USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892 > Part 144
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The store at the Ferry now occupied by William Totman was opened by his father, John, about 1832. Twenty years later the senior Tot- man sold the store to the community, and for some time it was con- ducted on the cooperative plan, but it did not prove a success. At the time of selling this store, Mr. Totman built another about ten rods northwest of the old store. About 1872 this building was moved across the river to East Fairfield, and Mr. Totman repurchased from the district his former store. A short distance north of this building Manly Morrison erected, in 1880, a store, which was burned in 1883.
About 1800 a Baptist church was organized here, but it has never had an edifice of its own. The society worshipped in District No. 2 school house until the Good Templars' Hall was erected, just north of the Ferry, about twenty-five years ago, since which time services have been held in that building. The society has now dwindled down to about a dozen members, both of its deacons are dead, and its records are lost.
The Second Freewill Baptist Church of Clinton was organized May 17, 1874, with about fifty members. Until 1890 the congregation worshiped on alternate Sundays with the Baptist society in Good Templars' Hall. In the last named year the erection of a meeting house was begun, and on November 9th of the same year, the building was dedicated. It is a modest structure, standing on the bank of the river overlooking the ferry. The successive pastors have been: Rev- erends I. N. Bates and Samuel Savage, 1874 (preaching alternately); I. N. Bates, 1877; Samuel Savage, 1880; Miss Isadore Haynes, 1881; L. Given. 1882; E. Z. Whitman, 1883; Willard. Carr, 1885; E. G. Page, 1887, and Rev. A. D. Dodge, 1890.
A private cemetery, located just south of George Joy's farm, near the Canaan line, was in use previous to 1800, and the remains of a number of old settlers, among them those of Isaac Keene, a revolu- tionary soldier, are here interred. In 1847 the ground was substan- tially fenced by James Morrison, John and George Joy and George Pettigrew. Altogether about one hundred have here found a last resting place.
NOBLE'S FERRY .- Soon after the revolution, Benjamin Noble came from Swan island, and settled in Fairfield, where he established a ferry to Clinton, about two miles south of Pishon's Ferry. It was abandoned about twenty years ago. Just previous to the revolution, Deacon Joseph Spearin settled on the farm at present owned by Jonas Chase. Previous to 1800 James Lamb settled on the farm now
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TOWN OF CLINTON.
the property of the widow of George Whitten, about half a mile south of the old ferry. He was afterward a pensioner of the war of 1812. James, his son (deceased), was born on the farm about 1800. Francis Low lived on the farm now occupied by his son, James. He bought cattle, and drove them on foot to the Brighton, Mass., market, the trips usually consuming a fortnight. About the same time Mephibo- sheth Cain, father of Daniel, lived on the river road above Francis Low's farm.
About 1810 the Spearins, Deacon Joseph, Benjamin and John, built a saw mill on what is at present known as Jackins' Brook. Only the site is now visible. In the neighborhood of 1860, in the northern part of the old Spearin farm, Abijah Parker had a blacksmith shop: but is not now in existence.
On the farm of Jonas Chase the town has a cemetery, well-fenced, and maintained in good order. It dates back to revolutionary times, and was originally the first private burying ground in Clinton, being owned by the Spearins, Pratts, Kendalls and Chases. The town bought it about 1833-4, and has since twice enlarged it. It covers now about three acres. Here, among many other early settlers, lie buried Gideon Wells, who died October 12, 1816, aged forty-four; and Amy, wife of Stevens Kendall, who died August 14, 1814, aged twenty- nine.
MORRISON'S CORNER .- Mordecai Moers was the earliest known set- tler of Morrison's Corner. He lived on the hill south of the Corner, and when he died, fifty years ago, was said to have attained the re- markable age of 105. His son, John, lived in a house on the present Weymouth farm until about 1850, when he died at the age of eighty- five. Previous to 1810 John Flood settled on the Ridge road from the Corner to Canaan. He lived on the farm now owned by Ebenezer Lewis. The latter's father, John, bought the place of Flood, previous to 1860. About 1820 James Morrison settled on the farm now owned by Martin Jewell, and about the same time Samuel Weymouth settled on the land now occupied by his son, Alfred. About 1810 a man named Miller built a saw mill on a brook west of the Corner. It was abandoned about 1820, and only the site now remains.
James Morrison kept a small store in his house about sixty years ago. It was the first opened at the Corner. The next store, which was burned about twenty-five years ago, was kept by Samuel Wey- mouth, on the site of that now occupied by Martin Jewell, and in which the post office is located. This latter store was built in 1885 by Alfred Weymouth and John B. Rowe. Another store, burned about 1872, was run by George Woodsum, across the road, east from the post office, on land now owned by Gideon Wells' heirs. A store was built by Mr. Wells, about 1870, on the site of that formerly occu- pied by Samuel Weymouth. It was run by Pratt & Hodgdon, but was
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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
also burned about 1880. After the civil war Llewellyn Decker kept a store near where the post office stands; but fifteen years ago he built his present store on his farm, and closed his former place of business.
About 1830 a stage was run from Waterville to Canaan, first by way of Noble's Ferry and Morrison's Corner, and afterward by way of Pishon's Ferry. It was driven by Captain Joseph Morrison (who, prior to this, carried the mail on horseback from Waterville to Canaan), and was run to intersect, at the latter town, the stage route from Bangor to Skowhegan.
The Freewill Baptist Society at Morrison's Corner was organized September 22, 1827, and held its first meetings in the district school house. The records of the society have been very loosely kept, and only the barest outline of the church's history can be gathered from them. The church building, erected in 1850, and dedicated in 1852, stands just north of the Corner, on the road to Pishon's Ferry. It was, and still is, a Union church, but is used principally by the Free- will Baptists. So far as can be gathered, those who have preached in the church, both of the Methodist and Baptist denominations, are: -- Addington, previous to 1851; A. I. Buker, 1851-3 and 1867; Joseph Spearin, 1853, 1860, 1866; - Bush, 1854; D. Lancaster, 1858-9; Au- gustus Bowman, 1861; Isaac Bates, 1869; Nathan Turner, 1870; S. Sav- age, 1874-6; and G. W. Cortes, 1878, 1881. Of late years the society has became somewhat disorganized, and no regular services have been held in the church.
A neatly fenced private cemetery, now containing some three-score graves, was laid out a few rods west of the Corner, about fifty years ago, by Gideon Wells, James Morrison, Samuel Weymouth, Robert Cain and Joseph Monson.
DECKER'S CORNER .- The father of Stephen Decker settled here about 1800. Stephen, then a child, came with his father to Clin- ton, and died in 1873. Stephen's sons, David and Isaac, lived and died on the old farm. Isaac's son, Elsworth, now occupies the place. Ebenezer, father of John Lewis, lived on the farm now owned by his grandson, George H. Moses, father of Samuel Weymouth, lived on what is now the Homan Pratt farm, prior to 1800. He was about ninety years old when he died, early in the 'forties. Other old set- tlers in this neighborhood were: Aaron, Lewis, Abner and James Eldridge, brothers, who lived on the farm now owned by John Low. Their father came here from Boston long prior to 1800.
About seventy years ago Stephen Decker kept a store at the Cor- ner in what is now Henry E. Decker's wagon house, and ten years later John Weymouth kept a blacksmith shop near by.
Some distance eastward from the Corner Bryant Flye built, about 1832, a small grist mill on the Twelve-mile stream, near what is
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TOWN OF CLINTON.
known as the " Horseback road." Shortly afterward Flye sold to A. Owens. About 1854 Owens took Charles Brimner as a partner, who soon after bought out Owens' interest, and put in a saw, shingle and lath machine. About 1860 he built a carriage shop in addition to the mill. He sold this shop to Austin Larie in 1874, and three years later went to California, since which time his son, James, has attended to the business.
Two miles above Brimner's mill Oliver C. Dickey started an up and down saw mill, about 1842; and about 1854 he built a saw and shingle mill on the Avery brook on his farm. The former mill is now rotted down, no trace of it being left; the latter is still run by Oliver's son, James.
WOODSUM'S CORNER .- Abiather Woodsum, for whom the Corner is named, settled here previous to 1820. He and Daniel Holt and Grandnief Goodwin kept general stores in the neighborhood about 1840, but they have long ceased to exist-both stores and store- keepers.
An extensive farmer for those times was Abner True, who lived, about 1827, near the cemetery on the Morrison's Corner road. The farm is now occupied by his son, Abner. About half a mile southeast of this farm George Reynolds lived, prior to 1840, on the land now owned by his son, John.
A short distance west of the town house, which stands about equi- distant from Clinton village and Morrison's Corner, is a cemetery dating prior to 1817. It was at first a private ground, but the town now controls it. Though fairly fenced, it is within a wilderness of weeds and bushes, and bears evidence of long-continued neglect. In this desolate spot lie buried: Johnson Lunt, b. 1763, d. 1830; Abner True, b. 1777, d. 1838; Abiather Woodsum, b. 1786, d. 1847, and mem- bers of the Weymouth, Wyman, Wood, Small, Roundy, Brackett and Holt families.
CIVIL HISTORY .- The following is the list of the selectmen, the first year of each man's service, and the number of times elected (when more than one), being given: 1795, Captain Andrew Richard- son, 7, John Burrill, 4, Silas Barron; 1796, Gershom Flagg, Timothy Hudson, 3, Joseph Saunders; 1797, Captain Samuel Grant, Ezekiel Brown, jun., 11; 1798, Jonah Crosby, jun., George Fitz Gerald, Asher Hinds, 14; 1799, Robert Philbrook, 4; 1802, Jeremiah Hunt, 2: 1803, Isaiah Brown and James North; 1804, Alfred Hinds; 1807, Ezekiel Brown, 5, John Bowman, 3; 1809, Haynes Learned; 1811, Joseph Spearin; 1813, Obadiah North; 1814, Herbert Moore, William Spearin, 10; 1816, William Eames, 5; 1817, Nathaniel Healey and Henry John- son; 1818, Hobart Richardson, 6, Abijah Brown, 8; 1819, Israel Fox; 1820, John Fitz Gerald; 1824, Thomas Brown, 3; 1825, David Hunter, 10; 1827, Joseph Clarke; 1828, Whiting Robinson, 3; 1829, Stephen
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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
Decker; 1830, John H. Stinchfield, 11, James Hunter, 4; 1831, James Smith; 1832, William Ames, 4; 1836, Daniel Wells and Joseph P. Piper; 1837, Alfred Hunter, Samuel Weymouth, 10; 1838, Richard Wells, 7; 1840, James W. North and James D. Barrill; 1841, Joab Har- riman, 3, D. H. Brown: 1842, Francis Low, 4; 1843, Joseph Monson; 1844, Samuel Burrill, 2; 1845, Orrin Smith, 5; 1846, Jesse Baker, 3; 1847, Charles Jewett; 1848, Samuel Haines, 7, Matthew Pratt, 2; 1849, Sargent Jewell, 3; 1852, Abner True; 1853, Joseph Piper; 1855, Asa Pratt; 1856, David P. Chase; 1857, Thomas B. Stinchfield, 2, Samuel Parkman, 2, Moses Dixon, 2; 1859, Parker Piper, 2, Japheth M. Winn, 8, Shepherd Weymouth; 1860, Thomas J. Richardson; 1861, Simon Woodsum; 1862, Charles W. Billings; 1864, Joseph Spearin, jun., 4; 1866, William Lamb, 3, Alfred L. Brown, 8, William H. Leavitt; 1867, Benjamin Morrison, Samuel S. Foster and Sewell Brown; 1868, Orrin B. Holt, 2; 1870, G. W. Farnham and B. F. Chase; 1871, Jonas Chase, 3, Thomas M. Galusha, 3; 1874, John P. Billings, 4. Howard W. Dodge, 8; 1876, Edmund Parkman, 2; 1878, David Cain; 1879, Alfred Wey- mouth, 7, Martin Jewell; 1880, Noah M. Prescott, 3; 1882, Edward E. Piper, Reuel W. Gerald, 5; 1884, Asa Haines, 2; 1885, Sylvester Pow- ell, George A. Spearin and James E. Stewart; 1887, James L. Wey- mouth, 2, Willis Cain; 1888, George Higgins; 1889, Manly Morrison, 4, George S. Ricker, 4.
The following have acted as town clerks since the incorporation: 1795, Ezekiel Brown, jun .; 1796, Gershom Flagg: 1797, Ezekiel Brown, jun .; 1798, Andrew Richardson; 1799, Ezekiel Brown; 1801, Gershom Flagg; 1809, Ebenezer Heald, jun .; 1813, Jeremiah Hunt; 1815, Asher Hinds; 1816, Odiorne Heald; 1817, Nathaniel Healey; 1818, Joseph Clarke; 1823, Whiting Robinson; 1836, John H. Stinchfield; 1839, Charles Jewett; 1840, John H. Stinchfield; 1841, Charles Jewett; 1844, Joseph Monson; 1845, Philander Soule; 1847, Rev. A. Buker; 1848, John Totman; 1850, John H. Stinchfield; 1855, Jesse Baker; 1857, Charles W. Billings; 1859, Cornelius H. Kidder; 1861, Albert Hunter: 1863, Cornelius H. Kidder; 1867, William H. Bigelow; 1868, Cornelius H. Kidder; 1870, Alpheus Rowell; 1871, Elbridge G. Hodgdon; 1874, Cornelius H. Kidder; 1875, Mark P. Hatch: 1877, Cornelius H. Kid- der; 1880, Howard W. Dodge, and since 1889, C. C. Hayes.
Treasurers: Ebenezer Heald, 1795; Capt. Andrew Richardson, 1797; Capt. Samuel Grant, 1798; Dennis Getchell, 1801; Capt. Amos Richardson, 1803; Capt. Samuel Grant, 1804; Capt. Amos Burton, 1808; Gershom Flagg, 1809: M. Cain, 1825; Gershom Flagg, 1826; David Hunter, 1831; Robert M. Kimball, 1838; David Hunter, 1839; Philan- der Soule, 1842; Orrin Smith, 1843; Jesse Baker, 1844; Francis Low, 1846; Zimri Hunter, 1847; Samuel Weymouth, 1849; Charles Jewett, 1850; Charles Joy, 1851; Charles Jewett, 1852: Francis Low, 1855; Benjamin Morrison, 1857; Oliver C. Dickey, 1862; Benjamin Morrison,
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TOWN OF CLINTON.
1862; Japheth M. Winn, 1868; Alfred L. Brown, 1869; Benjamin Mor- rison, 1871; Japheth M. Winn, 1879; Howard M. Dodge, 1888, Japheth M. Winn since 1889.
The town house stands on the Morrison's Corner road, a few rods west of Woodsum's Corner. It is a large and rather dilapidated look- ing building, erected about 1820. Previous to this the town held its meetings in Woodsum's store at the Corner.
Prior to the erection of Benton a poor farm, about half a mile west of Morrison's Corner, was owned by the town. This place was pur- chased of the town, in 1840, by Matthew Pratt, and until 1867 the poor were cared for by individual contract. In the latter year the present poor farm was bought of Adam Goodwin.
The river road from Benton to Canaan was built previous to 1790; that from Noble's Ferry to Canaan, about 1812; that from Pishon's Ferry to Morrison's Corner, in 1834, and the road from the last named point to the town house, about 1842.
About fifty years ago a wooden bridge was built across the Sebasti- cook at Hunter's Mills, where the iron bridge now stands. It was erected by Haynes Hunter and Orrin Smith. In 1886 the old bridge was replaced by the present structure. It is 145 feet long and cost $6,000. Several miles up the river is an iron bridge 186 feet in length. It was built in 1891 at a cost of about $6,000, by the towns of Clinton and Burnham, and the county of Kennebec. Prior to this a wooden bridge, built about 1812, stood at the spot.
There are in Clinton thirteen school districts, including a high school, the total value of the school property being about $5,000; and from a total attendance of 166 scholars in 1800, the number has in- creased until in 1892 it reached 480. Some of the school buildings are rather old, but all are in good repair. A free high school, established in 1874, by an appropriation of $500, is held in the spring and fall, and located in different districts each year. It is well attended, and is as profitable in its results as any of the schools in the town.
The population of Clinton, according to the national census, was: In 1850, 1.743; 1860, 1,803; 1870, 1,766; 1880, 1,665; 1890, 1,518.
POSTAL FACILITIES .- About 1816 a man named Gilman carried the mail on horseback once a week from Winslow, through the eastern part of Clinton, to Bangor. Twenty years later, when the post office was established at the village, one Crummett carried the mail twice a week over the same route, and in the same way. About 1850 a stage route was established from Augusta to Bangor, passing through Waterville and Clinton village. The first driver on this route was Harvey Scribner, followed by Charles Smith and Major Lord.
The Clinton post office was established as East Clinton June 13, 1836, with Israel Owen. as postmaster. Dudley Sinclair was ap- pointed April 15, 1840; and on August 8th of the same year he was suc-
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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
ceeded by Charles Jewett. The name was changed to Clinton July 2, 1842, with the office still in charge of Mr. Jewett. August 26, 1852, Abijah M. Billings was appointed. He was succeeded by Owen Smith March 28, 1856; Zimri Hunter, January 24, 1862; Charles Jewett, June 15, 1869; James L. Weymouth, May 4, 1881; Albert Hunter, July 13, 1885; and John M. Jewell, October 7, 1889.
The post office at Morrison's Corner was established November 24, 1891, with Martin Jewell as the incumbent.
The Pishon's Ferry office was established as North Clinton, June 10, 1825, with Abiather Woodsum postmaster. Thomas Galusha was appointed October 13, 1842. February 6, 1844, the name was changed to Pishon's Ferry, with John Totman postmaster. The succession from that time has been: Zebulon Newell, appointed September 24, 1858; Benjamin F. Eaton, September 25. 1861; John Totman, Febru- ary 20, 1865; George S. Ricker, March 21, 1886; and Willis V. Tot- man, May 21, 1890.
SOCIETIES .- Sebasticook Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M., was chartered in May, 1868, with W. A. Albee, W. M .; J. P. Billings, S. W .; and J. A. Mor- rison, J. W. ' The hall over the store of E. G. Hodgdon was dedicated as the Lodge room, October 6, 1868, and on the same day the officers were publicly installed in the Union church. Fifty-nine communica- tions were held during the first year. The Lodge has grown from 58 members in 1873 to 102 on January 1, 1891. The Lodge is in excel- lent financial condition, and a movement is being made toward the erection of a hall of its own.
A Lodge of Good Templars was established in 1875, and existed until 1889.
Pine Tree Lodge, No. 80, I. O. O. F., was instituted in May, 1881. E. Hammons was first noble grand; S. G. Roundy, vice-grand; and Manley Decker, secretary. The Lodge now numbers 117 members, and is in a flourishing condition. It owns a lot on the corner of Railroad and Main streets, on which it is intended to erect a hall 50 by 80 feet.
Clinton Grange, P. of H., was instituted in March, 1888, with George S. Stevenson worthy master. He was succeeded, in 1889, by James E. Stewart, who still holds the office. The Grange started with some seventy charter members. The order is flourishing, and now numbers about one hundred.
Centennial Hall, in Church street, was built in 1876 by John P. Bil- lings. The upper hall is used for exhibition purposes; the lower hall is now the home of Clinton Grange, to whom the building was sold in 1890.
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.
Daniel B. Abbott, born in Winslow in 1835, is a son of George (1808-1877) and Lauretta (Wood) Abbott, and grandson of George
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TOWN OF CLINTON.
Abbott, who came from Berwick to Winslow, where he died. George? left two sons-Daniel B. and Albert A. Daniel B. enlisted in Com- pany H, 19th Maine, and after being mustered out in June, 1865, he came to Clinton and bought the farm where he now lives. He is a member of Billings Post, at Clinton, and has been commander and grand master. His wife was Emily J., daughter of John and Lydia (Bean) Abbott, of Shapleigh, Me. Their two daughters are: Etta M., who is a leading school teacher, and Edith L. (Mrs. H. M. Johnson), of Pittsfield, Me.
John Abbott, born in 1826, in Waldo county, Me., is the son of Reuben, and grandson of James Abbott. He married Margaret L., daughter of Eli Fish, who survives him and lives on the homestead in Clinton, where they settled in 1867, and where Mr. Abbott died, March 9, 1891, leaving three children: Nathan G., Ervina (Mrs. F. L. McKenney), and Rosa (Mrs. F. H. Church).
Hamilton M. Bean, born in 1841, in Winslow, is a son of Hamilton and Abigail (Roberts) Bean, and grandson of Joshua Bean. He went to sea at the age of seventeen, and continued in the merchant service until 1865. He then spent two years in Boston in railroad work, and in 1867 he came to Clinton, where he was a farmer until 1883, when he bought his mercantile business of Decker & Prescott. He married Hannah J., daughter of Abner Bagley. She left three children: Ben- jamin F., Ida E. and Carrie. His present wife was Clara E. Graves. They have one son-Ralph C.
Frank L. Besse is a son of Jonathan B. Besse. His mother is a daughter of Lewis Hopkins, who in 1850 operated a tannery in Albion. He was succeeded by William H. Healy, who sold out in 1856 to Jonathan B. Besse and Mr. Breck. They ran it until December, 1858, and in 1859 Mr. Besse took full charge. Frank L. learned the tan- ner's trade, and at the age of twenty-five became a partner with his father. In 1888 they enlarged and repaired the tannery, and in 1890 they removed the business to Clinton on account of better facilities for transportation.
Abijah M. Billings, born in 1797, at Mason, N. H., came to Albion, Me., in 1815. He was a carder and cloth dresser. He died in Clinton in September, 1881. He married Rhoda Warner, and their children were: William W., Louisa M., Charles W. (who was killed in the late war), Albert H., John P. and George M., deceased. John P., born in 1828, began to learn the trade of edge tool maker in 1843, at Water- ville, and continued to work at it until 1851, when he went to Califor- nia, where he spent fourteen years in mining. Since 1865 he has been engaged in the manufacture of edge and stone tools in Clinton. His first wife, Marcia E., daughter of Reuel Flagg, had four children: George P., Herbert R., Albert A. and Mattie L. His present wife, Viola J. Staples, has two children-Grace F. and Daniel S.
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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
Isaac Bingham, born in 1832, is a son of Person and Maria (Keene) Bingham, who came from Eastport, Me., to Clinton in 1828. Their ten children were: John D., Mary J., Person, jun., Elizabeth, Isaac, Herbert N., Ruth, Orena, Charles Henry and Everett W .- all living except Mary J. In 1854 the family, except John D. and Isaac, emi- grated to Illinois. Mr. Bingham was in California from 1852 until 1861. He served two years in the late war in Company F., 1st Maine Cavalry. He has spent six years in California since the war; during the rest of the time he has farmed. He owns and occupies the farm of the late Reuel Flagg. He married Ellen Dorcas, daughter of Zimri and Emily (Flood) Hunter, and granddaughter of David Hunter. Their children are: George A., Edgar E. and Francis E.
James Brown, who was a native of Norridgewock, came to Clinton about 1800, and settled on a farm just north of the present line of Benton, on the Sebasticook. His father, James, a native of England, married Nancy Hoadlet, a native of France. They were married on the voyage to this country. Their son, James, born in 1786, was a farmer until his death in 1861. He married Mary R. Hunter, and their children were: James D., William, Lithgow, Lottie, Alfred L. and Charles P. The oldest and two youngest are living. Alfred L., born in 1827, is a farmer and butcher. His wife (deceased), Martha H., was a daughter of one of Clinton's respected citizens, Reuel Flagg. They had four children: Lottie P. (Mrs. W. W. Bigelow), Georgia H. (Mrs. H. D. Stuart), Minnie M. and Edward Everett, born April 14, 1865, died July 24, 1869.
Daniel Cain, born in 1823, is a son of Moses and grandson of Ed- ward Cain, whose wife was Hannah (Rich) Cain. His wife was Betsey C. Chase. Their children are: Willis I., Oscar H., Charles S., Leslie M., Eugene, Daniel E., Hattie M., Josephine A. and Marcellus. Mr. Cain is a farmer, and settled on the land where he now lives, in about 1844.
William Cain, born in 1829, is a son of David (1795-1853) and Dolly (1801-1844) Low Cain, grandson of Edward and Hannah (Rich) Cain, who had seven sons: Edward, Moses, Joseph, Sumner, Arthur, Robert and David. William Cain's wife, Ellen F., daughter of Daniel Holt, died in January, 1891. They had four children: Emily L., who died in 1879; Mary E. (Mrs. Gibson), Horace, who died in infancy, and Eugene, who lives on the old homestead with his father, where David Cain lived in 1828. Mr. Cain has always been a farmer. His mother's mother, Elizabeth Chase, was the first white girl born in Clinton.
Frank L. Decker, born in 1857, is a son of Isaac (1824-1892) and Malinda (Leavett) Decker, grandson of Stephen (1789-1873) and great- grandson of Joshua Decker, who settled at Decker's Corner about 1797. Isaac Decker left four children: Bertha E., Manley, Frank L. and Henry E. Frank L. married Ida, daughter of Jonas Chase, and
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