Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-11-03
kENT'S HILL AND THE OXFORD
BEARS.
Editor Democrat:
fHAn Mninn wnn ln.a., .

ago, ana from tnat time 10 the present
has had pleasant relations with the peo
pie OF Oxford County.
On Its first board OF trustees were
Judge judah Dana Of Fryeburg and DR.
Joseph Adams of Rumford, both warm
friends and patrons Of the school. The
"Judah Dana prize" was the gift OF the
old Judge and will probably perpetuate
his name at every commencement In the
long future of the school.
Its first principal was Rev. Zena;
Caldwell, an Oxford boy-a graduate OF
Bovdoin and classmate and chum OF
Franklin Pierce, afterwards President OF
the United States-who, by the way,
taught one term as "schoolmaster' In
the town OF Oxford and the writer OF
this was one Of his pupils.
Mr.. Caldwell was very popular as a
teacher, and under his administration
large numbers of students were drawn
to the school, and ii started out at once
"a highly prosperous, nourishing institu-
tion of learning.
But Mr.. Caldwell's career was short,
for after only about one year of remark
able prosperity OF the school under his
management, he was stricken down by
disease and died at the early age of %,
greatly lamented by all.
He was succeeded by another Oxford
County boy, Merritt Caldwell, brother
of Zenas, who was principal OF the insti-
tuition for about six years and a very
popular and successful teacher. He
then resigned his position and accepted
profcssorship In Dickinson College,
Penn, which he held for long number
OF years up 10 the time OF his death.
Joshua Randall Of Dixfield, another
Oxford Bear, was for one or more terms
principal of the school after the admins
tration of the first Caldwell.
As a coincidence worthy OF note 10 this
connection Ii should be said that at the
present time two OF the professors In the
seminary and college at kent's Hill are
oxford County boys, 10 wit Adelbert
+. Caldwell OF oxford, "A relative OF the
sixth generation OF Csldwells, graduate
OF Colby University. aud John o. New
ton OF Andover, a graduate OF Wesleyan,
at Middleton, Conn, both teachers OF
marked popularity.
The school, during It's seyenty-tive
years OF history, has had large mum
Der OF students from oxford County.
Al the time the writer entered the insti-
tuition At the fall term OF 1880 out OF 10
students, sixteen were from Old oxford.
From 1880 10 1910, there was manual
labor school having furniture work
shop and large farm, where at least
two-thirds OF the students worked their
way" This drew TO the school q large
number OF boys who had no other way
OF obtaining an education.
IL may be interesting TO your readers
TO know something Of the oxford County
boys, who attended the old kent's Hill
Seminary, during the early years OF its
existence, and OF their subsequent his
tory.
II was at this Institution that Ellhu Il.
Washburn of the celebrated "WashburD
Family" Of Livermore, received his edu-
cation. lie was diligent, practical
scholar. making thorough work OF every
thing he studied, a boy OF marked In
diyiduality, independent, yet faithful In
the observance Of all school rules, and
popular with the boys" His subse-
quent career as a statesman WAS re-
markable. Eighteen successive years
a member OF congress from Illinois,
secretary OF state under Gen. Grants
first term, and subsequently minister 10
France during the Franco-Prussian war,
and the only foreign minister in Paris
who stuck 10 his post during that peril
Gus period. He was always interested
in his old Alma Mater and manifested
that interest by educating his sou, (Ex-
Mayor Washburn OF Chicago AT kent's
Hill while DR.. Torrey was president.
Timothy q. Howe, another oxford
boy, from Livermore, was graduate of
Kent's Hill. Tin" as he was familiar
ly called by the boys, was a bright fel-
low full Of spirit, but a good scholar,
always taking good care TO be on the
right side with the faculty. After leav-
ing the school he studied law, practiced
a few years in this state and went west.
He was afterwards Attorney General of
the United States and for many years
senator in congress from Wisconsin.
The late Thomas II. Brown, NJ. D., OF
Paris, was at one time student AZ
kent's Hill. Alike distinguished as
physician and citizen, he commanded the
respect OF the entire community and his
memory is still held in grateful re-
membrance by a long line OF relatives
and friends.
Another kent's Hill student who won
distinguished honors in the political
world WAS Samuel K. Thurston OF Peru,
who afterwards graduated at Bowdoin
After going west, and remaining there a
short time, he harnessed his OK team,
converted his travelling wagon into an
itinerating mansion in which TO cook, eat
and sleep, and taking his family, travelled
thousands of miles over the western
plains 10 Oregon, settled there and was
the first representative in congress from
Oregon territory. Had he not died early
in life before his term of office expired,
he would undoubtedly have become a
leading man in the politics of that far
OIL Pacific State.
Few men have acquired greater dis
tinction or more honorable reputation
in the business world than Hon. vii.
liam Deering Of Chicago, one of the
greatest manufacturers of agricultural
implements in the world. Mr.. Deering
was a Paris boy, a student at kent's Hill
whose reputation as a manufactures is
world wide. He has kindly remembered
his Alma Mater in very substantial
manner by gifts to its fund from time to
time aggregating nearly ten thousand
dollars.
Mr.. Deering stands alongside the
Of the present day, who
have blessed the world with their gen.
erous gifts to churches, colleges and
hospitals, and other charities too nu-
merous TO mention. To the North
western University at Evanston, Illinois,
he has given more than a quarter Of
million Of dollars.
might go on and add to this list al
most indefinitely, the names Of other Ok
ford County bows who laid the founda-