The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-01-20
The Jackson Tragedy.

in their home. Rev. David Brackett of
Belfast officiated and the Masonic service
was read by the members of Archon
Lodge of Dixmont. The church was filled.
The following story of Mr.. Tasker's life
was written by him few years ago:
"Ephraim D. Tasker was bern in Dix
mont, Me-, November 18th. 1941, the son
of William J. and Lydia Dodge Tasker.
He was one of family of eleven children,
only two of whom survive him, Mrs.
| Alonzo Tasker of DiXmont and William
| T. Tasker of Stevens Point, Wis. He
received his education in the common and
High.schools of his native and adjoining
town of Monroe. His early life was spent
at home on his fathers farm.
''On April 9th, 1861, he enlisted in an
unassigned company of infantry volunte-
ers at Dixmont and served until May 9th,
when his company was disbanded on &C.
count Of there being too many companies
| for the 9Th Maine regiment, then forming
at Bangor, Me. He re-enlisted in Com
pany F., 4th Maine Infantry, the follow
ing day at Belfast and was mustered into
the U. S. service at Rockland, Me-, June
18th, to serve three years, which regiment
was assigned to Sd brigade, Sd division,
Sd army corps, and participated in the
first battle of Bull Run, Virginia, July
21st, 1861; in the great battle of Gettys-
burg, July I'd, 1868, and at the famous
confederate charge. On the left of the
Union lines at the DEVILS Den, he, with
| 70 others of his regiment, including all
of the commissioned officers of his COM
pany present, were taken prisoners and
taken to Belle Isle prison and confined
there several long dreary months. He
was starved from 100 to less than 100
pounds.
Days of forced and weary marches,
And of combat fierce and red,
Nights of bivouac, round the camp fire,
With the stars alone Ger head.
Days of hunger, hopeless torture,
In southern prison pen,
And dumb, dead face that never love,
Shall wake to live again.
He was paroled and sent with many
others to the parole camp at Annapolis,
Md, and in April, 1864, he was eXchang
ed. Being in poor health he was trans
ferred to the convalescent camp, near
Alexandria, Va. and remained there until
June 10th. He rejoined his regiment at
Cold Harbor and served in line of battle
ard on picket duty with his regiment
until June 14th, then moved in a long
night march to the James river, crossed
the river the next morning at Atkins
Landing, moved two miles to the
! front and took position in line of battle.
His term of service having expired he
was honorably discharged from the U.
| S. service with his regiment at Z ockland,
Me-, July 10Th, 1864.
"After returning from the army he set
| tied on a farm in the town of Jackson
and or June 14th, 1865 was married to
Miss Relief Pattee Of the same town.
| Six children were born to them, who are
all living. His wife passed away, De-
cember 26th, 1892, and in 1896 he married
his wife's sister, Miss Salome Pattee.''
Mr.. Tasker has always been a prom
inent citizen of his town, represented his
class with credit in the House of Repre-
sentatives in the legislature of Maine for
the years of 1882 and 1884. He was ap-
pointed one OF the committee on military
affairs, also on the committee on towns.
| He was justice of peace since 1885. He
assisted many disabled soldiers and their
widows in getting tEeir pensions. Also
| served many years on the board of select
men and assessors of his town, most of
the time as chairman, Was a charter
member of Star of Progress Grange, No.
rs, in his home town and maintained a
successful Grange store for the term of
20 years, serving as chairman of the d.
rectors and purchasing agent for the
store of the 10 years, up to the time
the store was sold out. He took very
active part in establishing the plant Of
the Jackson Creamery Association and
was its only treasurer up to the time of
his death. Although never having been
church member he contributed literally
towards the building and furnishing of
two different churches, one in his native
always strong advocate oftemperance.
He was highly respected member OF
Archon lodge, F. and A. M. of Dixmont
since 1864, having served as treasurer
many years, also held many other posi-.
tinns of trust in the lodge. He had been
an invalid for five years, being tenderly
cared for by bis youngest son, William J
and his family who made their home
with him. He is survived by six chill.
, dren, seven grandchildren and one great
granddaughter: Mrs r. A. Hall, Brooks
Mrs. F, L. O. Hussey, Old Town; Wav.
. erly V. Tasker, Tombstone, Arizona
Leslie A. of Plymouth; Rufus L. of Dix.
mont; and William j. of Jackson. He
was a kind, indulgent father, a FRIEND
, and honored citizen, a thrifty business
man and had accumulated a good sizec
fortune.
Mrs. Salome Pattee Tasker, wife OF
Ephraim D. Tasker, was born on July 9Th
1874, the daughter of Deacon James and
Salome Pattee. When young lady she
went to Massachusetts where she worked
in a hat factory, doing wiring and trim
, ming, where she worked for about &
years and doing dressmaking at intervals.
; After her sisters death she returned
/ home and under persuasion of the chill.
dren took the place of their mother ano
was married to Mr.. Tasker in 1896. She
was kind, indulgent mother to hel
sisters children, who have no remem.
brance but love and respect for theil
aunt and step-mother. She was one of a
family of eight children, three of whom
survive her; David Pattee of Jackson,
Daniel Pattee of Belfast and Mrs. C...L.
Pooler of Belfast. = S.ss.a,r -