Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 142

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York, Blake
Number of Pages: 1790

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No. 5 school house stands on the site of the old Clinton Academy. This latter building was begun about 1830, by a company of citizens, who purposed making of it a female seminary. The company, how- ever, were unable to complete the structure, and accordingly turned it over to the Methodist society, which finished it, and threw open its doors to scholars of both sexes. About 1858 the Methodist society deeded the academy to Hobart Richardson, who deeded it to Daniel H. Brown; and in July, 1859, Brown deeded it to Asher H. Barton, Eliza S. Barton, Joseph C. Richardson, William P. Heald, Albert D. Hinds, Isaac Abbott, Albert Ludwig, George W. Reed and William K. Lunt. They sold it to district No. 5 in the same month, reserving the right to hold a high school in it for two terms each year. The build- ing was destroyed by fire in 1870. It was rebuilt in 1871, and in 1883 an attractive hall was finished off in the upper story.

SOCIETIES .- The only secular organization in Benton is an I. O. G. T. Lodge, which is in a flourishing condition. It was established No- vember 21, 1891, with L. A. Davis, lodge deputy; J. N. Atwood, chief templar, and H. A. Spencer, recording secretary. The present officers are: W. E. Coleman, L.D .; L. A. Davis, C.T., and John Taylor, R.S. The Lodge meets in No. 5 school house every Thursday evening.

ECCLESIASTICAL .- Early in the century there was no church build- ing in Benton, services being occasionally held in No. 5 school house by two old clergymen known as "Parson " Adams and " Parson " Lovejoy. The only church edifice now in town stands on the east side of the Sebasticook, on the Winslow and Clinton road, overlooking the Falls. It was built previous to 1829, by Johnson Lunt, Asher Hinds and David Reed, the first holding a one-half and the two others holding

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

each a one-quarter interest in the building. Though always belonging to the Congregationalists, the structure has been used by them in common with the Baptists, Universalists and Methodists since the reorganization of the church, July 16, 1858, and pastors of the three denominations have been at various times called to the charge. The reorganization alluded to was necessitated by the loss of the old records, previous to 1858. Under the original organization there was no settled pastor for a number of years; then Rev. Nelson Bishop was installed, some time previous to 1845. His successors have been: Reverends George Tewksbury, 1852-3; James M. Palmer, 1853-5; Benjamin P. Dodge, 1856-8; F. P. Smith, 1858; Henry M. Vaill, 1859- 60; F. P. Smith, 1860; S. H. Smith, 1860-7: Henry Marden, 1867; Frank G. Clark, 1868; William S. Brown, 1869-70; Benjamin A. Robie, 1871; F. I. Bailey, 1872; Charles D. Crane, 1873; John Dinsmore, 1873-4; Charles D. Crane, 1875-6: John Dinsmore, 1876-8: James Heath, July to October, 1878; Alexander Wiswall, 1878-81; G. N. Jones, 1881-2; John Dinsmore and A. N. Small, 1883; T. P. Williams, 1883-92.

The Methodist society has begun the building of a chapel at Ben- ton village, north of the brick store, on the opposite side of the road, and they hope to have it completed before the present year expires.

At Benton Station religious meetings were held in the district school house about 1831, but with no settled pastors; and now, together with the inhabitants of Goodwin's Corner, church is gener- ally attended at Fairfield.

At East Benton a Sunday school was organized by David Hanscom, about 1847, but no record of it has been kept. The next Sunday school was started by a member of the Buzzell family, about 1853. In 1888 a praying band was organized here by H. L. McAllister, of Burnham, and out of it, a year later, grew the present Sunday school, of which J. L. Buzzell was the first superintendent. Union church meetings are held in the school house on Sunday afternoons, conducted by a clergyman, when one can be secured; otherwise the praying band leads the service.

CEMETERIES .- There are a number of ancient burying grounds in Benton. One of the oldest, extending over the Clinton line, opposite where Mr. Abbott lives, was latterly the farm of Charles and James Brown, who tilled the soil over the remains of some hundred or more settlers, names unknown, who had been buried there in early times.

Another ancient cemetery was on the bank of the Kennebec at Brown's Corner. Up the river road, about half way to Goodwin's Corner, is a private ground, dating back to revolutionary times, in which lie interred the ancestors of the Fitz Gerald family. The earliest legible inscription on the stones records the death, July 4, 1825, of George Fitz Gerald, aged seventy-seven. The lot is poorly fenced and bears a neglected appearance.

Asher to Barton

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TOWN OF BENTON.

At Goodwin's Corner a neatly fenced private cemetery, of ancient date, has been always used as the place of sepulture of the Goodwin family in Benton. It holds the remains of Stephen and Miles, re- spectively the grandfather and father of Charles A. Goodwin. A few years ago the ground was enlarged, and lots in it are now owned by John Lewis, Rufus Reynolds, John B. Colquitt, George Shorey, Will- iam Wyman, Mrs. Otis Pratt, and Charles A. and Lafayette Goodwin. The oldest inscription is to " Olive, wife of John Lewis, deceased May 12, 1832."

The town cemetery, about a mile above Benton Falls, on the east side of the Sebasticook, was laid out about 1830. It is well fenced and kept in fairly good order. Gershom Flagg, who died May 6, 1802, and was buried elsewhere, is now buried here. James North, father of James W., the historian, died February 10, 1812, and was interred in ground in Benton village, near the falls. Here Mr. North erected a monument to his father, and afterward, about 1835-40, deeded the land to an organization of citizens for a cemetery. It is by far the best kept and most attractive burial place in Benton.

PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.

Stephen H. Abbott, born in Winslow in 1841, is a son of James M. and grandson of Stephen Abbott. He served six months in the late war in Company H, 19th Maine. He lived in Winslow until 1872, when he came to Benton. Since November, 1890, he has been mer- chant and postmaster at Benton. He was three years a member of the board of selectmen of Benton. His wife was Esther J. Cain. Of their six children but two are living: Annie G. and Arthur S.

ASHER H. BARTON .- Tradition says this family was of Welsh origin, but its earliest known member in New England was Samuel Barton, great-great grandfather of Asher, who lived in Framingham. Mass., in 1690, in which year he married Hannah Bellows, of that place. In 1716 Samuel removed from Framingham to Oxford, Mass., where he lived until his death. Edmund, son of Samuel, was born in Framingham in 1714 and died in Millbury, Mass., in 1799. His wife was Ann Flynt, and their son, Flynt, was born in Sutton, Mass., in 1747. Flynt married Lydia Crosby and settled in Sidney, Me., in 1773. Their son, Amos, mentioned at page 1224, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Sidney in 1780 and came to Benton Falls in 1801. Here, in 1817, he married Martha Hinds, who bore him six children, of whom the only surviving son is Asher H., born March 29, 1819.

Mr. Barton received his education in the common schools of Benton and Clinton Academy. He was clerk in the store of Stewart Hunt, of Benton, one year, and in the store of Philander Soule, of Clinton, one year. Though he began life without a dollar, he is now, through wise

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

foresight and keen business instincts, the possessor of a handsome com- petency. Though he has always been a farmer, he has not limited his business to that calling. He taught school several winters after 1840. From 1847 to 1850 he was engaged in trade at Benton village. From 1850 to 1870 he bought cattle and sheep for the city markets and for sale to neighboring farmers; and during the last fifty years he has carried on constantly increasing dealings in real estate. Though he by no means makes politics a profession, Mr. Barton, probably the most prominent citizen of Benton, is the acknowledged leader in shaping its party affairs. With the exception of the offices of treas- urer and collector he has held, at various times, all the public positions in the gift of his native town. He was census enumerator for Benton, Clinton and Clinton Gore in 1850; served in the lower branch of the

legislature in 1867 and 1870, where he was a member of the commit- tees on legal affairs and financial affairs, and was high sheriff for four years and deputy sheriff for twenty-nine years, during nearly all of which time he also held the office of coroner. He has settled many estates as executor and administrator, and is one of the directors of the First National Bank of Fairfield.

January 12, 1854, Mr. Barton married Eliza S. Greeley. They have had six children: Marion, born November 24, 1854, died March 18, 1861; Minerva, born August 16, 1856, died September 9, 1884; Asher Hinds, born June 21, 1859, died March 18, 1888; James Greeley, born July 11, 1861; Amos, born July 11, 1865; and Martha, born November 30, 1867.

ELIJAH BLAISDELL .- Elijah Blaisdell, son of David Blaisdell, was a native of Waldo county, Me. In 1817 he came to Sidney with his family. Deacon Daniel, one of his sons, came to Sidney on the above

Elijan Blaisdell

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named date, and was a farmer, tanner and shoemaker. Later in life he removed to Oakland, where he died April 25, 1864, aged seventy- one years. His first marriage was with Mary Blaisdell, who died, leav- ing four children-Samuel (deceased), Elijah, Daniel Augustus and Elizabeth S. His second wife, Salley Tobey, bore him two sons- Edwin and Stephen, both deceased.

Elijah, the second son, was born in Sidney, February 1, 1820, and died in Benton, March 27, 1891. He was a farmer in his native town until 1843, when he purchased a farm in Fairfield, where he lived about five years, after which he removed to Clinton, where he continued agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he sold his farm there. In No- vember, 1872, he came to Benton, and settled on the farm which was his home for the remainder of his life, and where his widow now lives.

He was married June 20, 1843, to Mary Jane, the second daughter and third child of Silas Kinsley, a native of Bridgewater, Mass. Mr. Kinsley came when a young man to Sidney, where he was a farmer and carpenter. His wife was Leah Merrill, of Sidney. Mr. Blaisdell was a thorough and successful farmer. The industry, economy and keen business foresight which marked his success as an agriculturist, were applied to whatever he undertook. He was a respected citizen, a firm friend and a kind neighbor. Politically he was a democrat. In religious matters his sympathy and liberal support were given to the Baptist society.

D. Augustus Blaisdell, farmer and cattle broker, born in 1830, is a son of Deacon Daniel and Mary Blaisdell, grandson of Elijah, and great grandson of David Blaisdell. He came to Benton in 1868, and bought of Mr. Foss the old Michaels homestead, where he has since lived. His wife is Lydia G., daughter of Captain Benjamin F. Huzzey .. Their four children are: Albert Franklin, S. Elizabeth (Mrs. Wallace Taylor), Fred E. and Flora E.

Alpheus Brown, born October 20, 1837, followed lumbering and river driving until September, 1864, when he entered the army in Company K, 9th Maine, serving until 1865. From 1866 until 1890, he followed dam building and has since been a farmer. He married Ruth W., daughter of Otis and Emily (Brown) Chadwick, and granddaughter of Asa Chadwick, who was among the early settlers of Benton.

Luke Brown, born in 1795, was one of the six children of Isaiah and Abigail Brown. He was a farmer on the farm where his father settled. near Benton Station. He died in October, 1890. His wife was Polly Gilman, and their thirteen children were: Rufus, Lydia, Sibyl, Luke, jun., George O., Abigail, Alvira A., Laona, Joseph C., Simon S., Orrin, Axa and Vesta-seven of whom are living. Joseph C. is a farmer on the homestead. He and his son have had a milk

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

route in Fairfield for fifteen years. He married Almeda B., daughter of Owen Gerald. She died in 1889, leaving three children-Anna B., Osro W. and Arthur G.

George O. Brown, the oldest surviving son of Luke, was born July 29, 1823. He was a farmer in Benton in 1870, when he removed to Fairfield, his present home. He was in the grocery business in Fair- field from 1870 until 1885, and was eight years deputy sheriff of Somer- set county. He is now serving as trial justice. His first wife was Caroline H. Fox, who left four children-Fannie, Paulene, Daniel D. and Florence. His present wife was Mrs. Louise (Lewis) Woodsum.

Joseph L. Buzzell, born in 1848, is the eleventh of a family of twelve, of Alexander and Nancy (Witherell) Buzzell. He is a farmer as was his father. He has taught twenty-one terms of school, and served seven years as school supervisor. His wife, formerly a school teacher, is Celestia. daughter of Thomas Worthen. Their children are: Ira W. (deceased), Ora O., Louisa O., George L. and Charles I.

JOHN B. COLCORD, second son and fourth child of Thomas H. and Asenath (Pettigrew) Colcord, was born in Fairfield, March 11, 1842. His grandfather, Wilson Colcord, came to Fairfield from Berwick, Me. Mr. Colcord remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one, and for the next seven years he worked at lumbering and in saw mills. In 1869 he took possession of the Moses Stacy farm at Benton, which was originally the Captain Andrew Richardson homestead. The follow- ing year he bought the farm, which contains 165 acres, and has here earned a place among Benton's successful farmers. The residence shown in the accompanying illustration was built by him in 1882 on the same pleasant site selected by Captain Richardson for his home more than a century ago.

Mr. Colcord was married, April 17, 1867, to Olive Anna, daughter of Jonathan B. and Celia (Pratt) Thatcher, and granddaughter of Edmund and Polly (Bassett) Thatcher. They have two children: Celia Asenath and Everett Stacy. Mr. and Mrs. Colcord celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding by inviting a large number of their friends to their pleasant and spacious home, and the many beautiful and valuable tokens which they presented this hon- ored couple, show the high esteem in which they are held.

Augustine Crosby, born in 1838, in Albion, is a son of Luther, and grandson of Robert and Abigail Crosby. He turned his attention to mechanical work when a young man. After working at contracting and building in Massachusetts ten years he engaged in the lumber business in Benton several years. He invented a dredge for gold dredging, and spent some time operating it. He is now engaged in saw mill building in the South. He served in the late war in Com- pany G, 3d Maine. His marriage was with Susan A., daughter of

I'MGone

RESIDENCE OF Mr. JOHN B. COLCORD, BENTON, ME.

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

Asher Hinds, of Benton. Their two children are: Lucy E. and Robert A.

Madison R. Crosby, born in Albion in 1836, and a son of Elbridge G. and Hepsibah (Rackliff) Crosby, and grandson of Jesse Crosby. He was in Massachusetts seven years, and in 1877 he came to Benton, where he is a farmer and teamster. His wife was Harriet W. Smiley.

Madison Crowell, born in Oakland in 1809, was a son of Baxter and Betsey (Hallett) Crowell, and grandson of Levi Crowell, who came from Cape Cod, Mass., to Oakland, Me. Mr. Crowell was for some years in mercantile trade at Oakland, and in 1839 he came to Benton. where he was for several years a merchant, and, later, a farmer, until his death in 1878. His wife, who survives him, was Elizabeth H., daughter of Isaiah and Oliver (Greene) Crowell. Their six children are all dead: Isaiah, Augustine M., Elvina E., Henry C. and two infant daughters.

Samuel Fowler, son of Samuel and Sally (Swan) Fowler, was born in Benton in 1798. He came to live with his uncle, Abram Wal- lace, in 1811, and at the death of Mr. Wallace became the owner of the farm, where he died in 1857. He married Paulina Chadwick, and their seven children were: Mary J. (Mrs. Henry L. Flood), Amelia A. (Mrs. Henry L. Flood, deceased), Sarah S. (Mrs. Charles H. Baker, deceased), Rhoda R., Abram W. (deceased), John O. and Abram Wal- lace, who was killed by a mowing machine. John O. is a farmer, and with his sister, Rhoda R., occupies the homestead farm.

DEA. DAVID HANSCOM was born in Berwick, September 16, 1809, and died in Benton, October 30, 1888. Until he was twenty one he lived in Berwick, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. He then removed to Albion, where he worked for Rev. Daniel Lovejoy, being in his employ when that erring divine hung himself in his barn in 1833. September 11, 1833, Mr. Hanscom married Betsey, daughter of John and Louis (Libbey) Guptill, of Berwick, who still survives him. Their children were: Lois G. (wife of Dr. L. Byron Crosby), born November 14, 1834, died September 11, 1865; Nathaniel, born May 1, 1837, died June 16, 1862; Sybil S., born November 19, 1838, who married Jacob O. Peaslee, a farmer and large egg-dealer of Benton; Robert, born November 19, 1840, died June 19, 1844: Mary Elizabeth (wife of Dr. Atwood Crosby), born February 12, 1843, died September 28, 1868; and Harriet E. (Mrs. Gershom F. Tarbell), born March 5, 1848, died July 27, 1871.

In Albion Mr. Hanscom, after the death of Daniel Lovejoy, built a shop, hired hands and manufactured boots and shoes for the trade in Bangor, Lewiston and other places. His health failing, he came to Benton about 1853 and engaged in the lumber business, buying and building over the Eaton mills on Fifteen-mile stream. [See page 1223.]

David Hanscom

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

On coming to Benton he bought of Joseph Eaton a tract of timbered land one mile square, from which came much of the supply for his mills. About this time he bought another tract of Reuel Williams, and in 1857 he built on it the farm buildings, and it was his home until 1867, when he sold to the present owner, J. O. Peaslee.

He served as selectman in Albion and represented that town in the legislature in 1848 and 1850. He was a good citizen, a valued neigh- bor and a devoted Christian. He served the Baptist churches of China, Windsor and Fairfield as deacon, filling the office in the latter place at the time of his death.

James F. Gerald is a son of James and Sarah J. (Trask) Fitz Ger- ald, grandson of William (1787-1860), and great-grandson of George and Eleanor Fitz Gerald. George died in Benton in 1825, aged seventy-seven. He was a native of Ireland, and came to Benton when the country was new, and settled on the Kennebec river, on the farm where the family cemetery now is. The present generation have dropped the Fitz from the name. James F. followed lumbering and river driving until fifteen years ago, and since that time has been a farmer. His wife was Mary L. Wardwell. They have two children: Gertrude and Florence.

Jackson Fitz Gerald (1815-1874) was a son of John, and grandson of George, above mentioned. He followed lumbering and river driv- ing when a young man, and later in life was a farmer. His wife, who died July 15, 1892, aged seventy-three, was Miranda, daughter of Sar- geant Joy. Their children were: Helen (Mrs. Edwin Emery), Frank- lin and Warren C., who is a farmer and occupies the home place. He married Lydia Cain, and their children are Edna M. and Leon W.

Frank W. Gifford, son of Thomas and Malinda (Tobey) Gifford, was born in 1853. He was in the cattle and wholesale meat business in Benton, from 1876 until 1881, when he went to Nebraska. There he was general manager for the Kennebec Ranch Company until 1890, when he returned to Benton. In July, 1891, in company with J. W. Sylvester, he opened a grocery store; he also handles farm imple- ments. He represented his district in the legislature in 1891 and in 1892, and was democratic candidate for county sheriff. His wife is Florence B., daughter of J. W. Sylvester.

Stephen Goodwin, a native of Bowdoinham, Me., came to Benton at an early date, and settled on the farm where his grandson, Charles A., now lives, at Goodwin's Corner. He had four sons: Daniel, James, Caleb and Miles. Miles (1776-1845) was twice married. His first wife bore him three children: Miles, Daniel and Love, all deceased. By his second wife, Mrs. Betsey (Davis) Pratt, he had five children: George, Lafayette, Charles A., Moses and Hester A., all deceased except Lafay- ette and Charles A. The latter was born on the farm where he now lives, in 1829. He married Mary F., daughter of Thomas Colcord, and

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TOWN OF BENTON.

their children are: Horace S., Seldon C., George W., Emma O. (Mrs. Frank Gage) and Bertha E ..

Isaac Holt, born in 1791, in Hillsboro, N. H., was one of thirteen children of Obadiah and Susannah (Jones) Holt. In 1800 the family came to Maine and settled in Clinton, where Obadiah died in 1815, aged fifty-seven years. Isaac, like his father, followed the vocation of a farmer. He served in the war of 1812 as clerk of a company. In 1835 he bought one hundred acres of land and settled where he spent the remainder of his life. He died April 2, 1889. His first wife, Sophia Emery, died leaving eight children, two of whom are now living. His second wife was Mrs. Lydia (Hopkins) Holt, widow of Jonathan Holt, a brother of Isaac. She bore him one son, Sprague, born in 1835, who followed the honorable vocation of his ancestors and owns and occupies his father's homestead, which has been added to until it contains 400 acres. He has taken time from his active farm life to serve his town as clerk and selectman several years and his dis- trict one term in the legislature. Sprague's first wife was Martha E. Osborn and his present wife was Martha A. Woodsum. His five chil- dren are all dead and with their grandparents rest in the family ceme- tery near the house.

Sargeant Joy was born February 27, 1796, at Berwick, Me., and was a millwright and farmer. He came to Benton in 1835 and died there November 4, 1886. He married Lucy Robinson, and their children were: Miranda, Josiah J., John R. (deceased), Martha A. Benjamin C., William S. (deceased), and Lucy J. (Mrs. Thomas Powers). The two surviving sons are farmers and occupy the homestead farm. Josiah J. married Abigail, daughter of Luke Brown.

Edwin Byron Moore, son of John Moore, a blacksmith, was born in Canterbury, N. B., February 2, 1846, and learned the trade of black- smith with his father, and came to Benton in 1865. In April, 1869, he bought of William C. Simpson the blacksmith business at Benton which he has carried on since that time. In 1872 he bought of W. H. Clifford three acres of land with dwelling, carriage house and stable. In 1884 he bought a farm, which he runs in connection with his busi- ness. He married Martha C., daughter of William McNally.

Samuel W. Reed was born in 1787 and died in 1876. His parents died when he was young, and he came in 1794 to Albion, where he was brought up by his uncle, Mr. Webb. He married Sarah Kidder, and they had ten children. Appleton W., the third son, was born in 1821, was educated at Kents Hill Seminary, and was ordained a min- ister in 1843. He has been settled at Stetson, Kittery, Skowhegan, Garland and Bar Harbor, all in Maine. In the fall of 1883 he came to Clinton and in 1891 to his present home in Benton. His wife is Al- meda, daughter of Franklin Barton. Their only son, Charles E., died in 1888, aged thirty-six years. He was a graduate of the Maine Cen-

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

tral Institute and Orono College. He was for seven years business manager of the Detroit Free Press and for two years assistant civil engineer at Minneapolis, Minn. He left a wife and one daughter.

Rev. Benjamin P. Reed, eldest son of Samuel W. Reed, was born April 19, 1817, in Albion, Me., and was educated in the schools of Albion and at China Academy. In 1840 he entered the ministry and his labors have been chiefly in the Christian denomination. He has been settled over churches in Readfield, Fairfield, Athens, Albion, Millbridge and Lubec, Me. His home has been in Benton since 1869, with the exception of nine years. His first wife, Ellen Homestead, left three children: Benjamin Laforice, Lura B. and Lena B. His present wife was Mrs. Adaline Hanson, a daughter of Ithamar Long- ley. His son, Benjamin L., is a farmer and farm implement agent, and lives with his parents at Goodwin's Corner.

Hiram B. Robinson, born in Wesley, Me., in 1839, is a son of Henry M. and Abigail (Warren) Robinson. He went to Pennsylvania in 1859, and in April, 1861, entered the army in Company G, 84th Pennsyl- vania. He reënlisted in Company K, 57th Pennsylvania, and served to the close of the war. He was in thirty-seven engagements. In 1865 he returned to Benton, where he was a farmer until November, 1889. Since that time he has been merchant and postmaster at East Benton. His first wife was Lizzie, daughter of Philip Emerson, and his present wife is Emily E., daughter of Henry Herrick. They have two children-George M. and Lizzie H.

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Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 142

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York, Blake Number of Pages: 1790

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York, Blake
Number of Pages: 1790