USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 66
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1852. Chose William McIntire, John Eames and Edward F. Bucknam, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk: Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer; Roberson S. Marshall, representative
1853. Chose Iloratio N. Schoff, Joel W. Forbes and William II. Poole, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer.
1854. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, William McIntire and William II. Poole, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Horatio N. Sehoff, treasurer.
1855. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, George W. Mckellips and AAsa Hatch, selectmen; William K. Richey, town clerk; Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer. May 12th, 1855, William K. Richey removed from town and Edward F. Bucknam was appointed town clerk.
1856. Chose Joel W. Forbes, George W. Mckellips and Asa Hatch, selectmen: John Wilson, town clerk; Leonard Johnson, treasurer.
1857. Chose James B. Brown, Horace H. Richey and William McIntire, selectmen; John Wilson, town clerk; John Wilson, treasurer.
1858. Chose Joel W. Forbes, Noah B. Hatch and Josiah Morse, selectmen; John Wilson, town clerk; Leonard Johnson, treasurer; John Wilson, representative.
1859. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, James W. Abbott and Horace H. Richey, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Leonard Johnson, treasurer; James II. Curtis, representative.
1860. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, Stephen Mckellips and Patrick Connary, selectmen: James B. Brown, town clerk; Edward F. Bucknam, treasurer; James H. Curtis, representative.
1861. Chose John Wilson, Stephen Mckellips and Patrick Connary, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; George B. Cummings, treasurer; James W. Abbott, representative.
1862. Chose James H. Curtis, John M. Cummings and Patrick Connary, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; James W. Abbott, representative.
1863. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, Portus H. Smith and Edward Fox, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Edward F. Bucknam, treasurer; William McIntire, representative.
1864. Chose Hiram Lucas, James W. Abbott and Samuel Moore, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; William McIntire, representative.
1865. Chose James H. Curtis, Joel W. Forbes and James B. Brown, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Edward F. Bucknam, treasurer; James B. Spaulding, representative.
1866. Chose James II. Curtis, Horace H. Richey and Robert Jaques, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk: James B. Brown, representative.
1867. Chose James II. Curtis, William McIntire and Robert Jaques, selectmen; Charles Cob- leigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; James B. Brown, representative.
1868. Chose James II. Curtis, William McIntire and Horace H. Richey, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Wayne Cobleigh, representative.
1869. Chose James W. Abbott, Robert Jaques and Horace II. Richey, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Wayne Cobleigh, representative.
1870. Chose James H. Curtis, Abel D. Benjamin and Patrick Connary, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Louis H. Massure, representative.
1871. Chose James II. Curtis, Abel D. Benjamin and Robert Jaques, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James HI. Curtis, treasurer: William H. Merriam, representative
1872. Chose Franklin E. Wood, Winfield S. Robinson and Josiah Shattuck, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James II. Curtis, treasurer; William II. Merriam, representative.
1873. Chose James II. Curtis, Patrick Connary and Abel D. Benjamin, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James HI. Curtis, treasurer; Robert Jaques, representative. 1874 Chose James B. Brown, John H. Sargeant and Horace II. Richey, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; George W. Mckellips, representative.
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
1875. Chose James B. Brown, Charles Cobleigh and Patrick Connary, selectmen; Charles. Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Roswell C. Chessman, representative.
1876. Chose James B. Brown, John Eames and Michael Moffett, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Robert Jaques, representative.
1877. Chose James B. Spaulding, Frank E. Wood and John Eames, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; George Hinman, representative.
1878. Chose James B. Spaulding, John Eames and Franklin E. Wood, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; George Ilinman, representative.
1879. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, Franklin E Wood and Addison H. Frizzell, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer; Irving A. Watson, representative for two years.
1880. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, Addison H. Frizzell and Horace H. Richey, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer.
1881. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, Horace H. Richey and Robert Scott, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer; Irving A. Watson, representative for two years.
1882. Chose James II. Curtis, Robert Scott and Simon T. Connary, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer.
1883. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, David S. Moore and Simon T. Connary, selectmen ; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer; Napoleon B. Perkins, representa- tive.
1884. Chose David S. Moore, James H. Curtis and Simon T. Connary, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer.
1885. Chose James H. Curtis, John D. Cummings and Robert Jaques, Jr., selectmen; Henry E. Bellows, town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer; Thomas Keating, representative.
1886. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, David S. Moore and Charles Forbes, selectmen; William I. Doty, town clerk; Frank G. Mckellips, treasurer; William Hayes, representative.
1887. Chose James II. Curtis, John F. Larfue and Orrison L. Cole, selectmen; Henry E. Bellows, town clerk; James H. Curtis, moderator. Voted to raise $2,000 to defray town charges, debts and existing expenses. Voted to raise $300 in money for highways and bridges for the ensuing year. Voted to raise $1,200 in labor for repairing highways and bridges for the ensuing year.
CHAPTER LVII.
Ecclesiastical-Methodist Episcopal Church-Present Members-Ammonoosuc Lodge, I. O. O. F .- Members-Lodge of Good Templars-Members-Schools-Physicians-Fort Wentworth and Revolution-Soldiers of the War of 1812 and Mexican War-First Judge of Probate-First Register of Probate-Business Interests, Etc.
CCLESIASTICAL .- At the meetings of the proprietors of North- umberland after the first settlement of the town, bushels of wheat and sums of money were raised by direct taxation for the ministra- tions of the gospel. A committee was chosen to hire a minister, and the money raised was expended for preaching, and services were held gener- ally from two to three months in each year, and in 1799 a town meeting-
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TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
house was completed. After the proprietors ceased their efforts in this direction, there was occasional preaching by transient ministers, but no church organization formed until June, 1867, when the Methodist Episcopal church was established here, and the same year the society commenced the present church edifice which was finished in 1868, at a cost of $2,700. On the 21st day of August, 1868, this house was dedicated to the service of God. Warren Applebee was the first pastor and remained until 1869. He was succeeded by D. J. Smith from 1869 to 1871; Thomas W. Tyre from 1871 to 1872; George C. Noyes from 1872 to 1874; Thomas Mason a part of 1874; C. C. Lovejoy from July, 1874, to September, 1874; L. L. Eastman from September, 1874, to 1876; Eben C. Berry from 1876 to 1875; George H. Hardy from 1878 to 1879; Charles E. Rodgers from 1879 to 1881; James Crowley from 1881 to 1884; Leslie R. Danforth from 1884 to 1887; John C. Langford commenced his pastorate April, 1887. The church now num- bers forty-six members. The value of the church property is about $3,500. The Sabbath-school connected with this church has an attendance of about sixty.
During the pastorate of George C. Noyes the camp meeting grounds of about five acres were purchased. Improvements have been made and buildings erected on them at a cost of between three and four thousand dollars. The location is pleasant, upon the bank of the Connecticut river, a little southerly of the old Fort Wentworth, with the highway and Bos- ton, Concord & Montreal railroad upon its southeasterly border.
The Episcopal church has a mission here, monthly evening services being conducted by the rector of St. Paul's church, Lancaster, in the Methodist church.
The Catholics have held mission services here for a number of years.
Members of the M. E. Church, November 5, 1887 .- Sada Astelle, Ada E. Brown, Chauncy L. Brown, Saralı A. Chessman, Stephen A. Cole, Emma Cole, Lester M. Cole, Hugh H. Cole, Lizzie Duran, Lucy Elling- wood, Ellen M. Frizzell, William Fisk, Jenette Fisk, Charles Forbes, Ann Forbes, Henry F. Forbes, Ada P. Forbes, Nellie M. Forbes, Helen M. Forbes, William H. Forbes, Willie W. Forbes, Ellen M. Hayes, Charles M. Hayes, Susan Henson, Moses Henson. Harriet B. Henson, Susan E. Henson, Helen M. Harris, Moses W. Jackson, Florence Jackman, Asbury F. Jackman, Manettie Jackman, Harry F. Jackman, Frank H. Jackman, Fred M. Jackman, Lizzie A. Langford, Jared D. McFarland, Chester McFarland, Lorinda McFarland, Nettie Mckellips, Harriet W. Mckellips, Lucy Moody. Jennie M. Montgomery, Jennie Main, John Q. Main, Sadie Miles. Etta McHary. Jennie E. Potter, Cora D. Potter, Betsey Richey, Martha Richey, Emma J. Smith. Mary Smith, Charles Smith, Joel E. Smith, Lucy A. Smith, Mamie L. Smith, Ella Smith, William H. Veasie, Lu- cinda M. Veasie, Lncy A. Whipple.
Officers .- Charles Forbes, Willard J. Whipple, Stephen A. Cole, F. A. Jackman, G. W. Mckellips, Will- iam Veasie, F. G. Kellips, W. W. Jackman, trustees: Charles Forbes, district steward; M. W. Jackman, recording steward; Harriet Mckellips, Lucy Moody, Nettie M. Hayes, stewards; M. W. Jackman, superin- tendent of Sabbath-school; S. A. Cole, assistant superintendent; Mary L. Smith, secretary and treasurer.
Ammonoosuc Lodge I. O. O. F. was organized on the 28th day of Sep- tember, 1877, with these charter members :-
Irving A. Watson, Henry B. Gilkey, Fred Scott, Frank F. Richardson, James W. MeKeen, Charles N. Martin, Alexander Williamson, Napoleon B. Perkins,
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
Members, November 5, 1887 .- I. A. Watson, H. B. Gilkey. Fred Scott, N. B. Perkins, George W. McKel- lips, F. G. MeKellips, George Hinman, D. S. Moore. William Hayes, C. N. Martin, S. W. Thompson, James McHarg, A. Wooster, W. W. Pike, Ezra Merrill. Horace Hendrick, Stephen P. Clook, Thomas G. Rowan, William Duran, George W. Montgomery, F. G. Bellows, F. F. Richardson, Albert Thompson, C. P. Stevens, John F. Thompson, Thomas Kating, George S. Blake, R. C. Chessman, Charles T. Hayes, Horace P. Moody, Samuel W. Connary, W. I. Doty. Allen H. Perkins, Joseph C. Astelle, Henry H. Hayes, John M. Astelle, Stephen A. Cole, Frank N. Piper, Alvin L. Wheeler, Edward S. Hickey, Solomon Leavitt; Joseph M. Amey, E. B. Soule, C. R. Beecher, Charles J. Salomon, I. G. Richey, B. B. Ockington, L. R. Danforth, H. B. Hin- man. P. G. Abbott, S. F. Gallagher, Edward Brooks, Marcell Thirris, John Gough, Alva I. Warren, Frank Harris, Eli Fuller, Frank F. Warren, Charles H. Witham, William H. Veasie, C. C. O'Brion, Robert Scott, Charles Isrealson, O. P. Cummings, G. W. Clough. Willard D. Stinson, Lee F. Schoff, Addison S. Ellingwood, J. W. Wilson.
The lodge has purchased a pleasantly-located and desirable lot on the corner of Main and Church streets, Groveton, upon which it is intended to erect an "Odd Fellows Hall" and provide better accommodations for the increasing membership.
The Lodge of Good Templars was organized November 16, 1882, with these officers and charter members :-
Officers. - Edward F. Bucknam. W. G. T .; Julia M. Leavitt, W. V. T .; Rev. James Crowley, W. C .; Frank N. Piper. W. S .; Jennie M. Norcutt. W. A. S .; Solomon Leavitt, W. F. S .; John M. Wilson, W. T .; Austin Astelle, W. M .; Clara B. Dresser, W. D. M .; Edward A. Astelle, W. I. G .; Jesse Wilson, W. O. G .; Lucy Cole, W. R. H. S. ; Alma McFarland, W. L. H. S .; Bell McFarland. P. W. G. T.
Charter Members .- Edward F. Bucknam, Frank N. Piper. Jennie M. Norcutt, Soloman Leavitt. John M. Wilson, James Crowley, Austin Astelle, Belle A. Piper. Edward A. Steele, Bell McFarland. James B. McFar- land, Melvin J. Hayes, Frank Warren, Lucy Cole, Alma McFarland, Ella Harvey. Julia M. Leavitt, Clara B. Dresser. Ada M. Benton, Jesse Wilson, Amanda J. Frost, Mary E. Frost. Hannah O. MeKeen.
Members, November, 1887 .- Flora Wilkinson, Flora Soule. Archie Soule. Frank Warren. Fanny McKeen, Hannah O MeKeen, Willie McKeen, George Jones, Jaek Rines, David Dorhity, Daniel Ellingwood, Cyrus Messer, Clayton Henson, William Kittle, Fred Jones, Emma Wooster, Ella Smith, Helena Scott, Charles Wilds, Randal Miller, Fred Kent, James Pike, Frank Keene, Calvin Stoddard, Thomas Gorman, Charles McKeen, John Downer, J. E. Doile, Henry Moffett, John C. Langford, John Dorhity.
Officers, November 3. 1887 .- John H. Langford. C. T .; Hannah O. McKeen, V. T .; Helena Scott. Secre- tary; Ella Smith, Financial Secretary; Fanny MeKeen. Treasurer; Solomon Leavitt, Chaplain; Willie McKeen, Marshal; Thomas Gorman, Dept. Marshal; William Kittle and David Dorhity Sentinels and Guards.
Fort Wentworth and the Revolution .- The old fort at the mouth of the Ammonoosuc stood on the south side of the river, at its junction with the Connecticut. It has long since gone to decay. The excavation and site are still visible on the high bank near the Connecticut, on the farm of Aaron and Charles Potter. It is called the " old fort " merely; but, accord- ing to the attorney-general's report, it was erected by Capt. Robert Rogers, in 1755, and named "Fort Wentworth, " in honor of the royal Governor. It was evidently used by the very early settlers as a refuge from the Indi- ans; and the next mention we have of it after its erection, is as a place of rendezvous for Rogers's expedition after the destruction of St. Francis. During the Revolution the " old fort " was a lively place. After Col. Be- dell's regiment was ordered to join the Continental army, in the winter of 1775 and 1776, several companies were kept on the western frontiers of the Upper Coös. Capt. Jeremiah Eames, to accommodate these with head- quarters, built or repaired the garrison at Northumberland in the spring
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TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
of 1776. It was in use until 1782. Col. Bedell was on duty here in 1777 and 1778. Lieut. Ladd and scouting party of eleven men were stationed here in 1782, as were another party of ten men under Sergt. James Blake .*
Soldiers of the War of 1812 .- Our sources for accurate information in regard to these are extremely meager. The adjutant-general's report gives only the names of the men, date of enlistment, length of service, and "remarks ": without specifying towns of which they were residents or from which they enlisted. We have ascertained, however, that George W. Lucas enlisted from Northumberland February 16, 1813, for eighteen months: William Merriam enlisted February 15, 1813, " during the war "; John Bickford enlisted February 13, 1813, for two years.
In the Mexican war we find that Michael G. Lawton enlisted April 13, 1847, as a drummer in Captain Daniel Batchelder's company
These are all of the honored sons of our old town in our earlier wars whose memories we can thus crown with laurel. Would that we were able to preserve green the memory of all.
Francis Willson was a physician of considerable note, and was of great value to the people of Northumberland and the surrounding towns. He was an early settler of Lancaster, locating upon the farm occupied by Moses Hibbard, but subsequently removed to the place now occupied by Edward Addin, in Northumberland. He was the first judge of probate for the county of Coos, was appointed in 1805 and held the office till about the time of his death, which occurred in 1811.
John M. Tillotson was an active business man and extensively known throughout Coos and Essex counties. He was selectman for some years, represented Northumberland, Stratford and Piercy in the legislature of 1809. He was the first register of probate for Coos county, and held the office for thirteen years. He died in 1822.
Schools .- There were ten school districts in town when the district sys- tem was abrogated in 1885. They are conducted in the same manner now by the town board of education. Groveton village school has an attend- ance of about 100 scholars, with a commodious school house, costing about $2,000, arranged for three teachers. In 1800 a school-house was erected in district No. 5, which is still used.
Physicians .- Charles C. O'Brion, M. D., came from Maine and located at Groveton about 1881, purchasing the practice and residence of Irving A. Watson, M. D., who had been in practice here for ten years, and who went to Concord to take the position of secretary of the State Board of Health. Henry W. Sleeper, M. D., came to Groveton about 1853, and practiced here until his death, which occurred in December, 1887.
* [For another view of the site of Fort Wentworth and the rendezvous of Rogers's Rangers, see County History .- ED.]
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
Manufacturing has been conducted at Northumberland Falls from early days. Edwards Bucknam constructed mills here; later, Enoch Bartlett shortly after the Revolution constructed both grist and saw-mills. (See his petition to General Court in another chapter.) The vast supplies of pine and spruce have made the water privileges on the Ammonoosuc at Groveton profitable investments for the manufacture of lumber. and various firms from first to last have been engaged in this. In 1872 there were at Northumberland Falls, starch, straw-board, and shoe-peg mills; at Groveton, manufactories of leather, clapboards, shingles, etc.
Hon. A. C. Denison, a merchant of Norway, Me., was largely engaged in supplying contractors on the line of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence R. R., and established stores in connection with Clark P. True, J. H. Danforth and the Gilkeys at South Paris and Bethel, Me., and at Gorham, North- umberland and Stratford. The largest of these was at Northumberland. Here, from 1850, for some years, the firm transacted an annual business of nearly a hundred thousand dollars and contributed much to the prosperity of this section.
Business Interests, 1887 .- Gilbert M. Soule, administrator of estate of Gilbert Soule, Groveton, manufactures 4.500,000 feet of long and short lum- ber per annum. Wholesale and retail trade in 1886 was over $68,000. He em- ploys from twenty to forty men, and operates a grist and saw-mill by water- power. The latter contains a rotary board saw, clapboard, lath, shingle, matching, and planing machines. Fisk & Myers (Payson Fisk, William Myers), Groveton, have a steam mill employing from ten to twelve men. They produce about 300,000 feet of lumber yearly. Their mill contains clapboard, shingle and planing machines.
Stoddard & Welch (P. T. Stoddard, C. C. Welch), Groveton, purchased the old Howley water-mill in 1886. and constructed a foundry and machine shop at a total cost of $30,000. The freshet of June, 1887. undermined the mill, rendering it useless. They employ from six to ten men, and are doing a business of about $10,000 a year.
Robert Chase, Northumberland, came from Pelham to Guildhall, Vt., in 1865, and at once erected a mill for the manufacture of straw-board, which is still conducted, the firm being Robert Chase & Company (Charles D. Chase). They also manufacture fine tissue paper. Mr. Chase erected, in Northumberland, in 1869, a peg-mill where he manufactures 40,000 bushels of shoe pegs annually, and gives employment to fifteen or twenty persons. They also keep a general store.
Groveton Merchants. - James W. McKeen, general store, retail trade about $15,000 yearly.
Roswell C. Chessman, dry goods, coffins, caskets, and undertaker's goods, does an annual business of $10,000. He is also postmaster of " Groveton " postoffice.
Gilbert Soule
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TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
Charles J. Salomon, dry goods and clothing. does the largest mercantile business in town, sells both at wholesale and retail, sends out many ped- dlers, and has a branch store at West Stewartstown.
Charles H. Rich, successor to Dewer Rich, carries on a general store; does a business of about $10,000 yearly.
Hotels .- Melcher House, (. T. McNally and Edward Tibbetts, proprie- tors: Union House, Everett F. Bean, proprietor.
Railroads .- The Boston, Concord & Montreal railroad forms a junction with the Grand Trunk at Groveton Junction. There are three stations in the town, which gives it a great advantage as a shipping point. Groveton station does a freight business of 1,000 tons a month, and gives the Grand Trunk about 500 passengers in the same time. W. H. Fowler, station agent. Groveton Junction, Stephen M. Mathews, station agent, has a freight business of 6,000 tons per month, passengers about 2,000 in the same time. We can give no figures for Northumberland or Guildhall station.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CAPTAIN GILBERT SOULE.
The name Soule was formerly spelled Sole, Soal, Soul, and is an ancient English name. In 1591 the Soles of London were granted armorial bear- ings. The advent of the Soule family in New England dates back to the arrival of the " Mayflower " in 1620, when George Soule, one of the "Pil- grim Band," emigrated to America, and helped to plant the Plymouth Colony, and maintain the principles in defence of which those self-reliant pioneers left their native for an unknown land. George Soule was one of the forty-one signers of the first compact drawn up in the nature of a government In 1624 he received one acre of land in Plymouth. between Sandwich street and the harbor. In 1633 his name appears on the first list of freemen in the records of Plymouth. About 1635 he removed to Dux- bury and settled there. He married Mary Becket, had many descendants, who served the town in its civil, military and maritime service. Mr. Soule was of essential value to Duxbury, which he represented several years in the court of deputies, and held many other offices which showed him to be a man of integrity and probity. In 1645 he was one of the proprietors of Bridgewater, and, with Capt. Miles Standish, John Alden, and three others, was appointed to lay out and divide the land among the inhabitants. He died in 1680, " very aged"; willing his property to his son John, viz .: " And for as much as my eldest son, John Soule, and his family hath in my extreme old age and weakness bin tender and careful of mee and very
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
healpfull to mee; and is likely to be while it shall please God to continew my life heer, therefore I give and bequeath unto my said son John Soule all the remainder of my housings and lands whatever." John Soule died in 1707, aged seventy-five.
Joshua3. son of John", married Joanna Studley. He died in 1767. His son. Ezekiel', born in 1711, married Hannah Delano. He was chosen deacon of the church in 1749, and was an important adviser in its affairs. He removed to Woolwich, Me., in 1766. John5, born in 1735, was the father of Samuel®, who was born January 18, 1769. David F.' married Elizabeth, widow of Cyrus Dole, and daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Holbrook) McMurchie. Their children were Gilbert, Hannah, Sarah (Mrs. James Bailey), Lewis, Augusta (Mrs. Alden P. Goudy), Lemuel. David was a native of Woolwich. He followed the sea for many years, was captain, and at one time captured by the British. The latter part of his life he passed on land. He died about 1862 at Woolwich, where he is buried.
Captain Gilbert Soule, son of David F. and Elizabeth (McMurchie) Soule, born in Woolwich, Me, December 6, 1820, was eighth in descent from the emigrant. He was educated at the local schools. When quite young he accompanied his father in his sea voyages, and for a number of years was a "seafarer." He then, in connection with his brother-in-law, James Bailey, conducted the ferry at Bath, Me., for several years. After- wards he was at St. Anthony, Minnesota, for some years. In 1852 he re- turned to his native state, and, with a half-brother, Charles E. Dole, began lumbering on the Penobscot, and thereafter this was his principal business. He married, August 24, 1833, Eliza A., daughter of John and Mercy (Ad- ams) Mills. (Mrs. Mills's mother was Anne Hutchinson.) Mrs. Soule was born in Detroit, Me., March 6, 1829. They commenced housekeeping in Brewer, Me., and had a pleasant home there for seventeen years, and there their children were born; Gilbert Mills, Annie Laurie, (married Augustus S. Thayer. M. D., of Portland, ) Edward Beecher, and James Bailey.
In 1869 Captain Soule came to Groveton, and, with Robert Holyoke, George Edward Holyoke, and John Eames, purchased the mill property now owned by the heirs of Gilbert Soule. This mill had a cutting capac- ity of 25,000 per day, and contained a rotary saw, edger, trimmer, clap- board, shingle, and lath machines, and a planer. The enterprise and energy of Capt. Soule gave a new impetus to the business in Groveton, and greatly enhanced its progress. In 1870 the "Nash Stream Improve- ment Company " was incorporated to provide transportation for logs. This company expended $30,000 in blasting rocks, etc .; four or five dams were also constructed. Capt. Soule was the first president; Gilbert M. Soule is the present one. In the fall of 1871, Capt. Soule moved his family
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