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| Dick Nevel and his half-brother Francis Ottignon, gazing over fields to spot promising mineral-bearing ledges, c. 1925. |
| Dick Nevel - page two |
| The first appearance of Addie's using her own initials occurred in April 15, 1890 (Oxford Democrat): "Mrs. A. A. Ottignon hangs out a fine new sign at her millinery and general store, painted by F. A. Perkins of South Andover." Joshua Small's funeral was announced September 2, 1890 (Oxford Democrat): "The funeral of the late Joshua Small was held at the Congregational church Thursday afternoon, Rev. John Sutor officiating. Mr. Small was for many years a resident of this place but at the time of his death his home was with his daughter, Mrs. Charles Colby of Paris." Pleasant Island Camps on Cupsuptic Lake, West of Rangeley Dick Nevel's father, William Soule is indicated by the census as living in Adamstown (Township 4 Range 2 WBKP) with a wife and with two boarders, who may have been guides at Pleasant Island Camps. (Actually, Pleasant Island Camps were in Cupsuptic Township, but were in the Adamstown census district. It has been thought that "Billy" was the given name of this Soule, but he is listed as "William" in the 1900 Federal census, in a census district that barely had a dozen inhabitants at the time.) Pleasant Island Camps were established by Billy Soule in 1884, just 3 km to the northwest of Indian Rock, on a small peninsula, when he expanded the former private fishing camp of a Harry Dutton to include nine additional cabins and Dutton was one of the guides until the late 1890's. Soule's camps were on Cupsuptic Lake, actually a northern arm of Mooselookmeguntic Lake, west of Rangeley. In 1912, Pleasant Island Camps was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Weston Toothaker and in 1940 the camps were eventually sold to Nick G. Morrison, a Rumford pharmacist (Ellis, 1983). Some of the Pleasant Island Camps burned in 1961, but eventually the remaining ones were torn down to make way for summer homes. Possible Origins of Dick's Name According to the civil war diary of Lydia Brooks Richards (b. 1833 d. 1907) of Upton, Maine (www.rootsweb.com/~mecupton/diary_page/index.htm), there was a Wallace Richards (b. 1852) and a Charles Wallace Richards (b. 1832, but perhaps having left Upton by 1863) living on the Andover Road to Upton. One or both of these two Wallace's could have served as inspirations for W. D. Nevel's name as the Small family and the Richards family were frequently visiting each other, according to the Lydia Richards diary (Mark Richards, personal communication, 2000). Wallace Richards, being only several years older than Addie Small, may have been close friend and companion. Additionally, the surname Dickerson was prevalent in the Hudson, Michigan area during the time period of W. D. Nevel's birth. However, the origin of the "Nevel" surname remains obscure (Paul Nevel, personal communication, 1997). Details of the Life of Addie Ottignon - Dick's Mother After the death of her father, Joshua Small, and the separation from her husband, news of Addie Ottignon remained sketchy. Her husband was noted in 1892 (October 18, Oxford Democrat ): "Mr. Charlie Ottignon is in town for a few days." and this seems to be the last he is heard of. Addie evidentally maintained her millinery store in Andover, but did not frequently appear in the personals column. In the spring of 1894, Addie moved to Paris Hill to open a temporary business location, perhaps only for the up-coming term of Supreme Court, regardless of the mention of the advantage of the local schools. "Mrs. A. A. Ottignon, of Andover, has leased a part of Mrs. Mason's house at Paris Hill and will reside here for the present in order to give her children the advantage of Paris Hill Academy. Mrs. Ottignon will, we understand, open a line of millinery novelties here soon, of which announcement will be made in the Democrat later. Her store at Andover will be open to her former customers under the charge of a competent milliner." (April 17, 1894, Oxford Democrat). (Francis Ottignon would have been 13 years old, while Dick Nevel would have been just under 7 years old. The third child is unknown.) The following advertisement was run (e. g. May 18, 1894, Oxford Democrat ). Millinery Opening! -AT Paris Hill. I desire to announce to the citizens of Paris Hill and vicinity that I shall open a select line of Millinery Novelties on May 3rd, and continue through the season at my Millinery Parlors at the house of Mrs. A. F. Mason, Paris Hill. You are cordially invited to be present at the opening and inspect the line of Hats, Bonnets, Ribbons. Flowers, Veiling, etc. I have selected the finest goods the market affords and respectfully solicit your custom. Mrs. A. A. Ottignon, No. 2 Court St., West Parlor, PARIS HILL, ME. |