The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1874-04-23

Bl An OLD SETTLER
CHAPTER VIII. (lS0S-9.)

liz lHiSc yt.tlS l'llOl W llllS, lSoS, wire
years of prosperity. During those years
there had been a large influx Of popula-
ton and of the right class; men who did
not come to spy out the leanness of the
land nor squeeze out its fatncss, but to lay
the foundation of homes for lifetime.
Their energy, enterprise and industry con-
tributed largely to building up the place,
developing its resources, and carrying ii
through the dark period in its history up
on which il was now to enter
Among them came one who deserves
something more THAN a passing notice,
Nathan Read; better known to those who
remember him, as Judge Read. OF those
who came here contemporaneously with
him there We're many, doubtless, ener-
getc business men. who contributed more
largely than he did to the material wealth
Of the place. but no one Of them who
labored so earnestly and persistently TO
promote the moral and intellectual vel
fare of its people; no one who felt a deep
er interest or was a more active worker i'll
every cause which had for its object the
advancement of the public welfare.
Judge Read was born in Warren Mass.
1859. graduated at Harvard University in
1881, and was for nearly four years a
member of its Board of Instruction After
resigning that position he commenced the
study Of medicine; but soon abandoned it
for pursuits more cOngenial to his taste,
agriculture and the mechanic arts. While
residing at Danyers, where he owned and
carried on large farm, he invented and
obtained letters patent Tor the nail ma
chine since that time extensively used for
cutting and heading nails at one operation.
He was the inventor Of several valuable
improvements in agricultural implements,
and it Is claimed that he was the inventor
Of the multi-tubular boiler and portable
high-prcSsure engine. and the diSc0yerer
Of the true mode Of applying steam-power
10 navigation and railways. The mass of
facts and testimony collected in the biog-
graphv OF him compiled by his nephew,
David Read, seem to establish conclusive
u the Justice Of the claim.
1t was while he resided in Danvcrs that
he represented Essex South District in
Congress. He was member of the House
at the time Of the contest for the Presi-
dency between Jefferson and Burr. In
1902 he was appointed by GOV. Strong Il
Special Justice Of the Court of Common
Pleas for the county Of Essex, and after
his removal TO this place he presided tor
several wears H. Chict Justice of that Court
for the county Of Hancock.
Attracted by the glowing accounts, then
rife in Massachusetts, Of clown East,
the beauty of its scenery. the wealth OF It's
forests, the fertility of its soil, he came
here on tour Of exploration in the fall of
1909, and was so iayorably impressed that
he made large investment, for those
days in land. purchasing at that time and
in the year following tour hundred acres
lying on each side Of the road leading
from Nesmiths Corner to Little River. In
1901 he came here with his family to re-
side, and here he passed the remainder Of
his days, dcvoting them to agricultural
pursuits, experiments and inventions in
the mechanic arts, and the study of the
'ratnral sciences, always taking, - hi bi
O9rapher wen remarks, "a lively interest
in all matters OF Il public character, eS-
pecially such as We're designed to improve
the moral condition and advance the intel
lectual and social Improvement of the PEG
pie among whom ne lived" lie died Jan.
20, 1919, in his ninctieth year in the full
possession of his intellectual powers until
within few days of his decease enjoy
ing during his long and somewhat chequ-
cred life, the respect and esteem OF all
who knew him best.
The laying of the Embargo by Congress,
Dee -, 1907, was the first dark cloud that
gathered on the horizon. The people of
our town in that day We're eminently
commercial people the principal business
of the place was buying, selling and ship
ping cord wood to Boston and other west
eln ports and lumber to the West Indies.
1t was in reality the only business that
Welded money, OF its equivalent, in re-
turn. Under the restrictive policy adopted
by Congress this class Of business was al
most paralyzed. Shipping and sailors,
who constituted q very respectable por-
ton of the population here and elsewhere
on the coast of Maine, were thrown out OF
employment This state OF things continue
ed, with the exception OF brief interval
Immediately following the passage Of the
Non-intercOurse Act, until the close OF the
war in 1915. During all this time, how
ever, new field of labor was opening
in the Improvement and cultivation Of
the lands lying in the interior. Loss of
profit from commercial enterprise, Al
though heavy blow, did not dishearten
the men of that day They accepted it rs
an inevitable necessity; if they could not
plough the sea they could plough the land,
and they went into the work mmtully.
During the years before named 4 large
number Of dwelling houses. stores and
mechanics shops were built. Many if not
most Of them have from time to time
fallen prey to fire or the demand for inn
provemcnt; few of those that remain
would now be recognized by the original
owners, through so many changes have
they passed An enumeration Of the few
still remaining may not be minteresting
among them are the following The house
now occupied by Mr.. B. I. Field, built by
his father, Bohan p. Field. Esq The
Major Chase House 50 called, standing
Just north Of the North Church, built by
John Russ, Esq, uncle OF the editor of the
d.,