The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-06

married for her second husband Samuel
Freemanfone of the most remarkable men
ever produced by Portland, and in theil
family she was reared. Her mothers
sisters were Mrs. Ebenezer Preble, Mrs.
James Deering, Mrs. Isaac Ilsly. and
the two wives of Stephen Mcclellan.
Cotton B. BROOKS established the iron
business. which was continued by hissson
John y. Brooks and which is now con-
tinued by his clerk, Epen7 Corey. He died
May IL, 1884, aged 60 years. He had been
a seleotman of the town and was one OF
our most respected merchants. His SEQ.
ond wife, Anne, dad in 1869, aged 81
years, much respected woman. William
Willis paid the following tribute to her
at che time: ga life of more uniform
excellence. of more kindness, charity,
patience that endureth forever without
complaint, and all the virtues TINT adorn
the Christian life is rarely to be found In
anytindividual, and of no one can it more
truly be said. They also serve who stand
and wait She was indeed an 'eleot LADY,
accoding to the pattern of st. John"
|
each other in home and it requires no
stretch of Imagination to see what must
have been the brilliancy of the gatherings
in their time
John Bradley bought the property of
the heirs Of Mr.. Brooks in 1885, and the
next year it was conveyed to Richard
Bradley. Mr.. Bradley built the piazza
that now remains.
Parker MoCobb came from ssPhipsDurg,
and was here some years before he bought
the house, in k1S45, where he lived and
after his death it came into possession Of
his son, Hon. James T. MoCobb, who
WAS Mayor in 1856, and he lived there
until about 1880. After that it was a
Catholic school for ssome years, but the
glory OF the old house had departed with
its occupants and 1t became boarding
house. The old house has stood over q
century and must BIZ removed in the pro-
gress of improvement, as westward the
march OF our empire takes it's way.
THE HANSON HOUSE.
This house was probably built about
1880. Samuel Hanson came from Wind
ham, and was the son of William and
Matilda (Elder) Hanson, who lived in
the old tavern, which he built, at Wind
ham Centre. Samuel Hanson married in
1899 Statira Morton, the daughter of
Reuben and Mary Morton, who lived in
the Cross house. Her father wished his
daughter to live in the next house, aud
1t was planned to have another house
built on the east side similar to this one
for another daughter, but death changed
their plans and the other half was never
| built.
Samuel Hanson married for his second
wife, in 1916, Persis Greedy. a daughter of
Philip Greedy. Esq. and therefore was a
brother-in-law to the greatest merchant
Portland ever had, John B. Brown.
Samuel Hanson was a respected merchant
and public spirited citizen. He died
in 1862, aged 70 years. The house was
thorou ghly remodeled several years ago.
The associations connected with these
houses call to mind the noble citizens
that Portland had in its early days, men
who loved the town and were generous
far beyond our realization. State treet
is one of our best examples of this.
Joseph Fl. Ingraham built the Churchill
house and laid out old State street and
presented it to the city. He also present.
ed the town the Aims House lot, over
| three acres, Spring street engine house
lot, market lot and laid out Market
street from Middle to Fore, besides
other acts of generosity. He built the
house now occupied by Hon. W. W.
Thomas on Danforth street, where he
spent his last years.
New State street was given by James
Deering to the city and he gave other
streets through his land. His name is
perpetuated in the town Of Deering, our
Park, and the street of that name His
grandchildren, through Henry Deering
ESQ.,, grandson. gave their part of
behring's Oaks, making it possible for
US to have that beautiful playground
where many Of us spent many happy
hours during our childhood, trespassing
on his land. They refused an offer of
fifty thousand dollars for that property
not long before they offersd it to the
city. They must love the old town. Long
may they live to enjoy the happiness born
| of such acts. This all stimulates our
| faith in man and destroys the argument
of the pessimist.
We are enjoying the generosity of our
own time and to those public spirited
citizens who.b their pluck and energy,
opera house We owe much, and to them
| we say honor to whom honor is due.
"Strange to me now are the forms I meet
When visit the dear old town."
N. 6.
z eaks Island.