Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-02-06
Can't. John F, Dearborn.

Capt. John +. Dearborn, aged II, diet
At his homo ut Bryant's Pond, Monday
after an illness Of several months. Capt
Dearborn came of one of the old families
OF Boston, where he was born March q
1884. He received Q common school
education, and at the age of IA years
entered business house in Boston
Here he remained for six years, and then
went to sea, starting in before the mast
on three years. voyage around the
world. He loved the sea, and rose to
the highest rank in the ship.
The breaking out Of the civil wal
found him in Liverpool, England, when
he fastened home to take up arms In
defence Of the Union. He was commits.
missi0ned acting master In the United
States Navy Dec. q, 1851, serving until
March %, 1884, when on account Of poor
health he was ordered to the command
of Boston navy yard, where he remained
until mustered out, March II, 1885. He
was proud indeed of his service in the
navy. He was with Admiral Farragut
up and down the Mississippi, at Port
Hudson, Vicksburg and other noted en-
gagements, and was an able commander,
as is substantiated by testimonials from
naval officers now on file at his late
residence.
After being mustered out Capt. Dear
born came to Locke's Mills. He built a
spool mill and taught the operatives to
make spools himself. So many men
flOcked to the town to engage in the
business that there were not rents
enough to supply the demand and new
houses had to be built.
He continued very successful bust
ness there until 1879, when his mill was
burned. At a town meeting held at
Bryant's Pond, it was voted to build a
mill for Capt. Dearborn and exempt it
from taxation for 10 years. The follow
ing year a large mill was built for him,
and he again employed the men who had
worked for him at Locke's Mills.
In 1884, while some men from Port.
land we're testing the boiler, it exploded
and killed two men who had just step
ped into the boiler room. The mill was
total wreck, but it was at once rebuilt
and Mr.. Dearborn had carried on a pros
porous business since. He always paid
high wages, and it is understood that he
had so left the business that 1t will be
continued. Frank P. Cole has been
foreman of the mill since it was built
and will remain in that position.
Capt. Dearborn was man OF integrity
and honor. At one time financial re-
verses compelled him to make a settle
ment with his creditors at a percentage,
but he remembered his moral obligation,
and when prosperity came to him again,
he voluntarily sent every creditor
check for the balance of the amount due
at the time of the settlement. For his
workmen he was always thoughtful, and
ready to render them any assistance or
favor that was needed.
Capt. Dearborn married twice and
survived both of his wives. His nearest
relatives are cousins, one of whom is
the postmaster at Wakefield, Mass. He
is supposed to have left considerable
estate.
The funeral was held on Wednesday.
PRAYER at the house and sermon at the
Universalist church by Rev. j. II. Little
of South Paris. All places of business
in the village were closed during the
service. The workmen attended the SER
vice in body. Burial was in Lakeside
Cemetery, near the church.