Maine Memory Network

Edward Milton Elwell was appointed Collector of the Port of Portland by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and served from 1954 to 1956, when commerce was at a low ebb. Born in Buxton on September 23, 1925, Elwell was the first Collector born in the 20th Century. He served with the army in Germany and Belgium, where he met his wife Angela M. Pollaris. The couple had one son. He worked for the Maine Employment Commission, the State Highway Commission, was active on campaign staffs of Senator Margaret Chase Smith, Gov. Frederick G. Paine, Gov. Burton M. Cross and Congressman Peter A. Garland.

In 1952, Elwell was executive director of the Republican State Committee. At age 29, he was the youngest U.S. Collector. The reason for his short stint is not known. In later years, he operated the Elwell Insurance Agency, and was deeply involved in local affairs being founder and president of the Buxton-Hollis Historical Society, trustee of the Buxton Public Library, member of the York County Old Times Records Preservation Committee and chairman of the Buxton Town Bicentennial in 1972. He died on May 31, 1991 and was laid to rest in Buxton’s Elwell Cemetery.