Readfield, Maine once the Home of Four Maine Govenors

READFIELD, MAINE

HOME OF

FOUR MAINE GOVERNORS

Three Maine governors elected between 1850 - 1858 were natives or residents of Readfield. A fourth, Jonathan Hunton, was governor from 1830 - 31, and provided the impetus that gave birth to the Augusta Mental Health Institute. During this era elected governors held the office for one year unless re-elected.

JONATHAN G. HUNTON

* National Republican Party * 8th Governor of Maine 1830-1831 *

Jonathan Hunton was born 3/14/1781 in Unity Plantation, N.H., the son of Josiah and Hannah (Glidden) Hunton. He married Betty Craig who died c1820. Jonathan's uncle, Samuel Glidden, owned a business in Readfield, which Jonathan assumed ownership of after his uncle's death. Jonathan's second marriage was to Mary Glidden, Samuel Glidden's widow.

In 1830 Mr. Hunton was elected to the office of Governor. Most mentally ill individuals lived under deplorable conditions at this time, so very soon after Governor Hunton was elected he called the State Legislature's attention to the need for a state asylum. Four years later legislators appropriated $20,000.00 for that purpose, and they began the process of locating a site for the Maine State Insane Asylum (AMHI).

From 1832 - 1834 Jonathan Hunton served in the Maine House of Representatives and the State Senate.

JOHN HUBBARD, M.D.

* Democratic Party * 18th Governor of Maine 1850 - 1853 *

John Hubbard was born in Readfield on 3/22/1794, the fifth of twelve children of Dr. John and Olive (Wilson) Hubbard who were originally from Brentwood, N.H. Young John was a good student who studied so diligently that he was able to enter Dartmouth in the third term of the sophomore year, and graduated in 1816. In 1820 John entered the medical department at the University of Pennsylvania, and two years later received his M.D. He practiced in Virginia until 1829, then returned to his home state and settled in Hallowell where he set up a medical practice. In 1849 John Hubbard was elected to the State Senate, and six years later as Governor of Maine. He was re-elected again, and served as Governor until 1853. Dr. Hubbard died 2/6/1869. The birthplace of Dr. Hubbard still stands today on Route 17 in East Readfield. The Dr. Hubbard Museum and Hubbard Free Library are located on Second St. in Hallowell.

ANSON P. MORRILL

* Republican Party * 20th Governor of Maine 1855 - 1856 *

Anson P. Morrill was born 6/1803 in Belgrade, the son of Peaslee and Nancy (Macomber) Morrill. As a young man, he was a storekeeper in Belgrade, and later owned the Carding & Fulling Mill in Mt. Vernon. In 1833 he served as Belgrade's town treasurer, then selectman in 1835, and went on to serve in the Maine State Legislature. While residing in Readfield in 1853 he was nominated for governor by the Democratic Convention in Bangor. He was highly respected by his peers, and under his leadership they "bolted" the opposition. Anson P. Morrill was a United States Congressman from 1861 - 1862, then stepped down because he wished to give his exclusive attention to his private business. His able successor was James Blaine, a friend he admired and respected.

LOT M. MORRILL

* Republican Party * 24th Governor of Maine 1858 - 1861 *

Lot Morrill was born 5/1811 in Belgrade, the younger brother of Anson P. Morrill. Mr. Morrill attended Colby College at 18, then studied law under Judge Edward Fuller in Readfield. After his admission to the bar in 1839, he established a law practice in Readfield, and among his partners was Timothy O. Howe (see Kents hill School Notables below). In 1852 Lot Morrill became a State Senator, and the Democratic majority elected him Senate President despite the fact that he did not support the party platform. At that time many Democrats were faced with the decision of rather or not to join the new anti-slavery Republican party. Lot Morrill did change parties, and in 1858 was elected Republican Governor, then re-elected in 1859 and 60. His successor as Govenor was Israel Washburn of Livermore, eldest brother of Elihu Washburn (see Kents Hill School Notables, below) In 1861 when Hannibal Hamlin became Vice President under Abraham Lincoln, Lot Morrill was chosen by the Maine Legislature to fill that U.S. Senate vacancy. Two years later he was re-elected by popular vote, and remained in that office until 1872. In 1876 he accepted the appointment as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. A year later, in 1877, Lot Morrill was chosen by U.S. President Rutherford Hayes to fill the post of Collector for the Port of Portland, in which he stood to gain substantial wealth. He died in 1883 while still in this position, leaving his wife, Charlotte, and four daughters.

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KENTS HILL SCHOOL NOTABLES

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