Christmas Greetings from History House

...and an historically happy and healthy New Year!

Spotlight on...Ina Stanley Emery

Without this lady, the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society and History House may never have existed.   Ina Naomi Stanley was born November 7, 1892, the youngest of six children born to Preston J. Stanley and Naomi (Stacy) Stanley.  Her father was a prominent Kezar Falls business man and her five siblings were also well known in the Kezar Falls area:  Sidney B. Stanley, Orman L. Stanley, Sherman P. Stanley, Florence M. (Stanley) Higgins, Evelyn M. (Stanley) Watkins.

She graduated from Porter High School in 1908 and taught at a one room school house in Porter for a short time before attending the New England Conservatory of Music.    In 1925 she married Frank W. Emery who died in 1929.   Ina continued with a career in music, both as a teacher and soloist.  She taught music in Maine and New Hampshire Schools for 36 years including a 22-year stretch in the Saco School System. 

At various times she was the soloist at churches in Kennebunkport, North Conway and Saco.    While a teacher, she was actively involved in the Saco Teacher’s Association and was a delegate to the National Education Association Convention in Chicago in 1940.  Upon retirement in 1962 she returned to her home in Kezar Falls.

Mrs. Emery was the prime motivator behind the formation of the Parsonsfield Porter Historical Society in 1946.  She was elected as its original president and held that office until 1979.  She launched the drive to purchase the society’s museum in 1955 to become know as “History House”.  The house was originally built by her father, Preston J. Stanley who owned it from 1888 to 1894.  She was a true historian collecting and compiling historical and genealogical data as well as artifacts and furniture for History House.   

     

Ina was very active in her church wherever she resided including the Kezar Falls Riverside Methodist Church where she organized the Fidelis Class.  Ina’s friend and companion of 40+ years was Margaret Strout, who shared her love of history and many interests.   Ina passed away December 25, 1987 at the age of 95.

Spotlight on...Allen Garner (1842 - 1925)

This post begins a series which will highlight notable people from Porter and Parsonsfield.

   Mr. Garner was an outstanding businessman who played a major role in the development of this area and was interested in everything that pertained to the civic welfare of the community. One of his many contributions was toward building the Kezar Falls Circulating Library. 

  

 He was born in Bedford, England, November 9, 1848, son of William and Amelia (Ashton) Garner, one of eight children. His father died in 1848 and in 1854 his widowed mother with her 20 year old son John, 12 year old son Allen and 8 year old daughter Regina, came to Middlebury, Vermont to live with relatives. The following spring they moved to Lewiston, Maine. Deprived of his father in early childhood, Allen was obliged to go to work when quite young. He began work in a factory in Lewiston and learned the woolen mill business. 

   By 1866 he bought and sold a small mill of his own and continued to buy, run and sell small mills until 1881. In the spring of 1881 he came to Parsonsfield, Maine and organized the Kezar Falls Woolen Company that was started by George W. Towle and Elisha Fox for the manufacture of woolen cloth. Under his direction as Superintendent and Agent the mill became a very successful enterprise, largely due to his experience and expertise. In 1894 he was appointed Treasurer of the mill, and became part owner.

   His business operations were not limited to manufacturing alone, but extended into the world of trade. In 1893, he purchased the general store in Kezar Falls of George W. Towle which he placed under the management of Preston J. Stanley.

   At the time of his death he was president of the Kezar Falls National Bank and of the Cornish and Kezar Falls Light and Power Company; treasurer of the Kezar Falls Woolen Company, and president of the Kezar Falls Water Company.

   He was an active member in the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias and served as a trustee of the Riverside Methodist Church. He was a prominent member of the Republican Party and served in the State Legislature for Parsonsfield, and Newfield in 1895 and 1896. Mr. Garner was held in high esteem by his friends and colleagues.

   In June 17, 1863 he married Mary D. Jordan of Sumner Maine and they had six children, four who lived to adulthood - Alice G.(Merrifield), Evangeline M. (Chellis), William S. Garner and Florence R. (Norton). He died March 25, 1925. His wife died in 1934.

Happy Thanksgiving (with a side of history!)

The Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society begins this holiday season by wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

And now for the side of history:

The Little Lady from New Hampshire Who Started Thanksgiving

Scarecrows on Parade!

Each year, about the middle of October, a parade of scarecrows appears on the Porter Town Hall lawn.  This fun event is hosted by the Sacopee Valley Health Center Board of Trustees.  Children are invited to bring an empty gallon milk jug and meet at the Porter Town Hall to join in the fun and using their imagination create their own scarecrow.  Frames, hay and clothing are provided.  The images here show this year’s results.  Although looking a little bedraggled from the recent rain and wind, they were still waving and bringing a smile to passersby on Halloween day.   I am sure they will appear again next October.  Thank you Sacopee Valley Health Center!

  

"The Spirit Left Behind" - Presentation

Halloween is fast approaching and in keeping with that theme, the subject of the program at our next meeting is about ghosts.  You are all invited and it is free.

Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society Meeting

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Meeting – 2:00 pm and Program 2:30 pm

at History House

 92 Main Street

Kezar Falls Village (Rt. 160, Porter)

Donna Kennerson will present

“The Spirit Left Behind”

A program of video and audio recordings of spirits she has encountered.

She co-founded a team that worked for six years in people’s homes helping spirits “cross over”.

Do you believe in ghosts?  Maybe you will after seeing this program. 

Maybe you too have ghost stories to tell.  Come share them with us.

Also, the drawing of the raffle quilt winner will be held.

It is not too late.  You can buy raffle tickets at the meeting before the drawing.

Fall Has Arrived!

         With fall comes the urge to prepare for winter. Fuel tanks are filled, wood is split and stacked for the cold days to come.  Harvest is in full swing with apple picking. Pumpkins, squash and potatoes are appearing everywhere.  Fruits and vegetables from our gardens are being canned, frozen or dried.  If you live in the country or have property, it is time to clean up, rake the leaves, take in planters, etc.  All of this a ritual since “the beginning of time”.

         Kids are back in school, fall sports have begun and Halloween is just around the corner.

         It is also a time to enjoy the cooler, bright sunny days and beautiful autumn colors that will soon be gone for another year.

         These pictures by George French depict some typical fall scenes that never grow old.