HISTORY OF MILAN, COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and its counties TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ****DO NOT LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS TEXT FILE, INSTEAD LINK TO THE FOLLOWING URL***: http://www.nh.searchroots.com/coos.html#Milan ======================================================== History of Coös County, New Hampshire by George Drew Merrill; Syracuse N.Y.: W.A. Fergusson & Co., 1888, 1888, 1018 pgs. page 830 MILAN The surface of Milan is uneven and broken, and there are no mountains of any considerable elevation. The soil is productive and few towns can raise more valuable crops to the acre. The valley farms are the finest. The upper Ammonoosuc and Androscoggin rivers pass through this town, flowing in nearly opposite directions. The latter receives several tributaries in Milan. Here the Androscoggin river is quiet, in great contrast to the roaring, rushing rapids at Berlin Falls, and one in coming to the village after a sojurn at the "Falls" enjoys the restfulness and beauty of the little place. There are several ponds of which Cedar pond is the largest. This town was granted to Sir William Mayne and others, under the title of Paulsburg, in 1771; it retained this name until December 16, 1824, when it was incorporated under the name of Milan. It is bounded on the north by Dummer and Cambridge, east by Success, south by Berlin, west by Stark and Kilkenny. Area, 31,154 acres. The Grant Trunk railway passes through the west part, and the village of West Milan gives the name to one station, while another is Milan Water-Station (Coppersville). Like the other towns around it, Milan's first industries were lumbering operations, and agriculture was for some time subordinate to this. The firms farms were developed on Milan hill. The soil war warmer, more free from frost, and, for some years, produced quite liberally in response to the labors of the pioneers. But they were not permanently as productive as they gave promise, and many of those settlers who remained south the most valuable lands along the river. To-day, however, good farms are scattered through the town. The history of Milan is devoid of wife significance; its annals are marked by few famous names or conspicuous happenings; but the beautiful farms which dot its surface, and the comfortable homes of to-day tell the story of the patience and perserverance of the few settlers who came to stay in the half century and more ago. The very hard, unenviable lot, endured by the early pioneers in this region, should be a very instructive lesson to their descendants. Those vigorous, determined pioneers fought hard with adverse elements, in their efforts to support and to preserve those precious gifts whcih to them of God. Some of them had large families. How pitiful their poverty, their hardships, their deprivations, their great want of privileges for their children, both educational and religious. With some the best they could do for their households was to provide clothing and food. Their garments were of the coarsest texture, and of the most simply make. Their food was of the plainest, most frugal quality. Prior to 1820 there were but few inhabitants. In 1819 the population was about fourteen; ten years passed and the number was increased four-fold. About 1822 or '23 several families emigrated from Maine and settled on Milan hills. EARLY SETTLERS--Among those who first penetrated this wilderness to make permanent homes for themselves and their posterity was JOHN ELLINGWOOD. He came about 1822 and first settled on Milan hill. His wife was RACHEL BARROWS, of Bethel, Me. Of their family of six children were Hester Ann, Isaac H., John W. and Freeman. Mr. Ellingwood was a farmer, a good Christian, and deacon of the Methodist church. He died about 1830. His son Isaac was the first white child born on Barrows mountain (Milan Hill). ISAAC HARRIS came from Bethel in 1822. He was a school-teacher in Sutton, Mass., and very well educated for those days. His daughter, Mrs. Mary Fogg, resides in town. DANIEL G. ELLINGWOOD was probably the first settler on the Androscoggin. He located where Adams Twitchel now lives. THOMAS LAKE lived below the Ellingwood place; he came to Milan at the same time, but remained only a few years. He made a small clearing. BENJAMIN HIBBARD came from Newry, Me. a little later than 1822, located and lived several years on the east side of the river. He died in Milan. The Hutchinsons were settlers on Milan Hill in 1823 or 1824. MOSES HODGDON was one of the first to settle on Hodgdon hill, coming there in 1829, with his family of several children. He located on the top of the hill, developed a good farm, and brought up a family of sturdy, strong boys. He erected an up-and-down aw mill, with shingle-machine, edger, etc. He and his sons conducted this until it was burned in May 1881. Mr. Hodgdon lived to a good old age. He was collector of taxes and a representative man. His children were Samuel F., Moses, Charles N., Elizabeth (Mrs. Dexter Wheeler) (dec.), Emily (Mrs. J.H. Chandler), Ruth, married Capt. L.P. Adley, Charles N., and Moses are now residents of Berlin. AMASA FOGG came from Ossipee about 1824 and settled on Lot 1, range 8, second division. ABNER HINdS, about 1821, settled on lot 1, range 1, first division. He was one of the wealthiest of the early settlers, a great hunter and trapper. His murder by Robbins caused great excitement throughout the country. He was much esteemed by his townsmen [See. Col. Kent's graphic account in General History, pages 110, 111]. GEORGE T. ROBERTS came from Kennebunk, Me. and purchased in 1834, of his father, JOHN ROBERTS, the lot mentioned above, which had been owned previously by one Walker. Mr. Roberts resided here, engaged in farming and lumbering until 1869. He now lives in Deering, Me. Five of his ten children are living--Benjamin T., on the home farm; John in Wisconsin; Burleigh, a member of the mercantile house of Kent & Roberts, Lancaster; Marcia A. and Lizzie W. ISAAC HAGAR was an early comer. He located on the Ammonoosuc near West Milan. He was a farmer, hunter and trapper, and a companion of Robbins and Hinds in their hunting expeditions. REUBEN SARGENT was another early settlers, lived here but a few years, then moved away. ANTHONY NAY located in the west part of the town; he lived a long life, left descendants and held some town officers. CHARLES NEWELL was in Milan a short time. The ROBBINS family of which SYLVANUS and MOSES were members came from Massachusetts, probably Beverly, before 1825, and were residents for years. SYLVANUS was insane for a long time, and some of the people sat up nights to watch their buildings for fear of his burning them. ASA BARROWS who came in 1882, was a soldier in the War of 1812, passed his life and died here. EMERSON COLE made his home in the west part of the town, cleared a farm; he had a large family and some of his descendants are now residents. He was prominent in town affairs, selectman for many years, and a worthy citizen. REUBEN HOBART came from Gilead, Me. in 1825, located on the place where Walter Allen now lives. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. The WIGHT family were of the earliest to settle in Milan, coming here in 1822; they lived on the east side of the river. AARON, PHILIP and NATHANIEL were inhabitants in 1825. AARON moved to Dummer in 1844. EDWARD RICHARDSON came from Bethel, Me about 1823 or 1824 and settled on Milan Hill. His wife was a Miss Ellis, from Sutton, Mass. Their family was three sons and four daughters. Mr. Richardson lived to a good old age, was one of the first selectmen and held the office several years. ISAAC STEARNS was also from Bethel, Me., He was a man of of consderable ability and enterprise. He built a mill, acquired some property, then moved to Western New York. He lived on the east side of the river where C.D. Hamlin now resides. SAMUEL CRAFTS was from Hebron, Me.; he was one of the pioneers in 1822. He had a large family of children. His wife was a Sturtevant from Hebron. One son, Rev. F.A. Crafts, is a Methodist clergyman, a resident of Connecticut. Col. Welcome A. Crafts was another son of Samuel. JAMES H. HORN located at West Milan, was the first elected town clerk. He was licensed to sell liquor, and kept a hotel at West Milan at the time of the construction of the railroad. It is said that a barrel of burning-fluid was sent here by mistake in plcae of liquor, and gave such satisfaction that another barrel was ordered "just exactly the same kind." PETER WHEELER, the first clerk elected an an annual meeting in Berlin, moved to Milan in 1834. He settled on a place on Milan Hill road, was a bricklayer. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Plattsburgh. He took active part in town matters in Milan, was clerk, selectman and treasurer, also representative for two years in the legislature. He lived a long and useful life, and died in 1874, aged eighty three. THE TWITCHELL family has been a leading one in Milan since the first settlement, coming here in 1824. CYRUS AND RANSOM TWITCHELL were taxed residents in 1825. Many of these people came from Maine...others were from Massachusetts. INVENTORY FOR 1825-- [names only] Issac Hagen [HAGAR], James H. Horn, Anthony Nay, Reuben T. Sargent, Charles Newell, Abner Hinds, Emerson Cole, Joshua Roberts, Asa Barrows, Edward Richardson, Isaac Harris, Sylvanus Robbins, Moses Robbins, Cyrus Twitchel, Reuben Hobard, Samuel Crafts, Samuel B. Robbins, Ranson Twitchell, Benjamin Hibbard, Daniel G. Ellingwood, Thomas Lake, Isaac Stearns, John Ellingwood, Phillip Wight, Aaron Wight, Nathaniel Wight. EARLY CONVEYANCES--November 12, 1796, David Webster of Plymouth, sheriff of Grafton County NH conveyed to William K. Atkinson of Dover, the whole town of Paulsburg for $21.34, the amount of the proprietary tax of 1794. William K. Atkinson, conveyed thirteen-fourteenths of Paulsburg, as follows: November 12, 1796 to William Plumer, of Epping, one fourteenth, undivided. Jonathan Cilley, of Nottingham, one-fourteenth undivided [only names continue] Greenleaf Cilley, of Nottingham; William Webster of Plymouth; Thomas Leavitt of North Hampton; William Harper of Sanbornton; George W. Livermore of Holderness; Moore Russell of Haverhill; William Wallace of Newbury Vt.; Nathaniel Peabody of Atkinson; Jabez Parsons of Colebrook. June 3, 1797 Jonathan Cilley deeded to William Plumer; Oct 3 William Plumer collector to Samuel Plumer; April 14, 1801 Samuel Plumer Jr. to William Plumer; October 6 1800 Samuel Plumer Jr to Daniel Plumer. FIRST TOWN MEETING- March 8, 1825 held at the dwelling house of Isaac Harris. [Additional early town records in original document not included here] AcTION IN THE REBELLION--At a special town meeting held September 1, 1862 it was voted to pay a bounty of $100 to every man mustered into the service of the U.S. on the quota of the town for two last calls of 300,000 each. CIVIL LIST Town Clerks 1825 James H. Horn 1826-29 1831-32, 1834-35, Ransom Twitchell 1837 Gilman Twitchell 1833, 1844-45 Thomas Wheeler Jr. 1836-38 Peter Walker 1839 Peter Wheeler 1839-41, 1846-57 Almon Hutchinson 1843-43, 1855 Ozmon M. Twitchell 1848-54, 1858-59 Larking Pettengill [additional town clerks in original document not included here] SELEcTMEN--Cyrus Twitchell, Abner Hinds, Isaac Harris authorized to call the first meeting [additional selectmen in original document not included here] FIRST MILLS in MILAN--Early in this century, probably before the War of 1812, a mill was erected by one Eames who received a grant of land from the proprietors for doing so... this mill stood near Milan Water Station, now Copperville... William Leighton who came to Dummer in 1812, shortly after built a barn, and had the roofboards sawed at this mill. The first mill on the Ammonoosuc was built as early as 1835 on lot 7 range 3, first division by a company consisting of Henry Snow of Effingham, Dr. Loren Hildreth and one Roberts of Parsonfield, Me. This was first conducted by Mr. Snow, afterwards by Anthony Nay, and, during 1838 or 1839 the property was sold to Amos Green of Berlin, who rebuilt the mill on a larger scale. He carried it on until the California fever broke out, when, leaving it in the charge of his son, George A. (who, it is said made more money out of it than his father) in 1850 he went ot California. In 1855 Alvinza A. Huggins of Saco, Me. purchased it [more on mills in original document not included here]. MILAN MINE-- In August 1877 NATHAN FOGG, while haying, went to the small stream, called "william Fogg brook" to get a drink, and saw something glittering on the bottom in an apparently metallic vein of about four feet in width. He soon blasted the rock containing the vein near the stream, sent specimens to Prof. Huntington at Hanover, and had him come and examine the place. Prof. H. found, by assaying $58 gold, four ounces of silver, fifteen percent copper and a trace of lead to the ton. The land was bonded to one Zalmon Taylor, who sunk a shaft twenty feet but did not develop further. It was then leased and bonded successively to Charles H. Souther and D.F. Leavitt who did not do much work. In 1881 Mr. Fogg sold the mine to Hanson Gregory Jr for $7,500. He operated it for some time and sold to Boston and Portland parties who erected buildings, employed from sixty-five to seventy men during 1884 and 1885 and accomplished much work. The vein was about fifty rods and to a depth of 200 feet. The richer metals diminished in quantity as the shaft left the surface; copper became the chief metal in the vein, exhibited chiefly as a sulpheret. The sulpher formed an important element of profit in working the mine, and on account of its low value, the work was stopped in the fall of 1886. BUSINESS INTERESTS--Previous to 1838 the inhabitants of Milan were obliged to go to Shelburne or Lancaster for all "Store"goods used today. Some of the first settlers made the trip to Shelburne and back on foot in a day, bringing a load of from fifty to seventy-five pounds. They used to make considerable potash, shaved pine shingles, etc., carry them to Harrison, Me., or to Portland of which was a generous supply of old New England rum. A barrel of rum was calculated to be of as much value in a family in a year as a good cow. about 1838 Ransom Twitchell commenced keeping a small assortment of goods in his house which he continued until 1844. Israel P. Green was in trade from 1844 to 1846, when he sold out to Fordyce Burbank, who took in as partner, John Hamlin. In 1847 the store was burned and their business closed up. From 1847 to 1850 Jacob & Hiram T. Ellingwood kept a store in connection with their potash business. about 1850 Davis, Frasier & Co. (Abner Davis, John L. Frasier and Fred A. Craft) formed a partnership. In 1851 Mr. Frasier sold out his interest to his partners, the firm being "Davis & Crafts"; in 1852 Mr. Crafts sold his interest to Merrill C. Forist, firm "Davis & Forist." in 1854 or 1855 they sold out to David Meserve, who continued in trade until 1865 or '66; the last year of his business he had associated with him Solomon J. Hayward, firm name "Meserve & Hayward." In 1852 a new firm entered the mercantile business--Adams Twitchel and James M. Phipps--continuing until 1856 when they sold out to "Bickford, Wheeler & Davis" (Sullivan T. Bickford, Franklin Wheeler and Columbus Davis). In 1858 they disposed of their interest to "J.A. & J.W. Greenlaw" who continued until 1861. In 1863 "Wardwell & Paine) (Charles A. Wardwell and Gardiner C. Paine) began trade in the store formerly occupied by the Greenlaws. In 1866 Mr. Paine sold his interest to Theodore Morin. The next fall Mr. Wardwell disposed of his interest to Columbus Lane, firm "Morin & Lane." In 1869 Mr. Lane bought out Mr. Morin and continued in trade alone until 1874 when he closed up his business and moved away. In 1863 Samuel E. Paine built a small store on the site now occupied by A. Blake and occupied it until 1866, when he sold to Cyrus D. and Charles H. Hamlin. In 1867 they sold to George G. Gates, who remained until 1872, when he sold out to Alfred N. and Ramsom A. Twitchell. After a few months Ransom A. sold his interest to George W. Page (firm name "Twitchell & Page.) In the spring of 1874 their store burned and the goods saved were sold to the firm of "York & Twitchell (Dennis B. York and Ransom A. Twitchell) who continued in partnership until 1881 when Mr. Twitchell sold to Mr. York who is still in business. In 1868 John W. Greenlaw built the store now occupied by George E. Dale. It wsa used by various parties for different purposes. APpleton Blake commenced trade there about 1872 or '73 and occupied it until he moved into the store where he now is. In 1866 David & Jabez P. Evans began merchandising in the OLD Greenlaw store. In 1868 the firm of J.M. Phipps & Co bought the building now owned by S.A. Collins, fitted it up and commenced trade, the firm consisting of James M. and Peter A.G. W. Phillps and Cyrus Hamlin. After about two months, Mr. Hamlin sold his interest to his partners, who, in 1874, took in James S. Phipps as a partner; they continued business until 1878 when they sold out to George E. Dale, who still continues in business. About 1876 a "Grange" of the Patrons of Husbandry was organized in tow, and the scheme of co-operative trade was tried. For several reasons its was a failure and finally ended in the organization of the firm of W.A. Willis & Co. (William A. Willis, Carleton W. Muzzy, Charles P. Bickford and Sullivan T. Bickford) who continued in business until 1884. In 1884 Henry L. Steinfield occupied the store vacated by W.A. Willis & Co. and is still in trade. C. Williamson is postmaster at Milan. WEST MILAN-MERCHANTS ETC. The first regular store was opened at West Milan by Ezra Horn about the year 1850, when the Grand Trunk railway was being built. In 1857 Simon Cole commenced trade in the store opposite the railroad station, and continued until 1860, when he sold out to his son, Lewis H. Cole, who built the store now occupied by Roberts & Forbush, and in 1865 disposed of his business to Edwin W. Wilkinson who closed out in 1869 and moved to Groveton. In 1870 Hutchinson & Morin (Freeland Hutchinson and Theodore Morin) occupied the same store. They continued three years; in 1874 Mr. Morin sold out to Mr. Hutchinson. In 1874 or 1875 Mr. Hutchinson sold out to Blanchard Bros. (George W., Charles N. and Fred H.) and the next year Charles N. sold to his partners and the firm name became "G.W. & F. H. Blanchard" until 1879 when the partnership dissolved. In the year 1860 O. H. Nay commenced business in the store below the depot; he continued in trade until 1874 or 1875 and has not done much since. In 1880 Fred H. Blanchard occupied the store formerly owned by O.H. Nay, and with the exception of a few months, has occupied it ever since. [[more about merchants in this area in original document not included here]. The Blanchards have been leaders in business in West Milan for years. In manufacturing, in merchandising, and other industries they have been actively engaged. George W. is now conducting a steam-mill with a production of 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 of feet per annum. Hamlin & Company, of Milan, have a birch and poplar-mill; R.H. Cole manufactures shingels; C.M.C. Twitchel is an extensive farmer and lumberman. There are many good farmers in town, whose industry brings good results and adds to its financial status. CHURCH HISTORY--the church history of Milan, as in many other towns, must of necessity be incomplete. The records of early work are few, old members have fallen out of the way, and tradition is uncertain... Nearly fifty years ago, the ever-active Methodist church had established a mission here on a circuit which also included Guildhall, Vt., Stark, Gorham, Randolph and other towns, and among the first ministers on the circuit were William C. Bixby and Stephen Adams. The first work done here by the Methodist was done on Milan hill.... In 1854 and 1855 Milan was included in the Haverhill district of New Hampshire M.E. conference, and was supplied by Charles R. Homan. [more about this in original history, not included here]. A partial list of the names of the original members of the Methodist Church: Betsey Fogg, Insley Bean, Benjamin Bean, John L. Dustin, Ruth Peabody, Arvilla Hutchinson, May Hutchinson, Samuel G. Crafts, Sarah Crafts, Moses Robbins, Delindy Dustin, Arvilla Eastman, Samuel Farrington and wife, Lydia Cushman, Adaline Abbott, Stephen Abbott, Solomon J. Hayward, Sallie Bean, Sophia Bean, Rhoda Bean, John Peabody. The present church building is a "union building" but for many years has been occupied by Methodist preachers. The building was erected in 1856, at an expense of almost $2,200. It has since been repaired and is now in a comfortable condition. The Methodist society owns a small house and lot.. The union church was dedicated early in the month of August in 1856. BAPTISTS--Somewhere about the year 1838 a Calvinistic Baptist society was organized. Rev. Leonard Kingsbury, father of Luther Kingsbury, now residing in town, was for a time pastor. The meetings at this time were held in school-houses or in barns. Rev. H.I. Campbell and Abram Bedel were among the latter preachers for the denomination. Among the original members of this church were Addison Hamlin and his wife, Whipple Willard and wife, Nathan Bickford and wife, Ormando Lary and wife, Joshua Parker and wife, James M. Phipps, Dorcas Phipps, Ransom Twitchel, Cyrus Twichel. In about the year 1843 th Free-Will Baptists organized a society with Rev. Elijah Griffin as pastor.The society was never lage and continued their organization only a few years. Philip Wight, an uncle of Isaac Wight now residing in Dummer, was at one time pastor of this church. CIVIL WAR--When the president's call for 300,000 men was made in the fall of 1863, the quota for the town of Milan was 10. The boys met at a blacksmith's shop near "Ellingwood's Hotel" and with closed doors and extinguished lights they all then and there agreed to volunteers. These young men were Sylvester Newell, Samuel Ordway, Nathaniel P. Ordway, John L. Ordway, Walter H. Evans, James Pettengill, George L. Vincent, Charles H. Hamlin, Charles Ellingwood and Henry F. Paine... THey had their choice of joining the Sixth, Ninth or Eleventh NH regiments--they chose the Ninth, and with about 500 other men started to join their respective regiments, and had the honor of being placed on guard on the journey. After their arrival at Paris, NY, the headquarters of the Ninth, they were assigned to Company E., then performing guard duty at Kizer's Station on the railroad from Paris to Cincinatti Ohio. It was here that the nine Milan boys first received instruction in military manoeuvres and tactics. They remained for a month, when the regiment was ordered to Knoxville, Tenn, to join the Ninth corps under Burnside... After marching a few days they came to camp--Nelson KY--where they found the Sixth New Hampshire, and their townseman Aaron White. They went to rest that night without any covering but a blanket, and when the awoke in the morning they had an additional covering of eight inches of snow. Here the first death in this band of nine occurred. James Pettengill was ill and removed to the hospital; three days after two of the "boys" went to see him, but they only found the dead body of their comrade. Before the funeral rites were performed, the regiment was under marching orders, and Pettengill was buried by strangers. Such as the vicissitudes of the soldier's life! Their next resting-place was Camp Isabelle, KY. Here Charles Ellingwood was taken sick, and had to be left behind, and when his companions returned, four or five weeks later, he, too, had been laid in a soldier's grave, far from home and friends. Nothing of importance occurred to the Milanites between this and Knoxville, except the usual trials and privations of a soldier, such as running short of rations, and thinking parched corn a luxury, and an attack one dark night on a "reported" camp of rebels, when about fifty selected men, three of whom were "Milan boys," surrounded a supposed rebel camp and captured two old men who were watching fires to keep them from spreading. As soon as the regiment reached Knoxville the Ninth corps was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, then near Washington, which they did in season to be partakers in General Grant's famous campaign "On to Richmond" The first battle in which the Milan boys were fairly engaged was that of Spottsylvania Court House. There, on the 12th of May, they received their first baptism by fire. In this engagement Walter H. Evans had one heel shot off; Samuel Ordway received a very severe foot wound; John L. Ordway was wounded in the shoulder and in the foot, lived to reach his home, and died among his friends. On the 18th of May the regiment supported the "Irish Brigade" in a charge, and here Charles H. Hamlin and Sylvester Newell were wounded. There were now only two of the "nine" left able for duty--Nathaniel P. Ordway and George L. Vincent. At the battle of North Anna River, George L. Vincent was slightly wounded; he remained with the regiment, but was not on duty; Nathaniel P. Ordway, the only Milan boy then able to carry a musket, did good and efficient service. Some time in June, Vincent reported for duty, was with his regiment until two days before Burnside's mine was sprung, when he was detailed for duty in the quartermaster's department, and continued there until the close of the war. Nathaniel P. Ordway was now again alone, but when the mine was sprung he was wounded, and there was not a Milan boy left in the regiment. In the fall Walter H. Evans and Charles H. Hamlin returned to duty, and, in one of the battles for the possession of the Weldon railroad, Hamlin was again wounded, and did not afterwards rejoin his regiment. Walter H. Evans was promoted, and, at his discharge, he was orderly-sergeant of his company. Of these nine school-mates, brave soldiers and loyal citizens, James Pettengill, Charles Ellenwood and John L. Ordway died in service. S.A. Collins, who came to Milan in March 1879, was a soldier in the great civil war, a member of Company K., Twentieth Maine Infantry. Capt. Lorenzo P. Adley, who held every important office in this town, and was a representative two years, served nearly five years in the Union army in the Rebellion, was twice promoted on the field for bravery, received severe wounds in service, and rose from the rank of a private to that of a captain. He married Ruth, daughter of Moses Hodgdon, and at his death left a legacy of untained honor, bravery, and integrity to his children. Col. Welcome A. Crafts, son of Samuel Crafts, was a native of Milan, and enlisted in the great civil war as a private, and rose rapidly to the rank of colonel. He is a brilliant and talented man, and a successful lawyer in Texas. CHAPTER CIII PHYSICIANS, PAST AND PRESENT PHYSICIANS--The first physician to settle in Milan was Dr. Banfield, who staid but a short time. The next was Dr. Brown who died very soon after moving here. Dr. Ozmon M. Twitchell was born at Bethel, Maine, June 29, 1819, was brought up on a farm, attending district school two terms a year. At the age of eighteen he entered Goulds academy where he remained four years. He then attended a course of lectures at Dartmouth Medical school, in the fall of 1845, and afterwards, at Woodstock, Vt., where he graduated in June 1846. He commenced the practice of medicine at Milan the same year. He remained at Milan thirteen years, when he removed to Bethel. While at Milan he was twice elected to the legislature, being the first representative sent by Milan alone. He served ten years as town clerk; he was a good citizen and generally well liked as a physician. Dr. William Berry Lapham, well-known in Maine as a historian, practiced medicine here six months, during Dr. Twitchell's absence. Don A. Robinson, M.D. was born at West Charleston, Vt., February 29, 1836. He was the oldest son of Dr. Elijah Robinson, a prominent physician of this town. His medical studies were almost entirely under the direction of his father. His first course of medical lectures was commenced at Dartmouth Medical school in 1858. After completing this course he taught one term of school in his native village. The following spring he became a student of Vermont University Medical school, where he graduated among the first of his class in June 1859. He settled in Milan in January 1860, succeeding to the practice of Dr. Twitchell. It is remember that on his arrival at his new home his general appearance was not particularly reassuring to those who had been accustomed to old and tried physicians. Pale-faced, beardless, and not quite twenty-four years old, he hardly looked equal to filling the position of pedagogue to a back-district school. But the young doctor had come to stay, and while quacks and electricians held sway for a few months, he rapidly grew into favor among all classes, as a safe, judicious and skillful physician, and soon acquired a large practice. In the winter of 1865 he was offered and accepted the position of assistant surgeon of the Fifth Regt. NH Vols. At the close of the war he returned to Milan, but only to remain a short time, his health having become impaired by his military service. He afterward located in Vermont, and is now in Canada. Dr. Richard H. Meserve was born in Limington, Me., December 4, 1819. He read medicine with Dr. E.R. Peaslee, attended once course of medical lectures at Dartmouth Medical school and two courses at Brunswick (Me) Medical School from which he graduated in April 1852. He enlisted in the THirteenth Maine Infanty (Col. Dow) in the fall of 1861, and served until the spring of 1862, when he resigned and entered the First Louisiana Regt. Vols. as assistant surgeon, remaining until November 7, 1864, when he resigned and settled in Limerick, Me., where he practiced medicine until 1866. He then removed to Milan, bought out Dr. Robinson's practice, and held it about fourteen years. He then sold out to Dr. Holt. J.D. Holt, M.D. commenced the practice of medicine in Milan in August 1878, remaining here until November 1882. He was born in Rumford, Me., August 15, 1847, and commence the study of medicine in 1870, with Dr. J.K. Kimball of Pembroke NH. After three years' study and a course of lectures at Dartmouth Medical college, and teaching several terms of school, he then accepted a position in the High school at Oxford, Me. for three years. In 1877 he entered the "Portland (Me.) School for Medical Instruction." After one year's course in this school he took his degree of M.D. at Bowdoin Medical college in June 1878. Dr. Joseph J. Cobb was born in Stoneham, Me., February 2, 1853. His early education was attained in the common schools, supplemented by attendance at Gorham seminary and Fryeburg academy. Having engaged in teaching and becoming deeply interested in the work, and wishing to take a course of professional training, he entered the Normal school at Famington, Me., where he graduated in 1877. The two following years he was principal of High schools in Maine. While engaged in teaching he pursued the study of medicine, taking his first course at the Main Medical school in the spring of 1879. He attended three full courses of lectures and graduated at the above school in 1881. In November 1882, Dr. Cobb succeeded to the practice of Dr. Holt in Milan, where he now resides. He has always been deeply interested in the cause of education, and has served as superintending school committee for three successive years, holding the position of chairman of the board of education at present. In the practice of his profession Dr. Cobb has had excellent success which he justly merits. A NOVEL MARRIAGE cERTIFICATE--In the town records of Berlin we find the following:--"State of New Hampshire, Coos ss; Be it remembered that at Milan in the State and County aforesaid on the eighteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1838, Job I. Bean and Sally H. Coffin the former of Berlin and the latter of Milan, State and County aforesaid were given in marriage." signed by F.I. Bean, Justice Peace, F.I. Bean, Town Clerk. ************** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ************** ADAMS TWITCHEL As early as 1765, The Twitchel family settled in Dublin NH, and in 1770, when there were only twenty three voters in the town, there were four of the name. A circular, bearing date April 12, 1776, desiring all males above twenty-one years of age, who were in accord with the "honorable Continental Congress, to sign a Declaration of same," was as follows:-- "We, the subscribers, do hereby solemnyly engage and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies against the United American Colonies." Of the fifty-three names subscribed, that of Twitchel was prominent in numbers: Joseph Twitchel, Ebenezer Twitchel, Samuel Twitchel, Stephen Twitchel, Abijah Twitchel, Gershom Twitchel and Gershom Twitchel Jr. Samuel was a Revolutionary soldier. Dr. Amos Twitchell, for so long a time the autocrat of surgery in New England, was of this family. Abel Twitchel, an early inhabitant of Dublin NH was a lineal descendant in the sixth degree from Joseph, of Dorchester, Mass., who was admitted freeman in 1634. Joseph-2 was the owner of 100 acres of the first grants in Sherborn. Abel, born May 28, 1751, in Sherborn, married Sarah Adams of the noted Adams family of Massachusetts. Their son Cyrus was born in Dublin NH March 13, 1788 and died in Milan, September 19, 1873. He married Eunice, daughter of Nathaniel Belknap. She was a native of Dublin, born March 8, 1788, died April 4, 1856. Cyrus was a farmer, and, when a young man, he went to the then new town of Bethel, Me., and located on a piece of wild land. After residing there for several years he came to Milan, and settled on Milan hill in 1824, and, about 1828, he removed to the place which his grandson, Cassius M.C. Twitchel, now occupies, and developed a fine farm. Few of those who live in cities, villages, or other places than those where agricultural pursuits prevail, have any adequate conception of the immense amount of hard labor required to clear off the primitive forest and prepare the land for the first crop; nor have they any just appreciation of the degree of resolution, energy and endurance necessary to insure continued perseverance in subduing one piece of wild land after another. Cyrus Twitchel was one of three authorized to call the first town meeting, and was the first justice of the peace appointed in Milan; he held the commission for many years, and was generally known as "Squire" Twichel. His politics were of the old Whig party and Free-Soil. A strong Abolitionist, he was one of the pioneers of that movement, and bold in avowing his opinions. He was a deeply devoted Christian, adhering strictly to the tenets of the Calvinistic Baptist Church. He thought it wrong to speculate in land, believing that only by labor of the hands wealth should be acquired, and that the foresight, judgment and keenness of one man should not be turned to advantage against another. "Squire" Twitchel was a short, "thick-set" man, kind hearted, a great reader, and retained his faculties to a remarkable age. About 1838 Mr. Twitchel and his wife made their home with their son Adams, and here, in his kindly household, old age came upon them, and after long, useful lives they passed on to the "home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Their children were Ransom (dec.), Gilman (dec.) Sullivan, Cyrus (dec.), Hannah B. (Mrs. Nathan Bickford), Adams, Clayton (dec), Harvey (Dec.). Ransom Twitchel possessed great ability; he was a skillful penman, and could draft a legal document with all the force and accuracy of a learned lawyer; excelled in surveying, and, in many ways, was a valuable member of the community. ADAMS TWITCHEL was born in Bethel, Me January 27, 1812. He began his active, laborious life by working at lumbering when only fifteen years of age, having previously learned how to work and the value of good honest labor assisting his father. At the age of twenty he purchased his time for $100 and went to the upper Penobscot valley, and hired out for two or three years. Returning to Milan, with his small savings he purchased the piece of land on which the church now stands, but soon sold it, and bought the lot where he now resides which became the nucleus of his present farm. On this was a small clearing and a primitive log house. This place he has added to and developed about 300 fertile acres in a fine state of cultivation, a pleasant house, with an intelligent family, form one of those beautiful homes with are the substratum of New England's prosperity. Mr. Twitchel is especially favored in his family relations. He married October 31, 1843, Lusylvia, daughter of Ebenezer and Lois (Powers) Bartlett, of Bethel, Me., a descendant of two New England families of consideration from early colonial days. She is a lady of refinement and ability, who looketh well to the ways of her household. Their children were Claudius A. (a soldier of the Union in the late civil war, whose life was given to his country), Virtue F.; Lois A.; Helen Mar (Mrs. P.G. Evans)(dec.) who left one child Helen C.; Cassius M.C. (who has three children, Mark A., Sydney and Eva.) After his marriage Mr. Twitchel carried on lumbering in connection with farming, and became a large operator, also conducted merchandising some years, and gradually came to have extensive dealings in buying and selling timber-lands. In 1867 he bought the "Colebrook Academy grant" of 10,000 acres, soon sold it, then bought with George R. Eaton 18,000 acres in Clarksville, and other large tracts in Upper Coos and in Canada. Besides his real estate operations on the Connecticut he was engaged four years in lumbering there, and for ten years, until he closed out his interests, was one of the leading business men of that section. Two years of this time Mrs. Twitchel was in Lancaster for the purpose of giving their children the education advantages of the academy of that place. Since then Mr. Twitchel has devoted himself to his affairs in the Androscoggin valley, and has been connected with many important matters of business, public policy, and social development. Originally a Free-Soil Democrat, he became a Republican when that party came into being. Never a seeker of office he has been called to local and responsible positions. He was chosen captain of the first militia company formed in Milan in 1835. When the Atlantic & St. Lawrence railroad was "dumping" about fourteen feet in depth of dirt into one of the public highways of the town thus blockading it, Mr. Twitchel was elected selectman to fight for the rights of the town, and succeded in getting an under-pass established, much to the gratification of his townsmen. He has been elected railroad commissioner, but declined to serve as his private affairs demanded his time; represented Milan in 1876, has often been referee in important and complex cases, and always has demonstrated his fairness and integrity.... Although not a member of any religious denomination, he gives generally to churches, is a thoroughly good man, and practices more than he preaches. Some years since a clergyman was asked what he thought of Mr. Twitchel, and replied: "Mr. Twitchel swears sometimes, and that is wrong; he gets in hay on Sunday sometimes, and that is very bad; but I would gladly exchange half-a-dozen of my church members ofr one or two men just like him." ************* JAMES J. PHIPPS James M. Phipps, son of ELisha and Dorcas (Harriman) Phipps, was born in Chatham, September 3, 1816, and moved to Milan in March 1831. He worked at home on the farm nearly all the time until he was twenty-one years old. He then learned the trade of custom boot and shoe-making, which he followed for fifteen years, employing from one to five men. In 1852 he went into trade with Adams Twitchel, doing quite an extensive business for those days in lumbering in connection with their store. They sold out in the spring of 1856 to Bickford, Wheeler & Davis. He then gave his attention to farming until 1868, meantime building the stand occupied by him at the time of his death. In 1868 he formed a partnership with his brother Peter, and again went into the mercantile business, which he followed until May 1878. After that time, he attended to the improvement of his farm. He married, October 13, 1839, Lydia G., daughter of Amos Wheeler, of Milan, by whom he had seven children, only one of whom survives him, JAMES S. PHIPPS, who occupies the home farm, and is a useful, intelligent, and valuable citizen. He has rendered us much service in preparing this history. J.M. Phipps held the office of justice of the peace for forty-five years; his last commission expiring June 1885. He was postmaster from 1861 to '64 and member of the board of selectmen of Milan for 1858-59, 1862, 1865-67, and was a member elect of the legislature of 1885. His death, causing the first vacancy in that body, resulted from paralysis, and occurred May 3, 1885. Mr. Phipps was a self-made, honorable man, highly esteemed by all... He was made a member of Gorham Lodge, AF&AM in May 1863, and of North Start Chapter, Lancester, in April 1874. The funeral services were conducted under the auspices of Gorham Lodge... ****** PETER A.G.W. PHIPPS Peter A.G.W. Phipps was born in Chatham, Carroll county, April 21, 1824, was the son of Elijah and Dorcas Phipps, who moved to Milan about the year 1831, to the farm where Leonard K. Phipps now lives. He married, November 27, 1845, Abby W., daughter of Rev. Leonard Kingsbury, of Milan, by whom he had five children, two sons and three daughters. When about twenty-one he had a very severe attack of "lung fever" from which he never fully recovered. He died November 27, 1880. Mr. Phipps held all the offices in the town and represented it in the legislature of 1877. He was very genial in his manners and had many warm friends....Mr. Phipps was made a Mason in Gorham Lodge in May 1863, received the second degree of Royal Arch Masonry in April 1874; was a member of the North Star Chapter at Lancaster NH. His funeral services were conducted by Gorham Lodge FA&AM ***** HON. LIBERTY H. HUTCHINSON Hon. Liberty Haven Hutchinson, son of Edwin F. and Elizabeth (Flint) Hutchinson was born in Milan, March 1, 1844. He passed his early life upon his father's farm and had plenty of hard work. He laid the foundation of his intellectual career in the little district school of his native town, entered Lancaster academy in 1864, graduated in 1867, then was a student for three years at Bates college, Lewiston, Me. To meet the necessary expenses for his academic and collegiate education he taught school winters and labored summers. In March 1870 he commenced the study of law, and such was his application and special aptitude for legal lore, that at the September term of court he was admitted to the bar, and the firm of which he was afterward a prominent member was said to be the strongest before the bar of Androscoggin county. He served in both branches of the city council of Lewiston; was three times called to represent that city in the Maine legislature, and on his third election was unanimously chosen speaker of the House of Representatives, and held that position at the time of his death, September 8, 1882. (end)