SPECIAL NOTICE: The following text is excerpted from the book, History of Monson, Maine 1822 - 1972, and was first published on the occasion of Monson's sesquicentennial celebration in 1972. This revision to 11/22/96 offers some spelling and minor grammatical corrections. An actual updated version of this book, including material from the past 25 years, is due to be released in late 1997 in conjunction with Monson's 175th anniversary celebration. You won't want to miss it. It may be ordered by writing the Monson Town Office; PO Box 308; Monson, ME 04464. Special credits for original version to: Althea French and Gina Reed. Special credits for this revision to: Gina Reed.

HISTORY OF MONSON
1822 - 1972                     
                

EARLY HISTORY:

     Monson was incorporated as a town by an act of State Legislature on February 8, 1822. This
territory was first in the possession of Massachusetts. On February 27,1811, Massachusetts
granted 11,520 acres to Hebron Academy and on June 17, 1811, granted 11,520 acres to Monson
Academy. In 1820, Maine became a State.
     April 22, 1822, was the setting of the first meeting to form a town government. The
inhabitants of this town, in response to a warrant issued by Samuel Pingree, Esq., of Parkman,
met at the house of Whitney, Hyde & Co., for the purpose of completing the organization as a
town by the choice of the necessary officers. This they did by choosing Andrew Cushman,
Moderator; Samuel Whitney, Town Clerk; Samuel Whitney, Andrew Cushman and Abel Goodell,
Selectmen and Assessors; Lucius Hyde, Treasurer; Austin Newell, Constable and Collector; Abel
Goodell, Lucius Hyde and Chauncey L. Colton, School Committee; and filling the other offices by
the choice of good and true men. The number of voters in the town at the time of its organization 
was twentyone, namely: Amos Atkinson, Wm. Blunt, Amasa Chapin, Calvin Cushman, Geo.
Douty, Abel Goodell, Wm. A. Hyde, Lucius Hyde, Joseph Jackson, Austin Newell, Abel Packard,
Shepherd Packard, Asa Piper, Horatio Sherman, Isaac Tyler, Samuel Whitney and Samuel
Weymouth. The total population numbered ninety at that time. Monson continued to run on the
Selectmen form of government until 1943, when they decided to elect a Town Manager  to run
the  business of the  town.  The Town Manager also serves as Tax Collector, Road commissioner
and Treasurer. The first to be elected for this office was Lyle Towne who held the position until
1955. To date Monson has had four town managers.
   The first settler in this town was Joseph Bearce, who came from Hebron in 1816. He had been
here the previous year and felled a few trees. He commenced on lot numbered nine in the second
range. During that summer,  1816, he cleared a field and built a small log house. This was the first
house in town. It was situated a few rods north of the road now leading from our village to
Blanchard, and near where the road formerly known as  the ADudley  Road' leaves the Blanchard
Road. In the spring of 1818 he married Nancy Ricker of Paris. In the autumn of the same year
death claimed him for its first victim.
      While Mr. Bearce lived in this town, the path from Abbot to the settlement diverged from the
path leading  to Million Acres, now Blanchard, and finding a pair of moose horns, Mr. B. placed
them upon a post as a guide board.  From that time on they served  as a  guide post for the many
settlers traveling on these spotted trails. In 1882, William Weeks shot a moose and put its horns
on the post. He painted Million Acres on one horn and Monson on the other horn. On Aug. 25,
1914, the Piscataquis Historical Society held a dedication ceremony replacing another set. Several
pairs were stolen over the years and some were simply demolished from the elements. In June of
1955, still another pair was mounted on the iron post.  This was the sixth set of moose horns
dating from 1817 to 1955.  On Oct. 29, 1961, the D.A.R. Tisbury Manor Chapter placed a bronze
marker at the "Moosehorns" to preserve the historic landmark.
    In 1816, Geo. Doughty from Gray, and Simeon Irish, from  Hebron,  commenced to fell trees
in what has since been known as the "Witham Neighborhood". Mr. Irish built a small house that
fall and moved into it in 1817.  This was the first frame house in town, and was covered with
shaved clapboards, without any boarding. It was situated on what was afterwards known as the
Fogg place near J. B. Draper's the now abandoned Moosehorn to Blanchard Road. (The Draper
Farm was destroyed by fire. ) Mr. Doughty raised some crops on his land in 1817, and built a log
house, into which, with a wife and five children, he moved in March, 1818. These were the first
children in town. Samuel Rowe and wife from Hebron came to Monson the same year.
      In the fall of 1818, James Stanchfield came from Albion, and in February 1819, moved with
his family into the house built by Mr. Bearce. The house he built  was the first house built in the
east half of Monson, or on that part granted to Monson Academy, and the place where, for some
length of time, the people were accustomed to meet for religious worship and for other purposes.
This house was used for several years as a dwellinghouse, meetinghouse and schoolhouse. It
stood on the spot where Joseph Daine's buildings stood in 1872.  (Located in the general area
opposite the Finn Hall on Rt. 15.) 
     In the spring of 1819, Joseph Jackson and wife, with a family of eight children, came from No.
7, now Abbot. He had been here the fall before and felled some trees on the place occupied by
David B. Cotton in 1872 (now Woodlands about onehalf mile north of the Moosehorns on Rt.15). 
Here he erected a log house and lived several years; after which he moved into the east half of the
town, living on the farm occupied by H. C. Pullen  in 1872 (Now Stanwood Pullen's farm). The
same season, Samuel Weymouth, Amos Atkinson and Abial Packard
came with their families and commenced making homes for themselves. Mr. Packard bought Mr.
Irish's house, and Mr. Atkinson located on the north side of  Hebron Pond, this was the first
settlement north of the pond .
       The first birth in the town was a child born to Simeon Irish and wife, in the summer of 1918.
The second was in the family of Samuel Rowe, the next summer; and the third was a son of Amos
Atkinson, in the autumn of 1819, while they were living so far from neighbors, on the north side
of the pond.   A. Atkinson's child died suddenly between the age of two and three months old.
       In the summer of 1818, the trustees of Monson Academy sent Abel Goodell to explore the
township, thus to be able to recommend to others to come here to find or rather to make
themselves homes.
       In the fall of 1819, Capt. Amasa Chapin traded with the trustees of the Academy for one mile
square of land, in the east half of this town, taking the same in part pay for his farm in Monson,
Mass. (His home was built on the   present site of Edward Kugler's farm, N. Guilford Road.)  In
May, 1820, Capt. Samuel Whitney, Justin Colton and William A. Hyde, with their families, and
Calvin Colton and Lucius Hyde, leaving their families behind until the next winter, and Royal Day,
Austin Newell and Horatio Sherman, single men, seventeen in all, came from Monson, Mass., and
commenced a settlement, where the village now stands and in the southeastern part of  the town.  
       They left Monson  Mass. in April. They were about three weeks on the way, and spent the
Sabbath, May 7th, at Capt. Chapin's in Abbot, where they left the women and children for a few
days, coming here on Monday,  May 8th.  They stopped a few days in Mr. Stanchfield's house,
and then went to Mr. Atkinson's where they found a home until they could clear away the forest
sufficiently  to build a house, which was soon ready for their reception. This house stood on the
spot where H. G. Sherman's house stood in 1872 (now known as Louise Grover's home) and was
the first house in the village and the second framed house in town. It was the home of Capt.
Whitney as long as he was a resident of this town, and for several years was a temporary home for
quite a number of other families, they stopping here until they could construct some sort of house
for themselves.
     In the winter and spring of 1822 and 1823, no less than five families found a home in this
house at the same time. These were the families of Samuel Whitney, James Whiting, William A.
Hyde, Lucius Hyde, and this in a house twentytwo feet by thirty and unfinished. In this house, the
first birth in the east half of the town, and the first in the families from Massachusetts after their
arrival here, occurred on the first day of January, 1821.  This was a daughter to William A. Hyde
and wife. This child was known as Mrs. Catherine M. Giddings of Portland in 1872.
     In the summer of 1820, the dam was built across the outlet of the pond, thus flooding the little
pond and rendering more valuable the water power. At this time, the waterpower, with one mile
square of land (lot No. 10) was the property of Whitney, Hyde and Fay. In the summer and
autumn of 1821, they erected a sawmill and gristmill. A second gristmill was built by T. Davee,
from Blanchard, in the year of 1841.  Mr. Fay never came here to live and soon after sold out his
interest to Frederic F. Gates, who with his family, came here in the spring of 1823 to make a
home. Soon after this the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Whitney keeping the mills, Mr. Gates the
northern and Mr. Lucius Hyde the southern part of their tract of land.
     In the spring of 1820, about three weeks after the first emigrants from Monson, Mass. arrived,
Isaac Tyler came from New Gloucester and started to clear land.  On March 10, 1822, he and his
wife moved into his home.                                                                                                              
                                          In February, 1822, Andrew Cushman and wife with a family of seven
children, came from the Town of Oxford. Mr. C. had been here the previous year and felled trees.
Mr. Cushman's was the fifteenth family in town.  The same spring. Austin Newel brought his wife,
who he had returned to Monson, Mass., to marry; and with them came Hiram Vinton.
     In the spring of 1822, there also came from Oxford County, Cyrus Packard, William Bowker
and Cornelius Barrows. Zibeon Packard came about the same time. Abel Goodell who came in
1818 to explore the township,
left Monson, Mass., in the spring of 1821.  Leaving his family in Harmony, he came here and
cleared his farm. The next winter he moved his family as far as Guilford, where they stayed one
year. He was considered a resident in this town, voting and holding office in 1822, although his
family did not arrive here until May, 1823. 
      Although there appears to have been but twentyone voters here in April, 1822, and only
twentyfive votes cast for Governor in September of the same year, yet upon an old tax list of
1822 there were names of thirty-two resident taxpayers. The names on that list, not already
mentioned, are Nathaniel Bennett, Reuben Cushman, Samuel Tobin, George Hathaway and Isaac
Stone. Hathaway and Stone were young men employed that season by Capt. Chapin. The others
lived here with their families and probably came in 1821 or the spring of 1822.
     In October, l822, James Whiting and family, five in all, came from Wrentham, Mass., and lived
with Mr. Whitney and Mr. Atkinson, until Mr. Whiting could build a house, when they moved on
to the place known as the Whiting farm (now Bessie Doble's on Water Street).
     In the spring of 1823, Alexander Greenwood, Esq., who had been employed by the trustees of
Hebron Academy in 1811, to lot their portion of this township, and afterwards by Monson
Academy to survey and lot the remainder of the town, moved from Hebron and settled on the land
formerly known as the Watson farm (now owned by Andrew Sophrer of Dexter) and located
beyond the R. Mathews' farm.
     In the same summer Samuel Robinson, Zenas Scales ,Abel Janes and Daniel Wallace came and
settled in this town. In October of the same year Joseph Goodell and Dr. A. Davison came from
Vermont. Mr. Goodell lived on the present site of Lloyd Kelley's home and orchards and Mr.
Davison moved into Dea. Hyde's house, which had been built that summer. This house belonged
to J.P. Haynes in 1872 and was the second house built in the village. Here Dr. Davison lived until
1825, in the summer of which year he built the house which is the present home of Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Finley on Center St. and moved into it in the autumn. Sometime during this year Samuel and
Zebedee Thomas and John Packard settled in the west part of town. Daniel Briggs also came the
same year.
     In 1824, William Connor, Simeon Davee, John Crafts, Solomon Cushman, John Morton and
Oliver Eveleth, became residents of this town.
     In 1826, no less than nine men, most of them having families, moved into town. They were
Capt. J. Mathews, R. K. Packard, Joseph Barrett, Roland Taylor, Warren Dudley, Joshua Buck,
David Goodell, Benjamin Ward and John P. Packard.   In 1827 came Joseph Booth, H. G. O.
Harmon, George Dunham, William Goding and Abel Jewett.  In 1828, Abner Brown, William D.
Hoar, Milton Hoar, Thomas Towns and Solomon Bray. Mr. Bray probably had the largest family
ever living in this town, fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived to
be men and women.


 POST OFFICE:

     In the year 1824 or 1825, the Post Office in this town was established. Before this, all the mail
matter designated for this place stopped at Sangerville, and the inhabitants were obliged to go
twelve miles to mail or to receive a letter or paper. Frederic F. Gates was the first post master and
Hiram Doughty the first mail carrier.  Mr. D. was succeeded, in a short time, by Benjamin
Stanchfield, who every Saturday for two years, went on  foot to Esq. Kelsey's in Guilford,
returning in the same day, with the mail, and being obliged to cross the Piscataquis River twice
each way  in the best manner he could for there was no bridge  in order to leave the mail at the
Post Office in Abbot. For this service the government paid these men two shillings a trip, or a
little more than one cent for each mile of travel. They usually had some errands to do for the
inhabitants, for which they received some trifling compensation. As they approached the Post
Office, and sometimes as they passed the houses, they sounded a trumpet before them to inform
the people that the mail was coming, and that there was an opportunity for any one who wished to
send errands. In 1827,  the mail was carried by Deacon Fuller from Bangor to Monson, once a
week; and in 1831 mail arrived in Monson three times a week. After 1883 Monson had mail twice
daily except on weekends. On February 6, 1960, the new metro system was introduced and mail
arrives at 8 :00 A.M. and leaves at 5 :00 P.M. daily except  Sundays.
     The Postmaster was chosen according to the political party in power to which he belonged.
(Note: This no longer applies as it is a civil service position.) Therefore, the Post Office has been
housed in several buildings in town: 1882, the present C. Bickford home; 1889,  present Monson
Light and Power Co. Block; 19101911, present T. Moore Block; 1912, present M. L. &  P. Co.
Block; then, present Monson Variety Store; 1940's, moved to its present location in the T. Moore
Block. (Note: Recent Postmasters: Alner Gilbert, Edward Johnson, Harvey Gilbert, Harland
Johnson.) Erma Johnson Small is the present postmaster with the following part time employees:
Neola Jacobson, Eloise Stevens, and Dagmar Greenleaf.
     (Note of Interest -The shed now attached to the present home of Paul Allen on Garage St. was
built on Main St. after the fire of 1911.  It was used temporarily as a drug store and post office.)

FIRST ELECTRICITY IN MONSON:

     On January 25, 1908, Monson had its first electricity. The power was generated right here in
Monson by using water power from Lake Hebron.  Later, when the water couldn't generate
enough power for the Monson, Maine Slate Co. to run their machines, they purchased the power
from Greenville which was generated at Wilson Pond.  
     Monson Light and Power Co. was incorporated in December of 1907, with the Monson,
Maine Slate Co. owning all the stock. In June of 1944 Francis Marshall bought all the stock of the
Monson Light and Power Co. from the Slate Co. and bought the electricity wholesale from
Central Maine Power Co. Then in June of 1964, Central Maine Power took over the distribution
facilities in the town.

FIRST TELEPHONES IN MONSON:

     There are no records to confirm this statement, but it was said that the first telephones in
Monson, were at the Monson, Maine Slate Co. Quarry and quarry offices, and that it just "grew
like Topsy" from that time on. Mr. Fred Crane was superintendent of the Monson Slate Co. at
that time, and he took over the telephone business and carried it on as a private enterprise as long
as he lived, although it was never a paying proposition. The Southeast Monson Telephone Co.,
more commonly known as the "Farmers Line" was formed by the residents in the southeast part of
Monson and was connected to the outside through Fred Crane's Co. The telephone business was
sold in 1946 to the New England Telephone Co. which established a nice telephone office in
Monson in the present Donald Keene block (now used as a barber shop) and employed several
people at the time. On July 28, 1955, Monson went onto the dial system at 12:01 a.m. and from
that time on operators were no longer needed. At the present time, Monson cannot dial direct as
can many of the other cities and towns, but is in hope of being able to do so in the near future.

MONSON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY:

     January 16, 1909, seven citizens of Monson petitioned the State expressing their desire to be
incorporated under the provisions of Chapter 57 of the Revised Statutes of 1903 and amendments
and maintaining a free public library. February 4, 1909, a certificate of organization of the
Monson Free Public Library Association was filed in the office of the Secretary of State at
Augusta, and said organization was duly notified. The first books purchased were books written
by Stevenson, Harte, Dickens and history books, numbering 90 in all.  By Feb. 6, 1910,  the
library had 636 books. In 1947, the Woman’s Club of Monson appointed a committee to work
with one of the State Librarians discarding all outdated books.  At this time, the library was
completely redecorated and the books catalogued according to the Dewey Decimal System.  It
was located at this time in what is now the Monson's Historical Museum.
     On April 19, 1969, the library moved into its new home in the new municipal building in back
of the town office. It contains approximately 5000 volumes. The complete interior facilities were
donated by the Moosehead Mfg. Co. Miss Vivienne Bray is the present Librarian;  Mrs. Van
Wentworth and Mrs. Mary Williams, Assistant Librarians.


                      MONSON'S SCHOOLS

     The early settlers were very anxious for their children to be educated and the very first schools
were held in private homes, this being before the town was incorporated.
     In 1823, a schoolhouse was erected near the center of the town. Traveling conditions being
very difficult, it soon became necessary to have neighborhood schools. In 182728, a school was
built in the Day District, and by 1848, there were schools in various localities. There were eight
rural school houses, those being: (1) Old Burma School  Located on Blanchard Road, abandoned
1906.  This building no longer stands. (2)  New Burma School  Located on the Blanchard Road,
opened in the spring of 1906. This building still ''stands and is privately owned and now called the
Wagon Wheels. (3)  New Long District School  Located on the MonsonGuilford road. Presently
it is known as the Finn Hall used by the Finnish Farmers Club.  This one was in use in 1907. (4)
North Neighborhood School  Located up by Drakes Corner, Elliottsville Road near Esmond
Richards' home. This building has tumbled down. (5)  Vinton School House - Located at the
corner of the Willimantic and S.E. Monson Roads.  This building was moved to its present
location across from Charles Strom’s home in Southeast Monson in 1921.  This is the original
building and has never been used for anything but a schoolhouse.   (6)  Red School House 
Located on N. Guilford Road below Day's Crossing and Southeast Monson Road. This building is
now gone (7) Barrows Falls School  Located between Blanchard and Barrows Falls.  This
building was in use  in 190607, but is now gone. (8) Old Long District School  Located on the
Guilford Road near Ladd Brook  below Arthur Nelson's house. Building now gone.
      Monson Elementary School  The first grammar school building called "Old Schoolhouse" was
located between Monson  Academy and the Church Cemetery. This building burned March 3l,
1899, and was rebuilt on the present site. This school being centrally located made it possible to
transport boys and girls to the village by bus. The District schools were closed by 1939.
       Monson Academy owes its birth to private enterprise.  There was a group of people who
were determined that the boys and girls of this little hamlet should have all the advantages of the
times. This group was made up of fiftyfour citizens who were later named as corporators.  The
corporators proved their eagerness for an institution of higher learning by subscribing $1,000.00
for the purpose of establishing an Academy for the education and improvement of youth. A
committee of three petitioned the Legislature for its incorporation June 14,1847, and the act of
incorporation was approved y Gov. John W. Dana, and can be found in Chapter 62 of the Acts of
that year. The corporate name was "Stockholders of Monson Academy", each subscriber holding
a number of shares corresponding to his subscription. 
       The corporators met for organization at "Centre School House" in Monson on Sept. 4, 1847.
Dr. Alpheus Davison was chosen chairman and Ephriam Flint, Clerk.  On Sept. 18, 1847 the
following were chosen: Lucius Bradford, Pres.  Zenas Scales, V. Pres.  Ephriam Flint, Clerk and
Aretus Chapin, Treas., with fifteen trustees.                                                                                    
                                                                The building was erected by Joseph Lombard, for
$935.51, the total cost including a heating system being $1,0l4.87 . The building was dedicated
Aug. 28, 1848.
       The Legislature granted the institution a half township, which was sold Dec. 2, 1852, for
$3,000.00. For several years the sum constituted the entire endowment of the Academy. The
original building was two stories high measuring 37 by 40 feet with the school on the ground floor
and the hall above being used for a recreation room and for concerts, lectures and other public
purposes. The Academy had a small, wellselected library.
     The first session of school was held in the fall of 1848 with 106 persons in attendance. 
     March 1860,  the Academy was burned to the ground.  Reconstruction was started
immediately and the framework of this structure measuring 37 by 56 feet was still uncovered
when fire again selected Monson as its victim, destroying the greater part of the village. In spite of
all obstacles the stalwart people of Monson finished building the Academy in 1860. The 1861
Legislature granted Monson Academy one fourth of a township in Aroostook County, which the
trustees sold Jan. 24, 1864, to George K. Jewett of Bangor, for $2,000.00. The interior of the
building was finished on the strength of this grant. The first session of school was held in the new
Academy in 1861, and continued under the direction of the trustees until 1872, when the
Academy united with the High School in exchange for a grant made by the town for this purpose.
The Academy was then governed by the trustees and the school committee.
     On July 1, 1892, the first floor of the Academy was made into two school rooms and the high
school was calcimined.
     On January 2, 1901, the Academy was made free for the students of Monson Village.
     On January 16, 1908, arrangements for a laboratory were made.
     March 16, 1922 $100.00 was spent for installing electric lights for the Academy.
     February 27, 1924, $3,000.00 was spent remodeling  the Academy.   
     The Academy celebrated its one hundredth birthday in the summer of 1947. 
     The same building was used with slight changes in remodeling the inside with uptodate
heating, lighting and plumbing facilities until 1968, when the Academy consolidated with School
Administrative District No. 68.
     The Academy and Elementary Buildings were remodeled to house the grades from
Kindergarten thru the sixth grade. The seventh thru twelfth grades travel by bus to DoverFoxcroft
to attend Grammar School and Foxcroft Academy.
       A gymnasium was one of Monson's big needs for a great many years. In 1940 & 1941, the
Monson Community Hall fund was organized and a campaign was launched to raise $20,000. By
August of 1941, $4,600.00 in cash and 50,000 feet of lumber had been donated. The plan was  to
have a wooden building with a slate roof. When $10,000.00 was on hand the building would be
started. Before the end of the year, World War II disrupted all the plans.  A few donations
continued to come in and the local organizations and school classes continued to make annual
contributions.  All organized campaigns were suspended for the next five years.
      A Monson Academy Alumni Association was organized in June of 1947. The first meeting for
organization was held at the Masonic Hall June 13, 1947 with Esther Pennington acting as
Chairman of organization for the Alumni Association. At that meeting the following were chosen
as officers: Pres.  Stanwood Pullen; V.Pres. Harland Johnson; Sec. Eloise Stevens and Oswald
Poole  as Treasurer.   Prior to this meeting the bylaws for the association were written by Millard
Emanuelson as early as 1937.  This group decided to back the Gym project. There  was $16,000.
in the treasury, and the Alumni Association hoped to double the amount. The project was known
as the Monson Gym Fund from that time on. 
     The steady rise in cost of materials and labor made the original type of building beyond reach. 
It was decided to have a prefabricated type of aluminum building. The sum of $22,437.50 was
needed to have an outlined building with foundation, walls and insulation.
     The structure was started and once more an appeal was made for subscriptions. The response
was generous, but there was only enough funds to carry on work for a few months.
     At the town meeting on March 11, 1950, the town voted to borrow the sum of ten thousand
dollars for the completion of the Monson Gym and the same to be paid back by the Alumni
Association in ten notes, with each one being for a thousand dollars plus interest.
     The same year monthly committees were appointed to raise at least $100.00 a month. The
enthusiasm with which these committees worked is a credit to any community. For five years
there was a project every single month in this little town of less than one thousand persons and
very seldom did a committee fail to raise the minimum, in many cases going way above the
hundred dollar mark.
     In March, 1951, Monson had the honor of having the late Harland Ladd, then State
Commissioner of Education, dedicate the new Gym. The last note on the Gym was paid June 13,
1955, and the note burned with fitting ceremony at the Alumni Banquet June 24, 1955.
     At one time, the seventh and eighth grades sold refreshments at recess time under the
supervision of the late Pete Gattrell, to earn money to add to the sum of  two thousand dollars to
buy stage curtains, chairs, bleachers. showers and other necessities.

 

                        MONSON'S CHURCHES

     In May, 1820, a colony came from Monson, Mass. These were men of character and influence,
men who had provided well for their families and who were determined to maintain the same high
standard in this new sparsely-settled town.
     On their first Sunday after their arrival, they had a meeting for religious worship in the house
built by Mr. Bearce. As far as anyone can trace, this was the first service held in Monson for the
purpose of worship with the exception of two funerals. Arrangements were made to have
religious services for the first Sunday in June at Mr. Abiel Packard's house, being more centrally
located for Monson people and for the families who had settled at Million Acres, now Blanchard.
The next Sabbath, they met again at the same place and also organized a Sabbath School. Services
were held here for the rest of the summer. For the next two years all worship services were held in
the home of James Stanchfield. By this time a schoolhouse had been built in the center of the
town, and public worship was held there until a church building could be erected.                           
                                                                                                                                                       
                  In August, 1821, Rev. John Sawyer visited Monson, and a Congregational Church
was formed consisting of seven members. It was not until Nov. 1824, that Rev. Lot Ryder came
to be the regular minister and was ordained in the barn of Capt. S. Whitney.  In 1831, the first
church building north of Bangor was erected and was dedicated as a Congregational Church. This
church, which was framed by R. K. Packard, and was the first building framed by the square rule,
was destroyed by fire in 1860, and rebuilt the following year.
     August 10, 1827, marked the founding of the Baptist Church in Monson, with 14 members. 
The meeting house was erected in 1845.  During the pastorate  of the Rev. Joseph Grossa,
(19181924) the church was remodeled, being raised two feet with a concrete subfoundation and a
back upper foundation. A furnace, the gift of Mrs. Brown Steward, was installed in the basement
and the  oldfashioned pews were replaced by new ones. The old windows were replaced by lovely
stained glass memorial windows. A vestibule was built onto the front of  the building with one
large entrance. The belfry and steeple were raised and the church was redecorated inside and out.
    The Baptist and Congregational Church began holding united services in 1933. Church was
held in the summer for six months in the Baptist Church, and in the Congregational Church in the
winter of the remaining six months, with the Rev. Martin Sorenson officiating.                               
                                                                                                                                                       
                      After 10 years of planning the two churches (Baptist and Congregational Churches)
merged their buildings into one welldesigned structure on August 14, 1959, to be called the
Monson Community Church.  In May, 1958, a building fund campaign was launched to finance
the joining of the two churches. By late November of that year the new foundation for the Baptist
Church at the Congregational Church site on Main Street was completed and the church, minus
its steeple, was on skids ready to be moved.                                                                                    
                                                                                                    Through donations and sales
during the year, the move was possible in the spring of 1959. The Rev. Donald F. Blanchette was
pastor at the time.
      The church members who helped to make the merger possible were: George (Bill)
Wentworth, Record Pullen, Mrs. John Durham, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Knight,  Mrs. Clifton
Weymouth, Miss Vivienne Bray, Mrs. Arvid Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood Johnson.
      One year later, to the day, on August 14, 1960,  the new sanctuary was dedicated.   Rev.
William R. Huber was minister at the time of this dedication. The lights in the steeple were given
in memory of Samuel Pennington by Mrs. Esther Pennington. On August 20, 1961, Dr. Charles
Gilky dedicated the pulpit in the sanctuary in memory of Dr. Shailer Mathews.
      In the summer of 1960, plans were made to make the Congregational Church Building into an
Educational Building with three classrooms, a lounge, and restroom downstairs with an
auditorium upstairs.
      $1,000.00 was left to the church by Mrs. Sarah Huff. This money was the "starter" for the
Educational Building. The Committee borrowed $3,000.00 from the Guilford Trust Company and
the carpenter, Mr. Clarence Case, started the work.
      In March of 1961, the Educational Building was dedicated, and the United Circle donated the
lounge chairs to the church.
      Water and rest room facilities were installed in 1962.
      In 1963, the final payment on the $3,000.00 note was made.
      In the fall of 1966, the Monson Community Church joined with the Abbot and Sangerville
Churches and formed the S.A.M. Larger Parish. Before this the Churches could not afford to hire
a full time minister and relied on inexperienced students who could only stay for short periods of
time. After forming, they were able to hire Rev. Douglas Brayton as full time minister devoting
his time equally between the three churches. The S.A.M. stands for Sangerville, Abbot and
Monson.
      1971 brought the completion of the kitchen and dining room area, giving the various church
and town organizations a place to hold their activities.
      It was about 18741875, that the Swedish people began coming to Monson, most of them
working in the slate quarries. The Swedish people did not understand the language of this
country, and wanting to worship God  in their own tongue, they built a Swedish Mission Church
in 1890. Some of the members of this church were Lutheran, which is the State Church of
Sweden, and some held other beliefs. There was a break in the organization, and in 1892 the
Swedish Methodist Church was built. From that time on the Swedish Mission Church was known
as the Swedish Lutheran Church. Both Churches had Swedish ministers and conducted their
services in their native tongue. There were services in these churches for many years. The
Saturday night Church suppers which were held in the members homes were very popular. The
Swedish Lutheran Church on Wilkins Street was sold to the American Legion in 1946 and made
into a Legion Hall. On Dec. 8, 1970 the American  Legion sold the hall, and it is now privately
owned. The Swedish Methodist Church was sold to the Assembly of God, which is the church
located on Water Street, and is now known as the OpenDoor Full Gospel Church.
    There were a few Universalist people in town in 1884. A parish was organized, and a few
services were held. A Ladies Circle was organized, and a fund raised which was turned over to
the Universalist State Convention,  held in trust for Universalist work in Monson.
     The Congregational Parsonage was located between the homes of Charles Brown and Robert
Greenleaf on  S. Main St. This building is now owned by D. Luce.  The following is a list of the
church organizations:
                                           Inactive                                  Active
                                     Stella Grace Philathea           Youth Fellowship
                                     Baptist Circle                        United Circle
                                     Congregational Circle            MargaretLister Philathea
                                     Entre Nous Club                                                                                        
                                                                                  
                                     Swedish Mission Circles



BUSINESS HISTORY

 SLATE QUARRIES:

        The summer of 1870 is a date that changed the pattern of living for the inhabitants of
Monson.  As William Giffith Jones was driving his horse along and gazing at the countryside,
suddenly he saw slate. Mr. Jones, having come from Wales, knew slate and its commercial value.
Bill bought the land from a hotel keeper and started the development of the first slate quarry in
Monson within a few days. The first slate quarry was called the "Eureka" which means, "we have
found it". Thus started the industry that was to be the main source of livelihood for Monson's
inhabitants for many years to come.
      The next quarry to be opened was called "Hebron Pond". This was operated by a Mr. Chapin.
A year afterwards it was sold to Henry Carter and the quarry was afterwards called "Carter
Quarry".
        In 1872, the "Norris Quarry” opened and was operated by Mr. Norris. He was the first man
to install steam power. The buildings burned in 1877.
        1873  Fred Jackson founded the Cove Quarry in which the machinery of the Norris Quarry
was installed.
        Also that same year the "Dirigo" was opened and operated by Dexter and Portland
companies.
        1874  Forest Quarry opened and operated by Salem parties.
        1877  Oakland Quarry opened and operated by John Tripp.
        The Monson-Maine Quarry was in operation in 1880 by Allen Williams and abandoned in
1943.
        1882  Kineo Quarry  operated by outside parties.
        1882  Burmah Quarry.
        18701875  Underground Quarry  operated Charles Folsom.
        1895  "West Monson"  operated by W. M. Jones
        1902  Mathews Quarry operated by Mr. Mathews
        1906  PortlandMonson Quarry.
        1910  "Farm Quarry" and Wilkins Quarry.
        1919  "Eighteen Quarry"  abandoned around 1922
        1922  There were three quarries in operation  Portland-Monson, Monson-Maine Slate Co.
and the General Slate Co.
        The Coleman Family, having the largest shares of stock, ran the PortlandMonson Slate Co.
until April 1, 1965, when it changed hands. It's now privately owned by the Tatko family. 
Monson slate is considered the finest in the world and is particularly famous for its color being
black. Monson slate is shipped all over the United States and into many foreign countries. A
couple of the more noted places it can be found is on the flooring of  the new Monson Town
Office. Along with the black slate from Monson,  there is a mixture of green and red squares from
New York and Vermont quarries. The floor of the Northeast Bank of Guilford, Maine, also has
added the beauty of Monson slate to its floors. 
        Monson slate was used as the Kennedy Memorial stones marking the resting places of the
slain President  John F. Kennedy and two children at the Arlington National Cemetery. St.
Patrick's Cathedral in New York City also has a slate roof made from Monson slate.

MONSON RAILROAD:   
                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                      In the early days transportation was by
foot, horseback or a team of oxen. Later came the stage from Bangor to Greenville.  In 1871, the
railroad company of Bangor hired a man to survey a road from Guilford to Greenville. The road
he surveyed would have run between the saw mill and the G.A.R. Hall (now Monson's Historical
Museum), and through Henry Grover's orchard (below where Louise Grover now lives). But soon
the people found out that the Railroad Company had sent a surveyor to survey a road following
the Piscataquis River from Guilford to Greenville via Blanchard. With this misfortune the
townspeople later felt that they needed some means of transportation. In June, 1883, our little
narrow gauge railroad, which was six miles long running from Monson to Monson  Jtc., came into
existence. The equipment, which was original or close to it, consisted of two engines, one
combination car, 28 flat and box cars, one snowplow and one spreader. It was commonly known
and called the "Twobysix",  being two feet wide by six miles long. It can be found in some
reference books that the Monson Railroad was 8.16 miles long when it's only 6.16 miles from
Monson to Monson Jct.. However, it was necessary to add the extra two miles of tracks going
through to Eighteen Quarry which was beyond MonsonMaine Quarry.
       The first two engines number 1 and 2, 044T were Hinckleys and were built in 1882. The next
two engines were numbered 3 and 4. No. 3 044T was built by the Vulcan Iron Works in 1912 as
was No. 4 044T which was built in 1918. The latter two were nearly identical except that No. 3
had one stirrup to lift you up into the cab whereas No. 4 had a double step. The railroad was  
owned by the MonsonMaine Slate Co., and its primary purpose was to haul slate from the quarry
to Monson Jct.  It also carried passengers, mail and freight. The “Peanut Roaster", as we fondly
called the little train, never turned around. She always backed the whole six miles from Monson
Jct. to Monson Station. The narrow gauge railroad was chartered in 1882, built in 1883 and
abandoned in 1945.
     Bus service was in existence in 1955 and ceased functioning in 1958, operated by Hasey's Bus
Lines.
     The first store in town was opened in 1825, belonging to Oliver Eveleth. Later that same year
Solomon Cushman opened a store. They remained the only two traders until 1830, when T. S.
Pullen from Winthrop came to Monson and started his own trade. From that time on Monson's
businesses have continued to grow.
     After the fire of 1860,  Mr. Aretas Chapin, son of one of the early settlers, constructed a hotel
holding fast to all the principles of Temperance. This hotel was burned in 1882.
      In 1886, Monson had a Refrigerator and Butter Box Factory. The wooden boxes were lined
with slate, the theory being that slate kept out heat and retained the cold. The project was not a
success.

MOOSEHEAD MFG. COMPANY:

    After the closing of the Monson, Maine Slate Co. in 1943, a Board of Trade was formed by the
merchants for the purpose of interesting an industry to locate in town.
    In 1945, the Moosehead Woodcrafter's plant in Greenville was destroyed by fire. It was
rumored that they did not plan to rebuild in Greenville. The Board of Trade then met with the
officials of the Moosehead Woodcrafters and they agreed to locate in Monson for $50,000.
     The Board of Trade called a meeting of all interested citizens and it was decided to finance this
venture by selling shares of stock. The quarry buildings were purchased, remodeled, and work
was begun at once. The Woodcrafters made a wooden chair with a seat and a back of webbing.
The Woodcrafters operated about a year and a half and failed, leaving Monson shareholders
with nothing but worthless pieces of paper. The spirit of  the founders of Monson showed in this
generation, and a Creditors Committee was formed. The stockholders  raised twenty thousand
dollars more and the plant operated for another six months, but could not keep going.
      The situation was really looking black when John Durham of Belfast, Maine, became
interested in the project. Mr. Durham had formerly been employed by Diamond Match Co. for a
number of years and as he says,  his job was "putting sick factories onto their feet again".               
                                      
      The Board of Trade appealed to the stockholders and ten thousand dollars was offered to
John and Tolford Durham to take over this "sick plant". The Durhams invested heavily in the
plant and put long, hard days trying to straighten out a very bad situation.  
      John Durham had to learn the furniture business from the bottom up. It was "nip and tuck" for
the first three years; then things began to look brighter.
     In 1954, the Moosehead Manufacturing Company was able to pay a dividend to their
stockholders.
     On October 29, 1959, Moosehead Mfg. purchased an abandoned woolen mill in
DoverFoxcroft to extend the production of their beautiful furniture and opened for business in
1960. Both plants today have roughly 200 employees.
     The company has sales offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco
with showrooms in New York and North Carolina.
      Tables and chairs are the Monson plant's major production, while the DoverFoxcroft plant
manufactures upholstered and bed room furniture.


             1972 MONSON BUSINESSES WITH THEIR EARLY
                       HISTORY AND FORMER OWNERS

     MILTON BARTLETT'S GULF STATION  The land and buildings owned by  French &
Curtis  they bought the land from Arthur Bessey in 1956. The first manager  John Ruksznis
followed by Ronald Clukey, Maurice Davis, Frank Templeton and in 1967, it was opened by its
present operator Milton Bartlett.

    YANKEE TRADER  The present building was built for Daniel Champion in 1935 by Percy
Smith and was then known as Champion's Filling Station. It was late acquired by Arthur and Edna
C. Haggstrom and in turn sold to Alanson Robbins in 1971.

     MONSON GARAGE  The bottom story of the John Ruksznis home was previously located on
Main St. between A. Haggstrom and D. Williams houses. At that time the building which is now
Monson Garage was a barn situated in back of this house. After it was moved it was used as a
livery stable by P. W. Knight and then as a leased garage. Former business owners were: Archie
Greenleaf and Stanley Stevens; Archie Greenleaf; Daniel Champion; Will Champion (operated by
Leslie Robinson); Edward Dutra ; Lloyd Butterfield ; Hal  Stanchfield. The present owner, John
Ruksznis has been in business for 26 years.

     STORER'S HOME CARE CENTER  This was a hardware store owned by Billy Eldridge and
later by Luther Colbath. It was then bought by John Strom, then by Sam Ulman and used as a
meat store. The American Legion bought it from Ulman and they in turn sold it to Ira Bishop.
Next Arnold Grant owned it and he sold out to the present owner, Berwin Storer. (Note: The
Civil Defense had a lookout tower built on top of this  building during World War II to report
airplanes that passed the area.)

      J & J GENERAL STORE  Attorney John Sprague's house stood here before the 1910 fire. It
was rebuilt by Arthur Brown and made into a general store. It was then taken over by Clarence
Brown. The block was sold to the following people in the proper sequence: Ethel & Arvid
Holmquist, Paul Hoyle, Laurice Goodwin, Joseph &  James Quartararo and the present owners,
C. Leavitt and James Quartararo. (Rent upstairs.)

      MONSON LIGHT AND POWER BUILDING  In 1889, C. W. Folsom had a drug store on
one side of the building, and a Post Office was on the other side. Roy Hescock had the drugstore 
Post Office when the building burned in the 1910 fire. In 1912, it was rebuilt by Alner Gilbert.
Since that time it has been used as a Variety Store, A&P Store, Grocery Store and Post Office.
     The annex was used as a garage. It is now owned by Francis G. Marshall as an office and
storage. Rents upstairs  vacant.

      POOLE'S MARKET  Former owners  Ladd, W. A. Bray, Arthur Bray, Nadeau. Oswald
Poole bought it from Nadeau. It has always been a grocery store. It was damaged by fire in 1955
when Nadeau owned it. Rent in back was gutted by the fire and was removed. Rent upstairs -
vacant.

      MASONIC BLOCK  Burned in 1911. Arthur Brown had a store on the street level and a
house owned by him was located out back of the Masonic Hall. A stable was underneath which
also burned. Rebuilt. The first floor  housed two businesses. One side was a hardware store with
the following proprietors: Bill Eldridge, George Pullen, and Gordon Hall. The other side has been
used as a restaurant, office and dress shop. Second floor  Banquet room, Dentist and Doctor's
offices, Barber and Beauty shops and club rooms. Third floor  the main hall was used by the
Masons, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs and Star.
     The building was damaged by fire July 12, 1969, and is now vacant.  The present owner of the
building is Edward Adams.

     MONSON VARIETY STORE  The fire of 1911 started in this building. At this time Sam
Hughes had a clothing  store and barber shop housed here. The rent upstairs was occupied by
Storer Flint who died in the fire. A bowling alley was in operation in the basement. The building
was rebuilt by Henry Grover for Edward Johnson and was used as a grocery store then a Post
Office.
       Rent upstairs remodeled. Purchased by Evold Jorgensen about 194445 and is now owned and
run by Madeline Jorgensen .

     TERRIS MOORE BLOCK  Alner Gilbert sold the building, which presently houses the Post
Office and Coffee Shoppe Restaurant, to Roy Hescock after the 1910 fire. R. Hescock had a
drugstore and Post Office there which burned in 1911. R. Hescock rebuilt in the same spot, and
housed a drug store on one side with a Barber Shop on the other side of the building. Hescock
then sold it to Aubrey Williams who ran a drugstore with a Post Office in operation on the other
side at that time. The building is presently owned by Terris Moore, who lives in the upstairs
apartment.

       BLUE GOOSE  Owned and operated by Joe Davison as undertaking parlor. Burned in 1911 
Rebuilt and  used as undertaking parlor. It was then used as a feed store by Guy Hammond 
Danny Guilds then had an antique store called the Blue Goose. It now belongs to Edward Adams
who uses it for storage.

       VAINIO BUILDING  This building belonged to Jesse Rogers then Harry Daw. H. Daw had
a grocery store. Rent upstairs. This building burned in the 191l fire. Rebuilt. After Daw died
Harry Hughes had a grocery store  Then Austin Robinson  grocery  store vacant.
       Galen Vainio now owns the building which he bought in December 1969 and is his residence.

      DONALD KEENE BUILDING  Built after 1897 fire. Owned by Orrin Rice and used as a
barber shop and dwelling. Then sold to D. Keene who had a barber shop on one side of  the
building with a bakery, that now houses Dr. Isaac Nelson's office on the other side. Rent upstairs 
vacant. (Note: the telephone office was once housed here when operators were employed.)

       MONSON LAUNDRAMAT  This building belonged to Coombs & Johnson between 1883
and 1885 and it burned in 1897. Henry Grover owned it about 60 years ago and used it as a
Country Store. H. Grover's son, Merton Grover then ran a bakery and later opened a saloon. 
Louise Grover sold to Humphrey in 1963. Humphrey in turn sold out to Laurice Goodwin who is
the present owner.  Rent upstairs.

       KNIGHTS STORE  1888 bought by P. W. Knight from C. S. Pullen & Co. and was known
as P. W. Knight & Sons (Amos & Henry). It was always used as a Dry Goods and Clothing Store.
Rent upstairs is presently occupied by Katherine Knight.  Store is closed.

      TOWN HALL (GAR BUILDING)  First building built after the Civil War. Destroyed in the
fire of December 28, 1888. Rebuilt. The annex built in the 1930's by  W.P.A. men. The GAR
turned the building over to the Town of Monson in the early 1940's. When the town owned it they
housed the Town Office, Fire Dept. and Public Library on the first floor. Second floor  was used
for many activities. In 1972, the town deeded it to the Tisbury Manor Chapter D.A.R. and it
presently houses Monson's Historical Museum. (Note: In 1889 the town meeting hall was located
in [Tarr] Spencer's Hall.)

       WAYMOUTH'S GARAGE  Located on road to Greenville. Built by Dennis Weeks for
Arthur Day in the late 1920's. Arthur Day owned and operated it until 1942. Closed from 194245.
Reopened by A. Day and run for a short time then sold to Earl Waymouth in late 1940's who
operated it as a garage.  Business closed by  Waymouth in 1971.

         DAIGLE & DAIGLE  Built by Patrick and Jerry Daigle. Opened in the summer of 1970.
Hardware and  lumber goods. Located on Rt. 15.

         MONSON SPRING WATER CO.  This was originally started by A. W. Chapin for his own
use who was then the owner of the building which presently houses Brown's Nursing Home. Will
Bray bought the water company from Percy Smith on Dec. 4, 1925. W. Bray then to Maude Bray
on Oct. 8, 1945. M. Bray in turn sold it to Elwin & Marguerite French on Oct. 25, 1948.
          On April 8, 1955, E. French sold his half to Esmond Richardson. E. Richardson & M.
French sold out to Thaxter Jones on June 20, 1962. In July of 1968 a town meeting was held and
it was voted to buy the Water Company for $6,000.  On Oct. 1, 1968,  the Town of Monson took
over the Water Co. from Thaxter Jones. The town owns the company at the present time.

         C. V. (TAD) TURNER, INC.  Forest products and general trucking, bulldozing, shovel,
backhoe, crane work, and excavating. Located on the William Hughes Farm on the Willimantic
Road.

          INSURANCE:
Francis G. Marshal  Hartford Insurance Co. and Monson Light and Power Co.
Robert E. Lander  General Insurance
Stanley A. Robinson  insurance and real estate broker
          FOREST PRODUCTS:
Merton Carr  woods operator
Bjork Bros.  William and Harlan  woods operators
Robert Brown  pulp buyer
Wayne Reed  pulp and logs
Hollis Nelson  woods operator
Lloyd G. Kelley  building camp roads and backhoe work
Kelley Bros.  apple orchards
C.V. Turner  forest products and contractor 
 
       BEAUTICIANS:
Me Me's Beauty Salon  Amelia Daigle, prop.
Jo L's Toppe Knott Shop  Joyce Lander, prop.

      MISCELLANEOUS:
Phyllis Ruksznis  bakery
Raymond Anderson  painter (buildings)
Berwin Storer  painter (buildings)
Dennis Casey  "Wildwood Camp Ground" Monson Pond
Herbert Bishop  snowmobile dealer  Bishop's Great Outdoors
Joyce Kelley  antiques
Brown's Nursing Home  Raymond Bishop, prop.
French's Boarding Home  Marguerite French
Robert L. Greenleaf  electrician
Robert Leavitt  electric motors
Olive Hammond  seamstress
Leon Piela  carpenter
Lawrence Hammond  bookkeeper
William Erickson  crawlers (bait)
Earl Waymouth  live bait
Ed and Audrey Higgins  live bait
Kendrick Benton  photographer
Gerry Weymouth  artist and teacher
Elinor Brayton  artist
Mrs. Elizabeth Seitz  The Shell Studio
Coffee Shoppe Kahvila  Helen Johnson, prop.
Bessie Doble  antiques
Patrick & Jerry Daigle  carpenters
Edna Haggstrom  knits and crochets articles for sale
Harry Lindie  radio repair
F. Elwin French  repair shop and makes novelties

     TWO ACTIVE FARMS:
John Sandberg  Southeast Monson
Forrest Stevens  ( Old Steward Farm) Southeast Monson























                 NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING

   On February 14, 1968, the town approved an earlier proposal of building a new municipal
building to house Monson Town Office, Library, Fire Department, highway Dept. and Youth
Activities room. Ground was broken in April of 1968 for the new building which was designed by
Dan Edgerton at the site of the former Willer Hotel. The cost of the new building was $39,200. 
On June 16, 1969, open house was held dedicating the new addition to the town.

               FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY

    Prior to the organization of the Monson volunteer Fire Department, the town had no fire
fighting equipment and depended on the help of the townspeople.
    In 1877, Alvin Gray, who was the selectman, bought an engine, and an old hand tub and some
hose for $400 which the town appropriated for that use. At that time, much was said against the
purchase until the fire of 1897 which burned the buildings from the canal to Knight's Store. This
section was rebuilt as follows from Knight's store to the canal  Grover's now the laundramat
owned by Laurice Goodwin; Orrin Rice  now Donald Keene block; E. McIver  last known as
Arvid Anderson's Store which was demolished in 1966;  J. Davison  now Edward Adams and
used for storage. The first fire apparatus is in a museum in Meredith, New Hampshire.  
    The Monson Fire Department was organized in 1937, with Dennis Weeks as Chief, and sixteen
members who
were Arthur Day, Merton Grover, Clair Sargent, Stanley Stevens, Cliff Simpson, Henry Knight,
Erick Erickson, Arthur Haggstrorn, Fred Berry,  Anselm Swanson, Paul Jackson, Guy Hammond,
Thomas Mountain, Elwin French, Robert Benton and Eugene Bickford.
     The first fire house was in the old GAR Hall known  as the old Town Hall on Main Street and
remained there until 1968 when the new Municipal Building was built. 
     In 1937, the first motor driven fire engine was purchased which is still being used today. The
department presently has two fire engines, two tank trucks and an Army Surplus truck. An alarm
system was installed on the top of the old town hall building. Prior to this the church bells were
used as a means of an alarm. On May 3, 1946, Arthur Haggstrom became Fire Chief, a post he
held until March 28, 1961, when John Ruksznis became Chief and who holds this office at the
present time.
     The fire department now consists of 20 men who attend regular meetings and training sessions.
     Monson has been the victim of many fires over the years. In May, 1824, a fire which started on
what is now the common, where the forest was being cleared away, threatened to destroy what
buildings there were in the vicinity. All the help that could be found worked hard for a day and
night to save the mills, two houses and one or two outbuildings then standing where the village is
now.
     Then another fire struck the town in the autumn of 1825. This fire swept across a large portion
of this state destroying great tracts of timber land. Many of the buildings were in danger, but
through strenuous efforts, none were destroyed.
     Again in the spring of 1831, the village was threatened once more.







THE GREAT FIRE
(Taken from the 1914 Pharetra)

        It is quite a look backward over the nearly fiftyfour years since the great fire in Monson.
Within this period Monson has been visited by a number of serious conflagrations but none of
them has destroyed so large a proportion of the buildings as that on May 27, 1860, which swept
away most of the village. Few who were then of adult age are now living, and those who were
then children are well along in years.
         Prior to 1860, Monson enjoyed a remarkable exemption from serious fires. The town in
common with others suffered from the great forest fires of 1825, but from 1818 to 1860,
according to Reverend Charles Davison's semicentennial address, only four dwelling houses had
been destroyed by fire; namely, that of Samuel Rowe in the winter of 181819, that of Calvin
Colton in the spring of 1823, that of George Doughty in 1836 and that of Alexander Greenwood
Houston in November, 1852.  For seven years after this last fire the sound of the fire bell had not
been heard. Its silence was first broken March 31, 1860, when the Academy burned, to be
followed by a greater conflagration not quite two months later.
         In May, 1860, the weather had been for several weeks warm and dry. There were no slated
roofs in Monson then and the shingles on the roofs were dry as tinder. Sunday, May 27, was a
calm and pleasant day with a light south wind.
         Shortly after the close of the morning services the Sabbath stillness was broken by the wild
cry of "Fire" and the ringing of the bell in the Congregational Church.  Looking across the little
pond from the window of my father's house, then standing on the site now occupied by I. P.
Wing's residence (now the home of Edwin Holmbom’s),  I saw the flames pouring from the roof
of the stable connected with Nelson Savage's hotel called the "Mansion House", the hotel being
on the site now occupied by Peleg W. Knight's store, and the stable a little
south and in the rear. In the few minutes required to reach the spot, the flames had spread to the
hotel and the inmates were throwing, out of doors and windows, beds, bedding and furniture in
frantic effort to save something from the wreck. The heat generated an active air current and the
flames with a wild roar devoured everything they touched in an incredibly short time. The burning
shingles were swept high in the air and were carried by the now accelerated south wind
northward, immediately setting fire to any roof on which they dropped. The flames mocked the
puny efforts to stay their onward rush with water pails and buckets  the only firefighting apparatus
in the village. 
     It was a spectacle at once grand and awful to see almost the entire village in flames at once.
The fire began about one P.M. or a little earlier and by three P. M. the work of destruction was
substantially complete. When the sun set on that eventful day, little was left in the central part of
the village but a mass of smoking ruins.                                                                                          
                                                        Except a small shop next north of the canal, every building
on the west side of Main Street from the Mansion Hotel north was destroyed.  This included
Tarr's and Knight's blacksmith shops. Tenney's wheelwright shop, J. H. Pullen's store and home of
Deacon Ward on the lot afterwards of A. S. Garland (now Gordon Hall's home). The fire also
destroyed a cabinet shop of Elias T. Andrews and dwelling of Albion Jackson, both on Pleasant
Street the latter on the site of Mrs. Hattie Crafts' residence (now known as Esther Pennington's
home) . Only a change of wind prevented the flames, from sweeping up Church Street. On the
east side of  Main Street every building north of the canal to and  including the Congregational
Church was burned, including Aretas Chapin's extensive farm buildings, Oliver Eveleth's store
(now Erma Small's home) and dwelling occupied by A. G. Houston (former D. A. R.Chapter
House) and the hotel called the "Monson House" (located in the general area of Berwin Storer's
home) then kept by Solomon J. Chandler. (Note: Aretas Chapin's farm was about where Louise
Grover's home now stands.)
         In the midst of the excitement a dwelling house on Central Street formerly occupied by
Honorable J. H. Rice on the lot afterwards of A. F. Jackson (now the home of Edward Laverty
which was formerly owned  by Ansel LaPointe), caught fire from the flying embers and was
speedily burned to the ground. In the space of  two hours, about forty buildings were totally
destroyed with a large portion of their contents. So rapidly did the flames spread that there was
little opportunity to save anything. The buildings destroyed included one church, two hotels, three
of the four stores, six dwellings besides shops, one law office, barns and outbuildings. The  
business part of the village was practically wiped out. Some of the sufferers were stripped of
substantially all their earthly possessions. Some had no insurance and others while less unfortunate
never recovered from their losses. To crown all, certain  disreputable characters  from outside
added plunder to the troubles of the sufferers.
         The total losses were estimated at $22,750 and insurance only $9,600.  At the scale of
prices prevailing this meant much more than the same figures would represent today and gives a
very imperfect idea of the magnitude of the misfortune which for the moment overwhelmed the
little village. The heaviest losers were Nelson Savage, $1,300;  J. H. Pullen, $2,800;
Congregational Society, $1,200; with no insurance; Solomon J. Chandler, $3,000; Oliver Eveleth,
$2,200; and Aretas Chapin, $3,000.  The figures are those given in the Observer at the time, and
those losses except in the case of  the church were partially covered by insurance.
         The business men sought such accommodations as they could find.  The post office was for
some time kept in the rear wing of Horace Flanders' house (now Tolford Durham's).  Some who
had been in business at Monson sought other fields of activity. It was many years before the
village regained its former prosperity.
         The cause of the fire was never certainly known.  One rumor attributed it to certain half
intoxicated persons smoking in the hay loft of Nelson Savage's stable. Others believed that the fire
was deliberately set by an offender who had been arrested in Monson shortly before and who
threatened vengeance upon the town. No attempt was made however (perhaps from lack of
evidence) to bring the culprit, if such he was, to justice.
     Incidentally the fire resulted in one important benefit in ridding Monson (let us hope forever)
from hotels in which intoxicating liquor was kept for sale. Shortly after the fire Aretas Chapin
opened a hotel (built on the site of the now Bartlett's Gulf Station), which until it burned on
March 25, 1882, maintained a consistent and  honorable record as a temperance hotel, and this
excellent record has, I believe been maintained by hotels since opened in Monson.
                                                                                                                  Dudley P. Bailey

     The alarm of fire rang at 4 a. m. on Friday the 28th of December of 1888. The engine house
with the G.A.R hall above, the building owned by Hilman Bros. and used as a furniture and tailor's
shop, and Mr. Boynton's fine new buildings, store and dwelling with barn adjoining and a dry
house filled with lumber belonging to the Monson Refrigerator Co. were swept away in an hour's
time. It was the most disastrous fire since 1860. The town lost the road machine for which it paid
$225.00 just two years before. The buildings burnt nearly together and almost everything in them
was destroyed. The hearse was saved. (Note: This is the fire which burned from Water Street to
the residence of Alvin Gray's  now A. Haggstrom's.  This event was taken from the private journal
of Miss Sadie Emerson, daughter of the Rev. Emerson, and loaned by her grandson, Vernon
Wilson.
         January 12, 1897, everything was burned from the canal to P. W. Knight's store. Later in
1899 the old hotel stable (situated where the Bartlett's Gulf Station now stands) burned.  Then on
January 6, 1910, the Lake Hebron Hotel which opened in 1882 was consumed by fire. In the
winter of 1910 (Dec. 11) fire destroyed all the buildings from the Bray Block (now Poole's
Market) on the corner of Pleasant and Main Street.
     Fire broke out on the night of Nov. 9, 1911, in the business section and swept everything from
the Spencer Block (former A. Anderson Block  now a vacant lot) to W. A. Bray's Store (now
known as Poole's Market) including the Masonic Hall.
     During the night of Nov. 3, 1919, there was a bad fire in one of the Railroad buildings, which
destroyed all the engines belonging to the road, leaving us now without any rail service. (Taken
from Alvin Gray's diary.) (Note: damaged engines, No. 3 and 4, repaired by D. Weeks.)
     On Nov. 5,1939, there was a fire at Clarence Brown's store (now known as J & J General
Store) which damaged the interior.
     If one should ask some of the older citizens in Monson what the longest night they've ever had,
they might recall the fire on December 17, 1942, when the fire started in the crating room of the
PortlandMonson Slate Co. From 8:30 to 10 p. m., they fought hard to save the building which
they did quite successfully. Then one hour later, fire was discovered in the big mill which  lasted
until 8 o'clock the next morning.
     A fire always ends up as a loss for someone, but perhaps one of the most tragic losses was on
March 2,1950, when Elwood Smith, his six children and his mother Harriet Smith were burned to
death. His wife was badly burned and hospitalized. Their house was situated between  what is
now  A. Swanson’s and A. Small’s on South Main St. (the latter sold to  E. Casey) The Smith
house was the oldest house in town at that time and was once located where Brown's Nursing
Home now stands.
       On Feb. 7, 1955, Poole's Market, then owned by Nadeau, was damaged inside by fire.
       The interior of the Masonic Hall which housed Pullen's Hardware and Robinson Insurance
Agency on the first floor, burned July 12, 1969.

 ORGANIZATIONS
AMERICAN LEGION POST No. 116 AND AUXILIARY
       TowneHolmbom Post No. 116

            The Monson American Legion was started on March 1, 1921 with 16  charter members:
Ira F. Bishop, August Peterson, Byron A. Kallgren,  Frank Larson, William Lindie, Thomas
Mountain, Lawrence Johnson, Paul Nelson, Elmer Lindie, Erick Holmquist, Robert Bigger, and
Byron W. Harmon. Ira Bishop was the first commander, and in later years, served as County
Commander.
            The Auxiliary was instituted on Dec. 12,  1922, with 38 charter members:  Lizzie Towne,
Mary Davis, Mary Larson, Edith Carlson,  Lottie Grant,  Margaret Bigger,  Elizabeth LeClair,
Elizabeth Bodge, Margaret Steward, Myrtle Homer, Florence Hughes, Addie Wing, Pearl Dore,
Ruth Larson, Edith Brown, Nettie Kallgren, Margaret Bishop, Margaret LeClair, Isabella Brown,
Amy Kronholm, Hilma Holmquist, Marjorie Hughes, Sadie Grover, Audrey Flint, Jennie Lindahl,
Ida Roberts, Esther Johnson Pennington, Madeline LeClair, Marion Billings, Rubena Johnson
Fenlason. Blanche Hescock, Whilhelmina Stanchfield, Estelle Lindie, Harriet Flint, Hattie Larson,
Judith Natycks Venott, Alice Jackson, Laurice Harmon.
    The Monson Post was named in honor of Oral A. Towne, who was killed in action July 22,
1918 in Bois, LeFere, France. On September 24, 1951, the American Legion of Monson voted to
change the name to TowneHolmbom Post No. 116 in honor of Oral A. Towne and Lawrence
Holmbom. The latter died in England during World War II.
    For many years, both the Monson American Legion and the Auxiliary held their meetings in
what is now Storer's Home Care Center. There, they held many food sales and card parties to
raise money and provide relaxation for their members. In 1925, they erected the flag pole that
stands in the square.
    In 1946 the American legion bought the Swedish Lutheran Church and held their meetings and
activities there until Dec. 8, 1970, when they sold the hall and became inactive. Previous to this
they held their fairs, suppers, and dances at this location. Each year they held a Field Day in by
Monson Pond which consisted of baseball games, skeet shooting, swim races, potato bag races,
etc. They also sold hot dogs at this annual event.
    Each year, past and present, the American Legion and Auxiliary have participated in the
Memorial Day exercises. The American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 116 is still active.



DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
  Tisbury Manor Chapter, D. A. R.

    The Tisbury Manor Chapter, D. A. R. was organized Nov. 5, 1952, with 19 charter members:
Elena J. Quillian, Genevieve J. Beckwith, Gwendolyn M. Allen, Beatrix J. Bray, Stella P. Hughes,
Edith D. Jackson, Grace J. Jackson, Faye D. Mithee, Agrandece R. Pullen, Priscilla C. Robinson,
Hazel P. Warran, Josephine S. Emanuelson, Eloise S. Stevens, Ada B. Wyman, Ivy P. Leighton. 
Bernice J. Young, June J. McDonnell, Melvina D. Jacobson and Marie S. Pullen.
    The first event of the Monson D. A. R., was placing a marker on the grave in the church
cemetery of Lydia Oldham Jackson, widow of Revolutionary patriot Barnabas Jackson, on Aug.
29, 1954. They also placed a slate marker on the grave site of Alexander Greenwood, surveyor of
the Town of Monson and surrounding areas, in the church cemetery on June 30, 1961.
      A small museum in the Old Town Hall (G. A. R. Hall) was established on Aug. 21, 1955.
Plans are being made to reestablish in this building this year it having been at the Chapter's Gray
House since 1959. (Note: The Museum opened officially on June 24, 1972.)
     The Monson chapter also sponsored the J. A. C. Clubs, D. A. R. Good Citizen Girls and the
American History Essay Contests in the Monson Schools until it's consolidation into S. A. D. No.
68.
      In 1959, they acquired the title to the Gray House which was bequeathed to the Chapter by
Genevieve Jackson Beckwith and maintained it until this year when the Town of Monson deeded
the Old Town Hall building to them for the museum.

           OTHER *PAST AND PRESENT ORGANIZATIONS

          *Gerry Relief Corp. No. 38
            American Sunshine Club
            J. E. Club
          *Sons of Veterans
          *Men's Club
            Woman's Club
          *Woodman's Lodge
          *Loon Club
            W C T U
          * Monson Doric Lodge No. 149
          *Onaway Lodge No. 106 I.O.O.F.
          *North Star Rebekah No. 38
          *Euclid Chapter No. 58 O.E.S.
            Finnish Farmers Club
          *G.A.R. Gerry Post No. 5
          *P. of  H. Juanita Grange
          *Farm Bureau (both men and women)
                                  Formed in 1919



YOUTH GROUPS:

                 Boy Scouts                          Girl Scouts                  Youth Recreation Club                   
                                                                                                                                                    
Troop No. 119                    4H Club (Started about 1927) 

                                                                                                                            
              MONSON CITIZENS DEDICATE HONOR ROLL
              (Taken from the Piscataquis Observer dated Aug. 3, 1944)
                                                               Written by Earle Jackson

       Sunday, July 30th, 1944, will go down among the outstanding days in the history of the
Town of Monson. The occasion was the unveiling, presentation and acceptance of the Honor Roll
erected to honor those in the armed forces in World War I and World War II from this town.
       The site of the Honor Roll is on the vacant lot owned by Doric Lodge, F. & A. M. between
Masonic Hall and the PostOffice. Early in the day a group of townspeople took it upon 
themselves to give Main Street, through the business section a good cleaning. This done, Main
Street looked spic and span.
       The residence of W. Harry Hughes being directly across the street and opposite the Honor
Roll, made a fine place to carry out the prepared program. The veranda at the Hughes residence
was prettily decorated with baskets of flowers and served as a platform for those taking part in
the ceremonies. A loudspeaker system was installed so all could hear throughout the business
section.
        Long before the hour set for the dedication exercises, two o’clock, P. M.,  people began to
gather and autos took available parking space. Arthur L. Bray very efficiently presided. Monson
band was assembled on the spacious lawn in front of the Hughes home.
        Very soon after 2 o'clock, Mr. Bray announced the opening of the program, a selection by
the band. Prayer was offered by Rev. Joseph Griffiths, pastor of the Methodist Church in
Guilford. The Honor Roll was unveiled and God Bless America sung by the all male chorus  Fred
M. Hescock, Paul A. Jackson, Guy O. Hammond, George P. Pullen, W. W. Pullen, Robert I.
Roberts of DoverFoxcroft, and audience.
        Mr. Bray next read the names on the Honor Roll and as the Gold Star Names were read, five
in number, three in World War I and two in World War II, beautiful baskets of flowers were
placed in front of the Honor Roll by  five girls  Lucinda Forbus, Janet Bjork, Carolyn DeSano,
Evelyn Simmons and Doris Nelson in memory of the boys who have made the supreme sacrifice.
This was followed by the playing of the Star Spangled Banner by the band.
       Mr. Bray introduced the guest speaker of the afternoon, Captain Brower L. Pernet of the Air
Force, Dow Field, Bangor, Maine. Captain Pernet expressed his great pleasure at being present at
this occasion and complimented the people of Monson for their deep interest  in erecting such a
beautiful Honor Roll. After another selection by the band, Chief Dennis C. Weeks of the Monson
Fire Department, sponsors of the Honor Roll,  presented it to the town and it was accepted by
Lyle C. Towne, chairman of the board of selectmen of the Town of Monson. The band played
several more selections and Rev. Griffiths pronounced the benediction.
  






THE HONOR ROLL

    The plot of ground where the honor roll stands had been previously leveled and seeded and is
now covered with green grass. Iron posts set in cement support the tablet which is seven feet
wide and eight feet high. The frame is of wood painted white, on either side a raised
victory V adorns the top with U. S. A. perpendicularly arranged below and the letters also raised,
these emblems being painted in gold color.
    The panels enclosed in the frame are of slate, the top bears the inscription  Monson Honor Roll 
on a field that has been sandblasted. The main panel is of slate 48 x 60 inches, in the upper section
the names of World War I veterans, 58 in number appear and in the lower section those of World
War II, 109 at the present time.  The names are in bronze and fastened to the slate back
ground. Plate glass covers the entire main panel.
    Much credit is due to the members of the Monson Fire Dept. for their untiring effort and hours
of work to complete this beautiful Honor Roll.


      SURRENDER OF JAPAN CELEBRATED IN MONSON
(Taken from the Piscataquis Observer, Aug. 23, 1945,
             Written by Earle Jackson)

    Elaborate programs carried out Tues. and Wed. nights--
    The citizens of this quiet little town, nestled among the beautiful hills and mountains of
Piscataquis County, were on the alert Tues. evening, August 14th, as they have been for the past
4 or 5 years, for the welcome news all have been longing to hear  the end of the war.  Early
evening broadcasts announced that at 7 o'clock important news would be given out and it is safe
to say that every radio was tuned in to get that announcement.  It came as scheduled and the
townspeople let loose the joy in their hearts in their own individual ways.
     The fire siren blew for a full 15 minutes, it sounded sweet to the ear, much sweeter than in the
dead hour of night for a fire. Automobile horns took up the refrain  throughout the town and in
the distance the powerful PortlandMonson Slate Co. whistle echoed back. The peal of the church
bells added to the noise.
      Monson band quickly assembled in front of the town hall and dispensed stirring music until
darkness covered  their music. An impromptu parade of happy mothers, wives, sisters and
sweethearts, as well as many children, grabbing anything they could make a noise upon, paraded
back and forth on Main Street and the band played on. At times the whistles, horns and noise of
the paraders nearly drowned out the band. Later during the evening several cannon shots
reminded the inhabitants that the war was ended. The American Legion opened their hall and free
dancing was enjoyed for several hours, music furnished by Frank Hughes, Alvin Cowan, Orman
Kronholm and Archie Johnson.
        For several days previous, this momentous moment  had been anticipated and a group of
business men had gathered to quickly formulate a plan for celebrating the glad news, if and when
it came. The final arrangements were left with George P. Pullen, president of the local board of
trade, and prominent hardware dealer and Eugene E. Bickford, the local efficient electrician.          
                                                                                                                                                       
                                               Wednesday, August 15th was Monson's big day and  the history of
the town will record it as a most outstanding. An overcast sky dashed the hopes of early risers but
in the early forenoon this burned away and the remainder of the day was most beautiful.
          A church service opened the day's program at 8:30 o'clock conducted by Rev. Ruth
Jackson, pastor of the United Church and held in the Baptist Church which was filled with people
who attended to give thanks for a victorious end to this most terrible war of all time.  Appropriate
hymns were sung, Mrs. George P. Pullen, organist. Scripture reading, Mrs. Jackson. The speaker
of the service was Rev. George Flower, pastor of the Assembly of God Church and his remarks
was listened to very attentively. A moment of silent prayer was given in memory of those who
have made the Supreme Sacrifice.
     At 10 o'clock a parade of the town was started with George P. Pullen leading dressed as Uncle
Sam, next came the Monson Band followed by Oral A. Towne Post, A. Legion including service
men and exservice men of  W. W. II. A thrill passed over the throngs of people on the street and
in the cars to see Sgt. Robert L. Greenleaf of the Air Force marching in the ranks, a prisoner of
war in Germany for 14 months. Troop 119, Boys Scouts, Eugene E. Bickford, Scoutmaster,
followed and two columns of women, many of them dressed in costume,
numbering more than 50 together with a lot of children. Last but not least was D. C. Weeks' truck
bearing an effigy of Hirohito.
     The line of march was upper Main to Center to Pleasant to Main to Tenny to Lower Main to
Water and back to the Town Hall where it disbanded at noon.
     The program for the afternoon was held at the bandstand on Monson Academy grounds.
Hundreds of cars parked upon the grounds and along Main Street to enjoy this program.
     The Program: --- Prayer, Rev. George Flower; salute to the flag, led by Troop 119, Boy
Scouts, Selection "Dawn in the Forest", Monson Band; singing "America", audience and band;
selection, "Faith of our Fathers", male quartet, Paul A. Jackson, Fred M. Hescock, Winifred
W. Pullen, George P. Pullen; address, Albert Boyer; duet, Rev. and Mrs. George Flower:
selection. "Stella  Polka", Paul Jackson, baratone and band; selection,  male quartet.
      At this point in the program all service men and exservice men were asked to assemble near
the bandstand and Arthur L. Bray, in behalf of the citizens of  Monson welcomed them and
assured them Monson deeply appreciated the fine work done in this war. Chorus singing led by
George Pullen, Mrs. Pullen, pianist, was entered into very enthusiastically and greatly enjoyed by
all. This program came to an end with Star Spangled Banner played by band.
     Special mention should be made of the address given by Albert Boyer, a veteran of W. W. II
and served in the Merchant Marines in W. W. II. His talk was timely and intensely interesting.
Monson is proud to have as fine a speaker among its citizens.
      The day ended with street dancing at 7 o'clock in front of the bandstand, this section having
been roped off and traffic routed via Center Street and this lasted until late into the night, music
being furnished by the same group that played the night before assisted by Urho Suomi, accordion
and Philip Knight, drums.
       A highlight in this street dance was the presence of  Mr. and Mrs. John R. Flint,
octogenarians, who tripped the light fantastic along with the teenagers. The burning of Hirohito
ended a great day for Monson.
      The committee did a fine job of arranging this day's program and the committee are very 
grateful to all who assisted in carrying out the program. Much credit is due the Monson Band for
their music and one committee man said "A band such as Monson possesses, aided greatly in the
celebration".

V-E DAY
(Note: the end of W. W. II was celebrated quietly
 in May of 1945.)





          MONSON ACADEMY CELEBRATES AUG. 23, 1947
   (Taken from Piscataquis Observer dated Aug. 28, 1947)
                Written by Earle H. Jackson

    The founding of Monson  Academy 100 years ago was fittingly observed Saturday by the
citizens of the Town.
    The parade was formed at Sears field near the former Monson Railroad station. Soon after 1
o'clock the line was ready to move, headed by State Police officer Harold Gleason; Uncle Sam in
costume (J. Record Pullen); color guard from the American Legion; Monson band, Earle H.
Jackson, director; Trustee's float; class of 18921893 (wagon); Winter Carnival float; Class of 
l902, 1905; Dramatic Club float; class of 1913, 1917, 1921; Amos S. Knight's car with the oldest
male citizen in town, Wallace E. Howard, 88; class of 1922, 1927; Merchants' float; class of 1928,
1932; Tenny Hill float; class of 1933, 1937; Monson Fire Department, Arthur E. Haggstrom,
chief; Class of 1938, 1943; Moosehead Woodcrafter's float; class of 1944, 1947; girl scouts on
bicycles, school boys on bicycles, doll carriages (decorated), boys and girls in costume.                  
                                                                                                                                                      
The floats were all very nice as were the many cars carrying the different classes, the bicycles
were decorated and the doll carriage section, numbering more than 25, was very pretty to view.
    The Tenny Hill float scheme was the Little Red Schoolhouse, teacher, pupils, school bell,
dunce and boys playing hookey from school fishing. This float took first prize; 2nd prize, class of
18921893; 3rd prize, class of 1913; 4th prize; merchants'  float.  
    The parade proceeded up Water St. to Main, to Pleasant, to Center St., to Main St., going
south to Tenny St. across to Main St., going north to the Academy grounds where the parade
disbanded.
    Immediately following the parade, the band gave a short concert in the bandstand on the
Academy grounds.  Their opening number was a stirring march, "Pride of  Maine", composed by
Heywood S. Jones, director of the Shrine band, Anah Temple, Bangor. Their next numbers were
"Dynamic Overture", Huff; and "Garden of  Dreams Serenade", Lincoln.  
    A public address system had been installed and President Stanwood R. Pullen of the Alumni
Association called upon Dr. Jesse Thomas of New York to offer prayer. Earl Hutchinson of the
State Department of Education, Augusta, was the speaker of the day and his address was listened
to very attentively by the large crowd assembled.
     The Academy building was open to visitors and registration of those entering was conducted
by members of the alumni. Many photos, diplomas, and graduation dresses of years gone by were
on display. From 5:30 to 7:00, supper was served in the Masonic banquet rooms by the
Community Church Circle and many partook of this fine meal.       
     At 8 o'clock an entertainment program was presented in the Masonic Hall. The program:
address of welcome, Mrs. Esther Pennington; response, Lawrence W. Rogers, class of 1905,
manager of school and library division of the Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. New York, N. Y.;
selection, quintet, W. W. Pullen, G. P. Pullen, G. O. Hammond, F. M. Hescock, P. A. Jackson;
selection,  musical saws, F. M. Hescock and Frank Hughes; piano solo, Miss Corrine Johnson;
history of Monson Academy, Mrs. Donald MacPherson; clog dance, Frank Hughes; selection,
quintet. Piano accompanists were Mrs. Mabel  Pullen and Miss Pearl Sargent. Dancing followed
with music by the Four Joe’s, with nearly 300 in attendance.
     Special mention should be made of the Trustees' float, decorated in red, white and blue and
drawn by W. W. Pullen's span of horses with Mr. Pullen, President of the Trustees, driving. It
depicted the old M. A. school room with Donald MacPherson impersonating Prof. W. S.
Knowlton Seated at the old desk. Pupils, Irene Korsman, Beverly Ulman, Edward Simpson, and
Arthur Nesberg.  Further mention and description of  the 2nd prize award was that of a well
decorated surry, the driver was Andrew Bates of the class of  l893, and seated in the back seat
were Mrs. Ethel Hescock and Mrs. Mary Davis, class of 1892, looking charming in attire worn in
the '90's.
     A class showing loyal spirit was that of 1902, with all of their living members present and who
marched in the parade: Bessie Jones Thombs, Eda Johnson Anderson and Lilla Lambert Smith. 
The class of 1939 had the largest number registered. Prof. Ray Jones of  Baltimore, Maryland,
came the longest distance to attend. The Masonic hall and dining room were most attractively
decorated.
     Much credit is due the very efficient chairman, Esther Pennington, and her committee for
making this a red letter day in the history of Monson Academy. The first prize of $5 received by
the Tenny Hill group for their float was given by them to the Community Hall fund. (Note: the
two pictures printed were  The Red School House [Tenny Hill], and the Trustee's float.)
     On the Little Red School House float were Mrs. Maila Korsman, Mrs. Gertrude Donahue, Mr.
& Mrs. Jorma Ranta, Mrs. Lona Suomi, Mrs. Sadie Lewis; and the following children: Rena
Korsman, Eleana Ranta, Kenneth Donahue, Sonny Conley, Jerry and Janet Daigle, Barbara, Peter.
Robin and Peggy Weymouth.


OLD HOME SUNDAY

      Sunday, Aug. 24, 1947, will be observed as Old Home Sunday and it seems fitting that Rev.
Jesse Thomas of New Rochelle, N. Y., will be the speaker as he is the soninlaw of the late Dr.
Shailer Mathews who for many years delivered the sermons on Old Home Sunday.
       Following the church service those who desire to do so may take their lunches to the Pullen
farm for a picnic, weather permitting. Bray's bus will run.  Plan to make August 23 and 24th a red
letter day for you and your family.
        Soft ball game at 10:30 a. m. and 3:00 p. m. between a town team and Alumni team.
        $1.00 prize for best decorated doll carriage.  
        $5.00 prize for best float in parade.  
        General Committee: Chairman, Esther Pennington. Eloise Stevens, Oswald Poole, Dana
Williams, Arthur Day, Roy Davis, and Amos Knight.  
        Program Committee: Mrs. Dorothy Thomas, Mrs. Madeline Pullen and Mrs. Jeanette Hall.
        Decorating Committee: Mrs. Erma Johnson, Mrs. Helen Johnson and Mrs. Lurene Houston.
Sports in charge of  Oswald Poole.


                    HISTORY OF THE MONSON BAND
       (Taken from the history written for the 25th  Anniversary of the Band)

     The Monson Cornet Band was organized September 15, 1887, largely through the efforts of
John S. Greenlief, E. T. Hescock, and Walter C. Jackson. Mr. Greenlief was at that time leader of
Dyer's Band of Foxcroft. Mr. Hescock had been a member of the Abbot Band, and W. C. Jackson
had played in orchestra for about two years. Those present were H. E. Morrill, G. H. Wilkins, E.
T. Hescock, George Jule, Samuel Sanborn, E. H. Wheeler, F. M. Hescock, W. M. Knight, John
Hall, E. M. Pullen, and W. C. Jackson. The following officers were elected: G. H. Wilkins,
Business Manager: W. C. Jackson, Leader; H. E. Morrill, Assistant Leader; E. T. Hescock,
Secretary and Treasurer, and a committee was chosen to draw up a code of bylaws. John C.
Greenlief was engaged as teacher.
     The first lesson was given in one of the office rooms of the old Masonic building. The
following were present: George Jule, Samuel Sanborn, W. C. Jackson, E. H. Wheeler, F. M.
Hescock, W. M. Knight, John Hall, E. T. Hescock, G. H. Wilkins, H. E. Morrill, E. M. Pullen,
Lewis Hall, William Pennington and Roy Hescock. The instruments were picked up in different
places, several being purchased from parties in Milo where a band had just disbanded. The band
received one lesson each week from their teacher, and rehearsed one evening under the
direction of the leader. This was continued during the winter and such good progress was made
that on February 22, a concert was given with the assistance of local singers and players, at which
a good sum was realized. The lessons were continued until the last week of March, when Mr.
Greenlief decided to go West.
     The M. C. Band made its first appearance on parade, May 30, 1888, when they furnished
music for the Memorial Day exercises at Monson. On June 18, 1888, the ladies of Monson gave a
benefit from which some $42.00 as obtained. The first engagement out of town was August 17,
1888, when they played for a rally at Greenville. During the campaign the band played in several
different towns in the county and on Sept. 1st, with two other bands, played for a county mass
meeting at Dover, at which the late Hon. James G. Blaine was one of the speakers.
     November 13, 1888, Prof. H. R. True was engaged as instructor, and he gave them fourteen
lessons in all, and under his able instruction the band was much improved. At this time the band
was meeting in the G.A.R. Hall, but on the night of December 28, 1888, this building, with two
others, was entirely destroyed by fire. The band lost a cornet, two drums, and several music
books, and until the hall was rebuilt, they held their rehearsals in the schoolroom in the Academy.
     On May 15, 1889, they purchased their first uniforms from Henderson & Co., Philadelphia.
They were navy blue trimmed with gilt braid, and they made their first appearance on May 30,
1889. On July 4, 1889, the band got up a celebration, furnishing music, and in the evening having
a drama at Tarr's Hall. On April 22, 1890, the band gave a concert in which they were assisted by
the late Miss Mammie Bush of Foxcroft, whose whistling solos were a feature. On July 4, 1892,
the band furnished music at the opening of the Milo driving park, and as the bass section was a
little light at this time, the late H. G. Pratt of Foxcroft was hired for this job, and he aided much in
making it a success.
     Up to this time, the band had been purely a brass band, but now clarinets were added, which
was a great help to the organization both as regards to tone and efficiency, as they were now able
to take up music, before they were prevented from touching for lack of a reed section. About this
time the word "cornet" was dropped from the name, and the organization has since been known
as the Monson Band.
      In November, 1892, arrangements were made with Prof. W. S. Ripley of Boston, to come and
give the band lessons for a week, and he gave the first lesson on Nov. 7th. Every member was
present each night, and such good work was done that on the next Monday evening a concert was
given under the direction of Prof. Ripley from which enough was realized to pay for the lessons,
and the band was much benefited by this work. On June 28, 1893, the band accompanied Gerry
Post G.A.R. to Abbot, the occasion being the dedication of the soldiers' monument. On Oct. 21st,
they accompanied the same organization to Foxcroft for the purpose of dedicating a soldiers'
monument at that place. On June 13, 1903, a set of new uniforms were purchased from the
Cincinnati Regalia Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. These were dark blue, trimmed with black mohair braid.
July 15, 1904, the band accompanied Onaway Lodge to Guilford on the occasion of the
dedication of the Odd Fellows' Hall.
       In all these years there have been but a few players who have come in from other places, and
all additions had to be made from new material, started at the beginning, and worked up.  The
spring of 1905, brought a player of unusual ability.  Knut Felix Ohnan, who was Finnish, and a
baratone player equal to any in New England.  Having played for many years in the old country,
his work on this beautiful instrument was a marvel to all. With his help the band was able to
handle a much higher grade of music, and they soon became known as a concert band of much
ability. Mr. Ohman remained with the band about a year and a half. The band attended the grand
carnival at Dover, Aug. 22, 1908, at which there were ten bands present. One of the features was
the rendering of several numbers by a consolidated band of 209 players.
     On Sept. 9, 1910, the band attended the band carnival at Penobscot Park where nine bands
were present.  May 9, 1911, a new set of uniforms were bought. These were the regulation A. F
and M. uniform, and up to date in every particular.
     May 12, 1911, the band gave its concert and dance, with a good program, and the full band
furnished the music for dancing.       
     October 1, 1912, in company with three other bands, they furnished music for the Centennial
Parade and celebration of the Town of Foxcroft. The band played at every Decoration Day at
Monson since it was organized, and for several years for the memorial services of fraternal orders
in June.  
     There were many changes in the membership of the band over all the years, and in 1912, the
director was the only one of the original members that remained.
     At the close of the season of 1912, the following  made up the band: Earle H. Jackson, Frank
Wentworth, Levi Flint, Arthur Fogg, J. H. Gilbert, W. C. Jackson, G. L. Brown, Harold
Campbell, J. R. Flint, L. A. Thomas, Fred Stanchfield, Austin Brown, Frank Hughes, Carroll L.
Jackson, Fred W. Elliott, W. W. Pullen, E. W. Farrar, A. L. Farrar, H. W. Wing, Malcolm Dane
with W. C. Jackson as director.
     The band was under the direction of Walter C. Jackson for 34 years. W. C. Jackson's father
taught him to read music, and as there was no one nearer than Dover to instruct him, he taught
himself. He was chosen leader because he could play a little, and the others could not, as he
quaintly expressed it. Each winter he taught between 1020 pupils, each on different instruments.
     After the death of W. C. Jackson in January of 1922, the following directed the band: Carroll
Jackson, Frank M. Larson, Paul Nelson, Paul Jackson, and Earle H. Jackson.  
     From 1920 until its disbandment, the following are those members who participated in the
Monson Band:  (Note: dates of memberships were unavailable and we apologize for those names
that have been excluded through lack of information and unavailable records.)  

                                   Frank Larson                     Felix Mattson             Max Forbus                     
                                                                              
                                   Harvey Gilbert                   Evold Jorgensen         Francis Marshall
                                   Earle Jackson                    Roland Jacobson        Frank Wentworth
                                   Thayer Smith                     Carroll Jackson          Fred Stanchfield
                                   Frank Hughes                    Bill Jacobson             Austin Brown
                                   Paul Nelson                      Anselm Swanson             Oscar Nelson
                                   Milton Stanchfield              Frank Nelson                   Elmer Lindie
                                   Sam Ulman                       Walter Steward                Merton Grover
                                   Arthur Bjork                     Byron Kallgren                 Harry Wing
                                   Grace Nelson Nace          Leroy Jacobson                Junior Larson
                                   Robert Zimmerman           Lawrence Hammond        Ernest Farrar
                                   Kenneth Simpson             Oscar Ulman                    Alex Stromback           
                                                                                                                                                       
                  Arthur Farrar                    Fred Ellliot                       Maurice Lebree
                                   Donald Davis                   Thor Stromback                Swen Nelson
                                   Millard Lord                    Elwood Lord                     Lawrence Gilbert
                                   Horace Gilbert                 Pauline Gilbert Mattson     Merle Finley
                                   Edward Gilbert                Harold French                   Therese "Patsy"
Nelson Johnson

      Flag Bearers  Althea French, Carlene B. Bickford, Marion J. Sandy                                          
                             (for the years 1943, 44, 45)

     In the 1940's, the Monson Band traveled to Guilford and Abbot to play and march for their
Memorial Day Celebration.  The last uniforms were bought in the late 1930's.
     A bandstand was built about 1930 by the Monson Band under the direction of Frank Bray, on
the lot which was then owned by Fred Crane and where Lake Hebron Hotel once stood (the lot
which is now between John and  James Durham present homes).  The lumber was donated by
George Pullen and other townspeople donated time, labor, and other needed materials. Arthur L.
Brown, gave the address at the dedication ceremony. On June 21, 1944, it was moved to its
present location in front of the Academy building.
     Band concerts were held every Thursday night in the bandstand.
     Around 1950, one of Monson's most enjoyable asset was brought to an end. Many of the
instruments were donated to Monson Academy for use in school activities.



MONSON ACADEMY'S
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL TEAMS

     Monson has been the home of some of the finest basketball teams in the state. Three Monson
Academy basketball teams proved themselves by winning the State Championship title in 1909,
1932, and 1968.
     In 1909, the Monson Academy five were: Elmer Bigger, Howard Sanborn, George Pullen,
Merton Grover, Merton Sears, with Edward Johnson as their coach.
     In 1932, Monson Academy was victorious over Washington Academy with the score 3726.
That year the team was made up of the following lineup: Oscar Suomi (captain), Oswald (Cookie)
Poole, Millard Emanuelson (Ollie), Stanford Stromback, Earl Brasier, Philip Soderquist, George
Carlson, Forrest Stevens (Mike), George (Savve) Larson was their coach. Harold E. Carson was
principal of Monson Academy at that time.
     In 1968, the Monson Academy Slaters once again took the title which was the last ever to
represent Monson Academy as an entity. The Varsity team won over the Casco "Loggers" at the
Exposition Building in Portland with a score of 6457.  Those responsible for the great showing
were Roy Taylor (Captain), Cyril (Bud) Leavitt, Richard (Dick) Woodard (CoCaptain), Gregory
Lander, Stuart Anderson, Jeffrey Greenleaf, Steven Bray, Edward Kronholm, with Gary Webb as
their coach.  Douglas Nelson and Ronald Harris were managers. Craig Anderson and James
Crockett were on the varsity squad the first half of the year.
     March 9, 1968 was the big day for the Slaters. That night the townspeople gave a victory
homecoming reception for the team. The bus was met at the AbbotMonson Town Line by a
Cavalcade of cars, sirens, police, and fire engines which escorted them to the gymnasium.  The
Main Street and school yard were both lined with lighted torches. A small program followed with
speeches by Principal Antonio Paradis, Coach Gary Webb, and Rev. Douglas Brayton.
Refreshments were served and a social time followed with a musical program by Bob and
Charles Denbow on the electric organ and the guitar.  Later dancing was enjoyed with the music
by the Vipers of Greenville.
     On April 11, 1968, the 1968 State Championship team was once again feted at the annual
Basketball Banquet sponsored by the Alumni Association.



  MONSON SLATER TOWN BASKETBALL TEAM

     In 1932, Monson also had a victorious professional Basketball Team. Those participating in
that were the following: Aubrey Kronholm, Mike Bennett, Wilbur Kronholm, Roland Johnson,
Charles Douglass and Edwin Holmbom. This Monson Slater Town Team won the Professional
County Basketball Championship and also won a championship for professionals in Bangor.


              MONSON ACADEMY TRACK TEAM

     The first County Track Meet was held at Dover-Foxcroft on May 19, 1934. Although it was
the first track meet in the history of the county it proved very successful. Monson Academy, led
by Captain Eino Suomi, won the County Championship with a total of 48.75 points while Milo
High School came through with 46.50 points to win second honors. The letter men were: Captain
Eino Suomi, Robert Zimmerman, Philip Soderquist, Clayton Jackson, Clifton Jackson, Galen
Wentworth, and George Carlson.


PERSONALITIES

1972  MONSON'S OLDEST SENIOR CITIZENS:

     MRS. MARGARET BROWN POOLE  was born November 25, 1877, on Prince Edward
Island. She came to Monson at the age of six and attended Monson's public schools. Mrs. Poole
married Carl Poole of Monson on June 8, 1895. She is the mother of five children: Margaret
Poole Bishop, Monson; Hazen, deceased; Thomas, Greenville; Sheldon, Miami, Florida; and
Oswald, Monson.  Mrs. Poole has 12 grandchildren. She is a former member of the North Star
Rebekah Lodge and is a member of the Church Circle. (She died at Brown's Nursing Home on
September 17, 1972.)

      MRS. MAUDE YOUNG BRAY  was born January 31, 1878 in Sherman Mills, Maine. She
came to Monson to attend Monson Academy. She later taught rural school  in Sherman Mills.
Mrs. Bray married Willie Alden Bray March 7, 1896. They owned and operated a grocery store
in Monson for many years. Mrs. Bray was active in all civic projects and President of the Baptist
Circle and a Past Noble Grand of North Star Rebekah Lodge. She was Librarian of Monson
Public Library for several years.  She did some practical nursing, but was especially interested in
maternity cases. In the beginning she went to the homes of her patients then later took maternity
cases in her home and helped deliver 100 babies. Mrs. Bray now lives in her own home and is a
semiinvalid.

      MRS. ADDIE H. WILLIAMS  born Addie Alice Hayden, May 7, 1879, in Brighton, Maine.
Until her marriage in 1902, to Richard Williams she had worked in the woolen mills in
Sangerville, and hotels in Monson and Kineo.  She  has two sons. Aubrey of Guilford, and Dana
of Monson. Mrs. Williams has two grandchildren  and two great grandchildren. Addie is a
member of the Monson Congregational Church, a former member of the United Circle, Mission
Circle, and the Stella Grace Philathea Class. She is also a former member of the North  Star
Rebekah Lodge, of which she is a Past Noble Grand, and of Euclid Chapter, Order of Eastern
Star. She also belonged to the Woman's Club for many years.  Mrs. Williams had spent most of
her life in Monson except for a few years in DoverFoxcroft, Clinton, and Bangor. (She died at
Brown's Nursing Home on Sept. 4, 1972.)
             


                                                      MEMORABLE CITIZENS:
     
     HARRY DAVIS  The memory of Harry Davis will not soon be forgotten to young and old
alike. The elderly will always remember him as the "Spruce Gum King", being the manager of the
Eastern Gum Co. of Monson, also as a frequent contributor to the Down East Magazine and the
Bangor Daily News "Maine Street" column.  Mr. Davis was active in the business life of Monson
and served in many town offices. He was an orchardist, lumberman, and saw mill operator.  The
young will always remember him delivering the Gettysburg Address each year at the Memorial
Day Exercises. He was born in Elliottsville, the son of Harrison and Voda (Corliss) Davis, came
to Monson after marrying Bessie Hebberd of Brooklyn, N. Y. in 1905 and  resided on Center St.
until his death at the age of 89 on April 29, 1969.

     SETH STEWARD Seth Wyman Steward, Jr., was born at Monson, Maine, May 4, 1844, the
son of Seth W. and Eliza (Baker) Steward. He married Mary Coan in 1875. They had five
children: Walter (married Margaret Bigger); Bertha; Maude (married Ernest Farrar); Barbara
(married Dr. Guy Dore); Raphall. Bertha and Raphall never married.  
     Mr. Steward served in the Union Army. He lived at Monson, Maine, Dorchester, Mass. and
Plainville, Conn., where he died July 10, 1934. He was buried in Monson,  Maine.
     He was in his own words, "a painter, decorator, and artist in oil". He also "hung paper and
painted carriages". Mr. Steward's only formal training was from a Mr. Cameron, a California artist
who spent his summers at Kineo.
       
      PROFESSOR WILLIAM SMITH KNOWLTON was born in East Sangerville, Maine, on
Oct. 21, 1839, the son of Isaiah and Lydia (Pollard) Knowlton.  Professor Knowlton received his
higher education at Foxcroft Academy and Waterville College. He lived some 25 years in Monson
(at different times) and married a Monson girl in 1867  Ellen Carr Flanders. They had two
daughters, Grace and Ethel. William and Ellen Knowlton were married about 40 years. Prof.
Knowlton taught at Monson Academy for the first time in 1862 and taught 17 years here in all,
the last time being from 18951905.  He taught in many different schools in Piscataquis County
and in other parts of the state. Dr. Knowlton also practiced for a short time as a lawyer and was a
pastor in Monson for four years. He represented Piscataquis County of Maine in both the House
and Senate. William S. Knowlton wrote the book "The Old School Master" which was printed in
1905. A book was also published about Monson people written in poetry form.
     Prof. Knowlton died in Newport, Maine, in May, 1926 at the home of his daughter Miss Ethel
Knowlton at age 86.
     An address which he gave on Aug. 19, 1922, at the Monson Centennial Program on the
educational and religious development, can be found in the Centennial Book.

     JOHN FRANCIS SPRAGUE  was born June 16,1848, in Sangerville, Maine, the son of
Elbridge Gerrish Sprague and Sarah Parsons Sprague. He was the editor of Sprague's Journal of
Maine History for fourteen years.  He also was a lawyer, legislator, and historian.  In 1874,  
Sprague was admitted to the Maine Bar Association. He moved to Monson in 1879 and lived here
until 1910, then moved to Dover.  In 192223, he served as Senator from Piscataquis County. John
Francis Sprague was crippled in the feet and was called Uncle John by many people. He published
the following books: "Sebastian Rale" a Maine tragedy of the 18th century; "Piscataquis
Biography and Fragments"; "The Northeastern Boundary Controversy and the Aroostook War";
"Three Men from Maine"  history of the Doric Lodge; "Backwoods Sketches"  articles published
in Maine Historical Society Journal of American History and the Lewiston Journal Magazine.
     Sprague was a selfeducated man. He attended common schools until he was 14 years old. He
adopted the vocation of peddling in the county until 22 years of age.  He read law in 18734 with
Alvah Black of Paris Hill.
     Sprague published his journal from March of 1913 until his death on May 7, 1926.



                                                                SCENIC POINTS

LAKE HEBRON:

     In 189091, the people of Monson first began to appreciate the beauties of the lake and its
value as a summer resort. The first cottage on Indian Point was owned by Mrs. P. W. Knight
(now owned by Charles Finch of N .J.)  Soon after more cottages were built namely: Bartlett's
(1892) which is now owned by Clair and Beatrix Bray of Sangerville and Mrs. Harriet Crafts
(1892) now owned by Millard and Billie Emanuelson.  The latter one was built by B. B. Steward.
In 1922, there were quite a number of summer cottages situated at Indian Point. This land was
given by Eben and Lucy Bray in 1890, when a corporation was formed and lots were laid out. An
Indian family whose name was "Rain-intheFace" were the last to live on Indian Point.
     Mrs. Mary F. Jones'  father, W. Farrar, built and owned the now Wilson Wilkins cottage at
Indian Point.  Judson Cushman owned a cottage on Indian Point that at one time was used as a
little store. He owned the cottage at the time he had his tailor shop. This cottage is now owned by
Millard and Billie Emanuelson.
     The "Loon Club" was organized around the 1890's and was situated where Francis Marshall's
camp now stands.
     Camp Comfort which was built before 1889, then owned by Estabrook, is one of the oldest
camps on the lake. The property is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Leon Savage of Pennsylvania.
      Another unforgettable fixture on the lake was the old Molly Tomah which was built around
the 1900's and burned in 1911. It was said that she used to carry passengers to and from the Loon
Club and Indian Point.
      Today Lake Hebron is surrounded with new and modern camps, most of them with electricity.
The last few years have brought about the development of a bathing beach at Whiting's Cove with
supervised swimming during the summer months.


   MONSON POND:

      This pond is located on Elliottsville Road and is another vacation spot about two miles from
Monson Village. It is surrounded by several cottages and in 1971 a camping and tenting area was
built. Kelley's Orchards are located across the road from the pond which is still another scenic
spot when the apple trees are in a full bloom in the spring of the year.

HOMER HILL:

     William Hoar came to Monson in 1826 and located on the land and built a house where the
present house stands. The only other family living on the hill was a family by the name of Gates
which sold their land and house (building no longer standing) to W. Hoar giving him the title to
the whole hill. He sold two small parcels of land to the quarries to dump rubbish on. Homer Hill
has always been a farm.
     From that time on Homer Hill has remained in the family, generation after generation, as
follows:
     William Hoar married Betsy Goodell (daughter of Abel Goodell, surveyor). They had two sons 
-  James and Henry.  James went to Ohio where he changed his name to Homer.  Henry also
changed his name at the same time in 1874.
     Henry Homer married Sarah Mathews (sister to Robert Mathews' father). They had two sons 
Edward and Wallace and two daughters who died young. Wallace never married.
     Edward Homer married Eliza (Annie) Pennington.  They had one daughter  Dorothy. Eliza
Annie died and Edward remarried Myrtle Cook. They had one son - Henry.
     Dorothy Homer married Max Forbus.  They had two daughters, Lucinda and Candida. Max
Forbus died in Jan. 1970.  Dorothy Forbus is the present owner and  resides at the same location
on Homer Hill.
     Henry Homer moved the house where Goldsmith Harris now lives from below the Dore Farm
on Homer Hill. This house was where William and Betsy Hoar lived in their later years.

MOUNTAINS:

     The following mountains are seen from several points in and around Monson. The most
prominent and wellknown to the townspeople are:
      (Looking East from Monson)
              Squaw Mountain
              Burnt Jacket Mountain
              Barren Mountain
              Boarstone Mountain
              Mt. Rochelle
              Lilly Bay Mt.
              Mt. Baker
              Mt. Houston
       (Looking West)
              Mt. Russell
              Bald Mountain Range.


SEMICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION

     The citizens of Monson, Maine met in Academy Hall on Monday, April 22, 1872.
     Selection by the Choir.
     Chairman A. Chapin, Esq. called the meeting to order and made a few remarks about the past
fifty years.
      Prayer offered by Rev. R. W. Emerson.
      Selection by the Choir.
      Historical address by Charles Davison, Esq.
      Appropriate remarks followed the address by Rev. A. H. Tyler and Hon. S. A. Patten.
     Poem delivered by W. S. Knowlton.
     Poem by Thomas N. Lord, Preceptor of the Academy.
     
     Anecdotes of the early settlers pioneer life and "ye olden tyme" were related by J. D. Jackson,
Dea. Cushman and Joseph Green.
     Selections by the choir of grand old times. The exercises were closed with the singing of
“America”.
      Audience invited to the room below and partook of an old fashioned supper, prepared by the
ladies. Toasts were drank and responses made.
     The attendance was very good in spite of the bad condition of the roads.


THE  MONSON CENTENNIAL
(Taken from Piscataquis Observer,  Thurs. Aug. 24, 1922)
(Written by  Earle H. Jackson)

        Monson very appropriately celebrated the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the town
on Saturday, Aug. 19, 1922.  The weather man kept the people guessing in this town as well as
the surrounding towns during the early morning hours, but evidently had the affair at heart and
early in the forenoon brought forth the sun and a better day could not be asked for.
        The citizens of the town were awakened at 6 o'clock sharp by the peal of the church bells
and the boom of the cannon. At 8 o'clock the flag raising took place.  
      Soon after 9 o'clock Chairman A. L. Bray of the parade committee and marshal of the day got
the parade started which was at least as fine as any parade ever seen in this section of Maine.
Thirtyfive different floats, automobiles, and characters made up the parade as follows: Marshal of
the day,  L. Bray; Uncle Sam, represented by L. A. Stanchfield; Monson Band, C. L. Jackson,
director; Oral A. Towne Post, American Legion, August V. Peterson, commander; G.A.R.,
represented by I. P. Wing and Mrs. I. P. Wing represented the W.R.C.; Spanish War Veterans,
Chas. Johnson; American Flag, 20 x 10, carried by school girls; Almon Vinton, Monson's oldest
grand old man, aged 94 years, and Mrs. Amelia Knight, our dear old "Aunt Amelia", age 83, in an
old fashioned attire and wagon. The next in line were beautifully decorated cars with the "Over
Eighties", Baptist Church, H. L. Stanchfield represented “Uncle Ben" of the early days and
pioneer mail carrier of the early days of Monson. A float representing 1822 was followed by A.
Stromback's prettily decorated touringcar, a float by Onaway Lodge, I.O.O.F., North Star
Rebekah Lodge, Auxiliary to the American Legion. Special mention should be made of this float
for its beauty and touching effect upon all eyes that rested upon it. The driver of this float was C.
C. Towne whose eldest son was Monson's first contribution to "Flanders' Field" in France. Floats
representing the Boy Scouts and B.S.W. club were very handsome and attractive.
      Monson's old hand tub and new gasoline fire engine were followed by a fine float representing
the PortlandMonson Slate Co., G. P. Pullen's float, representing his sporting goods department of
his hardware store, brought forth many favorable comments. DoverFoxcroft Band, J. H. Taylor,
director, was followed by handsome floats representing Davison & Hammond's Grain and feed
mill, D. C. Weeks, wood working, A. L. Brown's general store, P. W. Knight & Sons, dry goods,
Tom Leeman's mule team, a float arranged by campers at Indian Point, Lake Hebron; a float
representing the Blaisdell Auto Co. of Dexter, E. H. Jackson, Local salesman and containing Miss
Beatrix Jackson as a Butterfly and the Jackson twins, Clifton and Clayton representing frogs, W.
A. Bray's beautifully decorated car, Harry Daw's grocery store, A. L. Bray's grocery store, The
Eastern Gum Co., Harry Davis, Manager, Chase & Kimball's Ford Station and the General Slate
Co.
      Both the slate companies represented had trimming machines and men actually splitting
roofing slate and were very interesting, especially to those from out of town. The parade lasted an
hour and covered the principal streets of the town.
      The winners of the floats were as follows: First prize, The Auxiliary to the Legion,
representing Flanders' Field; second prize, Indian Point; third prize, Mrs. W. A. Bray. The judges
were Dr. O. F. Larson of Machias, Dr. Simmonson of Connecticut and G. F. Barnard of
Worcester, Mass.  Special mention should be made of the B.S.W. Club's float which was very
dainty and handsome.
        After the parade the Monson band went to Emerson cove where the water sports were held.
Mrs. Josephine Sherburne of Brookline, Mass. was in charge and presented the following: 100 yd.
race, won by Milton Prentiss; 50 yd. race for girls, won by Vivian Wing; 50 yd. race for boys,
won by Roland Jacobson; floating contest, won by Vivian Bray, midget race, won by Miss Billie
Sherburne of Brookline, Mass.; fancy swimming, Vivian Wing; motor boat race, won by H. E.
Smith.
        During the water sports the DoverFoxcroft band furnished pleasing music in Sherman
Square and for the track events on Main Street opposite the Academy buildings. The track events
were in charge of Elmer Bigger, a Monson boy and athletic teacher.

THE PROGRAM:

        50 yd. dash for boys, won by James Wing; 100 yd. dash, won by Toiva Anderson; 220 yd.
dash, won by Toiva Anderson; 440 yd. dash, won by Aril Palmer; potato race, won by Lyle
Towne; standing broad jump, won by Laurence Inky; 12 lb. shot put, won by Laurence Inky.
        At noon excellent dinners were served by the Auxiliary in the Masonic banquet rooms, The
Monson Baptist Society, The Congregational Society and numerous individuals. Dinner was
served at 50 cents a plate.
        At one o'clock thousands of people gathered on the Academy school grounds to listen to the
centennial program for which Monson band furnished excellent music.  Dr. William Smith
Knowlton presided, dressed in the garb of his greatgrandfather. Dr. Knowlton always has
something of interest to say and his witty poems are always pleasing to listen to. Hon. Dudley P.
Bailey of Everett, Mass. and son of the first Baptist minister in Monson, was introduced and
spoke on "Reminiscences" which was very interesting. "A Toast" given by Arthur L. Brown,
Monson's gifted reader, brought forth a round of applause, John Francis Sprague, A. M., editor of
Sprague's Journal of Maine History, gave a fine address on "Our New Citizens". Dr. W. S.
Knowlton, Maine's Old Schoolmaster's Address on "Educational and Religious Development",
was extremely interesting. "A Look Backward after Fifty Years", given by Roland T. Pattern of
Skowhegan was very interesting and ably given. The speaker of the day was Dr. Shailer Mathews,
Dean of Chicago University. He took for his subject "Challenge of the Past" and those who did
not hear his address certainly missed one of the most interesting and able talks ever given before
an audience here.
      At 3 :30 the great ball game at Chapin Avenue ball grounds between Guilford A.A. and
Greenville A.A. was called and hundreds of baseball fans attended. Score: Greenville, 6, Guilford,
5.  
     At seven o'clock the DoverFoxcroft band rendered a very fine and pleasing concert in Sherman
Square. The grand ball in Spencer's hall at 8 :30 with music by Cobby O'Brien, seven piece
orchestra of Bangor, closed the great day, a day long to be remembered by all present.
     Chairman F. H. Crane of the Centennial Committee has worked unceasingly for weeks that this
event might be successful as have all the other committees. The town was very prettily decorated
with flags as were many private buildings. The stores made special decoration among which Harry
Daw's window representing 1822 and the other window 1922 was very attractive. The Eastern
Gum Co. had a beautiful display in one of the windows of Welch’s Restaurant.  An estimated
4,000 to 5,000 people were in town from far and near and we hope enjoyed themselves as much
as Monson people enjoyed having them come.
      During the day nearly 700 people visited the store of Edward Johnson where hundreds of
antiques were on display. Among some of the antiques were some of the furnishings of the
famous Blaine Mansion which have been handed down to the family of Mrs. Charles Smith, who
is a descendant of the original owners of the building. A brooch over 600 years old was also
loaned by Fred Larson. There was also a large collection of relics taken from the battlefields of
seven wars. The rooms were in charge of Mrs. John Rice Flint and Andria Towne Gerrish.
                         Floats: 1st prize  $15.00  Legion Auxiliary "Flanders Field".                                    
                                                                                                                                     2nd
prize  $10.00  Indian Point.
                 Prizes for the other events ranged from $1.00  $3.00.



REMEMBER THESE???

HARTLEY SMITH SHOE SHOP -This building was built before 1913 and was first used as a
photograph shop followed by a cobbler shop. It was formerly a one-story building, then later a
secondstory was added. H. Smith's daughter, L. Lambert, sold the building to Harold French in
1948, who used it as a shoe repair shop. It was torn down in 1963.  Located on Hebron Street.

LARS SELLBERG-This building owned by L. Sellberg was used as a candy, ice cream, etc.,
store located between the now Monson Light & Power Building and J. & J. General Store. This
store had a rent upstairs. The building burned in 1910.

HEBRON OR WILLER HOUSE-In 1888, H. T. Boynton had a store and sold stoves and
tinware. His store was originally situated nearer to the old town hall (G.A.R., now Historical
Museum).  It burned on Dec. 28, 1888. It was then rebuilt as a one story building on the same
location. Elise Jones then bought it and moved it to the location on which the New Municipal
Building now stands, where it was put on a basement and a second story was added. In the
basement a store was opened that sold hot dogs, etc. A Millinery Shop operated by Etta Williams
was on the first floor and a rent was in the back. Second floor  a rent. In the 1940's it was owned
by the Willer's and known as the Hebron House.  The building was torn down around 196566,
and the land was bought by the Town of Monson. The New Municipal Building now stands in this
location and houses the Town Office, Public Library, Fire Department, Highway Garage, and a
Kitchen with a large room for social acitivites.

SHERBURNE PHOTO SHOP-This building was once located across from the Congregational
Church and was later moved to Hebron Street and placed where the old garages are now located
by the little pond. It was torn down to make way for the garages.

ARVID ANDERSON BLOCK-- Once owned by Fred Spencer who ran a sporting goods store.
Rents on the first and second floors. Then the following owned it: Luther Colbath  meat store;
Bob  McIver  meat store; Carroll Jackson  meat store; Clarence Sargent  general store with gas
pumps; then Arvid Anderson who had a meat and grocery store for 17 years; closed the store in
1965.   It was then torn down about a year later. (Note:  the building burned in the 1897 fire and
later rebuilt.)

BLACKSMITH SHOPS--A. Walter Farrar worked in the shop of James Tarr located on the
premises of  the now L. Simpson home on Main St. Then A. W. Farrar built his own shop in back
of his home, now owned by A. Lindie Beckwith on Water St. Later moved to a shop on S. Main
St. located between J. Hennigan and E. Copeland homes. Building torn down about three years
ago.

BLACKSMITH SHOP--Located between B. Doble, and the Open Door Church, on Water
Street, which was formerly owned by William Sentner; then sold to Ernest Farrar; then sold to
Charles Bradford. Sentner lived in and owned what is now B. Doble's home. Building torn down
in the 1940's.

KICKSLED-In 1914, Mr. Gustaf Johnson introduced Monson to the favorite sport of 
“kicksledding".   Having learned the blacksmith trade from his father, Mr. Johnson came to
America from Sweden when he was about 19 years old and was employed by the Monson Slate
Co. for 34 years. He made kick sleds in his spare time in the rear of his home (now the home of
Merle and Viola Woodard on Chapin Ave). Since Monson's climate was identical to Sweden's the
kicksled's popularity grew and became an immediate success. It was a great thrill to fly downhill
and over icy lakes. Unfortunately, plowed and sanded roads retired this delightful pastime.

 TARR'S HALL (SPENCER'S HALL)--This was first built for a woodshed for Mr. Chapin
around 1872.  In 1877, it was remodeled into a hall by James and Will Tarr  then sold to Fred
Spencer. Spencer owned it about 1900.  Then Perro Morris owned it around 1914 and held
moving pictures there. In 1924 movie prices were 15 cents and 25 cents. It was called Spencer's
Hall at the time of the Town's 100th birthday. Oscar Carlson bought it in 193031; remodeled in
1940 and used as a personal garage. Used as the Town Hall in the 1889 era.  School functions
such as graduations, plays, and basketball games were held in the hall, also roller skating, movies,
and town meetings until 1940.

LAKE HEBRON HOTEL--The former M. Pearl house on Route 15 (now D. Burns) was moved
to make way for the hotel in 1882 which was built by Hildreth. It contained twenty rooms with an
annex which was added later on. It overlooked the lake and was always overflowing with summer
guests. Monson Maine Slate Co. were proprietors in 1889 with Fred Crane as operator. It burned
January 6, 1910 and it was located on Rt.15 between James and John Durham's present homes.

GRIST MILL--Located below the present Storer's Home Care Center on upper Water Street.
Built by T. Davee in 1841. Many different people operated and owned it. Alvin Gray was owner
in 1873. Later sold to the Monson Maine Slate Co.  they rented to Joseph Davison and Guy
Hammond as a grain and feed store-  then G. Hammond and his son Lawrence Hammond. Closed
in the 1940's. Fell down and remains cleared away. The land is now owned by the Town of
Monson. (Note: Upstairs in the Grist Mill, slatelined butter boxes were manufactured at one
time.)

SAW MILL--This was located below the old Grist Mill on upper Water Street. In 1858 owned or
operated by J. P. Haynes. Owned by Alvin Gray in 1873. Later the Monson Maine Slate Co.
acquired the property and years later they sold to Harry Davis. No buildings standing and the land
is now owned by the Town of Monson. Below these two mills (Grist and Saw Mills) there once
was a shingle mill plus a cider mill.

PHILLIPS SAW MILL--This was located below the present residence of Adolph Burke on lower
Water Street. Owned by T. Phillips before and in 1858, afterwards his son Nelson Phillips owned
it. The water rights were controlled by the mills up in the village. Phillips Mill and stable were
destroyed by fire May 26, 1891. (Note: Every winter different men hauled logs in with teams and
sleds  later by trucks  and piled them on the little pond behind the stores on Main Street. In the
spring when the ice went out, the saw mill commenced sawing, sluicing the logs through the canal
under Main Street.

FLINT'S LIVERY STABLE--Located behind Knight's Store by the little pond. Built around 1900
by Henry Grover for J. Lord and operated by him and then by Merton Grover. In 1917 it was
owned by Engene H. Flint. The building collapsed and years later the rubble was burned by the
Monson Fire Department in the late 1950's.


EARLY HOMES 

THE MATHEWS PLACE--Located two miles north of town On "The Old Stage Road", the
north fork of the Elliottsville Road, was first acquired by Capt. Jonathan Mathews, of Sidney,
Maine, in 1825. Since then it has remained in the Mathews family, being successively owned by
Elijah, Jonathan B., Shailer and now Robert E. Mathews. Until about 1860, the family lived there
year around, but later rented the place, or left it unoccupied, until it was rehabilitated in 1905 and
used thereafter for vacations only.
     The 80foot long red ell was built first, probably completed in 1826. The large white
conventional colonial portion in front was constructed a few years later. The house contains six
open fireplaces, one having a builtin oven. The whole structure is built of handhewn pine,
morticed and held together with sturdy wooden pegs.  The roof, once shingled, was covered with
Monson slate by the present owner in the 194050's.
     For nearly 50 years, the cleared parts of the farm were devoted to an orchard of 1100 apple
trees planted by Shailer Mathews. These were abandoned in 1951. It is now a Tree Farm and a
vacation spot.
     Note: Some of the houses pictured have hand hewn beams, wooden pegs and square metal
nails.
     Some of the houses have what are called Christian doors. They are designed in such a way that
the shape of a cross can be seen on the front of the door, thus giving them their name.

DATA ON OTHER HOMES IN MONSON
NOT PICTURED
     
     MARY FARRAR JONES HOUSE - Located on Pleasant St. and was built by Elias Andrews
in 1856.  Residents have been L. P. Bray family, J. H. Pullen and Charles and Clara Pullen. It is
now owned and occupied by Ansel and on  Rachael (Jones) LaPointe and Mary Jones. 
     
     ALANSON ROBBINS HOUSE -  Located on Center St. and was built by Capt. Peabody H.
Rice in 1852. It was then bought by one of his heirs, John Rice Flint, in 1896 and remained in the
family until the 1960's. Recently sold by A. Robbins to R. Turco.
     
     STANLEY A. ROBINSON'S HOUSE - Located on Main St. and once housed J. F. Sprague's
law office.
     
     GERALD STANCHFIELD'S HOUSE - Located on Lake Hebron Pond Road about one mile
from the village.  It was once the site of the Eben Bray farm. The original house and barn burned
around 1950. A portion of this land was given by E. Bray to the Indian Point Association.

     JOHN DURHAM HOUSE - Located on the Tenney HillGuilford Road. It was owned by
James Tarr in 1858.  Later, ownership went to William Tarr. The Tarrs built Tarr's Hall across the
road.
     
     EDMUND ARSENAULT HOUSE - Located on Pleasant St. and built by F. Jackson. This
housed the Eastern Gum Co.

     DANA WILLIAMS HOUSE - Located on S. Main St. It was built before 1858 and at that
time the residence of Nathan Knight. It was then later owned by Rose Sibley Thomas. Bought by
Dr. Phillip Thomas in 1940's. It once housed Dr. Thomas' office and later a dentist office.

      MERLE WYMAN FARM - Located on top of Tenney Hill. Owners: Fred LaBree, M. Huff,
M. Wyman and the present owner is Clarence Pratt. Used by Huff and Wyman as a dairy farm.

      LLOYD KELLEY HOUSE - Located on the Elliottsville Road about two miles from the
village. It was owned by J. Goodell in 1858. Later owned by Lyman Davis.   Purchased from heirs
of L. Davis by L. Kelley. Original house was torn down and replaced with a new home. However,
the old barn is still standing. Apple orchards are located on these premises.

     FORMER HARRY DAVIS HOUSE - Located on Center St. and built before 1858. Premises
conveyed to H. Davis in 1926. Now owned by his daughters D. Finley and B. Story as of 1964
and now occupied by Dolores Hughes.

     MILTON BARTLETT HOUSE - Located on Norton Hill, Willimantic Rd. This house was
owned by Americus Norton in 1858. Other owners: Greeley, V. Leighton, and Clifford Douglass.
The house has been renovated. The barn burned accidentally.

     JAMES AND JOYCE KELLEY'S FARM - Located on the Elliottsville Rd. about one mile
from town. Built circa 1850. A few of the owners being Roland Taylor, J. Mathews, L. Viles,
Evander McIver, Sr. & Jr. It was purchased by J. Kelley in 1953. Sold to Pat Ficera in1970.

THE FOLLOWING HOMES WERE MOVED FROM
ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER:

      HILMA HOLMBOM HOUSE  - Located on North Main St. Originally belonged to the Gates
family and was located in back of the present home of Berwin Storer on Main St. Berwin Storer's
home was built after the 1860 fire.

     SHELDON STANCHFIELD HOUSE - Located on Pleasant St. Originally located on Main
St. site of the resent D.A.R. Chapter House.

     ROBERT LANDER HOUSE - Located on the east side of South Main St. Originally was the
main part of a house located on Lake Hebron Road owned by Wallace Brown. The ell and shed
remain at its original location was incorporated and is occupied by Mrs. Ann Erickson.
                                                                         
     VALENTINE TURNER'S HOUSE - Located on the east side of South Main St. Originally
located on Lake Hebron road across from where Mrs. Ann Erickson now lives. It was owned by
BrownSteward before it was moved.
                                                                      
     CLARENCE "TAD" TURNER HOUSE - Located on the N. Guilford Road. Originally Dr.
Sampson's office located by the present home of Maude Bray on S. Main Street.  Renovated after
it was moved.
 
     ARTHUR SMALL HOUSE - Located on the east side of South Main St. Formerly located
across the street  from the present residence of Jettie Hennigan's on S. Main St.   A. Small house
sold in  1971 to E. Casey.
                       
     ELWOOD SMITH HOUSE - East side of S. Maine St. burned in 1950. Originally located on
the present site of Brown’s Nursing Home on S. Main St. 
                         
     HOUSE OWNED BY WORDEN SMITH - Located on corner of Pleasant and Wilkin’s
Streets.  Originally located on present site of Worden and Glenda Smith's  home on Pleasant St. 
Housed a millinery shop and carriage shop.  Once owned by Fred Jarvis. 
      
     The ells attached to the present homes of Oswald Poole and E. Casey,  now located on S.
Main St., were originally a house located on the Lake Hebron Road  (Pleasant Street) across from
the present house occupied by Mrs. Ann Erickson.
     NOTE: Henry Knox and John Butler moved many of the homes.  Many homes in the village
had barns which  have now been torn down.

THUMBNAIL SKETCHES

     Monson was called "Cademy" town until the town was incorporated and named Monson.

     The first deeds of  Monson property were under Somerset County.

     Piscataquis County was incorporated March 23, 1838. Formerly a part of Penobscot and
Somerset. On March 12, 1844, a portion of its wild land territory was annexed to Aroostook. 
Contained 20 towns, 4 Plantations, area 3626 square miles in year 19191920.

MOTHER TOWNS:

     Monson, Massachusetts was once part of Brimfield, Mass. and became a district in April 25,
1760. Given its name by the Royal Governor in honor of his friend, Sir John Monson, who was
president of the British Board of Trade. In August 23, 1775, it was made a town with
representation  in the legislature. CountyHampden. Location-Southern Mass., bordered on the
north by Palmer, on the east by Brimfield and Wales, on the west by Wilbraham and Hampden, on
the south by the State of Connecticut.  It is 17 miles from Springfield, 40 miles from Worcester
and 78 miles from Boston.

     The territory originally known as the Plantation of Shepardsfield was granted March 8, 1877,
by the General Court of the Commonwealth of Mass. to Alexander Shepard, Jr.
     In 1792,  Shepardsfield Plantation was incorporated as the Town of Hebron. In 1829, Hebron
was divided  the western part becoming the Town of Oxford.  It is surmised that the name of
Hebron was taken from the Hebron Baptist Church and Society.
     Act of  Incorporation of Monson Academy was passed by the Massachusetts House of
Representatives on June 21, 1804, and half the Township of Monson, Maine was granted as an
endowment. They offered 100 acres.

     Hebron Academy  The west or southwestern part of Monson was granted by the Legislature
of Mass. to Hebron Academy, Hebron, Maine in 1811. They offered 50 acres to actual settlers.

     Alexander Greenwood came from Hebron, Maine and was one of the surveyors employed by
Hebron Academy, who in the year 1822 or 1823, lotted out Monson and other towns in the
county. Greenwood Pond and Greenwood Mountains were named after him. He was killed in
1827 in the Town of Willimantic and was buried in the old Churchyard Cemetery in Monson
Village.

     Abel Goodell came to Monson in 1818 as a surveyor for Monson Academy in Monson, Mass.
He went back to Massachusetts and didn't return to Monson until 1821, moving his family here in
1823. He left Monson in 1833, went to Illinois, and then started west, became ill, died and was
buried on the prairie.

     The location of Sherman Square is in the center of Main St. between the canal and Water St.
(Note: it is now referred to as the Town Square.)

     The Old Savage Road was a stage coach road which left Monson and went up by the
Matthews farm, up the now power line rightofway to a town called Wilson (incorporated in 1836 
dismembered in 1848) and on to Greenville. The land that Wilson consisted of was divided
between Shirley, Elliottsville and Greenville. (Note: Nelson Savage started Town of Wilson.)

    Stage coach drivers  Henry Norcross, W. M. Bradford, Jeremiah MacDonald and Lem Nichols.

     Oliver Eveleth born in Stow, Mass. Jan. 3, 1792, died in Greenville, Maine on June 4, 1874.
First storekeeper to come to Monson in 1824. He opened the store in 1825.  He later moved to
Greenville in 1850. (The Eveleth house in Greenville owned by him and son John was destroyed
by fire. His son John also owned a store, timberlands and steamboat on Moosehead Lake.)

     Solomon Cushman opened the second store in Monson about 1825.  He lived in Monson until
1856 when he returned to Monson, Mass. He then became a prominent business man there and
owner of  Monson Woolen Manufacturing Co.

     The first operator of the divining rod who settled in Piscataquis County of whom there is any
record was Royal Day.  He came from Monson, Mass., in 1820. Being a small, quiet man, he
became an expert in locating wells and was called to all sections of the county and even back to
Mass. to exercise his art or gift. He was one of the few who could not only locate the vein but
would tell at what depth the water would be found. He used an instrument made by himself.  It is
a quarter circle made from a hardwood board mounted on a tripod and has a plumb bob attached
to tell when it is level. This quarter circle is subdivided by lines into lesser quarter circles
with a scale of figures along each line.

     Another divining rod operator who lived in Monson, was Edwin R. Haynes. Born in Canaan,
New Hampshire, in 1836, he came to Monson in 1842.  He was commissioned postmaster Dec.
12, 1864 and held this office for nearly 21 years.

     As this history is being written, a divining rod operator or dowser (waterwich) is W. L.
Dauphinee, age 87. He is called to various parts of his town and county to exercise his gift. To
find water, he uses a pliable piece of limb from a tree. Almost any wood works for him, but he
really prefers hazelwood. He is retired from farming and lives quietly with his wife on their farm in
Southeast Monson.

     Mr. John Carlson  A quarryman of Swedish descent made skiis as a hobby.  His grandson, Dr.
George C. Howard of Guilford, owns the first kicksled made by Gustaf Johnson.  

     Bangor and Aroostook Railroad was first the Bangor and Piscataquis railroad. The little
Monson railroad connected with this line at what was called Monson Jct.

     Wilmot L. Estabrooke was for many years Supt. and Conductor of the Monson Railroad. Died
in 1904 in Monson.

    Two road crossings were made by the M.R.R. on its way to and from Monson Jct. in Abbot,
Maine. One was called Days Crossing located below Pullen's farm on the North Guilford road and
Stevens Crossing located by Brian Turner's home on the Willimantic Road.

     From the diary of Alvin Gray  longtime resident of Monson:
     Sept. 4, 1883  First train of cars arrived at station, bringing a good number of visitors.
     Sept. 28, 1883  Went to Abbot on the narrow railroad. Paid assessment $1.00.
     Oct. 22, 1883  First passenger train to Abbot.
     Feb. 26, 1887  6 degrees below zero. The train returning from the Junction last night was
snowbound at Day's Crossing where it remained with passengers all night.
     March 16, 1918  6 :00 P.M. train stalled in snow drift one mile from destination. The next
morning passengers walked to the Jct.

     One of the modes of traveling to reach Boston, Mass. in 1880's from Monson was to take the
train from Monson to the Jct. and then on the B. & A. Railroad to Bangor; then by boat to
Boston Harbor.

     Some of Monson's engineers of the Monson Narrow Gauge Railroad were Julius Carlberg,
Stanley Stevens in 1914, Albert Kronholm who was engineer for thirteen years, Albion Johnson,
and Elwin French who was engineer for the last twelve years it was in operation.

     Harold Morrill was Ticket Agent, Conductor and Superintendent for the Monson Railroad.

     Accident in Hebron Pond Quarry. Three men injured and one so badly he died next day April
1,1881.

    In 1882  Five quarries operating in which there was $150,000 of capital invested.

    25,000 squares of roofing slate was manufactured annually or 620 car loads. 200 men
employed. 35 horses and 12 teamsters engaged in drawing it to the B. & A.  Railroad. 2,500
cords of wood consumed annually. $6,000 was paid out to laborers and others.

    After opening of the slate quarries, many men and families of English, Scotch and Irish descent
came in from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada and settled here.

    Burma or Burmah Quarry Co. founded in 1882.  PortlandMonson later owned this quarry.
Thus the neighborhood on the Blanchard Road was called Burma.

    The present Walden Pride house on Water St. was the Monson Maine Slate Co. Office in 1889.

    Buildings at West Monson Slate Co. burned Jan. 16. 1897.

    Monson had two immense slate belts.  The village belt is about 200 feet in width.  Ten quarries
were started originally.  The Monson Maine Co. and the Portland-Monson Co. slate veins all run
east and west.

    There was an error made on a deed giving one person the ownership of all the land where
Monson Maine Slate Co. was.  One of the owners of the company convinced him to change the
deed for which he was paid $25.00.  (Rumor)

    Monson Maine Slate Co.’s big mill was renovated in 1916 - now Moosehead Mfg. Co.’s big
mill.

    The little mill located between the big mill and finishing building at the Portland-Monson Slate
Co. was built from lumber of the Doughty barn located on Doughty Hill (Greenville Road) and
was owned by John Flint when the barn was torn down.  Hedley Heaney cut a piece of lumber
from the ceiling of this mill and used it to make the face of a fiddle.  Hedley Heaney worked for
many years as a quarry man in the mill for Portland-Monson Slate Co.  The mill no longer stands -
torn down.

    The present Tolford Durham’s house on Pleasant Street was the first house to be shingled
with slate.

    Over the years there have been numberous slate pit accidents at the quarries - with workmen
being injured and killed.  Several children have drowned in abandoned pits.  Also, others have
been killed by accidentally falling into the open slate pits.

    Hon. William W. Thomas was the Commissioner of Immigration and brought Swedes to Maine
in 1870.  Later the Finnish people arrived.

     In 1870-1880,  the Baptist Church had a ladies circle call Chataugua. Disbanded about 1888.

     In 1888, Mr. Whitcomb's study in his home (Baptist Parsonage) got afire and burned his books
and smoked the house. (Present location of what was then his home, is unknown but probably on
Pleasant or Center Street.) Note: Mr. Whitcomb preached at the Baptist Church.

     Sadie Emerson, daughter of Rev. Emerson and Elizabeth Tenny, lived in the now James
Durham house on Tenny Hill. Her diary was used for a reference.

     The tradition that the religious affiliation of the two academies reflected in the division of the
township, the Baptist settling and building their church on the west of Meridian Road and
Congregational Church to the east.

     A resident of town owns an original blueprint of the horse shed that used to be by the
Congregational Church.  There were also horse stalls attached to the Baptist Church with
members names on them.

     An original constitution of the Maternal Association of  Monson, Maine, which was an
association in existence in 1830's and 1840's is owned and held by a resident of Monson. Only
mothers belonged. They subscribed to a Mothers Magazine published in New York which cost
$1.00.

     Church groups had suppers to raise money and bought a hearse. It had wheels for the summer
months and runners for the winter months.

     In the Church Cemetery the earliest birthdate is 1749, the earliest death date is 1824 and the
last burial was in 1895.

     Lakeroad Cemetery  First burial  May 12, 1962.

      Lower Hillside Cemetery  First burial around the 1850's and the Upper Hillside Cemetery 
First burial around 1922.

     A tribe of Indians called Kickapoos pitched tents down by Tarr's (now John Durham House).
They gave free entertainment every night and sold Indian medicine in the summer of 1888. (Taken
from the journal of Miss Sadie Emerson.)

     Indians from Indian Point were marooned in town for one week and stayed in what was then
known as the Long Barn at the now Erwin and Erma Small house on Main Street, because of a
snow storm in late October (year unknown).

     August 27, 1886, Explosion in Dr. Hall's office at 1 a. m.  His office was located on the
premises beside the house now owned by Dennis Casey on Main Street. (Note:  Dr. Hall resided
in Monson from 18761888). October 23, 1886, Colby Moore and Al Sears were arrested for
blowing up Dr. Hall's office.

     June 14,1940, Pat and Harry Mackie were murdered and their camp burned up on the hill
behind the Old Clark Towne farm on Greenville Rd. Marshall Lovejoy was found guilty of this
crime and died in prison.

     William Partinen was murdered in the house now owned by Edward Brown on Tenny Hill. A
man by the name of Stone was found guilty and sentenced to prison.  Was released after he served
his time.  


KIDDER SWINDLE
     In the year 1835, many farmers became discontented because of the severe winter and late
spring. A Mr. Elliot J. Kidder learned of the state of affairs and came to Monson, after figuring
slyly with some of the residents, he was ready to buy farm, stock, produce, etc. But he could not
pay money. He had wild lands in northern New Hampshire and some old notes against certain
parties in the vicinity of Norridgewock and Athens, which he call good paper. He secured a secret
accomplice, a resident of Monson, a man of influence, who affirmed that Mr.  Kidder was all
right.
     The hard working farmers, eight or ten, were swindled out of their property, which they had
legally conveyed to Mr. Kidder, and paid by him, in bogus securities. When this state of affairs
was learned, the only recourse for them was to arrest him for fraud. He learned of this and made
haste to Number Eight (Willimantic) and came upon James Johnson's cabin. After many promises,
Johnson concealed him. The sheriff and company arrived but Johnson said he had not seen him.
Later a few favored ones, directed by the silent partner, went to the camp and obtained payments
from Kidder. Soon after, he got away, going out of State. Some of the farm
he conveyed to new owners.  One such farm was the Capt. Amasa Chapin farm (Kugler's) on
North Guilford Road, which he exchanged for a hotel in New Hampshire. So Col. Samuel
Pillsbury and his father became occupants.  Nothing more was heard of him. (No more
information found.)

     Where the Dr. Varney (now Dennis Casey) house stands, on Main Street, there once stood a
quaint old house with a creaking old signboard announcing to the public that the place was
Captain Rice's Tavern. The old building burned in the big fire of 1860. Captain referred to was
Peabody H. Rice, came to Monson in 1835 from the Kennebec region. He was engaged in
trading, lumbering, tavern keeping and farming. He was an office holder in Monson for many
years and represented Monson in the Maine Legislature in 1860.

     His brother, John Hovey Rice, became a lawyer. He started his practice in Monson being
burned out in 1860 and moved to Foxcroft.

     On January 1, 1884, To Joseph  Mitchell’s blacksmith shop burned. The shop was located
just north of the canal on Main Street.  

     Onaway Lodge No. 106  founded 1884.  North Star Rebekah Lodge No. 30  founded May
8, 1891.

      Doric Lodge No. 149 F.& A. M.  founded 1889.

      Masaic Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Dover.  Charter given July 16, 1827. Charter
members from Monson were Solomon Cushman and Andrew Cushman (maybe Hiram Folsom).
First meeting held in Sangerville in November 1827.

     Eda Johnson Anderson was the first Swedish girl to graduate from Monson Academy in the
year 1902.

     In the early fall of 1921, in order that the district schoolhouse would be located in a more
central place, the Vinton schoolhouse was moved from its original site at the junction of the
Steward Road with the Willamantic Road to a spot across the road from the present home of
Charles Strom in S. E. Monson.
     This move of nearly one mile was accomplished using rolls and skids with double teams of
horses and took two days.
     The teams belonged to Frank Steward, William Champion, Lawson Dauphinee, John Strom
and August Nelson.

     Classes were then transferred from the "Grover" house where school had been held for about
five years.  This house stood where Philip and Bernice Knight now live in S. E. Monson.
     The school was closed in 1939 and is now privately owned .

     Graduation exercises, held in band stand when it stood on old hotel lot, between James and
John Durham's houses, after Carlson's (Tarr's) Hall torn down.  Also graduation exercises and
senior plays held in Baptist Church on Pleasant Street in 19431944.

     The Monson Academy yearbook called the "Pharetra", was first published in 1885. The last in
1969. There were a few years in between that it wasn't published.

     Peter Haggstrom and family were the first Swedish family to settle in Monson. Settled here in
August 1882.  John L. Johnson and family were the second Swedish family to arrive. Note: Esther
Johnson Pennington's parents.

     Albert Whitney Chapin, son of Aretas Chapin and grandson of Capt. Amasa Chapin was born
in Monson, Maine in 1841 and died in 1914. Prominent businessman dealing largely in real estate
and aided much in developing the slate industry. Held various town offices. He built many homes
on what we now call Chapin Ave. He built a few others, namely: O. Poole's, Brown's Nursing
Home, and C. Leavitt's.

     One of the early settlers, Timothy Morton, came to Monson about 182829, and built a 10
room house on Morton Street (now known as North Guilford Road.) He was a carpenter, made
furniture and caskets, which he sold in the neighboring towns.

     Fred Spencer, businessman on Main Street in 1900’s bought the Tarr Hall, renamedSpencer's
Hall. He was shot by a hunter in Blanchard, Maine.  He owned a house on upper Water Street
where G. Beckwith now lives.

     Levi Flint was the reporter for the Monson Centennial Celebration on August 19,1922.

     Earle Jackson was Monson's reporter for the Piscataquis Observer for 50 years.

     In the 1930's, Charles Grover and Henry Grover made baskets (clothes baskets. etc.) and sold
them.

     The building known at the "Rat Hole" was located on Main Street before 1911 fire. It was
moved before the fire to the alley behind Charles W. Stevens house and was the residence of 
Tom Gerry.

     The Thomas house  H. M. Thomas and wife, Lottie Thomas, Prop. Located on S. Main Street 
rooming house.  Now the residence of their daughter, Jettie Thomas Hennigan.

     The Sears House  located on Water Street  rooming house. First owned by L. Littlefield and
then Mrs. Calvin Sears.  Now the residence of Harriet Kronholm.

     Arthur Kronholm had a broom factory on Chapin Ave., the now Albert Kronholm house.
Arthur Kronholm lost his eyesight by fire works (crackers) on July 4th as a young man. He
learned to make brooms at school for the blind.

     Will Bray owned a Canning Factory which was located between Monson Academy and the old
cemetery.  In operation about 50 years ago.

     Erwin and Erma Small's house  Main Street  Sara Poole had a telephone office upstairs in the
1920's.  Downstairs there was a hardware store run by Allie Daine about 50 years ago.

     Telephone office also in B. Storer's house in the 19301940's.

     Will Bray owned a Tin Shop located where the present D.A.R. building is. This shop became a
dwelling house once owned by Lu Carter Gray. The house was moved to Pleasant Street and is
now where Sheldon Stanchfield lives. Lu Carter Gray owned the present D.A.R. house.

     Building last owned by Harold Flint was once a pool hall and shooting gallery and sold beer,
candy, etc., and was owned by Thomas Crawford. It is located in the alley behind Charles Steven's
house.

     Edward and Wallace Homer made paddles of all sizes. Seth Steward decorated (painted)
pictures on them. These were sold at the Boston Sportsman's Show years ago.

     Wallace Homer was a state licensed taxidermist.  He did small birds, animals, deer heads, etc.

     Monson band furnished music for a VJ Day celebration in Guilford on Thursday evening,
August 16, 1945.

     Hammonds' Orchestra played for a VJ dance in IOOF hall in Greenville on Wednesday night,
August 15, 1945. Members were Lawrence and Olive Hammond of Monson and Lewis Plummer,
of Dover Foxcroft, Maine.

     A. S. Garland house sold to Henry & Mary Haley and they opened a rooming house under the
name of Haley's Tourist Home in 194050. Bought by Gordon and Janette Hall  now used as a
private residence.   Located on Main Street.

NAMES OF STREETS IN 1889  l972

     Water Street, Forest Ave., Chapin Ave., High Street- Homer Hill; Main Street  from Gulf
Station to Elliottsville Rd.; Lake St.  Greenville Rd.; E. Main St.  North Guilford Rd.; S. E. Road 
Willimantic Rd.;       S. Main St.  from Gulf Station to Fork of Blanchard Rd.; Grove St.  above
fork of Blanchard  Rd.; Pleasant St., Center St., Wilkins Street, Dirigo Street.

     Applachian Trail goes thru the township of Monson.  Monson is the last town before reaching
the end of the trail,  going north, to Mt. Katahdin.  Very heavily traveled in the summer months by
young and old,  men,  women and dogs.
     
     Center of town marked with a marker in ground located at the lower driveway of Tolford
Durham's on Pleasant Street.

     Green Hill or Jenne's Hill  power right of way  - Elliottsville Rd. past the Matthews farm.

     Hebron, Monson, Doe and Spectacle Ponds are the principal bodies of water. Lake Hebron is
3 miles long and 1 mile wide (the largest). The Piscataquis River runs across the Southwest
corner.

     Streams are Wilson and the outlet of Lake Hebron.
     Doughty Hill is the highest elevation of land.
                     Tax valuation of Monson       Population                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                       
     1870  $ 134,520                    608
                               1880    159,460                     827
                               1972  1,292,760              In 1970  850
                                                      167 Poll Taxes

     The Government's elevation mark for sea level was moved from the location of the Gulf
Station to where the flag pole stands in the square on Main Street in front of Collin Bickford's
house.

     Cement sidewalks on Main St. built about 191314.

     Piscataquis Savings Bank (1882 Atlas) located on Water Street in the Old Railroad Station
buildings.

     New road around Doughty Hill  October 13, 1915, "Went over the new road around Doughty
Hill" taken from Alvin Gray's diary.

    August 23,1884  Slating the roof of Baptist Church was completed.

     February 13, 1913, Ralph Morrill bought the former Baptist Parsonage. (Present Mr. & Mrs.
Fred Finley's home on Center St. )

     Granite for foundations under many homes in Monson came from Willimantic on Granite
Mountain.

     Silent policeman or traffic guide stood in the town square opposite the canal in circa 1930's
and 40's, silently directing traffic to and from Main and Water Streets. Date removed unknown.

     On the Elliottsville Road near where Elmer Kelly lives on the right side of the road was the
Sprague barn and across from it, a barn owned by Charles Weeks.  (Dennis' father.) In June 1922,
there was a storm (small hurricane or tornado). The Weeks barn roof was lifted and set in the
middle of this road. The Sprague barn disappeared and only pieces of it could be found way down
in the woods.

     Rumors have it that Mabel Pullen's house on Main Street was once an icehouse.

     Cpl. Reginald Leighton, son of Vance Leighton was prisoner for 3 1 /2 years after the fall of
Bataan in the Philippines. He was liberated in September of 1945 from Osaka, Japan. He had been
in the service about 18 months when taken prisoner during W. W. II.

     Arthur Farrar, brother of Mary Farrar Jones, found an old Spanish coin dated 16 when helping
in the digging of the cellar for the Baptist Church when it was being renovated in 1920.

     In 1885, Smith's printing establishment of Bangor, Maine, published a line of country
newspapers, including one for Monson, called "The Monson Slate". Later in 1888 the Gazette in
Dexter consolidated with Day & Bunker and the paper became known as "The Dexter Gazette
and Monson Slate". It was two newspapers in one. Each editor was free to present his own views
upon all subjects. This lasted about eight or nine years.

     Many articles of interest were published in the Observer, Spectator and Moosehead Gazette.
The latter newspaper doing a series of articles on older citizens of Monson during the summer of
1972. The Spectator ran a series of pictures and articles of the paintings of Seth Steward.

     A Committee in town made a replica of the MRR No. 4 engine. It pulled a trailer representing
the old Slate Companies. This float was entered in the Piscataquis County parade held in
DoverFoxcroft, in June 1970 to celebrate Maine becoming a state. Driver was Robert Lander.
(Note: This float remodeled for Monson's Sesquicentennial parade, 1972.)

     The Old Stage Road went across the narrows between the little and big ponds of Lake
Hebron. The old dirt road by the Mathews place was a direct stage coach road from Monson to
the "Old Savage Opening" and on to Greenville until 1857. Nowadays the Appalachian Trail, from
Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, follows the eleven or so miles from Monson to the Savage Opening.

      Henry David Thoreau, the famous naturalistauthor, traveled this road in September, 1853. His
account in "The Maine Woods" shows him to have passed through Monson and on  past the
Mathews place.

      The following are lists of Monson's Sextons, Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists and Ministers:

DOCTORS:

            Dr. Alpheus Davison             Dr. Harding
            Dr. James Leighton               Dr. Brown
            Dr. Josiah Jordan                  Dr. Crosby
            Dr. Clement                          Dr. Varney
            Dr. Sumner Patten                Dr. Sampson
            Dr. C.C. Hall                        Dr. Emerson
            Dr. Killam                             Dr. Kerr
            Dr. Penta                              Dr. Philip Thomas
            Dr. Hanscom                         Dr. MacDuffee, last resident doctor
            Dr. Isaac Nelson, office hours twice a week (Tues. & Sat.) lives in
                            Greenville.

DENTISTS:

Dr. B. M. O'Brien               Dr. C. E. Sawyer
Dr. Edmund Harvey

SEXTONS:

Leon Thomas                     Arthur Haggstrom
Fred Wilkins (1925)           Arthur Bjork
Dennis Weeks                    Weldon Connor (1950    )
Elwood Lord

LAWYERS:

Hon. Cyrus A. Packard           Lester A. Olson
John F. Sprague                      Ephriam Flint
John H. Rice                           James Bell

MINISTERS:

The Monson Congregational Pastors Were:

       Rev Lot Ryder, 182425                    Rev. Charles Bodewell,  190405
       Rev Anson Hubbard, 182734           Rev. Henry W. Conley,   190507
       Rev. John Baker 183539                  Rev. William Taylor, 190809
       Rev. Horatio Ilsley, 184055              Rev. R. Barrow, 191012
       Rev. R. W. Emerson, 1856                Rev. Deyo, 191214
       Rev. J. B. Haines, 188082                Rev. Thomas Day, 19141920
       Rev. William G. Mann, 188287         Rev. Bornish, 1922
       Rev. R. W. Emerson, 1893                 Rev. Thomas Cornish, 192224
       Rev. H. A. Freeman, 189396            Rev. McRea, 192425
       Rev. G. B. Hescock, 18981902        Rev. William Nicholas, 192531
       Rev. Raymond A. Fowles, 190304    Rev. W. E. Davies, 193133

Monson Baptist Pastors were:

      Lebbens Kingman, 1842-45               Edwin C. Long, 187983
      Lucius Bradford, 184551                  F. R. Locke, 188586, 188991
      Dudley P. Bailey, 185270                 Alfred Chipman, 1886-87
      William S. Knowlton 187275            Charles Whitcomb, 188789
      Fred F. Bickwell, 187678                 Samuel Pendleton, 189293
      Stephen Fletcher, 189396                 George Chambers, 191718
      Henry Raymond, 189799                  Joseph Grossa, 191824
      Henry C. Speed, 18991905              H. S. Philpot, 192526
      Ephriam S. Drew, 190508                 E. A. Rockwell, 192832
      T. Ernest Ham, 190915

Monson Community Church Pastors were:

          Martin Sorensen, 193438               Harold Sheppard, 195458
     Anson Williams, 193942                 Donald Blanchette, 1958(60
     Emil Ahokas, 194243                     William R. Huber, 196163
     Ruth Jackson, 194348                    Everett Waite, 196365
     Gard Rowe, 194851                      George Costillo, 196667
     Dr. Karl Lund, 195253                   Douglas Brayton, 1967Present


SWEDISH FREE MISSION CHURCH BECAME SWEDISH
           LUTHERAN CHURCH --1890.

Several Swedish Lutheran Ministers Were:
            Rev. Ockbloom                              Rev. Anders Anderson
     Rev. Darvid Anderson                    Rev. Ahlberg
            Rev. Peterson                                 Rev. Zeterholm
            Rev. Hogberg                                 Rev. Hagland

Swedish Methodist Church -1893.   Several Swedish Methodist Ministers Were:

     Rev. Svanti Moody             Rev. Hagberg
            Rev. Harold Boivie                        Rev. Nelson
            Rev. Hartiwig                                Rev. Otto Anderson
            Rev. Emil Rydstrom                       Rev. Holmberg
            Rev. Peter Frost                            Rev. Salleen

Open Door Full Gospel Church:
           Rev. Jean Carter and Rev. Alice Lucas. (Present ministers  1972.)
          A. Boyer, J. Palmer and G. Flower

DROWNINGS:
           LAKE HEBRON:
John T. Delano  Dec. 4, 1822.
Alfred Ely  Son of Samuel Robinson  - July 4, 1831.
Streeter Strout  -  Autumn of 1840.
Charles M. Tarr  -  July 10, 1858.
Keith Jones  -  Dec. 4, 1941.
Walter Hennigan  -  July 25, 1965.
Little Pond  Norman Stanchfield Son of Milton Stanchfield, July 20, 1931.

           MONSON POND:
Ivan Isakson  -  Aug. 1, l965
Edgar Kronholm  -  Nov. I4, 1971.
Robert Bowen  -  Nov. 14, 1971 (From Carmel).
Robert Bowen, Jr.  -  Nov. 14, 1971 (From Carmel).
Reginald Hansen - Nov. 14, 1971 (From Bangor).


                                      THE MONSON RAILROAD

The Monson Railroad used to run
Three or four trains a day for fun.
But their net profits the whole year through
Wouldn't buy the engineer one drink of home brew.

So after twenty years they change their style
And now they only run a train once in a while.
Their timetable hangs there high on the wall
And looks like a blank sheet with a pencil scrawl.

Come over quite close or there's something you'll miss
And you'll find that the timetable reads something like this:
Train number one on track number two
Leaves Monson whenever they can find their crew,
If the weather is fair and the wind doesn't blow
They'll be back with the mail in a day or so.
                                                                   H.D.

     Samuel Robinson erected a building in 1827 for carding and cloth dressing. Commenced
dressing cloth in 1828 and carding the next year. After a few years he sold to Mr. Thomas Scales,
then he in turn sold to Stedman Kendall who afterward moved the machinery to Abbot and the
building was converted to other uses. (Note: The location of this building is unknown.) S.
Robinson settled on a farm in Monson where he remained until his death.

      Silver Mine -  Around 1880 there was discovered on the Drake farm (Elliottsville Road) an
extensive mine of silver and lead. The ore was assayed and showed a paying quantity of silver
contained in it. There is high expectations of rich deposits and a company is forming and
preparing to work it. (Account taken from A. Loring's History of Piscataquis County.) (Note:
Apparently nothing ever came of it.)

      Main St. was rebuilt and paved in 195556. The sidewalks were paved, the maple trees
removed and extensive repairs done to the canal which runs under the road.

       In the old original house which belonged to Capt. Whitney in the 1820's, many important
events occurred.  The Congregational Church  was organized, the first town meeting held, the
first post office eventually kept, and the first birth in the village, to Mr. and Mrs. W. Hyde. This
house burned, rebuilt and is presently owned by Louise Grover on upper Water Street.

EVENTS OF MONSON SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR

      A committee to properly celebrate Monson's 150th anniversary informally met during
December, 1971, with Town Manager Robert Lander, Fire Chief John Ruksznis, Mrs. Althea
French, Mrs. Joyce Brown, and Mrs. Millicent Robinson filling in for her sister, Mrs. Eloise
Stevens. This committee, after much discussion and perusal of photographs, designed a
Sesquicentennial Medal featuring Monson's Narrow Gauge Railroad, The Moosehorns, Slate, the
kicksled which was invented in Monson,  Monson Academy, and the first church of Monson
which also was the first church edifice north of Bangor. Medals were minted in silver to sell at
$10.00, bronze in lucite to sell at $6.00, and in bronze at $2.50. Only 200 silver medals were
minted, and all were numbered.

     In January, 1972 a formal committee was organized with Kendrick Benton as Chairman;
George Rongner as CoChairman and in charge of publicity; Robert Lander, Liason Coordinator:
John Ruksznis, Parade director; Althea French and Joyce Brown, Floats; Joyce Kelley, Costumes;
Dorcas Leavitt and Gerry Weymouth, Art; Vikki Leavitt, Music. Eloise Stevens represented the
D.A.R. and Aimee Kugler the United Church Circle. Elizabeth Davis  was selected as Treasurer.
A History Committee was formed at a later date to update the history of the Town of Monson,
this consisting of Jeanne Reed, Althea French, Elizabeth Davis and Joyce Brown.
      During its town meeting on March 13, 1972, the citizens of Monson raised $1,500 for the
committee.
     On March 2526, Snowmobile races were held on Lake Hebron with trophies given as prizes.
These races, well attended from area towns, were sponsored by six local men, Jim Quartararo,
Bud Leavitt, Sr., Bud Leavitt, Jr., Jake Smith, Bob Lander and Frank Hanscome.
     On April 15 the annual Fireman's Supper at the Monson Community Church was attended by
approximately 350 people.
     On April 22 a Birthday Ball was held in the Monson gym with prizes awarded for the most
authentic and best judged reproductive costumes. Mrs. Joyce Kelley was head judge, assisted by
Mrs. Dolores Hughes and Mrs.Helen Johnson. Winners were Mrs. Mildred Johnson of
DoverFoxcroft, ladies costume; Mr. Charles W. Stevens, men; Kelley Canders, girl student; and
Joel Greenleaf, boy student. For best reproductions, Mrs. Joyce Lander and Buddy Butterfield
were the winners. As there were no student reproductions, prizes were awarded to two additional
authentic costumes worn by BobbiJean Brown and Scott Knight. Linda Rongner was in charge of
decorations for the ball, which was highlighted by the presentation of a birthday cake, made by
Phyllis Ruksznis, and presented  by Bertha Blood and Lillian Knight, descendants of Monson’s
first town meeting moderator, to Town Manager Robert Lander. Stan Robinson served as Master
of Ceremonies and music for the dance was furnished by the Foxcroft Academy Dance Band. The
hall was decorated in shades of yellow, blue and white crepe paper.
      On April 28th, the 100th anniversary of Arbor Day was acknowledged with a presentation of
a flowering crab apple tree from the Tisbury Manor Chapter of the DAR to the Monson
Elementary School. Presenting was Mrs. Neola Jacobson and accepting was Town Selectman
Worden W. Smith.
      On May 20, 1972, a May Festival was put on at the Monson Gym by the Elementary School,
complete with a fashion show. A dance followed with music by "Three Jacks and a Queen".
      From May 2227 Monson held a SpruceUp Week, during which time many old cars were
towed away, rubbish collected, roadsides and homes spruced up, etc.  The Boy Scouts helped
immensely in this community project. 87 junk cars were taken away, Tad Turner loaning a pulp
loader for the week to pick up and load the cars onto a truck, which then were taken to the "pit",
Monson's dumping area.
      In June a poster contest at the Elementary School was sponsored by the Sesquicentennial
Committee, the theme of which was "Keeping Monson Clean". Winners in the subprimary and
grade one were Lorna Gary, with honorable mention to Cathy Durham, Stacy Melia, Bruce
Erickson. In grades 2 and 3 winners were Julie Pride, with honorable mention to Jana Sawyer and
Donna Allen, and for collective work to Jana Sawyer, Cindy Burke, Tina Roberts, and Alisa
Beckwith. For grades 4, 5, 6 the winner was Elizabeth Durham, with honorable mention  to
Debbie Erickson, Crystal Anderson, Judy Casey, Lorese Freeh, Richard Tompkins, and Ryner
Sandberg.  Judges were Dorcas Leavitt, Gerry Weymouth, and Eleanor Brayton.
    On June 23rd a "get acquainted" party was held at  the home of George and Linda Rongner,
sponsored by the Sesquicentennial Committee, the Selectmen, and Town Manager for the town's
guests from the parent Town of  Monson, Massachusetts.
      The morning of June 24 (9 :00 A.M.) saw the official opening of the Monson Historical
Society, sponsored by the DAR, with ribboncutting ceremonies involving Mrs. Eloise Stevens,
Mrs. Neola Jacobson, Mrs. Myra K. Moulton, President of the Monson, Mass. Historical Society,
and Selectman Paul Allen. Robert Lander, Town Manager, presented the Historical Society with
its first official donation, a check for $25.00 from the Monson Sesquicentennial Committee.
      Following these ceremonies, the guests from Monson, Mass. were conducted on tours of the
Moosehead Manufacturing Company and the PortlandMonson Slate Co.
      Monson held its parade under threatening skies, with John Ruksznis, Parade Director, dressed
in coats and tails, leading the way, and starting precisely at the scheduled hour of 1:00 P. M. Next
in line was "Uncle Sam" in the person of Clifford Douglass. Behind Uncle Sam was the Color
Guard, consisting of Oscar Ulman, Jr., Hilbert Butterfield, Ernest Copeland and Edward
Kronholm.

       The following floats and people participated:

                                                 The Hilltoppers 4H Club
       A trailer drawn by a tractor. Trailer decorated with green and white crepe paper. Contained
the 4H emblem a triangleshaped board with the theme (Learn by doing  Make the best better).
Riding on the float was Seth Sharpe. Riding on the tractor were Madeline Douglass and Bill
Sharpe. Marching in front of the float and carrying the American Flag was Nancy Douglass
accompanied by Dyanna Bjork carrying the 4H flag.

                                              Tisbury Manor Chapter  D. A. R.
       Flat bed trailer with a replica of the present "Moosehorns" including plaque on rock marker
which presented by the DAR.

                                                    Bishop's Great Outdoors
        Trailer. A winter scene on a black sleigh (over 100 years old from Plymouth, Maine) with
Jean Bishop dressed as Santa Claus. Sleigh pulled by a snowmobile.  Susan Bishop dressed as
Rudolph the Rednosed reindeer. Scott Brett, and Kentt Bishop dressed as elves, who threw
styrofoam balls to the crowd.

                                                         Appalachian Trail
         Walking unit. Official emblem of the trail on a cart pulled by Joel Greenleaf and Kevin
Roberts.

                                                                 Kick Sled
         Kick sled on wheels pushed by James Douglass. This was the second kick sled made by
Gust Johnson in Monson.

                                                 Replica of the Monson Railroad Engine
        Constructed on a pickup frame by Elwin French, helped by Robert Lander, Gerald "Bud"
Stanchfield and Clarence "Socky" Pratt. Driver was Bud Stanchfield and riding with him was
Elwin French, the last engineer of the Monson narrow gauge railroad.

                                   Robinson's Insurance and Real Estate
         An antique car with the name of business on it, driven by Stanley A. Robinson. Riding with
him were Mike, Jill, and Jason Hunt.

                                            J & J General Store
         An antique fire engine owned and driven by Gordon Mercer. accompanied by Valri Leavitt.

                                                  Miscellaneous
         A little red and black car made by Elwin French several years ago. Driven by his grandson,
James French, with his daughter Julie riding with him.

                                                SouthEast Monson
         Replica of the Vinton District School on a trailer drawn by a team of horses owned and
driven by Carl Davis of Parkman. Riding on the float was Mattie Conley, the oldest resident of
SouthEast Monson, born in Monson.

                                             Wildwood Campground
         A trailer decorated with trees and greens to depict outdoor camping and recreation. Had
picnic tables, etc.  Riding were two children, Christine Sears of Abbot, Maine and A. Martin
Lowell of Monson.

                                                          Indian Point
         Pickup truck decorated with trees and ferns, depicting the woods. In the scene was a teepee
with Robert B. Brown, II dressed as a little Indian boy sitting inside. BobbiJean Brown dressed as
the Indian maiden, and Harold French, dressed in Chief Needahbeh's original Indian costume, as
Indian Chief. Chief Needahbeh belonged to the Penobscot Tribe. Driven by Robert B. Brown, Sr.

                                              Monson Elementary S.A.D. 68
         A trailer decorated with the theme "Don't pollute.  It doesn't compute". Decorated with
crepe paper. Riders: Cathy Durham (1st grade), Thomas Anderson (2nd grade ) .  In a truck, with
S.A.D. 68 sign, rode Neil Johnson from DoverFoxcroft and Mr. Savage Supt. of  S.A.D No. 68.

                                                   Maila Korsman Float
        A wagon depicting the trip 150 years ago with a sign saying "Monson, Mass. to Monson,
Maine". Riders, dressed as pioneers, were Maila Korsman and children Douglass and Mike Schass
from Arizona and Shirleen Korsman of Monson.

                                         Monson Community Sunday School
       Walking unit a banner with the theme "Jesus loves all the little children" carried by Sam
Anderson and Lloyd Inabinet. Next, on a cart, was a replica of the oldest church of Monson,
pulled by Tina Roberts and Melissa Robbins. Following were Sunday school pupils dressed to
represent children of all lands. With them was Mrs. Douglass Brayton in an outfit of yesteryear.

                                             PortlandMonson Slate Co.
        Truck and flat bed trailer, depicting a scene with Ellery Kronholm working as a splitter of
slate to represent the mills, a hoister house, mast and boom with box.  In box were Paul Erickson
and Sterling Hersey (of Abbot) as pit men. Truck driven by James Tatko.

                                          Moosehead Manufacturing Co.
      One of their tractortrailers, driven by William Ranta.



                                                            TowneHolmbom Auxiliary Unit 116
      Car decorated with Auxiliary banner on top and the official blue and gold colored crepe paper
and decals.  Riding was Gold Star Mother of World War II, Hilma Holmbom, and 2 charter
members, Margaret Bishop and Esther Pennington.

                                                               Bartlett's Gulf Station
       Team of ponies owned and driven by Charles Davis of Guilford. Me. hauling an old Gulf gas
tank.

                                                                Kahvila Coffee Shop
       Trailer on which there was a large wooden cup and saucer. Riding in the cup were Vikki and
Vanessa Leavitt, Driver: Scott Lander.

                                                                  Kelley's Orchard
        Large truck with scene on back depicting an apple orchard with a tree decorated with pink
and white tissues for apple blossoms. Around the area were jugs of cider, apple boxes, pails, and a
ladder up in the tree. The bottom was covered with green and white crepe paper. Driven by
Millard Perkins and riding on float were Susan Kelley and Arnette Grant (of Blanchard, Me.).

                                                                      Women's Club
        A pick up truck decorated on back with a large birthday cake made from cable spools
covered with tissues. On top were the numbers (150) for the 150th birthday of Monson. Driven
by President Cindy Turner and riding was Manda Brown (one of the oldest Past Presidents) and
children Shelley Greenleaf and Kelley Canders.

                                                                         Rebekah's
         Pickup truck decorated with flowers made with pink and green tissues, the official colors.
Decorated also with the official emblem and an open bible on a pedestal "Friendship, Love and
Truth" on each side. On back 1969 the year of consolidation of North Star 38 of Monson with
Golden Link 37 of Guilford. Driven by Alfred Grant.

                                                                        United Circle
        A hay wagon drawn by a tractor. A sign with "United Circle" done in gold. Decorated with
blue and white crepe paper. Riding and dressed in old costumes and sun bonnets were Elza Smith,
Mildred MacPherson, Aimee Kugler, President, Gertrude Cilley, and Kay Baird.

                                                                     Finnish Farmers Club
        Decorated car. Riding were President Sally Olson, and Carl Olson of Harmony, Maine, along
with Vice President Veikko Vainio, and musicians Andrew Kurki and Jorma Ranta of Monson.

                                                                        Blanchard Float
        A hay wagon pulled by a team of horses owned by Fred (Fritz) Elliott of Blanchard, Maine.
Riding in the wagon was a group of Monson children. This wagon originally belonged to Charles
Erickson and was used as a float in Monson's Centennial Parade on August 19,1922.

                                                                               Clowns
       Ted Jones and Parker Hall of Kingfield, Maine and Irvin Stevens, Corinna, Maine.

                                                                      Buggy Drivers
        "Squeek" Edgerly and Mac Drummond from Guilford, dressed as clowns.

                                                                      Fire Engines
        Monson's 1937 engine led the fire engine division, with other engines from (Greenville,
Guilford, Sangerville, DoverFoxcroft. Antique fire drill team from Dexter, Maine, and a marching
unit from Sangerville. "40 and 8" engine from Milo, Maine (Replica of a locomotive ) .

                                                                     Antique Cars
          An entire section of approximately 25 antique cars.

                                                                    Marching Units
         Pink Panthers drill team from Millinocket, Maine.
        Greenville, Maine High School Band.
         Foxcroft Academy Band    

                                                                             Officials
          Monson, Mass., and Monson, Maine, officials dressed in costumes of yesteryear, rode in
antique cars at the head of the parade, behind the color guard. Representing Monson, Maine,
were Selectman and Mrs. Frank Nelson, Selectman and Mrs. Paul Allen, Selectman and Mrs.
Worden Smith, and Town Manager and Mrs. Robert Lander. Officials from Monson Mass. were
as follows:                                                                                                                                      
                                                                       Selectmen: Chairman Albert B. Coolong; Vice
Chairman Robert D. Austin and Emma M. Austin. 
          Police Department: Robert L. Lawson, Kenneth A. Stanton, Ralph K. Shuemaker, John
Carney, Joseph W. Loglisci. 
          Fire Department: Retired Fire Chief Lloyd E. Partelo and Eleanor M. Partelo. Assistant
Fire Chief Roy A. LeGrand and Olga LeGrand. Captain Alfred G. Gola and Matilda Gola. Lt. Roy
P. Evasius and Marilyn L. Evasius. Robert L. Meacham, Mary A. Meecham and son James. 
Ralph S. Weldon, Jr., Elizabeth Weldon and son Richard.  Robert J. Weldon and Lea Weldon.
Clifton W. Knowlton and Cecelia F. Knowlton.
          Historical Society: President Myra K. Moulton, Carlos C. McCray and Elsie B. McCray.
Beatrice B. Norcross.  Earl E. Coleman and Helen A. Coleman. Paul F. Magrone.
         Representing Hebron, Maine was Mr. Roger M. Bearce. Representing the State Legislature
were Senator Elmer Violette of Van Buren and Representative Charlote White of Guilford. 
NOTE: 4 generations of the French family participated in the parade, Elwin, Harold, James, and
Julie.
         Following the parade, the afternoon program at the Monson town gym got underway
promptly at 3:30, as scheduled. The hall was decorated in red, white and blue crepe paper and
bunting, the decorating committee consisting of Worden and Glenda Smith, Nancy Taylor, Dawn
MacPherson and Dwain Allen. The front of the gym, bandstand, and town buildings and business
establishments all were decorated with red, white and blue bunting.
     Details of the afternoon program follow.





SESQUICENTENNIAL AFTERNOON PROGRAM
MONSON GYM
3:30 P. M . Saturday,  June 24

Mrs. Corinne Bickford, organist for the day, offers incidental music as people enter
National Anthem, Led by Mr. Dana Miller
Invocation, Rev. Douglas Brayton
Pledge of Allegiance, Led by Town Manager Robert Lander
Welcome Address, Selectman Frank Nelson
Greetings from Monson, Mass., Chairman of Selectmen Albert B. Coolong
"Sentimental Journey", Led by Rose Nelson, Jillaine Hunt
Address, State Representative Charlotte White*
"Dear Hearts and Gentle People", Led by singers on stage
Address, State Senator Elmer Violette
Recitation, organ medley, Mrs. Mattie Conley (84 years of age)
       Exchange of gifts, (Monson to Monson)
             Town, Selectman Robert Austen (Monson, Mass.)
                        Selectman Paul Allen (Monson, Maine)
       Historical Society, Mr. Earl Coleman (Monson, Mass.)
                        Mrs. Neola Jacobson (Monson, Maine)
       Fire Department, Mr. Roy A. LeGrand (Monson, Mass.)
                        Mr. John Ruksznis (Monson, Maine)
Presentation to Hebron, Maine, Selectman Worden Smith, Monson, Maine
                        Mr. Roger M. Bearce (Hebron, Maine)
"America the Beautiful", Led by singers on stage
Address, Mr. Millard Emanuelson
Instrumental, Mr. Harold Ackley (Trumpet) accompanied by Mrs. Corinne Bickford
Closing Remarks, Master of Ceremonies George Rongner
"God Bless America", Led by singers on stage
Benediction, Rev. Douglas Brayton
Audience participation requested for all vocal selections.
*Representative White was hospitalized and unable to attend. In her place, the Master of
Ceremonies read a congratulatory letter from President Richard M. Nixon, a telegram from U. S.
Senator Edmund S. Muskie, a telephone message from U. S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith.

Musical portion of the program was arranged by Millicent Robinson.

         June 24: from 7 :30 to 9 :00 P. M., dancing was held at the Monson Gym to the music by
Musicians of Yesteryear, which included Louis Plummer and Delmar Cook of DoverFoxcroft,
Maine, James Brown of Abbot, Maine, and Anna Douglass of Monson.
         9:00 P. M. to 1:00 A. M. Dancing at the Monson gym, with music furnished by Melody
Lane, with approximately 800 people attending.
         Sunday, June 25. Sunday breakfast, at 9:00 A. M. at the Monson Community Church,
prepared by Mrs. Thurley Knowles and a group of volunteers. Monson's Town Officials and
Sesquicentennial Committee hosted the contingent from Monson, Mass. 
          July 20, 21, 22: Monson Art Show, sponsored by the Sesquicentennial Committee, held at
the Elementary School, in charge of Dorcas Leavitt, assisted by Gerry Weymouth and Kendrick
Benton. Featured were area artists, including Seth Steward, Walter Steward, Cora Steward
Champion, Bernice Olson, and Fred Varney.  Contemporary artists included Gerry Weymouth,
Eleanor Brayton, Robert Robinson, Arthur Day, Jolane Brown, Alan Bray, James Wentworth,
Parker Hall, Wendy Anderson, Laurence B. Stretz, and Ruby Davis.
        July 22: Monson Academy Alumni Association celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Outgoing
officers were President Walter Dickison (Guilford), VicePresident Worden Smith, Secretary
Roberta Crockett ( Guilford ), and Directors Beverly Roberts and Althea French. Incumbent and
incoming officers were President Dwain Allen, VicePresident Brian Turner, Secretary Jillaine
Hunt, Treasurer Oswald Poole, and Directors Dawn MacPherson and Sylvia Kelley. Millard
Emanuelson was Master of Ceremonies. The Shiretown Singers provided
the entertainment, followed by dancing with the "Melody Lane" dance band.
         July 30: Old Home Sunday at the Monson Community Church, presided by the Rev.
Douglas P. Brayton.  The regular morning service was at 11:30 A. M., with Rev. Brayton's
sermon on the 150 years of the Church in Monson. Supper was held in the church dining room
while articles of interest were displayed in the church.  A Special Service was held at 7 :00 P. M.,
featuring former ministers Rev. William R. Huber of Ellsworth, Rev. Martin Sorensen of Cape
Elizabeth, Maine, and Rev.William H. Nichols of Sanddown, New Hampshire. Also
featured was an oldfashioned Gospel Choir, attired in period costumes, led by Mrs. Eleanor
Brayton, and including Joyce Allen, Althea French, Jillaine Hunt, Millicent Robinson, Janette Hall,
Velma Inabinet, and Lindsay Inabinet.
         Aug. 19, l972:  Monson's first band concert in 20 years, held in the town's bandstand, with
music by the Greenville High School Band under the direction of Miss Marlene Hall.
Refreshments, organized by Thurley Knowles, were sold at the rear of the bandstand.
        This was followed, from 8 :00 P. M. to midnight, by a rock dance at the town gym, featuring
the music of the C. Barnaby Rock Group of Bingham. About a hundred youngsters attended. Mrs.
Barbara Anderson was Chairman of the dance committee, assisted by Mrs. Barbara Robinson and
Mrs. Dolores Hughes.
         October 14, 1972: Harvest Supper and Dance:
         Supper served at 5, 6, 7 at the Church dining room.  Dancing at the Town Gym from 9 :00
P. M. to 1:00 A. M., with music by “3 Jacks and a Queen”.   Thurley Knowles was Chairman of
the supper committee while Joyce Kelley and Kenrick Benton were in charge of decorating the
gym.

         "History of Monson, Maine" to be published and on sale in December, 1972.




NOTES :

         (1)  Copies of the major address on June 24 "The Last 50 Years in the History of Monson"
by Millard Emanuelson can be found at the Monson Museum and the Monson Public Library.

          (2)   Copies of the sermon delivered on July 30 on the history of Monson's Churches can be
found at the Monson Museum and the Monson Public Library.

          (3)   Scrapbooks containing publicity, photos, and write ups concerning Monson's
Sesquicentennial Year can be found at the Monson Museum and the Monson Public Library.
                                             HONORABLE MENTION

          We wish to acknowledge and express our deepest appreciation and our thanks to the
following people who have contributed much of their time, material and photos. For without the
cooperation of the Townspeople and former residents of Monson, this book would not have been
possible.

           Arthur Haggstrom                                       Mrs. Eloise Steward Stevens

           Edna Champion Haggstrom                         Mr. George Rongner

           Mrs. Opal Jones Nelson                              Mrs. Dorcas Benton Leavitt

           Mrs. Dorothy Homer Forbes                       Mr. Oswald Poole

           Mrs. Esther Johnson Pennington                  Mrs. Joyce Brown

           Mrs. Mary Farrar Jones                              Mr. Francis Marshall

           Paul Nelson, Dexter                                    Charles & Zelma Stevens

           Evelyn Sanborn Nelson, Dexter                   Miss Vivienne Bray

           Mrs. Louise Grover                                     Mr. Webber Davis, Guilford

           Mrs. Odessa Johnson Benton                      Mrs. Rose Nelson

           Mrs. Manghild Olson Emanuelson                Mrs. Judy Brown Judkins

           Mrs. Edith Haggstrom Olson,                       Mr. Martin Leighton, E. Corinth

                       DoverFoxcroft                               Mr. Robert E. Lander

           Mrs. Marie Elliot Page, Milo                        Mrs. Thyra Peterson

           Mr. Tolford Durham                                    Wilson Wilkins, Poughkeepsie,

           Mrs. Beatrix Jackson Bray,                                                    New York
                                Sangerville

         To our advertisers we extend our special thanks in helping to defray the expense of
publishing. The advertising section was solicited by Robert E. Lander.




                                                              REFERENCE

         Our souces of material were obtained from personal contacts, newspaper clippings, personal
diaries and the following:
         ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 18221922,
Monson, Maine, Saturday August 19, 1922.
         SEMICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION, Main Addrcss by Rev. Charles Davison.
         PHARETRA, Monson Academy Yearbook, 1914, 1922, 1925, 1947.
         HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY, From its Earliest Settlement to 1880, Loring.
         Newspapers: THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS, THE PISCATAQUIS OBSERVER,
GAZETTER OF MAINE  By George J. Varney, published in 1880.
        MONSON MASSACHUSETTS, 1971 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT.
        HISTORY OF THE HEBRON CHURCH, June, 1966, Hebron, Maine.
        SPRAGUE'S JOURNALS.
        MAPS DRAWN AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE E. NORRIS, Brockton, Massachusetts,
1889 (List of Mountains).
        OLD PHOTOS, F. H. Sherburne  Leon Wilkins and Perley Lambert, photographers.
        PRESENT PHOTOS AND REPRODUCTIONS, Kendrick Benton.
        COVER AERIAL PHOTO, Terris Moore, 1971.
        OLD PHOTOS, Loaned by D.A.R. Tisbury Manor Chapter.
        MAP PHOTOS, Photographed by K. Benton from the Map of Piscataquis County from
surveys under the direction of H. F. Walling, 1858. Field notes under the direction of L. H. Eaton,
Esq.,Civil Engineer, Bangor, Maine. Published by Lee and Marsh, 90 Fulton St., New York. In
1858, Population of Monson was 654.
        ATLAS OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY, MAINE, Geo. N. Colby & Co., 1882.
        THE MAINE TWOFOOTERS, by Linwood W. Moody, Howell-North, Berkeley,
California, 1959.
        All data, names and dates were secured from as many sources as time permitted, therefore,
we ask our readers to please forgive any omissions and inaccuracies that may be found
throughout the text.


















                                                               CIVIL WAR 1861-1865

                         Elias T. Andrews              John Dow    
                         John H. Andrews               Thomas P. Elliott
                        +Thomas Arnold                       *Ezekiel Elliott 
                                 Timothy C. Atkinson        Freeman Ellis
                                    George H. Bennett            Stephen Fletcher 
                                 Chandler Bickford               Levi C. Flint
                              James C. Bishop               Thomas W. Flint
                         +Daniel C. Brasier            Henry M. Folsom
                         Cyrus Bray                         G. W. Frost
                           George H. Bray              Charles D. Furbush
                             * William H. Buck              Amasa S. Garland 
                    William Buck, Jr.                   +Charles A. Gates
                           John B. Butler                        +Frank Gates
                         +Albert W. Chapin             Daniel R. Gerrish
                         John A. Chick                 Isaac N. Glidden 
                    Fred C. Coan                  Abram Goding
                         Alonzo J. Cook                Albert Goodwin
                           Solomon S. Cole             Dexter Goodwin
                           Charles E. Colomy           Gorge Goodwin 
                         +Moses G. Colomy              Merritt Goodwin
                         Benjamin Cowan                Samuel S. Goodwin
                    Daniel Cunningham             Stinson Goodwin
                         David S. Curtis               George H. Graffam
                    Eugene W. Curtis                   +Herman Green
                              +Morrill G. Curtis                 Joseph Green  
                              +Rufus G. Curtis, Jr.              Thaddeus Green
                                            A. Judson Cushman         John S. Haines
                         *George H. Cushman               +Marcell W. Hall
                              Jeremiah Daine                Daniel S. Harrington
                    Alden B. Davis                Isaiah Heal
                                        +George A. Davis              Gustavus B. Hescock 
                           Eben P. Davis                    Henry A. Higgins
                                   Harrison Davis                     Jeremiah Hill  
                         Nathaniel S. Davis            Charles J. House
                              Richard Davis                      Lloyd Howard    
                         William H. Davis              Henry A. Hussey
                              Samuel C. Davis               William M. Hutchins 
                         Charles E. Dearborn                  Albert F. Jackson
                                   George F. Dearborn                *Flavel Jackson 
                         George Doughty                 George  F. Jackson 
                                   Stephen F.Douglass                 +Bradish B. Jackson 
                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                            
                                                              
                    John H. Jackson          Seth W. Roberts
                    Joseph T. Jackson            +William L. Sampson
                                                Robert G. Jones       Edward P. Scales
                    William G. Jones             +William  T. Sibley
                                        Thomas W. Knight         Adelbert A. Simonds
                                   Winfield Scott Knight         Eleazar H. Smith  
                         Horatio G. Knowles       J. Calvin Stanchfield
                                   Joseph Lambert, Jr.           Edwin C. Stanchfield 
                    John Lemont                   Brown B. Steward
                                   William Lane                          *John M. Steward 
                         J. C. Larrabee                     Mark P. Steward
                                   Sewell Leeman                 Moses Steward 
                              Charles H. Lord               Seth W. Steward
                                   William MacDermott              +Sylvanus B. Steward 
                    John MacDermott          William P. Steward
                                   Sylvanus B. Macomber     Leonard Stone 
                         Isaac J. Marble                    Warren Sturtevant, Jr.
                                   Cyrus McKinney                Samuel A. Swanton 
                         Granville McKinney       Nathaniel Swett
                                   Daniel McKinney               Bonaparte H. Swift 
                         John H. MacKinney             George W. Tebbetts
                                   W. D. McKinney                John Tebbetts, Jr. 
                         Robert L. Merrill                    +Robert T. Thomas
                                   Caleb Moody                   Adoniram Towne  
                         Alvin  F. Morrill                      +Thomas A. Trask
                                   Charles W. Morrill            John C. Tripp 
                              *Almon C. Morton         Eli Veancho
                                   Alonzo S. Norris              Charles A. Wentworth 
                    Melvander Packard        Charles F. Whitcomb
                              Simeon D. Packard             Ira Pitman Wing  
                              Sumner A. Patten              Samuel A. Wing
                              S. P. Pendleton                    Dennis H. Witham 
                         Orin Piper                         William Watt
                                   Thomas Poole                  Moses P. Wedgewood  
                    Simon D. Ranlett

                       *Killed in battle or died from effects of wounds received in battle. 
                       +Wounded in service.









VETERANS OF THE SPANISH  WAR - 1898              
Charles J. Johnson       Perry F. Thombs         Joseph William Russell 

                           
VETERANS OF WORLD WAR I  - (1914-1918)

                    Staka Atanasoff                    Alfred Jacobson                                             George Bigger+                Arvid
Johnson#       
                                                Rutherford Benton               Lawrence Johnson 
                              Robert Bigger                             Oscar Johnson
                                  Ira Bishop                          Urban Jones 
                                     Amos Bodge                       Byron Kellgren +
                           Alex Carlson                     Harry Kimball  
                                   Ernest Coffin                      Frank Korn                                                       Harry Coffin                       Edwin
Knowles #
                                            Kenneth Davis                  Oscar B. Kronholm #
                           Ernest Degestrom                 John Emil Larson  
                                Albert Degestrom                 Frank A. Larson
                           Charles T. Douglass              Hillary Le Clair +  
                                Eric L. Erickson                 Elmer Lindie
                    Rudolph Erickson                   William Lindie, Jr. 
                         Franklin T. Flint +                William O. Mackie
                           Levi Flint                            Emil Mackie 
                                   Leon Frost #                                 Frank McIver
                    Raymond Hammond                    Thomas Mountain  
                              Kandrat Hann                  August L. Nelson
                    Byron Harmon                  Paul Nelson +    
                              Milton Hescock                Elam Olson
                    Eric Holmquist                     Fabian Olson 
                                   Howell Hughes                 August Peterson
                    Norman Hussex                 Harry W. Sampson
                              Albert Isackson                    Lawrence Sanborn
                    Oscar Isackson                     Elwyn F. Smith 
                              Ivan Isackson                      Oral A. Towne* 
                    Dearborn Jackson                   Frank Wentworth 
                         Howard Jackson                William Wickman
                           Herbert Johnson
                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                 *Killed in action                                         
                    +Wounded in Service
                                        #Died from sickness



                         WORLD WAR II VETERANS
                                                   (Dec 8,  1941 -  May 7, 1945  (V.E. Day)
                                                   (Dec. 11, 1941 - Sept. 2, 1945 (V.J. Day)

                    Kenneth Ackerson         Harry L. Drew 
                           Francis Ackerson                 Leon Duval
                    Olavi F. Anderson             Reginald S. Duval 
                              Raymond Anderson              Millard Emanuelson
                    Toivio Anderson                    Merle Finley  
                              Verner Anderson                    Harold French
                    Walter Anderson                    Robert L Greenleaf  
                           George Bessey                    Gordon Hall
                    Clarence Bjork                     Wilbur Hammond  
                              Oscar Bjork                        Milton Hescock
                    Raymond Bjork                      Lawrence Holmbom*  
                              Grayson Bishop                     Theodore Holmbom
                    Stanley Brasier                    William Holmbom 
                                     Walter Brasier                        Henry Homer
                    Bryant M. Brown                    Raymond Hughes                                              Clayton W. Brown              Adolph Johnson
                    George W. Brown               Arthur Johnson 
                                  Gilbert M. Brown                    Francis Jones
                    Robert C. Brown                    Ivan C. Jones 
                                  Robert B. Brown                     Thaxter Jones                                          Henry Carlson                      Clayton Jackson 
                              Norris A. Casey                    Clifton Jackson
                    Ray J. Casey                       Byron Johnson  
                                   M. Christensen                     Ruth Johnson
                    Carlton D. Cook                    Lloyd Kelley  
                                   Ernest Copeland                    Harland Kirk
                    Clyde Crockett                     Philip Knight  
                                   James Crockett                     Aubrey Kronholm
                    Carl Dauphinee                     Colby Kronholm 
                           L. Dauphinee                     Ellery Kronholm
                    William Dauphinee                  Orman Kronholm 
                         Betty L. Davis                     Elmer Kuusela
                    Donald J. Davis                    Anton Larson
                                   Dustin Donahue                     Frank Larson
                    Guy F. Dore                        Robert Larson 
                              Roy Danielson                      Sherwood Larson
                    Charles S. Douglass                Vanner T. Larson 
                         Chester R. Drew                    Robert Landry *
                    Donovan D. Drew               Reginald Leighton
                         Frederick T. M. Drew          William Lindahl
                    Harry Lindie             Willard Sandberg                        
                    Robert Lloyd             Max Sidelinger
                    Roy Lloyd                Eli Simard 
                                        Lawrence Lovejoy         Frederick Simmons
                    Haven Lumbert            Kenneth Simmons
                              Donald MacPherson        Philip Soderquist
                    Esko Mutanen             Gerald Stanchfield 
                              Viola Mackie             Omar Stanchfield
                    Robert Nason             Sheldon Stanchfield 
                         Arthur P. Nelson         Stillman Stevens
                    Dana Nelson              Charles W. Stevens
                         Edwin Nelson             Kenneth Simpson
                    Frank W. Nelson          Philip Stinchfield 
                              George Nelson +          Uuno Suomi
                    Mary T. Nelson           Edwin E. Suomi 
                              Lester A. Olson          William Suomi
                    Russell A. Olson         Philip B. Thomas 
                              Maurice Palm             Eino Tuomi
                    Eino Partinen            George Ulman                                                          Neil Patterson           Oscar Ulman
                    Oswald Poole             Onni Vainio
                                   Philip Pratt             Svandi Vainio
                    Henry Pulkinen           Voitto Vainio
                              Herbert Pulkinen         Nelda Weeks
                    Winston Pullen           Roger Wentworth
                              J. Record Pullen    Lawrence Wilkins
                    Jorma Ranta         Edwin Wuori 
                                   Fidele Richards          Tyyne Wuori
                    John Richards            Robert Zimmerman 
                         Myron Robinson           Myron Zimmerman
                    Norman Robinson

                   *Killed in action
                        +Died in service











OTHER MONSON REGISTERED SERVICEMEN
Since World War II - (1945 -1972)
Korean (19501955) and Vietnam Veterans and Servicemen
Included (19651972)
(Any Omissions and Errors Purely Unintentional)

                    Anderson, Milton Leroy      Holmbom, David Andrew
                                                Akerson, Sherman Dean              Hussey, Winston Carol
                              Barrows, Robert Elliot                 Hansen, Harlan
                    Berg, Elmer, Jr.                           Hansen, Herman
                                   Bickford, Merle Eugene               Holmbom, Paul Lewis 
                              Bjork, John Andrew                    Harris, Ronald Cook
                    Bjork, William Martin                   Jacobson, Barry Edwin  
                           Blethen, Philip+                       Jacobson, Ronald C.             
                    Brown, Dale Holmes                  Jackson, Marvin Eldridge
                    Brown, Colby Meredith                Johnson, Roger Laurence
                           Brown, Charles Edward           Johnson, Peter Kendall
                           Burke, Ronald Ray                       Jacobson, Andrew Everett
                    Bohan, Paul Gregory                    Jones, Thaxter Burton, Jr.
                           Brown, Clowes Lee                      Kelley, Edward Varney
                           Brown, David Morgridge          Kirk, Mahlon Randall
                    Butterfield, Hilbert Allen                Korsman, Arvo Victor            
                    Crockett, Erlon Dana               Kelley, Glen Melvin
                           Carlow, Florian Vincent                 Kronholm, Orman F.
                    Copeland, Ernest Edwin                Kelley, Lloyd Richard              
                         Douglass, Clifford Charles         Leavitt, Cyril Miles
                         Drugge, Donald Edward                Lindie, Harry E.
                    Drugge, Gerald Victor                   Lindie, William A.              
                           Durham, James Brook                   Lindie, Alan Elmer
                                  Dickinson, Douglas                        Lord, Brendon Richard
                           Dickinson, Walter Andrew             Lindie, Harry Elmer, Jr.
                                  Douglass, Stephen Alan                  Lindie, Robert Allen 
                           Erickson, Paul Andrew                   MacDuffee, Robert Colton,
                    Erickson, Laurance Malcolm                       (M.D.)                    
                                                       Finley, Richard Warren              Marshall,
Charles Andrew 
                           Falconer, George Paul             Marshall, Robert Francis
                           Flint, Harold Charles                       Mackie, Richard Wellington
                    Flint, Herbert Franklin             McAfee, John David   
                           Flint, Philip Davis               McDonald, Harold Aalto
                           Greenleaf, James Leslie                   Marshall, Richard Allan
                    Greenleaf, James Archie                  Nadeau, Gerald James
                           Greenleaf, Jeffrey Charles              Nasberg, Arthur Ernest
                           Grant, Timothy Paul +                   Nelson, Robert
Sherwood
                    Holmbom, Garold Leonard              Nelson, Edwin            
                                                Hitchborn, George
               Nasberg, Donald Albion                 Stanchfield, Lamont Carlton
                    Nelson, Frank W.                           Storer, Henry Judson 
                             Nelson, Hollis Frank                       Storer, Berwin Walter
               Nelson, David Warren                    Sidelinger, Wayne Elwin
                      Niesar, Lucinda Forbus            Smith, Leo Clayton+
                             Pullen, Stanwood Record, Jr.          Sandberg, Reginald Irwin
               Pullen, Peter Winfred                      Spack, Steven Robert
                      Ponkala, Carl Richard             Spack, Zigmond Walter
                      Ponkala, John Philip                        Storer, Alan Basil
               Patterson, Linwood G.                    Stanchfield, Carlton Hill 
                      Patterson, Michael Ray             Stone, Wilbur Leroy, Jr.
                      Patterson, Warren                           Sears, Gary Joseph
               Roberts, Raymond Carl                   Simmons, Kenneth 
                             Richards, Fidele                      Suomi, Paul Oscar
                             Roberts, William Coburn               Taylor, Daniel Leslie Wyman
               Robinson, Robert Frank                  Ulman, Oscar Carroll
                             Robinson, Blaine Champion             Vainio, Eric Mathew  
                             Robinson, William Walter              Weeks, Nelda
               Ranta, Evelyn                                  Weymouth, Peter Galen
                      Reed, Gordon Allen                 Weymouth, Robert Douglass
                      Ranta, William Johnson                    Wheaton, Bliss Allan
               Raymond, Peter Hollis                      Waymouth, Harry Preston
                      Simpson, Edward Eugene                 Williams, Neal Andrew

              *Killed in action
              +Died in service

      In conclusion, equal homage is attributed also to the servicemen who now reside in Monson
but are registered servicemen elsewhere, many of whom are on honor rolls or honored lists in
their respective registered communities.
      "Servicemen should be remembered with gratitude and affection and their devotion to the
cause of liberty should be sacredly cherished by us and by those who shall come after us, as
worthy of imitation." (Note: Quote made by Rev. Charles Davison, in his SemiCentennial
Commemorative Address, 1872.)












                                       PATRONS AND PATRONESSES


     Judge and Mrs. Millard Emanuelson        Portland, Maine

     Mrs. Sara Worster                             Portland, Maine

     Mrs. Blodwen Ward                                  Monson, Maine

     Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Kronholm                  Monson, Maine

     Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sawyer, Sr.          Monson, Maine

     Mrs. Edmond Richards                       Monson, Maine

     Mr. Thomas Sawyer                             Lakeworth, Florida

     Wesley H. Olson, Sr.                     Melrose, Massachusetts

     Mr. and Mrs. Into Suomi                         Augusta, Maine

     Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hoyt                         Monson, Maine

     Mrs. Edith Carlson                              Portland, Maine

     Mr. and Mrs. George Hupper               S. Portland, Maine

     Miss Irene Carlson                              Portland, Maine

     Mrs. Joyce Marsano                              Portland, Maine

     Mrs. Manghild Emanuelson                 Monson, Maine

     Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Olson                Melrose, Massachusetts

     Mrs. Esther Pennington                          Monson, Maine

     Forrest & Eloise S. Stevens                     Monson, Maine

     Mrs. Manford Knowles                            Monson, Maine

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