Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-17
HON. P. o. vIcKERY.
Continued from page u

ing Office in Auburn and began to learn
the printers trade. After serving a
prlef apprenticeship he went to Bos-
ton, where he was employed for some
Two years as a journeyman printer
Alter the late Mr.. Blaine became con-
nected with the Kennebec Journal es-
adjustment Mr.. Vickery entered the
Office and remained several years
When the Civil War broke out he went
INTO the service. At its close he con-
tlnued at his trade. being for some
years foreman of the Journal job room.
In company with Fred c. Rogers he
started small job office in this city.
late IN the COS, and ran it for some
years.
When the late f. c. Allen came to
Augusta and began the publishing
business in 1869, the job printing firm
OF Nickery & Rogers secured a large
snare of his printing; and later when
Mr.. Aliens business grew he engaged
Mr.. Nickery as his superintendent.
Here he remained until 1878. AT this
time Mr.. Allen was not doing a sue
cessful and profitable business; he had
met with reverses which caused him
many anxious hours. During this
period of temporary depression Mr..
Vickery was a source of much comfort
to him. He urged him to keep on and
that prosperity would surely come to
him again. One branch of Mr. Aliens
business had not been profitable; he
could not seem to handle it with any
degree of success. 1t was then that
Mr.. Vichery made the proposition to
buy this particular part of his business
and push it according to the ideas he
had urged Mr.. Allen to adopt. The
proposition was accepted and from that
day in February, 1878, down to the
present time, Mr.. Vickery's business
succeeding year.
In 1874, having succeeded in establish
Ing a profitable mail order business, he
conceived the idea of publishing a
monthly story paper of good literary
merit. adapted to the tastes of the great
middle class, ana tnereupon issued
Vickerys Fireside Visitor, which, with
I'm few months attained a circulation
of nearly 20O,0n0. 1t was complete
success from the start. AT the begin
ing Of the publishing business Mr..
Nickery was located in the rooms over
Devine's drug store. Later he moved
to the Waverly Hall building on Win
throp street and in 1879 he built the
house at the corner of
Chapel and Court streets. which since
then has been several times enlarged.
In 1882. DR.. John r. Hill, now Governor
of the State Of Maine, having married
Mr.. Nickery's only daughter, who
died several years ago. was taken into
partnership and the firm of Vickery &
Hill was established.
Although the business had been very
successful and profitable from its in
ception, it grew more so as the years
went by until now it is Oiie of the
largest and most fiourishing publishing
houses in the country, if not in the
world. 1t stands as Il lasting monument
to Mr.. Nickery's integrity, fidelity to
business trusts, and vigilant and per-
severing industry. He built the
foundation on business honor and the
structure has stood the test Of time
4uJt.. ti ,apIt tO It's owners aNi IA
means uf livelihood fun hundreds nt
men ana Wuu.n. vii enterprise that
has brought to the city of Augusta nu
small amount of the prosperity she no"
enjoys.
Mr.. Nickerys public life has been
singularly successful. More than 30
years ago he was chief engineer of the
Augusta fire department, having run
with the machine for several years and
was chosen five times in succession to
this important position. In 1876 he was
elected to the common council as one of
the members from old Ward 2, and the
next year was elected alderman. In
1875 he was a member Of the House OF
Representatives and was returned in
1879. For three years he served rs
mayor of the city, 1880, 1881 and 1852,
and during his administration he in
aue1rated many improvements
throughout the city. He was always
prominent in the councils of the Re
publican party in the city. county and
State, and though often pressed to do
so he declined further Office until 1898,
when he consented to be a candidate
for the State Senate. He served IN the
upper body in 1899 and 1901 and was
one of the most prominent and influen-
tial members of that branch of the
Maine Legislature.
Besides filing these public places
with eminent fdlIHIulHeSS MI Ni'hSiS
was always foremost in aiding every
good work. He was a member and an
officer of the Maine Press Association
for many years, Board of Trade
worker and an enthusiastic promoter
of the Maine Spoftsmen's Association
Few men in Maine have done so much
to advance the welfare of the fish and
game interests of the State than has
Mr.. Vickery. He was also strong
supporter of the Universalist. Society
in this city and a liberal contributor to
the church fund. He was made a
Mason in Augusta Lodge, No. 14l, IN
1872. and was also memberof Cushnoc
Royal Arch Chapter and Trinity Com
mandery. Knights Templar. He was
one of the prime movers in the build
ing of the Masonic Temple, one of the
finest Masonic homes in Maine, ana
was an active member of the Abnaki
Club from the time of its establish
ment. For several years Mr.. Vickery
was 2 member of the board OF trustees
of the Maine Insane hospitals, and al
WAYS took a great deal of active inter-
est in the institutions under his charge.
When Mr.. Vickery began to look
around for a place to invest the money
which his Industry and business saga