Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

RODICK Bar Harbor, noted as the headquarters for summer tourists, has a historical importance and interest beyond most any other place in "one hundred harbored Maine." The first landfall of white men was made by Samuel Champlain, a Frenchman in the service of Henry IV. This name is a telling one in American discovery, and is writ large in our annals. The first permanent white settlement on the island of Mount Desert was made by Cape Cod and Cape Ann families. (I) Daniel Rodick was a native of Cape Cod and came to Bar Harbor in 1769, settled on the lot which is now owned by his grandson, and was the founder of the strong and influential Rodick family in Maine. He served the plantation of Mount Desert on many committees. He was chosen one of the committee of inspection, correspondence and safety, of which he was chairman. He also served on the committee to take the care of the marshes. He married Betty Hamor, of Harpswell, in 1764. Children, b. in Eden: Daniel, James, David, John B., Abigail, Betsey, Polly, Dorcas, Hannah, Sally and Patience. (II) John B., fourth son of Daniel and Betty (Hamor) Rodick, was born in Eden, Mount Desert Island, March 23, 1786, and died in Jan., 1852. He was a joiner and farmer, living in Eden. He married Thankful, daughter of Eleazer and Hannah (Hadley) Higgins, Sept. 19, 1812. She died April 21, 1864. Children: Jeremiah S., Sally T., Walter M., Richard, Clarissa, Polly A., John A., and Betsey E. (III) John Andrew, fourth son of John B. and Thankful (Higgins) Rodick, was born at Bar Harbor, Feb. 18, 1830, and obtained a rudimentary education in the public schools. In early life he went to sea, sailing to West Indian, South American and many foreign ports. He arose from a sailor before the mast to a captaincy. He had in youth followed fishing in local waters and at the Grand Banks. Young Rodick enlisted in the civil war in 1862, in the First Maine Heavy Artillery in Company C, serving three years. He was wounded by a spent ullet while in the line of duty, and was mustered out of service in 1865. He served in seven battles and engagements, including Gettysubrg, Cold Harbor, Spottylvania, Ream's Station, Boydtown Road, Weldon Road and Hatcher's Run. He served under Generals Meade and McClellan. In all these engagements he preformed well his part as a soldier. As it is the branch roads that feed and make possible the great trunk lines of commerce, so in a great army it is the private soldier in the ranks, the man behind the gun, who, though he is not gazetted in the reports, makes victory assured. After returning from the war, he commanded a private yacht for a number of years, until he became a hotel proprietor, conducting the Birch Tree Inn, a famous inn in its day and one of the first in Bar Harbor. Subsequently he went into the grocery business and is still engaged therein. In 1898 he was made president of the First National Bank of Bar Harbor, and after serving in that capacity for ten years resigned in favor of his adopted son, Mr. Andrew Stroud, said to be the youngest national bank president in the state of Maine. Mr. Rodick adopted Andrew, who was born Oct. 21, 1854, when a small boy, and has brought him up to man's estate, thus qualifying him to be a helpful son and associate in business, which he is in every sense of the word. Mr. Rodick is an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason, being a member of Bar Harbor Blue Lodge, of the James Parker Post, No. 105, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he holds the office of sergeant-major. His political connections are with the Republicans, and he is independent in religion. Mr. Rodick married (first) Alice Rodick, Oct. 21, 1851; after her death he married (second) Mary C., widow of Orin Higgins, and daughter of Captain John and Mary Nichols, of Cape Cod.