Individual Details

Martin Mower

(1 Jun 1791 - 16 Aug 1877)

Events

Birth1 Jun 1791Greene, Androscoggin, Maine
Census4 Aug 1800Greene, Kennebec (now Androscoggin), Maine
Descriptionthe tallest of the family, with a powerful muscular frame.
Census6 Aug 1810Greene, Kennebec (now Androscoggin), Maine
Marriage20 Oct 1814Lewiston, Androscoggin, Maine - Mary "Polly" Underhill
Census7 Aug 1820Starks, Somerset, Maine
Census1 Jun 1830Starks, Somerset, Maine
Occupationat various times, a farmer, a lumberman and a steamboat owner/operator - Maine
Census1 Jun 1840Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio NoteTo provide a glimpse of Martin Mower, I'll defer to the entry in Walter Mower's Mower Family History. He states that "Martin's ambition, which knew no bound, was to obtain wealth, by large transactions. He first commenced on a farm in New Vineyard. His method of clearing was original. In 19 days he notched the trees on 15 acres and a strong wind laid all prostrate in an hour. Finding farming and clearing too small business for him, with two or three others, he bought part of a township of Dead River and for two winters devoted himself to logging. He built a saw mill in Georgetown at Robin Hood Cove for the purpose of working up his lumber, but the enterprise proved a failure and unsuccessful. The snow upon which he calculated for water supply wasted away so gradually that no freshet resulted and his largest logs refused to float to his mill. He next built a steamboat, the 'Experiment,' and ran it himself on the Kennebec from Bath to Augusta - the first one that plied on these waters. Made his first testing trip to Gardiner by night; as he said 'using the cover of darkness to conceal what defects and failures might be found on board.' The experiment was, however, a decided success, but current stories were told of the queeer impressions produced on the unsuspecting by the strange puffing and whistling in the night. Subsequently he sold this boat for $5,000. Used it to tow vessels becalmed at the mouth of the river to port. Transported lumber from Brunswick, and carried from Qunicy, Mass., a portion of the granite from which Bunker Hill Monument is made. By turns he was rich and poor. At last, after having lived in 12 different places, settled in Bangor, Me., cleared a large farm, kept tavern for several years, built a meetinghouse and parsonage on his own land, and spent the evening of his days with his son George on the farm."
Census1 Jun 1850Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note25 Sep 1850Martin spoke to the Penobscot Agricultural Society meeting, held in conjunction with the annual Cattle Show. - Exeter, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note22 Oct 1850Martin was the subject of a follow-up article in the Bangor Daily Whig and Courier regarding his address at the September meeting of the Penobscot Agricultural Show
Bio Note25 Jan 1851Martin Mower gave his first lesson on Agricultural Geology, Chemistry and Philosophy - South School House on Pushaw Road, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note27 Jan 1851Martin had a statement on stock feeding published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note4 Mar 1851Martin had a letter to the editor published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier regarding teaching of agricultural science in the new school at Glenburn, Maine.
Bio Note20 Dec 1851Martin had an article regarding manure published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier
Bio Note12 Feb 1852Martin is mentioned in an article in the Bangor Whig & Courier related to agricultural education.
Bio Note25 Mar 1852Martin gave a lecture on agricultural education - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note29 Sep 1852Martin was one of the judges tasked with examination and awarding premiums on sheep and swine at the Penobscot Agricultural Society's Cattle Show - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Election3 Jan 1853to the Penobscot Agicultural Society's Committe on Stock for the upcoming year, serving with Henry Butman of Dixmont and Stephen D. Jennings of Garland. - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note1 Apr 1853Martin Mower likely was in attendance at a Mass Meeting of Farmers - Kenduskeag Union Meeting House, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note2 May 1853Martin Mower referred a petition to the Bangor City Council for a hearse and hearse house for the use of Kenduskeag Union Parish - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio NoteSep 1853Martin was awarded third prize in the Penobscot Agricultural Society's examination of farms - Penobscot County, Maine
Bio Note4 Oct 1853Martin, along with fellow Committe of the Penobscot Agricultural Society on Stock Lowell Marston and Stephen Jennings, reported on the year's awarding of premiums - Penobscot County, Maine
Bio Note1854Martin served on the Penobscot Agricultural Society's Committee on Crops - Penobscot County, Maine
Election13 Mar 1854as one of three common councilmen for Ward 5, along with John S. Sayward and Joseph R. Lumbert - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Election27 Mar 1854a Surveyor of Lumber and a Fence Viewer and Field Driver, as was also appointed,,along with John S. Sayward and Francis J. Cummings, to the Committee on Elections, - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note17 Apr 1854a petition was presented to the City Council by Phillip Morrill, et als. to have Glenburn road straightened and the hill near Martin Mower's house graded (petition was referred to the Committee on Streets and Highways) - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note7 Aug 1854the City Council passed an order to cut down the hill north of Martin Mower's house - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note31 Dec 1854Martin was re-elected to serve on the Penoboscot Agricultural Society's Committee on Crops for upcoming year,, along with Isaac Case of Kenduskeag and William Grinnell on Exeter - Penobscot County, Maine
Election1 Jan 1855a Vice-President of the Penobscot Agricultural Society for the ensuing year at the society's annual meeting - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note12 Mar 1855Martin ran for a seat as Councilman in Ward V. - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Election3 Dec 1855a Vice-President of the Penobscot Agricultural Society's Committee for a second term - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note29 Apr 1856Martin Mower, et als., petitioned the City Council for a new street - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Election31 May 1856member of the Bangor Horticultural Society's Committee on Vegetables, serving on that committee with William C. Crosby and Ephraim Goodale Jr. - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note3 Nov 1856a petition of Martin Mower, for a road from Union Meeting House in Glenburn to Essex Street in Bangor, was presented and referred to committee - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Election30 May 1857a member of the Committee on Vegetables at the annual meeting of the Bangor Horticultural Society - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note17 Nov 1857Martin won a judgment against William Day for rent in the amount of $56.88. - Supreme Judicial Court, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Marriage10 Jun 1858the residence of J. G. Remick, Esq.,, Stillwater, Washington, Minnesota - Philinda Fuller
Census4 Jul 1860Marine, Washington, Minnesota
Bio Note17 Mar 1862Mayor Isaiah Stetson mentioned the Mower farm in his inaugural address - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note7 Aug 1865a petition was presented of Martin Mower and others relating to the burying ground at North Bangor, said petition was referred to the Committee on Streets - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note29 Nov 1866legal notice regarding the plan for a "Pushaw Canal" was published in the Bangor Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note14 Jan 1867a petition by Martin Mower and others regarding the Pushaw Lake to Kenduskeag Stream canal was presented and referred - the Maine Legislature, Augusta, Kennebec, Maine
Bio Note15 Jan 1867Mr. Gilman of Orono requested that the petition of Martin Mower and others concerning the construction of a canal be returned from the Senate - the Maine Legislature, Augusta, Kennebec, Maine
Bio Note16 Jan 1867petitions in aid of Martin Mower were presented to the House and referred - the Maine Legislature, Augusta, Kennebec, Maine
Bio Note17 Jan 1867two different remonstrances against the petition of Martin Mower and others were presented to the House, along with a petition from the Penobscot Indians concerning same. - the Maine Legislature, Augusta, Kennebec, Maine
Bio Note22 Jan 1867Petitions for and against Martin Mower's petition for a canal were presented to the House. - the Maine Legislature, Augusta, Kennebec, Maine
Bio Note2 Feb 1867Legislative Notice regarding Martin Mower's petition was published in the Bangor Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note15 Feb 1867the House of Reprsentatives heard a report from Interior Waters, advising leave to withdraw on petition of Martin Mower and others relating to the waters of Pushaw Pond and the several petitions and remonstrances on the same subject - the Maine Legislature, Augusta, Kennebec, Maine
Bio Note6 May 1867the Common Council referred a proposition of Martin Mower for removing night soil in the city to Overseers of Poor - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note27 Aug 1867a survey of Pushaw Lake and surrounding lands was undertaken - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note6 Sep 1867received 1 vote in the Republican Caucus for Representative to the Legistature - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note2 Dec 1867the City Council voted in favor of Martin Mower's plan for a canal from Pushaw Lake to Kenduskeag Stream, for manufacturing purposes - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note4 Dec 1867a legal notice regarding the Pushaw Lake and Canal was published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note6 Dec 1867an editorial on the Pushaw Canal Project appeared in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note11 Dec 1867an editorial response on the Pushaw Canal Project was published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note14 Dec 1867a Letter to the Editor regarding the Pushaw Canal Project was published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note24 Dec 1867A Letter to the Editor regarding the Pushaw Canal Project was published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note23 Jan 1868the petition of Martin Mower, et. als for authority to construct a canal from Pushaw Lake to Kenduskeag River was presented in the Maine Senate where it was referred.
Bio Note22 Oct 1869Martin Mower was in attendance at the Board of Agricultural meeting where he made a public comment on a report from the Committee on Potato Exhibition. - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Census1 Jun 1870listed as a 79 year old white male in the household of George Mower - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Bio Note9 Sep 1870Martin participated in the Bangor Horticultural Society's Annual Exhibition - City Hall, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Death16 Aug 1877Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
BurialMaple Grove Cemetery, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine

Families

SpouseMary "Polly" Underhill (1795 - 1857)
ChildJohn Edwards Mower (1815 - 1879)
ChildOren Mower (1817 - 1842)
ChildMartin Mower (1819 - 1890)
ChildEmily Mower (1820 - 1917)
ChildSeward Porter Mower (1822 - 1850)
ChildHorace Mower (1825 - 1847)
ChildGeorge Mower (1827 - 1880)
ChildWilliam Henry Mower (1829 - 1870)
ChildMary Jane Mower (1830 - 1921)
ChildAngeline Mower (1833 - 1860)
ChildCynthia Marie Mower (1834 - 1862)
ChildAnn Trafton Mower (1836 - 1858)
ChildCharles Snell Mower (1838 - 1844)
SpousePhilinda Fuller (1806 - 1861)
FatherJohn Mower (1759 - 1854)
MotherElisabeth Edwards (1764 - 1836)
SiblingJohn Mower (1782 - 1829)
SiblingElizabeth Mower (1784 - 1807)
SiblingJabez Mower (1787 - 1871)
SiblingPamelia Mower (1789 - 1866)
SiblingSewall Mower (1793 - 1794)
SiblingLeonard Mower (1795 - 1877)
SiblingJemima Mower (1797 - 1895)
SiblingCynthia Mower (1799 - 1824)
SiblingCalvin Mower (1799 - 1873)
SiblingOliver Mower (1802 - 1892)
SiblingJosiah Mower (1805 - 1869)

Notes

Census

The John Moore [sic] household was enumerated on the 1800 census. Individual members other than the head of household are not individually named. A comparison of the ages of the family members with number shown in the various age brackets appear to include all members of the family that would have been in the household at the census date. The total household consisted of 11 members. I believe the corresponding members of the household as enumerated were: (a) 2 free white males under the age of 10 [Leonard aged 5 and Calvin aged 1]; (b) 2 free white males aged 10 to 15 [Jabez aged 13 and Martin aged 9]; (c) 1 free white male aged 16 to 25 [John Jr. aged 17]; (d) 1 free white male aged 26 to 44 [John aged 41]; (e) 2 free white females under the age of 10 [Jemima aged 3 and Cynthia aged 1]; (f) 1 free white femaled aged 10 to 15 [Pamelia aged 11]; (g) 1 free white female aged 16 to 25 [Elizabeth aged 15]; and (h) 1 free white female aged 25 to 44 [Elisabeth aged 36].

Census

The John Mower household was enumerated on the 1810 census. Individual members other than the head of household are not individually named. A comparison of the ages of the family members with number shown in the various age brackets appear to include all members of the family that would have been in the household at the census date (unmarried living children). The total household consists of 7 members. I believe the corresponding members of the household as enumerated were: (a) 2 free white males under the age of 10 [Oliver aged 8 and Josiah aged 5]; (b) 2 free white males aged 10 to 15 [Leonard aged 15 and Calvin aged 11]; (c) 1 free white male aged 16 to 25 [Martin aged 19]; (d) 1 free white male aged 45 and older [John aged 51]; (e) 2 free white females aged 10 to 15 [Jemima aged 13 and Cynthia aged 11]; and (f) 1 free white female aged 45 and over [Elisabeth aged 46].

Marriage

They were married by Daniel Read, Esq.

Census

The Martin Moore [sic] household was enumerated on the 1820 census. Individual members other than the head of household are not individually named. A comparison of the ages of the family members with number shown in the various age brackets appear to include all members of the family at the census date, however there are two additional young females that I can not identify at this time. I believe the corresponding members of the household as enumerated were: (a) 3 free white males under 10 years of age [John aged 4, Oren aged 3, and Martin Jr. aged 1]; (b) 1 free white males of 26 years of age and under 45 [Martin, aged 29]; (c) 1 free white females under 10 years of age [unidentified]; (d) 1 free white females of 10 years of aged and under 16 [unidentified]; (e) 1 free white females of 16 years of age and under 26 [Mary aged 25].

Census

The Martin Mower household was enumerated on the 1830 census. Individual members other than the head of household are not individually named. A comparison of the ages of the family members with number shown in the various age brackets appear to include all members of the family at the census date, however it appears that the counts for the males are in the column to the right of where I would have expect them to be in order to match up with actual ages. The total household consists of 10 members which agrees with my records. With that caveat, I believe the corresponding members of the household as enumerated were: (a) 2 free white males of 5 years of age and under 10 [George aged 3 and William aged 1]; (b) 2 free white males of age 10 and under 14 [Seward aged 7 and Horace aged 5]; (c) 3 free white males of age 15 and under 19 [John aged 14, Oren aged 13, and Martin Jr. aged 11]; (d) 1 free white male of age 40 and under 49 [Martin aged 39]; (e) 1 free white female of age 5 and under 9 [Emily aged 9]; and (f) 1 free white female of age 30 and under 39 [Mary aged 35].

Census

The Martin Moore [sic] household was enumerated on the 1840 census. Individual members other than the head of household are not individually named. A comparison of the ages of the family members with number shown in the various age brackets appear to include all members of the family at the census date, with the exception of Martin's wife Mary who does not appear. A couple individuals appear to be included in the wrong brackets, but their ages are near the cutoff ages. The total household consists of 15 members which agrees with my records for the family at the census date, however as stated Mary does not appear to be included and a additional male of age 20-29, perhaps a hired hand, is included. I believe the corresponding members of the household as enumerated were: (a) 1 free white male under the age of 5 [Charles aged 2]; (b) 3 free white males of 10 years of age and under 15 [Horace aged 15, George aged 13 and William aged 11]; (c) 1 free white male of age 15 and under 19 [Seward aged 17]; (d) 4 free white males of age 20 and under 29 [John aged 24, Oren aged 23, Martin aged 21 and an unidentified individual]; (f) 1 free white male of age 50 and under 59 [Martin aged 49]; (g) 1 free white female under age 5 [Ann aged 3]; (h) 3 free white females of aged 5 and under 9 [Mary Jane aged 9, Angeline aged 7 and Cynthia aged 5]; and (i) 1 free white female of age 15 and under 19 [Emily aged 19].

Census

Martin Mower was enumerated as head of household, a 59 year old male, a farmer owning real estate valued at $1,500, and his place of birth listed as Maine. Other members of his household were Mary Mower, George Mower, Angeline Mower, Maria Mower, Ann M. Mower, and James Moore.

Bio Note

At the well-attended meeting in the church, several reports of sub-committees were read. The president called upon several men present, and Capt. Martin Mower of Bangor addressed the gathering, as did Nathaniel Wilson, Esq. of Orono, David Barker, Esq. of Exeter and Samuel H. Blake, Esq. of Bangor. In the words of the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier, these "were listened to with evident satisfaction by the large and intelligent audience present." Based upon a follow-up article in the same newspaper, it appears the subject of Martin Mower's talk was about cooking manure.

Bio Note

"In the remarks of Capt. Martin Mower of this city, at the Penobscot Agricultural Show, there was a great fund of valuable practical information upon this subject of cooking manures, which we fear was not fully understood and appreciated. The speaker endeavored to give the why and the how and in this order. It would have been better in a popular audience, such as was there assembled, to have given distinctly and consecutively the how and have left the why for another occasion, or for a brief suming [sic] up. One fact he stated of much interest, that by his method of cooking manure he had no difficulty in reducing bones in one year to an impalpable powder, thoroughly mixed with his compost or held in his liquid manure. There can be no doubt, we think, that even with his imperfect and somewhat clumsy manner of treating his compost manures, he derives very great advantage to his soil. We have seen full evidence of this in an examination of his fields and his crops. He has the true idea about the necessity of cooking manures, and he will be able by and by, with his improvements, to bring the labor of his processes into better shape. The compost heap made of muck, leaves, saw dust, stable manure, offal and other organic matters, should be frequently saturated with a liquid made of lime slacked with salt water, plaster, soot, ashes, charcoal dust, night soil, urine, soap suds, and all the waste liquid made in a swelling, spent lye of soap, &ce. This liquid passing through the heap, not only imparts virtue to the materials in the heap, but insures entire decomposition of the whole. The compost thus made and frequently turned over, becomes fit food for plants and performs the double office of decomposing other substances in the soil and rendering them useful, which otherwise would remain for a long time inert, without such treatment."

Bio Note

This is according to a notice published in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier on 23 January 1851. Martin was assisted by Dr. Lowell Marston and students from abroad were invited, tuition gratis. He believed this school would be interesting, instructive and pleasant. The paper opined that this Free Evening School was a bold but much needed movement in the agricultural community. The paper also asserting that both Martin Mower and Dr. Marston were competent instructors, believing it an honor that they were "willing to devote themselves to the labors and responsibilities of teaching a large class of young farmers in the science and practice of agriculture." It was reported that Martin Mower had been for some time actively engaged in the principles of agricultural chemistry, having met great success in composting of manures for plant fertilization.

Bio Note

"I have raised, the last season, one thousand bu. English rutabaga turnips at a cost satisfactory, and placed them in a cellar so constructed and ventilated as to keep them in perfect good order, at one end of which there is a cooking apartment where I have set a potash kettle covered steam-tight, which holds four bushels of turnips. To cook the turnips I add to them two pails of water, fetch them to a boil, and then close the furnace door. The following morning they are thoroughly cooked, and are then put into a half hogshead tub with one pint of salt, and masted to the consistence and appearance of pumpkin prepared to put into paste for pies. In this state they are given hot to twelve cows and a horse and devoured voraciously. In addition to this I give them as much straw and coarse hay as they will eat clean. I give this, not as the result, but to elicit the views of your correspondents in conducting an experiment of favorable result. I ought to have said that the steam is carried some forty feet through a wooden pipe and condensed in the fodder, in the middle of the barn floor."

Bio Note

His letter read as follows: Mr. Editor, As some of your readers may be anxious to learn the prospects of our infant school in Glenburn, we will give a sketch: Our number is small, but we are united. Our greatest difficulty is the lack of text books, to which, we take Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry as our general authority, aided by the Farmer's Mine, Muck Manual, &c, and here we have been retarded - not finding them in the city - but this difficulty is being removed as the book dealers are getting them abroad. Our course of lessons thus far has been - 1st. The names and properties of all the elements that enter into vegetable and animal life, and the principles adopted by chemists in naming, (or chemical nomenclature.) 2d. The combinations of the elements, their equivalent proportions, and their derivitive names affixed to them. 3d. The four organic elements, their properties and relation to vegetable growth, their locatlity, &c. 4th. The ten inorganic elements, their combinations, and re-combinations, their locality and tendency. Our manner of instruction, is to take a subject (a chapter in Johnston for instance.) and state what we conceive to be the facts in the case, as a lawyer would state his case to a court and jury, which the scholars carefully take down in their notebooks and study the subject, or chapter for evidence and arguments, to be reviewed at the next school. Thus we intend to surmount every difficulty. Should any of your numerous readers wish to hear further from us, if they will call near West Market Square and obtain, and read the books above referred to that they may be able to judge the merits or demerits of our exertions; they may have access to manuscripts through your medium. If any of your numerous correspondents can tell where we can obtain text books we so much want, they will confer a favor.

Bio Note

The article was a republication from the "Maine Farmer." It read: I use my shed cellar, which is twenty by thirty fee, and eight feet deep, having a vat at the end adjoining the main cellar, twelve by fourteen fee, and three feet deep. The compost heap is constructed by a layer of straw or coarse litter on a girdle, formed after the Bomer method; then a layer of horse or sheep manure; then other long manure, orts, bedding straw, and all the course material about the premises, with about an equal quantity of much, intermingling with these all the old horses and other animals which have died by accident or otherwise which I can collect. I put them in whole or in pieces, as most convenient, which night-soil and coal-dust, salting down with lime, plaster, ashes and common salt, being careful to keep the mass well saturated from my vat, (to prevent fire-fanging.) and to have a circulation of air under and around the heap. In about fifteen days I take out from twelve to twenty cords of manure of a quality varying according to the materials used, and the skill and judgment of the operator. It comes out all decomposed, except the bones, which I carefully pile in one corner of the cellar., salting them down with lime and plaster, slightly covered with ashes, muck, &c. By the next spring, they too are decomposed. I make my compost heap the last of April or the first of May. The liquor from the vat (the cream of the whole) is very convenient to saturate the muck heaps, which been lying for a year or two at different points in the field, where they are used. "All forms that perish, other forms supply." Farm animals are natural manure factories, and the heighth of my ambition is to imitate nature. It will be readily perceived that to chemically change a mass of such gross materials, by high fermentation, in the short space of fifteen days, into vegetable food, containing the due proportions of elements to supply the wants of the growing vegetation, without a surplus of any one element, will require both scientific knowledge and a correct judgment. To give the whys and wherefores in a newspaper article, would be assuming too much. I must therefore refer the reader to my remarks on study, a former article. The article is dated Nov. 26, 1851.

Bio Note

In an article by John S. Sayward, Editor, entitled "Improvements in Agriculture," there is discussion about the proposal of several states to establish State-sponsored Agricultural Schools, as well as the selection and introduction of related text books into use by common schools. The author indicates encouragement after examination of one such book - "a small text book, laid upon our table by Martin Mower, Esq., of the city, a prominent farmer, and who has himself, overcome, by a careful study of larger and more difficult scientific works, the embarrassments which now clog so many in the reading of the reports we have referred to and other works on scientific agriculture." The book referred to is a Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology by Professor Johnson; a book that Martin had previously promoted in a letter to the editor of the same newspaper. It is the hope of the newspaper that town statewide will look at this work and bring it into school curriculum, to give new interest and result in future agricultural improvements.

Bio Note

According to an announcement in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier - "We learn that Martin Mower, Esq., a practical farmer, and a devoted interrogator of Nature, and a friend of true science, is to deliver a public lecture at the City Hall in this city, on Thursday evening next, on the subject of agricultural education. Mr. Mower is of the opinion that the elementary principles of the science of Chemistry may be taught in the Common Schools of the State, and this subject, among others, will probably be elucidated in the lecture. We trust there will be a general attendance, as we feel confident that many valuable suggestions will be made.

Bio Note

Martin, along with Jacob Mann and T[homas] W. Gibbs, awarded $4.00 twice to Col. John Dunning of Charleston. Once for the best buck, he having showed three Leicester Bucks and being the only ones shown, and secondly to the best six ewes (of the same breed). The committee also awarded $2.00 twice to A. Dunbar of Bangor for the best boar and the best breeding sow (with six piglets).

Bio Note

According to an article in the Bangor Whig & Courier: We publish to-day, the proceedings of a Mass Meeting of Farmers, held on Friday last, at the Kenduskeag Union Meeting House. It is a cheering aspect of of the times, that the farmers in Penobscot county are moving in the matter of elevating their profession, in seeking out the causes of depression and applying proper remedies. The meeting was held in a vicinity where great agricultural improvements have been made within a few years, and great profit realized from the study of Chemistry, applicable to agriculture and the use of compost for enriching the land. One farmer in the vicinity has stated to us that he felt that he had acquired his agricultural education within four years, and in that time, by reason of that education, has brought his farm to yield him a clear annual profit of over eight hundred dollar a year, besides greatly improving its value for future crops, and the setting of young fruit trees. This result has been mainly brought about by the new modes of feeding stock and increasing the quantity and value of fertilizers, and particularly in the use of liquid and fermented manure. This shows what can be done by an earnest attention to scientific laws and their application to the labor of life. Few professions or callings pay more liberally than this farmer's business. The improvement on his farm is more than equal to the interest on his capital and his business has supported his family and given him a profit of more than eight hundred dollars for the last year. He makes no secret of the manner of doing this, but is rather anxious that every farmer in the State may do as well and believes that he may if he goes rightly at work. It will be seen on referring to the resolutions that they propose holding a Mass Meeting at the Kenduskeag Union Meeting House, on the 4th day of July next, for the purpose of discussion, and the dedication of the day to those matters which shall secure the personal independence of farmers. We have watched with much interest the efforts which have been made by the people in the neighborhood of the Kenduskeag Union Meeting House, to cause the study of agricultural chemistry to be studied and understood for the pupils in the public schools and the farmer at his home; and we are satisfied that every young farmer may easily and should certainly become acquainted with this subject on his first entrance upon life. It is a study which may and ought to introduced into the common schools of the country, and to aid which, there are suitable text books already prepared. It is desirable that there should be an increase of interest in these matters until everyone shall know how to make farming profitable and pleasant. The Commissioner of agriculture is disposed to do his part in helping forward this cause, and Capt. Martin Mower, of this city, has labored in it for a number of years with great zeal and success.

Bio Note

As reported in the Bangor Whig & Courier - The Committee appointed to examine Farms entered for the Society's premium for the year 1853, having attended to that duty would beg leave to report: That the whole number of farms entered, were five, by the following persons, by Martin Mower of Bangor; E. H. Gibbs, Lowell Marston, and James Parker of Glenburn; and E. F. Crane of Kenduskeag. In the examination of these farms, your committee were much gratified, in finding them in a prosperous and flourishing condition, notwithstanding the last three successive dry seasons, that have exerted such an unfavorable influence on farming operations. The first farm examined was that of E. F. Crane, containing about 110 acres of land, and about 70 under improvement; that is, to mowing, pasturing and tillage. The crops on this farm, excepting the hay crop, the convenience of buildings, the privilege and convenience of water for the house and barns; the orchard and the improved breed of swine, were equal and perhaps superior to any other examined. The second farm examined was that of Martin Mower, containing 100 acres of land. The soil of this farm is of a very superior character and in all parts of it, very similar. It is capable of making one of the best of farms, as doubtless it will under the control and management of Mr. Mower, its owner; who being well versed in agricultural science, makes this knowledge available to practical purposes of agriculture. In manufacturing manure, Mr. Mower has few equals and less superiors. The hay crop on this farm was tolerably good, and the turnip crop very superior. The third farm was that of E. H. Gibbs, containing 125 acres of land, principally to mowing and pasturing. His barn was well filled with hay. On this farm which but a few years ago was grown up to bushes, unproductive and comparatively in a state of barrenness, now, by his energy and perserverance, has the appearance of neatness and thrift. The fourth farm examined was that of Dr. Lowell Marston, containing 125 acres, mostly improved. This farm deserves particular attention. It consists of a variety of soils, which for descriptive purposes we will divide into high land, low land, and meadow land. The high land is used for pasturing. The lower land is laid up into sinks or beds, with an even curve, resembling a turnpike, and thirty six feet wide. This portion of the farm is under a high state of cultivation, producing from two to three tons of hay to the acre. The meadow land is improved and rendered more productive by the draining process. There were the most perfect specimens of ditches we ever saw, producing the most satisfactory results; some of them were 60 or 79 rods in length, from two and a half feet deep, and to appearance perfectly straight. The turnpike that runs from the buildings through the farm, the fences, the sheds and cellars, for manufacturing and protecting manure, and whatever pertains to the management of the farm, were done in a workmanlike manner, and bore the appearance of order and neatness. The fifth and last farm examined was the one presented by James Parker, Esq. of Glenburn, containing 140 acres. This was a very good farm, and with the energy and perseverance possessed by Mr. Parker thirty years ago, he would make it a pattern farm: and although Mr. Parker is on the down hill of life, yet his barns were filled with hay, his orchards with delicious fruit, and his flocks and herds in his fields, more than convinced us that he retained all of the judgment and prudence, and much of the vigor of his more youthful days. The claims with some of the competitors were so equally ballanced [sic], it was with difficulty that your committee could determine to whom they should award the premium; but after a patient and careful examination and comparison, they at length came to the conclusion to award the Society's first premium To Lowell Marston of Glenburn, for the best farm, $8. Second best to E. F. Crane of Kenduskeag, $4. Third, to Martin Mower of Bangor, $2. Respectfully submitted, Per order, E. F. Crane.

Bio Note

The Bangor Whig & Courier published the committee's report for awards of $1 to $3 presented in various categories, such as best pair of working oxen, best stallion, best breeding mare, best improved bull, etc. It is reported that due to inclemency of weather, the amount of stock participating was small, yet they were gratified to see the stock present "fat and sleek,"

Bio Note

On 6 January 1855, the committee reported that they had examined several certificates relating to the competition for the Society's premiums on Crops, awards being from $1 to $3. The various crops recognized were wheat, Indian corn, barley, oats and peas, winter rye, potatoes, beans and carrots. The committee further reported that in light of the reports, the season being on of the dryest, believe that Maine "might and ought to be a self-sufficient states, so far as bread for man and provender for brute are concerned, instead of sending annually the immense sums to the South and West for those staples. They further speculated that Maine's pine forests, on which reliance was placed to purchase those staples, cannot be expected to last forever; urging that attention needed to be focus on sustaining agricultural lands for the state's own production.

Election

In convention, the Bangor City Council chose subordinate officers. There were a total of 20 Surveyors of Lumber chosen - Francis J. Cummings, Albert Dale, Ira Dunbar, B. F. St. Clair, William Frost, John Meservey, Atherton Pratt, Charles Sawtelle, Joseph Fogg, Orlando P. Sawtelle, John M. Lord, Nathaniel Pierce, Jonathan Young, W. T. Pearson, Daniel Kimball, Martin Mower, Mark Webster, Herman Fisher, Samuel Thurston, and Asa H. Norton. There were three Fence Viewers and Field Drivers named: Martin Mower, Chandler Cobb, and N. A. Mathess.

Bio Note

The elections were held at the annual meeting of the society, held in Bangor, Maine.

Election

William Grinnell of Exeter was also elected as a Vice-President. Isaac Case of Kenduskeag was elected President.

Bio Note

There were six candidates for three seats. Martin received 140 votes, however that positioned him tied for fourth. Elected that year were Reuben Bagley with 226 votes, Arad Thompson with 205, and John S. Sayward with 198 votes. Tied with Martin was J. R. Lumbert, with Hiram H. Fogg trailing with 116 votes.

Election

William Grinnell of Exeter was also re-elected as a Vice-President. Isaac Case of Kenduskeag was re-elected as President. Martin, William and Isaac were also re-elected to serve on the Committee on Crops for the ensuing year.

Election

Martin had served on the same committee the previous year as he is listed in the announcement of the society's Annual Exhibition held at City Hall on Thursday, 18 September 1856, through the following day.Prizes ranging from $.50 to $3 being awarded for best display of melons, tomatoes, squash, cauliflower, berries, honey, and the like. Serving on the committee for 1856 along with Martin were William C. Crosby and Ephraim Goodale, Jr.

Marriage

They were married by Justice R. Lehmicke, Justice of the Peace.

Census

Martin was enumerated as a 69 year old male, a farmer, no values listed for real estate or personal estate, and his birthplace shown as Maine. Other members of his household were Philolinda Mower, Amos Hill, and Daniel P. Hill.

Bio Note

Mayor Stetson noted that "among the largest expenditures of the past year was one for the construction of a stone bridge over the brook at the Mower farm on the Glenburn road. This cost about $700, and will probably require no considerable repairs for the next half century."

Bio Note

"To the Hon. Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Maine, in Legislature assembled: The undersigned citizens of Bangor, respectfully pray that they and their associates may be incorporated into a Company for the purpose of construcing a canal from Pushaw Lake to the Kenduskeag stream, so as to connect the waters of the two, and also to use the same as a water-power, and to navigate the same with steam-boats and other craft, with full power to accomplish the above objects. /signed/ Martin Mower, George Mower, Morse & Co. Bangor, Nov. 29, 1866.

Bio Note

Mr. Plaisted of Bangor presented the petition to the House of Representatives, with the accompanying bill, "for authority to construct a canal from Pushaw Lake in Orono to the Kenduskeag river in Bangor, so as to connect the waters of the two; of the mayor and aldermen and 200 others, citizens of Bangor, in aid of the same; of George W. Mower and 142 others, in aid of the same."

Bio Note

In the House of Representatives, Mr. Gilman, after requesting the return of the petition from the Senate, moved that the vote referring the petition to the committee on railroads, ways and bridges be reconsidered. The motion was carried and the petition was referred to the Interior Waters, with similar type petitions.

Bio Note

Mr. Plaisted of Bangor presented a petition of Charles Hayward and 284 others. Mr. Libbey of Bradford likewise presented a petition of the selectmen of Bradford and 23 others in aid of Martin Mower.

Bio Note

Mr. Hartwell of Old Town presented a petition of the Penobscot Indians for protection of their islands against damages for laying logs therein, as well as a remonstrance of Henry Richardson and others of Old Town against the petition of Martin Mower and others. Mr. Gilman of Orono presented a remonstrance of Gideon Mayo and 42 others against petition of Martin Mower.

Bio Note

Mr. Plaisted of Bangor presented the petitions of Rufus Robinson and 38 others, of C. R. Merrill and 193 others, and of Alfred Smith and 42 others, in aid of the petition of Martin Mower. Mr. Hartwell of Old Town presented remonstrances of A. B. Sutton and others, of J. H. Gould and others, and of J. D. Gove and others, against the petition of Martin Mower.

Bio Note

The Committee on Interior Waters scheduled a hearing "on petition of Martin Mower and others, for authority to build a canal from Pushaw Lake to Kenduskeag River, on Wednesday, February 13th, at 2 1/2 o'clock P.M." Chairmen of the committee were J. W. Porter and John Berry.

Bio Note

"A survey of said [Pushaw} lake and surrounding lands will be commenced on Tuesday next, 27th inst., with reference to the question of a canal from the Lake to Kenduskeag Stream. While the survey is in progress the public generally are invited to be present, and for that purpose an arrangement has been made with Mr. Morrill, of the Perch House, to furnish boats to such as may desire it, free of charge. Tickets for the same may be had at M. L. Morrill's, or of the subscriber. /signed/ Martin Mower. Bangor, August 21st, 1867.

Bio Note

The Republican Caucus was held at City Hall for the purpose of nominating three candidates for Representatives to Legislature and to select a City Committee. By motion, Arad Thompson Esq and Gen. H. M. Plaisted were both nominated by acclamation. The caucus then went to ballot for the third candidate, 349 ballots being cast. Seven individuals received votes; Martin Mower being one, but receiving just 1 vote. None received enough votes to win the ballot, so a second ballot was cast and J. W. Palmer Esq. was declared the third candidate for Legislature.

Bio Note

"To the Hon. Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Maine, in Legislature assembled. The undersigned, citizens of Bangor, respectfully pray that they, and their associates, may be incorporated into a Company for the purpose of constructing a canal from Pushaw Lake to the Kenduskeag stream, so as to use the same as a water power, and navigate the same with steamboats and other craft, with full power to accomplish the above object. /signed/ Martin Mower, George Mower and Morse & Co."

Bio Note

"For a number of years the people of Bangor and vicinity, have been aware that Pushaw Lake, containing some twelve miles of water, might in some manner be made of benefit to this city, but it has not been till recently, that facts have been elicited in regard to it, which show conclusively that at a comparatively small expense, Bangor can be materially benefited by a canal from the southern end of the lake to the Kenduskeag stream, within the city limits. In a swamp called the Bulk-head, near the southern extremity of the lake, arises a stream of water called Mower's Brook, which flowing through an extent of meadow for several miles, crosses the road leading from Bangor to Glenburn, and thence to the Kenduskeag stream, at a point between Merrill's Mills and six miles from the Penobscot river. A scientific survey made by Mr. Coombs, the City Engineer, of the lake and its surroundings, demonstrates that the difference in elevation between the waters of the lake and the mouth of the brook where it enters Kenduskeag stream, to be fifty-six feet, and also that this brook is without doubt, the natural outlet to the sheet of water. The present outlet leaves the lake near its northern extremity and empties into the Penobscot river at a point near the village of Upper Stillwater. The bed of this outlet a short distance after leaving the lake, is so near its surface at an ordinary low stage of water, and the surplus water of the lake flows through it is so small, that the stream fails at a very early season of the year. About three miles from the lake a large body of Water called Dead Stream, enters the outlet, and the fall between the lake and the point where Dead Stream enters the outlet, is so slight, that in time of high water, a portion of the current flows back up the outlet into the lake. A dam constructed below the mouth of Dead Stream, and thereby overflowing a great extent of half submerged meadow country connecting with another lake called Mead Pond, will materially increase the present reservoir of Pushaw. By retaining this large body of water till the waters of the Kenduskeag begin to fall and letting it on through the proposed canal, a continual water power on the Kenduskeag will be obtained. A great public highway will also be opened, whereby the produce of numerous localities within twenty and thirty miles of Bangor, for the greater portion of the year can be transported by means of water craft to within the city limits at much less expense than that undergone at present. The advantages to be derived from this enterprize [sic] are great, and will accrue in such a manner to the benefit of this city, that it appears strange that it should have been so long neglected. It is an enterprise that can be accomplished at a comparatively small expense and the benefits to be derived from it are certainly very great. The City Government have become aware that unless this water-power is secured to Bangor other communities who have not the facilities to derive half the benefits from it that we have will obtain it, and have requested our representatives to assist in securing a charter at the next session of the Legislature for the object proposed. Every citizen of Bangor is interested in the success of this undertaking, and a want of public spirit will certainly be mainfested if any other community is allowed to obtain that which is taken advantage of by the citizens of Bangor, will so much increase its wealth, population and influence."

Bio Note

"We comply with a request to publish the following - being willing that both sides should be heard. Orono, Dec. 7th, 1867. Messrs Wheeler & Lynde: Our attention has been called to an article in your paper of the 6th, with the heading of "The Pushaw Canal Project," and apparently editorial, but the style and expressions are not quite natural, and to a constant reader of your editorials, would scarcely be recognized as original. It looks and sounds as though a new hand stood at the "bellows" - certainly some individual not sufficiently careful of facts as to the Pushaw Lake, its outlet and surroundings. That certain individuals, such as the owners of the land over which such a canal might be made, and tge owners of the water power upon the Kenduskeag, in Bangor, might be benefited, perhaps made rich, if such a scheme could be carried through, there is no doubt. As a speculation, if the Legislature of the State of Maine should dare open such a gate, it would, beyond questions, be magnificent, and by enterprise and the expenditure of a large amount of money, must add immensely to the business and growth of Bangor. The writer of the article alluded to expresses surprise that this enterprise should have been so long neglected. Now where can the author of this article have lived, or have secreted himself. Certainly, for nearly every year, for more than thirty years past, in some form, or under some cover, this same "Project" has been agitated and pressed upon the consideration of the Legislature, as "very important to supply the people of Bangor with fresh water," and for "culinary purposes," &c., &c. A bolder spirit has now commenced "boring for ile," and speaks out the true design and object, all prior applicants doubtless had at heart, but studiously concealed. but Messrs. Editors, the owners of mills and other property in Oldtown and Orono and the outlet of said lake, have been vexed, harrassed and put to expense too long and too often to forget your neglected enterprise and they now feel that any new or further movement of this sort is an outrage upon their rights and property, and an insult to the intelligence and good sense of the members of all future Legislatures. In the first place, it would be a most plain and palpable violation of the constitution of the State. Such an act granted, could not be enforced. Vested rights - the great highways and currents of our rivers and streams cannot be altered without the consent of all interested. Go, examine the lake, its tributaries and its only outlet - or view it upon a map. There never was and never can be a natural outlet at any other point than by Pushaw stream, where it now empties. And this point is not, as that writer erroneously states, "near the village of Upper Stillwater," but full four miles above, and there empties into the Stillwater river, the full distance of six miles at least from the Penobscot at Orono, and this Pushaw stream has a large number of valuable mills at the Pushaw Falls, so called, on the Stillwater; the mills at Upper Stillwater, and a Orono. Make a dam at the outlet and flow the lands about the lake, and you render valueless many thousand acres of low meadow, now of very great value for grass, and many acres of excellent timber and woodland will be destroyed. Take this valuable tributary of the Stillwater in the time of drouth, when it is mostly needed, and the damage and injury to mill owners and all interested in the lumber business could not be estimated. During the drouth of the past season, in consequence of the varied statements about the advantages of Pushaw waters, special attention has been called to the fact, and good judges declare that, in their opinion, fully one-half, if not more of the supply of water to operate the mills on the Stillwater is directly derived from the Pushaw. It is this examination and careful observation of the quantity and flow of water from this source, that makes the subject so vital to the interests of these large manufacturing towns. Allow the proposed dam to be erected, and a canal to Bangor, and the actual damage could not be computed. Destroy these mills, or lessen their effective power and the community suffer. It is not the mill owner and the lumberman only, but the farmer, the merchant, the mechanic, the laborer. All classes and every variety of business is injuriously affected. There is another view of this subject, and a fact somewhat remarkable, that this same lake, so important in a time of drouth, is almost as important in a time of very high water, by reason of its receiving in a time of flood, the waters of Dead stream, which run in a strong current at such times, back and up the outlet into the lake, thus operating as a sort of safety-valuve and preventive of injury on the stream below. Another view - there are times when the Penobscot river is very low and it would be of immense advantage to the people of the whole Penobscot valley to have more water and a reservoir from which they could draw at their convenience. And it so happens that at a much less expense and less than a sixth of the distance, it is said that a channel or canal can be cut from Moosehead Lake to a branch of the Penobscot, and thus draw all, or as much as might be needed of the waters of this magnificent Lake to feed the Penobscot just when most needed. This is a "project" bot desirable and feasible, and with vastly more potent reasons, can be urged, than the Bangor Pushaw project. But what would our neighbors and the good people of the Kennebec valley say to such a project? If the "Mower" project, to which the Representatives of the good city of Bangor have by their "Common Council" been instructed to assist, and lend their aid in securing it, is right, just, feasible, proper and constitutional, surely, the project of canalling Moosehead Lake is vastly more important and just, in proportion to its greater magnitude and power. Open the gate to such projects and where will be the end, and what the results? It is not that we seriously apprehend any such precendent being established, but we object to the expense, vexation and trouble of being obliged to resist these schemes and "projects" year after year. It should have a quietus." /signed/ Orono.

Bio Note

"To the Editor of the Daily Whig: I notice by communications in your paper for a few days past, that the subject of a canal from Pushaw Lake to the Kenduskeag stream is again before the public; that scientific surveys have been made of the lake, its outlets, streams, meadows, etc. Not having the lease direct personal interest in the matter, pro or con, I may perhaps, without giving offence to either side, be permitted to express a few thoughts. A single glance at the topography of the country round about this lake is only necessary to convince a person accustomed to the use of water power, of the importance of that lake to the water power of the Kenduskeag stream, and the Stillwater branch of the Penobscot river. Pushaw lake is a large sheet of water, and the streams that flow into it, as such as may be made to flow into it, drain a large section of country. It occupies a large basin upon the face of the earth, having two outlets; so situated that the water flowing into this lake cannot be retained there for any practical use to the mills below, either on the Stillwater branch or the Kenduskeag, except by artificial means; which to be effectual must be used in the mutual interests of both parties. Your Orono correspondent well says that the Pushaw lake is valuable to the Stillwater branch from the fact that when freshets arise, the water from Dead Stream flows into the lake, there relieving the Stillwater branch from the accumulated waters. What he says upon this point is true; but how much more effectual would it be in that regard, would a dam built at the rips on the Pushaw stream below the mouth of Dead Stream, so as to hold back the redundant waters until the freshet in the river had subsided? The answer to this would be, that to build such a dam would turn the whole volume of water thus restrained down through Mower's Canal, causing great damage to the lands and mills in that direction. Exactly so, and her is the solution to the whole problem. Pushaw lake, with all its facilities for a large reservoir of water cannot be effectually used for the benefit of anybody except by a mutual arrangement between the parties - men directly interested. Both parties have rights which are entitled to respect, and until some mutual arrangement can be made, the great advantages that would result there-from, must remain unrealized.Let an act of incorporation in the mutual interest of the parties be obtained, a dam built at the bulk head, and at the rips below Dead Stream, and at any other lower points upon the borders of the lake or streams, where the water might run to waste, and let the water be flowed and retained until the freshets in the river and streams are past and the drought comes; and then let each party drain from the reserved waters such an amount as is equal to their proportion of interest; to be settled by such authority as may be agreed upon by the parties themselves. And let the damages and expenses of the entire enterprise be paid by each party in proportion to the amount of water withdrawn. In this way a reserved power may be created of great value to the owners of the water power upon each stream, and indirectly to the entire community. As the matter now stands, a redundancy of water flows down the streams into the lake, and is drawn off by the outlets while the water is running out of the river and stream, so that when the drought comes there is comparatively little left. Such an enterprise carried out to perfection would involve the flowage of a large area of low, swamp and meadow lands, a small portion of which is valuable, but the most of which is of very little present value. The question of whether this or that was the original outlet from the lake is, I apprehend, of no practical importance, since time and the statue of limitations have long since foreclosed the whole matter." /signed/ W.

Bio Note

"To Messrs. Stetson & Co., Morse & Co., F. L. Merrill and M. Mower: GENTLEMEN, I have made, at your request, certain limited preliminary surveys with reference to the power derivable from the natural waters of the Pushaw Pond and from such additional water as might be there artificially accumulated; and with reference to the practicability of conveying such water into the Kenduskeag Stream by a canal from Pushaw Pond. I now submit the following brief report, and the accompanying plans, for your consideration: Firstly - I went to the "bulk-head", so called, at Pushaw Pond; and, commencing at the level of the water at the bulk-head, I ran a line of levels, over hard and rocky ground, about six hundred feet to a small brook; thence, following generally the course of the brook, and mostly through meadow lands, about two and a half miles to the Stone Bridge, near Captain Mower's house; thence, by the brook, about one mile to the wooden bridge, near Six Miles Falls; and thence by the brook about sixty rods to the Kenduskeag Stream. The highest point on the above route, within one hundred feet of the bulk-head, I found to be two feet and nine inches above the surface of the water at the bulk-head. At about six hundred feet, wher the route strikes through the brook, the level was the same as at the bulk-head. The surface of the water in the brook, at the stone bridge near Capt. Mower's house, was eleven feet and four inches below the surface of the water at the bulkhead; the surface of the water at the wooden bridge, near Six Miles Falls, thirty eight feet six inches below the surface of water at the bulkhead; and surface of the water in Kenduskeag Stream, at the mouth of the brook, about fifty-three feet below surface of water at bulkhead. Nightfall prevented me from taking the last level with entire exactness. The book above mentioned becomes an outlet of Pushaw Pond at certain seasons of the year; or, in other words, whenever the Pond is more than two feet and nine inches higher at low water mark of August, 1867. I was shown, at the bulkhead, an old canal, said to have been stopped up with stones, etc., by owners of the adjacent lands. I was informed that a mill formerly stood just below the remains of a dam across the brook, (which dam may still be seen) near the wooden bridge; and that the mill was supplied with water brought from Pushaw Pond, through the canal to the brook, and by the brook to the mill. This I believe to have been the case; and that the canal and brook were, therefore, an outlet to Pushaw Pond at that time. Secondly - I went to Mud Pond Hollow, so called, it having been asserted that the banks were there so low as generally to allow the waters of Pushaw Pond to overflow. I found the banks five feet and six inches above surface of the water at the shore. There was a strong breeze blowing towards the head of the pond, at the time of taking these levels; causing the water to be somewhat higher than usual. Thirdly - I went to the Pushaw outlet, and through the outlet to the Rips below Dead Stream, said to be three miles from the pond. I found the water sluggish and the land low. The outlet is wider at the old dam than at the Rips; but, judging from the sluggishness of the water, there was apparently but little difference in the levels. One month later, I went again through the outlet to the Rips. The pond was then at low water mark for 1867. I took a line of soundings across the outlet, just above the old dam, and another just below; and, also, three lines of soundings at the Rips. I found the southerly bank at the Ripds to be seven feet and four inches above the surface of the water. The northerly bank is lower; but within two hundred feet of the shore the land is much higher. On this occasion I found the check dam, just below the Rips, had been repaired, and the gates closed. The water at the gate was two feet and two inches in depth, by soundings. The water in the outlet was at nearly a perfect water level, with hardly any perceptible current, in either direction, from the Dead Stream. At the old dam, however, the current was most perceptible, the water flowing into the Pushaw Pond. At this time the average depth of water between the old dam and the Rips, was about eleven feet, at obtained by soundings in various points, in the centre of the channel. It will readily be seen from the areas of the cross sections, as shown by plan accompanying this report, that when the Dead Stream rises rapidly, the water cannot vent as quickly at the Rips as at the old damn, and that it, therefore, flows into Pushaw Pond. I make the following general deductions from the preliminary surveys: Firstly - That the flowage of the pond and a large adjacent area, is practicable. Secondly - That the water from the Dead Stream does, under certain circumstances, flow into Pushaw Pond. Thirdly - That a canal could be easily and cheaply built to conduct the water from Pushaw Pond as far as Captain Mower's house; and that , from Capt. Momer's [sic] house to the Kenduskeag Stream, no canal would be requisite, as the water would follow the natural channel of the brook. A full and thoroughly scientific survey will be necessary to ascertain the following details, viz: The extent of the reservoir it may be possible and desirable to construct and the expense of making and maintaining the same; the amount of water which could be held in said reservoir; the amount of power which could be obtained, and the best and least expensive manner of utilizing such power. The amount of damages for flowage may then be estimated, and will prove a most important item in the expense of the undertaking. I m, Gentlemen, very respectfully, your ob't serv't, FRED H. COOMBS, C. E."

Bio Note

"Mr. Mower of Bangor said the potato required a large amount of potash. By analysis and practice he had not considered the potato a very exhaustive crop as had been asserted by the lecturer. This is a question of great importance to Penobscot county. We must raise something to sell from our farms, and what shall it be?"

Census

Martin Mower was enumerated in the household of George Mower as a 79 year old white male, a farm laborer, with his birthplace listed as Maine.

Bio Note

"The Committee would make mention of of other specimens which they considered extra nice. Among them were to traces of ripe corn exhibited by Capt. Martin Mower, one "Exeter," the other "Canada" corn."

Endnotes

1. FamilySearch, "Records of births, deaths, marriages and marriage intentions, 1755-1925 (Greene, Maine)," database with digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org: accessed 29 July 2016), page 28, image 20 of 855; citing Town Clerk, Greene, Maine; LDS Film #007595552.

2. 1800 U.S. Census, Kennebec County, Maine, population schedule, Town of Greene, p. 249, image 5 of 6, line 9, John Moore household, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 May 2019); NARA microfilm publication M32 (52 rolls).

3. Walter L. Mower, Mower Family History: A Genealogical Record of the Maine Branch of This Family together with Other Branches of the Family Tree (Portland, Maine: The Southworth Press, 1923), 67.

4. 1810 U.S. Census, Kennebec County, population schedule, Town of Greene, p. 913, image 7 of 11, line 9, John Mower household, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 May 2019); NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls.

5. Walter L. Mower, Mower Family History: A Genealogical Record of the Maine Branch of This Family together with Other Branches of the Family Tree (Portland, Maine: The Southworth Press, 1923), 68.

6. 1820 U. S. Census, Somerset County, Maine, population schedule, Town of Starks, p. 233, image 7 of 11, line 7, Martin Moore household, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 May 2019); NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls.

7. 1830 U.S.Census, Somerset County, Maine, population schedule, Town of Starks, 119, image 3 of 18, line 3, Martin Mower household, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 May 2019); NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls.

8. Walter L. Mower, Mower Family History: A Genealogical Record of the Maine Branch of This Family together with Other Branches of the Family Tree (Portland, Maine: The Southworth Press, 1923), 67-8.

9. 1840 U.S. Census, Penobscot County, Maine, population schedule, City of Bangor, p. 52, image 84 of 97, line 22, Martin Moore household, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 May 2019); NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls.

10. Walter L. Mower, Mower Family History: A Genealogical Record of the Maine Branch of This Family together with Other Branches of the Family Tree (Portland, Maine: The Southworth Press, 1923), 67-8.

11. 1850 U.S. Census, Penobscot County, Maine, population schedule, City of Bangor, 127 (stamped), dwelling 1773, family 1835, Martin Mower household, line 16, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2019); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, 1009 rolls.

12. "Penobscot Cattle Show," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 27 September 1850, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

13. "untitled," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 22 October 1850, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 4/7/20919), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

14. "Agricultural School," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 23 January 1851, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

15. "Stock Feeding," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 27 January 1851, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

16. "Agricultural," Letter to the Editor, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 4 March 1851, issue 209, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

17. "Factory-Manure," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 20 December 1851; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers; issue 146, p. 2, col. 3.

18. "Improvements in Agriculture," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 12 February 1852, issue 192, p. 1, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

19. "Lecture on Agricultural Education," Editorial, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 22 March 1852, issue 225, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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21. "Report on Sheep and Swine," News, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 11 January 1853, issue 165, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

22. "Annual Meeting of P. A. Society," News, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 4 January 1853, issue 159, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

23. "Untitled," Editorial, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 5 April 1853, issue 237, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

24. "City Affairs," News, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 4 May 1853, issue 261, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

25. "Report of Farms," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 3 September 1853, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 February 2019).

26. "Report of Stock," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 4 October 1853, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

27. "Agriculture in Penobscot," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 16 January 1855, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

28. "George W. Pickering Re-elected Mayor by a Majority of 993," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 14 March 1854, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

29. "City Councils, from the Incorporation of the City in 1834, to 1862," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 14 April 1862, p. 4, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

30. "Election of Subordinate Officers of the City," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 28 March 1854, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

31. "City Affairs," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 28 March 1854, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

32. "City Affairs," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 19 April 1854, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

33. "City Affairs. In City Council, Aug. 7, 1854," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 8 August 1854, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

34. "Annual Meeting of the P.A. Society," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 1 January 1856, issue 156, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

35. "Annual Meeting of the Penobscot Agricultural Society," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 3 January 1855, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

36. "Returns of the City Election," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 13 March 1855, p. 2, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accerssed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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38. "In City Council. Monday Afteroon, April 28," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 29 April 1856, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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40. "In City Council. Nov. 3d, 1856," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 4 November 1856, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

41. "Bangor Horticulture Society," announcement, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 6 September 1856, p. 3, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 February 2019).

42. "Bangor Horticultural Society," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 1 June 1857, p. 3, col. 1; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

43. "Local and Maine News," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 18 November 1857, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

44. Walter L. Mower, Mower Family History: A Genealogical Record of the Maine Branch of This Family together with Other Branches of the Family Tree (Portland, Maine: The Southworth Press, 1923), 71.

45. "Married," The Stillwater (Minnesota) Messenger, 15 June 1858, p. 2, col. 6; digital image, Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub (www.mnhs.org/newspapers/hub : accessed 14 April 2019), Minnesota Digital Newspaper Collection.

46. "Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949," Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 14 April 2019), digital image, "District Court of Washington County Record of Certificates of Marriage," p. 22; FHL microfilm 007413100, image 68 of 1141.

47. "Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949," Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 14 April 2019), digital image, "Marriage Certificate," No. A122; FHL microfilm 007413110, image 916 of 1352.

48. 1860 U.S. Census, Washington County, Minnesota, population schedule, Marine Township, 2, dwelling 12, family 12, Martin Mower household, line 15, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2019); NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. .

49. "Inaugural Address of Mayor Stetson," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 18 March 1826, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

50. "City Affairs. In City Council, Monday Eve'g, Aug. 7," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 9 August 1865, p. 2, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

51. "Unnamed," classified advertisement, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 29 November 1866, p. 2, col. 5; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 26 May 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

52. "Maine Legislature. Augusta, Jan. 12.," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 14 January 1867, p. 3, col. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 February 2019).

53. "Maine Legislature, Augusta, Jan. 15, 1867," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 16 January 1867, p. 3, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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55. "Maine Legislature. Augusta, Jan. 17, 1867.," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 21 January 1867, p. 1, col. 7; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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58. "Maine Legislature. Augusta, Feb. 15," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 16 February 1867, p. 3, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 February 2019).

59. "City Affairs. In Common Council, May 6, 1867," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 9 May 1867, p. 3, col. 4; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

60. "Local and Maine Items," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 22 August 1867, p. 3, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

61. "Pushaw Lake and Canal," announcement, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 23 August 1867, p. 2, col. 6; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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63. "City Affairs," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 3 December 1867, p. 3, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 May 2008), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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65. "The Pushaw Canal Project," editorial, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 6 December 1867, p. 3, col. 3; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

66. "The Pushaw Canal Project," editorial, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 11 December 1867, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

67. "How to Settle the Pushaw Question," Letter to the Editor, Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 14 December 1867, p. 2, col. 2; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 7 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

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69. "Board of Agriculture," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 23 October 1869, p. 1, col. 7; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 14 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

70. 1870 U.S. Census, Penobscot County, Maine, population schedule, City of Bangor, p. 143, dwelling 885, family 1019, George Mower household, line 33, Martin Mower; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 June 2019); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls.

71. "Bangor Horticultural Society," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 10 September 1870, p. 3, col. 6; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 14 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

72. FamilySearch, "Records of births, deaths, marriages and marriage intentions, 1755-1925 (Greene, Maine)," database with digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org: accessed 29 July 2016), page 28, image 20 of 855; citing Town Clerk, Greene, Maine; LDS Film #007595552.

73. "Died," Bangor (Maine) Daily Whig & Courier, 17 August 1877, p. 3, col. 4; digital image, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 14 April 2019), Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers.

74. Michelle E. Thomas, Vital Records of Bangor, Maine: Volume 2: Death Records (Rockport, Maine: Picton Press, 2003), 176.

75. FamilySearch, "Bangor, Maine: Deaths 1834-1891; Births prior to 1891," database with digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org: accessed 26 May 2019), image 109 of 601; citing City Clerk, Bangor, Maine; LDS Film #007592506.

76. Maple Grove Cemetery (Bangor, Maine; corner of Pushaw Road and Church Road), Martin Mower family monument; personally viewed by Dale Walter Mower, 29 May 2011.

77. Ancestry.com, Find-A-Grave, database with digital images (www.findagrave.com : created 27 April 2009), Memorial No. 36439149.