USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892 > Part 132
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Orrison Warren, a blacksmith at Seward's Mills, born in 1836, is a son of Jared, and grandson of Richard Warren, who was seven years a soldier in the revolution, and afterward settled in Vassalboro, where Chandler F. Cobb lives. Mr. Warren enlisted in 1861 with Company I, 3d Maine. He was in California and Oregon from 1864 to 1868. On his return he was married to Belle Nagel, of Pennsylvania. Their children are : Fred F., Nettie M. and Carl Blaine Warren.
Israel Simpson Weeks, born in 1824, is a son of Daniel H. and Margaret (Simpson) Weeks, of Brunswick, and grandson of Winthrop Weeks, son of John, of Jefferson, Me. His father came to Vassal- boro in 1849 with a family of three sons and seven daughters. He was a hydraulic-cement mason, and his son, Israel S., succeeded him at the same trade, being now well known as an expert and successful
1137
TOWN OF VASSALBORO.
builder of cisterns and large reservoirs. He accurately locates sub- terranean water courses, and has completed some of the best hydrau- lic works in the county.
Reuben Weeks was born in 1818 at Nantucket. In 1827 he came with his father, Captain Reuben Weeks, to Vassalboro. His wife, Octavia, is a daughter of Moses Bassett, who came from Cape Cod and settled in Harlem (now China). Their children are: Hattie E., Abbie B. (Mrs. Albert R. Ward, of China), Ella L. and Frank G. Weeks, who died, leaving one daughter, Lottie. Captain Reuben Weeks, in 1813, was captured by privateers and robbed of his ship and cargo of whale oil.
Daniel Whitehouse, a descendant of Thomas Whitehouse, of Dover, N. H. (1658), came from Berwick to South Vassalboro when an old
man. His children, some of whom had come previously, were: Ed- mund, Daniel, jun., Thomas, Hannah and Comfort. Edmund had children: John R., William, Edmund, jun., Benjamin, Maria, Phebe and Martha. Daniel, jun., had sons: David S., Seth C., Owen, Paul and Daniel. Thomas had sons: John and Thomas, jun.
John R. Whitehouse, son of Edmund, and grandson of Daniel Whitehouse, married Hannah Percival, of Cape Cod, and they lived and died at South Vassalboro in the homestead shown on this page. Their children were: Helen Maria (Mrs. Wellman, deceased); Dulcia Maria, (Mrs. Dr. Meigs) of West Virginia; Hildanus R., of Clinton, Iowa; John P., of Augusta, Me .; Melissa R., (Mrs. Joseph Cloud) of Baltimore; Oliver P., deceased, and Judge William Penn Whitehouse, of Augusta.
1138
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
David M. Wyer, born in 1831, is a son of Shubael, and grandson of Captain David Wyer, a whaler, of Nantucket, who came to East Vas- salboro about 1810. He bought the farm where David now lives of John Brackett, and died at Taber hill. Shubael married Sally, a daughter of Captain John G. Fitch, a Nantucket whaleman, who came to East Vassalboro in 1827. David M. married Mary C., daughter of George G. Clark, whose father, Captain Albert Clark, came from Nan- tucket to Vassalboro about 1820. Mrs Wyer, at her death, left five children: Benjamin F., a druggist in Boston; Annie M. (Mrs. John F. Fletcher), Clara Belle, James C. and Hattie M. The present Mrs. Wyer is Josephine, a daughter of Jonathan Cross, of Cross Hill.
William A. Yates, born in 1852, is a son of Alexander and Lois E. (Thompson) Yates, of Bristol, Me., and grandson of William Yates. He married Ida F., a daughter of B. F. and Lydia C. (Tripp) Bright- man, and granddaughter of Leonard and Phebe Brightman. They have two sons: Frank Brightman and Samuel Alexander Yates. Mr. Yates came in 1815 from Bristol to Vassalboro, where he built his present elegant residence in 1890.
CHAPTER XLIII.
TOWN OF CHINA.
Jones' Survey .- Map .- Early Settlers .- First Grave .- First Birth .- Incorporated as Harlem .- China Erected .- Harlem Civil Lists .- China Civil Lists .- Vil- lages, their Industries and Institutions .- Prominent Localities .- Other Set- tlers. - Ecclesiastical .- Societies .- Cemeteries .- Schools .- Personal Para- graphs.
W THEN the Kennebec Purchasers in the fall of 1773 sent John Jones and Abraham Burrell to survey a plantation east of Vassalboro and plot it into lots for settlement, they laid the foundation for the present thrifty town of China. They laid out 32,000 acres, including the waters, into farms of substantially 200 acres each; and to this fifty square miles the proprietors and their purchasers, alluding to the old surveyor, and not to the first settler, applied the title of "Jones' Plantation." They finished the survey in the spring of 1774, and Jones' map as then made was referred to by lot numbers in the original deeds to the settlers. At Gardiner, where Mr. Jones, generally known as " Black Jones," had been employed in other surveys, Ephraim Clark was spending the winter of 1773-4, and in the following March made a judicious selection of two lots, 39 and 40, nominally of 400 acres, but actually of nearly six hundred, as the east shore of the lake curved; and that summer built his house near the water on what is known as the Sumner Hawes farm. Very soon after - probably the same season - Ephraim Clark's three brothers, Jonathan, Edmund and Andrew, and a brother-in-law, George Fish, secured lots in the plantation.
The parents of these pioneers seem to have resided with Ephraim Clark. Two years after the settlement was made Merriam, the mother died, and her husband, Jonathan, survived her four years. They were buried in the orchard by the shore near their residence, and two field stones now mark the spot. Ephraim, born July 15, 1751, seems to have lived a bachelor life. He did not marry until 1795. Olive Braley, the object of his affections, was born the year he entered the log cabin, and twenty-two years afterward he brought her home his bride. They were blessed with the old-fashioned family of six sons and six daughters, who all lived to maturity. Jonathan, who was born in
72
1140
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
John Jones' Plan of Jones Plantation March 19, 1774.
ALBION.
86
85
WINSLOW.
25
89
84
24
11
26
88
83
12
27
23
82
28
/3
81
22
29
91
14
92
329
93
5
20
16
19
14
0
33
95
8
26
9
18
LAKE
35-
10
74
36
23
98
11
37
10
9
38
8
100
71
39
101
70
40
69
41
68
103
WEST BRANCH
13
4:
67
43
3
66
57
44
2
56
64
108
63
54
THREE
47
53
48
POND
52
49
60
51
112
59
113
58
WINDSOR.
PALERMO.
"SHEEPOOUT
RIVER .
5
42
104
14
105
15
106
65
107
17
45
55
46
18
109
62
MILE
110
61
20
111
21
MUD POND
80
30 ANS ON DE
3
21
4
15
78
94
27
6
34
96
35
9
8
99
VASSALBORO.
10%
16
19
50
89
90
2
1141
TOWN OF CHINA.
1737, brought Susanna Gardiner, his wife, and settled across the lake from Ephraim, on the point where Everett E. Clark lives, his land including parts of John O. Page's and Sanford K. Clark's places. Ed- mund took the lot south of Jonathan's, on the west side of the lake. He married Rachel Coffin, and their daughter, Anna, born Novem- ber 20, 1774, was the first girl born in the plantation. She became Mrs. Peter Pray, of Priest hill. Andrew Clark located on what is now, substantially, South China village.
Church Clark, a fifth brother, remained at Nantucket and in the next generation his son, Ephraim, came to the west side of the lake, near where John B. and Anson P. Morrill live. George Fish settled on the east side of the lake, where John Jones and Gustavus A. Webber live. He and Ephraim Clark built on Clark brook, sometimes called Fish brook, the first saw mill in the town. Mr. Fish died on his pas- sage to England, and the widow died at their place of residence. Hers was the first grave opened in the grounds adjoining the Friends' meet- ing house, on the east side of the lake.
Abraham Burrell, who assisted in the survey, located where Levi A. Jackson lives, and built his first log cabin near the lake shore, where only some cinnamon roses remain to mark the spot. Michael Norton settled on the lake shore, on the next farm south of the town house. His son, Thomas, the first male child born in the plantation, lived and died on the old homestead. These early settlers were soon followed by Josiah Ward-the builder of the first frame house in the town, which stood on the present farm of Benjamin H. Moody. The Nortons were enterprising settlers, and the vicinity is known as Nor- ton's Corner to this day. Mr. Burrell erected on his farm in 1790 the first frame building in the plantation. The "raising" made a red- letter day in the settlement. From Getchell's Corners on the west, and Freedom plantation on the north, help came. The broadside of native oak had reached the most trying position when it was neces- sary to have more help, and the lady spectators seized the poles and and pikes, deciding the day. This frame is now a part of Levi A. Jackson's barn.
While the natural privations of pioneer life were augmented by the early events of the revolutionary period, the abundance of game and the enormous supply of fish preserved the life of the settlers. They were thorough men and courageous women who planted civiliza- tion here, and for twenty-two years they made interesting history before they were given the privileges of a town. A few simple rules- enforced by common consent-was sufficient law for the peaceful and industrious.
In February, 1796, the plantation was incorporated as the town of Harlem. It was described in the act as bounded by four straight lines: On the west by the east line of Vassalboro, on the east by a
1142
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
line eight miles and 180 rods long, six miles distant from and parallel with the west line, and on the north and south by two lines, each six miles long, extending from the corners of Vassalboro south 68° east. Ebenezer Farwell was authorized to call the first town meeting, which was held at the house of Shubael Bragg.
For twenty-two years the territory of Harlem was well governed by officers elected at annual meetings usually held in the Friends' meeting house on the pond road, when, in June, 1818, the town of Harlem was divided, the northern portion being joined with parts of Lygonia (now Albion) and Winslow, to form the new town of China. Four years later the remainder of Harlem was annexed to China, and thus, forty-eight years after the settlement of Jones' plantation, it took the present name.
The town records of old Harlem are well preserved. They were carefully written by intelligent clerks and contain a mass of quaint and curious lore. In them we find that the voters chose their own company, as is shown by the following order:
" To Edmund Clark,
"Constable of the town of Harlem, " Greeting:
" You are, in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, directed to warn and give notice to Boston Ricker and Prince Brown, with their families and all under their care, who came last from Vas- salboro for the purpose of residing, NOT HAVING OBTAINED THE TOWN'S CONSENT, that they depart the limits thereof within 15 days.
"Given under our hands this 7 day of May, 1798, at Harlem. " ICHABOD CHADWICK,
" ABRAHAM BURRELL,
" Selectmen."
Among the other interesting items are these:
" 1803. Voted that geese shall not run on the Common." "1804. Voted $55 for a town standard " [of weights and measures]. " Voted $35 to recruit town magazine." "1805. Voted Ephraim Clark be pound 'keeper.'"-and he is reported as holding the office for life. " March 12, 1798. Voted to pay for the town's stock of powder out of last year's school money." " March 7, 1800. Voted to pay for run- ning out town line, out of last year's school money." "May 21, 1804. Voted to take school money for the year to build school houses.
HARLEM CIVIL LISTS .- Although the name Harlem passed into history with the annexation of 1822, officers were elected until 1828 for settling the affairs of the town. The selectmen of Harlem, with the year of first election and number of years of service, if more than one, were: 1796, Abraham Burrell, 6 years, Ephraim Clark, 5, James Lancaster; 1797, Ichabod Chadwick, 13, Josiah Ward, 3; 1799, Edmund Clark, 2, James Chadwick, 2; 1803, Jesse Martin; 1804, Ed- ward Fairfield, 2; 1805, David Doe; 1806, Nathan Stanley, 2; 1807, Josiah Ward, jun., 10; 1808, Nathaniel Johnson, 10; 1810, Jedediah
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TOWN OF CHINA.
Jepson, 3; 1812, Samuel Burrell; 1813, Constant Abbott, 3; 1815, Rob- ert Fletcher; 1816, Joseph Stuart; 1818, Elisha Clark, 5; 1818, John Dow; 1819, John Weeks, 10; 1820, Joseph Hacker, 4, and William Mosher, 6; 1824, Jonathan Dow, 2; 1828, Ebenezer Meiggs.
Excepting the year 1800, when Ephraim Clark was clerk, Edward Fairfield served from 1796 to 1809; Samuel Burrell was elected in 1810; Constant Abbott in 1813, and John Weeks, 1818 to 1828.
The successive town treasurers for Harlem were: Ephraim Clark, 1796; Abraham Burrell, 1803; Josiah Ward, jun., 1805; Nathaniel Johnson, 1816; Josiah Ward, 1817; Thomas Giddings, 1818; Silas Piper, 1820; Henry W. Piper, 1826, and John Weeks for 1828.
CHINA CIVIL LISTS .- The selectmen, with date of first election and total number of years of service, have been: 1818, Daniel Stevens, 7 years, Nathan Stanley, Robert Fletcher; 1819, Japheth C. Washburn, 3, John Brackett; 1820, Isaac Jones, 2; 1822, Nathaniel Johnson, Jo- seph Hacker, 2, William Mosher, 4; 1823, Joseph Stuart, 4, Abishia Benson, 2; 1824, Alfred Marshall, 6; 1825, John Weeks, 8; 1826, Eben- ezer Meiggs, 5; 1827, Gustavus A. Benson, 2; 1829, Benjamin Libby, jun., 2, Nathaniel Spratt, 5; 1831, Alexander Hatch, 2; 1832, S. S. Warren; 1834, Jason Chadwick, 2, Freeman Shaw; 1835, Timothy F. Hanscom, 2, Edward Breck, 3; 1836, Jonathan Clark, 2; 1838, Corydon Chadwick, 11, Daniel Crowell, 3; 1839, Elisha Clark, Thomas B. Lin- coln, 10; 1840, Samuel Hanscom, Daniel D. Starrett; 1841, Larned Pullen; 1845, John Estes, 2d, 2; 1848, Lot Jones, 3; 1849, John L. Gray, 2; 1851, Oliver Hanscom, 2, Alfred Fletcher, 8; 1853, Samuel Taylor, 3; 1854, Sullivan Erskine; 1855, Edward Emerson, 2, Amos McLaughlin; 1856, Nathaniel Wiggin; 1857, Alfred H. Jones, 2, John F. Hunnewell, 2, Josiah H. Greely, 4; 1859, Eli H. Webber, 3; 1862, Thomas Dinsmore, jun., 2, Daniel Webber, 2; 1864, Ambrose H. Abbott, Nathan Widlow, 3, John Libby; 1865, Roland Reed, 2; 1867, Alexander Chad- wick, 5, Caleb Jones, 3, Jabez Lewis, 4; 1868, Gustavus B. Chadwick, 3, Abishia B. Fletcher, 3, Francis Jones, 7; 1871, John S. Hamilton, 2; 1873, Charles E. Dutton, 7; 1876, Dana C. Hanson, 4, Samuel C. Star- rett, 4, Freeman H. Crowell, 4; 1878, Elihu Hanson, 3, Enos T. Clark; 1879, Theodore M. Jackson, 2; 1883, Theron E. Doe, 4, Henry B. Reed, 4; 1887, James B. Fish, 3; since 1887, Orrin F. Sproul; 1887, John F. Plummer, 5; 1890, James W. Brown, 2, and in 1892, W. R. Ward and A. P. Mosher.
Japheth C. Washburn was the first town clerk, succeeded by John Weeks in 1822; Gustavus A. Benson, 1825; Thomas Burrell, 1827; Japheth C. Washburn, 1830; James H. Brainard, 1837; Oliver W. Washburn, 1840; Ambrose H. Abbott, 1851; Edward Emerson, 1865; F. O. Brainard, 1868; John H. Stevens, 1869; Willis W. Washburn, 1872; Charles B. Stuart, 1878; Willis C. Hawes, 1886; Wilson F. Hawes, 1887, and Willis W. Washburn since 1888.
1144
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
Since China was organized its treasurers have been: John Brackett, 5 years; Silas Piper, 3; Benjamin Libby, jun., 2; John Weeks, 1; Ebenezer Shaw, 3; Freeman Shaw, 2; Samuel Hanscom and Thomas B. Lincoln, each 1, before 1836; then Daniel Crowell, 3 years; Reuben Hamlin, 3; Charles A. Russ, 3; Ebenezer Meiggs, from 1845 to 1855; Nelson Russell and Abishia B. Fletcher, each 2; Thomas Dins- more, jun., 3; James E. Cates and Justus Greely, each 2, during the civil war; Ambrose H. Abbott, 1866: William Percival, 1867; then Am- brose H. Abbott, 3; Cyrenus K. Evans, 3; Amasa Taylor, 1; John C. Tucker, 3; Charles W. Clark, 1; John Taylor, 2; Caleb Jones, 2; Russell D. Woodman, 1; Edward C. Dudley, 2; Joseph E. Crossman, 1; Elijah D. Jepson, 4, and Martin Webber.
VILLAGES .-- China village is pleasantly situated at the north end of the lake, and its surrounding landscape presents a variety of hill, val- ley and water. Its main street, winding along the bank of the inlet, is picturesque and attractive, suggesting the quiet and happiness of the wealthy New England village. Among the early settlers here were John Brackett, Japheth C. Washburn, Deacon Wing and William Hunnewell.
Early in the present century this post village was of considerable importance in the business world. One old saw mill, the Deacon Wing mill, on the inlet to the lake known as Wiggin brook, had been worn out and another erected, which was still busy with the logs from the surrounding country. The want of something to crack corn, or save a trip down the river to Gardiner, induced Benjamin Dow to erect, near his half log and half cave house, a primitive grist mill on this inlet. This mill was of logs, with a hollow log for a penstock; the gearing was of wood, and the spindle was an old musket barrel. This mill was run ten years before its destruction by high water. A sec- ond and better mill was erected which, with a shingle mill, saw mill and cluster of shops, was burned about 1867.
The first tannery here was by Deacon Griffin, on Wiggin brook, opposite the present cheese factory building. Samuel Hanscom built and run a modern tannery. About 1840 Benjamin Libby, Eben and Freeman Shaw and others, in a stock company, erected a mill on the lake shore opposite the Baptist church. Saws, a shingle mill and a grist mill formed a plant of much importance. It was subsequently purchased by Gilman Brothers, of Waterville, who converted it into a tannery, which was burned. William H. Healey rebuilt it and did the largest business here for years. This was also burned, within the remembrance of the present generation. Nothing has been erected there since, except the temporary buildings which Mr. Healey built to work out the stock of hides after the fire.
In The Orb, a weekly paper published here during the years 1834- 1835: Samuel Hanscom gives notice, October, 1834, of the removal of
1145
TOWN OF CHINA.
his business, and of the large stock of boots and shoes he has for sale; E. Jones, the tailor, has just received the latest styles from Boston; Peter Dalton, late of Augusta, has opened a fashionable tailor shop and can give his customers fits; J. C. Washburn, secretary of the China Mutual Fire Ins. Co., notifies those concerned of the meeting for the annual election of officers; Leonard Balkcom gives the public due warning that his son David has his own time, and he will pay no debts of David's contracting; Joseph F. Hall will open a writing class at Academy Hall; Matthews & Co. notice their new goods, groceries, paints, oils and crockery; Owen & Dwelley brag of their new goods right from Boston-spring of 1834; Benjamin Webb notifies every- body to call and pay the notes and accounts due him; Freeman Shaw notices his new goods in the store where A. B. Fletcher now keeps; Healey & Gilman notice their new goods in 1835.
The first store here was kept by Japheth C. Washburn. He erected a building where Ambrose Bartlett now lives, which was burned. He built another across the street, building subsequently a residence and store on the site of his first store. His son, Oliver W., suc- ceeded him in the business. North of Washburn's store General Alfred Marshall started another, which was subsequently burned. Estey N. Doe, in 1835, bought out Matthews & Gilman in the store nearly opposite the present hotel barn. Colonel Robert Fletcher, who came to China about 1807, built the second village store, and began trade where A. B. Fletcher's store now is. His successors in the business have been: Alex. Hatch, M. D .; Freeman Shaw, Oliver W. Washburn, The Union Store, Dana C. Hanson, John H. Stevens, John Taylor, Moses W. Newbert and Abishia B. Fletcher. The dry goods of the old days were heavy items in trade, as was shown by the immense stock of rum which Colonel Fletcher piled on the floor of his store and which broke through one night into the cellar. William H. Healey was for years the chief trader in China. His largest interests, however, were in the tanning business above mentioned.
The double brick store, now standing, was built by General Alfred Marshall, who was succeeded in the north part by his son, Jacob S. The latter was succeeded by O. W. Washburn, Alfred Marshall, Jacob Shaw, jun., Hiram P. Weeks, Worthing & Stevens, John H. Stevens, John Taylor, Philbrook & Rice and George C. Philbrook. The last named was succeeded, about 1872, by F. O. Brainard, the present merchant and postmaster, who had traded here in another building since September, 1866. The south store of the brick block was occu- pied many years by Deacon Benjamin Libby, as a harness shop. It was then occupied by several different tailors and shoemakers until December, 1866, when Willis W. Washburn opened it as a harness shop. His successors have been: John E. James, Willis R. Ward and Theron E. Doe, who has been a merchant there since 1880.
As early as 1840 a brick yard was started by Nathaniel Spratt on the bank across the stream from the cheese factory, where bricks
1146
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
were made for twenty-five years. Spratt became involved and the yard fell into the hands of Samuel P. Benson, who sold to Zalmuna Washburn, brother of Zebah. The dwelling was occupied by Mr. Washburn, and is now the home of Hollis Broad's widow. Three brick yards were in operation here at one time. Abraham Talbot, once a slave, had a yard opposite Mr. Parmenter's house, below Dana C. Hanson's.
The first post office was in Japheth C. Washburn's store, and he was appointed postmaster June 25, 1818. At the incorporation of the original China Mr. Washburn wrote: "My house was in Winslow, my store across the road was in Albion, and my potash works, 40 rods south, were in Harlem." Jacob Smith was the second postmaster, and in December, 1838, was succeeded by Benjamin Libby, jun., who kept the office in his shop. Oliver W. Washburn, appointed August 12, 1841, was succeeded in February, 1853, by Jacob S. Marshall; Alfred Marshall was appointed September 4, 1860; Jacob Shaw, June, 1861; Alfred Fletcher, November, 1864. O. W. Washburn sold his store busi- ness to H. Wheeler Maxfield, who kept the office as deputy for a time and was made postmaster November 29, 1865. In April, 1867, F. O. Brainard was appointed, and has served since, except through the Cleveland administration, when Theron E. Doe served. After the two children of J. C. Washburn had ceased their mail carrying from Get- chell's Corners, Asa Burrell carried it, and there are those living who well remember the sonorous tin horn which heralded his approach.
Before 1810, and even after the post office was established, the bringing of mail from Getchell's Corner was a weekly service by Mr. Washburn, who sent two of his children, Abra L. and O. Wendell, for it. One of them, the late venerable widow of Thomas Burrell, in 1891 vividly remembered her horseback trips through the way of gates and bars. The gates remained north and east of the village until long after the government route was established to Bangor. Four daily mails now supply the office here.
The first tavern here was opened by Japheth C. Washburn about 1812. The house was subsequently burned. General Alfred Marshall built and first kept the present hotel. He was succeeded by George Ricker, Luther Lamb, John Hatch, John Hussey, N. D. Coombs, then his son, then William Crane, James Huntoon and E. G. Davenport. About 1870 Charles H. Dow became the proprietor, and his widow is the present landlady.
After 1850 a bank was started here by the Gilman Brothers, the tanners and merchants, in the house now occupied by Mrs. Foster, opposite the school house. It had a brief but successful career.
Among the later industries of the village was the erection of a cheese factory. Cheese making commenced in July, 1874, and 8,000 pounds were made the first season. About 1886 the manufacture was
1147
TOWN OF CHINA.
discontinued. These facts indicate the former importance of this village, to which may be added that five of the governors of Maine were educated at the academy here.
On the east bank of the south end of China lake is the busy village of South China. Among the first settlers here after Andrew Clark were Thomas Jones, whose cabin was where Philbrook's brick house is, and Levi Jackson, who built where Frank E. Jones lives. A saw mill was first erected by the Jones family on the stream known as Jones' brook, and Joseph Hoxie put up a small tannery, which was subse- quently purchased, enlarged, equipped with steam, and run by Nelson Russell. Now bushes cover the spots where these valuable industries stood.
It was as early as 1833 that Horace Baker kept a large store just north of the present Jenkins store, and soon after Ebenezer Meiggs, who in 1846 built the only brick house in this village, started another store where the post office now is, and Ambrose H. Abbott had still another where the G. A. R. Hall stands. These were burned in the great conflagration of April 23, 1872. Then Samuel Stuart rebuilt the present Jenkins store, opened trade and was succeeded by his son, Charles B. Stuart. In September, 1888, Elwood H. Jenkins bought out Stuart and joined the stock with that of his other store, which he had purchased in 1886 of Alden W. Sweetland & Co., who succeeded James Savage in the store where C. W. Randall is.
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