This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 edition. Excerpt: ... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OP SOME.OF THE MOST PROMINENT OP THE EARLY AND RECENT CITIZENS OF CAMDEN. IN glancing at the history of Camden, we find the names of a number of persons, whose prominence as citizens, entitles them to more than the passing notice we have given them. It will be fou*ndthat this town has contributed, quite largely, its share of those who have filled important positions, in both civil, and social life. Such ones may be deemed worthy of a biographical sketch. There are others, also, whose personal reputation has been known but little beyond the limits of their town, whom we shall notice, as being deserving of mention from the interest that attaches to them locally. In the order of time, without classification, we will now proceed. First on the list, occurs the name of Lieut. John Harkness, who was born in Lunenburg, Mass., June, 1750. At the age of eighteen, he commenced learning the shoemakers' trade at New Ipswich, N. H. Soon after serving an apprenticeship in St. Crispin's art, the war cloud of the Revolution began to darken, and, like a patriot, Harkness enlisted for the struggle under Capt. Ezra Towne, in the capacity of a lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, and Ticonderoga. So close was one of his engagements with the enemy, that the tow wad of a gun lodged in his cockade hat, where it burned a perforation. The hardship he underwent, induced an attack of the fever and ague, which so far impaired his health, as to unfit him for further military duty. Being advised to recruit his strength by visiting the sea coast, he embarked in a vessel for Lermond's Cove, (now Rockland, ) and in 1779 came to Camden. Soon after he settled here, an expedition of twenty patriots from the vicinity of..