The Portland daily press., 1899-10-19
MAINE TOWNS.
Items of Interest Gathered by Our Local
Correspondents.
RIoHMoNp


caster, the oldest inhahitsns dwelling In
this Vicinity, celebrated his l0oth birth
day at home on the 'sCard-maohina
rold," about foar miles from this village
In Rowdonham, today. Mr.. Lancaster
was born 0st 10, 1893, in log cabin,
ON the 'tPost rold." in Rowdo nham.
His parents were Stephen ami Nancy
(oarleton) Lsn,aster ami Ebsn was ons
OF seven children. Stephen Lancaster was
a farmer, ami was OF the first gen ration
OF the name tom In this country, his
father having immigrated from England.
When thirty years OF age Ebsn Lancaster
was united in marriage TO Miss Maria
Preble and moved to his present place OF
abode, where Re has lived for seventy
yenrs. Their descendants include nine
children eight OF whom are living
and were present toiaJ; thirty one
grandchildren, twenty seven present,
and twelve great-grandchildren seven OF
whom were present. Mrs. Lancaster
died in 1892. at the age OF SO years. In
his active days MIR. Lancaster was n
farmer. Earlisr he had been ship CAR
penter and worked In the shipyards Of
Bath and Richmond. He used to Wink
to this village. do days work and re-
turn home by the same method of trans
portati n. Considerable Of the vigor that
permitted such toll Is still retained. His
mind Is clear, health good, hearing
scarcely affected, and he furnished nu-
merous autographs today without the aid
of glasses. But for q lameness that COM
pels thu use of ,rutch and cane, he wo uld
still he In active service about the farm,
In religious belief Mr.. Lancaster has
teen follower OF tie Advent church for
forty-seven years, part OF which time he
mas been a deacon Of that organization.
Politically, he says he has s.always
been O Republican," His first vote for
president was thrown for James Monroe,
and his last enc for William Mckinley.
In June he cast his ballot for Hen.
Charles K. Littlefeld, Republican can
Many political delinqrents might serve
their country better II they would be as
faithful TO their duty as civizens as Is
"Unele Eben." When questioned today
as TO his military service, he stated he
had lived through five wars without hav-
ing taken part in either. and added that
the only engagement In which he had
ever participated was that which CO.
CURED just before his marriage. Mr..
Lancaster attended church services yes.
terday, walking to the nearby school
house whsre they were held. The extr-
discs today consisted of o religious SER
vice, held in the school house in the fore
noon, lead by Elder Levi Rhoades. A
social service followed in which Mr., Lam
caster took part. At nom bountiful
dinner was served In tn, house of which
nearly 200 persons partook, including
fifty live of Mr.. Lanoaster's relatives ana
descendants. In the afternoon the ex-
cruises were held on the lawn In front Of
the house and consisted of singing, origi-
nal poems aud reoitations. About i've
hundred people came during the day TO
pay their respects to the aged man, and
to wish him q continue and pleasant life.
Surrounded by his children and grand
children, none seemed to enjoy the occa-
sion more than he in whose honor 10 was
given. While giving thanks to God for
his many mercies. he said he was most
thankful that he was born SIN land of
liberty and civilization"
The descendants OF the late Elias Dins-
more, Of Bowdoinham. held reunion
today at the old homestead, near the
home Of Mr.. Eben Lancaster. or the
four children. ten grand children, and
three grsat-grand children. all but three
were present; also other relatives and
friends. Mrs. Martha Diusmore, aged 81
years, widow of Mr.. Dinsmore, enjoyed
the reunion, and also the presence,
among the guests of her only surviving
brother. Mr.. Moses Adams, aged rs years,
BUXTON.
West Buxton, Oct. I7--Mr. Seth p.
Smith of Boston. who has been visiting
relatives In this vicinity, returned home
last Monday.
Mrs. Charss e. Gstoheli is at present
In Nashua. ". II. with her sister, who
has been quite Ill.
Mrs. W. NJ. Litt,efeld, who has been
visiting her sister, Mrs. W. 8. Graham
the past few days, returned to her home
in Alfred Saturday.
Mrs. Abbie Sawyer Of Saoo is spending
a few days wish Mrs. Thomas Bradbury
on School street.
Mr.. Edgar Bacon of Sanford was in
town Sunday.
A lecture entitled "The Passing of the
Century" was given by Rev. Mr.. Baker
Of Buxton Lower Corner last Friday
evening. in the l. o. o. +. hall Quits
a large audience was present. Mr.. baker
was assisted by Miss Nellie g. Sands,
reader, and the music was furnished by
the Bar Mills band
Mr.. q. Z. Ridlon of Kezar Falls il
the guest OF his brother, MIR. K. II.
Ridlon on High street.
Work is progressing on the mills, and
Mr. Rumery OF Portland, who has
Monday, October 10, with his force.
Mr.. Gcldthwaite of the firm OF Ora
ham & Co. was in Saco Monday on
business.
G. e. Higgins is to move his family
into the house on School street opposite
the church.
Mr.. Clarence Towls, who has been at
the klondike the past two years, surprised
his parents by walking into the house
last Saturday evening.
BUXTON.
Buxton, Oot. l6-The follow ing parties
in Buxton pay an annual tax of over one
hundred dollars: +. Ii. Hargraves, j.
b. Warren, S. Messrve s. Son, VIM. g.
Webster heirs of, Maine Furniture Co.,
Mrs. Rhode Waterman, Isaac Emery.
The following payya tax If fifty dol
lars: Andrew L. Berry, Thomas Il.
Berry. .. A. Berry, Irving Blake,
George K. Roothby q Sons, Martin
Coffin. Noah Cressey. Mary and Herbert
Davis. o ,car Il. Dsering. Mary j. Dow,
Samuel Eldsn, Fred ID. Emery, Isaac
Emery, Frank Emery, b. b. Grant and
wife, S. Hanson 81 Co., S. Hanson,
heirs Of, Liberty Hanson, j. H. Harmon,
Horace Harmon, Samuel A. Hill,
Thomas Hill, Peter Hill. hairs of, H. II.
Hill, Mess ID. Harmon, Thomas Hill,