The Portland daily press., 1870-07-07
Oxford, Nlninc.

This town constituted part of Hebron until
1920, when it was Incorporated into a new
town under its present name. 1t is one of the
most Southeasterly towns in Oxford County
and adjoins Minot and Poland in Androscog-
gin County and Otisfield in Cumberland
County.
TWAS first settled about 90 years ago. Among
its first settlers was John Caldwell, ESQ.,, who
came from Salem, Mass. Mr.. Caldwell had
some property which he sold for about $1,000,
and took his pay in continental money"
every dollar Of which he lost. He then left
Salem for the wilds of Maine and first came
into Oxford (then Hebron) by spotted line
from New Gloucester which was then the
nearest settlement. He cleared the first OPEN
ing in what is now known as East Oxford, on
hill, on the "Thomas Farm" lopg owned by
the late Hon. VIM. G. Whitney.
Mr.. Caldwell died about go years ago, leay-
ing to his children comfortable competence.
lie lett large posteIity among them Rev.
Zenas Caldwell, the first Principal of the
Maine Wesleyan Seminary, who died greatly
lamented at very early age. Rev. Merritt
Caldwell, long Professor in Dickinson Col
lese, Penn. Rev. Asbury Caldwell, young
man of much promise, who wore himself out
in excessive labors in the ministry and died
at an early age. Mrs. DR.. Elizabeth Clark of
Portland, John j. Perry, ex-M. of Congress
from I'd District of Maine, L. s. Perry for sew
eral years the Washington correspondent of
the Press, and Mrs. Ridgeway of New York.
would be glad to speak Of several others
among the early settlers in this town, but have
not time in this communication. This town
has two villages and one station upon the
Grand Trunk Railway.
OXFORD VILLAGE.
This village is pleasantly situated upon the
outlet OF Thompson Lake"-near its entrance
into the Little Androscoggin river and con-
tains about 500 inhabitants. 1t is about one
and a half mile from the Oxford Depot and has
two good water powers on said outlet, the first
extensively occupied by the Robinson Mans
uiacturing Company" corporation for the
manufacture of woolens, the stock of which
is owned by II. ]. Libby & Co., of Portland
and Joseph Robinson, Esq, of Oxford. These
mills contain ten sets OF machinery when in
full operation and make repellants, cashmeres,
| fancy goods and usually employ about $50
hands, which are promptly paid once month.
The lower Falls in said village are used by
| ing shovel handles. They manufacture about
10000 dozen per year. They make first class
handle and their goods find ready market in
| Canada aud the shovel manufactures in New
| England. They have been working on advance
| orders for long time.
On the other side of the stream on the same
Falls stands the Peg Factory of B. F. Sturte-
FAINT, Esq, of Boston. This Mill has just been
purchased and fitted up by Mr.. S. for the man
uiacturing of Pegs by machine of his own
| invention, the right of which he realms in his
own hands, snd from which he is annually re-
ceiving large dividends. Mr.. Sturtetant is one
| of the solid, enterprising men of Boston and
| has just built fine
LITTLE STEAM BOAT
to run ON Thompson Lake." the reservoir of
the water power in this village. This boat was
commenced by Mr.. S. just nine days since and
was so far completed that it made its trial trip
yesterday 1.-THE 4th) and was complete sue
cess. 1t is to be splendidly fitted up for pic
mic excursions and pleasure parties, and can
be used for tow boat to bring down wood
and timber from the upper end of the Lake.
The people of the village are largely indebted
to Mr.. Sturtelant for an enterprise they ought
to have taken hold of years ago themselves
This Lake is beautiful sheet of water about
~ miles long and two to three wide, and con-
tains several beautiful Islands which can be
easily visited by pleasure parties. This village
contains two good churhces (Methodist and
Congregationalist.) Rev. b. Freeman is pastor
of the former and Rev. Mr.. Lockwood is now
| dJ tuC LII Has u pOSJ-0lllct, 4
regular stores, blacksmith shop, milliners
and dress makers, 1 hardware and tin shop, a
poor school house which will soon be replaced
by very fine building, doctors, 2 lawyers
and one excellent hotel, of which mine host
A. G. Kinds, Esq. is landlord.
wELCHvILLE VILLAGE.
This is pleasant little village located on the
Little Androscogein river about two miles from
Oxford village and one-half mile from the
station ON the Grand Trunk Railway. 1t has
a good woolen mill owned and operated by
John Harper, Esq, and runs some four or five
sets of machinery. Mr.. Harper is good prac-
tcal manufacturer and his goods find ready
sale.
On the other side ofthe stream is the Paste
board Mill of Emery, Andrews &c Co., and a
saw mill operated by that veteran umberman
Capt. Geo. w. King, formerly of your city.
The village has fine Church methodist
Episcopal) in which are held regular services
every Sabbath. Rev. Mr. Freeman breaches
regularly in the forenoon at Oxford village and
at this church in the afternoon of each Sab
bath. The village has two stores, blacksmith
and shoe shops, and is rapidly increasing in
wealth and population.
This town has increased in population about
400 since 1860, and in wealth has made rar
increase during said time. p.