USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 20
USA > Maine > Aroostook County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 20
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 20
USA > Maine > Washington County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 20
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 20
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cles made by him in his leisure time, is worthy of a skilful mechanic.
AMUEL R. CAMPBELL, one of the most extensive farmers in Sang- erville, Piscataquis County, was born in Buckfield, Oxford County, June 10, 1818, son of William and Martha (Record)
Campbell. The grandfather, also named William Campbell, who emigrated with his parents from Scotland when he was thirteen years old, and resided for some time with one Andrew Campbell in New Gloucester, Me., became a sailor aboard a privateer during the Revolutionary War, and was never heard from afterward.
William Campbell, Samuel R. Campbell's father, a native of Salem, Mass., was an early settler in Buckfield, where he followed the trade of a cloth-dresser. In 1825 he came to Sangerville, purchased three farms, con- taining two hundred and seventy-five acres, most of which was in a wild state. After making suitable improvements on the prop- erty and increasing the acreage, he passed the rest of his active years prosperously en- gaged in general farming; and he died at the age of eighty-six years. In politics he was originally a Whig, but in his later years he acted with the Republican party. In relig- ious belief he was a Universalist. His wife, Martha, who was a native of Eastport, Mass., became the mother of eight children, of whom Samuel R. is the only one now living. The others were: William, who died at the age of
eighty years; Mrs. Romilla Macomber; Ro- dolphus; Otis; Andrew; and Domenicus. All lived to be over sixty years old. Sally, who was the widow of Sullivan Warren, and spent her last days with her brother Samuel, died in October, 1897, in her ninety-fourth year. Mrs. William Campbell died in her ninety-third year.
Samuel R. Campbell came to Sangerville when he was seven years old, and afterward attended the district school, which was then kept in sundry farmhouses. He made the most of his opportunities for obtaining an ed- ucation, and assisted in carrying on the home- stead farm, which he has practically managed since he was nineteen years old. He cared for his parents during their declining years, succeeding to the ownership of the original tract of two hundred and seventy-five acres after their death, and has carried on general farming successfully up to the present time. He raises excellent crops, devotes some atten- tion to dairying, keeps from twenty to thirty head of cattle, and has raised some fine horses. His residence and out-buildings are substantially constructed and kept in good re- pair; and his sons, who ably assist him in carrying on the place, share their father's de- sire to preserve its neat and thrifty appear- ance.
On June 24, 1860, Mr. Campbell was joined in marriage with Anna Hunter, a daughter of James and Sarah (Cushman) Hunter, who were prominent farming people of Farmington, Me. Mrs. Campbell is the mother of two sons: James William, born
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January 8, 1862; and Hannibal Hamlin Campbell, born July 18, 1867. Both are un- married, reside at home, and assist in the management of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are Spiritualists. In politics Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, and his sons are Re- publicans.
ENRY C. SARGENT, an enterpris- ing iron founder of Machias, Wash- ington County, son of Ignatius and Emeline (Potter) Sargent, was born here, June 6, 1844. He is a great-grandson of Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent, a native of Salem, Mass., who raised two regiments for service in the Revolutionary War, and served as an officer throughout the entire struggle. After the declaration of peace Colonel Sar- gent moved from Salem to Sullivan, Me., where he was the proprietor of a general store for years and the first commissioned Trial Justice in the District of Maine. An ancient mahogany corner clock, purchased by him from the cargo of a privateer in Boston during the War for Independence, is exhibited with pride by Henry C. Sargent. John Sargent, the grandfather, who built the first bridge over Sullivan Falls, at a later date moved to Calais, where he spent the rest of his life.
Ignatius Sargent was born in Sullivan in 1815. When a young man he came to Ma- chias, where he was employed in the Registry of Deeds for a few years. Subsequently, when the Machias Water Power and Mill Company was organized, he became its book- keeper. In course of time he rose to the
position of manager. While he served the company in that capacity, its business was extensive and profitable. Afterward he bought and conducted the foundry now owned by his son, obtaining the reputation of a progressive and successful business man. In politics he was an active supporter of the Republican party from the time of its formation. It has been asserted that his was the guiding hand that secured the early successes of his party in Washington County. He served as a Select- man for a number of terms, and had been County Treasurer for thirty years when he died. His wife, Emeline, was a daughter of William Eustis and Alice (Bass) Potter. Four of his children lived to maturity, namely: Daniel B., now of Omaha, Neb. ; Henry C., the subject of this sketch; Ignatius M., of Machias; and Charles Sargent, of Port- land, Me. The mother was a member of the Congregational church.
Having been educated in the common schools and at Washington Academy, Henry C. Sargent entered his father's foundry as an apprentice, and in the course of time became familiar with both the mechanical and busi- ness departments. In 1876 he succeeded to the foundry and its business. The only foun- dry between Ellsworth and Calais, it is at the present time devoted solely to the manufact- ure of mill supplies, employing steadily a large force of workmen, and doing a profitable business.
Mr. Sargent married Alice B. Hemenway, daughter of William H. Hemenway, of Ma- chias. She died in 1875, leaving one son,
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John D. John D. Sargent married Adelaide, daughter of Leander HI. Crane, of this town. She died April 11, 1897, leaving five chil- dren; namely, Charles Hemenway, Mary H., Martha, Catherine, and Adelaide Sargent.
N. P. ILLIAM N. PERKINS, a retired business man of Penobscot, Han- cock County, was born in Harrington, Me., December 1, 1818, son of Thomas and Cla- rissa (Nash) Perkins. The grandfather, Daniel Perkins, a native of York, Me., before there were any roads in the district, settled in the southern part of Penobscot township. There he spent the rest of his life excepting the period of the Revolutionary War, during which he stayed in his native town. The maiden name of his wife was Abigail Penny.
Thomas Perkins, the father, born in York, Me., was cducated under the tuition of a min- ister in Sedgwick, Me. He taught school for a time, during which period he lived in Har- rington. Then he engaged in farming and lumbering. After returning to the homestead in 1826, he bought the Winslow place in the village, also purchased a saw and grist mill, which he carried on for many years. He died at the age of eighty. Clarissa, his wife, be- came the mother of ten children; namely, Daniel M., Eliza Ann, Alexander G., Gil- bert, William N., Augustus S., Abbie, Mary, Priscilla, and Edgar S. Of these, Daniel M., Eliza Ann, Alexander G., Gilbert, Pris- cilla, and Edgar S. are no longer living.
Augustus S. is a retired merchant of Castine; and Abbie and Mary reside in Penobscot.
William N. Perkins has resided in Penob- scot since he was eight years old. After com- pleting his studies in the district schools he assisted his father upon the farm until he was twenty-two. Afterward, in company with his brother, he established the first store in the neighborhood, and the partnership existed for twenty-five years. He then opened a store upon his own account, and also engaged in ship-building and lumbering, furnishing the timber for the construction of several vessels, mostly schooners. At a later period he ad- mitted his son into partnership in the business of the store. He has been out of business now for the past ten years.
Mr. Perkins married Phœbe A. Perkins, who is the mother of eight children; namely, Justin, Roscoe, Bertha, Dora, William Rosco, Ernest, Elmer E., and Jay. Justin, Roscoe, and Dora are no longer living. W. R. Per- kins married Oressa Van Buskirk, of Cherry- field, Me. ; Elmer E. married Marjorie Perkins, of Ellsworth, and has four children; and Jay is a physician in Providence, R.I. The father has served as Road Surveyor for twenty-five years. He cast his first Presidential vote for W. H. Harrison in 1840, has been a Republi- can since the formation of the party, and is an earnest advocate of the temperance cause.
IDEON TAYLOR, one of the best known farmers of Pittsfield, Somer- set County, son of David and Olive (Stetson)
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Taylor, was born in Windsor, Kennebec County, August 16, 1821. The father, who was a native of Cape Cod, Mass., settled in Windsor after his marriage, and was engaged in farming and lumbering until March 3, 1832. Then he located upon a tract of wild land in Pittsfield, and made the first clearing upon the farm his son now occupies. He sub- sequently followed general farming and lum- bering here until his death, which occurred in October, 1854. His wife, who was born in Bristol, Me., died in July, 1883. Of their twelve children, seven are living, namely: Sullivan, who carries on farming in Burnham, Me. ; Levi, who married Marilla Williams, and is a retired farmer of Pittsfield; Gideon, the subject of this sketch; David, who is a re- tired millwright and resides in Lowell, Mass. ; Charles, who married Janette Leavitt, and is engaged in farming in Pittsfield; Sam- uel, who married Abbie Williams, and is also a farmer in this town; and Lucy Ann, the wife of Erastus Jacobs, who is an industrious agriculturist of Pittsfield. The others were: Asa, Betsey, Mary, Albert, and Ambrose.
Gideon Taylor accompanied his parents to Pittsfield when he was eleven years old, and attended the district school until he was old enough to be of use upon the farm. At the age of twenty-one he went to Orono, Me., where he was employed for eight years - in the saw-mills during the summer season and in the lumber camps during the winter. Then he returned to Pittsfield, and resided at home for some years. On April 15, 1855, he went to Southern California, where he was
engaged in mining until August 14, 1858, when he started homeward. Since his return he has resided upon what is known as the Alfred Thomas farm, where he has made vari- ious improvements upon the land and build- ings. At the present time he owns about one hundred and thirty acres of good tillage and pasture land, and he carries on general farm- ing, assisted by his son. In politics he has supported the Republican party since its for- mation, and he has served with ability in some of the town offices.
On May 5, 1853, Mr. Taylor married Sa- repta Thomas, who was born in Richmond, Me., September 21, 1829, daughter of Alfred and Mary (Jenkins) Thomas, who moved from that town to Pittsfield in 1839. Her father was there engaged in farming and lumbering for the rest of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had six children, namely: Olma, who married Mildred Patterson, and is now a gar- dener in Lewiston; Henry A., who married Ella J. Adams, and is now residing in Bangor, S. Dak., and is serving as County Auditor: Edgar, who married Kate M. Rogers, and re- sides upon a farm near the homestead; Nellie M., who married Roscoe Ames, of Lowell, Mass., and died June 29, 1889, leaving one son, Barney, now residing with his grandpar- ents; Dellie, an artist, who resides at home, and whose paintings were awarded a prize at the State Fair; and Melvin A. Taylor, who assists his father at the homestead, and owns a good farm near by. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are Free Will Baptists and members of that church.
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YER G. SARGENT, a leading man of Sedgwick, Hancock County, re- siding at Sargentville, was born June 24, 1810, at Gloucester, Mass., his parents being Benjamin and Susan (Cole) Sargent. The Sargent family, which is one of the oldest in the annals of New England, traces back its ancestry to William Sargent, who was a landholder in Gloucester as early as 1649, and who married Abagail, daughter of Ed- mund Clark. William Sargent had a son, to whom was assigned a tract of land situated in Gloucester, near the Squam River. This son lost his life in the public service, and in recognition thereof a grant of land was made to his descendants.
Dr. Thomas Sargent, the grandfather of Wyer G., born on October 19, 1739, was the eldest son of his parents. During the Revo- lutionary War he was an officer in Captain Saltonstall's command when the American forces came to this neighborhood to attack the British troops, which were still in possession of parts of the surrounding country. An effort was made in 1779 to effect a landing at Castine and combine with the land troops under command of Captain Lowell. The ex- pedition, which was a very daring one, was only partially successful. After the war Dr. Sargent returned to Gloucester, and in that town spent the last years of his life. He was twice married, successively to Lucy and Je- mima Haskell, who respectively bore him nine and eight children.
Benjamin Sargent, a son of Dr. Sargent by the second wife, born in Gloucester, was al-
ways known as Captain Benjamin Sargent. During the War of 1812 he commanded the troops at the fort in the harbor of Glouces- ter. Subsequently, in 1816, he came to the town of Sedgwick, and settled in the village, bringing his wife and four children with him, her parents having come here some years be- forc. Here, besides carrying on farming, he worked at the shoemaker's trade. Later he sold out his property in Sedgwick village, and settled at Birchland, taking up uncultivated land. Hc died in the part of Birchland now called North Brooklin at the age of seventy- two, after a useful and active life devoted to his family and friends and to the interests of the community in which he lived. He was chairman of the Board of Selectmen for some years. His wife, Susan, who was a daugh- ter of Thomas and Susan (Cleaves) Cole, originally of Wenham, Mass., bore him eleven children, all of whom grew up. When the first death occurred in this family the young- est child was fifty-three years of age. Those now deceased .are: John O., Sarah J., Benja- min C., and Lucius B. The living are: Wyer G., William H., Thomas C., Albion P., Mary M., Jasper N., and George M.
Wyer G. Sargent attended the common schools until about thirteen years of age. Then he began going to sea, and at the age of twenty-one he was mate of a vessel. Now, in order to gratify a desire to visit foreign coun- tries, he left his ship in Boston, and secured a place on a foreign-bound vessel. Before reaching home again, he had made several voyages to distant lands. Early in life, at
WYER G. SARGENT.
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the age of twenty-two years, he became a mas- ter. He followed the sea, in all, for about twenty-four years, visiting many of the Euro- pean ports. After retiring from this occupa- tion he opened a store in the section of Sedg- wick known since as Sargentville, so called on account of the large number of Sargents re- siding there, of whom he was the first to settle. He also became interested in pickling fish, and engaged one Sargent, who was a cooper by trade, to come to his place and make the barrels in which the fish were to be packed. Later he bought a grist mill and also began shipbuilding, this being about the time that through Senator Hamlin's efforts a post-office was located here, and the village became officially known as Sargentville. Mr. Sargent has been in trade here since 1845. His first wife, Martha E. Eaton Sargent, was the mother of seven children - Rodney G., Martha E., Henry W., Susan C., Imogene, Angienett, and Welland F. By the second marriage, which was made with Mrs. Betsy Dodge, a sister of the first wife, and who died in 1867, there were no children. Mr. Sar- gent's third marriage was contracted with Mrs. Maria D. Gower, widow of Rev. H. B. Gower, of Providence, R.I. She died in 1892, having given birth to one child, Addi- son G. Martha is the widow of Captain Ho- ratio Spooner, who commanded Company L of the First Maine Heavy Artillery, which has the distinction of having lost a greater proportion of men in killed and wounded than any other company in the Civil War. Cap- tain Spooner himself was fatally injured at
the battle of Petersburg. He left one daugh- ter, Angie E. Henry Sargent married Dora Philbrook, a daughter of Luther G. and a sis- ter of Judge Philbrook, of Waterville, Me., and has three children - Arthur H., Mattie L., and Percy G. Imogene died in 1850. Welland Sargent, who resides in Springfield, Mass., married Fanny Baker, who has borne him one daughter, Marjory. Addison Sar- gent, who resides at Newton, Mass., is un- married.
Mr. Sargent has been the chairman of the Board of Selectmen in this town for some years. He has also been the Town Clerk. In 1857 he was a member of the legislature and in the following year of the Senate, being elected by the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the Sons of Temperance. In religious belief he is a Baptist and a leading member of the Baptist society in this place.
OSES CARR, president of the Carl- ton Woollen Mills, Sangerville, Piscataquis County, Me., and one of the most prominent residents of this town, was born in Vienna, Kennebec County, Me., April 22, 1810, son of James and Rebecca (Staine) Carr. His paternal grandfather, John Carr, who was a native of New Hamp- shire, was an early settler at Vienna, and as an industrious pioneer did much toward devel- oping the agricultural resources of that local- ity. He lived to be nearly one hundred years old, and died in Mount Vernon, near Vienna.
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James Carr, Moses Carr's father, accom- panied his parents from New Hampshire to Maine; and his active years were spent on a farm in Vienna. He died at the age of eighty-nine. His wife, Rebecca Staine Carr, who was a native of Mount Vermon, lived to be about eighty years old. She was the mother of five sons and one daughter, of whom two sons are living, namely : David, a resident of Dover, Me. ; and Moses Carr, the subject of this sketch.
Moses Carr was reared in Vienna, and edu- cated in the district schools. At an early age he started in life as a farm assistant, receiving at first but five dollars per month. But, as his ability increased, he was enabled to com- mand higher wages; and when twenty years old he had managed to save a considerable amount of his earnings. Deciding to follow the example of his predecessors and seek a home in a new district, he came to Piscataquis County, arriving at Sangerville on February 16, 1832, and invested in wild land. As a pioneer he displayed a spirit of energy and perseverance which could not do otherwise than produce the most favorable results; and his practical knowledge of general farming, together with the exercise of sound judgment in handling his products, was the means of his accumulating considerable wealth. The capital thus acquired he wisely invested in manufacturing enterprises, thus aiding in the development of home industries, which have proved exceedingly beneficial to the town. He is president of the Carlton Woollen Mills, an enterprise that has yielded excellent returns
to its stockholders; and he is a large share- holder in the Sangerville Woollen Company. He still occupies the farm which he cleared from the wilderness, and his activity as an agriculturist continues unabated.
In 1832 Mr. Carr was united in marriage with Sally Ladd, who was born at Vienna in 18II. Six children were the fruit of this union, namely : Hiram and Helen L., who are no longer living; Albion Carr, who re- sides in Abbot, this county; Frank S., of Sangerville; Mrs. Sarah J. Smith, of this town; and Calvin Carr, of Bangor.
In politics Mr. Carr is a Democrat. He is one of the principal supporters of the Univer- salist church, and has contributed liberally toward the erection of the new edifice. His wife, Mrs. Sally L. Carr, died in February, 1888.
RANK S. CARR, one of Sangerville's most active business men and public- spirited citizens, son of Moses and Sally (Ladd) Carr, was born in this town, July 26, 1834. He obtained his education in the Sang- erville schools, and from his early manhood years has been identified with the business interests of this locality, especially the lum- bering industry. He operates chiefly upon the Kennebec River, cutting and hauling logs, which he manufactures in all shapes for build- ing purposes. He employs from seventy-five to one hundred men and from forty to fifty horses. He is a director of the Carlton and the Sangerville Woollen Companies' Mills, and takes a lively interest in all measures cal-
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culated to increase the business prosperity of the town. He formerly owned a great deal of land now included within the limits of the village, and is the proprietor of a valuable farm. He has resided in the village since 1856, and is regarded as one of the most able and influential business men in the place. Politically, he is a Republican.
On June 12, 1856, Mr. Frank S. Carr was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah Mudgett, born in Parsonsfield, York County, Me., Jan- uary 28, 1836, daughter of David and Salome (Merrill) Mudgett. Mrs. Carr is the mother of three children, namely : Frederick H., born March 22, 1857; Nellie S., born January 4, 1860; and Alton L. Carr, born September 8, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Carr attend the Universalist church.
REDERICK H. CARR, treasurer of the Sangerville Woollen Company, was born in Abbot, this county, March 22, 1857, son of Frank S. and Sarah (Mudgett) Carr. He was educated in the public schools of Sangerville; and when his studies were com- pleted he engaged in general mercantile busi- ness, also acting as station agent for what was then the Bangor & Piscataquis Railroad and agent for the American Express Company. He continued to carry on a general store for ten years, or until 1887, when he became treasurer of the Carlton Woollen Mills. In 1889 he resigned that position, in order to accept his present one with the Sangerville Woollen Company.
Mr. Frederick H. Carr and Susan M. Oakes were married in 1879. They have three chil- dren -- Harold M., Ethel M., and Omar F. Carr. In politics Mr. F. H. Carr is a Repub- lican, and is a member of the Town Commit- tee. He is connected with Kineo Lodge, F. & A. M., of Guilford; Sangerville Lodge, No. 12, Ancient Order of United Workmen ; and Kineo Lodge, I. O. O. F. In his religious opinions he is a Universalist.
The Sangerville Woollen Company, con- sisting of Moses, Frank S., and Frederick H. Carr, and James L. Gordon, completed their plant in 1891 at a cost of about sixty thou- sand dollars. It has both steam and water power. The mill was started up with eigh- teen looms and a force of forty hands; but in order to meet the increasing demands its capac- ity has been enlarged, and at the present time it contains thirty-two looms, which require a force of sixty operatives. They manufacture men's suitings and ladies' dress goods of a superior quality, making a specialty of goods for gentlemen's wear; and their products are handled extensively by the trade.
James Gordon, the general superintendent, is a native of Readfield, Me., and was born July 2, 1854. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the woollen manufacturing business in Dexter, Me., remaining there until 1875, when he went to Pittsfield, Me., and was employed there for two years. In 1879 he came to Sangerville to work in the Carlton Mills, but a short time later took charge of the weaving department of the Piscataquis Woollen Mills, Guilford, a position he occu-
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pied for ten years. In 1889 he became asso- ciated with the Sangerville Woollen Company, and has been general superintendent of the plant since it was opened. Mr. Gordon mar- ried Mary F. Gilman, in April, 1877, and has two children - Leon F. and Helen H. In politics Mr. Gordon acts with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.
HRISTOPHER C. HOYT, of New Portland, Somerset County, a dealer in plain and fancy dry goods, mil- linery, groceries, hardware, tobacco, and con- fectionery, was born here, August 22, 1848, son of Moses and Hannah (Ricker) Hoyt, both natives of this town. Moses Hoyt, who was a farmer and lumberman, lived in Industry, Me., for some time; but most of his life was passed in New Portland. He died in 1881, and his wife in 1889. They had a family of eight children, namely: Charles, who died in California, where he was engaged in mining ; John, now a farmer in Aroostook County, this State; Augusta, now the wife of Charles Carsley, a farmer of New Portland; Alexan- der, who is a railroad conductor and resides in South Framingham; Hiram, deceased; Chris- topher C., the subject of this sketch; Joseph W., deceased; and Mary E., a dressmaker in Lowell, Mass. John married Miss Julia Weymouth, of Aroostook County, and has three children - Merle, Frank, and Ira. Alexander married Miss Angie Porter, of Readfield, Me.
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