Preface

It is hardly possible for a man to leave a better legacy to his town than a good history of it. This is a matter that has been too often neglected, especially in many Maine towns which could have furnished ample material, but Garland has been fortunate in this respect, fortunate in having the material and doubly fortunate in having a citizen who was both able and willing to make good use of it.

I was my privilege to live in Garland and to call the Hon. Lyndon Oak my friend. When I visited him during the latter years of his life, I found him devoting his spare time to writing a history of his town and was greatly interested in the extracts which it gave him pleasure to read to me.

The manuscript came into the hands of John M. Oak of Bangor after the death of his father and when he decided to have the history published, it seemed very fitting that the introduction should be written, and the work done in the office of a Garland boy in whom his father had been interested, and so it came about that the book was printed in my office and I have written the introduction.

In going through the manuscript, a great deal of matter relating to families and individuals to be incomplete, evidently being notes the author had collected but did not live to extend. For this reason it has not been possible to give this matter a place in the history, although it would have added much to its interest had it been completed.

Much credit is due Miss Ellen M. Haskll of Garland for her efficient work in editing and preparing the manuscript for the printer, a work for which she was qualified by her familiarity with the history of the town.

In this connection it seems appropriate to give a brief sketch of the author of this history and the following was taken from an article written by Henry L. Oak for the American Series of Popular Biographies. At the end of the volume will also be found an article written by Dr. M. C. Fernald of Orono.

Liston P. Evans

Brief Sketch of Author
By Henry L. Oak

Hon. Lyndon Oak, teacher and merchang, was born in Boscawen, N.H., Sept. 22d, 1816, died in Garland, Feb. 17th, 1902. He was educated in the common schools and at Gorham Seminary, where he was subsequently a teacher for twelve years. He continued with his professional career for many years, and as an education met with praiseworthy success.

In 1848, he founded the Garland High School, in which he taught the first term, and was so interested in its continuance that he personally guaranteed the salaries of the teachers for the next thirteen years. For a long time he served most efficiently as superintendent of schools in Garland, doing much toward advancing the educational status of the town.

He was very prominent in the establishment and early management of the Maine State College, now the University of Maine, at Orono, and served for twenty-two eyars as one of its board of trustees, six years being president of the board. On reaching th elegal limitation of age, he retired.

He was a member of the state Legislature at different times from 1843 until 1867, serving in both branches of that body, and had the distinction of being the first member ever elected to the Hosue on a straigh anti-slavery, or Liberty party ticket. When the Liberty party was merged in the free Soil party he came one of its staunchest supporters, continuing to adhere to its principles until the formation of the Republican party, with which he was afterwards actively identified. In 1876, as a protest against the nomination he had opposed in the convention, and with no thought of election Mr. Oak, at the very urgent importunities of friends and men of influence and standing in the party, allowed his name to be used as an independent candidate for Congress. This he regarded, as did his friends, as political suicide; yet in 1880, at a convention held under the leadership of such men as Blaine, Boutelle, Hale, Hamlin and Dingley, he was urged to accept the regular nomination of his party for Governor, but felt obliged to decline, owing to personal and business interests. Mr. Blaine insisted that "there would be magic in the historic name of Lyndon Oak of Garland."

Mr. Oak subsequently published a biographical sketch of Gen. James Irsih of Gorham, and at the time of his death was at work on a history of the town of Garland.

As the most prominent man in the town of Garland for more than half a century; as representing the best and a fast disappearing type of local politicians, and by resason of his marked ability and many admirable traits of personal character, the Hon. Lyndon Oak, more than any other of his branch or tribe, is one who deserves an extended biographical sketch, such as cannot be given here.

The Hon. Lyndon Oak married (Sept. 1st, 1846,) Rebecca Chadbourne Irish, who was born in Gorham, Maine, Sept. 21st, 1817, and died in Garland, Feb. 24th, 1902. She was the daughter of Gen. James Irish of Gorham, and was a descendant of the eighth generation from Thomas Rogers who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. Hon. and Mrs. Lyndon Oak were the parents of three children, James H., born in Garland, Oct. 4, 1849, John M., born in Garland June 16, 1851 and Grace Elizabeth (now Mrs. J. N. Parker,) born in Garland June 1st 1858.