The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-10-24
patriarchs of Somerset Lodge.
To sh< Edito, Of The R<pOytty.

issue of the REPORTER under the
heading, 1.-THE Temple is Finished, -
must have been unusually entertain
ing to all members of the Masonic
fraternity who were fortunate enough
to read it. The article deals largely
with facts about which very many
whe read it must have been quite ig
norant, especially those of the
present generation and the new mem
bers of the order, and that, therefore
makes the article the more interest
ing to them.
With very many of those facts the
writer of this communication WAS
somewhat familiar, but he begs to
say that the reading of them has in
spired him with an impulse to con-
tinue the story in a somewhat remi-
niscent manner When the writer
came to this county in 1851, all the
gentlemen whose names are mention
ed in connection with Somerset
Lodge, in the early years of its his
tory, and prior to that date, were en-
tire strangers to him, but later, since
know many of them intimately, and
especially since that date he has been
in close touch with nearly all the
others, the Past Masters whose
names appear in the list given.
OF the charter members it was his
privilege to make the acquaintance
of quite a number of them and he
came to know what manner of men
they were, and from them he obtain
ed some knowledge of nearly all the
others. But in order to keep this
communication within the proper
limits of a newspaper article, he is
admonished that brevity must be his
guiding star, and that forces him TO
leave out great deal that might be
interesting.
The one most prominent of the
charter members was DR.. James
Bates, the first master of the Lodge.
He was physician and one of the
most eminent and distinguished sur
geons of the State and was frequently
called to travel long distances to per-
form surgical operations. In 1880 he
represented this district in the 32d
j Congress-; in l845 he was appointed
Superintendent of the Insane Asylum
at Augusta, remaining in that respon-
sible position six years. In 1858 he
removed to Yarmouth, where, for ten
years or more, he was engaged in the
active duties of his profession, being
associated with his son, DR.. James M.
Bates. He died in 1882 at the ripe
age of 92 years and five months. A
few years before his death he visited
/ Skowhegan, then blind and quite deaf.
To honor him as much as possible,
meeting of the Lodge was called SO
that the resident members might see
and clasp the hand of the first master
and one of the charter members.
Much to his inconvenience and tax of
strength, DIR. Bates climbed, by the
assistance of others, the long flights
of stairs leading to the masonic hall,
over Coburn nall and favored the
| fraternity with his venerable pres
ence. He occupied the masters
chair in the East and made one of the
most remarkable and interesting
speeches ever heard in that Lodge
room. He alluded to his early ma
sonic life, having been made a mason
in 1917. In closing he babe the mem
bers an affectionate farewell, Impress
ing all present with the reluctant
thought that the sands of his life were
nearly run out.
/ Warren Preston was a lawyer, and
at one time held the Office of Judge of
4 Probate. He was prominent man
and held in high esteem.
Drummond Farnsworth was one of
the leading men and merchants of
Norridgewock and was also Judge of
Probate. He died in 1865.
William Case was law student in
Norridgewock After being admitted
to the Somerset bar he went to Texas,
where he died.
Isaac Hackett was halter by trade
He lived in Norridgewock and died
there in 1867.
Milford p. Norton was at one time
trader at East Madison. Later he
became a practicing lawyer in Nor
ridgewock, and afterwards went to
Texas, where he died.
John Loring was a miller.
Richard Sawtelle was merchant
on the north side of the river in Nor
ridgewock. In the chamber of his
house (the house is now standing
Somerset Lodge first met. He died
in 1885,
Samuel Sylvester was Norridge-
wock merchant, and quite prominent
in his day.
JOStDu I1dbhtli W do a ldlA lOA al
what is now Skowhegan.
Jacob N. Shaw was a merchant in
Skowhegan.
George Bixby was a merchant in
Athens. He belonged to the large
family of that name who settled in
Somerset county early.
John Wyman was an inn holder in
Skowhegan, located where "The
Coburn" now stands. His place of
business was called in those days the
cred Dragon"
Josiah Parlin was saddler in Nor
ridgewock. He died in 1859 His
widow lived and died few years ago
at East Madison.
John Pollard was thrifty farmer
in Cornville.
William Bray was brick mason in
Skowhegan. He died in 1885.
Eusebius Weston was merchant in
Skowhegan. He lived in house on
the island where the high school
building is located Mr.. Weston was
one of the large family of that name
whose ancestors came in the early
days to Somerset County. He built
the store on the corner of Madison
avenue and Water street recently
burned. Mr.. Weston was an active
mason all his life. He was a Past
master of Somerset Lodge and a d.
ID. G. NJ. of this district, which then
embraced the Lodges in Waterville,
Augusta and Hallowell and those in
Somerset county.