Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-03
SKOWHECAN.
Death Wednesday Night Of
Mrs. MaryW. varney
One Of Towns Oldest Women
Descendant Of First Settlers


Mrs. Mary White (Weston) Varney
one of the oldest women and a de-
scendant of the first settlers of the
town, died Wednesday night. She had
been sick since last November. She
was born in Bloomfield Jan. 10, 1881
The home of her birth is still standing
near the historic spot of Benedict Ar
nold-s landing on Skowhegan Island,
though somewhat changed. Her par
ents were John w. and Sarah Walk
err Weston and she was one of IL
children, being the eldest daughter
and sixth child. The parents came
Of English ancestry and Puritan stock.
Her grandfather was one of the first
settlers of Bloomfield. At the age Of
% she became the wife of Josiah Par
ker Varney, whose parents were also
among the pioneer settlers and re-
moved to the present location of the
Varney homestead on Madison avenue.
Mrs. Varney became the mother of
seven children. OF these but two are
now living, Henry w, a well-known
furniture dealer of Skowhegan, and
junior partner Of the Bragg & Var
ner firm; and Miss Clara B. Narney,
the fourth daughter, who resides at
home. The other children died while
young.
Mrs Varney's religious convictions
were strong and fearless but liberal.
She was a Universalist and she be-
came a member of the church and
when a building for worship was
erected here she was very active. She
continued to assist with unabating in
terest in the church of her choice and
although services have not been held
here for some time she has still been
the same loyal Universalist and at
the time OF her death was president
of the Mission Circle connected with
that society. She was for many years
treasurer of the Woman's Aid Society
and an active worker in the Woman S
Club. having been a charter member
Besides the son and daughter, a
brother, Levi W. Weston. survives.
The SlIowhegan Farmers Union will
meet at 40 P. NJ. Saturday at the
Municipal building.
Paul Jones. a student at Tilton Aead-
envy. has been passing few days
with his uncle, Dr. H. c. Taggart.
Sumner P. Wilson left Wednesday
IDT 1OTlldlhly hHtIt lit wan PsA'.7 So
eral weeks with his niece, Mrs. Res
zoe Leighton.
The First Baptist Mission Circle will
be entertained Friday afternoon by
Mrs. N c. Ordway. program on
Alaska will be presented, in charge OF
Mrs. NJ. L. Murray.
Russell Post, G. A. r., will observe
the anniversary of Lees surrender and
supper will be served at $50 in q
!. A. r. hall. E.sse.v -.
DIR. and Mrs w. S. Stinchfield will
leave Saturday for a two-weeks visit
to New York City.
Frank T. Ross and son Walter OF
st. stephen, y. b., left Thursday fol
Washington, D. c.
Mrs. f. NJ. Sedgley has been visit
ing her sister, Mrs, c. ]. Abbey for
few days. She is to return to her home
in Waterville Saturday afternoon.
A. r. Smiley has resigned as cream
gatherer for the Skowhegan Jersey
Creamery, after a number of years
service.
The Knights of Pythias will give an
Easter ball April 49, in Grange hail.
The Boy Scouts had a supper at the
CONGREGATIONAL vestry Wednesday eve
ming. followed by demonstrations In
signaling and first aid work by some
of the members.
Miss Viva Dale Crommett went
Thursday to Boston, where she has a
position in musical work.
The portable saw mill owned by
George Harlow on the Parochial farm
was burned about midnight Wednes-
Il 90 Of ahOIlt X1A00
The fire is supposed to have caught
around the boiler.
Ralph j. Cleveland has a position
with the Boston Rubber Co. in the
electrical department and will assume
his position next week.
Miss Grace Russell, teacher in
South Berwick schools, is visiting her
sister, Mrs. Reuel Copp.
Judge F. F. Lawrence by direction of
the Skowhegan Board of Trade, has
completed arrangements for an illus
trated lecture on the Panama canal,
April 20 in the opera house.
Merton T. Goodrich has been elect
ed superintendent of schools at Bing-
him, this town having withdrawn
from the class Concord, Moscow and
Caratunk in employing one superin-
tendent C. E. Bell has been superin-
tendent of Bingham with the other
towns for a number of years. being
the oldest in the service in the State.
Mr. Ball continues. however, to be
superintendent of the other towns.
Miss Edith w. Lewis is substituting
as teacher of music at Good VIII dur
ing the absence of Miss Faith Hinck-
ley, who is i'll.
DR.. r. w. Farwell, who has been In
the office of DR.. A. B. Borden, left
Tuesday for Somerville, N. J.
Tuesday. April Z, will be Guest night
at Priscilla Rebekah Lodge. Special
entertainment will be given.
L. r. Brown is making preparations
to build house on the Russell farm.
MIR. and Mrs. Omar Furber enter
tanned Wednesday evening at whist,
16 ladies and gentlemen being present.
The prizes were won by Mrs. Edward
B. Whiting and Arthur Jones. The
gifts were a framed picture and an ac-
count book. Lunch was served.
George w. Rowell of Madison has
purchased the Frank r. Folsom resi-
derce on Madison avenue.
Clementine Weston w. C. T. u. will