Henry W. Park [Parents] was born in 1834 in Dixfield, ME. He married Ellen R. Phelps in 1857 in Dixfield, ME. Henry resided in 1900 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine.
Other marriages:Reed, Ellen C.
Gleason, Emma L.
[This newspaper article first appeared in the Boston Daily Globe, Sunday July 20, 1890. It was copied and typed by Richard J. Muzzrole, from microfilm in the Boston Public Library, March 1989. It was copied from the Internet by Peter Russell Stowell on October 10, 2003.]
Mayor Park of Mexico Corner
Etched by a Globe Man
Only a schoolhouse, post office, saw-mill, grocery store, blacksmith’s shop and a half dozen houses has Mexico Corner down in Maine, yet it has a mayor. Mexico Corner is in Oxford County, and it’s the chief center of a region that is but a howling wilderness. In appearance Mexico Corner is not unlike any other place of its size, but the characteristics of the people are indeed unique. Because a mayor seems to them to be a necessity, it does not imply that they are an ungovernable people and need a ruler. On the contrary, they are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens and their loyally to one another is remarkable.
Yes, they have a mayor; Henry W. Park is his name. Mr. Park has served the longest term of any other mayor in the United States, it being over 25 years since he took the office. Mr. Park was not elected as mayors are generally, for Mexico Corner is not known in the statutes as a city. Mr. Park did not suffer the many annoyances and trials of a hotly contested election-lucky man as have all other mayors, but he had an easy time of it while winning the honor.
One cold winter’s night over 25 years ago, the entire population of Mexico Corner assembled in Mr. Park’s store to await the arrival of the stage bearing the mails. After they had made themselves comfortable by seating themselves on the counter and cracker barrels, one of the leading citizens called Mr. Park to the front and, in a neat little speech, informed him that after dun consideration and a good deal of “thinkin on’t they had decided not only to recognize him as postmaster, chairman of the selectmen and school committee, justice of the peace, town treasurer, constable, pound keeper, town clerk, tax collector and general provider for Mexico Corner, but they had such a high opinion of his executive abilities that they wished him to accept the additional office of mayor.
Ever since that night Mr. Parks has been known as “Mayor Park,” and he bids fair to be mayor so long as he lives, as there are no signs of an aspiring candidate making his appearance.
Mexico Corner is the same today that it was 25 years ago. Mr. Park’s administration has been a creditable one, and it is not his fault that the place is not now in reality a duly incorporated city and the capital of the State. Owing to the limited natural resources of the town no new industries have yet sprung up, and the population has not made any visible increase. All the residents of the town are ‘tillers of the soil” and everybody looks to Mayor Park to perform all marriage ceremonies, collect taxes, pay the town’s debts, make all necessary arrests. In fact the mayor has to play the part of Pooh Bah to its utmost limit. He does it well, and enjoys it.
A few days ago I found Mayor Park in his field near his house seated upon a stump calmly whittling a stick and silently making calculations for his summer stock of general merchandise. After extending to me a hearty greeting, he said, “Come up to dig good, I suppose? There’s a lot of it up hear” no question about it. They’ve got to take their hats off to this wilderness yet. Why here is our blacksmith next door who is so enthusiastic over this gold discovery that he announces he will shoe anybody’s horse gratis for the gold he gets out of the horse's hoofs, and he makes a good living, too.” “Yes,” the Mayor said afterwards in reply to repeated personal questions, my life has been a checkered one, and perhaps in a measure extraordinary. A full account would embrace the telling of many exploits. I do not care for great notoriety, but of course I am not absolutely unwilling to be come known outside of this hamlet. I was born in Dixfield, Me. My father was Isaac, son of Nathan and Sally (Ward) Park.
The death of my father caused me to return to Maine and in 1859 I came here to Mexico, where I have since lived. Here I have been in trade nearly 30 years. I am now serving my 21st consecutive year as town treasurer, and have held all the offices in our town. I have also represented this district in the Legislation. During the rebellion I was in the ordnance office at Washington. From my majority I have been a red hot Republican and have often thought I would just sit down and knock the false theories of The Globe into smithereens, but as I had little spare time and fearing I might possibly bite more than I could comfortable chew concluded to let the Globe continue benighted-unlearned as to the true faith.
For many years I have been a regular correspondent for newspapers and magazines and I have a deep love for literary work. My business would not allow me to dabble with that much, however, therefore I could not lift myself from obscurity and place myself on the cap of fame’s dizzy heights. I have peddled piles of goods and kept out of want. I have an extensive acquaintance among the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities. I have a large family; my eldest son is a successful lawyer in Portland. My only brother, Rev. George M. Park of Presque Isle, Me., keeps up the Christian reputation of our race. I-well, I am not so good as I ought to be. “How about your being mayor of this place for such a long time?” “Oh, well, “he said laughingly," I have to answer to the titles of mayor, professor, elder, esquire, deacon, brother, governor, and several others. I am one as much as another in the eyes of our people, I suppose.
One of the mayor’s many stories is about an old farmer known as “Uncle Gammon.” Mr. Park had sold him several barrels of flower on a few days time, which was often quite extended, so that one day when he was a little cross, and Uncle Gammon wanted to purchase another barrel on the same terms, he said: “Now Mr. Park if you will sell me this ere barrel of flower I will pay you in a few days.” Mr. Park replied that he had sold him several barrels on those terms, and had been compelled to wait a long time for the pay, and that now he should like to know what he called a few days.
The store was full. Neither was “mealy mouthed” in their conversation, and their peculiar style of talk drew every one’s attention. Finally the roaring climax came when Uncle Gammon defined a few days in this way: “Waal, Mr. Park, a man’s lifetime is a few days, and full of trouble.” The mayor instantly remarked, “Uncle Gammon, you can have the flower.”[The following biography of Mr. Henry W. Park was taken from the Biographical Review, Leading Citizens of Franklin and Oxford Counties, Maine, published in 1897 by the Biographical Review Publishing Company of Boston. - Peter Russell Stowell]
"HENRY W. PARK, a prosperous merchant in the village of Mexico, Oxford County, Me., is widely and favorably known in these parts, having long been prominent, not only as a successful business man, but as a political leader in the Republican ranks and as one of the town officers. He was born in Dixfield, the town adjoining Mexico on the east, on March 13, 1834, son of Isaac and Emeline (Smith) Park.
"Isaac Park was born at the residence of his parents, near the corner of Franklin Street, Boston, Mass. After attending school in that city until he was fourteen years of age, he went to Newton, Mass., to learn the trade of carpenter. Going with his employer soon after to Paris, Me., he there remained until the completion of his apprenticeship, when he removed to Dixfield, to work at his trade. He served as Captain of the old State militia, and officiated for nearly twenty years as Sheriff, being subsequently a member of the legislature. In politics he attained honor and distinction in the ranks of the democratic party. Captain Park was a public-spirited citizen and a man of liberal views, being in religion a Universalist. His busy career was ended by death at the age of fifty-seven. His wife, Emeline, who shared his cheerful religious faith, was a daughter of John Smith of Readfield, Kennebec County, Me. She died at the home of her son, Henry W. Park on January 28, 1878, at the age of seventy-two years.
"Henry W. Park was the eldest of the children born to his parents. He spent early life at home, attending the common school and later the high school in the village until the age of fifteen, and during the next three years being employed in his father's general merchandise store in Carthage, Franklin County, Me. When he was eighteen he went to Boston, there serving four years as salesman in a clothing house. After his father died he returned to Dixfield, and he worked at the carpenter's trade till 1859, when he came to Mexico, and rented a farm. The following year he moved to Mexico Corner, where he now resides. In March, 1861, Park purchased the store that he now owns, continuing in trade until the early part of 1864, when he sold out and went to Washington, D.C., where he served as clerk in Ordnance Department until the close of war. Returning to Mexico in July, 1865, he bought back his old store at the corner, revived his trade, which is now (1896) in flourishing condition.
"In politics Mr. Park is a decided Republican, ever alive to party interests. His standing in the estimation of his fellow-citizens is shown by his frequent election to important offices. He has served as Crier of the Courts four years, Selectman of Mexico three years, Town Treasurer twenty-five consecutive years, and in 1875 he was Representative to the State legislature. He has been for twenty-one years a member of Blazing Star Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. A. M., of Rumford Falls; and he is a charter member of Tuscan Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Dixfield, which he named at the time of its organization. Besides being a store-keeper, Mr. Park is an active temperance worker and an able correspondent of the local papers. It is hardly needful to add that he has an extensive acquaintance and a large circle of excellent friends.
"Mr. Park has been three times married. His first wife, Ellen R. Phelps, of Dixfield, with whom he was united in June, 1857, died in August, 1862, leaving two children - Albert Dexter, who is now Register of Probate for Oxford County; and Henrietta, who married John E. Richards, and resides here. His second wife, formerly Miss Ellen C. Reed, of this place, whom he wedded on July 3, 1865, died in January, 1875, leaving one son, Ellery C., who became a lawyer in Bethel, Me. The maiden name of his present wife, to whom he was married in August, 1875, was Emma L. Gleason. Four children have been born to them, namely: Helena O. and Lucy E., both of whom are teachers; and Henry W., Jr., and Eva Grace, who are still at home. Mrs. Park is a native of Mexico, Me."
This is from Emily Barnard's 8/31/1862 letter in the Root family collection.
"Ellen, Henry Park’s wife is dead. She died in the Insane Hospital at Augusta last weeks. She has been insane ever since her last child was born six months ago. She leaves three children. Henry’s mother will take care of them I suppose."This from a letter from Peter Stowell, Dixfield Historian 4-16-2007 after the above letter from Emily Barnard was sent to him.
Henry Park wrote a diary for a few months in 1859. He was 25 years old, newly married and was moving from the Plains of Dixfield, about a mile up Weld St. from the 1820 House, to Mann Hill in Mexico. He describes his social life, his work life, and his love for Ellen and Albert, then their only child. Moving in the winter was a colossal chore for him and he got stuck during the move. He borrowed oxen from my ggGrandfather David Porter Stowell and with the help of friends, finally got moved. During the process, he had harsh words with Ellen and felt badly about it. The diary ends abruptly. Later I learned that Ellen died a couple years after the move, and my heart went out to this young family and their shattered hopes and dreams. I must say that I don't understand how post-partum depression leads to death; I wonder if she committed suicide.To see the details of her illness is especially poignant; it's hard to imagine the horror of the wreck of their lives. Yet, Henry and his children survived. Albert became a county official, perhaps in the sheriff's office, I don't recall. Henry's second wife was also an Ellen and she died too. But they had a child together, Ellery Park, who became a highly-respected attorney in Bethel, Maine, serving on the board of trustees of Gould Academy, the fine prep school there. He had a daughter Muriel Park who married Harry Mason who became vice-president of the Baker Extract company (Baker's Vanilla, Baker's Chocolate, etc.). When she died several years ago, she left Gould Academy $5 million.
Recently I acquired some of Muriel's personal papers including a report card from Gould Academy in 1912. She was a straight A student!
So their lives were all so vital and important, for this and countless other reasons. Henry W. Park is one of my heroes (the same HWP who wrote the notes on Dixfield I sent you a couple days ago). Not only for his diary, his Dixfield notes, his struggles to move to Mexico, his three marriages, two to Ellens and one to Eleanor, but because of his legacy as Mayor of Mexico, his war time service in Washington, DC, his success as a merchant in Mexico, his championing of a new bridge for Dixfield\Mexico and a new factory in Bethel, and his life's example.
Henry's mother was Emaline Park and his father was Isaac. I know he had several brothers and sisters but have not been able to find out who they all were. I have recently MS-Worded an 1865 diary of an unidentified J. Lena Park but have concluded that she was Henry's younger sister (by about 15 years), and they had a brother called Melville and another named George.
Ellen R. Phelps was born in 1837. She died on 26 Aug 1862. She married Henry W. Park in 1857 in Dixfield, ME.
They had the following children:
Solomon Liberty Stanley [Parents] was born on 16 May 1854 in Kingfield, ME. He died on 4 Oct 1881 in Kingfield, ME. He married Mary Alice Mitchell.
Mary Alice Mitchell.Mary married Solomon Liberty Stanley.
They had the following children:
M i Erman Stanley was born about 1880. He died about 1899.
Horace S. Thomas was born in 1891 in Maine. He married Ella M Randall. Horace resided in 1920 in Portland Ward 8, Cumberland, Maine.
Ella M Randall [Parents] was born in 1884 in Dixfield, Maine. She married Horace S. Thomas. Ella was born in 1885 in Maine. She was born in 1887 in Maine. She resided in 1900 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. She resided in 1920 in Portland Ward 8, Cumberland, Maine. She resided in 1930 in Portland, Cumberland, Maine.
Looks like Ella is divorced in 1930.
Hiram A. Randall [Parents] was born on 21 Nov 1847 in Dixfield, Oxford, ME. He died on 14 May 1892. He married Emma A Hammond. Hiram resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1870 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1880 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine, United States.
Student at law in 1870 census of Dixfield
Emma A Hammond was born in 1861 in Maine. She married Hiram A. Randall. Emma was born in 1860. She was born in 1860 in Maine. She was born in 1870 in Maine. She resided in 1880 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine, United States. She resided in 1900 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. She resided in 1920 in Portland Ward 8, Cumberland, Maine. She resided in 1930 in Portland, Cumberland, Maine.
They had the following children:
F i Lelia M. Randall was born in Dec 1879. She died after 1922. F ii Ella M Randall was born in 1884.
Henry Orville Stanley [Parents] was born on 22 Mar 1829 in Dixfield, Oxford, ME. He died on 11 Jan 1913 in Dixfield, Maine. He married Mary Elizabeth Bennett on 1 Jan 1864. Henry resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1860 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1870 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1880 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine, United States. He resided in 1900 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1910 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine.
Other marriages:Bamford, Elisabeth
Inventor of the “Rangeley Spinner.” He had a White Maine fish named after him called acoregonus Stanleyi. The fish was named after him as the State Fish Commissioner. There is a photo in the calendar. Henry O. Stanley built 2 grist mills and sold one to Albion Marsh
Mary Elizabeth Bennett was born in 1842 in Norway, ME. She died on 5 Aug 1881 in Portland, ME. She married Henry Orville Stanley on 1 Jan 1864. Mary resided in 1880 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine, United States.
Mrs. Stanley had been out of health for a few months, and at the time of her death she was in the hospital in Portland awaiting an operation on the neck and head. A few moments before she was taken so fatally ill, she was feeling quite well and was very cheerful. Her attendant was out of the room but a moment and on returning found that she had passed away suddenly and without the least struggle. Her husband and daughter Nellie were both absent from home and to them and many friends, this was a sad surprise. Mrs. Stanley was much interested in the work of the Dixfield Universalist Sunday school and parish, and also in the Reform Club, being one of the most efficient members of the Ladies Aid Society connected with the last named organization. She will be remembered by many who attended the Universalist State Convention, as she frequently attended that body, and was much interested in the cause of Universalism. She was a happy woman, and her home was a happy home. She was a model woman in all her relations in life, whether as wife, mother or friend.
The wife of Henry O. Stanley, Esq., of Dixfield, one of the State Commissioners, died suddenly of neuralgia of the heart on Friday, where she had gone to have a tumor removed. She was an “excellent” woman and her death is mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. died 5 AUG 1881
ECR - Mary E died 39 years 1 mo 29 days
They had the following children:
F i Nellie L Stanley was born in 1866. M ii George P Stanley was born in 1869. He died before 1930.
Cyrus Lorenzo Dow Younkin , Rev was born in Iowa. He married Anna May Mitchell.
ECR- line in Winthrop, MA
Anna May Mitchell [Parents] was born on 11 Sep 1862. She married Cyrus Lorenzo Dow Younkin , Rev.
They had the following children:
F i Edith Younkin was born on 11 Mar 1889. M ii Kenneth Younkin was born on 6 May 1896 in Boston, MA. He died on 24 Dec 1896 in Boston, MA.
William Wallace Mitchell [Parents] was born on 2 Oct 1833 in Dixfield, ME. He died on 28 Dec 1897 in Roxbury, MA. He was buried in Dixfield, ME. He married Sarah Mason Eustis on 15 Jan 1859.
Sarah Mason Eustis [Parents] was born on 19 Oct 1834 in Rumford, Oxford, ME. She died on 22 Nov 1909 in Roxbury, MA. She was buried in Dixfield, ME. She married William Wallace Mitchell on 15 Jan 1859. Sarah was born on 19 Oct 1834.
They had the following children:
F i Anna May Mitchell was born on 11 Sep 1862.
Isaac Park [Parents] was born in 1798 in Boston, Suffolk, MA. He died on 23 Apr 1855 in Dixfield, Oxford, ME. He married Emeline Smith. Isaac resided in 1830 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided on 1 Jun 1840 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine, USA. He resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine.
Other marriages:Holman, Mirriam
Emeline Smith was born in 1806 in Maine. She died on 28 Jan 1878 in Dixfield, ME. She married Isaac Park. Emeline resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. She resided in 1860 in Dixfield, ME. She resided in 1860 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine.
They had the following children:
M i Henry W. Park was born in 1834. M ii George Melville Park was born in Jul 1838. F iii Julia Helena Park was born on 30 May 1844 in Dixfield, ME. She died on 25 Jun 1866. Julia resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. She resided in 1860 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine.
Philip Abbott [Parents] was born on 11 Dec 1800 in South Rumford, ME. He died on 17 Sep 1887. He married Sarah G Davis in 1841. Philip was born about 1795 in Concord, NH. He was born on 11 Dec 1800 in South Rumford, Oxford, ME. He resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1860 in Woodstock, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1870 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1880 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine, United States.
Other marriages:Trask, Lucina
Sarah G Davis was born in 1824 in Westbrook, ME. She married Philip Abbott in 1841.
They had the following children:
M i Charles C Abbott was born in 1845 in ME . F ii Frances Abbott was born in 1849 in ME . M iii Le Roy Abbott was born in 1853. F iv Alfreda V Abbott was born in 1854. She died on 8 Jun 1918. F v Chiloe F Abbott was born in 1857.
George Melville Park [Parents] was born in Jul 1838 in Dixfield, ME. He married Elizabeth F. M..
Other marriages:Hawes, Isadore Alethea
Source 1 Unknown 1876 Richardson by J. A. Vinton, pg 394
GRAD: 1866 Theological Seminary, New Hampton, NH
Occupation: Baptist paster, Guilford then Farmington, NHFrom the State of Maine Legislative sentiments calendar, December 2002 to November 2004 --
"On March 20, 1903, the Maine State Legislature approved and Governor John F. Hill signed a bill authorizing the establishment of the Aroostook State Normal School in Presque Isle. It was the 7th such school established in the State, part of a national movement begun in the 19th century to train teachers. But its establishment was not an easy task. A handful of community leaders, led by the vision of Rev. George M. Park, worked for over 6 years to bring this dream to fruition. Only after the City of Presque Isle purchased and donated the St. John's School for Boys to the State, did the normal school for central Aroostook County become a reality. In 1968 the college joined the newly created University of Maine System, becoming the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Since then, it has increased its enrollment to 1400 students and expanded its acreage and buildings. The university has also expanded its academic programs, now offering degrees in the liberal arts and professional training as well as teacher preparation. We send our congratulations and best wishes to the University of Maine at Presque Isle on this milestone."George Melville Park was a minister as well as a census enumerator, a store keeper, a farmer, a bureaucrat, a mayor, a journalist, an historian, a father and a dutiful son. A most remarkable man.
Elizabeth F. M. was born in Aug 1850 in NH. She married George Melville Park. Elizabeth resided in 1920 in Presque Isle, Aroostook, Maine. She resided in 1930 in Presque Isle, Aroostook, Maine.