Books about veterans offer family history

It’s not only original records, family and town histories that tell us about our forebears. Often, we see them come to life in sources that have as their primary purpose something else, albeit with an historical component.

One example is “Maine Remembers Those Who Served: Tributes from the Pine Tree State,” a book put out by the Secretary of State after some 10,000 people signed up for the “Vote in Honor of a Veteran” program in November 2000.

(By the way, you may still obtain a “Vote in Honor of a Veteran” button free to wear on Election Day by writing Secretary of State, 148 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0148, or by going online at www.state.me.us/sos. Let them know which veteran you want to honor. My button says “Gayland Moore Jr.,” honoring my dad who served in World War II.)

Back to the book. Several people paid tribute to ancestors who had served in long-ago wars, while others shared pictures or information about the service of more recent generations. The book reminded me, too, of the summary service record cards held at the Maine State Archives in Augusta for veterans of some wars.

Next I re-read “Lest We Forget: A Pictorial History of Maine’s Veterans 1861-1995,” published by the Cole Land Transportation Museum after the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

There are both photos of military units and individual pictures, such as the one of Old Town brothers Rudolph and Leo Leveille, who served in World War I. Other pics show Harry Marr of Portland, for example, William Lord of Island Falls and Clyde Getchell of Unity.

And how about the wonderful photo of Bangor High School’s ROTC, taken 1930? Identified are Leonard Ford, Cal Knaide, William Cole, Roger Averill, Eugene Johnson, Vernon Morrison, Jack Thompson, Charlie Dwinal, Alan Ellis, Charles Pressey, Lonis Morrison, Maynard Clark, Gerald Cole, Walter Lufkin and Henry Herrick.

In Rumford, seven brothers in the Theriault family served in World War II: Oner, Noel, Dewey, Albert, Arthur, Harry and Philip. In Jay, eight brothers from the Bonnevie family served: Elzeard, Gerard, Raymond, Aurele, Paul, Arthur, Reginald and Norman – children of Mathias and Fidelis Bonnevie.

And from Norridgewock, nine children in the Hatto family: Clifford, Arnold, Eleanor Hatto Danforth, Roscoe, Chester, Vern, Roger, Millard and Clark.

Family pictures in the book

include one of brothers Gabriel and Eugene L. Dumont with parents Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Dumont. Brother Paul also was in the war.

Another book I re-read recently was “No Place for Little Boys: Civil War Letters of a Union Soldier,” edited by Melissa MacCrae and Maureen Bradford. MacCrae will speak at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at Bangor Public Library as part of the “Bangor Reads” series.

The obvious genealogical connection in this book is the family of Civil War soldier Peleg Bradford Jr. – parents Peleg Sr. and Emily (Waugh) Bradford, and siblings Sarah “Helen,” William, Bartlett, Owen, Samuel, Clara, Emma and Martha. Bill, Bart and Owen also served, and Owen was killed.

My second reading of this book reminded me how many local people were mentioned in Peleg’s letters and-or in the footnotes. They include: Joseph Appleton, Carmel; John N. Batchelder, Hampden; John W. Blake, Carmel; John Bradford, Alton; Eugene Burrill, Carmel; George E. Dodge, Carmel; James A. Dole, Bangor; George R. Fernald, Levant; Oliver Folsom; Amos Hardy; Cyrus Heard, Carmel; Roscoe F. Hersey, Bangor; Lorenzo Hinckley, Hampden; Andrew S. Knight, Carmel; John Leathers; Leonard MacCoy, Bangor; Otis H. Manter, Carmel; Samuel H. Nason, Bradley; John N. Partridge, Hampden; Peter Patterson, Carmel; Nat Philbrook; George L. Robinson, Carmel; Gardner H. Ruggles, Carmel; Horace H. Shaw, Hampden; John D. Small, Carmel; Avandah Smith, Carmel; and Abijah T. Young.

A conversation with MacCrae about the book revealed the fact that Peleg Bradford Jr., whose leg was amputated from injuries during the Civil War, is featured at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. The museum is located at 48 East Patrick St. in Frederick, Md., and its address is P.O. Box 470, Frederick, MD 21705. It is open daily. Yes, there is a Web site, with exhibits and listing of books available: www.civilwarmed.org.

The Martin family reunion committee, working on the reunion for the Acadian Festival, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Madawaska Knights of Columbus Hall.

Lastly, a celebration of Black History Month 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Rangeley Hall, Eastern Maine Technical Center, Bangor, will raise funds for the “North to Freedom” statue for Chamberlain Freedom Park in Brewer. Tickets, including dinner, are $50 each. For reservations, call 989-1769.

3167. SANBORN. Joseph Herbert Sanborn, b. Dec. 2, 1844, resided Vinalhaven, md. Nancy Grant, b. Frankfort. Did she die and he marry 2) Flavilla Grant, b. April 16, 1848, of Frankfort? Children with Nancy: James, John, Anne. Children possibly with Flavilla: Herbert, Henry, Laura, Helen. Any info about this family? I think Joseph Herbert Sanborn of Vinalhaven may be father of Joseph Herbert, b. Feb. 27, 1862, md. Lillian Smith, b. April 17, 1872, d. 1943, of Greenbush. Also looking for Joseph Herbert’s father, death date, place and mother. Vinalhaven records list Joseph Herbert and wife Flavilla Grant and last four children listed above, but no Joseph Herbert Sanborn Jr. Help. Eleanor Crouch, 66 Cardville Road, Greenbush, ME 04418; tele-

phone 827-7486; or e-mail burnttoast6@juno.com.

Send queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or send e-mail to familyti@bangordailynews.net.