East Branch Dam Company and East Branch Improvement Company Records

The East Branch Dam Company was incorporated by the state of Maine in 1852. The company was authorized to erect dams at the outlet of Webster Lake, side dams in the Webster stream, and side dams at or near the Grand Falls to increase the facility in driving logs and other lumber. It also had the right to purchase Grand Lake Dam and to collect tolls on the lumber which passed over Grand Lake Dam.

On March 18, 1903, the East Branch Improvement Company received its charter from the legislature of Maine. This charter authorized the taking over the franchises, real estate and all rights and privileges held by Telos Canal Company, East Branch Dam Company, and Grand Lake Dam Company. At this time the stock of Telos Canal Company was owned or controlled by David Pingree and James N. Chandler, Pingree 60 shares, Chandler 40 shares. Mr. Pingree also controlled the stock of East Branch Dam Company and Grand Lake Dam Company. For the sum of sixty thousand dollars Mr. Pingree conveyed to East Branch Improvement Company sixty shares of the stock of Telos Canal Company and the franchises and property of the other two companies. Mr. Chandler would not sell his forty shares of the Telos Canal Company stock so that the franchise and property of that company were not acquired.

George H. Hamlin, a former professor of civil engineering at the University of Maine, was one of the incorporators of the East Branch Improvement Company in 1903. He was elected Treasurer in 1904 and served at least through 1934. In the annual reports for the company from 1944 to 1949 he was listed as the Assistant Treasurer.