William Banks, of Jefferson, and Kyle Ingraham, of Unity, were named to the dean’s list at Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts, for academic excellence for the 2022 fall semester. Banks has a primary major of physical education, and Ingraham in sport management.
Cover of the 1883 Jefferson Medical College catalog.
As promised last week, this week’s article will feature random information about three more central Kennebec Valley doctors with degrees from Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia. Their names were Cyrus Kendrick, Class of 1850, who practiced in Litchfield; James E. Tuell, Class of 1884, who practiced in Augusta and who started this topic; and Lewis King Austin, Class of 1894, who practiced, at least briefly, in Waterville.
Kingsbury wrote in his chapter on the medical profession in his Kennebec County history that Cyrus Kendrick (Sept. 26, 1825 – 1904) was born in Gardiner, the third son and fifth child of Cyrus and Sarah (Maxcy) Kendrick.
Dr. Kendrick’s father, the first Cyrus Kendrick (1789-1866), was a Gardiner businessman who was a justice of the peace for many years and served as town selectman in 1837 and as treasurer in 1848 and 1849. He was an active Mason (as was his doctor son), and he and his wife were “prominent members of the Baptist church” in Gardiner until they moved to Litchfield, where they died.
Dr. Kendrick went to local schools, spent two years at the medical school at Bowdoin and – for unknown reasons – transferred to Jefferson, where he was one of a class of 211 new physicians who graduated in March 1850.
Kingsbury wrote that after two years in Gardiner, Dr. Kendrick moved his practice to Litchfield, where he still was when the Kennebec County history was published in 1892. He was among the founders of the Maine Medical Association in 1853, and a member of the American Medical Association; Kingsbury noted that he “participated in” the 1884 AMA annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
In 1880 Dr. Kendrick married a Litchfield Academy teacher named Susan (often listed as Susie) P. Howe (May 13, 1848 – 1928), from Rumford. The couple had two daughters, whose names Kingsbury gave as Daisy May (probably an error) and Kate H., and a son, Cyrus Maxcy Kendrick.
A list of Bates College graduates in the Class of 1904, found on line, includes Susan May Kendrick, born Jan. 29, 1881, in Litchfield, to Dr. Cyrus and Susan (Howe) Kendrick. The entry says she taught high school in Dexter and South Paris and at Monmouth Academy and Mattanawcook Academy (in Lincoln) from 1904 through 1915, with the longest stint, six years, in South Paris.
A similar list for Bates’ Class of 1910 includes Cyrus Maxcy Kendrick, born Jan. 26, 1888, to the same parents, and also an educator who moved from place to place. A January 1908 Bates student publication lists him among sophomores who were “out of college teaching” during the first weeks of the semester.
His posts between 1910 and 1915, in order, were high school principal in Garland; teacher at Ricker Classical Institute, in Houlton; high school principal, in Bowdoinham; and in 1815 back to Litchfield Corners as district superintendent of schools.
Dr. Kendrick is buried in Litchfield Plains Cemetery. His tall gravestone has his name and the dates 1825-1904; his wife Susan’s name and the dates 1848-1928; and daughter Kathryn H., 1882-1926. On one side are the names Susan M. 1881-1927 (she is further identified as Susan May “Sadie” Kendrick); Bruce 1947-1947; and Betty-Jean, 1927-1973.
A footstone in the same cemetery marks the grave of Cyrus M. Kendrick, Jan. 26, 1888 – March 26, 1971, identified as a private in World War I. He is also listed on a more elegant stone along with Beatrice B., his wife, who lived from 1908 to 1989.
Another footstone is for Cyrus and Beatrice’s son (Dr. Kendrick’s grandson), Cyrus M. Kendrick Jr., July 10, 1923, to Feb. 16, 2007), a PFC in the U. S. Army in World War II. A Feb. 21, 2007, Kennebec Journal obituary found on line says he was predeceased by an infant son, Bruce, in 1947, and by his first wife, Betty Jean, in 1973.
He married again, to Erma Jean Hayden; they had several children. The obituary gives details of his military service and lists medals he received, starting with two Bronze Stars. It says he worked for the state highway department for 41 years, most of the time as “foreman of the paint crew.”
James Enoch Tuell (1854 – Feb. 11, 1910), was one of four children of James Leonard Tuell (b. Jan. 2, 1829) and Julia Ann Tuell.
Tuell’s graduation from Jefferson was on March 29, 1884. The graduation program says his thesis topic was “Acute Rheumatism.”
(Tuell was one of three 1884 graduates from Maine; the others were Laurentius Melancthon Nason, whose thesis was on “External Manipulation in Obstetric Practice,” and who received a gold medal for an essay “on a subject pertaining to Obstetrics”; and James H. Shannon, whose thesis was on “Symptoms of Scarlatina.”
(Nason, from Standish, was a Colby University graduate, Class of 1880. The April 27, 1878, issue of the Portland Daily Press reported that he received second prize in the sophomore prize declamation; the 1880 Colby Oracle listed him as a member of the Chi Chapter of Zeta Psi fraternity.
Of the 215 Jefferson graduates in 1884, 109 were from Pennsylvania; there were three Canadians and five other men from five different countries, listed as England, Italy, Mauritius, West Indies and Armenia.)
Dr. Tuell’s first medical work was apparently in East Machias, and started before his graduation from Jefferson. The Maine State Board of Health’s first annual report, found on line, covers the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, 1885; Dr. Tuell was the “medical correspondent” from East Machias.
His report began: “Our leading diseases are pneumonia, ileo-colitis, cholera infantum, sporadic cases of typhoid fever, an occasional case of diphtheria, and the various exanthemata peculiar to childhood.” (Exanthemata, according to an on-line dictionary, is a plural noun; an exanthema is “a skin rash accompanying a disease or fever.”)
He went on to mention one epidemic each of scarlet fever and diphtheria in the last 20 years; typhoid fever, up to the last two years, sometimes “widespread enough, in certain parts of the town, to be styled a local epidemic”; and three cases of smallpox.
Phthisis (tuberculosis) was common, Dr. Tuell wrote. It was hereditary, he said, and flared up due to “climate, dampness, poor ventilation.”
In August 1883, he wrote, he had treated a young man with all the symptoms of scarlet fever, though the patient’s mother was sure he had not been exposed to anyone with the disease. Dr. Tuell learned that the patient’s sister, working out of town, had scarlet fever in February. In April she sent home some clothes; and two weeks before her brother got sick, “the sister took a garment from the trunk and ripped it apart for the purpose of repairing it.”
Part of the medical report was an evaluation of the local school buildings. In East Machias, Dr. Tuell wrote, “we have imperfect ventilation and unsuitable heating apparatus; consequently, headache is frequent.”
Information about Dr. Tuell’s private life is scant. He apparently married twice, first to Sarah Elizabeth, with whom he had three children, and then to Nellie Sarah Quimby.
He was in Augusta by the 1890s. Records show him as one of 100 charter members of the Abnaki Club, organized in June 1894 (see the article on Augusta’s historic buildings in the Feb. 11, 2021, issue of The Town Line).
The auditor’s report in the Augusta annual report for the year ending March 1, 1896, listed Dr. Tuell as billing $66.50 to the account labeled “support of the poor.” His was one of the three largest bills, suggesting city officials called on him comparatively often.
It was on July 3, 1896, that fire destroyed his office in downtown Granite Hall.
A 1940 census record found on line shows Sarah D. Tuell, born about 1890, living at 71 Winthrop Street, in Augusta, with her mother, Elizabeth B. Tuell, who was then aged 75. The Find a Grave website lists seven Tuells buried in Augusta’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery:
Lewis King Austin (Aug. 11, 1869 – Oct. 21, 1952) was a Portland native, according to Dr. Thayer’s chapter in Edwin Carey Whittemore’s Waterville history, supplemented by on-line sources. His parents were William King and Sarah Eliza or Elizabeth (Thomes or Thomas) Austin; he had two sisters and two brothers.
Thayer wrote that Dr. King specialized in “diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.” After his 1894 graduation from Jefferson, he practiced in Portland, Deering and Clinton before moving to Waterville in 1902 and opening his office at 145 Main Street. (Deering was incorporated as a town in 1871; it became part of the City of Portland in 1899.)
Dr. Austin married Mary Elizabeth Libby; they had a daughter, Estelle. The 1940 census showed him back in Portland; he was perhaps in a home for the elderly, as the “household members” section listed 92 people, the oldest aged 86.
He is buried in Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery. Nearby is the grave of Mary L. Austin, who died Nov. 29, 1951.
Dr. Austin was one of two Maine men in Jefferson’s Class of 1894. The other, Joseph Albert Lethiecq, died in 1956 and is buried in Mount Desert’s Brookside Cemetery.
Kingsbury, Henry D., ed., Illustrated History of Kennebec County Maine 1625-1892 (1892).
Whittemore, Rev. Edwin Carey, Centennial History of Waterville 1802-1902 (1902).
Websites, miscellaneous.
The Jefferson Public Library, located in the Jefferson Village School, 48 Washington Road, Jefferson, is hosting an Authors’ Reading Event Thursday, October 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Kay Hardy Campbell, author of A Caravan of Brides and Sons of Fez; Kay Tobler Liss, author of The Last Resort; Deborah Walder, author of the children’s books, Ice Critter and Shiny; and Kyrill Schabert, author of Best Seashore Nature Sites – Midcoast Maine and Best Nature Sites Midcoast Maine, Route 1 Corridor, Brunswick to Belfast, will read from their books, answer questions and have books to sell. Light refreshments will be offered.
FMI call 549-7491.
The Lindseys have imbued the spacious interior of Le Barn with Maine rustic charm while adding contemporary amenities. (contributed photos)
The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) is pleased to announce the return of the Harvest Dinner to its annual calendar. The popular event will be hosted Sunday, October 2 from 4 – 6 p.m., at Le Barn, a huge, restored, gambrel-roofed event facility located in the rolling farmland of Jefferson.
“We’re thrilled that Jim and Marie Lindsey have loaned us the use of this remarkable building that they have so lovingly restored,” said Valarie Johnson, organizer of the event. “I’m looking forward to seeing all our friends and neighbors in this new, larger space where we can all spread out a little.”
A simple meal of hearty chowders, soups, and stews that will include vegan options is supplied by LCDC volunteers and accompanied by bread and apple cider. The meal is served by candidates and elected officials, and the event concludes with plenty of desserts – think apple and pumpkin pies. And with a price of $20 per person or $50 to be listed as a host, it’s a bargain!” He urged fellow Democrats to, “Come on out and show your support of your candidates!” in this final fundraising effort for the year.
Le Barn is located at 132 Waldoboro Rd. in Jefferson. The Harvest Dinner is hosted by the LCDC and is open to the public. Details about how to make reservations or be listed as a host can be accessed at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/harvest. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, September 28. For more information about this event, please contact Valarie Johnson at 207-549-3358.
Once again Tina White, owner of Tina’s Daylilies, will be hosting an annual garden party fundraiser. This is the eighth year that Tina’s Daylilies has held this event. They will have door prizes, refreshments and Tina says “we will have lots of blooms!” Each year 20 percent of the proceeds that day is donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for MS research, along with donations others give that day or on line. “Research for a cure is what we really need”, White says.
Multiple Sclerosis is an incurable, progressive disease that attacks the central nervous system. It is now estimated that one million people in the United States have been diagnosed with MS. This disease most often appears in people between ages 20 to 50, with two to three times more women than men receiving the diagnosis.
“This has become my way of helping find a cure for MS so that we can stop MS completely. It’s a lot of fun to talk with people about daylilies or MS and hear what the connection is for people who come,” she says.
The event will be Saturday July 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Tina’s Daylilies, located at 310 East Pond Road, in Jefferson. If you are unable to come to the event but would like to donate to the fundraiser you may go to the event page at www.tinasdaylilies.com and click on the “Donate to NMSS” button. Tina’s Daylilies is open June, July and August each year and always has a donation can there or the online page accepts donation until the end of the calendar year.
The children’s reading program starts Tuesday, June 21, and will run until August 30, with the final drawing on September 1. For each book a child reads, a ticket goes in for a drawing. A ticket is drawn once a week for a $5 gift certificate for the Jefferson Scoop. At the end of the summer, there will be a drawing for the grand prize of a $25 gift certificate to Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop, in Damariscotta. The Jefferson Public Library’s summer hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 4 – 7 p.m., effective Tuesday, June 21. The library is located in the Jefferson Village School, 48 Washington Road.
Also during the summer, Midcoast Conservancy will be running four programs for children:
June 29 – Fantastic World of Fungi
Davis Stream Preserve , 4 – 5 p.m.
From the mushrooms in your yard to the lichen on a gravestone to the yeast in our bread, fungi are all around us! During this half mile hike, we will explore the mushroom, lichens and other kinds of fungi we encounter and discuss why they are important to the forest and the creatures that live in it.
July 6 – Tree Trek
West Branch Preseve, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
On this one mile hike, we will meet some of Maine’s common trees and learn how to tell them apart from each other. Along the way, we will create a “Tree of Trees” and use it to identify the trees we are seeing around us!
July 20 – Track Trail Scavenger Hunt
Davis Stream Preserve, self guided between 2 and 5 p.m.
Can you find all the animal tracks along this half mile hike? Take a Track Trail sheet with you and draw all the animal tracks you find. Complete the scavenger hunt for a free ice cream cone from the Jefferson Scoop.
August 17 – Macroinvertebrate Mission
Hidden Valley Nature Center, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Let’s explore the tiny but important creatures that live in our waters -macroinvertebrates. After a brief hike, participants will collect samples of insects and other critters from Hay Bale Pond to identify and learn about.
For more information on the Midcoast Conservancy’s programs, contact Skye Cahoon, MCC Environmental Land Steward at 207.389.5150 or landmcc@midcoastconservancy.org
Hailey Milliken
Hailey Milliken, a 12th grader from Jefferson, was Valedictorian for last week’s graduation ceremony for Maine Connections Academy, the state’s online charter school.
The in-person ceremony took place on June 3, at Thompson’s Point, in Portland. Milliken will be attending Boston University in the fall, majoring in media science in the College of Communication. Originally from Maine, Milliken lived in many places and attended many schools before joining Maine Connections Academy in 2020.
In her speech to her fellow classmates, Milliken said “Just a few months ago, the idea of speaking in front of a crowd, live, like this, seemed impossible. But here we are. The opportunities and flexibility offered here, at a true online school, have allowed me to thrive. What we are seeing all around is that the current educational system is in desperate need of a renovation. And MCA is one step ahead. And being one step ahead takes you to great places, so: stay one step ahead!”
Milliken took AP courses in literature, calculus and microeconomics—in her own words, “I’m a big reader, I do a lot of writing as well, and I’m really into journalism.” In her opinion, “Online school is the future of education. We were all thrown into it because of COVID but now we see that it can work. More and more students are learning at their own pace, and it’s perfect for diverse learners. Maine Connections Academy really knows how to do it.”
Now in its seventh year, Maine Connections Academy is Maine’s first statewide, tuition-free, online public school for students in grades 7-12.
Eagle Scout Gary Lawyerson congratulates his grandson Eagle Scout Gabriel Lawyerson after pinning the Eagle Scout medal he received in 1964. (contributed photo)
Jefferson Troop #216 Scoutmaster Valerie Drever presents a special hand-made plaque to Gabe. (contributed photo)
Gabriel Daniel Lawyerson, of Troop #216, received his Eagle Scout rank during an outdoor ceremony at Damariscotta Lake State Park, in Jefferson. His grandfather, Gary Lawyerson, earned Scouting’s highest rank in 1964 and proudly pinned his medal on his grandson. Gabe is going to Fort Sill Oklahoma July 7, 2021 for his basic training in the U.S. Army.
His grandfather served in the Marine Corps for 27 years and three years in the Army. Linda, his grandmother, was in the Marines 7-1/2 months (then daughter Amy came along). There are others who served in Gabe’s family. Gary, Gabe’s father, served in the Army four years, Gabe’s other grandfather Leo Peters served in Paratroopers Army 101st Airborne during the Korean War, among many others, of course. His respect and appreciation for those who served in the military runs deep.
The Eagle Scout ceremony was held Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend which is appropriate as Gabe’s Eagle Scout Service Project consisted of taking photographs of 1,200 veteran grave stones at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, in Augusta, on Civic Center Drive. The photos were given to the Bureau of Maine Veteran Services which plans to provide a website family and friends can visit loved ones virtually when they can’t visit in person. His Scoutmaster, Valerie Drever, said, “Congratulations Gabe, you have worked very hard to achieve this honor. Baden Powell would have been proud!”
Gabe’s grandmother Linda Lawyerson assisted him with his project and spoke during the ceremony. “The project was a long process spent over several seasons. I watched him persevere during winter months and overcome all obstacles. I saw him go from being a young man into an adult.”
Gabriel Daniel Lawyerson, of Troop #216. (contributed photo)
Poster contest winners from 2019. (Contributed photo)
The Whitefield Lions Club will be donating to the local school’s art departments this fall. Due to Covid-19 the WLC was not able to conduct their annual Peace Poster Contest held every October. Every year each of the schools which include Windsor, Jefferson, Whitefield and Chelsea Elementary participates in the contest through their art department. The selected winners come to the club house with their parents and display their art work. A winner is chosen to go on to the district competition. Since the Lion’s Club was not able to hold its competition, they agreed they would contribute to each of the schools art departments hoping to resume the Peace Poster Contest next year.
Teacher Charles Besse plays ball with students at the original Jefferson Village School. Notice that the bats are boards and there are no gloves to be seen. The girls, most with hats and aprons look on. The building still stands in the North Village across from the apartment building which used to be Hoffses and later, Marshall Holmes’s store.
This photo is one of almost 50 vintage photos in the 2020 calendar showing people having fun in ‘the good old days.’ The calendar also has important contact numbers for residents. They cost $10 and may be ordered by calling 549-5258 or 549-5592. (contributed photo)