Ralph Owen Brewster (February 22, 1888 – December 25, 1961) was an American politician from Maine . Brewster, a Republican , served as the 54th Governor of Maine from 1925 to 1929, in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1935 to 1941 and in the U.S. Senate from 1941 to 1952. Brewster was a close confidant of Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin and an antagonist of Howard Hughes . He was defeated by Frederick G. Payne , whose campaign was heavily funded by Hughes, in the 1952 Republican primary.
70-651: Ralph Owen Brewster was born in Dexter, Maine , the son of William E. Brewster , a banker, grocery store owner and member of the Maine House of Representatives , and Carrie S. Bridges. He was a direct lineal descendant of Love Brewster , a passenger aboard the Mayflower and a founder of the town of Bridgewater, Massachusetts ; and of his father Elder William Brewster , the Pilgrim colonist leader and spiritual elder of
140-480: A grist mill at the falls. The Dexter Historical Society today uses the building which replaced it in 1854 as part of its museum complex. The stream would also power five woolen mills, the oldest and largest of which was established by Amos and Jeremiah Abbott in 1836. Amos Abbott & Company, which closed in 1975, was the only textile mill in the United States owned by one family for such a long period. In
210-593: A Benefits Calculators web page with several stand-alone online calculators that help individuals estimate their benefits and prepare for retirement. These include benefit calculators for spouses, calculators for persons affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset and calculators to determine a person's full retirement age or the effect of the earnings test on benefits. SSA also provides
280-818: A Christian Science Society in Dexter, Maine. Brewster was a member of the American Bar Association , Grange , the American Legion , the Freemasons , the Elks , the Odd Fellows , and Delta Kappa Epsilon . Brewster died unexpectedly of cancer on Christmas Day, 1961 in Brookline, Massachusetts . He was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Dexter, Maine where his home , which is listed on
350-521: A foe of Brewster and the Klan in the Maine Legislature of the 1920s. Brewster came to national attention due to his opposition to the commercial interests of Howard Hughes , America's wealthiest person at the time. In 1947, Brewster was chairman of the special Senate committee investigating defense procurement during World War II . He claimed concern that Hughes had received $ 40 million from
420-462: A life expectancy calculator to help with retirement planning. If a person first claims a retirement benefit at the full retirement age (FRA), the individual will receive a monthly benefit amount equal to 100 percent of the individual's primary insurance amount (PIA). If first claimed before the FRA, the monthly benefit amount is smaller than 100 percent of PIA and if claimed after the FRA the monthly amount
490-453: A reduced monthly benefit amount and a worker who claims at an age after the full retirement age (up to age 70) receives an increased monthly amount. The 90, 32, and 15 percent factors in the PIA computation lead to higher replacement rates for persons with lower career earnings. For example, a retired individual whose average earnings are below the first bend point can receive a monthly benefit at
560-482: A replacement Social Security card or check the status of an application. A printed copy of the Social Security Statement is mailed to workers age 60 or older. In 2021, SSA began producing Retirement Ready fact sheets, available online and as part of the online Statement, that tailor retirement planning information to different age groups (young, middle age, and older workers). SSA also has
630-463: A timely basis. The amount of the monthly Social Security benefit to which a worker is entitled, currently depends upon the earnings record on which they have paid FICA or SECA taxes and upon the age at which the retiree chooses to begin receiving benefits. That said, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Flemming v. Nestor (1960) that no one has a contractual right to Social Security benefits. Medicare
700-578: Is a separate program from Social Security, although disabled and aged (65 or older) Social Security beneficiaries qualify for Medicare. The financing for Medicare (United States) is also based on payroll taxes, trust fund reserves, and the taxation of some Social Security benefits. Workers in Social Security covered employment pay FICA ( Federal Insurance Contributions Act ) or SECA (Self Employed Contributions Act) taxes and earn quarters of coverage if earnings are above minimum amounts specified in
770-610: Is also almost exactly half-way between the geographic North Pole and the Equator . As of the census of 2010, there were 3,895 people, 1,651 households, and 1,064 families living in the town. The population density was 110.9 inhabitants per square mile (42.8/km ). There were 2,141 housing units at an average density of 60.9 per square mile (23.5/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 97.2% White , 0.3% African American , 0.7% Native American , 0.5% Asian , and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of
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#1732790404204840-749: Is the Unitarian Universalist Church. It is also Dexter's oldest house of worship, built in 1829, but given a new steeple and vestibule by Boston architect Thomas W. Silloway in 1869. Five buildings in Dexter are listed on the National Register of Historic Places , including the Dexter Grist Mill ; Universalist Church ; Abbott Memorial Library by Boston architect J. Williams Beal ; the Bank Block by Bangor architect George W. Orff ; and "Zion's Hill",
910-677: The National Register of Historic Places , was converted to the Brewster Inn, a bed and breakfast . In 2004, Brewster was portrayed by Alan Alda in The Aviator . Alda was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance, but lost to Morgan Freeman for Million Dollar Baby . Dexter, Maine Dexter is a town in Penobscot County , Maine , United States. The population
980-669: The Plymouth Colony , and passenger aboard the Mayflower and one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact . He graduated summa cum laude from Bowdoin College in 1909, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Delta Kappa Epsilon . From 1909 to 1910, Brewster was the principal of Castine High School, and then attended Harvard Law School , graduating in 1913. In 1915, he married Dorothy Foss, and from 1915 to 1923, he
1050-486: The Ralph Owen Brewster house by Portland architectural firm J. C. & J. H. Stevens . In 1848, the town was struck by a tornado which tore large trees out by their roots and destroyed even the strongest buildings. In 1987, parts of Dexter's downtown area were used as backdrops for the film Creepshow 2 , a horror anthology film based on stories written by Maine native Stephen King . According to
1120-642: The United States , Social Security is the commonly used term for the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance ( OASDI ) program and is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Social Security Act was passed in 1935, and the existing version of the Act, as amended, encompasses several social welfare and social insurance programs. The average monthly Social Security benefit for September 2023
1190-693: The United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 37.16 square miles (96.24 km ), of which 35.13 square miles (90.99 km ) is land and 2.03 square miles (5.26 km ) is water. Dexter is drained by the East Branch of the Sebasticook River , which flows from Lake Wassookeag and is part of the Kennebec River watershed. Dexter is almost exactly half-way between Bangor and Waterville . It
1260-714: The War Department without actually delivering the aircraft he had contracted to provide, but Hughes countered that Brewster was motivated by his connections to Pan-American Airways , the rival to Hughes's Trans World Airlines . Hughes aggressively combatted the inquiring Brewster, alleging that the senator was corrupt. Memoirs by Hughes's right-hand man Noah Dietrich and syndicated newspaper columnist Jack Anderson each sketched Brewster as, in Dietrich's words, "an errand boy for Juan Trippe and Pan American World Airways ," who pushed for legislation that would give Pan Am
1330-564: The 1960s, the town's name became familiar throughout New England because of the pervasive log cabin style factory outlets of the Dexter Shoe Company , founded in a vacant Dexter woolen mill in 1958 by Harold Alfond . Dexter's downtown is dominated by the Memorial Building, designed by John Morrison. At its top is the community's largest clock, named Nancy after the architect's wife. The tallest building in town
1400-426: The 90% multiplier in the first PIA bendpoint to 40–85% depending on the number of Years of Coverage. Foreign pensions are subject to WEP. A special minimum benefit, based on an alternative PIA calculation, is available for some workers with long careers but low earnings. However, it is rarely higher than the regularly computed PIA and thus few workers qualify for the special minimum benefit. 32,000 individuals received
1470-534: The Atlantic. In a Senate hearing that electrified the nation, Hughes repeated his accusations that Brewster had promised an end to the Senate inquiry if Hughes would agree to merging TWA with Pan Am. (Dietrich wrote that Hughes, in a bid to stall for time before the hearing, went so far as to launch negotiations with Trippe about such a merger.) In response, Brewster, stung by the allegations, stood aside from chairing
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#17327904042041540-558: The Democratic Party of throwing the vote in certain predominantly Franco-American (i.e. Catholic-majority) towns in Aroostook County , and took that accusation first to state authorities and then to the U.S. Congress itself, where he tried to prevent Utterback from being seated. Although unsuccessful, Utterback was kept so much on the defensive that Brewster managed to defeat him in the 1934 election. Brewster served in
1610-577: The House until 1941, when he went on to the U.S. Senate . Brewster was re-elected to the Senate in 1946. During his time in Congress, Brewster worked on legislation to provide old-age pensions (the forerunner of Social Security ) although he was a prominent opponent of welfare and spending programs in President Roosevelt's New Deal . As Senator, Brewster sat on several committees, notably
1680-431: The PIA. Once the PIA is computed, it is indexed for price inflation over time. Thus, Social Security monthly benefit amounts retain their purchasing power throughout a person's retirement years. A worker who first starts receiving a retirement benefit at the full retirement age receives a monthly benefit amount equal to 100 percent of the PIA. A worker who claims the retirement benefit before the full retirement age receives
1750-562: The PIAs of a spouse or a deceased spouse. Aged spouse and divorced spouse beneficiaries can receive up to 50 percent of the PIA. Survivor benefit rates are higher and aged widow(er)s and aged surviving divorced spouses can receive 100 percent of the PIA. Federal, state and local employees who have elected (when they could) NOT to pay FICA taxes are eligible for a reduced FICA benefits and full Medicare coverage if they have more than forty quarters of qualifying Social Security covered work. To minimize
1820-613: The Penn Wharton Budget Model (University of Pennsylvania) projected depletion in 2032–2034, depending on the shape of the economic recovery in the U.S. following the COVID-19 pandemic. With regard to actuarial balance, the Social Security Trustees estimate a 75-year actuarial deficit of 3.61 percent of payroll. This is approximately the total payroll tax increase that would be necessary to keep
1890-979: The Social Security Act are: The SSA administers two of these programs (OASDI and SSI). The Social Security program in the United States pays benefits to three broad categories of individuals: retired individuals and some family members, disabled persons and some family members, and survivors. Within these broad categories, the program defines more specific types of beneficiaries. For example, spouses and divorced spouses are distinct categories, with somewhat different eligibility requirements. Survivor benefits include several categories including aged widow(er)s, aged surviving divorced spouses, disabled widow(er)s, disabled surviving divorced spouses, paternal and maternal orphans, and widow(er)s caring for minor or disabled children. As of 2023, there were about 66.8 million individuals receiving Social Security benefits. Individuals receiving Retirement Insurance Benefits constitute
1960-425: The Social Security Statement. The Statement can be accessed online by opening an online account with SSA called my Social Security . With that account, workers can also construct "what if" scenarios, helping them to understand the effect on monthly benefits if they work additional years or delay the start of retirement benefits. The my Social Security account also offers other services, allowing individuals to request
2030-422: The Social Security payments to those who have not contributed to FICA for 35+ years and are eligible for federal, state and local benefits, which are usually more generous, the U.S. Congress passed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The WEP provision does not eliminate all Social Security or Medicare eligibility if the worker has 40 quarters of qualifying income, but calculates the benefit payments by reducing
2100-496: The Social Security payroll tax. Wage and salary earnings above this amount are not taxed. In 2024, the maximum amount of taxable earnings is $ 168,600. Social Security is nearly universal, with 94 percent of individuals in paid employment in the United States working in covered employment. However, about 6.6 million state and local government workers in the United States, or 28 percent of all state and local workers, are not covered by Social Security but rather pension plans operated at
2170-474: The Social Security program began, during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term, as a measure to implement " social insurance " during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Act was an attempt to limit unforeseen and unprepared-for dangers in modern life, including old age, disability, poverty, unemployment, and the burdens of widow(er)s with and without children. Opponents, however, decried
Owen Brewster - Misplaced Pages Continue
2240-882: The Special Senate Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program (the Truman Committee ), and the Joint Committee to Investigate the attack on Pearl Harbor . At the time these were very high profile and Brewster's work on those committees did much to raise his profile in Washington. Brewster played a role in defeating the signature New Deal project in his own district of Maine, a multibillion-dollar tidal power development planned for Passamaquoddy Bay . Supported by President Roosevelt, whose summer home on Campobello
2310-846: The Third Infantry unit of the Maine National Guard when the nation entered World War I . He served successively as private , second lieutenant , captain , and regimental adjutant , and returned to the Maine House after the war ended. He continued to be a State House member from 1921 to 1922, when he was elected to the Maine Senate . Brewster served in the State Senate until 1925. Brewster ran for Governor of Maine in 1924, and his Democratic opponent, William Robinson Pattangall , made Klan support for Brewster
2380-560: The U.S. Senate election in 1926. Republican Arthur R. Gould won anyway after running on an anti-Klan campaign, signaling the limits of the Klan's power in Maine politics. Brewster challenged incumbent Senator Frederick Hale in the Republican primary in 1928 for that year's Senate race, losing to Hale. Brewster served two terms as governor, leaving office in 1929 after he lost the 1928 Republican nomination for U.S. Senate . In 1932, he
2450-405: The average family size was 2.80. In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males. The median income for a household in the town
2520-567: The centerpiece of his campaign. Although Brewster denied any involvement with the Ku Klux Klan, a number of Klan members openly supported him. Pattangall lost, but Brewster was also accused of Klan sympathies from within his own party, most notably by former Maine governor and fellow Republican Percival P. Baxter . Brewster's governorship would so split the Maine Republican Party that he denounced his own party's candidate in
2590-501: The combined programs together (OASI and DI) and focus on key measures such as trust fund depletion date, actuarial balance over a 75-year period, and comparisons of program costs to U.S. GDP. Regarding trust fund depletion, the Social Security Trustees in 2024, based on technical work by the Social Security Administration's actuaries, project the combined OASDI trust fund will be depleted in 2035. In 2021,
2660-424: The first $ 1,174 of average indexed monthly earnings, plus (b) 32 percent of average indexed monthly earnings between $ 1,174 and $ 7,078, plus (c) 15 percent of average indexed monthly earnings over $ 7,078 For workers who turn 62 in the future, the 90, 32, and 15 percent factors in the computation formula will remain the same but the dollar amounts in the formula (called bend points) will increase by wage growth in
2730-520: The full retirement age that equals 90 percent of the person's average monthly earnings before retirement. The table shows replacement rates for workers who turned 62 in 2013. The PIA computation formula for disabled workers parallels that for retired workers except the AIME is based on fewer years to reflect disablement before age 62. The monthly benefit amount of a disabled worker is 100 percent of PIA. Benefits for spouses, children, and widow(er)s depend on
2800-783: The full spouse benefit for which they qualify. In addition, Social Security beneficiaries with low income and limited resources may qualify for additional income through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is separate from the Social Security program, but it is administered by SSA. In 2022, 2.5 million Social Security beneficiaries received additional income through SSI. Social Security payments to beneficiaries, which totaled $ 1.23 trillion in 2022, are generally financed by payroll taxes on workers in Social Security covered employment, trust fund reserves, and income taxation of some Social Security benefits. The payroll tax rate totals 12.4 percent of earnings up to
2870-479: The inquiry and became instead a witness before the committee – which also allowed Hughes to question Brewster directly. Brewster denied Hughes' allegations and made several counter-claims, but by the time the hearing ended Brewster's reputation had suffered greatly. Ironically, Hughes, for all his wealth, came across as what Dietrich described as the "little guy" who "fought City Hall and won." In 1952, Hughes worked hard to ensure Brewster's political demise, persuading
Owen Brewster - Misplaced Pages Continue
2940-521: The large baby-boom generation however, is lowering balances. Without legislative changes, trust fund reserves are projected to be depleted in 2033 for the OASI fund. Should depletion occur, incoming payroll tax and other revenue would be sufficient to pay 77 percent of OASI benefits starting in 2035. With few exceptions, all legal residents working in the United States have an individual Social Security Number . Social Security timeline A limited form of
3010-494: The largest group of beneficiaries, with 52.4 million retired workers or family members receiving monthly payments. Social Security Disability Insurance benefits were paid to 7.4 million disabled workers and 1.2 million dependents (children and spouses). About 5.8 million individuals, including 2 million children, received some type of survivor benefit from Social Security. Some individuals qualify for more than one type of benefit, but program rules on dual entitlement generally prevent
3080-427: The law. Workers with 40 quarters of coverage (QC) are "fully insured" and eligible for retirement benefits. Retirement benefit amounts depend upon the average of the person's highest 35 years of "adjusted [for inflation]" or "indexed [for inflation]" earnings. A person's payroll-taxable earnings from earlier years are adjusted for economy-wide wage growth, using the national average wage index (AWI), and then averaged. If
3150-469: The national economy, as measured by the AWI. Because the AIME and the PIA calculation incorporate the AWI, Social Security benefits are said to be wage indexed. Because wages typically grow faster than prices, the PIAs for workers turning 62 in the future will tend to be higher in real terms but similar relative to average earnings in the economy at the time age 62 is attained. Monthly benefit amounts are based on
3220-468: The past, legislation has been enacted to prevent trust fund depletion. Should the trust funds be depleted, Social Security would still have revenue coming into the system from payroll taxes. The Social Security trustees estimate that revenue would be sufficient to pay 77 percent of the program's benefits. There has been debate about a trust fund depletion scenario regarding whether monthly benefits would be lowered or whether full amounts would be paid but not on
3290-423: The payment of two full benefits. For example, a person eligible for a retirement benefit and a higher spouse benefit will receive the full retirement benefit and a partial spouse benefit. The dual entitlement rules disproportionately affect women (7 million women in 2022 ) because historically they have earned less than current or former husbands and this leads to retirement benefits for women that are often lower than
3360-593: The poor, dependent children, spouses, survivors and the disabled. Poor farms were common in the US before Social Security took effect, then most disappeared by about 1950. By 1950, debates moved away from which occupational groups should be included to get enough taxpayers to fund Social Security to how to provide more benefits. Changes in Social Security have reflected a balance between promoting "equality" and efforts to provide "adequate" and affordable protection for low wage workers. The larger and better known programs under
3430-410: The population. There were 1,615 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and
3500-442: The population. There were 1,651 households, of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.6% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
3570-420: The post-war Senate, Brewster befriended Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin , and his association with McCarthyism further eroded Brewster's political support in Maine as McCarthy's anti-communist show-trials became increasingly unpopular. One of McCarthy's major opponents was another Republican member of Maine's congressional delegation, Margaret Chase Smith , whose late husband, Clyde H. Smith , had been
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#17327904042043640-412: The proposal as socialism. Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins wrote that during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senator Thomas Gore (D-OK) asked "Isn't this Socialism?" She replied that it was not, but he continued, "Isn't this a teeny-weeny bit of Socialism?" The provisions of Social Security have been changing since the 1930s, shifting in response to economic worries as well as coverage for
3710-503: The single-carrier international air monopoly for the U.S. The Martin Scorsese movie The Aviator portrays Brewster (played by Alan Alda ) similarly, as corrupt and in the pocket of Pan Am, the rival of Hughes' TWA . Hughes spread rumors about Brewster's close association with Pan Am, alleging that he received free flights and hospitality in return for legislation such as his bill to withdraw government approval for TWA flights across
3780-404: The special minimum benefit in 2019. The benefits someone is eligible for are potentially so complicated that potential retirees should consult the Social Security Administration directly for advice. Many questions are addressed and at least partially answered on many online publications and online calculators. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides benefit estimates to workers through
3850-498: The state or local level. Social Security payroll taxes are collected by the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and are formally entrusted to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund and the federal Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund, the two Social Security Trust Funds . Social Security revenues exceeded expenditures between 1983 and 2009 which increased trust fund balances. The retirement of
3920-467: The system solvent for 75 years. The figure is designed to illustrate the size of the deficit. Legislation could close the deficit in ways other than raising the payroll tax rate. Because taxable earnings are a fraction of GDP, sometimes the system's finances are put into context by using GDP. Social Security's cost are currently 5.2 percent of U.S. GDP. Program costs will rise to 6.3 percent of GDP by 2076, and then decline to 6.0 percent of GDP by 2097. In
3990-702: The taxable maximum (the rate is 6.2 percent from workers and 6.2 percent from employers and 12.4 percent from the self-employed). The OASI Trust Fund and the DI Trust Fund are legally separate. For employees and employers combined, the OASI payroll taxes are 10.6 percent and the DI payroll taxes are 1.8 percent. In 2022, trust fund reserves for the OASI and DI programs were $ 2.7 trillion and $ 118 billion, respectively. Income taxation of some Social Security benefits brought in $ 47.1 billion for OASI and $ 1.6 billion for DI in 2022. Assessments of system financing often focus on
4060-485: The then-Governor of Maine, Frederick G. Payne , to challenge him in the Republican primary. Armed with $ 60,000 of campaign funds from Hughes, Payne challenged Brewster. Payne proceeded to connect Brewster with McCarthyism and racist groups and also took up Hughes' claims that Brewster was corrupt. This led to the unusual defeat of an incumbent Senator in his own primary . Brewster resigned his seat in December 1952 and
4130-436: The town. The population density was 110.6 inhabitants per square mile (42.7/km ). There were 2,054 housing units at an average density of 58.4 per square mile (22.5/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 98.56% White , 0.31% Black or African American , 0.23% Native American , 0.10% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.03% from other races , and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of
4200-527: The worker has fewer than 35 years of covered earnings, these non-contributory years are assigned zero earnings. The sum of the highest 35 years of adjusted or indexed earnings divided by 420 (35 years times 12 months per year) produces a person's Average Indexed Monthly Earnings or AIME. The AIME is then used to calculate the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). For workers who turn 62 in 2024, the PIA computation formula is: (a) 90 percent of
4270-522: Was $ 1,706. The total cost of the Social Security program for 2022 was $ 1.244 trillion or about 5.2 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). Social Security is funded primarily through payroll taxes called the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) or Self Employed Contributions Act (SECA). Wage and salary earnings from covered employment, up to an amount determined by law (see tax rate table), are subject to
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#17327904042044340-488: Was $ 26,000, and the median income for a family was $ 31,204. Males had a median income of $ 27,130 versus $ 18,805 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 14,197. About 15.4% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over. Social Security (United States) Bowles–Simpson Commission 2007–2008 financial crisis 2013 budget sequestration Related events In
4410-436: Was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age in the town was 44.8 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 31.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,890 people, 1,615 households, and 1,106 families living in
4480-485: Was 3,803 at the 2020 census . It is part of the Bangor metropolitan statistical area . Dexter Regional High School , which serves Dexter as well as other nearby small towns, is located in the town. Dexter was settled beginning in 1801 by Ebenezer Small, David Smith, and others from New Hampshire , and was originally called Elkinstown. When incorporated as a town in 1816, it named itself after Judge Samuel Dexter , who
4550-677: Was a member of the Portland School Committee. From 1914 to 1925, Brewster was a lawyer for the Chapman and Brewster law firm in Portland . He also served as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce-affiliated "Committee of 100" which, in 1923, instituted a significant overhaul of Portland city government. Brewster was elected to a two-year term as a member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1916, but resigned to enlist in
4620-590: Was defeated for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives , after a bitterly fought campaign against Democrat John G. Utterback from Bangor where Brewster also had a law office. Although Bangor was the largest city in Brewster's congressional district, his support came mainly from smaller towns. As one Maine newspaper put it in 1923, "the rank and file (of Republicans in Bangor) are decidedly, positively, and all-the-time anti-Brewster." Brewster accused Utterback and
4690-598: Was still supportive, and that the Roosevelt administration was placing the development in jeopardy, the project's supporters believed he was playing a double game. In the town of Lubec , adjacent to the development site, a crowd of over 200 hung Brewster in effigy with a sign around his neck reading "our double-crossing Congressman." The support Brewster had received early-on from the Ku Klux Klan had cost him considerable support from within his own Republican party. In
4760-530: Was succeeded by Payne, who would only last one term, being defeated by Edmund Muskie in 1958. In his retirement Brewster continued active involvement in many conservative organizations. Brewster was a Christian Scientist and served a one-year term in the largely honorary role as President of The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston for 1932–1933. He was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Portland, Maine for many years, and later helped establish
4830-477: Was then running for governor of Massachusetts (of which Maine was still a part). The town of Brooks in nearby Waldo County was incorporated the same year and named for the opposing candidate, John Brooks . Brooks won the election. The town of Dexter, however, achieved the greater prosperity. The town grew because of its location on the East Branch of the Sebasticook River , which provided excellent water power for mills. In 1818, Jonathan Farrar constructed
4900-459: Was within sight of the project area, Brewster initially seemed to be an ally. In 1935, however, he publicly accused a New Deal attorney, Thomas Corcoran , of threatening to kill the project unless Brewster favored the administration on a related vote reining in private utilities. Corcoran denied the charge in the public hearing that followed, Brewster shouting out "liar" at one point in the proceedings. While Brewster's accusation made it appear that he
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