USA > Maine > Hancock County > Sullivan > Sullivan and Sorrento since 1760 > Part 7
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Sorrento > Sullivan and Sorrento since 1760 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
The permanent High School started in Sorosis Hall at Sulli- van Harbor, in 1902, with Edward H. Smith teacher. The grade school down stairs and Sorosis Hall on the second floor. Tables, with chairs, were used for studying. They could be piled in one corner of the room and the Hall used as usual. For those who might be interested:
THE COURSE OF STUDY
First Year: Elementary English and Composition, Physical Geography, Physiology or Latin, Algebra, and Ancient History.
Second Year: Elementary English and Composition, Physics, Civics, Bookkeeping or Latin, Geometry, and English History.
Third Year: English and Composition, Chemistry, French or Greek or Higher Mathematics, and Botany or Latin.
Fourth Year: English and Composition or Latin, Geology and Zoology, Astronomy and Review Algebra, Review Arith- metic, Geography and U. S. History.
Quoting from the town report of 1903:
The interest of our citizens in the school is shown by the fact that a scholarship of fifty dollars has been offered to the first graduates at the head of their classes.
Those who registered for the first year of the Sullivan High School were: Margaret Dunbar, Nina Marie Dunbar, Elsie Simpson, Marjorie Simpson, Ruth Smith and Thurlow Work- man. Clarissa Johnson started with freshman, was taken ill sec- ond half of second year, unable to weather the distance, studied at home and was tutored by principal, took exams and finished with first class, with Marie and Margaret Dunbar, Marjorie and Elsie Simpson.
Shirley Bunker, Kenneth Bragdon, Merna Carter, Rachel Carleton, Eva Fenton, Adah Farnsworth, Leroy Havey, Hala Havey, Harold Hanna, Cora Belle Lawrence, Harry Meynell, Eva Orcutt, Harry Patten, Fred Robins, Stella Russell (the min-
77
isters daughters), Josie Nickerson, Georgia Urann, Ella Whalen, Irving Workman.
Josie Nickerson, Maude Colby, Eva Orcutt, and Rachel Carle- ton finished. No graduating exercises were held-only a dance to mark the occasion.
Although there were no competing teams of sports from other schools, they had two basketball teams to compete with each other, both girls and boys. The girls wore bloomers and middies or sailor waists. The boys wore knickers. They played basketball in the winter, and football and baseball in the spring and fall. A few of the girls played baseball with the boys, but they were con- sidered very undignified. They certainly would have enjoyed the softball girls' teams of today.
The High School Building was built in 1910 by Norman Hale (Clifton Hale's father), contract price $6,000.00, on the site where the Henry Workman house was. It had burned a year or two before. Henry Workman's family were: Augustus, Sarah, Alice, William, Thurlow and Irving. They had all matured and probably moved away before the house burned.
Teachers following Edward Smith were: 1906, H. W. Hall; 1907, Joseph Doyle; 1908, A. J. Whitney.
The first High School Graduation was in 1909.
In the spring of 1910, the High School moved into their new building. Mr. Ralph G. Reed, a graduate of Bates College, was the principal, with Miss Florence Hamblin continuing as assist- ant. At the close of that term, the first graduation in the new school took place, with the following members: Marion S. Mat- tocks and Seth Johnson, College Preparatory course; Fremont O. Bragdon, Irene W. Connors, Florence L. Havey, Marcia I. Havey, Armand E. Joy and Roscoe P. Noyes, English course.
In the school year beginning 1910 fifty scholars were regis- tered.
In the forty-two years since no outstanding progress has been made in the schools. A Commercial course was added. For a while the enthusiasm of sports all over the country seemed to die out. But about 15 years ago sports began to pick up, especially basketball. And so did our High School as well. When Delmont Merrill came to teach the Commercial course he also took over
78
Top-LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE Left --- ASH DISTRICT SCHOOL Center-FIRST EAST SULLIVAN SCHOOL HOUSE Right -- NORTH SULLIVAN SCHOOL HOUSE Lower-GRANGE HALL
the coaching, which took the Sullivan High School boys into honor places in the basketball tournaments. For two years they won the county championship, and two years went to the State finals and playing-off to the semi-finals. In 1952 the whole bas- ketball team, with their coach Mr. Merrill, and Superintendent of Schools Mr. Haskins, went to the New England finals to watch the games as a reward for their good sportsmanship.
Dr. Charles Sumner came to Sullivan as a practising physi- cian in about 1934 or 35. He had four children, all born in Sul- livan. Looking anxiously forward to the education of his chil- dren, and seeing the need of a better school system for the good of the town in general, he became much interested in the im- provement of the schools and did much study to that goal. When World War II was declared, and the hue and cry for doctors was constantly being broadcast, Dr. Sumner enlisted. He spent three years in the army, and on his discharge came back to Sul- livan to resume his practise. And, with his return, his line of ac- tion began on the schools. He was elected to the School Board in 1947, and immediately started agitating a new High School. Area schools were only in the offing, but that is what he wanted and what he began to work for. The going was hard, but more agitating and more discussions began to breed enthusiasm. The State began to formulate plans for area schools, other towns were consulted, pros and cons were freely passed back and forth, articles were framed for the town warrants, and henchmen were lined up on both sides. Hancock and Franklin entered articles but their enthusiasm was weak, for they had already negotiated with Ellsworth and they lost in the town meeting, Sullivan went nearly unanimous, only one No. Sorrento was carried by only a few No votes. Gouldsboro carried with only a very few Nos. Winter Harbor voted it down the first year, but on figuring up the advantages more closely, they carried the article the second year by a fairly small majority.
But with the three towns, the first year the Trustees who were elected were: Sorrento, Philip Martin, Jr., who became Chair- man of the area board, Wellington Sargent and Rodney Ash. Gouldsboro elected Charles Small, Rupert Blanc, who was ap- pointed Treasurer of the area board and John Parkins. Sulli-
79
van elected Fay Sargent, Scott Dunbar and Dwight Havey.
Members of the School Board were: Sorrento, Edgar Perry, Anne Fox and Alice Sargent; Gouldsboro, Earl Tracy, Ida Buck- ley and Gordon Bunker; Sullivan, Dr. Charles Sumner, Edward Martin and Robert Sutherland.
The three towns voted to raise $100,000.00 for a new Area High School, the amount from each town should be in propor- tion to their valuation, and preparation began for location and construction of the building. A building site was sought after, and almost every inch of the three towns was combed for just the proper place. High land for drainage, a good water supply, enough land for an athletic field, and for parking space, several plots were in view, but didn't measure up to requirements, and finally, for the ideal spot was the Robins Estate formerly owned by Capt. Wooster of 25 acres and purchased for $1,500. With a frontage on the site of William Lord's old blacksmith shop. This, of course, had departed years ago. The property was purchased from George and Margaret Caldwell for $4,000.00. Ground was broken and operation started July, 1951. Kenneth Bunker, contractor of Mercer, Me. Dr. Sumner died very suddenly February 14, 1952, and his well-founded ambition was deep- rooted enough in the organization for its able continuation. Later, in February, 1952, the board of trustees resolved to name the building "The Sumner High School."
Trustees elected in March, 1952, were: Winter Harbor, Ralph Gerrish, Alvin Whitten and Victor Smallige. The School Board was Albert Hallwell, Hugh Mckay and Marilyn Coombs. In Sorrento, Russell Bickford replaced Ann Fox. Gouldsboro, Francis Simpson and Wilson Francis replaced Earl Tracy and Gordon Bunker. Sullivan, George Jellison and Clarissa Suther- land replaced Dr. Sumner and Edward Martin.
July 9, 1952, the construction work on the building was fin- ished, and the contractor, Kenneth Bunker, and his men left the job with their tools. Beside the Principal's office on the left of the entrance, and the teachers room on the right, there are 10 rooms counting the large cafeteria. Nine teachers have been hired: Mr. Harold Blood, Principal; Miss Sylvia Gray, English ; Mrs. Leona Wooster, English and Language; Mrs. Guenevieve
80
Cole, Home Economics; Mr. Lee Joy, Industrial Art; Mr. Del- mont Merrill, Commercial; Mr. Arthur Cole, Mathematics; Mr. Philip Jones, Social Studies; and Charlene F. Blance, Science. Mrs. Doris Martin and Mrs. Helen Briggs are in the Cafeteria.
Kenneth Drake will be the Custodian, in charge of the well- being of the building and grounds. Three 54 seat buses, driven by Edwin Martin of East Sullivan, Neal Dow of Gouldsboro, and LeRoy Torrey of Winter Harbor, are in operation.
In the fall of 1951 a drive was launched to raise funds for the erection of a gymnasium to be a part of the school building. Do- nations and pledges were given, different organizations gave ben- efit affairs, and the schools raised money. This spring the steel, costing $20,000.00, was bought and constructed to the main building. As this is being written, high hopes are rampant that a drive will take place this summer and fall, that will raise enough money, at least to erect the frame and board it in, so that it can be used for school purposes until it can finally be en- tirely finished.
The deserted High School building in Sullivan is being reno- vated. Partitions have been rebuilt to make three commodious rooms for the consolidated first eight grades of the whole town. This has been much needed for some few years. Also, a light airy room in the basement is being finished to accommodate the first two grades.
With the new High School nearing completion, and the pros- pects of the renovated grammar school, enthusiasm ran high. And the Parent Teachers Association, that had been wanted and anticipated for so long, took on life, and with the spirit of Mrs. Reta Preble, materialized. It was organized April 30, 1952.
81
OUR DOCTORS
Dr. Roland H. Bridgham, is the first doctor that we have any record of in this town. (This article, following, is copied from "History of Castine," from the Castine Public Library, donated by Harry Meynell.)
Dr. Roland H. Bridgham, in 1834, a native of Minot, came here as Collector of Customs for this Port, appointed by Presi- dent Jackson. Dr. Bridgham first settled in Sullivan, Maine, where he practised many years. For two years previous to his appointment as collector, he had represented that town in Legis- lature, in which he was active and influential in procuring the passage of the Beneficial Act, authorizing towns to cause a gen- eral vaccination to be made. At the expiration of Pierce's admin- istration, he retired from office; but, a year or two later he repre- sented this Senatorial District in the Legislature.
During his term of office he practised occasionally and, after its expiration did so generally, and acceptably to his friends. He had always had great influence in the political party to which he belonged, which continued as long as his activity lasted.
About two years before his death he had a slight attack of general paralysis, which with other signs indicated the general wreck of the brain, sure, sooner or later to follow. He continued in business some time after, gradually failing, till two months be- fore death, when he became delirious, then unconscious, and died January 25, 1871, aged seventy years and eight months. He was buried with Masonic Honors.
Thus, the first known doctor in Sullivan.
In the town reports, Roland Bridgham held many town offices from 1826 to 1834, principally on the superintending school committee, and surveying lumber. And our reports show his election as state representative. He was not mentioned in any way as a doctor in our records. But tradition has handed down his valuable services as a doctor, and he was always spoken of when referring to him as a doctor, and many instances recalled of his services as such. He has always been held in high esteem for his pioneering practise. He married while his stay here. (See
82
Simpson record.) And his first two children were born here.
Nathaniel Johnson was less than one year old when his father, Nathaniel Johnson died. His mother, Olive Bickford Johnson, referred to as the Widow Johnson in the town records, was grant- ed the property, now owned by Clarissa Sutherland, Luella Dun- bar, the Edward Martin property, and also Fred Johnson. She married again, a Bowers, and when he was 5 years old he went to live with his uncle, Benjamin Johnson. He went to school 6 weeks each year until he was 15 years of age, when he went in the woods logging. When he was 21 he went in company with Bar- ney Bean and bought a track of land near Flanders Pond, built a mill and carried on a lumber business. He was taken ill when he was 25 years of age and sold his partnership. During his illness he consulted a doctor in Bangor, a Thompsonian. It was too far for the doctor to see him often, so he gave him medical books to study so that he might treat himself. He was ill in bed for several months with a severe stomach ailment of which the pre- scribed treatment was lobelia. He recovered and his cure gained for him a greater interest in medicine, and he continued study- ing. When his second child and oldest daughter, Clarissa, was 21/2 years old, an epidemic of scarlet fever raged through the sev- eral communities. By accident this child grabbed a bottle of the famous and potent lobelia that was reposing on the mantle piece, and drank the contents. The recovery from her very critical con- dition while suffering from the terrible fever, was nothing short of miraculous. By way of the grapevine then, his services began to be in demand. He went to Bangor then and practised with Dr. Burnham for three months, on his return he took up the practise of medicine.
He was not referred to at all in the town records as Dr. Nathaniel Johnson, but by tradition and family records we know that he was called Dr. Johnson and that he had a wide practise. He appears in the town records, from 1830 to 1860, nearly every year, mostly as first selectman, serving with Jabez Simpson, and Augustus Perry, with a few exceptions when he was town clerk and in quite a few instances, tied the matrimonial knots.
There were no telephones in those days, so a doctor had pretty much a route. The families would watch for him and hail him
83
.
on his travels; sometimes a speedy team would summons him. But for days and days he traveled, the only sleep he received was in the carriage, while his trusty horse carried him along. His pay was anything that his patients had to offer. It might be but- ter, eggs, meat, livestock, furniture, clothing or whatever they bargained for. Sometimes there was no pay at all, but the patient was just as conscientiously taken care of. There were no ther- mometers and the temperature had to be judged by the pulse and the dry, fevered skin. Dr. Nathaniel Johnson grew the most of his herbs and made his own medicines, and his family were well trained in herb raising. He began practising in 1831.
At one time in 1860 while he was going to Ellsworth, and fol- lowing the custom of walking up the hills to relieve the horses of their burden, he fell while getting out of the carriage on Kilken- ny Hill and broke his hip. There were no doctors this side of Boston that could set a broken bone properly at that time, so after his recovery from that he was more or less a cripple and had to walk with a cane.
Dr. Abner Johnson is mentioned several times in the town rec- ords, from 1840 to 1860. We have no traditional stories of his practice, but we do know that Johnson's Liniment has been a reality of which he was the originator. His medicine factory was a small building opposite the Hawkins house, and was later moved to the side of the road by the Mill Pond to serve as a blacksmith shop for Cyrus Emery.
Dr. Francis Corr married Harriet White (see White Family) and lived in the yellow house up the hill from the Mill Pond at Sullivan. We have no records of his practise, but it isn't likely that either Dr. Abner Johnson or Dr. Corr remained idle during the pioneer days of Sullivan when there was wide spread epi- demics and serious illnesses.
Dr. William Homer, from Franklin, found his way into prac- tise in 1860, and often made calls through Sullivan and Goulds- boro. He was a Homeopath, believing in just enough medicine to cure, but not enough to leave any poisonous effects. Some of our inhabitants now remember his long gray beard and gentle voice.
Dr. Frederick Bridgham, son of Roland Bridgham, was prob-
84
ably born on Bridgham Hill, in the house now owned by Mrs. Spring. (See Simpson Family.) After living in Castine with his family and studying medicine he returned here to practise in 1865, and lived in the house where his descendents now reside. He, too, had no thermometer or telephone until 1890, when both came in like a God-send to suffering humanity.
Dr. Benjamin Ordway, with his wife, Clarissa Johnson, and daughter Gertrude, came to Sullivan in 1887. He built the house where the late John Allen and wife, Annie Dyer, have lived for fifteen years. They inherited it from Mrs. Allen's mother, Julia Ann Dyer. Dr. Ordway was a member of the Maine Medical Association, and made several trips to Europe to the internation- al medical meetings. He had a painting made of one of the sailing vessels that he went over in. He had retired when he moved here, but he was very willing to go out on any cases in emergency, and he did on many occasions.
Dr. Haskell came to West Sullivan in the late 1890's and es- tablished his practise in the house where Donald Estabrook lives now. He was here but a few years when he went to Lewiston to do hospital work.
Dr. Stewart Phelps came next, around 1900. His wife, Ruth, was Bradbury Smith's youngest sister. He occupied the same house of Dr. Haskell. Dr. Phelps had the first automobile in town; it was a firy-red Maxwell, with no dashboard and no windshield. Togged out in goggles and a linen duster, he en- tered it from the back. It could be heard for a mile or two away and every one rushed to the windows or went outside to watch its approach. Those who were in teams or had horses, had to hold them, they reared so frantically from their fright. After this chunking horseless carriage had passed huge dust clouds were left in the wake.
Dr. Spiro Bridgham, son of Dr. Fred Bridgham, came in 1906. He and Dr. Phelps were the best of friends. They were seen frequently riding together, sometimes even calling on the same patients together. They were both exceptionally good doctors, and the town was well off to have their professional services. Dr. Spiro Bridgham saw better fields and went west to Washington State. He did general practise there and considerable surgery, be-
85
ing affiliated with the Wenatchee Hospital. He also became in- terested in apple culture and owned several apple orchards. On retiring, he returned to Maine, and is living with his sister, Mrs. Eaton, summers in the Bridgham House at Sullivan.
Dr. Phelps also found better fields and went to Pomfret, Conn., to do hospital work. He died some years later very mysteriously On an ocean liner for Europe he disappeared from his state- room and was never found or heard from again.
Dr. Hiram Holt came in 1914-15 and occupied the same house. When the telephone was put in, the number became 29 and was always the doctor's number after that.
Dr. Rufus Black came soon after. He lived and had his office in the John Hill House, until after Dr. Holt moved to Winter Harbor; then he went to the same doctor's house. Dr. Black died in 1936. His widow, Mrs. Grace K. Black, married Rodney Ash and is still a resident of Sullivan. Dr. and Mrs. Black's son, Russell, is a dentist, and son, Roger is a mechanic.
Donald Estabrook bought the house that had been so long lived in by the medical profession.
Dr. Charles Sumner came temporarily, at the death of Dr. Black, and finally decided to stay on and make this his field of practise. He lived first in the Clapham House, now owned by Linwood Gray. Then he built his own home at the head of Tri- angle Park leading to the bridge. (See notes on school.) Dr. Sumner died very suddenly February 14, 1952. He leaves his wife Enid, a graduate nurse from Eastern Maine General Hospital, and four children: Charles, Jr., now a Junior in Sumner Memo- rial High School, with a scholastic record; Suzanne, Robert and Deborah.
Dr. Charles Sumner encouraged and assisted Mrs. Hazel Urann to establish her Nursing Home in 1948. She took only the aged and infirmed at first, and then by necessity, began tak- ing more serious medical cases. The last year of Dr. Sumner's practice he was sending her a number of Obstetrical cases.
The Maple Crest Nursing Home also was assisted by Dr. Sum- ner. That was established in 1950 by Robert and Florence (Graham) Begley, in the Clara Preble House, last owned by Simon and Mable Bunker.
86
7/
SCHOOL HOUSE SULLIVAN ME.110.
-----
HIGH SCHOOL BLOG W. SULLIVAN ME. 97.
------
.
2000 0
Top-SOROSIS HALL 2ND FLOOR Center-NOW SULLIVAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL Bottom-SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL
SECRET ORDERS
The first organization was Union Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Good Templers (I.O.G.T.) was organized in 1866. Several sister orders were also running at the same time in the neighboring towns are mentioned in the minutes of the meetings. It was strictly a temperance order and their rules were rigid. By their record no violations whatsoever were tolerated. They had no compunctions about black balling an undesirable candidate or expelliing a disobedient member.
They elected officers every three months, and sent six to ten members to the meeting of the Grand Lodge with headquarters in Ellsworth.
The Good Templers built the hall now owned by the Grange by selling five dollar bonds.
Excerpts from the secretaries journal 1879-80-81. "Poor ink, poor pen, poor writing, Amen. Mollie Baldwin." "On recom- mendation of Mrs. Dunbar, that all members who felt disposed to pay 50c toward the organ should rise and stand while counted, thus 17 members obligated themselves". "Voted to have the re- mainder of the furniture as soon as possible, 31 members offered to pay fifteen cents each as part payment". "Remarks of Rev. John Johnson in regard to Juvenile Temple". "Voted to have a committee of 3 or more to canvass the town for membership. Jessie Noyes, Mrs. Dunbar, L. H. Pettee, and Edith Bunker were appointed". "Proposal of membership, Miss Lelia Clark". "Aug. 28, Program as follows, Select readings by, J. B. Johnson, H. O. Johnson, Maria Bragdon, S. J. Hill, Miss Nettie Graham, Miss Lelia Clark. Music by Edith Bunker, Declamations by, Lettie Joy, Lizzie Hammond, Harry Hill, Oscar Martin. Song by F. S. Martin. Music by Madora Bunker and others." "Voted that a committee be appointed to teach temperance in the schools." "May 1, 1881, No. of members 133, admitted 8, withdrawn 2, expelled 3, Brothers 79, sisters 61. Total 140. Condition of Lodge good, respectfully submitted, Faith, Hope and Charity, Ellen H. Preble, Secretary. No date available of when it dis- banded.
87
THE MASONIC LODGE The David A. Hooper Lodge, No. 201 Biography of David A. Hooper
David A. Hooper was born in East Franklin, June 5, 1856, the son of Lysander and Esther Hooper. He was one of seven broth- ers and two sisters :- Colman, Herbert, Thomas, Gilbert, George S. and Dallas. The sisters were Hattie and Sarah. He was edu- cated in the schools of the town, and was for a number of years foreman on Capt. Alonzo Abbott's granite quarries, later going into business for himself. In 1889 or 1890 he was in business with Samuel P. Havey. In 1892 William R. Havey was taken into the company when it went by the name of Hooper, Havey & Co. He continued in this business until a few months before he died. After he went into business he went to Bucksport, where he took a business course at the seminary. He married Miss Louise C. Decker, of Gouldsboro; in 1877 they had one daughter, Hattie H., born 1883. She lost her husband, Howard L. Webb, a mem- ber of the lodge, in 1921, and lived with her mother until 1935. David A. Hooper was made a Mason in Esoteric Lodge in Ells- worth, May 15, 1884, and a Chapter Mason in 1891, and was a member of both bodies until his death, September 12, 1896. He was not a member of any church, but gave liberally to the M. E. church and was a regular attendant. He always said that Ma- sonry was his religion. He was a good man, a good Mason and a good friend.
HISTORY OF DAVID A. HOOPER LODGE-1935
Previous to the founding of David A. Hooper Lodge, anyone in Sullivan wishing to become a member of the Masonic fra- ternity must join one of the lodges in Ellsworth or Winter Har- bor. In 1896 there were so many Master Masons in Sullivan they began to contemplate having a lodge of their own. Brother Edwin Clapham, with others, sent a petition to the Grand Mas- ter for a dispensation for a lodge of instruction, which was granted November 6, 1896, by M. W. Augustus B. Farnham, Grand Master. Under the lodge of instruction the brethren would meet at stated times to improve their knowledge of Ma-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.