The Bethel Journals, Donald G. Bennett, PO Box 763, Bethel, Maine 04217

13911 Tallowridge Court, Orlando, Florida 32837

 

Ernest M. Walker was born in Lovell, Maine April 24, 1865, the son of the late Seth Walker and Mary Ellen (Mason) Walker.

In his early boyhood his parents came to Bethel here his father engaged in the hardware and lumbering business.

Mr. Walker was educated in the Bethel schools, graduated from Gould Academy, and took a course at Gray’s Business College. Following school he became connected with his father’s business. When the hardware branch of the business was sold to N.F. Brown, he continued with his father in the lumbering interests and still has timber tracts in various parts of Oxford County.

Mr. Walker later associated himself with the well known firm of Byron Greenbough & Co. of Portland, with whom he remained for some 25 years until his father’s health made it necessary for him to return to his home in Bethel.

Mr. Walker has always interested himself in matters of a public nature and all things pertaining to the town’s welfare. He is president of the Bethel National Bank and secretary of the Board of Trustees of Gould Academy.

He is a Shriner, a 32d degree Mason and has advanced through the York and Scottish rites of that order. He is a charter member of the Bethel Lions Club and a member of the United Commercial Travelers.

In politics he is a Republican and has always been a ready worker for party interests. He is a Universalist and has long been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bethel Universalist Church.

For some years past Mr. Walker has spent his winters in Florida where he is interested to some extent in growing citrus trees.

 

 

The Bethel Journals

Important and Notable 1931 Personalities

Chapter 3,  Page 3

RESIDENCE OF

ERNEST M. WALKER

Fred B. Merrill, Jr., and Emma (Bean) Merrill, started life in the same house in which he is now living. (In 2007, a Bethel Inn building- the Maples.)

He attended the common schools of the town, graduating from Gould Academy in 1896; Bowdoin College in 1900 and Harvard Law School in 1905.  During the years 1905 to 1912 he was associated with Herrick & Park in the practice of law and the management of the Bethel Savings Bank and Bethel National Bank, leaving in 1913 to manage and edit the Oxford County Citizen. After seven years in the newspaper business he returned to the Bethel National Bank as Assistant Cashier, the position he now (1931) holds. He is also a Director of the Bank, a Trustee of Gould Academy and Bethel Library Association, Secretary of the Bethel Lions Club and a member of the various Masonic fraternities including the Shrine.

 

 

Frank A. Brown was born in Waterford, Maine April 3, 1870, the son of Josiah A and Maria (Holt) Brown. He was educated in the schools of Norway, Maine and Peabody, Mass.

He was married April 2, 1891, to Alice A. Angier and they have eight children: Mildred (Mrs. Arthur Chapman), Adelmar, Edward, Harrie C., Katherine (Mrs. Bryon Abbott), Philip, Warren and Virginia.

Mr. Brown was in the grocery and provision business in Peabody from 1890 to 1893. He came to Bethel and engaged in farming until 1915 and then he discontinued agriculture and entered politics, serving the town as first selectman and road commissioner for 12 consecutive years.

Mr. Brown is a died-in-the wool Republican and has represented the Bethel district in the State Legislature in 1925 and 1927.

He was re-elected road commissioner and first selectman of the town in 1931 and this position he fills with his usual energy and thoroughness.

That the good of the community is his first consideration is proven by the fact that during the legislature of 1927, Mr. Brown was directly responsible for the enactment of a bill giving Bethel ten-thousand dollars (Bethel’s share) toward the construction of the steel bridge over the Androscoggin River.

He is a member of the Congregational Church, a trustee of the Bethel Savings Bank, member of Bethel Lodge F & AM, Mt. Abram Lodge, I.O.O.F., Knights of Pythias, and Sons of Veterans and is a Granger.

With his family he occupies the J. A. Brown homestead on the northwest side of the river and to their many friends and relatives their latch string is always out.

Guy L. Thurston was born in Errol, New Hampshire, in 1865. Mr. Thurston has lived the greater part of his life in Bethel and has served his town in many ways.

He was engaged in the lumbering business for 32 years.

For four years he was road commissioner and for eight years post master in the town of Bethel.

Mr. Thurston is a member of the Bethel Lions Club, Bethel Lodge F & AM, Strathglass Commandery and Kora Temple.

He is generous and public spirited.

 

 

 

Mr. Walker later associated himself with the well known firm of Byron Greenbough & Co. of Portland, with whom he remained for some 25 years until his father’s health made it necessary for him to return to his home in Bethel.

Mr. Walker has always interested himself in matters of a public nature and all things pertaining to the town’s welfare. He is president of the Bethel National Bank and secretary of the Board of Trustees of Gould Academy.

He is a Shriner, a 32d degree Mason and has advanced through the York and Scottish rites of that order. He is a charter member of the Bethel Lions Club and a member of the United Commercial Travelers.

In politics he is a Republican and has always been a ready worker for party interests. He is a Universalist and has long been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bethel Universalist Church.