HISTORICAL SKETCH

OF

FAIRFIELD, ME.

MONG the most delightful features of a journey through the State of Maine, the observing tourist must estimate highly the pleasure which is not infre quently occasioned by coming across those charming towns and villages which nestle cosily among the hills, sloping gently to the banks of the mighty rivers, and enlivened by the social amenities and industrial enterprises which render it a real microcosmus of our American life. A few miles above Waterville, on the Kennebec river, is one of the most beautiful and charming of those towns in Maine. We refer to the progressive town of Fairfield. This is the southern-most town of Somerset county, about twenty-six miles north of Augusta, and is remarkable both for its scenery and the enterprising genius of its people. It contains about forty-two square miles of territory, and at this part of the river is one of the most valuable water-powers on the Kennebec. When the town was first settled, in 1774, it received its name from the "fair appearance" of its situation, and itwould never have seemed to have forfeited the distinction. Its growth was not rapid, and was marked by the various disturbances and obstacles which beset the towns of this vicinity, yet has been decidedly uniform, and since the manufacturing privileges of the water-power supply have been improved it has made marked progress. The first Congregational church was founded here in 1815. The town was incorporated in 1788, the years immediately following the Revolutionary war being unusually marked by prosperity and growth. The embarrassments of the Embargo in 1807 and 1808, and the war of 1812, as well as the panic of 1832, were serious set-backs; but by the middle of the century the population had become 2,482. During the next decade it rose to 2,753.

The people of Fairfield entered into the great struggle against slavery with enthusiastic generosity and devotion. They spared neither men or money in their patriotic service, and the achievements of their sons, and the tender memorials of lost heroes have ever since been zealously guarded and honored. Since the war the advance of the town has been steady and marked. The population in 1870 had risen to 2,999,

and in 1880 to 3,044. The valuation in the latter year was $1,288,582. The town officers for 1888 were as follows: Selectmen, F. E. MacFadden, C. J. Greene, N. Howe; Town Clerk, F. E. MacFadden; Treasurer, E. G. Pratt. Since 1880 the population and valuation have been both increased largely. The water-power at Fairfield is practically inexhaustible. There is a fall of thirty-four feet within a short distance at the falls, and over this for eleven hours a day there is a constant run of 117,300 cubic feet of water per minute. This is equivalent to 7,540 horse or 300,000 spindles. This great power, moreover, can be increased by various improvements if the demand should be extended.

Though not one of the largest, Fairfield is certainly one of the most enterprising towns in this State of business genius. Its industrial spirit penetrates many varied lines, and is alike successful in all. Among the chief lines of business enterprise are those of lumber, furniture, frames, carriages, machinery, canned goods of all kinds (this being an industry in which great success has been achieved), boxes, grain and produce, shoes, and tools of all kinds. The mill industries at the various villages are centers of population and commercial advancement. The out-put of two of these mills alone is over $350,000 a year. In the lumber business there are eight saw-mills. The chief centers or villages of the town, chiefly divided according to commercial enterprises, are as follows: North Fairfield, Fairfield Corner, Fairfield Village (the largest center, including Kendall's Mills), Somerset Mills, Blacknell's Mills and Winslow Mills. Fairfield has also a First National Bank, and Fairfield Savings Bank. “Fairfield Journal" is an enterprising local weekly, of an independent and lively spirit, and furnishing news and entertainment to many readers. Such is the great resource of water-power at Fairfield that her manufacturing industries admit of great expansion, and as they became more widely known, and the privileges of location offered to manufacturers are realized, there must be a great source of wealth and progress coming to Fairfield in this line, for there are few towns or cities that have been more abundantly enriched by the bounty of nature's gifts than she. At the present time there are six physicians, five lawyers and six clergymen located here. There are six churches,-one Baptist, three Methodist, one Free Baptist, and one Universalist. The religious life of the people is progressive and wholesome, the moral standard of a high stamp, and the interest in charity and benevolence wide-spread and earnest. Great attention is given to educational matters, and the public schools of the town are liberally and well conducted. The social life is quiet and retired, yet is marked by the refining and charming influences which the country towns of New England peculiarly possess. The beauty of the surrounding country and the unusually healthful situation are advantages not to be lightly regarded. Nor are the attractions to tourists and summer travelers unworthy of attention.

Situated on the great Kennebec, and the main line of the Maine Central Railroad, it is easily reached both from Portland and Bangor, and possesses both the advantages of suburban and country life. Its ancient beauty still attracts, and will, many delighted tourists every year. Sportsmen find good opportunities for sport with rod and gun through the surrounding country, and tired families can nowhere obtain better accommodations, with such recuperation and enjoyment at such small expense.

N. Totman & Sons, Manufacturers and Dealers in all kinds of Pine and Spruce Lumber, Clapboards, Shingles, Laths, Pickets, etc. Dimensions sawed to order. As vast as the Lumber interests of this State are, there are certain houses which are of such prominence as to be easily distinguishable among their fellows, and especially is this true of that of Messrs. N. Totman & Sons, which has been carried on under its present name since 1873. The undertaking had its origin in 1835, Messrs. E. & N. Totman being the proprietors, and the principles which have governed its prosecution up to the present time, have resulted in placing it among the representative enterprises of the State. Messrs. N. Totman & Sons are manufacturers of and dealers in all kinds of Pine and Spruce Lumber, Clapboards, Shingles, Laths, Pickets, etc,, and the premises utilized, comprise two floors of the dimensions of 100x76 feet. A very complete and costly plant of machinery is in operation, ample water-power being available to furnish motive force. There is every facility at hand that experience can suggest, and employment is given to fifty men the year round. Some 5,000,000 feet of Lumber is annually manufactured for Maine and Massachusetts markets, au important branch of the business being the sawing of dimensions to order. No house is more favorably situated as regards its ability to furnish prompt and reliable service to customers, and the prices quoted are

consistent with the unexcelled facilities enjoyed. The firm as now constituted, consists of Messrs. N., F. M., and L. Totman, the firstnamed gentleman being a native of Abington, Mass., and two latter of this town. The senior partner was a member of the State Senate in 1878, and is now President of the First National Bank. Messrs. F. M. and L. Totman are connected with the Free Masons, and are very generally known throughout this section. Fairfield has profited much by the existence of this enterprise in its midst, and no sketch of the business interests of the town would be complete without mention of this leading firm.

feet, and are run by water-power. Employment is given to thirty men, and Pine, Ash and Basswood Furniture of All Kinds is very largely manufactured, a business of from $40,000 to $50,000 per annum being done. Every detail of the work is intrusted to experienced and skilled operatives, and as the system in operation in the factory permits of the closest inspection at all stages, the concern is able to fully warrant its productions in every respect, and to quote prices that will bear the severest examination. As now constituted, the firm is made up of Messrs. J. A., A. E., and E. A. Cilley, and was never better prepared to carry on operations to the best advantage. Its goods are accepted as the standard in the Boston market, and although competition is strong in this line of trade, meet with a ready sale among discriminating buyers everywhere.

Dealer in Pine and Spruce Lumber, Laths, A. H. & C. E. Duren, Manufacturer and Shingles, Clapboards, Pickets, etc. Dimensions Sawed to Order. Special attention given to Clapboards and Shingles. Office on Water Street, Fairfield. It would be difficult to find an enterprise that has done more to bring Fairter than that conducted by Messrs. A. H. & C. field into prominence as a manufacturing cenE. Duren, for since this undertaking was founded, in 1873, it has developed until it has become one of the most extensive in this portion of the State. Both members of the firm are natives of

Canaan, and Mr. A. H. Duren has served on the Board of Selectmen of Fairfield, as well as Assessor of Corporations. No thinking person can visit the mills without being impressed with the evidences of careful and thorough preparapolicy of the firm from the first to hold itself in tion everywhere manifest, for it has been the readiness to fill the most extensive orders at short notice, and the plant operated is most admirably adapted to secure that result. Two and 150x32 feet respectively, with ample waterlarge buildings are occupied, measuring 115x65 power available to run the necessary machinery. The works have a capacity for the production of 8,000,000 feet of Long Lumber, 5,000,000 Shingles, 500,000 of Clapboards and Laths, Staves and Pickets to the amount of about 4,000,000, employment being given to eighty men. Dimension Lumber is sawed to order at short notice, and special attention is given to Clapboards and Shingles; Pine and Spruce Lumber, Pickets, Laths, etc. being also very largely By dealt in. and the facilities for shipping goods are of the The office is located on Water Street, most satisfactory character. This enterprise is a truly representative one, and the residents of its unsurpassed standing in the mercantile Fairfield may well congratulate themselves on world.

J. A. Cilley & Co., Manufacturers of and Dealers in Pine, Ash, and Basswood Furniture of All Kinds, Fairfield. Salesrooms 339 Medford Street, Charlestown. The manufacture of Furniture by machinery has reached a high stage of perfection at the present time, and results are now attained that would have been looked upon as impossible comparatively few years ago. the aid of machinery, it is possible to produce furniture at prices the poorest can afford, and it is a fact that many a workingman has his house furnished in a manner that would bear comparison with that only shown in the homes of the rich in by-gone days. There have been many changes in methods of manufacturing since the house of J. A. Cilley & Co. was founded, in 1864; but the firm have always been Stephen A. Nye, Manufacturer and Dealer among the first to adopt desirable improve- in Long and Short Lumber, Spruce, Pine and ments, and, in fact, were the first in Maine to Cedar; Fairfield. The gold mines of California manufacture Shooks and Fine Furniture for the never produced so much wealth as the forests Boston market. Their salesrooms are at No. of Maine, and it is difficult to justly estimate 339 Medford Street, Charlestown, Mass., and the importance of the Lumber interests of this they also have a factory in that city, besides State. We may obtain the figures showing the their extensive works here in Fairfield which annual production of manufactured lumber, the occupy three floors of the dimensions of 120x50 | number of men employed, the amount of wages