History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 109

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 109

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).

F REE-WILL Baptists .- There does not appear to have been any organ- ization, civil, educational or religious, for many years after the settle- ment of the town. From 1815 to 1820 the Free- Will Baptist denom- ination began to increase and organize churches in the new settlements of Maine and New Hampshire. Although their ministers were generally men of quite limited education, they possessed a simple piety and earnest zeal, and filled a place in the condition of society as it then existed. Pio- neers though they were, they did excellent work in controlling the elements of society, and impressing on the people, especially in the remote settlements, their religious duties and obligations.

Among those who first preached in Gorham were Elder Zachariah Jordan, of Raymond, Me., and Dudley Pettengill, of Sandwich. Their visits were only occasional, but seemed to excite an interest among the people, and it resulted in the organization of the Free Will Baptist church, at sometime between the foregoing dates. Elder Jordan seems to have been the chief instrument in its organization. Among those who were original members were Mrs. Mehitable Evans, wife of Simon Evans, Sanı- uel Messer and wife, John Messer, Elder John Morse of Randolph, Elaska Jackson and wife, Charles Evans, and Samuel Wilson. Elder John Morse came from Otisfield, Me., and was made the first deacon. He afterwards became a preacher. Elder Bowles, of Whitefield, is still remembered as one who preached for them. At a later period they had accessions to their numbers, among whom was John Burbank and several of his family. He was deacon of the church, and its leading member for many years. Deacon Burbank was superintendent of the Sabbath-school, the only one organized in town until after 1850, and it was said that for many years he was the only man in town who was known to pray in public. The church kept up a nominal life, ministered to by Elder Jaquith, an itinerant Methodist preacher. and Rev. Almon Wallace, a Free-Will Baptist, who came to Gorham in 1816, and after a short stay moved away. After the railroad came, and other societies were formed, this ceased to exist and its mem- bers joined other churches.

Congregationat Church .- The first Congregational preaching in Gorham was by the Rev. Elihu Burt in 1856, under the patronage of the N. H. Mis- sionary Society, one-fourth of the time during two successive years. He did a good work in preparing the way for his successor. Much of the

907

TOWN OF GORHAM.

population was of a transient character, which is always detrimental to the best interest of a town. As the population became more permanent. the tendency among the people increased towards different organizations, religious and secular, such as exist in every well regulated town. Rev. George F. Tewksbury was the first settled minister. He was a native of Oxford, Me., was graduated from Bowdoin college in 1833. He studied theology at Andover (Mass.) Theological seminary, and was installed pas- tor of the church in Albany, Me .. in 1838. In 1859 he was employed as a gospel pioneer missionary to labor in the new but growing village of Gorham. He commenced preaching in the village school house to a small congregation, supplying them every Sabbath. The only religious organiza- tion in the town at that time was a Sabbath-school of twenty-five or thirty members, started in 1856, by the Young Men's Christian Association of Portland. Gorham at this time was emphatically missionary ground, as there was no church organization, nor church edifice in town.

In the autumn of 1859, Valentine L. Stiles finished and opened a hall for public worship, which was known as Ingalls Hall, and was dedicated about Christmas. From that time the congregation and Sabbath-school greatly increased, so that the hall, which seated about 100 people, was usually well filled. This continued to be the only regular place of wor- ship for upwards of two years. At last Mr. Stiles made a proposition to his pastor to build a church on his own responsibility, provided he could raise $600 towards it. Mr. Tewksbury solicited and obtained that amount from Christian friends abroad, and in 1862 the house was finished and dedicated. The cost of the building was $3, 350 and was built in good style, with a vestry in the basement, and neatly frescoed, and soon a good bell was placed in the belfry. At the sale of the pews only sixteen were purchased. In January. previous, Rev. E. P. Hammond came here as an Evangelist. and held a series of meetings for ten or twelve days, which was followed by fifteen or twenty hopeful conversions, mostly in the Sabbath-school. March 18, 1862, a Congregational church was organized, consisting of twenty-five members. The same year a Congregational parish and society was organ- ized, with Thomas A. Adams, clerk. The society soon purchased the church building of Mr. Stiles, and it was furnished by the Congregational circle at an expense of $300.

In 1865 Mr. Tewksbury resigned the pastorate. In the same year Rev. Thomas T. Merry commenced labor in Gorham as acting pastor, and con- tinned in the field nearly two years. In 1867 Mr. Benjamin P. Johnson, a student in the seminary, preached a few Sabbaths, and in 1868 Rev. Ferdi- nand W. Dickinson was acting pastor. In 1869 Brother Tewksbury ac- cepted an urgent invitation of the church to come back to his old field of labor, and here he remained until June, 1876. Rev. Arthur Benedict was the next settled pastor. He was energetic and prompt in all his professional

908

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

duties, and cheerfully performed his public work amid discouragements incident to all who engaged in ministerial labor. During his ministry twenty-four were added to the membership of the church. He resigned his pastorate in May, 1882. July 9, 1882, Rev. Theodore C. Jerome, a na- tive of Oxford, N. Y., and a graduate of Andover (Mass.) Theological semi- nary, commenced his ministry. Mr. Jerome was active in matters of education and public improvement. He contributed largely to the religious newspapers of the day, and some of his published sermons and addresses had wide circulation. Mr. Jerome was succeeded by Rev. George F. Wright, the present pastor. Elihu Libby was chosen deacon of the church March 25, 1862.

The church and society are free from debt, with a strong membership who are sincere in their efforts to sustain and support the ordinances of the gospel. Since the church organization took effect there has been an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a revival has been enjoyed which added much to its strength. The Sunday-school is in a prosperous condition.

Methodist Episcopal Church .-- Asahel Moore, a Methodist preacher, came to Gorham and preached six months in 1858-59. This was all the preaching the denomination had until the spring of 1862, when a class was organized. As soon as the Congregational church was erected. the Metho- dists withdrew, formed a separate congregation, and worshiped for a time in the old hall. Almost the first thing to be accomplished was the building of a church. This was erected in 1862 on the spot where it now stands. It was subsequently finished and a fine-toned bell furnished. It is a neat and well-constructed building. The singing-gallery is in the rear of the desk, and constructed in such a way as to give the best acoustic effects.

The first appointment of a minister by the conference was made in 1862, when Rev. W. W. Baldwin was stationed here. He was a ready writer, an active thinker, and did much towards laying the foundation of a good society. He remained two years, and was reappointed for the same position in 1875-76. He was followed in 1864-65 by J. H. Newhall; in 1866 by R. Sanderson; in 1867 by Thomas Gifford; in 1868-69 by H. B. Mitchell: in 1870 by M. B. Cummings (three months); 1870-71, W. H. Meredith: 1872. Samuel Watson; 1873. Joseph Hawks; 1878-80, Perry Chandler; Alanson R. Sylvester, 1880-82; H. E. Foss. 1882-83; F. W. Smith, 1584 and 1855: Rev. J. H. Trask, 1856 and 1857. There are sixty- eight members of the church, 105 pupils in the Sunday-school, and eighteen officers and teachers. The society has among its members some of the most substantial citizens, and it has done a good work in developing the moral and religious interests of the town. The pastors have been men of a catholic spirit and zealous workers in Zion's cause.

Universalist Society .- As early as 1861 those persons in Gorham of the Universalist faith, though few in numbers, secured the services of

909

TOWN OF GORHAM.

Rev. L. Wolcott to preach the Gospel. The breaking out of the war took from them their pastor, as he enlisted in the army. They had preaching most of the time by transient ministers until 1879, when Rev. A. Bosser- man supplied the pulpit one-fourth of the time for two years. The services were held in Gorham House hall. Rev. B. K. Russ has performed much ministerial work for this society since.

In November, 1886, a few individuals assembled and formed themselves into a society, which was called the Universalist "Good-will Circle," with these officers: President, Mrs. J. W. Greenlaw; vice-president, Mrs. M. R. Demond; secretary, Mrs. Levi A. Noyes; treasurer, Mrs. Levi Shedd; committee on by-laws, Mrs. Seth L. Chipman, Lizzie C. Thomas and Mrs. N. D. Hyde. This profession of faith was adopted :-

Profession of Faith .- "ARTICLE I. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.

"ARTICLE II. We believe that there is one God, the Creator and Governor of the Universe. the Father and Friend of all spirits, whose nature is Love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness.

"ARTICLE III. We believe in the rewards of virtue and the punishment of vice; that holiness and true happiness are inseparably connected, and that believers ought to be careful to maintain order and practice good works; for these things are good and profitable unto men."

This circle increased rapidly in numbers and interest, and, February 12, 1887, a Sunday school was organized with the necessary officers. Scott Bryant, the superintendent, after serving four or five weeks with ability and to the satisfaction of all, was taken from them by death. Mrs. Demond then conducted the school which numbers fifty-two scholars and eight teachers, and has a library of 160 volumes of good and useful books, donated in part (by the kindness of Mrs. Gay) from Dr. Miner's church in Boston, and in part from other churches, through the influence of Mrs. Dr. Hyde. The remainder was bought by the school, which is also well supplied with service and singing books. The success of the circle and school was due to the earnest efforts put forth by its members without the aid of a pastor.

The progress and vigor of the school encouraged the friends of liberal Christianity to organize a society, and, May 30, 1887, the "First Univer- salist Society " of Gorham was formed, funds raised to support preaching through the summer, and a committee chosen to obtain a suitable pastor. Rev. Dr. Leonard, of Tuffts college, Medford, Mass., an able divine, recom- mended Rev. F. L. Payson, who was secured July 12th, and services were held weekly during the summer, and as often as practicable in the fall and winter in the Gorham House hall. Rev. Mr. Payson proved the "right man in the right place"; his earnestness and decided convictions of the importance of his work made its impress upon his hearers, and renewed interest in the faith of "love to God and man" was the result. Attend- ance on the services is very encouraging, the average being about 100 per-

910

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

sons, and the new society bids fair to prosper and become a strong and live factor in the religious element of Gorham.

Catholic Church .- Gorham was regarded as a mission of Lancaster. under the care of Father Noiseaux. in 1558, until the arrival of Father Narcissus Charland, in October, 1876. Previous to his coming the mission was visited quite regularly by the priests of the Diocese of Portland. In 1876 was formed a regular parish, under the name of Church of the Holy Family. The church was erected in 1870, the interior was completed in 1576 and dedicated in August, 1879. The cemetery was consecrated dur- ing the same month, and a parsonage was built in 1880. Father Charland left in July. 1850. He was a very efficient pastor. and did much towards elevating the condition of his church. He was followed at once by Father Gorman, who left in July, 1881. Rev. E. J. Walsh immediately succeeded Father Gorman. He was graduated at St. Mary's college, Montreal. in 1576. and at the Grand seminary, in the same city, in 1879. He was ap- pointed pastor in Gorham, July, 1881. Rev. Dennis A. Ryan commenced his pastoral service in January, 1857. There are at present 150 families in the congregation. They have a large Sabbath-school, which is held on Saturday. Father Ryan is a very popular, earnest, and devoted pastor.

Gorham Public Schools .- Like every other new England community, the citizens of Gorham made provision for the education of their children. The rudiments of learning were taught in the log school-house which stood on the bank of the river on Mrs. Stiles's land. Miss Elsie A. Head (after- wards Mrs. Hazen Evans) was the first teacher. After the incorporation of the town in 1837, a school-house was built near Joseph Twitchell's. It was a long stride from the log hut and "Sam Emery's pig-pen" to the neat school-room erected near the Flanders store. Many remember with love and respect the names of Abby Burnham, Maria Lion, Emeline Bur- bank, Amanda Twitchell, Salome G. Twitchell. Mary Oliver, and a long list of other worthy names. Some have not forgotten that

" In eighteen hundred forty-eight. We had a teacher tall and straight: Hubbard Spaulding was his name. And from Lancaster he came."

They also remember that, though Spaulding was an excellent teacher,

" 'Little Jim,' more rogue than fool. Shot through the door and left the school."

John D. Burbank was a very tall man, every inch a good teacher and a good friend to all the boys. He would rise early in the morning, care for a large stock of cattle, take a hasty breakfast on Gorham hill, harness his horse, pick up a large load of girls and boys on the way, drive to the " Lary school-house," at the corner, give them good instruction, return

911

TOWN OF GORHAM.

them to their homes at night, and, so far as dollars and conts are con- cerned, for very small pay.

In 1837 the town was divided into two school districts, No. 1, on Gor- ham hill, and No. 2 near Peabody's Mills. No. 3 was formed in 1854. In 1876 the village school-house, containing three rooms, was erected on Main street at an expense of about $3,500. In 1879 Dr. N T. True opened a select high-school in the village, which he continued two years. Many availed themselves of this opportunity to pursue the languages and higher English studies

Schools of To-day .- There is a Kindergarten school taught by Miss Isa- bella Soule. There are four schools outside of the High School building, well graded, all under the town system, and compare favorably with any in the state. The High school was organized in the spring of 1886. The number of pupils in the high or village school building the last term of 1857 was 252. About 100 attended other schools in town. The teachers at High School building are: A. W. Rogers, high: Lucy E. Hebbard, gram- mar; Mary E. Eames, first intermediate: Emma I. Fassett, second inter- mediate: Lizzie C. Thomas, primary. School board, J. W. Greenlaw, T. N. Wight. A. S. Twitchell.

CHAPTER CXIV.

Railroads -- Grand Trunk Railway. Shops and Employés-Gorham Village -- Hazen Evans -- Valentine L. Stiles -- Progress of Gorham -- Fires -- Buildings -- Lawyers and Physicians-Busi- ness Interests, Manufacturers, Bank, Merchants and Tradesmen.

R AILROADS .- In 1842 the Boston & Maine railroad reached Ports- mouth from Boston, and in 1843-44 it was extended to Portland. Soon after this Hon. John A. Poor, of Portland, conceived the idea of con- necting Portland with Montreal. In 1847 a charter for such a road was given under the name of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence railway. July +. 1847, ground was broken near Fish Point, in Portland, Judge Preble, the president of the road, throwing into a wheelbarrow the first shovel of earth. From that day until 1853 the work went on, though amid many difficulties, till it reached the boundary line between Vermont and Canada that year. At the same time the road was built on the Canadian side, and connected with the former. But it did not stop here. The idea was advanced that the road must extend to the region of the great lakes, so that now, as the Grand Trunk railway, it extends to Chicago, and con-

912

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

nects with all the great lines on the continent. In 1850 the railroad was built to Gorham and trains commenced to run regularly July 4, 1851. In 1852 trains commenced running from Gorham to Northumberland, and to Island Pond in 1853, where this road connected in July with the St. Law- rence & Atlantic. Capt. Warren Noyes had the honor of running the first engine over the boundary line. The cars ran over the road once a day during the first year. As soon as they ran from Montreal to Portland, long trains were numerous, and have been increasing in number till now the engine whistle is heard at almost any hour of the day and night.

The next question of importance arose: Where shall some central point be selected for repair shops ? It was finally decided in favor of Gorham. The company wisely bought several acres, including the com- mon and the land where the shops are now located. In 1850 a wooden engine-house and turn-table were built. In the fall of 1852 the first shop was built. Only light repairs were made; all heavy repairs were done in Portland. In 1855 the engine-house and shops were burned, and the same year rebuilt of brick. The engine-house was capable of holding twelve engines, besides the turn-table. The shop was 150 feet by 30, with an additional blacksmith and carpenter shop. Additional machinery and buildings have been added from year to year, until over fifty engines can be kept in repair, besides the running repairs on the cars. All parts of a machine are manufactured and tempered here; while the tenders are made in the shops.

In April, 1879, the great fire consumed the coal shed, 250 feet in length, store-room and offices 100 feet long, and part of the freight house. A new store room and offices, 100 feet by 28, heated by steam, were at once built on the same spot. The freight-house is 120 feet by 60. The station is about so feet by 25. There are now two coal sheds, each 500 feet by 30 on the south side of the track, and so elevated that coal is dumped into the tender. There are connected with the shops the machine department, blacksmith, " setting-up " or fitting department, boiler, brass foundry, tin shop, and carpenter department. One hundred and fifty men connected with the running of the road and repair shops reside in Gorham. Two- thirds of these have families. and one-half own homes of their own.

Capt. Warren Noyes is superintendent of the shops, and has held the position nearly a quarter of a century; Thomas E. Fisk is foreman of the machine shop, and is considered a man of superior judgment in respect to their management: Thomas A. Adams is the station agent, and but few on the road have held office more years; Charles S. Vining is pattern- maker, and has been in the employ of the G. T. R. since 1866; Enoch L. Knight has been in the wood working department since 1864; he has also taken an active part in town affairs; Seth L. Chipman is foreman of the blacksmithing, and for nearly twenty-five years has been an important

913

TOWN OF GORHAM.

factor: John W. Greenlaw. in 1868, entered the office of the mechanical department as clerk and time-keeper. He served some years as superin- tendent of schools and on the board of education in Gorham, and is well- known for his ability. He built in 1851-52 the block on Exchange street which bears his name; Urban Shorey commenced work for the G. T. R. in 1854 as engineer and machinist. He represented Gorham in 1868-69, and has served as selectman and collector of taxes. Robert [. Heath and others, good order-loving citizens, are among the employés of the road.

Gorham Village .- During the early life of the town there was nothing to indicate that the center of importance would be here, and a beautiful and prosperous village take the place of nodding weeds, unsightly stumps, and projecting rocks. It was not until the railroad had decided to locate its shops here that building began and improvements commenced, and the population of the town to increase with rapidity. The census of 1850 showed only 224 inhabitants. In the same year Abraham Wilson. a native of Randolph, owned most of the land now the village, and occupied it as a farm. His field was on the north side of the railway, and most of his pasture on the south side. His farm was mostly a poor gravelly soil, on which he cut fifteen or eighteen tons of hay. The house which he built was the one remembered as the old long tenement opposite the Congrega- tional church, owned by Patrick Mullen in 1881, and replaced by an elegant residence. Wilson sold a part to John Brickett Ordway, who lived in a log house at the foot of Alpine street. Ordway never paid for it, and his brother, Dustan Ordway, advanced the money for it, never lived on it himself, and finally sold it to Jotham Evans, who sold it to Barker Bur- bank, who sold it to Barak Jackman. Barak Jackman. owned fifty five acres of land near Soldiers' Hill. He built a house on Main street, and in 1850 Wilson and Jackman were the principal owners of the land within the present limit of Gorham village. At that time woodchucks were more abundant than human beings, Main street was the county road from Bethel to Lancaster, and, fortunately for the beauty of the town, was kept up as a wide street. A wide and comparatively level spot was all that could in- duce the founders of the village to locate it where they did. The dividing line between the lands of Jackman and Wilson ran just east of R. F. Ingalls's store to the river. The railway was first surveyed through the town in 1850, and during that year Hazen Evans purchased of Mr. Wilson two acres where the Alpine House now stands. In 1853-54 Hazen Evans purchased all of Mr. Jackman's interest (thirty acres of land in the village, fifty acres in what is known as the Hitchcock pasture. in sight of the vil- lage, and 100 acres of wild land. ) for $1,150.

In 1850-51 A. C. Denison built the store now occupied by R. F. Ingalls, and with John M. Wood opened a store for the purpose of furnishing wholesale supplies to the sub-contractors along the line of the railroad,

914

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

while it was building. In March, 1851, Thomas Hapgood and Hazen Evans, anticipating that the village would be built at the forks of the road near A G. Lary's house, opened a store on the eastern bank of Moose river. They continued in trade there scarcely a single year, when Mr. Evans. in 1832. bought out Denison & Co., and went into trade, where he continued with the exception of a single year, till 1871, when he sold out to his partner, R. F. Ingalls. In 1853 Mr. Evans built the Gorham House and moved into it the same year. He kept it as a public boarding-house for nearly two years, sold out to Parris B. Latham, and, in 1856, built west of the Gorham House, and continued in trade in company with Judge Robert Ingalls for two years, with his brother, Jabez P. Evans, five years, and with Rufus F. Ingalls six years. His first wife, Elsie Head, was edu- cated at Pembroke academy, and taught school for eight years before she was married, having been among the first who taught in town. She also taught in Berlin when she was obliged to ride into town on horseback.

In connection with Mr. Evans, Valentine L. Stiles was prominently connected with the business activity of the early days of the village; and to him is the development of the place most owing. Exchanging his farm in Shelburne, in 1854 or 1855, for the Abraham Wilson farm, then owned by his son, Orren, Mr. Stiles moved to Gorham and the same year laid out Exchange street and constructed two buildings. This was quite an important private enterprise for the embryo village, and the gift by him of the street to the town assured a steady and solid growth. Mr. Stiles first lived in the old red "Mullen " house, but soon built the "Burt stand " on Exchange street on the site now occupied by the Odd Fellows' block. In 1861 and 1862 he built the "boarding-house" on the opposite side of Exchange street. removed thither, and made it his home until 1873, when he removed to the house he had just completed outside of the village. He was a hearty co-operator with those who worked for the weal and advance- ment of the town and village; a public-spirited man, he built many houses on Mechanic and Church streets. He built the Congregational church, and was nearly its sole owner for two years. He will be long remembered. In 1860 the population had advanced to 905. From this time Gorham has steadily progressed. From 1860 to 1880 the merchants did a prosperous trade. All the Androscoggin country from Berlin and West Milan, Ran- dolph, ,etc., looked upon this as the great center of trade; the opening of the railroad had made a new and fascinating route to the White Mount- ains, and the fact that nowhere was a better place for pure enjoyment was soon developed. Dr. True says: "Gorham has been the center of summer travel on the east side of the White Mountains since the opening of the G. T. R. in 1851. Large and commodious houses have been built for the accommodation of summer visitors. The pure water and clear and bracing mountain air are great recommendations in its favor. One

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.

History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 109

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194