We looked at Jesse Dyer, Jr., last week, a fascinating person in our community’s past. He worked as a grocer, postmaster, railroad man, brick manufacturer and mason, and he operated the grist mill at Mill Creek which aided in his business as an ice cutter and dealer in ice, hay and grain.

This week, we turn to his son, John A.S. Dyer, a notable figure in his own right.

John A.S. Dyer was born in 1861 in South Portland (then known as Cape Elizabeth) to Jesse Dyer, Jr. and Martha J. Fickett Dyer. He was only 18 years old when he went into the grocery business with Levi Seavey in Knightville. The grocery, known as the Cape T Store, was located on Ocean Street, on the corner of C Street. It was in an earlier building on that corner; that early structure was razed to make way for the building that would later become the Griffin Club (and that building was torn down to make room for the existing new building which will soon become the home of Taco Trio Mexican Restaurant).

The Cape T Store was a typical mercantile of the time, selling a wide variety of goods such as fresh produce and meats, general groceries, candy and tobacco products. Levi Seavey was appointed the Knightville postmaster in 1881, so the post office for the surrounding area was located inside their store.

Dyer operated the Cape T Store with Levi Seavey from roughly 1879 to 1885.

In 1885, Seavey left and Dyer continued with the grocery under his own name, calling it J.A.S. Dyer & Company. His younger brother, Walter, came to work for him as a clerk in the store at first and, by 1888, had joined John as a junior partner in the grocery.

They were still running the grocery from the building on the corner of C Street and John was appointed the Knightville postmaster in 1889. By 1891, they had moved the grocery across the street and up one block, to 85 Ocean St., on the corner of D Street. Walter would later leave the business, but John A.S. Dyer would continue to operate the grocery from that location until his death in 1938. In total, he worked as a grocer for 58 years. He left the grocery to his sons, Albert and Raymond, who continued operating it for a few years under the name Dyer Brothers. They sold it in 1941 to Albert Wheeler and Nelson Packhem who converted the store to a drug store format, and changed the name to Legion Square Pharmacy.

In addition to working as a grocer and postmaster, John A.S. Dyer was a very active community member. He was on the board of trustees of the Elm Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He was active in several fraternal orders. He played a leading role in the Oasis Commandery (part of the fraternal organization known as the United Order of the Golden Cross). He was a master and a 50-year veteran member of the Hiram Lodge of Masons in Knightville and he was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Kiwanis Club.

He served in local public office on several occasions; first being elected a selectman of the town of South Portland in 1895-1896. After South Portland became a city, he served as an alderman in 1908 and 1909, then was elected and served as the mayor of South Portland for four terms, from 1910 to 1913.

John A.S. Dyer was born in the family home at 129 Evans St. His father sold that home shortly after his birth and they moved to a new home at 841 Broadway. John married Helen Pillsbury in 1884 and he built a home on the adjacent lot, at 851 Broadway, so that he and Helen would have their own home to live in. They raised four children there, Albert, Martha, Raymond and Ella.

An article that appeared in the Portland Sunday Telegram on Nov. 20, 1927, contains another glimpse into John A.S. Dyer and his life: “Mr. Dyer explained that the grocery business had changed considerably in the last 50 years. ‘When I first started in business,’ said Mr. Dyer, ‘everything came in bulk; now everything comes in packages and cans.’ Mr. Dyer has been a hard working man all his life. He commenced his business career when a mere youth; his success therein being attributed to his own energy and pluck. More than six feet tall and blessed with a rugged constitution, he does not know the meaning of the word ‘tired.’ ‘Work is one of our greatest blessings,’ Mr. Dyer decisively declared as he scurried behind the counter to get a customer a five pound bag of sugar. ‘Work don’t hurt anyone,’ he said as he thumped the sugar onto the counter, ‘although some fellows think they get too much of it. I’d quit this business in a minute but if I did I would live six months. I could turn it over to the boys but that wouldn’t give me anything to do. I do take it a little easier than I used to. I’m like a banker now; I don’t work afternoons.’”

Note to readers: The South Portland Historical Society is actively researching and documenting local history. We are also currently preparing to double the content of our Online Museum.

If you enjoy reading about South Portland history, please consider renewing your membership, or becoming a new member of the South Portland Historical Society. A one-year family membership is only $25 and supports our mission of preserving local history. Donations can be made through our Online Museum website at https://sphistory.pastperfectonline.com, or if you’d prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to South Portland Historical Society and mail to us at 55 Bug Light Park, South Portland, ME 04106. Thank you. If you need to contact the society, we can be reached by email at sphistory04106@gmail.com or by phone at 207-767-7299.

Kathryn Onos DiPhilippo is executive director of the South Portland Historical Society. She can be reached at sphistory04106@gmail.com.

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