In early times, Samuel G. Otis owned a carriage shop situated in front
of the residence of G. T. Whitaker, and there manufactured carriages.
The building is now used for a barn on the J. L. Ames place. Mr. Otis’
blacksmith shop stood a little to the south, near the burial ground.
Thomas Chandler made furniture at one time in what is now Guy Morse’s
stable.
James Myrick owned the N. C. Knights tinshop, and made boots and shoes.
The original shop, a one-story building about half the size of the
present, was moved from the road in front of L. P. Foster’s, leading to
the poor farm.
At different times, R. B. Stone, Nathaniel Rice, Benj. Fogg, Bryant and
Ames Moore, Otis and Daniel Starkey, Joseph Small and John Chase were
engaged in the making of boots and shoes. Mr. Chase induced Mr. Woodsum
to come here to manufacture morocco shoes.
George E. Linkfield and Stephen Dyer purchased from Henry Kelley
the store that stood where the Taber store now stands, and there
manufactured straw goods. Mrs. Linkfield carried on a millinery
business. Mr. Dyer sold to Mr. Linkfield, who later sold the store and
millinery business to James R. Taber.
The Unity cheese factory was built in 1874, upon ground now occupied by
the Portland Packing Company. It did business but a short time, when
it passed into the hands of James R. Taber, who sold the machinery for
use in a cheese factory in Aroostook county. The building was sold to
Russell Reynolds, who built the house now owned by Leon Bagley out of
the lumber taken from it.
The Portland Packing Company built the corn factory in 1887. W. H.
Rolfe was foreman for several years. He was succeeded by Albert Bacon.
The Unity Canning Company sold their plant to the Portland Packing
Company.
The Crystal Spring Creamery was built in 1891, on land purchased from
F. A. Bartlett. The property passed into the hands of the Hon. Joseph
Farwell. Charles Smith of Newport was manager. It was purchased from
the heirs of Mr. Farwell by H. P. Hood & Sons, who have built additions
and greatly improved it. R. F. Jaynes was manager for some time and was
succeeded by E. G. Roberts.
In 1895, Chas. S. Cook fitted up the unused schoolhouse of District
one, and there for some years carried on the creamery business.
In 1908 the Turner Center Creamery was built on the E. K. Adams
property. It was destroyed by fire, but in the fall of 1900 was
rebuilt, at a cost of $10,000. Additions have since been made. Mr. Guy
P. Norton is the popular and efficient manager.