in the school.

204

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

We extract the following from the report of the principal of the high school for the year ending Jan. 1, 1879:

" I found a good school, willing to work, and knowing how to work. A fact which encourages both school-officers and teachers. I found excellent assistants in Miss Augusta Burbank and Miss Olive Moulton, whose long connection with the school is sufficient proof of their appreciation by scholars and patrons. Each year increases their value to the school.

" The library, under the charge of Cornelius Horigan, is appreciated and industriously used. In this age of many books and learned discussion, a part of one's education con- sists in his ability to find information.

" Our books of reference show that our pupils are learn- ing how to refer and are using the material obtained.

" The 'New American Cyclopædia,' with index, was added the past year. Hon. E. H. Banks donated to the library volume 2, ' Documentary History of Maine.' There is no better place to put money or books than into the high school library. We should like to see upon the shelves a few books upon the popular sciences (so called) and recent works upon education, to keep abreast of the times.

" Our cabinet of woods, shells, and geological specimens is valuable for illustration, and pupils are encouraged to add to it, and to examine the specimens, whether they are pur- suing the sciences or not.

" Attendance and tardiness take care of themselves, because the pupils feel that their school work is of prime importance. Even sickness does not diminish their enthu- siasm. The same interest diminishes the need of discipline. These facts leave the teachers free to devote their whole time and energy to the work of instruction. Why should it be otherwise ? We do not expect a Utopia of ideal per- fection, but we know that a high school is for ladies and gentlemen, and the highest type of these characters is hon- esty and manliness. These show themselves in considering the teacher as a leader and director.

" The world does not lack for persons or numbers, but character is always at a premium. The school-room tests young ladies and gentlemen.

" It also furnishes recruits for business life. The most reliable will always be wanted and chosen.

" The efficiency of any school depends very much upon its classification and standard of admission.

"These must be constantly guarded, to prevent any weakening. A little flaw here may seriously affect the whole structure. For the teacher's time spent upon un- qualified pupils, or with insufficient appliances, is often un- profitable to the whole school.

" The nine ladies and three gentlemen who graduated in city hall last June took the prescribed course of study.

" The ladies the classical, the gentlemen the college pre- paratory course."

BANKS OF BIDDEFORD.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BIDDEFORD

was incorporated Feb. 14, 1856, as the City Bank, and was organized May 3, 1856. The original capital was $50,000, increased in 1858 to $75,000, and since to $100,000.

The corporators were Daniel E. Somes, S. P. McKenney,

S. L. Hooper, E. H. C. Hooper, Leonard Andrews, Ira Andrews, David Fales, Joshua Moore, Joseph Hobson, Jr., I. T. Hobson, George Clark, Elias Harmon, Charles H. Milliken, D. S. Hooper, John Gains, William Berry, Charles Hill, William H. Thompson, Daniel Stimpson, Marshall Pierce, John M. Goodwin, Luke Hill, James Andrews, Charles C. Sawyer.

The following have been the presidents : Daniel E. Somes, 1856-58; Charles C. Sawyer, 1858-72; Thomas H. Cole, 1873-79 ; Esreff H. Banks, 1879.

Cashiers .- Albert Stephenson, 1856; Shadrach A. Boothby, 1857-67 ; George E. Small, 1867-69; Charles A. Moody, 1869 to the present time (1880).

Directors .- D. E. Somes, 1856-58 ; Charles C. Sawyer, 1856-72; Thomas H. Cole, 1856-79 ; Samuel W. Luques, 1856-79; James Andrews, 1856-64; Luke Hill, 1856- 64; Daniel Stimpson, 1856-61 ; John M. Goodwin, 1856; Wm. H. Thompson, 1856; Marshall Pierce, 1858-72; E. H. Banks, 1861-79; Leonard Andrews, 1864-71 ; Fred. A. Day, 1868-76; James H. McMullan, 1872-79 ; James Sawyer, 1872-79 ; Simon Newcomb, 1872-79.

YORK COUNTY SAVINGS BANK,

connected with the First National Bank of Biddeford, was chartered March 9, 1860, John M. Goodwin, President ; S. A. Boothby, Treasurer. The treasurers since have been George E. Small, 1866, till his death, in June, 1869 ; since then R. H. Ingersoll, present treasurer. Present trustees : John M. Goodwin, E. H. Banks, Horace Ford, Abel H. Jelleson, Z. R. Folsom.

BIDDEFORD NATIONAL BANK.

The Biddeford Bank, now Biddeford National Bank, was incorporated July 26, 1847, and organized Nov. 13, 1847, with a capital of $100,000, which was increased, October, 1848, to $150,000. The additional powers of a savings bank were granted June 19, 1849, and the act ac- cepted Sept. 8, 1849 ; which powers were used until the bank became a national bank, when a charter for the savings bank was obtained from the Legislature in Feb- ruary, 1867. The presidents have been Wm. P. Haines, 1847, until his death, July 2, 1879 ; Luther Bryant, July, 1879. The cashiers have been Seth S. Fairfield, 1847, until July, 1863; Richard M. Chapman, 1863-74; Chas. E. Goodwin since 1874. The directors have been, 1847- 79, Wm. P. Haines ; 1847-49, Samuel Bradley ; 1847- 51, Otis Holmes ; 1847, Rishworth Jordan, Jr. ; 1847-51, Jarvis Williams ; 1847-52, Thomas G. Thornton, Jr. ; 1847-71, Thomas Quinby ; 1848-79, Geo. H. Adams; 1849-61, Augustine Haines; 1851-63 and 1876-79, Richard M. Chapman ; 1851-58, Jabez Smith ; 1852-54, James Smith, Jr .; 1854-61, Jonathan Tuck ; 1858-79, Joshua Moore ; 1861-76, Nathan O. Kendall; 1861-79, Hugh Wallace; 1864-66, James G. Garland; 1867-68, Ferguson Haines ; 1868-71, James R. Clark ; 1879, Lu- ther Bryaut ; 1879, Rishworth Jordan. Of the original stockholders were Jonathan Chapman, Abbot Lawrence, Marshall P. Wilder, 200 shares each ; Merchants' Insurance Company, 100; Joseph Balch, 49 ; Levi Small, 30; Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution, Samuel Bradley, Wil-

Photo. by E. H. McKenney.

E. K. Banks

HON. ESREFF H. BANKS (James,6 Joseph,5 Joseph,4 Samuel," Joseph,2 Richard1) is a lineal de- seendant in the seventh generation from Richard Banks, who came to Scituate, Mass., from Kent Co., England, in 1640, where he registered as a freeman ; thenee to York, Me., where he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Alcock of that town. He died in 1692, leaving four sons, Jolin, Samuel, Job, and Joseph. The latter, born in 1667, died in 1774, married Elizabeth, only daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Cumming) Harmon, Feb. 28, 1694; lived in York ; and by his marriage acquired the large prop- erty of Capt. Richard Boynton. Of his eight chil- dren, Samuel, second son, born June 25, 1697, bought land at Old Orchard in 1722; married Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Clark) Webster, of Newbury, Mass., who was born in December, 1701. His son, Joseph, born Oet. 19, 1729, married Han- nah Stackpole. His son, Capt. Joseph, grandfather of Esreff H. Banks, born in 1760 and died in 1844, married Olive Cole ; she was born in 1764, and died in 1844. Capt. Banks followed the sea, and for many years sailed from Saco to the West Indies. He was a man of great museular powers, of strong constitution, and possessed a good intellect. He was the first settler of the family in Buxton, where he, resided until 1826, and removed to Searsmont, Me., where he died, at the residence of his daughter, in 1844. His wife died about the same time.

James, his son, born at Old Orchard in 1789, married Ruth Merrill, of Buxton, in 1815. He raised a company and went out as lieutenant in the war of 1812-14, and was in the battle of Plattsburgh, N. Y. After the war, he settled in Hollis as a trader ; soon after removed to Salmon Falls, in Bux- ton, where he engaged in the lumber business. Ile died Dec. 14, 1828. His wife died in August, 1850, aged fifty-six.

Their children are: Clara, wife of Joseph Merrill,

of Hollis, died in 1850, aged thirty-one; Esreff H. ; Adeline, born in 1824, died in 1845; Eliza Ann, born June 2, 1829, married Charles Heath, of Conway, N. H. She died Jan. 3, 1877.

Esreff H. Banks was born in the town of Buxton May 26, 1821. At the age of seventeen he went West and remained there about six years, returning in the fall of 1843, and again taking up his residence in Buxton. In 1845 he entered the store of the late Deacon J. M. Hayes, on Factory Island, Saco, where he remained two and one-half years.

At the end of that time he commenced business in Biddeford, with E. H. C. Hooper, under the firm- name of Hooper & Banks. In 1856 he purchased the interest of Mr. Hooper and carried on the busi- ness alone until 1874. At the organization of the first city government of Biddeford, he was chosen a councilman. In 1856 he was chosen representative to the Legislature, and re-elected in 1857; was elected mayor of Biddeford, in 1860, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Jonathan Tuck ; was appointed draft-commissioner for York County by the Governor in 1863. In 1863 he was elected senator from York County, and re-elected in 1864. Was one of the electors for President in 1868. In 1874 he was elected county treasurer of York County, and was re-elected in 1875, and also in 1876, resigning the last office to assume that of State treasurer, to which he was elected by the Legislature, Jan. 3, 1877. He has been one of the trustees of the York County Savings Bank for ten years, and for several years one of the investing committee. He has been a director of the First National Bank of Biddeford for some fourteen years, and president since May, 1879.

He married, Nov. 3, 1847, Lucinda, daughter of James Atkinson, of Hollis, Me. She was born Feb. 1, 1829. Their only daughter, Ada, died Dec. 27, 1858, aged nine years.

Photo. by E. II McKenney, Biddeford.

" portsmouth Feb'y 4th 1777. " Received from Eleaikam Beckford the Soume of tuenty Shillings Lauful to Deliver to his wife by me. " Eben moore."

Eben Moore was the grandfather of Messrs. Joshua and William Moore of Biddeford. In February, 1770, he mar- ried Jane Gray of this place, and they lived on the plains, on a road that ran from Mile Brook, near Harden Taylor's, westerly through what is now Greenwood Cemetery, thence across the old Alfred road to Dodifer Townsend's on the Kennebunk road. Mr. Beckford (same name as Bickford of the present day) lived not far from Mr. Moore's, and both appear to have been in the Continental army. At the time this receipt was given they were stationed at Ports- mouth, in, we think, Capt. Prescott's company. Mr. Moore was to return home, and Mr. Beckford took the opportunity to send the money to his wife. Isaac Bickford, at the Pool, is a relative of the Mr. Beckford mentioned. Peltiah Moore, a brother of Eben, served in the army and fought under Montgomery in Canada, and received a pen- sion. Mr. Eben Moore died in 1787 or 1788, and his widow deceased previous to the passage of the pension law. They had six children, three boys and three girls. The oldest son went South, and his descendants are now living in South Carolina. The second son died young. Joshua, the father of Joshua and William, now living in this city, settled here. In 1812 Joshua Moore and Abram Bowden, who married a daughter of Mr. Eben Moore, sailed for Labrador to engage in the fishing business. While there a British brig, sailing along the coast picking up fishermen to press into their service, came across Mr. Moore's schooner and took it, with its whole crew, into Halifax. The British fleet lay just outside. Mr. Moore and Mr. Bowden, to- gether with some twenty or thirty others who had been captured, planned for their escape, and one dark and stormy night, between two and three o'clock in the morning, slipped their cables, ran out between two men-of-war and escaped. Quite a fleet of fishermen were brought into the harbor at

this time, and Mr. Moore was there some four or six weeks. The men were kept on their own vessels, which enabled them the better to plan their escape. A British fleet was daily expected from the West Indies, on which these Yankee seamen were to be placed.

One of the daughters of Eben Moore married a Mr. Stone, of Kennebunkport, and the other married a Davis, and settled in Canterbury, N. H.

Joshua, son of Capt. Joshua E. and Elizabeth (Staples) Moore, was born in Kennebunkport July 24, 1821, al- though his parents resided in Biddeford. His minority was spent at school and on the farm. In 1842 he began learning the stone-cutting business in Biddeford, where he remained until November, 1848. At this time the gold mines of California were just beginning to attract public attention, and thousands of men going from all parts of the country, made the then somewhat hazardous route across the continent or reached the Pacific coast by the long journey around Cape Horn. Mr. Moore was the first adventurer from Biddeford, and sailed around the Cape. Upon reaching California he engaged in mining, and successfully carried on this business until 1853, when he returned to Biddeford, where, until 1877, he remained in business as a stone contractor, quarrying stone in the vicinity of Bidde- ford, shipping to various ports on the Atlantic coast, and supplying railroad corporations. He furnished largely the stone for parts of the Boston and Maine, and Eastern rail- ways. He has been connected with local interests in Bid- deford ; has been director of the Biddeford Bank since 1859 (now Biddeford National) ; trustee of the Biddeford Savings Bank for some twenty years, and was elected its president in July, 1879. He has held various offices of trust in the city government as alderman, councilman, and assessor, and in 1878 was a member of the State Legislature, serving as a member of the committee on banking. He married, in May, 1854, Martha M., daughter of Allen Bryant, of Derby, Vt., who was of English descent. Mrs. Moore was born June 24, 1821.

7.3.6 Cole.

205

CITY OF BIDDEFORD.

liam Murch, 20 each ; Otis Holmes, Th. G. Thornton, Jr., Sarah McIntire, 10 each ; William H. Hutchins, 7; Horace Bacon, 6; Wm. P. Haines, Wm. P. Hooper, Geo. H. Adams, Jas. B. Thornton, Th. Emery, Ichabod Jordan, 5 each ; Jarvis Williams, 4; Th. Quinby, John C. Brad- bury, Joseph W. Leland, Cyrus Gordon, 2 each ; R. M. Chapman, T. M. Hayes, C. H. Milliken, Moses P. Church, Willis Maton, 1 eachı.

BIDDEFORD SAVINGS BANK.

The officers of Biddeford Savings Bank are William P. Haines, President, until his death, July 2, 1879 ; Joshua Moore, since. Treasurers, R. M. Chapman, till his death, July 13, 1879; O. F. Page, since. Trustees, Joshua Moore, E. W. Staple, Edwin Stone, Carlos Heard, Ferguson Haines.

MASONIC.

Dunlap Lodge, No. 47, at Biddeford, was chartered Jan. 13, 1826, as Buxton Lodge, at Buxton. The lodge was by dispensation of Oct. 6, 1854, removed to Biddeford, and in May, 1855, the name was changed to Dunlap. Since removing to Biddeford the Masters have been : Decem- ber, 1854-57, Fred. D. Edgerly ; 1857, Francis A. Small; 1858, John H. Burnham ; 1859-62, Thomas Quinby ; 1862-63, David Fales ; 1864-65, 1869, Simeon P. Me- Kenney; 1866, John S. Locke; 1867-68, Gilman P. Lit- tlefield; 1870-71, Joseph Gooch ; 1872, John E. Butler ; 1873-74, Tristram Hanson ; 1875-76, Edwin A. Coffin ; 1877-78, Edwin Stone.

The membership is 167.

Palestine Lodge, No. 176, in Biddeford, was chartered May 5, 1875. The charter members were Joseph Gooch, Gilman P. Littlefield, Lyman J. Ayer, Esroff H. Banks, John Etchells, Charles P. Emery, James A. Strout, Thomas F. Tarbox, Daniel J. Sanders, Thomas Halcy, Robert Bonser, Charles A. Haines, Leonard Andrews, George R. Andrews, Robert M. Stevens, Moses P. Church, Charles Beaumont, William A. Foss, Moses Harriman, John Wil- son, William M. Smith, George S. Watson, Henry C. Cole. The Masters have been : 1875, Joseph Gooch ; 1876-77, Charles P. Emery ; 1878, James F. Boardman ; 1879, William E. Andrews.

The present membership is 82.

Bradford Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, at Biddeford, was chartered May 6, 1857, at Saco, and was removed to Biddeford in May, 1862. The charter members were Edward P. Burnham, Timothy J. Murray, Joseph Stevens, of Saco; John R. Tufts, James A. Stafford, of Biddeford; D. W. Quinby, of South Berwick ; Stephen Berry, Henry Cox, William A. Pearce, Harrison B. Brown, J. Ambrose Merrill, Franklin Fox, of Portland. The Commanders have been : 1857-58 and 1864, Timothy J. Murray ; 1859-60, Edward P. Burnham ; 1861-64, An- drew Hobson, Jr .; 1865-68, James Sawyer; 1868-71, Edward Parker, Jr .; 1871-72, Manton Seavey; 1873, Gilman P. Littlefield; 1874, Robert M. Stevens; 1875-76, John Etchell; 1877, John S. Derby; 1878-79, Charles P. Emery.

The orders have been conferred upon about 150 persons. The present membership is 127.

ODD-FELLOWS.

There are in York County twelve lodges and seven en- campments of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows; also seven lodges of the Degree of Rebekah.

LODGES.

Name.

Members.

Meetings,

Funds.

Belief paid past year.

Saco, No. 2, at Saco, instituted

226

Monday.

$4,784,00

$493.60

Moutam, No. 26, at Kennebunk .. Olive Branch, No. 28, at South Berwick

123

Friday.

5,200.00

324.28

Laconia, No. 44, at Biddeford.

243

Wednesday.

9,764 30

547.20

Granite, No. 14, at biddeford.

129

Thursday.

1,977.96

642,25

Eagle, No. 47, at North Berwick

Monday.

800.00

91.00

Echo, No. 52, at Berwick.

Friday.

1,439,57

133.00

Riverside, No. 72, at Kittery.

201

Monday.

4,193,39

436.85

Saco Valley, No. 43, at West Buxton .

Wednesday.

1,593.66

104.00

Friendship, No. 69, at Springvale Highland, No. 48, at Limerick ... Ossipee Valley, No. 54, at Cornish

Monday.

45,400

1588

$33,166.14

$3621.73

ENCAMPMENTS.

Name.

Members.

Meetings.

Funds.

Relief.

Hobah, No. 5, at Saco ..

Ist and 3d Fridays.

$519.15

$34.00

Dirigo, No. 7, at Kittery

lst and 3d Fridays.

160,54

26.00

Berwick ...

2d and 4th Tuesdays.

15.00

Agamenticus, No. 15, at

South Berwick.

Ist and 3d Saturdays.

26.00

York, No. 17, at Biddeford ...

104

2d and 4th Mondays.

35.00

Golden Gate, No. 24, at Ber-

Ist and 3d Mondays.

152.97

32.00

Springvale, No. 26, at Spring-

Ist and 3d Mondays.

...

......

389

$832.66 $168.00

REBEKAH LODGES.

Saco, No. 2, at Saco.

Lady Franklin, No. 13, at Ber- wick.

Evangeline, No. 7, at Biddeford.

York, No. 3, at Kittery.

Prospect, No. 14, at Springvale.

Ray of Hope, No. 8, at North Ber-

Welcome, No. 17, at Cornish.

wick.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DEACON THOMAS H. COLE,

son of Captain Noah and Mary (Hooper) Cole, was born in Biddeford, April 5, 1815. His father was a master-mari- ner, and died at sea of yellow fever when Thomas was only three years old. His mother, who was a devoted woman, cared for her son and daughter as best she could, and early learned them habits of industry, prudence, and economy. While young, by necessity, Thomas learned self-sacrifice and, more than that, principles of integrity and honor in all he did. As soon as he was old enough, through the influ- ence of kind friends, he became a clerk in the store of Scamman & Cole, of Saco, where he was enabled not only to support himself, but to assist his mother and sister. His faithfulness soon won the confidence of his employers, and he remained in this place for several years. After reach- ing his majority he went to Texas, where he was a clerk for some three years. In October, 1842, he married Eliza- beth, daughter of William P. and Mary (Stone) Hooper, of Biddeford, the former being for many years one of the most prominent men of Biddeford. Mrs. Cole was born in May, 1815, and survives at this writing (1879).

After his marriage Mr. Cole started in business for him- self, on what was known as Smith's Corner, in Biddeford, and there carried on a grocery-store until the building of

Aug. 31, 1843.

125

Thursday.

1,926.74

297.25

175

Thursday.

1,099.96

452.00

Tuesday. 386.56

55.00

Columbian, No. 10, at North

wick

vale ..

206

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

Union Block, whence he removed his business, and there continued until about one year prior to his death, which occurred April 6, 1879. He occupied at different times various positions of responsibility,-was city treasurer, was president of the First National Bank, for many years deacon of the Second Church, and treasurer of the society up to the time of his death. Ile was selectman under the old town government, and a representative to the Legislature in 1862. And in these and many other places of honor and trust he showed himself above fear and beyond reproach. Inflexible, just, and impartial, he never forgot to be a gen- tleman, and was always courteous. What he was convinced was right he stood by to the last, though it might be un- popular. As he was not hasty in his conclusions, he could afford to abide by his convictions. IIe knew not how to gloss over an uncomfortable fact. Never prolix in argu- ment, his grasp of the truth was instinctive and tenacious. Yet he was always willing to listen, and no one was quicker to yield opinion to the better reason. He was most appre- ciative of others, and his commendations were not wanting. His presence was always pleasant, always welcome. A long time in business where he depended on public patronage for success, he never shut his heart or pocket to those who in their extremity appealed to him, though their patronage had not been given to him.

His inflexible honesty gave him a high reputation among his associates, so that of him it was true that his word was as good as his bond, and his bond had a gold basis.

He took a great interest in young men. He often assisted them to his own damage,-in fact, he was ever ready by counsel, by employing them, by signing their paper with little or no security, and by other means, to help them, and no small amount of his pecuniary losses, by which his last days were disturbed, was due to this fact.

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History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 730

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730