By Muriel Bristol | September 17, 2023
Continued from Milton Mills Sketch of 1911 – 3
In researching something else, several lengthy articles on Milton Mills were encountered in the Sanford Tribune of October 6, 1911. This fourth and last article dealt with several local merchants and their businesses: John E. Horne (1878-1953), William F. Mills (1838-1913), Joseph A. Maddox (1847-1916), Elijah T. Libby (1846-1918), Daniel Murray (1858-1917), Nicholas L. Mucci (1869-1966), and Mott L. Archibald (1874-1953).
(This new information may require some minor revisions or additions to some earlier Observer articles).
J.E. HORNE. Clothing and Men’s Furnishings. The store conducted by John E. Horne is in keeping with the high-class character of the community in which he is located. Mr. Horne is also a man of the character that is typical of the section – fair and square in his dealings with the public and social qualities that add to his business popularity. He first went to Milton Mills in the spring of 1900 as manager for F. Merrifield who then established a store there in connection with his Springvale business. In less than a year Mr. Horne bought out the business and has conducted it since and has been very successful. When the business was first started the Berry block was divided into two stores. Six years ago the demands for room to accommodate the increasing trade became so insistent that Mr. Horne was obliged to hire the whole space.
The two stores were made one and now the room is hardly sufficient.
Two years ago, a stock of boots and shoes was added and a very good trade in that line has resulted.
Three years ago Mr. Horne, in company with Forrest L. Marsh, established a grain and feed store. That is located in the Rines block.
WILLIAM F. MILLS. Livery and Sale Stable. Mr. William F. Mills is a native of Milton and has always been interested in horses but did not go into the livery business until 1905. He then bought the Platt place on Main Street which he repaired and put into proper shape for a home and the business he then decided to establish. He formerly lived on a farm not far from the mills. He cultivated it successfully for twenty-two years.
Mr. Mills has a clean well-kept stable and the horses are of a superior class averaging above the average for livery stock. He has six or more horses for letting. Mr. Mills had reared some colts that have sold for high prices. Sybil, by Francisco, was sold for a large sum five years ago. Mr. Mills is the right kind of a man to own and handle horses for he recognizes the fact that they are sentient and intelligent creatures responding to like qualities in man when given the chance.
As Mr. Mills is a good horseman, so is he a good citizen and an upright man. He is held in high regard by his fellow citizens. He has served the town two terms as a selectman.
J.A. MADDOX & SON. Grocers. Central square in Milton Mills has been greatly improved in looks by the establishment of the new grocery store by J.A. Maddox & Son, and the village benefitted by the advent of a new and enterprising store. J.A. Maddox & Son conduct a wholesale and retail grocery business at South Berwick where Mr. Maddox, senior, established the business 30 years ago. Albert S., the junior member, was admitted to the firm twelve years ago. The business done there is one of the largest of the kind in York county, and the members of the firm are among the strongest and best citizens of the place. Mr. J.A. Maddox has served the town as selectman and in other capacities and is successful in the conduct of what ever business he is charged with – whether private or public.
The business was established in Milton Mills about a year and a half ago and because of the character of the firm and the splendid stock of goods carried the store has become popular. The store formerly occupied by Freeman Loud, who was burned out, and owned by Ira Miller was rebuilt and newly fitted for the use of this firm and it is only saying what is echoed throughout the village to say that no more attractive store has ever been conducted there. It is large, being about 75 feet long and thirty feet wide, high posted and well lighted by large plate glass windows. Mr. Maddox and his son are both well known in Milton Mills, the f0rmer having been born in Newfield and a resident of Shapleigh at a later period. Alfred was born in the latter town. Before going to South Berwick they were well known throughout this section.
In addition to a line of groceries the firm deals in crockery and kitchen utensils and also carry a fine line of confectionery. A special feature is made of high grade chocolates and bonbons. The store and local business is in charge of Mr. Charles A. Langley, who has been in the firm’s employ at South Berwick for four years. Mr. Langley is assisted by his wife and their genial and obliging ways add much to the popularity of the store. Mr. Langley is a native of Shapleigh and was known to the people in Milton Mills before becoming a resident.
Recently the firm has established another store at Union. This business is in charge of Geo. W. Grant.
ELIJAH T. LIBBY. Postmaster. Elijah T. Libby, one of the men well worth knowing in Milton Mills, is the postmaster. He is a native of Limerick but has lived in Milton for thirty-eight years and has been postmaster for twenty years, in all. He is now serving his fifth term. He was first appointed by President Harrison. During the four years that President Cleveland was in, Mr. Libby did not have the office but upon the return of the Republicans to power he was again appointed and has held the position ever since.
In the anniversary year of Milton Mr. Libby was town treasurer. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Grange. He has been at times engaged in the jewelry and printing business but his health is not equal to the demands of such trades. In connection with the office a few articles of merchandise are sold and in the summer time he conducts an ice cream business. Mr. C.L. Stevens is assistant postmaster.
DANIEL MURRAY. Hardware and Plumbing. Mr. Daniel Murray has been in the hardware business for thirty-six years. He occupies one of the largest stores in Milton Mills, it being seventy-five feet long and twenty-five wide. The store is filled with a variety of goods, hardware and paints being a feature of the stock. Tinware and kitchen utensils perhaps are given as much space as any particular line of goods. The Glenwood stoves are always kept in stock. In addition to the retail business which is largely looked after by Miss Florence Murray, Mr. Murray carries on a large plumbing and jobbing business. He has a shop in the rear of the store, where small jobs are attended to. His outside work consists of all kinds of work that comes under the head of plumbing and steam fitting and furnace work. He has become expert in his line and is called upon from surrounding places.
During the second Cleveland administration the post office was in Mr. Murray’s store. J.W. Murray was postmaster and Mr. Daniel Murray was assistant. Among the men of character and high social and business standing, Mr. Murray ranks as a leader and is held in the highest esteem to Milton Mills and began business for himself and has been successful.
N. MUCCI. Fancy Groceries, Fruit. One of the first signs of modern village, so far as business is concerned, that greets the eye of the stranger approaching from the east, is the fine display of fruit and fancy groceries in the store of N. Mucci. As may be inferred from the name Mr. Mucci is a native of the sunny clime where fruit forms a large part of the food of the people and has inherited the natural aptitude of the Italians for the appetizing display of such products. But the fruit business is only an incident in the trade of this store. A full line of staple groceries is kept as well as the best of confectionery. The ice cream business is an important feature, particularly in the summer. He not only has a cosy little room where the delicacy is served by the plate, but he is prepared at all times to serve the public with large quantities. He supplies families and parties and among the summer visitors in the surrounding sections trade is large. A soda fountain operates throughout the year.
Mr. Mucci came to America thirteen years ago and for a few months worked with his brother-in-law, F. Broggi, at Sanford. He then went to Milton Mills and began business for himself and had been successful. Mr. Mucci prides himself on always keeping his stock complete and in prime condition. A full stock of tobacco and cigars is kept, too. Mr. Mucci and his wife are pleasant persons to meet and have become as interested in the affairs of the town as though natives are not classified as “foreigners.”
M.L. ARCHIBALD. Real Estate; Lumber. Mr. M.L. Archibald is one of the best known men in Strafford and York Counties. For the last seven years his headquarters have been at Milton Mills. He lives at the Central house but has a legal residence on the Acton side. He is a dealer in native and western horses and sells valuable animals in this section. He has special shipments of western horses and is prepared to furnish animals of what ever kind may be required. Having been familiar with equine stock from youth, his knowledge enables him to select horses suitable to the purpose for which they are to be used and to the person who is to use them.
He is extensively interested in real estate and timber. He is buying and selling timber lands all the time and sells farm property and builds houses for sale. HIs varied interests oblige him to be away from Milton Mills part of the time. Anyone wishing to have an interview with him or desiring any property that he has for sale will find it advisable to write to him at Milton Mills. Mr. Archibald is a man whose business record for many years has established him in the confidence of his patrons, and while a man not much given to talking, it is felt that what he says concerning any business deal needs no discount.
He is a native of Acton and has always been connected with affairs in this section, but for several years was in the eastern part of the state. He has been permanently located at Milton Mills since 1903.
This concludes the Sanford Tribune’s Milton Mills articles of October 6, 1911.
Find a Grave. (2013, July 31). Mott L. Archibald. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114726309/mott-l-archibald
Find a Grave. (2012, November 27). Frank Broggi. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/101348468/frank-broggi
Find a Grave. (2013, August 3). John Everard Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114788057/john-everard-horne
Find a Grave. (2021, April 4). Charles Agustus Langley. Retrieved fromwww.findagrave.com/memorial/225305049/charles-agustus-langley
Find a Grave. 2013, August 14). Elijah T. Libby. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115423048/elijah-t-libby
Find a Grave. (2013, December 20). Albert S. Maddox. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/121964473/albert-s-maddox
Find a Grave. (2012, May 17). Joseph A. Maddox. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/90285175/joseph-a.-maddox
Find a Grave. (2012, February 27). Everett Franklin Merrifield. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/85847682/everett-franklin-merrifield
Find a Grave. (2013, July 13). William F. Mills. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114681781/william-f-mills
Find a Grave. (2o13, July 31). Daniel Murray. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114681970/daniel-murray
Find a Grave. (2013, August 15). Charles L. Stevens. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115512774/charles-l-stevens
Milton Observer 