History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 76

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 76

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The Shakers are a strictly religions people, believing in practically following the example of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose teachings forbid all wars, and in the late civil strife in our nation, when members of the United Society were subjeet to draft to fill up the ranks of the army, reasons were presented to President Lincoln and the Secretary of War, why Shakers should be exempt from bearing arms or performing military duty. Among the co- gent reasons given, it was shown that, for conscience' sake, this society alone had refused to receive pensions to which its members were legally entitled, for services rendered in the war of the Revolution, which, if it had been put at six per eent. compound interest, would, at that time, June, 1863, have amounted to the no mean fortune of $88,997.58 (and since that time this sum would have more than doubled itself). Such an argument was strong evidence of the Shakers' peace principles, and convincing proof to the " lovers of Mammon."

To show that the Shaker virgin Christ-life is productive of longevity, we turn to our records and find that there have been 194 deaths in the Society, dating back to 1790, and the average age of the whole number is sixty-two years and five months; 82 exceeded seventy years, and of that number 14 were from ninety to ninety-eight years old at the time of their death. Where is the neighborhood or community of the same population that can present a death- rate like unto that ?

STANDARD WORKS.

The following standard works are published by the United Society, called Shakers : The Testimony of Christ's Second Appearing, pp. 650 ; The Manifesto, by John Dun- lavy, pp. 486 ; A Summary View of the Millennial Church, pp. 384; Tests of Divine Inspiration ; Brief Exposition of the Established Principles of the United Society ; A Short Treatise on the Second Appearing of Christ ; Plain Evi- dences of the True Church of Christ ; Compendium of the Origin, Rules, and Regulations of the United Society ; Shaker Theology, by the learned Bishop of the United Society, South Union, Ky.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

PROMINENT MEN.

Usher Parsons, M.D., youngest son of William and Abi- gail Frost . Blunt ) Parsons, was born in Alfred, Aug. 18, 1788. His boyhood was mostly spent in that town, where he worked on his father's farm, and attended the village school. He went to Berwick Academy about a year. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Abiel Hall, of Alfred, in May. 1807. He attended anatomical lectures at Frye- burg by Dr. Alexander Ramsey.

In the autumn of 1809, being disappointed in receiving funds to attend a second course by Dr. Ramsey, in Port- land, he walked about fifteen miles in the night nearly to Saco, slept a few hours on some hay in a barn, and reached Kennebunk the following noon, and Alfred in the evening. During the moonlight walk he meditated on the past and future course of his life. Though in his twenty-first year, with but limited education, he resolved that he would put forth all his energies for ten years to obtain the degrees of A.M. and M.D., and to become a teacher of anatomy. That resolution was the seed-purpose of his life.

He studied the ancient languages under Rev. Moses Sweat, and at intervals taught school. In 1811 he went to Boston, became a pupil of Dr. John Warren, and was licensed to practice in February, 1812. He began practice in Dover, N. H.

In July, 1812, he received a commission as surgeon's mate in the newly-organized navy, the war with England having begun. He was soon ordered to New York, and volunteered for service on the Great Lakes. He spent the next winter at Black Rock, near Buffalo; iu June, 1813, joined Capt. Oliver II Perry, and was medical officer on his vessel, the " Lawrence," at the battle on Lake Erie, September 10th. The senior surgeons were sick, and the whole dutics fell on him at that time. His diligence and success won him the warm regard of Perry, and paved the way to subsequent promotion. By a vote of Congress he received a silver medal for his meritorious services.

In April, 1814, he was commissioned surgeon ; was after- wards attached to the frigate " Java," under Perry ; and as a surgeon of that vessel sailed for the Mediterranean in 1816. In 1817 he returned to the United States, and at- tended medical lectures in Boston. He took the degree of M.D. there in 1818. In July, 1818, he sailed on the " Guerriere," for St. Petersburg, thence went again to the Mediterranean, and revisited many ports on that sea. He also went to Florence, Rome, Genoa, Lyons, Paris, and London, examining the institutions of all these cities, taking copious notes in the hospitals, and making the acquaintance of the most eminent surgeons and scientists.

Ile returned to Boston carly in 1820, and was appointed surgeon to the marine barracks in Charlestown. He resided a good deal at Cambridge, while holding this appointment, and there wrote the " Sailor's Physician." He was, in August, appointed professor of anatomy and surgery in Dartmouth College. Thus he realized his youthful dream in the moonlight walk, 1809. of becoming a teacher of anatomy.

In April, 1822, he began the practice of medicine, in Providence, R. I., where he lived the remainder of his life. In September he married Mary J. Holmes, daughter of Rev. Dr. Holmes, of Cambridge.

He gradually rose to a very prominent position as phy- sician, and especially as surgeon. He was widely known as consulting physician in all the towns around Providence. He performed repeatedly most of the capital operations of surgery. He had 50 medical pupils in successive years. From: 1822 to 1827 he was professor of anatomy and surgery in Brown University. In 1831 he was professor of obstet- rics in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In 1837 he was chosen president of the Rhode Island Medical So- ciety for three years. He was also a frequent delegate to the meetings of the American Medical Association, and was chosen its first vice-president in 1853. He was honorary member of several State medical societies.

In 1843 he revisited Europe, renewing old acquaintances, and again observing surgical practice in the hospitals of Paris and London.

Dr. Parsons was an industrious writer on medical sub- jects. He received four Boylston premiums for medical dissertations, 1827-36, and one Fiske premium, 1842. In 1831 he published a volume on the " Art of Making Ana- tomical Preparations." He also was author of several dis- courses of a physiological or semi-medical character, on temperance, etc.

He was a leader in the efforts to found a general hospital in Providence, and when the Rhode Island Hospital was organized, he gave $1000 to it, and was placed at the head of its consulting board.

Dr. Parsons became prominently distinguished as a his- torical student in three different connections : First. He was a diligent genealogist, and traced the lineage, migra- tion, and personal history of his ancestors with great suc- cess. He published several papers on such subjects, including memoirs of members of his family connection. His most important work was the "Life of Sir William Pepperell," published in 1855, and reprinted in London,- a valuable contribution to colonial history, based in part on materials hitherto unpublished. Secondly. He was also deeply interested in the remains, languages, and customs of the aboriginal natives of New England. He collected many Indian remains, studied their history, and published a curious list of Indian names of places in Rhode Island. He visited repeatedly the old haunts and burying-places of the Narragansetts. Thirdly. He took a warm and active part in a controversy in regard to the battle of Lake Erie, and the merits of Commodores Perry and Elliott. He was warmly attached to Perry, and convinced that the claims of Elliott and his friends, and their endeavors to detract from Perry's fame, were unjust. He made this the subject of a stated discourse before the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1852. He also delivered discourses commem- orative of the battle at the celebrations of its anniversary, in 1858, at Put-in-Bay, and in 1860, at Cleveland, Ohio.

For several years he was mostly withdrawn from active practice, and enjoyed leisure, travel, and study. His health and memory were obviously impaired for some years before his death, though he still took an active interest in passing events. His last sickness was an acute disease of the brain, of which he died, at his home in Providence, Dec. 19, 1868, aged eighty years and four months.

He left one son, Dr. C. W. Parsons, who, having gradu-

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ated at Harvard College and Medical School, was, at the time of his father's decease, practicing medicine in Provi- dence, and was lecturer on physiology in Brown University. He is the author of a memoir of seventy-two pages, from which this notice is compiled.

In the structure of Dr. Parsons' mind the reflective powers were largely predominant. These, with the co-op- eration of a strong desire to excel, of a steadfast purpose, and of a robust frame, strengthened by labor in early life, were well adapted to secure for him a prominent position in the physical sciences. The strength of local associations was a marked trait. It prompted him to re-visit often the localities of his youth, and to write the history of his na- tive town. Another characteristic was his ready sympathies and strong affeetions. They made him tenacious in friend- ship. He would go out of his way to visit the humble roof of an acquaintance in early life, and the honest smile and cordial greeting revealed the delight which the inter- view afforded him. When with the breadth of his re- flective powers and love of the old he pondered over time-honored institutions, his affections clung to them as a living friend. In regard to his social intercourse, one has written, " That his was a genial temperament, a kindly heart, with much of the jovial spirit of the seas in his hours of relaxation."

Hon. William C. Allen commenced practice in Alfred in May, 1822. Five years later he was appointed register of probate, and held that office, with the exception of one year, till January, 1841. In 1839, 1844, and 1845, he was a representative, and in 1846 a senator, in the State Legislature, and a judge of probate from 1847 to 1854, when he received an appointment in the post-office at Washington, which he held till his death, Aug. 12, 1859. He left two sons. Henry W., a graduate of Darmouth Col- lege, is a resident of New York City. The younger son, Weld N., is a commander in the United States navy. Judge Allen was a man of marked traits of character. Singularly neat in dress and personal appearance, he was polite, precise, and systematic, a faithful public officer, and a respected citizen.

Jeremiah Bradbury, Esq., a native of Saco, came to Alfred in 1820, having been appointed clerk of courts, for which he had resigned his position of United States col- lector, at York. He was clerk till 1841, with the excep- tion of one year, in which the position was given to another, on account of a political change in the State administration. From Alfred he moved to Calais, where he resided till his death, in 1848. In 1810 he married Mary Langdon Storer. They had seven children, the oldest of whom, Hon. Bion Bradbury, of Portland, formerly United States collector at Eastport, and, in 1863, the nominee of the Democratic party for Governor, is well known throughout the State as a good lawyer, and a gentleman of acknowl- edged ability. The kindly disposition of Mr. Bradbury, as well as the refinement and culture of his wife and children, made them a noted family in this place.

Jeremiah Goodwin, Esq., a native of Kittery, was a resident of Alfred from 1811 to 1840. He was two years a paymaster in the 33d Regiment of the United States army ; register of deeds from 1816 to 1836 ; State treasurer

in 1839; and for more than twenty years postmaster of this town. In all these positions Mr. Goodwin displayed skill, accuracy, and integrity. He died in Great Falls, N. H., July 31, 1857, aged seventy-three years.

Dr. Abiel Hall was born in Alfred, Sept. 6, 1787, and at the age of twenty-two succeeded his father in the prac- tice of medicine. During the sixty years of his profes- sional duties Dr. Hall was always regarded as a discreet and reliable physician. He was always an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, and rarely prescribed alcoholic liquors in his practice. In 1823 he was chosen a deacon of the Orthodox Church, and for the last twenty years of his life was one of its leading members. His labors and his usefulness ended only with his life, Dec. 18, 1869. His son, Dr. Edwin Hall, a graduate of Bowdoin and the Medical School of Dartmouth, was a very promising physi- cian in Saco, but died young.

George W. Came, Esq., was born in York, April 24, 1791. By perseverance he acquired a thorough common- school education, and commenced life as a school-teacher at the age of nineteen. With the exception of a few years spent in mercantile business, this was his principal occupa- tion, till he settled in Alfred in 1830. He was twice a member of the Legislature, and many years chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Came was a successful busi- ness man, and an influential citizen. He died Ang. 11, 1865. He left two sons. George L. succeeds him on the home estate ; the younger, Samuel M., a graduate of Bow- doin in 1860, having read law in the office of Hon. Ira T. Drew, and completed his preparatory studies at the Har- vard Law School, opened an office at Alfred, where he is now in practice.

Maj. Benjamin J. Herrick, sou of Joshna Herrick, of Beverly, was born April 8, 1791. In 1816 he came to Alfred to engage in mercantile business. Was a deputy sheriff soon after, jailer from 1824 to 1830, representative in 1830, sheriff from 1831 to 1836, and register of deeds from 1836 to 1847. He was also town clerk and select- man, and a brigade major in the State militia. He always took an active part in religious and educational matters, having been for many years the leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this place, and one of the trustees of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary. During his long official career Mr. Herriek made many friends through- out the county. He died May 24, 1870. His son, Horatio G., a graduate of Bowdoin, 1844, practiced law several years at North Berwick. He now resides in Lawrence, Mass. In 1863 he was a United States provost-marshal, and is now sheriff of Essex County, and a commissioner of jails.

Hon. Joshua Herrick, brother of the above, was born at Beverly, Mass., March 18, 1793. He came to Maine 1811 ; was agent several years at Brunswiek in the first cotton-mill in the State. In 1814 was a few months in the military service under Gen. D. McCabe, and stationed on the lower Kennebeek ; afterwards a number of years deputy sheriff of Cumberland County. In 1829 he re- moved to Kennebunkport, and was appointed by Gen. Jackson collector of customs, which position he retained until 1841. In 1842 he was chairman of Board of County

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

Commissioners, but resigned in 1843, and was elected rep- resentative to the Twenty-eighth Congress from York dis- triet, serving on committee on naval affairs and accounts ; was collector of customs again from 1847 to 1849, and from 1849 to 1855 register of probate for the county. During his residence in Kennebunkport he was for many years chairman of the Board of Selectmen. He is now a resident of this town.

The town of Alfred owes much of its growth and pros- perity to Mr. Holmes .* No citizen contributed so much in time and expense to transfer the courts there, or to establish the academy. He was always ready to aid in educational, religious, and other enterprises that could benefit the public, and he presented a bell to the Congre- gational Church. Besides his political papers, he left but few memorials of his literary labor. A legal work called " The Statesman" is about the only important relic of his pen.

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He was of a genial and jovial disposition, fond of in- dulging in aneedote and repartee, and could parry and thrust with all who might choose to measure swords with him in sareastie raillery. His mirthfulness was great, but apt to run in turbid streams when his aim was to ereate laughter. As a lawyer he probably had few equals in the country, and no superior. Hle early made a profession of religion, and in his last hours derived from it consolation and support.

His career is suggestive of truth to the minds of the rising generation. It shows what young men may aeeom- plish in attaining to high and honorable distinction by per- severing industry, guided by sound Christian principles. It also shows the impolicy of indulging a thirst for political life, which rarely remunerates. Had he bestowed more time on the study and practice of his profession, he might have attained to the first rank in New England as an emi- nent lawyer.

Israel Chadbourne was born in North Berwick, Nov. 1, 1788, and moved to Alfred in 1831. He was jailer from 1831-37, and sheriff from 1837-54, with the exception of two years. It was while in this office that he became so well and favorably known throughout the county. In October, 1864, he was elected president of the Alfred Bank, and continued to discharge the perplexing duties of that position with ability till his death, June 5, 1865. Mr. Chadbourne was for many years one of the trusted leaders of the Democratie party in this eounty. His sons, Benjamin F. and William G., are prosperous business men in Portland.

Nathan Kendall for many years was one of the deacons of the Congregational Church. He was for a long time in trade, and is remembered as a good citizen. His sons, Otis, at Biddeford, and Augustus, at Portland, are both active business men.

The sons of Col. David Lewis-William, a physician in Shapleigh, Daniel, a merchant in Boston, and John, a farmer and dealer in timber lands-were each judicious, up- right, and prosperous men.

Hon. N. S. Littlefield was a prominent lawyer of Bridgton.

* For sketch of Hon. John Holmes, see Bench and Bar.

He was a member of the State Senate, and of the Legisla- lature, and in 1841 was elected a representative to Congress. Ilis brother, Elijah Littlefield, of Alfred, was a promising and successful business man, but died early.

Among the many other sueeessful men who have been residents of Alfred may be mentioned David Hall and Alvah Conant, who left Alfred together, and were mer- chants of long standing in Portland. Both retired from business several years ago. Mr. Hall died April 14, 1863. Henry Farnum, an enterprising business man in Boston. Dr. Usher P. Leighton, now a resident of Ohio.

William, sou of the late John Parsons, a furniture dealer in New York.

Benjamin Emerson, Esq., son of Joseph Emerson, gradu- ated at Harvard, praetieed law for several years at Gilman- ton, and is now residing at Pittsfield, N. H. His brother, Capt. Joseph Emerson, was a quiet but energetic and esteemed eitizen. He served as captain in the militia, and many years as one of the seleetmen. He died Sept. 9, 1871, aged eighty-six.

William Parsons served about the same time as Capt. Emerson in the militia as adjutant, and was one of the selectmen several years. He was a retiring, obliging, and reliable man. He lived in Kennebunk the latter part of his life, where he died in 1864, aged eighty-four years. He left several children. John, a graduate of Brown University and Andover Seminary, is now settled in the ministry in Lebanon, in this eounty ; Edwin, having engaged in mer- eantile business in Savannah, and then in New York, has been steadily advaneing by wisely-laid plans and energy till he has beeome a millionaire. Having been married February, 1872, in Washington, D. C., to the only daughter of Mr. Justiee Swayne, of the Supreme Court, he has gone to Europe. He formerly resided here. George and Charles have been successful merchants in Savannah and New York.

Among those now living in Alfred may be mentioned Hon. Nathan Dane, for more than forty years a resident of this town ; has been a senator from this county. In 1860 he was elected State treasurer, when the embarrassed eon- dition of the State finanees absolutely demanded an officer of undoubted integrity and ability. He was annually re- eleeted so long as the constitution permits, -five years.

Ira T. Drew, having received a good common-school education, read law in his native town-Newfield-with IIon. Nathan Clifford and at Alfred with the late Judge Goodenow. He was admitted to the bar in 1841, and first opened an office at Carll's Corner, in Waterborough, where, contrary to the experience of most young attorneys, he very soon had numerous elients and an extensive practice. In 1847 he was a member of the State Senate, and the next seven years county attorney for York County. In 1854 he removed to Alfred, and four years after was the nominee of the Democratic party for representative to Con- gress. From 1855 to 1871, Mr. Drew devoted bis time almost exclusively to his profession, and during that time the name of no other attorney appears more frequently on the dockets of the Supreme Court for this county than his, especially in eontested eases, a large pereentage of the ver- diets being in his favor. In 1871 he opened an office in Boston, and sinee that time, although a resident of this

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county and engaged in many important cases here, his principal professional engagements have been at the Suffolk bar.

William G. Conant, for more than forty years engaged in mercantile business at Alfred, retired from trade several years since, but still continues one of the most active and influential citizens of the town.

Caleb B. Lord, a native of Parsonsfield, commenced practice in Limerick, but soon moved to Alfred to enter upon the duties of clerk of courts, to which office he was elected in the fall of 1858, and re-elected in 1861 and 1864. In 1871 he represented Alfred and Kennebunk in the State Legislature, and was United States assessor for the First District of Maine from 1871 till the office was abolished in 1873. A cautious and reliable counselor, a precise and careful official, his public and professional duties have been honorably discharged to the general satisfaction of his clients and constituents. Since leaving Limerick he has not re- sumed the active practice of his profession.

Amos L. Allen was born in Waterborough, Me., March 17, 1837. He left home at the age of fourteen, and, having completed his preparatory studies at Whitestown, N. Y., entered the sophomore class in Bowdoin College in 1857, and graduated with honor in 1860. From the time of graduating till he was admitted to the bar, in May, 1866, Mr. Allen taught school, read law with Messrs. Appleton & Goodenow, attended the Columbia Law School at Wash- ington, and was a clerk in the United States Treasury De- partment, and was thus enabled to save enough above current expenses to pay the small indebtedness incurred while in college, having been obliged to pay the entire expenses of his education from his own earnings. In 1867 he was the Republican candidate for clerk of courts for York County, but suffered a defeat, and soon after was offered and ac- cepted his old position in the Treasury Department. In April, 1869, he resigned this to accept the appointment of messenger in the United States House of Representatives, which position he held till his election as clerk of courts for this county in the fall of 1870. He has continued the suc- cessful discharge of the duties of that responsible office to the present time, having been re-elected in 1873, 1876, and 1879.

Moses A. Drew, having completed his preparatory studies with his father, Hon. Ira T. Drew, was admitted to the bar in 1869, and has since been in practice in Alfred.

Joseph M. Hawks, a graduate of the Northwestern Uni- versity (Illinois) and the Boston University Law School, was admitted to practice in the courts of this State in 187-, and is now a resident of Alfred, but has not yet opened an office.

Richard H. Goding held various town offices in his native town,-Acton, Me.,-but devoted his time principally to farming, till his election as sheriff of York County in 1864. He served as sheriff six years, having received two re- elections, and during the last two years occupied the county- house in Alfred. In 1871 he served as chairman of the selectmen of Alfred, and in 1872 was representative to the Legislature. The same year he opened the Alfred House as a public hotel. In 1877 he was appointed county treas- urer to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of E. H. 35

. Banks, and elected to the same office in September, 1877, and 1878. He died Aug. 20, 1879. In all his official positions Mr. Goding was successful in gaining the respect of those most intimately associated with him, while as a private citizen his good practical common sense and kindly disposition won for him many firm friends, and caused his death to be deeply regretted throughout the county.

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History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 76

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