The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-10-24

John g. Mel was farmer and
surveyor Of land In Skowhegan. He
lived in the house now occupied by
his daughter, Mrs. Helen Mel How
ard, one of our most respected ladies'.
Mr.. Neil was thrifty man in every
sense and, when ne died, in 1859, he
was considered to be the Wealthiest
man in town.
The foregoing sketches taRe in the
charter members Of Somerset Lodge.
Possibly not all, but some Of them,
were men of high character and
ability, capable Of doing their part in
the building of towns and cities, and,
individually. they did much in the
making of Somerset county com
munity of well to do and c0ntented
people, and most assuredly their love
and regards for Free Masonry and
what they did, have been transmitted
to their sons and grandsons as lega
cies worth keeping.
The Past masters Of Somerset
Lodge embrace long list. 1t would
be in exceedingly bad taste to write
eulogies of the living TO appear in
this communication. Therefore the
writer touches upon the history of
only the dead who no longer can
ter members, DIR. Bates, Judge Farms
worth and Eusebius Weston were
Past masters and their biographies
have preceded. The account now
begins with Joseph Philbrick who
was first elected master in 1925.
Capt. Philbrick lived in Bloomfield
and carried on the pottery business
many years. He was made a mason
in Somerset Lodge during the first
year of its existence and at once took
an active part in all matters pertain
ing to the work of the Lodge. He
may properly be called the father OF
the Lodge although he was not in II
at the beginning. To be more accu-
rate we will call him the "foster
father" He held the Office of master
continuously and at odd times ten
years and later he was its secretary
many years. He was good ritualist
and in this vicinity was regarded an
authority on masonic Jurisprudence.
He was county treasurer seven years.
Capt. Phiibrick was interested in
the higher masonic bodies, the Royal
Arch Chapter, Council of Royal and
Select masters and Templar masonry
and when health permitted he was
constant attendant at the meetings.
The Lodge honored him by placing
in the. hall large portrait of the de.
ceased brother, but when Coburn hall
block was burned that portrait and
several others went to ashes. Capt.
Philbrick died in 1874, and when he
died all of the fraternity felt that
strong pillar of the temple had fallen.
VIM. B. Morrill, was master in 1928.
He too was a Jealous and conscien-
tious mason. He was cabinet ma
ker and occupied building on the
spot where the Brown block now
stands on Water street. He later
lived on the farm where his son-in-
law, Charles Smith, lives on the Nor
ridgewock road. He lived to be an
old man loved and respected by all.
James Bowen was master in 1929.
He was a physician and his residence
was next to the Gov. Goburn mansion.
Samuel Philbrick, usually called
Squire Philbrick, was master in 1880 at
time when the Lodge was dormant
and the working tools laid aside, He
came to this town from Exeter, \. II.
in about 1915 with his brother Joseph,
to carry on the pottery business, an
industry then very much in evidence.
Later he was cashier of the SkoWhe-
gan bank, now the First National.
He was man honest and upright and
positive in his opinions, and IN bust
ness, eXacting.
Benz. P. Pearson was master III
1854-5 and 8. The writer has but
little data relative to Mr.. Pearson, as
he left town and settled in one of the
western states some fifty years ago.
Undoubtedly he served the Lodge
we'll or he would not have been twice
re -elected.
Nathaniel Robinson was master in
1857. He was a physician and must
have gone West before 1861. He is
still living and resides in the West.
Henry A. Wyman was master in
1901. Mr.. Wyman was native of
New Sharon, graduate of Bowdoin
in the class of IA, and was an attor-
ney at Law in Skowhegan. He was
fine presiding officer and held lead
ing position at the Somerset bar. He
died in 1867 lamented by all who
knew him.
Nathan Woodbury. was master in
1862, and 4. He came to this town
from Poland to practice dentistry.
He was made a mason in Somerset
Lodge in 1859 and at once took AN
active interest in the Lodge. He was
! d llJlc pItSldlHR OllCSIY d SoOd AAAu
alist and an impressive worker in the
order. He made a study of masonic
law and was never found wanting in
emergencies in making decisions.
DR.. Woodbury. was interested in all
the masonic bodies in town, having
passed through the chairs of all but
the council. He was at one time
Deputy Grand High Priest of the
Grand Chapter. He moved from here
to lewiston about 1870 and died there.
Harrison F. Kimball was master in
1S701. He was made mason in
Somerset Lodge in 1868. He was
active in masonry several years, or
till he moved on a farm out some
miles from the village. He was at
one time a member of all the masonic
bodies in town. He died afew years
ago,
Charles W. Snow was master in
1915. He was a graduate from VA
terville College. DR.. Snow was made
a mason in 1866 and was an active and
valued member till the day of his
death, in all the masonic bodies. DR..
Snow was son Of Dr. Vim. Snow
and practiced medicine in this town
associated with his father where his
practice was extensive. 1t can truth
fully be said "Dr. Charlie, As every
body called him, worked himself Ia
death in his profession. When his
dear life went out there were mourn
ing hearts in almost every household.
He died suddenly in 1876 in the midst