New book explores life of western Maine pioneer

BETHEL — Joshua G. Rich, a Western Maine “pioneer,” hunter, trapper and prolific wildlife writer, is the subject of a new book by Professor William B. Krohn, a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey based at the University of Maine, who quotes Rich with the following recollection: “Now I am more than 70 years old and as I look back over my woods life, of 40 years, it makes me tremble as I think of the narrow escapes and great perils I have been through by night and by day, in winter and summer, on water and under water, on mountains and in swamps, starving, freezing, overcome by heavy loads and long trams, rain storms, snow and sleet, in the night time as well as day.”

An adventuresome early settler in western Maine, J. G. Rich was born in New Sharon in 1820, the same year Maine became a State. As a young man, he moved his growing family to the Rangeley Lakes area where he found the waters teaming with fish, and the forests rich with wildlife. Rich supported himself and family by trapping, guiding, and farming. He sold his winter catch to fur traders and as scientific specimens to Harvard University. Rich owned and operated a hotel, a general store, and an early — if not the first — fishing resort on the Rangeley Lakes. Always willing to change with the times, Rich transitioned from being a professional trapper to a trial justice for Oxford County, a pension agent for Civil War veterans, a correspondent for many newspapers, and Bethel’s humane officer. He and his wife, Mary Noble Rich, are buried in Bethel’s Woodland Cemetery.

In this just-released book, "Joshua Gross Rich (1820-1897): The Life and Works of a Western Maine Pioneer and Wildlife Writer," Professor Krohn describes the life of one of Maine’s most notable woodsmen. As readers quickly will discover, Krohn has pulled together Rich’s beguiling life story through an exhaustive search of source material, including the archival, research library and museum collections located at the Bethel Historical Society. Among the illustrations featured in the book are portraits of J. G. Rich and his first wife, Mary Noble, which are owned by the Bethel organization.

Designed for folklorists, historians, naturalists, anglers, hunters, trappers, and anyone interested in Maine’s civil and natural histories during the 19th century, this new book begins with a biographical sketch of Rich, followed by six of his articles that include a description of his life as an early settler, detailed observations about the region’s brook trout, and an intriguing story about a lost cave. Included also is an annotated bibliography of Rich’s published works and a computer analysis attempting to relocate Rich’s cave. The book, which is available from the Bethel Historical Society’s Museum Shop, has 209 pages, 27 black & white illustrations, and one color map. The softcover edition sells for $29.