USA > Maine > York County > Parsonsfield > A history of the first century of the town of Parsonsfield, Maine > Part 32
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In 1858, he was elected a representative to the General Court of the state. That year the statutes were to be revised. He was one of a committee of forty who were appointed to sit during the summer of 1859 to make the revision. The Legislature adjourned April 6, 1859. The following Saturday he went to Boston to attend the first meeting of that committee, and was then appointed one of a sub-committee of seven to adopt rules for their guidance in the important work before them. This sub-committee was to meet the next Wednesday in the State House, but before that day dawned he had passed away from earth. He also served upon the committee on Bills in the Third Read- ing, and in that position his critical judgment and painstaking assiduity were of signal advantage to the state. His criticisms upon a bill, upon one occasion, were so remarkably acute and pertinent as to elicit a public complimentary recognition upon the floor of the House from Honorable Caleb Cushing, who was the most experienced member.
In his law practice he was most successful, having a large and respon- sible business. He was known as the poor man's friend, and he often not only gave gratuitous advice but money to pay his clients' fare back home, or to help them in other ways.
He paid great attention to religion ; in all questions concerning the material and moral prosperity of the community he was much inter- ested ; and in his profession it was universally conceded that he was a man of the strictest integrity. He was one of the deacons of the Law- rence Central Congregational church, in which he felt the deepest solicitude from the period of its organization.
His leading characteristic was a large-hearted, far-reaching benevo- lence, which controlled every thought and act of his life. He enjoyed, in a very high degree, the esteem and confidence of the people of Law- rence, and when early called away he seemed only to have entered upon a career of honors and successes, influence and usefulness, open- ing wide before him.
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
STEPHEN A. STACKPOLE.
Stephen Abbott Stackpole was born in Parsonsfield, Maine, October 26, 1818, being the third son of Edmund and Sabra Abbott Stackpole. He received his early education in the district schools and was gradu- ated from North Parsonsfield academy in the year 1837, after which he taught in the public schools of the towns of Ossipee and Freedom, New Hampshire, Parsonsfield and Calais, Maine, respectively. Pre- ferring a mercantile to a sedentary life, Mr. Stackpole, in 1844, went to Boston, Massachusetts, and soon entered the employ of John D. Rich- ardson as a clerk in his grocery, baking and provision business, carried on in South Boston. In the interest of Mr. Richardson, he worked zealously and assiduously, early and late, and was rewarded in 1852 by being admitted as an equal partner in the business under the style of J. D. Richardson & Co. Subsequently, upon the decease of the senior partner in 1856, he became sole proprietor by purchase, not only of the business but of the estate.
Mr. Stackpole continued the business until the year 1858, when he disposed of all but the baking business. This he has since conducted, giving personal attention to it until 1886, when his son was admitted as partner under the firm name of S. A. Stackpole & Son. Under his own name, Mr. Stackpole also carried on business as a wholesale flour merchant, at 224 State Street, Boston, his long and practical experience with the staples being of great advantage to him in handling it. As a citizen of Boston, he has taken more than an ordinary interest in its affairs, and his labors have several times been recognized by the suf- frages of his constituents. Within two years after his locating in South Boston, he was elected to the school board of Boston and con- tinued by successive elections an active member thereof for a period of ten years, retiring in 1856. In 1850, he was drawn and served as a juror on the celebrated Webster-Parkman murder trial.
He was an assistant assessor of the city of Boston for two years, viz. : 1869 and 1870. In 1872, he was elected to the board of aldermen and was overseer of the poor during 1873, '74 and '75.
Mr. Stackpole also represented the fifteenth district of the County of Suffolk in the Massachusetts Legislature, during the year 1878.
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Since 1872, he has served continuously as a member of the board of directors of the South Boston Gas Light Company.
He was married in 1852 to Susan Ann Bragdon, daughter of Mr. William Bragdon, of Limington, Maine, by whom he was blessed with two children, a daughter and a son.
As early as 1854, he became interested in the Masonic Fraternity, which was evinced by his becoming a member of Saint Paul's Lodge, at South Boston. Later, in 1866, he became a charter member of Adelphi Lodge, and in 1878 was elected its treasurer, which office he has filled in response to unanimous elections. In 1869, he received the chapter degrees in Saint Matthews Royal Arch Chapter, and the fol- lowing year the orders of Christian Knighthood, in Saint Omer Com- mandery.
ALVAH S. LIBBEY
Was born December 5, 1830, on his grandfather Bachelder's homestead, now owned by Charles Hobbs. When he was four years old, his father moved into Effingham, New Hampshire, where he received his educa- tion at the town school and the Effingham Academy. At the age of fourteen, he went to Haverhill, Massachusetts, to work on a farm. After one year he went to Boston as clerk on a lumber wharf, where he remained three years. Since that time he has been engaged in mill and lumber business, except when he was absent during his service in the army. Mr. Libbey enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment New Hamp- shire Volunteers and was engaged in the campaign for the reduction of Port Hudson, La., under General N. P. Banks. He was promoted to Lieutenant after four months' service. In 1864, he was commis- sioned Captain of Company G, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, one hundred and forty-seven men and four lieutenants, commanded at Fort Scott, Fort Sumner and Battery Gareschee in 1864, and 1865 in defences of Washington, District of Columbia. Since 1865, he has been in the firm of Libbey, Varney & Co., Wolfborough, New Hampshire, manufacturers of lumber and box shook. He was a member of New Hampshire Legislature in 1871 and '72, and has held various town offices.
Married Miss Abbie E. Pray and has three children. Sarah Ellen
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CAPT, ALVAH S. LIBBEY.
CIO. H. WALKER & CO. BOSTON
I.M Bradbury SAMUEL M. BRADBURY M. D.
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Rand married to Charles E. Randall ; Edward Judson married to Bessie Drew, and Fred S. (graduate of New Hampton Seminary), who entered Bates College in September, 1887. Captain Libbey is one of the ster- ling men of Wolfborough, generous to a fault, ever ready to assist those in need, a true friend and a worthy citizen.
DOCTOR SAMUEL M. BRADBURY
Was the second son of Doctor James Bradbury, born August 22, 1805. He commenced the study of his profession under the instruction of his father, and continued it at the medical school connected with Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, and received his degree of M. D. on Commence- ment Day in 1831. He then entered upon the practice of his profession at Parsonsfield. In 1836, he moved to Limington, and from that time until the present (1887), he has continued in the active practice of his profession, making, both places, a period of fifty-six years. He is now active and in fair health.
In 1831, he married Susan Brackett, a daughter of James Brackett, of Parsonsfield. She and a son and daughter who survived her have all deceased. In December, 1847, he married Elizabeth Brackett, sister of his first wife, estimable women both. She and two sons and a daughter are now living, the oldest son, James Otis, is a prominent lawyer in Piscataquis County.
GARLAND.
John Garland lived in Hampton, New Hampshire, and was contem- porary with George Garland, who appeared in Maine about 1659. John was born about 1620, and married Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Chase, and daughter of Thomas Philbrick, on October 26, 1654. He died Jan- uary 4, 1672.
SAMUEL GARLAND,
Who settled in Parsonsfield in 1795, was of the sixth generation (Sam- uel,6 Jonathan,5 Samuel,4 Jonathan,3 Peter,2 John1). Married Molly Bachelder, and they had ten children. He died March 5, 1855, aged eighty-three years. His wife died November 18, 1833. He was long a deacon of the Congregational church, a strong-minded, resolute man,
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
fixed in his views, strictly moral and upright, commanding the respect and esteem of his townsmen, neighbors, friends and all with whom he associated.
DAVID GARLAND,
Eldest son of Deacon Samuel and Mary (Bachelder) Garland, was born in Hampton, New Hampshire, August 23, 1794. In the following autumn, Deacon Garland purchased a tract of land in the town of Par- sonsfield, to which he moved in the spring of 1795, making the journey on horseback. He had two horses, on one of which he placed his wife with David (the subject of this sketch) in her arms, while he, with such articles as could be packed, rode the other horse, accomplishing the journey of a little more than sixty miles, in one day. Here David spent his early life, with only such advantages for an education as could be obtained from the common school, till he arrived at the age of twenty years, when he attended one term at Wakefield Academy. He then taught school in Parsonsfield for two or three winters. Soon after, he went to Winslow in Kennebec County, and in 1819, purchased the farm on which he lived and died.
In March, 1821, he married Catherine M. Parsons, daughter of Colonel Joseph Parsons, who died February 5, 1831, leaving four chil- dren, three of whom are now living. She was an estimable woman, a devoted and affectionate wife and a true Christian. December 12, 1831, he married Miranda Parsons, a sister of his former wife, a woman of marked ability, whose home was a sunlight of joy and happiness, not only to her husband and children, but to all her friends and acquaint- ances. She died May 3, 1884, the beloved mother of five children, three of whom survive her.
Mr. Garland retained his faculties to a remarkable degree up to the time of his death, which occurred March 22, 1885, in the ninety-first year of his age.
Mr. Garland was often called upon to occupy places of trust in the town, county and state. He was town clerk and selectman for twenty- five consecutive years. He served as commissioner of Kennebec County nine years. He was quite often a member of the Legislature of the state from 1834 to 1860. He was a member of the House of Representatives, and voted for the original Maine law.
GEO. H. WALKER & CO. DOSTON
David Garland
GRO H. WALKER &. CO. BOSTON John Garland
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
In addition to his carrying on his farm, he was a surveyor of land. One of the ablest and most successful lawyers of the state writes, in a private correspondence :
"I knew him when I was a pupil in the common school in Parsons- field, taught by him, and ever since I came to Kennebec in 1830, up to the time of his death, I knew him well. We frequently met in the courts. He was often appointed by the court, or agreed upon by the parties as surveyor, in cases where the title or boundaries of land were involved. So great was the confidence in his integrity and character that he was more frequently employed in this responsible trust than any other surveyor in the county, during my long practice at the bar. He was a good and affectionate man in all his domestic relations, as son, brother, husband, father ; a faithful and able public servant ; a good citizen and a good Christian."
The distinguishing traits of Mr. Garland's character were his in- domitable energy, his unyielding support of the right, his constancy of purpose to accomplish successfully all matters intrusted to his hands. His quick perception, sound judgment, strict integrity and fair dealing secured to him great success, and the entire confidence of the com- munity in which he lived.
JOHN GARLAND
Was the seventh child and the fifth son of Deacon Samuel, born in Parsonsfield, January 10, 1805, and died in Newfield, July 23, 1883. He remained on the home place with his father, married Mary E., daughter of Isaac Marston, and they had four children, three sons and one daughter. He was a teacher of schools in early life, and later served for several years as member of the board of superintending school committee, always manifesting a deep interest in educational matters. After the death of his father, he sold the home place and removed to Saco. A few years later, he left there and went to New- field to be near and care for Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Marston, the parents of his wife. Mrs. Garland died in 1879. Mr. Garland devoted the most of his life to agricultural pursuits, was a man of strong convic- tions, rigid in his discipline, unyielding in his views, a bitter opponent of whatever he regarded as error, and outspoken and circumspect in
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
his conduct. He was early a whig and later a republican, and in religious views and professions rigidly and consistently orthodox.
He was among the first to advocate and promote temperance reforms, and ever ready to cast his vote and his influence on the side of prog- ress and justice. He thus early became an opposer of slavery, not only as regarded its extension in this country, but as an institution in the land and world.
With him, it was enough if convinced of the existence of error, to be its opposer, and of a truth, to be its advocate. He died at the age of seventy-eight years, surrounded by many friends, and clothed upon with the riches of a well-spent life, an inestimable inheritance, not only for his children and immediate friends, but for those in whose hearts the memory of the just is blessed. His sons were Samuel, for some years in mercantile business in Saco ; Daniel S., commission merchant in Boston (whose family resides in Newfield to care for the aged grand- mother, now past ninety years, Mrs. Isaac Marston), and Edmund, now a merchant in Saco. His only daughter, Sarah, is the wife of Samuel M. Bradbury, of Limerick, Maine.
TAPPAN WENTWORTH.
Tappan Wentworth, son of Evans Wentworth, one of the early set- tlers of this town, was born in Somersworth, New Hampshire, near Dover, April 16, 1774. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Bradbury, of Buxton, Maine, in July, 1804, and removed to Parsons- field, in June, 1806, to the farm now owned and occupied by his oldest son Thomas B. Wentworth, where he died June 21, 1850. His wife died November 4, 1849.
Mr. Wentworth was a descendant of Elder William Wentworth, the first English settler by that name in America. He came to this conti- nent early in the seventeenth century, and settled in Dover, New Hamp shire, somewhere about the year 1640. He had nine sons, and Mr. Wentworth was descended from the youngest, Benjamin, of the fourth generation.
GEO. H. WALKER & CO . BOSTON
SM Martwith
HON. G. M. WENTWORTH.
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
THOMAS B.,
Eldest son of Tappan, yet remains on the home place. He married Sarah, the youngest daughter of Eliott Fernald, of Parsonsfield, and has a family of three sons and a daughter. Two of his sons, Charles and Zenas, reside with him.
He has been one of the municipal officers of the town and has ever served his constituents well and faithfully, a man very reserved and retiring, yet well informed, upright and circumspect.
The next son was
HONORABLE ZENAS PAINE WENTWORTH. (See page 63.)
HONORABLE GILES MERRILL WENTWORTH
Was the third and youngest son of Tappan, and was born June 17, 1811. His early life was spent in Parsonsfield, but at the age of twenty-four years he went to Calais, Maine, where he has since resided.
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In the spring of 1846, he engaged in the lumber business with E. C. Gates, in which he continued for thirty-six years, or until 1882, obtain- ing the reward which industry, honesty, frugality and capability so richly merit.
June 9, 1846, he married Miss Lucy C. Gates, and one daughter was theirs, who, after arriving to womanhood, married and removed to Providence, R. I., and who within the past year died, leaving the father sad and lone. Mrs. Wentworth died some years since. Mr. Wentworth has ever been identified politically with the democratic party, yet in the republican city of Calais he was elected mayor in 1870, by one hundred majority, and in 1871 by ninety-seven majority. He was the first democratic mayor ever elected in Calais, and there has been but one since, which was the year 1885.
He was also elected Senator, in 1875. These facts show conclusively the standing of Mr. Wentworth at home, and how he is esteemed where he is best known.
PHILIP PAINE,
The son of William, of Rye, New Hampshire, and grandson of Philip, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was born about the year 1756. At
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
the outbreak of the Revolution, being then twenty years of age, he joined the Continental army, enlisted for three years and served his term. He was remarkable for his coolness and bravery, of which vari- ous instances have been narrated. He married Katrine St. Clair, a Scotch lady, and settled after the war in Parsonsfield, York County, Maine. He was much esteemed for his strict integrity, sobriety and perseverance. His wife was also a woman of distinguished character- istics. Of a strong mind, a clear head, a vigorous frame, she was well qualified to endure the hardships of a frontier life. She was a prac- ticed and daring equestrian and kept up the habit of riding on horse- back till eighty-five years of age, when she was disabled by being thrown from her saddle and fracturing her thigh. Her voice was so clear that she could make it heard to the extreme limits of the large farm on which they resided. He died at the age of eighty-four and his widow at the age of ninety years. He left several children, among whom were two sons, John Treat and Nicholas Emery.
The first named was born at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was for many years one of the most prominent members of the Boston, Massachusetts, bar. He left but one child, a daughter.
Nicholas Emery was born January 23, 1808. He attended Phillips Exeter, New Hampshire, Academy, was admitted to the bar and subse- quently became a member of Governor Fairchild's staff (of Maine), with the rank of Colonel.
He married Abby M. Sprague, June 23, 1834, of South Berwick, Maine, and removed to the city of Rochester, Monroe County, New York, and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was elected District Attorney of that county, and was afterward elected mayor of that city, and became the president of the board of education. He was appointed postmaster of that city by President Buchanan.
In the year 1868, he removed to the city of New York, and subse- quently to Yorktown, Westchester County, New York, where he died March 23, 1887. At the time of his death he was the president of the Dakota Railroad Company. He was a man fully six feet in height, large in proportion, and had exceedingly handsome features. He bore a lifelong reputation for perfect integrity. He left a large property in real estate. Three children survive him, viz .: Mrs. Wallace Darrow,
Ges, H .Walker & Co. Lith. Bastan.
JOHN G. SMART.
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Doctor Oakman S. Paine and Willis S. Paine, the present banking superintendent of the state of New York. His widow still survives him.
SMART.
It is alleged upon good authority that Captain John Smart, who settled in Hingham, Massachusetts, was the progenitor of all the Smarts in America.
Charles Smart, probably of the fifth generation of Smarts in this country, had sons Gardner, Charles, Joseph, Caleb, Fenelon, Watson, and daughters Rebecca, Sally, Irene and Sophronia. This family lived at Grafton, New Hampshire. Nearly all the family went to Ohio, except Gardner, who became early a resident of Parsonsfield. He married Sally Mighel, a daughter of Moses Mighel, of Parsonsfield, and here settled.
JOHN G. SMART,
Third son of Gardner and Sally (Mighel) Smart, was for many years a resident of Parsonsfield. He was a house-carpenter and millwright,. working at the latter business in company with his father considerably, but devoting more of his time to the business of carpenter. He also was engaged quite a number of years in milling, in connection with the business of agriculture.
He was a man who scrupulously kept his own counsel, and though friendly to all, was intimately so with but few. He was very indus- trious, and managed his business affairs with tact and ability, was a most dutiful son and brother, and a most worthy friend, neighbor and. townsman.
RUSSELL H. CONWELL,
(See page 165).
Was born in the town of Worthington, Hampshire County, Massachu- setts, February 15, 1843, and spent his early days upon a small farm, situated in the most sterile and mountainous portion of that region. Very early in his boyhood he was compelled to earn his own living, and unassisted, secured the position which he now holds, as a "self-made
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man." He kept along with his classes in the district school by study- ing evenings, while working at manual labor during school hours ; and earned by daily labor his meagre supply of food and clothing while at the academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. In 1860, he entered upon the law and academic course together at Yale College, the latter under a tutor, so as to economize his time and reduce expenses. But the war of the Rebellion interrupted his studies in 1862, and took him to the field as a captain of infantry. He afterward served in the artillery branch of the service, and as a staff officer. At the close of the war he went to Minnesota and began the practice of law, he having com- pleted his course by private study while in the army. In 1867, he represented the state of Minnesota as its emigration agent to Germany, and became the foreign correspondent of his own newspaper, In 1868, he was engaged as the correspondent of the New York Tribune, and as the traveling correspondent of the Boston Traveler. In 1870, he was sent to the different countries of Asia by the New York Tribune and Boston Traveler, and made the entire circuit of the globe, filling .at that time many important lecture engagements in England. He afterwards visited England exclusively on a lecture tour, through the important cities of that country.
In 1870, he published his first book, " Why and How the Chinese Emigrate." It has been followed by many others of a historical and biographical character. He was a friend and traveling companion of Bayard Taylor, and his biography of that poet and traveler had a very extended sale. For ten years he practiced law in Boston, pursuing industriously in all leisure hours his literary studies and lecturing evenings. He reads and writes several different languages, and has an especial fondness for the historical and theological works of Germany and Italy. His popular lectures are lively and humorous, yet earnestly instructive, and cover a wide range of experience and study.
Mr. Conwell, as stated above, is the author of many popular books, including, " Why and How the Chinese Emigrate," " Women and the Law," " The Great Fire in [Boston," " The Great Fire in St. John," " Biography of Bayard Taylor," " Life of President Hayes," " Life of General James A. Garfield," "Lives of the Presidents," "Joshua Gianavello, the Waldensian Hero," and several smaller works.
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
He is the pastor of the largest Baptist church in Philadelphia, where the crowd is so great that for public safety the congregation can only be admitted by ticket at the usual services. He is also President of the Temple College, of Philadelphia, instituted to give young workingmen a classical or professional education.
In 1873, Mr. Conwell married Miss Sarah F., daughter of the late Honorable Luther and Sarah (Hayes) Sanborn, of Parsonsfield, an accomplished lady, fitted by nature as well as acquirement for the duties and responsibilities of the important position she is called to fill. They have one little daughter Agnes, aged thirteen years.
DEARBORN
The progenitor of all the Dearborns in the United States, was one Godfrey Dearborn, who was a native of Exeter, County of Devon, England. The date of his birth is unknown, also the date of his arrival in this country, but probably about 1638. In 1639, we find him a resident of Exeter, New Hampshire. Although he was a man of some importance among the early settlers, being early elected one of the " townsmen " or " selectmen " of Exeter, his signature wherever. found, was executed by making his mark. He removed to Hampton about 1649, for in 1648 he was selectman of Exeter, and in 1650, selectman of Hampton. Here he lived until his death on February 4, 1686. The farm on which he settled has been in the Dearborn name ever since.
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