USA > Maine > Oxford County > Peru > The history of Peru in the County of Oxford and State of Maine, from 1789 to 1911. Residents and genealogies of their families, also a part of Franklin plan > Part 24
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With the advent of territorial jurisdiction came a monthly line of steamers. in 1850. He established himself in the practice of law. Having received a farm of 640 acres, offered to all actual settlers by the "provisional government"; was elected to the legis- lature in 1848, and was the first Rep. to Congress from the terri- tory of Oregon, in June. 1849. On the 6th day of August he
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started for Washington, D. C., in a boat propelled by Indians on the Columbia river and arrived in San Francisco on the 18th; left there Oct. 1, Panama the 25th, and Charges the 29th, in the steamship Empire City, and arrived at New York, Nov. 13. He paid a flying visit to his relatives in Maine and arrived in Wash- ington on Nov. 30. His course in Congress was marked by fidelity to his adopted state and the country, with honor to himself. He was a Democrat in politics, but in his letters home he writes: "It was a time of sectional strife, and I saw at once that I must unite and combine strength from all. I therefore shut up the book of partisan politics and opened one in which the Whig, the Democrat, the Freesoiler, the Northernman and the Southernman could read in harmony. Pursuing this course, I may say and trust it will not be immodest in me, I have the respect and confidence of all parties in Congress. And when my measures came to the test, I had the pleasure of witnessing practically the success of the policy my judgment had dictated. I say it to you, and I shall say it aloud if need be, I make no compromise with any man who desires Oregon to become a slave country."
It is sad to relate this man's career was short. He had but just begun to realize the boon he had labored so hard to attain, when he was cut off in the prime of life. He d. Apr. 9, 1851, on board the steamer California, on his way home, and was buried in Acapulco, Mexico. The legislature of Oregon in 1853 voted to remove his remains from foreign soil, and they were deposited in the cemetery in Salem, Ore., and in 1856 a monument was erected by the same authority, on the eastern face of which is inscribed : "Thurston, erected by the people of Oregon." His biographer says further: "He was in all relations resolute and determined, fond of debate and vigorous in defense of his points. His Fourth of July address of 1849 will be long remembered by those who heard it. He was kind to his friends, and magnanimous to all : a sincere Christian, humble and earnest in the praver meet- ing. as he was bold and defiant in debate. He made his way by hard and faithful work, attained success, and left an honored memory."
Writer saw Mr. Thurston when a boy. He was an exception- ally fine looking man ; eyes and hair jet black, tall and straight as an arrow, nimble and graceful in poise, and every feature resplen- dent of brilliant talents. Energy, enterprise and high ideals were the leading characteristics of the man. Livermore boasts of her
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Washburns, and Peru may well be proud of her adopted son, who, born and bred in poverty. dependent on his own resources, lead so brilliant a career. He was the only son of Peru who reached Congress. His widow m. Oct. 16, 1855, Hon. Wm. Holman Odell, b. Dec. 25, 1830, son of John and Sarah Odell of Carroll Co., Ind., who was one of the presidential electors of 1876 from Salem, Oregon. Children of Samuel R. Thurston :- Geo. Henry, b. in Burlington, Ia., Dec. 2, 1846 ; Elizabeth Blandina, b. in Linn City, Oregon.
The children of Daniel Adams and Olive Bray Thurston were Gilman, on home farm in Poland, and Susie, who m. Andrews. She lived and d. in Poland. John Gilman, b. Mar. 15, 1811, d. Feb. 20. 1830; Benjamin. b. Apr. 17, 1813. m. Laura Ann Pratt, Nov., 1843, removed to Poland, Me., d. Sept. 20, 1849. Wife remarried Pub., Jan. 14, 1856, Calvin Hopkins, Peru; True Worthy, b. Apr. 15, 1819, m. Pub., Mar. 2, 1846, Rachel Fisher Welch, dau. of Robert and Lois Welch, of Monmouth. He was a school teacher and prominent town official a term of years. He d. in Rumford in family of son. His wife d. there Sept. 14, 1909, ae. 86 years. Elvira Priscilla, b. Peru, Aug. 25, 1822, m. July 20. 1851, John S. Lunt of Peru, b. Nov. 13, 1819. He was a soldier. 56th Mass. Regt. in Civil War, and with his family enjoyed religion. They were upright. commendable and of good repute. He d. Oct. 2, 1881, ae. nearly 62 years. Wife d. Dec. 8, 1900, ae. "8 years. Children of True W. and Rachel Thurston :-
Samuel Royal, h. July 2, 1847, m. (1st) Carrie Whitmarsh of Boston, had son, Samuel R., Jr. : wife d .; m. (2nd) Maggie Cam- eron, "widow," of Boston: res .. Rumford Cent. . Wm. Henry, b Dec. 12, 1848, m. Salome Glover, Rd. Children :- Maora R., An- thony G., Willis H., Ethel M., George H. Granville True, b. Oct. 13, 1850. m. Ada Lufkin, a sister to Nelson Lufkin. Children :--- Earl G .. Nettie L .. Hermon L. Robert Lamont, b. Feb. 28. 1852, m. Anna O. Connor of Chicago. No children. Lydia May, h. May 24. 1854, m. July 17, 1875, John F. Goggin. ITis trade was a blacksmith. He followed it well a term of years. He is now nicely situated on a farm on Ridge road. Children :- Bertha, b. May 8, 1877, a graduate of the Normal School at Farmington, Me .: Everett L., b. Apr. 26. 1879 : Clarence T., b. Apr. 23, 1882. in Chicago, Ill., m. Mar. 19, 1903, Catherine Howard. dau. of Cyrus and H. Bernice Howard of Winthrop Me .; address. Rum- ford : Sidney, b. July, 1894. John Goggin d. Oct. 22, 1910. His
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death was preceded by two shocks at his home. Lizzie Odell, b. Jan. 1, 1857, m. Henry T. Burgess; Daniel Adams, b. Dec. 16, 1858, m. Nelly Peabody. She d. one year after, in spring of 1906. Child, Lena M., in Rd. Frank M., m. Cora Farnum. Their children :- Lizzie M. and Rodger.
Moses True
Moses True was a resident in town in early thirties. He m. Mar. 16, 1834, Eleanor Q. Kyle, dau. of Amos Kyle, and settled on a part of the Kyle farm, and built the house now owned by Henry Chase. He was quite prominent and one of the founders of Peru M. E. church. Records show he was one of the committee in charge of the building of the first highway from Bartlett farm up east side of Worthly pond in fall of 1839. In 1843 he was moderator of March meeting. During their residence here there were born to them five children :- Mahala, Mary D., John D., Edward M., Edward. Family removed to Fayette around 1845.
Tuttle
Family of Isaac and Rosanna Tuttle lived on the Jolin E. Gog- gin farm. Record shows children :- Russell S., b. Apr. 23, 1830; Wm. P., b. Nov. 1, 1833.
Thomas
Elijalı Thomas is recorded alone here in 1821, and record of death Jan. 28, 1847; that of Benj. Thomas, May 20, 1867.
John Tufts
John Tufts was b. in Lynn, Mass., son of Amnin and Jane Tufts. When thirteen years old he came to Brunswick, Me., to live and continued there till he was twenty-one. About this time there was call for soldiers in the War of 1812. He joined the Continental Army, marched to Portland and to Plattsburg, via Burlington, and going across Lake Champlain, the land forces, under McCoon, engaged the enemy five days before the shipping arrived. Tufts participated in an engagement lasting two hours. Soldier related to writer a short time before his death, Mar. 12, 1885, that the American ships had been lying with springs on cables a week, waiting attack of British. He was in the war ser- vice 16 months and returned to Brunswick. He came to Peru
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around 1845. He had a small place on the north side of Morrill Ledge-hill range. Writer recollects he hauled with an ox-team a load of wheat from his farm to be threshed at West Peru Vill. in fall of 1860. Three years before, his first wife, Olive B., departed life, and he, with an only daughter, kept their home. He subse- quently m., but wife left soon after their marriage and was not heard from till after his death, Mar. 12, 1885, when proof of death was wanted in her claim for widow's pension. His daughter d. a few weeks before his death. Both d. at Dickvale.
Josiah Tilson
One of the early settlers of Hartford was Josiah Tilson. His son. Robert, was an early settler on the "New County Road" lead- ing from Knight Ferry, on the south side of the mountain, over- looking Worthly pond, on way to Paris C. H. Several cuts of this region give good views of this range of mountains. The Til- son log cabin was located well up the mountain side, above the cabin of Thaddeus Oldham. Robert Tilson m. Charity Jones of Canton. Their children known were Josiah, Isaac, Robert, Jr .. and Appollos. The parent, Robert, d. Dec. 3, 1833. His widow lived many years after his death. Appollos went to live with George Walker till one and twenty. Next he was a clerk, and finally a partner in a gents' dress goods store on Milk St., Boston. He m. and lived in Somerville in 1850-51. He amassed a good property and lost through conduct of partner in early part of war. He began at foot of ladder and at close of war had accumulated a comfortable competence and retired to a country seat. Robert Tilson, Jr., was engaged in commercial line in Boston in 1850 and after. Lots of people recollect him a traveling salesman over Maine after the war, continuing till around 1897, when he was at Peru, having with him his second wife. They were then from Wilton, probably where he d. and was interred at Cambridge, Mass.
We are unable to learn about Isaac Tilson, son of Robert. Josiah, brother of Isaac, as reported, had three wives, and d. out West. He m. (1st) Ann Sampson in Mass., and had three chil- dren. Had a dau. by third wife. Referring again to Josiah Til- son in Hartford, we find his lineage vet living in Peru. He had two wives. The given name of one, presumably the first, was Mercy. A grave in the old cemetery at East Peru has a marble headstone with inscription as follows: "Hannah, wife of Josiah Tilson. d. Oct. 18, 1837, ae. 69 years." From these dates we find
Camp Worthly. Worthly Pond.
Leonard Trask, the wonderful invalid. 1805-1861.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
THEIR FOUNDATIONE.
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her birth around 1768, and from her birth to Robert's death a period of 65 years, and to wife's death 69 years, covering actually two generations, that of mother and son, if she be the mother of Robert. Moreover, it is proved that though Josiah, Jr., had three wives, neither bore the name of Hannah. The two generations were prior generations, therefore she could not have been the wife of Josiah, the son of Robert, for he was of a subsequent generation. Josiah, Jr., lived and d. in Cambridge, Mass. His wives were (1st) Julia Hersey, (2nd) Anna Keene of Summer, (3) Saphrona Hersey. Josiah and Hannah had dau., Hannah, b. Hartford, Aug. 30, 1801, who m. Scammon Starbird. Their dau., Mary Jane, is the wife of Peleg Oldham. Also dau., Sarah R., b. about 1810, m. Sumner Frazier about 1830.
Leonard Trask, the Wonderful Invalid
Mr. Leonard Trask, the subject of the following historical sketch, was b. in Hartford, June 30, 1805. His parents were respectable and industrious people. His father, Mr. Osborn Trask, was a diligent and enterprising farmer in prosperous circumstances, who early taught his children the necessity and benefit of useful toil, prudence and perseverance. The years of Leonard's minority were passed in assisting his father in the labors of the farm. The first labor he performed after he became free was done in the town of Carthage, where he worked at making bricks at eleven and a half dollars per month. In the autumn of 1826 he returned to Hartford and engaged to build 100 rods of stonewall for $100. He bought a pair of oxen for $50 and began work on the wall. He labored hard, completing his job in eight weeks. He then sold his oxen for $55 and went into the "logging swamp" in Byron and labored two and a half months at $12 per month. He next jour- neyed on foot to Mass., where he found employment, and labored the first year at $13 per month, and for the next year's services at $18 per month. He then returned to Maine and purchased a lot of wild land in the new and sparsely settled town of Peru.
His land was located on the east side of and nearly up to the head of Worthly pond and near the "New County Road," as then traveled to Sumner and Paris. He next contracted for a barn to be built on his land, for which he gave his next year's labor. The next year, being the 26th year of his life, he spent in building a house on his land, working with unremitting diligence by day and much in the night, sleeping too little. Being of a hardy and almost
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iron constitution, he performed labor and endured hardships that Would have shattered and broken down the constitution and health of most men. He m. Pub., Sept. 19, 1830, Eunice, b. Nov. 11, 1809, dau. of Goin and Eunice (Dorr) Knight, a worthy and interesting dau., well educated in all the duties of house-wifery ; she proved a fit mate for the persevering young farmer. He was then able to stock his farm with one pair of oxen, two cows, two yearlings, six sheep and a yearling colt. For a while success attended him in all his undertakings. His wild land began to assume the appear- ance of a well cultivated farm. Rich fields of grain, hay and corn now flourished in place of the forest and brush-wood which his diligent hands had removed. Children were b. to this hale and happy couple, and they rejoiced in the pleasing prospect of rearing the tender babes in affluence and plenty, and undisturbed by that poverty and pinching want that often embitters the life of the indi- gent and suffering poor. Little thought they that ere ten years should pass away, cheerless poverty would sit the ruling queen at their once pleasant fireside ; that the robust, athletic farmer should become bowed, the broad chest contracted, and the once erect and powerful man become a heap of misery and deformity. About the year 1833, as Mr. Trask was riding on horseback through a neigh- boring town, a "luckless hog" in the highway, hearing the approach of a horseman, took fright, and as is often the case with that per- verse animal, to flee from danger took the opposite direction from the place of safety, and rushed directly under the horse's feet. The affrighted horse, as a matter of course, stumbled and plunged, throw- ing his rider directly over his head. Mr. Trask was thrown with great force to the ground, receiving the full force of the fall upon his neck and shoulders. This gave so severe a shock to the spinal column that he was unable to reach his home for several days. Two months or more elapsed before he was able to do any work. He then attempted to do some light work, but it was performed with extreme difficulty and pain. Wearily he dragged out the residuo of that season, laboring while he was unable to endure toil more than an hour at a time, sitting down in the field to rest at intervals while the pain in the spine would partially abate. The next year his health improved. He could work with more ease, and continue longer without very severe pain. During that year he sustained severe losses in property and a discouraging reverse of his former prosperity. He owned at that time 18 head of neat cattle. one horse, and 20 sheep. Bloody murrain prevailed among
Trask Farm, Worthly Pond, east side. Cemetery at left of buildings.
Old Dick facing Dickvale on left. The old schoolhouse in front near shore of pond. East side, Peleg Oldham farm at right, where John S. Lunt lived at one time.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTUW, LENOX AND TILD-M FOUNDATIONS.
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his stock. He lost by it nine cows, four oxen, four horses and several smaller cattle. These losses weighed heavily upon the un- fortunate man, and the pinching want of money led him again to seek it in the timber swamp of Maine.
In the winter season he hired out to labor in the Dead River "Pineries." When he first went into the woods, the snow was four feet deep and the lumbering operation 12 miles from any dwelling. The camp the party expected to find had been destroyed, and they found themselves at night in the woods without shelter and unable to construct one the first night. Consequently, they spent a severe winter night in the open air, leaning against or walking around trees. The next day was spent wallowing about to find a location for a camp, and the second night was passed around their fire in the open air. The day following they constructed a camp, and the third night they slept soundly on cold hemlock boughs, above the snowy, frozen ground. In consequence of this exposure, Mr. Trask took a severe cold, and his spinal trouble revived with increasing torture. He supposed it to be an attack of rheumatism and strove to drive it off by exercise. In going to and from the camp he was unable to keep up with the other hands. While performing his daily labor, he was often forced to take his meal in his hands and eat it while traveling around a stump, the pain in his neck being so severe he could not endure it and eat. He was unable to rise from his couch of straw without a rope with which to draw himself up. Still he performed his daily task with the rest of the lumber- men through the winter. In the spring of 1835 the neck and spine between the shoulders began to curve and the head and shoulders to how forward: thence began the deformity as shown in the cut. In his prime he was erect, of symmetrical proportion, standing six feet, one inch in his boots, and weighing 199 pounds. In 185% he measured to chin, three feet, nine and one-half inches, and to his shoulders, the summit of the trunk, four feet, 1016 inches; weight, 134 pounds.
As time rolled on, disease of spine progressed and curvature of head, neck and shoulders increased. in spite of medical treatment, vigorons and severe, covering a period of eight years. Twenty-one practicing physicians. of seven towns, in a radius of 20 miles, com- prising all schools, Allopathy, Hydropathy and Tomsonian, then in practice, tried their skill in experiments on this one subject. Their treatment. as a whole, comprised sweating, lobelia emetic. vomiting, purging, blistering, cupping, setons, cutting deep inci-
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sions along the spine and bleeding. One doctor treated him lib- erally with a bed full of boiled potatoes, jugs of hot water, and bountiful potations of gin and lobelia. Another ordered a tub of cold water, and a liberal pile of stones heated. The patient was placed over the tub and a quilt thrown over him, the hot stones were put in the water till patient was in a high state of perspira- tion. He was then placed in a bed and lobelia freely administered. On his last visit, when the patient had attained to a desirable state of vomiting. the doctor left to attend to other duties. When the sick man had vomited to his heart's content, the inexorable lobelia would give him no respite, nor cease its demands on his heaving stomach. When he had continued to vomit 12 hours. his attendant became alarmed and resorted to pigweed tea to counteract the lo- belia. This restored quiet to the stomach, and the invalid came out of the contest, receiving no benefit, except the pleasure of vom- iting 12 hours. From this time his patronage of Tomsonions was not extensive. In 1810 Mr. Trask fell from a load of hay while riding from the field, whither he had gone to oversee some work. The injury occasioned by this fall brought on a fever which pros- trated him for several months. He finally recovered from the fever, but the disease of spine grew worse.
At this period there was a parting of the vertebrae of neck and back. This was attended with a noise like the low crack of a whip or of the finger joints, which was distinctly heard by persons who chanced to be present. When this occurred, the invalid experienced a shock and fell prostrate, and was unable to rise or move for an hour or more. The top of the head was numb, dizziness and par- tial blindness followed. Medical aid was sought. The doctor. supposing the difficulty to be caused by a rush of blood to the head. resorted to bleeding. This only reduced the patient and made him worse. The wonder is that 'he lived through it all. One only of the twenty-one physicians had sense enough to give advice without treatment. That was Dr. A. R. Kittridge of Paris, who, after careful examination, told the patient that his case was hopeless and advised him to spend no more money for medicine or medical aid. but Mr. Trask did not fully despair of recovery. Chancing one day in 1843 to pick up a hand bill of Dr. S. C. Hewett of Boston. boasting of the marvelous cures he had wrought, Mr. Trask resolved to try again for the recovery of health. Excepting the farm. his finances had run low. With the remnant he went to Boston and tarried with Dr. Hewett three weeks, enduring hot
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water treatment and attempts to straighten him by mechanical force till his waning strength failed and his body could endure no more. From the time he returned from Boston, till 1857, when his biographical history was written, his neck and back continued to curve more and more every year, drawing his head downward upon his breast till there remained but little room to press it farther without stopping entirely the movements of the jaws. Notwith- standing his infirmities, Mr. Trask continued to labor for a liveli- hood and sustenance for himself and family, yet he was totally un- able to perform the principal portion of farm work. A few kinds he could do tolerably well. He could hoe very well, working back- wards instead of forward. He was advised to throw himself upon the town, and told that a man in his condition ought not to labor, that such pauperism could not be considered a disgrace. But his soul revolted at the thought. In those days, paupers and slaves were sold at the auction block.
His historian, Sumner R. Newell, Esq., says that farming being so hard for him, and the result of his labor of so little income, that he tried peddling small articles of traffic, but his success was de- feated by his uncouth figure and deformity. The ladies and chil- dren were frequently frightened, and fled whenever he made a call. Having occasion on a certain time to go a short distance from home, he was walking very slowly, as usual, when he heard a sudden crash ahead. Being unable to see but a few feet before him with- out bending backwards, he halted to see the cause. A few rods in front he saw a horse and carriage. The horse was attempting to "right about face," to "beat a retreat." A gentleman and lady, the occupants of the carriage, were in the act of alighting upon a hedge fence, whither they had been thrown by the frightened horse. To go to their relief would only make matters worse. He therefore remained quiet. When the horse had been quieted and order re- stored, the exasperated gentleman, with whip uplifted, advanced upon the innocent cripple, saying: "You nuisance, why are you here frightening my horse? I will teach you better manners! I will flog you out of your skin !" The cripple being unable to re- treat, plead innocence and asked pardon for the offence. On learn- ing the state of the case, and finding it was not a trick, the man's wrath abated, so he let the invalid off without a thrashing. He retired, saying : "Such a man had no right to appear in the streets but if he must go out the community ought to furnish him with a horse and carriage." On account of Mr. Trask's strange and pe-
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culiar form, many showmen have attempted to hire him to go before the public on exhibition for pay, but he would not consent. As he viewed it, if his singular form presented a subject of curi- osity and wonder, it should be free to every one. He did consent, however, to accompany his historian .to New York, carrying with them a pamphlet edition, 34 pages, size 4 by 6 inches, "A brief historical sketch of the life and sufferings of Leonard Trask, the wonderful invalid." They sold the books at five or ten cents each to whoever they met and would buy. The sight of the man on the streets of the city induced many to buy. Of course their ex- penses were considerable. His neighbors yet living say that Mr. Trask did not profit much by the transaction. He related how a doctor in New York offered to give $500 for his body when he should die. This talk led his family to fear, about four years later, that his grave would be robbed, when a night watch was kept some two weeks. Writer knew this man well for a term of years; was at his bedside about two weeks prior to his death, and has personal knowledge that his condition is not overdrawn or too highly col- ored, except the space in the cut from top of head to shoulder is twice too long.
The children of Leonard Trask born in Peru :- Susan Holman Trask, b. Apr. 8, 1833, m. Patrick Darrington ; Orville K., b. Mar. 15, 1835, m. Sophia Smith in Livermore. He was Must. Co. I, 23d Me. Vols., Sept. 29. 1862, d. of small-pox in army service, Mar. 18, 1863; Sarah Elizabeth, b. Sept. 18, 1837, m. Columbus Oldham; Wm. Henry H., b. June 23, 1840. When 21 he was Must. Oct. 4, 1861, Co. H. 10th Me. Regt. At close of war service he m. Jan. 17, 1864, Betsey L., dau. of John C. Wyman and set- tled on home farm. Son, Bion, b. 1866, d. 1888 of consumption. Wife b. 1837, d. July 25, 1874. Hem. (2nd) Mar. 6, 1882, Flora E. Philbrick of Roxbury. Children, Charles and Bert. The lat- ter is on home farm. Parent, Wm. H., d. Apr. 9. 1903, of army disability. Widow got a pension ; accrued due husband, over $700. Her attorney deposited most of it in savings bank for her. Had a guardian held the same in trust, it might have benefited the needy woman. As it was, she fooled it away. Widow, Flora E. Trask, d. in Lewiston, May 12, 1910. Fanny Hall Trask, b. June 11, 1842, m. Jan., 1869, Alanson Lovejoy, "widowed," of Paris. It is claimed he was in army service. His grave, unmarked, is in Pond cemetery, beside wife. Wife d. Oct. 13. 1894.
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