Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-11
esEN g. K,leoRN.

i .EeEN 8. KileoRN.
i Mr.. Eben Shaw Kilborn of Bethel can
truly be classed among the self-made
and successful business men Of our
. county. He was born in Harrison,
Maine, fifty-five years ago. He never
!; knew the fostering care and guardian
hand of father, as he was but a mere
child at his fathers death. But the low
ing care and counsel of a Christian
/. mother was his constant guide until he
was eighteen years of age, when he start
ed out into the world to succeed.
The writer has been thrown in contact
with the subject of this sketch at differ
emit times and under different circum-
stances since our boyhood days, there
fore can speak from personal knowledge.
Mr.. Kilborn's mother remarked and
J located on a farm near West Bethel,
with whom he lived until eighteen as
before stated. There he attended the
district school and an occasional term of
private school in that and adjoining
districts. Early in his school days he
manifested ready decision and honesty
of purpose which has characterized his
later life's work as business man. He
would always stand firm for what he be-
lieved to be right, If he stood alone be-
fore a score of his schoolmates. Being
outnumbered did not conquer or brighten
him. Possessing such traits and pair
of willing hands, it is therefore safe to
say, that when he started out in the
word for himself he went forth to sue
cess.
Mr.. Kilborn worked on farms in the
| s,, kha de n
winters for six consecutive years, when
he was able to purchase half interest
in the old grist mill at the foot of Mill
Hill in Bethel village. He shortly Sc
cured full interest in this property and
put in a large stock Of flour, grain and
| feed for the general trade. He next
purchased the saw mill adjoining his
grist mill, which he tore away, along
| with the unsafe dam, and replaced both |
with firm new structures. Instead OF
the old up-and-down saw removed, he
put in a new board machine and one for |
manufacturing shingles.
When Mr.. Kilborn purchased this old |
mill property, it had the public reputa- |
ton of being serviceable only in rain |
storm or during the spring time flush OF
the melting snow water. Nevertheless,
the opening of the spring following the
general repairs, found the old mill-yard |
piled high with timber, ready for the
saw.
Many were the knowing and suggest
i've mods and winks of the observers as
they passed by loosely remarking, "Will
Kilborn's mill or the wOodworms work
up that pile of TIMBER" "It's Kilborn's
folly" But when the snow water start
ed, so started Kilborn's mill, and con-
tinued day and night, when it was soon
evident that the worms would have to
seek other fields for labor.
This illustrated the foresight, good
Judgment and perseverance of Mr. Kill
born, and it was here that he acquired
the knowledge of the value of timber
and timber lands, in the handling of
which he has been so successful in these
later years. Ten years ago he disposed
of these mills and purchased the Clough
property situated just above on the same
stream. After putting in heavy stone
dam and otherwise improving this prop
erty, he sold out and is turning his at
tention more fully to numbering and Sc
curing timber lands; his acres of wild
lands now being counted by the thou
sands.
This season Mr. Kilborn is purchasing
a large quantity of pine timber for the
Bethel Manufacturing Co., also a quanti-
ty of birch and other timber for j. S.
Morrilrs mills, and several hundred
cords of birch to be manufactured in
mill at West Paris.
Beside the numbering business already
mentioned, he is associated with Judge
A. Z. Herrick in furnishing over 1000
cords of pulp wood for parties at Berlin
Mills.
Mr.. Kilborn has erected three sets of
new buildings in Bethel village, beside
purchasing and repairing several other
places. 1t is not only noticeable, but
noteworthy, that whenever he secures
piece of improved property, it likewise
continues to improve under his owner
ship.
Mr.. Kilborn has always kept up an
interest in his earlier pursuit, that of
agriculture; and with all his landed
estates he is sure to find some portion
where he can make two blades of grass
grow where only one grew before, or
plant and care for fruit trees. He never
does things by halves. He is member
of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry,
having taken the seventh degree at the
last session of the National Grange at
Lewiston. He is also worthy member
of the Order of Odd Fellows and Masons,
having occupied with distinction the
"chair" in both lodges. When the ques-
ton of temperance is approached, none
can be found more staunch than he has
always been from boyhood.
Mr.. Kilborn has served his town five
years as one of its selectmen and assess
ors. going out with honor as chairman
of the board. 1t was while serving here
that he also served as one OF the ROAD
commissioners, in which capacity he
gained the reputation of taking up the
most difficult jobs to be found.
Mr.. Kilborn is regular attendant at
the Congregational Society, and although
showing society preference, he is stiii
a liberal contributor to other denomina-
tions as well. The remark is common
from those in his employ, "Kilborn is
good man to work for" Whenever
case of misfortune and want appeals to
him, they are never turned away disap'
pointed.
Mr.. Kilborn Is also one of the trustees
of Gould Academy and Bethel Savings
Bank and director of Bethel Water
Company. His interest for the welfare
of state and nation is ever alert and pro-
gressive. ,
In the fall of 1898 the Republicans
elected Mr.. Kilborn to represent their
interests in his district in the state legis-
lature, where he served faithfully with
honor to himself and perfect satisfac-
ton to his constituents. He has already
been announced as candidate for the
nomination for senator this year.