USA > Maine > Waldo County > Brooks > Sketches of Brooks history > Part 24
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He was President of the Manila Navigating Company in the Phil- ippine Islands, and the first steamboat built in the Philippines was named "The Charles H. Treat."
Also at the time of his death, he was President of the Fentress Coal and Coke Company, the Monterey Coal and Mining Company, the American Petroleum Separating Company, the Knoxville Power Company and director in several other companies.
He was a graduate of the Seminary of Bucksport, Maine, which town was first named Bucktown for his great, great grandfather, Colonel Jonathan Buck, who was an officer in the War of the Rev- olution, and whose home there was burned by the British, his family being forced to live for two days and nights upon a raft in the River where, on it, one of the servants died. Mr. Treat was a graduate also of Bates College, Maine, and of Dartmouth College, and a mem- ber of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity of which he was made President of his Alumni, while living in Washington, D. C.
After graduating from Dartmouth, he entered the firm of his father, Capt. Henry Treat who, with his two brothers, owned a fleet of twenty-eight vessels engaged in exporting and importing with the West Indies and South America, spending much of his time in their offices in Cuba where his father spent his winters, and his summers in Bangor, Maine, (he having moved there). But after his marriage, he made his home in Winterport, going less often to Cuba, and while re- maining in his Father's firm, he, wishing to spend more time with his family in the United States, formed the firm of "Treat, Lang & Company", establishing mills for manufacturing from lumber also at Bath, Maine. Old newspapers state: "His family were powerful in
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democratic politics in Maine, but after much study of the doctrine of protection. he came to believe in the policies of the Republican party, for which he came out, and his speeches were so effectual and convine- ing that Hon. James G. Blaine offered him a National office, or any office available in his own State of Maine, that he might choose, but Treat declined, saying that as he changed his politics from principle, he did not wish to be misunderstood as having changed his party for polit- ical office. By request of Hon. Thomas B. Reed, of Portland, he made with him, his opening speech in Reed's campaign for Congress; also Blaine called upon him to make speeches all over the State for him- self, and he made speeches with U. S. Senators, Blaine, Hale and Frye. That same year the National Campaign Committee, too, called upon him to make speeches in New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania, and U. S. Senator Chandler, who was foremost on that Na- tional Committee, said of him that "he was considered a most efficient debater and that there was no speaker who had been in greater de- mand all over the country, nor achieved more satisfactory results than he"-although he was such a young man! During this period, I find written by him, in his note book ;- "New Years! Another mile- stone in life's journey,-a period from which date many perils and experiences of everyone. The Great Link to Past and Future,-a day for a new starting point. Sad reflections of the shortcomings of the year just gone, and prayerful hopes for the untried experiences of the New Year! How many mercies I have to be grateful for,-all my family restored to health,-the sweet companionship of wife and children still mine .- my own health improved,-prosperity in business and surrounded by comforts of life far above the average, I say a sad Good Bye to the Old Year and a Merry Greeting to the New!"
A year or so later, when making a tour of the South, he was per- suaded by his friend, the President of The Old Dominion Steamship Company to settle in Delaware, where he took with him many men from Maine connected with his Mills, and there developed manufac- turing on a large scale. establishing factories at Frankfort, Delaware. having branches at Crisfield. Maryland, and Cherrystone, Virginia. where he appointed his brother-in-law, Norman Bentley Huxford as Manager, when starting them.
Later Mr. Treat removed to Georgetown, Delaware, and there be- came President of the Charles H. Treat Manufacturing Company, and President also of the Sussex Manufacturing Company and President of C. H. Treat and Company, and President of Huxford and Com- pany, of which firm his two brothers-in-law, James Miller Huxford and Norman Bentley Huxford were members.
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Mr. Treat entered politics there and was a delegate-at-large to the National Republican Convention at Chicago in 1888, where he sec- onded the nomination of Hon. Levi P. Morton for Vice President of the United States; it is recorded that at this Convention "he solidified the Delaware delegation at a critical moment in the nomination for President of the United States of Hon. Benjamin Harrison, who, when President, told Mr. Treat that he regarded Mr. Treat as one of the five men responsible for his nomination."
He was unanimously nominated by the Republicans for U. S. Con- gress, and was the means of carrying the State of Delaware for the Republican party for the first time in history, and he had run with no expectation of winning, but the polls showed that six out of the total seven Legislature Representatives from his own County of Sus- sex, Delaware, were pledged to him for the U. S. Senate, and when the entire legislature voted he lacked only two votes of becoming U. S. Senator, which two votes he probably would have gained in time, had not one of the National Committee at Washington wired him that it was imperative to elect a U. S. Senator from Delaware that night, in order to have his vote to give a republican majority vote in the U. S. Senate upon a question pending to be decided in the U. S. Senate; so, in order that his party might win the passage of their bills with- out delay, in the U. S. Senate, he threw all his votes to Anthony Higgins thereby electing him, and being instrumental in giving the Republicans their first U. S. Senator from Delaware.
Although it is so many years since he lived there, his personality is vividly alive today, and memories of him as exact, as if of yesterday, is shown by articles written most ably by Delawareans (whose names I have tried by many sources to learn, but unsuccessfully) so that even during the great Democratic Convention of June, 1928, and when newspaper space for reporting it, was in greatest demand, "The Every Evening" newspaper of Wilmington, Delaware, June 30, 1928, devoted several columns on its editorial page as well as half a page more beside the columns giving an intimate view of the life of Claude G. Bowers. (who that day was in the spotlight and had thrilled everyone by his great keynote speech which opened that Democratic Convention). to a sketch of the life of Mr. Treat and the Delaware peoples' appreciation of what he was and had achieved, stating in part :- "Mr. Treat was resourceful beyond all other attributes. He was of the most enterprising and energetic of men who won for him- self a place in the social and political life of Delaware more quickly than any other outlander who came to Delaware to do business and
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make it his home. He came here soon after his graduation from Dartmouth College and laid the foundations for a new factory. To illustrate his speed ;- in just five weeks later, he had it carrying on making fruit containers, plaques, plates,-the first of the kind that had ever been produced,-and within two years the plates were sold not only in this country, but in the old world. The factory was kept at top production. The town and country round about boomed, Mr. Treat dominating the business of practically everything about him. He was deeply in politics. He was a rousing speaker, fluent, elo- quent, plausible and convincing. Indeed he was such a good cam- paigner that it is said that James G. Blaine picked him from among the best orators of his party to accompany him on his trip around the country. Mr. Treat was in great demand for National as well as local campaigns. His party-Republicans-finally, voting him the Congressional nomination in 1888. Even though there was no hope of a Republican victory at that time, the nomination was an honor to the great manufacturer, doubly so, for the additional reason that Delaware was not inclined to give outlanders any place near the head of even a ticket assured of its Waterloo. Treat ran well up to the front. The Georgetown manufacturer reached the apogee of his po- litical career in that memorable campaign of 1888, when Democratic dissension paved the way for Republican victory after that party had been in the minority since before the Civil War. Treat was always ready for emergencies and when the polls closed in November of that year, with a Republican victory, the count showed that Treat had six of the seven Legislative representatives from Sussex (County) pledged to him for the vacant U. S. Senatorial seat . . he could count on six or seven votes of the Sussex delegation all the time and these he could place where he directed-he was the G. O. P. boss of Sussex County except in those days bosses were known by the less offensive name of leader. No other outlander in the history of the State ever came so strong for the U. S. Senatorship, but finding that he was un- able to make the grade, he threw his delegates to Anthony Higgins. Soon after he disappeared from the political field to loom large and important on the National horizon. Mr. Treat's records still disclose that while he based his stump arguments on the need of a new con- stitution for the State he did not permit himself to fall into the cus- tom of "Muck-raking" that marked the political canvasses of that day. ... Surely he was ahead of his time. Business was not "Big business" then. . . . Mr. Treat was interested in all matters of public welfare of the State. He lived at Georgetown, Delaware, where his
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family was prominent socially and their home became the center of the active life of that community. Educated, travelled, genial and interested in all things about him, a student of the affairs of the world, Mr. Treat was most interesting in conversation and a host who combined the qualities of both the Yankee and the Southern gentle- man. His personality was magnetic. The career of Mr. Treat by no means ended in Delaware. He had high friends at Court in the White House or among those who had access to the President's ear for he was soon made Collector of Internal Revenue in New York, one of the heavily candied sweets of National patronage and later he was made Treasurer of the United States filling the latter post for many years and most acceptably. Those of us who recall him, remember his brilliance, his flashes of wit, and humor and his great optimism that was deep-rooted enough to have lifted Delaware into higher in- dustrial and commercial altitudes had such dreams come true. He was a good citizen and those who are too young to have felt the im- pulse of his "dynamic energy may desire some of the characteristics of the scholar-merchant-manufacturer-leader outlined here, so they partially visualize the Yankee who came to Delaware and won the admiration and esteem of all our people and thrilled them with his Munchausen dreams."
He was tall, broad shouldered, handsome,-light brown hair and light blue eyes,-distinguished in appearance. "He had a genial dis- position, was obliging and had the facility of quickly making friends and retaining them." Because of his aristocratic bearing and his affable, courtly manners, he was affectionately nicknamed "Sir Charles" by his associates in Washington. He was an Episcopalian, having identified himself with that Church while at Dartmouth Col- lege. He had a clear, ringing tenor voice in singing. After moving to New York he for many years had a country home in New York's suburb, Brick Church, East Orange, New Jersey, and after going to Washington to live. he and his family spent a few months there each year. After his death. his family removed to Greenwich. Connecticut. His daughter, Gertrude, is active in civic affairs.
He was a member of various New York Yacht, and Country Clubs; he was a member of The Union League Club of New York, and was a Director of The Grant Memorial Association which built, and cares for, Grant's Tomb on Riverside Drive. New York City, and also was a member of the University Club of Washington. D. C., and a mem- ber of The Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors prior to 1750, of which his daughter Gail Treat is the Governor Gen-
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eral. She is the author of the book, "Gov. Robert Treat and his In- fluence on Seven Colonies", which Ex-President Roosevelt so fully ap- proved of, that he, voluntarily, wrote and sent to her a foreword to be printed in its coming forth edition.
Mr. Treat was always appointed by public officials to be on the New York Committees to welcome distinguished foreign and Ameri- çan guests-among whom were Admiral Dewey on his victorious re- turn from taking the Philippine Islands in the Spanish War-and his family were always invited as special guests. He and his family were also invited to go on the Special boat in President Roosevelt's party of Cabinet officers, Justices of the Supreme Court and Ambas- sadors, and other high officials as guests of "Uncle Sam" to the cele- bration of the 300th Anniversary of Jamestown, Virginia, and when they were there leaving the boat to go in carriages to the Opening Exercises, the White House Attaché, who had charge of the ceremon- ies, and as to which of the distinguished guests should take precedence, told Mr. Treat and his family as the most distinguished American Colonial family to ride in the first carriage, and asked Ambassador and Lady Bryce, of England, to ride in the second carriage. Mr. Treat and his family were also invited by the Governor of Virginia and Mrs. Swanson, to be guests at the Executive Mansion, in Vir- ginia, at that time; also they were invited by the Jamestown Com- mittee, of that celebration, composed of the most eminent and widely known men of Virginia, to be guests of that Committee for the three days' Opening Ceremonies.
Mr. Treat was also one of the chosen few to be appointed by Pub- lic Officials to be on the Committee to go on a special boat down New York Bay to welcome publicly Ex-President Roosevelt on his return on June 18, 1910, from Europe and the wilds of Africa, but died shortly before Roosevelt's return, and only six months after re- signing his office of the Treasurer of the United States, passing on just two hours or so before he was to have delivered a Memorial Day Address, on Memorial day, 1910, while talking to his family who were with him in New York City where they had all been spend- ing the winter. He and his wife, Frances Emily (Huxford) who died Feb. 26, 1922 and daughter Mabel Huxford, who died August 12, 1919 at Greenwich, Connecticut, are interred in Woodlawn Cem- etery, New York City. Mabel was called "a patrician beauty". She had a remarkably fine intellect, and having a keen sense of humor was a brilliant conversationalist and a lovable Christian character. She was born in Brooks.
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JAMES MILLER HUXFORD, eldest son of HARRY EELLS and MARGARET MARIA (NESMITH) HUXFORD was born in Brooks, Maine, died of pneumonia in 1886. in Georgetown, Delaware; buried in Brooks, Maine. He served in the United States Navy during the Civil War, where he was kept so long on watch-nearly two days and a night- that his eyesight was permanently injured, but he always refused to accept a pension. He was of slender build, had a pleasant face, wavy brown hair and blue eyes and resembled the Nesmiths in appearance. He was very fastidious in tastes and dress. He was upright in char- acter, and honorable in all his dealings. He was a conscientious and reliable executive and a most loyal friend. Ever courteous and affa- ble, he was a favorite with everyone. His contemporaries speak of him as never having been known to speak a harsh word, and that he had not even one enemy. He was always thoughtful of, and generous to the poor. He lived in the home of his brother-in-law, Charles Henry Treat, and accompanied him and his family to Delaware, where he was the senior partner in the firm of Huxford and Company.
THADDEUS IRISH HUXFORD, the second son of HARRY EELLS and MARGARET MARIA (NESMITH) HUXFORD, was born in Brooks, Maine. (See elsewhere his biography written by his own family.)
NORMAN BENTLEY HUXFORD, youngest son of HARRY EELLS and MARGARET MARIA (NESMITH) HUXFORD was born in Brooks, Maine, died in Georgetown, Delaware on July 3, 1888, buried in Frankford, Delaware. He went with his brother-in-law, Charles Henry Treat and his family, to Frankford, Delaware, where he became the junior part- ner in the firm of Huxford & Co., and had charge of their Branches at. Crisfield, Maryland, and Cherrystone, Virginia. He was tall, of fine figure, regular features, had wavy brown hair and blue eyes. Dignified, reserved, but of a keen wit, and of a lovable, genial disposition, he made lasting friendships. Like his mother he was a deep student of the Bible, and could instantly place quotation's from it. He was discriminating, and intellectual and had vision which he actualized in successful inventions, having the ability, when he conceived an in- vention, to make with his pocket knife a model of it perfect in de- tail. In this, as well as in personal appearance, he inherited from the Nesmiths, being like his Scotch kinsman, Sir James Nesmith, who invented upwards of 500 things, including the steam-hammer. He. (Sir James Nesmith) also took the first photographs of the moon! Queen Victoria said he was one of the most interesting men she ever talked with. He was very fond of music, especially Beethoven's Sonatas. Norman Bentley Huxford married in the Church, in Frank-
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ford, Delaware, Mary Ellen Long, daughter of Deacon John T. Long of a leading family of Frankford. Their children were born in Frank- ford, Delaware, the eldest child, Lieutenant Harry Norman Huxford Commander in U. S. Navy, (see below) and Alice Bentley Huxford, who married Norman Topping Gum of Frankford: he died March 24, 1930, at luis home in Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pa. When the battle- ships to which her brother, Lieut. Huxford, was assigned in the U. S. Navy, were stationed in foreign ports of the world, his sister Alice, travelled to those countries to enjoy them with him.
LIEUTENANT HARRY NORMAN HUXFORD, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer of U. S. S. Lebanon of the Atlantic Fleet, during the World War, was eldest child and only son of NORMAN BENTLEY HUXFORD and wife MARY ELLEN (LONG) HUXFORD. He was born in Frankford, Delaware, in 1879, died January 26, 1926, (aged 48 years) at the U. S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., is interred in the Colonel Armwell Long Cemetery, Frankford, Delaware. He joined the U. S. Navy at the age of sixteen and served in the Spanish American War at Tampico, Mexico, and in the Boxer Uprising in China. During the World War he was promoted to be Commanding Officer of the U. S. S. Lebanon, of the Atlantic Fleet. The Navy Cross was con- ferred upon him, and he was cited for bravery, his citation reading: "The Navy Department having carefully considered all reported in- stances of meritorious conduct, by officers and enlisted men of the Navy through the World War, takes pleasure in commending Lieu- tenant Harry N. Huxford, U. S. N., for the following service which is required as according with the best traditions of the Naval Ser- vice-the Commanding of the U. S. S. Lebanon serving in the Train U. S. Atlantic Fleet. He rendered meritorious service, showing en- ergy and skill as well as good judgment and discretion." (signed) Josephus Daniels, "Secretary of the Navy." Nov. 11, 1920.
Lieutenant Harry Norman Huxford married Elizabeth Green Mc- Colley. Their two children are (1) Mary Elizabeth, (2) Harry Nor- man, Junior. He wished his family to be with him, so they trav- elled to the foreign ports and lived in where he was stationed in U. S. Navy. He was devoted to his family. He was a man of ex- ceptional ability and of great dignity and courteous manners.
MARGARET MARIA (NESMITH) HUXFORD was the daughter of ISAAC NESMITH, who was born Sept. 25. 1779, died January 22, 1846, aged 66 years, married January 24, 1805, his double, first cousin MARY M. ("POLLY") who was born in Acworth, New Hampshire on Nov. 26, 1778, died Sept. 25, 1847, aged 68 years. Both died in Brooks and
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are interred there in the Nesmith plot. She was daughter of MAJOR JAMES MCCLURE and wife, MARY DINSMORE NESMITH, who was sister of DEACON JAMES NESMITH, JR., who also was the father of the said ISAAC NESMITH. (See beyond NESMITH line). Mary M. ("Polly") had a beautiful, patrician face, blue eyes and soft brown hair. She was a composer of music and poetry, writing under the pen name of "Myra", and wrote stirring campaign songs and music, of which the writer has the originals. Others can be found in the files of old newspapers and magazines in Public Libraries, including the Belfast, Maine Library (said A. B. Otis). Her daughter, Margaret Maria (Nesmith) Huxford once sent us to read, a letter written by her mother, ("Polly"). It was penned in a fine, pretty, delicate, edu- cated handwriting. on a gilt-edged double sheet of letter paper, about ten inches square; no writing was on the last page which, folded thrice,-and thrice again,-one end then being slipped inside the other, served as envelope; it was sealed with a small, red wafer. She was highly educated, excelling in mathematics all others so, es- pecially, that she was appointed to assess the taxes in Brooks as being the best qualified person, and she assessed them for years. She was an expert horsewoman,-her light blue velvet side saddle was in- herited by her granddaughter, Francis Emily (Huxford) Treat who used it during her girlhood.
The children of ISAAC and MARY M. (POLLY) NESMITH were:
1. JAMES ORR (1805-1869) unmarried; was one time Postmaster. Greatly liked and esteemed.
2. MARIA FRANCES 1807. died Oct. 28. 1811.
3. CARVER PARKER. 180S, died April 24, 1846, aged 37 years; married Eleanor Williamson; they had six children.
4. WILLIAM MORRISON, unmarried. (See elsewhere).
5. ISAAC CLARENDON, born July 1, 1816, died May 5, 1878. He was a man of fine character, gentle. generous. lovable and exceptionally intel- lectual. He married Amanda Ricker; their children are Mary Eliza- beth and Edwin.
6. MARTHA LOIS. (1812-1844) married Albert Curtis. They had a son, Albert Curtis who died in early manhood; they lived in the next house to Squire William Huxford's house.
7. MARGARET MARIA, born January 14. 1814-died Sept. 16. 1900. Married Feb. 24, 1838. HARRY EELLS HUXFORD, born 1809, died Nov. 26, 1863. (Son of Squire William Huxford.)
8. ROBERT (1818-1824).
9. SARAH ELIZABETH, born August 4. 1819. died 1912, married, as his third wife, Robert Gilman Campbell, of Winterport, Maine.
10. THOMAS ALDEN, born 1822: a famous corporation lawyer of Cincinnati, Ohio; married Elise Lamotte, of France; their children. Constance, married in the South. Mayor Harrison. (2) Maric, (3) Elisc.
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MARY M. (POLLY) MCCLURE, wife of ISAAC NESMITH, (1779-1846) was the daughter of MAJOR JAMES MCCLURE, who was born in Bos- ton in 1753, died May 17, 1841. He was eldest son of ROBERT (1718- 1818) and wife, MARTHA ROGERS (1723-1790). He served as Major in the War of the Revolution. (See State Papers of New Hampshire, Vol. 8, pages 337-338, 945-946. Records state :- "James McClure was Corporal in Lieut. George Reid's Co., July 28, 1775." He was pro- moted to be Adjutant, and later promoted to Lieutenant, Captain and Major. Tradition says he, with his father, ROBERT, and uncle . JAMES NESMITH, JR., all of Boston, took part in the Boston Tea Party. They were all signers of the Association Test to oppose Brit- ish Fleets and Arms against the American Colonies, and they all went to War on the First Alarm. He removed in 1777 to Acworth, New Hampshire, and, it is said later after all his children. were born in Acworth, he removed to Charlestown, and from there to Waldo, Maine. His grand-daughter, Margaret Maria (Nesmith) Huxford said she remembered him well; he was of distinguished bearing and features; he had light blue eyes and heavy brown hair which he wore after the fashion of his day, in a queue, which she said she, when a little girl, used to delight in being allowed to braid and tie with a black ribbon. She treasured three buttons which he had worn on his coats, one having on it the crest of the McClures, and another being a cairngorm set in a wide metal like green gold. Also I remember her showing me the Cartridge Box and saying that he used it in the War of the Revolution and that it was carried by his orderly. It was of black leather, with a hand tooled edge, and covered a block of curved wood three or four inches high, and about the same width, in which were bored large holes to hold the large cartridges.
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