William Upham Dame was born in 1815 in Kittery, Maine.  Dame was one of the original pioneers of Modern Times.  William Dame was married to Mary J. prior to June 1, 1860 and was twenty-two years her senior. According to the 1860 census, William was listed as a box builder in the village of Modern Times.  At that time the value of his property was worth one thousand dollars and the value of his personal estate was five hundred dollars.  In 1862 their first daughter, Emily was born.  Two years later their second daughter, Stella was born.  By the 1880 census William Dame was listed as a cabinet maker.

William Dame was known for building the first well in town as well as the Octagon house.  The well became the social meeting spot for the inhabitants of Modern Times as well as a landmark. The well was located on the corner of Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.  William Dame’s Octagonal home had a second floor that was made into a hall where many community events took place during those years. The hall was known as Archimedian Hall. The house was built to conserve space according to Dame.  Dame taught his youngest daughter shorthand and Stella worked for a period of time as a stenographer in New York City.

William Dame died on November 2, 1896 when he was 81.  His wife lived until she was seventy-six and died on September 15, 1911.  Emily lived until she was 79 and Stella until she was 83.                   

 -M. Koferl, Local History Room Newsletter, April 2007