USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 21
USA > Maine > Aroostook County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 21
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 21
USA > Maine > Washington County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 21
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 21
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Christopher C. Hoyt was educated in the
common schools of his native town. Having remained with his parents until of age, he then found work in Boston, manufacturing carpenters' tools. After spending three years in that city, he returned to New Portland, and has since followed farming on the homestead, where he has a valuable farm of over three hundred acres. In 1896 he opened a general store, which now has a very successful busi- ness. Mr. Iloyt is an enterprising and ener- getic man, and has prospered in all his under- takings. He was married May 13, 1877, to Louise Williams, of Embden, Somerset County, a daughter of H. T. and Caroline (Peabody) Williams. Mr. Williams, born in Embden, taught school and also managed a farm. At present he is living in New Vine- yard, Franklin County. His wife, a native of New Vineyard, died in 1885. Mrs. Hoyt oversees the millinery department of her hus- band's store. She is the mother of two chil- dren : Charles E., born June 26, 1878; and Hastings H., born January 7, 1884. Mr. Hoyt has made many friends. In politics he is a Democrat, but he takes no active part in political affairs. His connection with secret societies is limited to fellowship in Lemon Stream Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., of New Portland, and the Order of the Golden Cross. He is a member of the Universalist church.
LFRED L. SKINNER was the Post- master of Bucksport, Hancock County, for twenty-six years. A son of Loring and Hannah Gale (Darling) Skinner,
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he was born in this town, November 22, 1824. His first ancestor in this country, Thomas Skinner, is supposed to have emi- grated from Colchester, England, and settled at Malden, Mass., in 1653. From Thomas the line of descent is traced through Abraham and Thomas (second) to Thomas (third), who married Hannah Carpenter, and settled in Norton, Mass. Solomon Skinner, the great- grandfather of Alfred L., resided in Norton, and married Mary Grover. Jacob Skinner, the grandfather, born in Norton, settled upon 'a farm in Mansfield, Mass., and resided there . until his death, which occurred January 3, 1837. He married Elona Hodges. One of his sons, Alfred, served as a Captain in the War of 1812.
Loring Skinner, the father, was a native of Mansfield. In 1815 he came to Bucksport, where he was engaged in a mercantile busi- ness for the rest of his life, and died here in 1847. He was a man of much industry and enterprise. Absorbed in his business, he did not aspire to public office. Hannah Gale Darling Skinner, his wife, was a daughter of Eliakim Darling, a great-grand-daughter, on the maternal side, of Jonathan Buck, for whom the town of Bucksport was named, and a de- scendant in the eighth generation of William Buck, who arrived from England in 1635 and settled in Cambridge, Mass. From William the line of descent comes through Roger Buck ; Ephraim, who married Sarah Brooks ; Ebenezer Buck, who married Lydia Eames, of Haverhill, Mass., and was the father of Jona- than Buck (first), the founder of Bucksport.
Jonathan Buck (first) served as a Lieutenant in the British army and later as a Colonel in the Continental army during the Revolution- ary War. Soon after the close of hostilities he came to the Penobscot Valley ; and, select- ing the locality that bears his name as a favor- able spot to open trade with the Indians, he established a post for that purpose. Later he acquired large business interests, both here and in Massachusetts. He married Lydia Morse. Jonathan Buck (second) married Hannah Gale. His daughter, Ruth, married Eliakim Darling, the maternal grandfather of Alfred L. Skinner. Loring and Hannah Gale Skinner were the parents of four children, namely : Alfred L., the subject of this sketch ; Charlotte E., who died at the age of thirty- seven years; Hannah J. ; and Ann Maria Skinner.
Alfred L. Skinner began his education in the private and district schools of Bucksport. Then, after a three months' course of prepar- atory instruction at Phillips Academy in An- dover, Mass., he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1849. Subsequently he pursued a three years' course at the Bangor Theological Seminary, and attended the Andover (Mass.) Seminary for a year. When ready to begin his pas- toral labors he was prevented by ill health from accepting a permanent call. For short intervals he supplied pulpits in various parts of the State until 1859, when he decided to permanently retire from the ministry. After this he was for some time in the government's employ as clerk at Fort Knox and in the
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engineer's office in Portland. In 1861 he received the appointment of Postmaster at Bucksport, a position that he ably filled for the succeeding twenty-six years. Then for three years he was superintendent of the Bucksport Library, and he is still a trustee of that institution. For several years past he has been engaged in settling estates.
Mr. Skinner married Ruth Avery Chick, a lineal descendant of Richard Warren, the "Mayflower " Pilgrim. She is the mother of two children - Charles L. and Frances C. Skinner. Charles L., who is a Congregation- alist minister residing in New Hampshire, married Alice Maude Russell, whose father was killed in the Civil War. They have three children - Russell E., Ruth Angela, and Al- fred Loring. Frances C. married Charles S. Homer. In politics Mr. Skinner is a Repub- lican. He was formerly superintendent of schools. A member of the Congregational church, he takes an earnest interest in relig- ious work.
EORGE W. MORGAN, a prominent farmer and live stock dealer of Guil- ford, Piscataquis County, was born in this town, August 28, 1847, son of John and Eliza (Herring) Morgan. The grandfather, Samuel Morgan, who was in early life a seafaring man, settled upon new land in Guilford in 1814, and resided here for the rest of his life. Both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Minna Moorehead, lived to an advanced age.
John Morgan, born in North Yarmouth,
Me., in 1803, manufactured lumber and erected the first saw-mill at North Guilford. He was also an extensive speculator in real estate. In his time he was regarded as the wealthiest man in Guilford. He purchased the farm now occupied by his son in 1854, and resided there until his death, which oc- curred in 1881. In early life a Whig, he later became a Republican, and at one time held the office of Town Treasurer. He at - tended the Universalist church. Eliza, his wife, became the mother of nine children, three of whom are living, namely: George W., the subject of this sketch; Manley R., of this town; and Emma A., the wife of Albion W. Ellis, of Guilford. The others were: Ann, John, Amanda S., Averill C., Amanda (second), and Mary. The mother died in 1862.
George W. Morgan was educated in the town schools. Since completing his studies he has given his attention to agriculture. Besides his farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres, located near the Piscataquis River, in close proximity to the villages of Guilford and Sangerville, he owns some outlying land. He makes a specialty of buying and selling live stock, generally in large quantities. In April, 1875, he was first united in marriage with Flora D. Moore, a native of Dexter, Me., who died in 1880, leaving two children - Annie L. and John. The latter is now de- ceased. By his second marriage, which was contracted in 1883 with Mary A. Hazeltine, of Foxcroft, he has three sons - Harry H., Eddie R., and Donald W.
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Mr. Morgan is one of the most able and en- terprising agriculturists in this locality. His farm buildings are among the best. Repre- senting one of the first settled families in Guilford, he takes much interest in the wel- fare of the town. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Sanger- ville.
ILLIAM H. McKENNEY, Town Treasurer of Embden, was born here, September 17, 1845, son of David G. and Sarah (Knowlton) McKenney. The father was born in Woolwich, Sagadahoc County, Me., October 25, 1818. In 1824 he moved from his native town to Embden, and settled on a farm near the present residence of his son. He afterward moved to William H. McKenney's farm, and resided there until 1867. Then his son bought him out, and he found a home in North Anson village. He was a carpenter and stone worker, and was employed in both those trades up to the time of his death, which occurred April 14, 1873. His wife, who was born in Freeman, Franklin County, Me., July 24, 1814, is residing with her son, William H. Six children were born to them, namely: Joseph K., December 17, 1843, who is a carriage maker and repairer, residing in Madison, Me .; William H., the subject of this sketch; Winfield Scott, No- vember 8, 1847, now a travelling salesman, residing at Cherry Valley, Ill .; James, Feb- ruary 19, 1850, who died on April 7 of the same year; Hannah K., April 26, 1851, now the wife of Owen Hooper, a laundryman of
Madison, Me .; and Elizabeth, August 2, 1854, who died January 29, 1882. Joseph K. married Miss Alvina Withee; Winfield Scott married Miss Myra Washburn; and Elizabeth was the wife of Sylvester Jackson, a farmer of Embden.
William H. McKenney acquired a good ed- ucation at the town school. He remained on the home farm until 1862. On September 10 ยท of that year he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-eighth Maine Regiment, under com- mand of Colonel E. D. Woodman and Cap- tain Seth T. Hutchins, and was subsequently in active service at Fort Donelson and the siege of Port Hudson. His company was also engaged in a number of skirmishes, mostly in Florida and Louisiana. Mr. McKenney received no wound, but, when discharged at Augusta, Me., on August 31, 1863, he was suffering from a severe attack of chills and fever. While at Donelson he was sick of typhoid fever, from which he had not fully recovered. Returning to Embden, he worked for his father and other farmers of the locality until the summer of 1867. He then bought of his father the farm of one hundred and fifty acres which he now manages, and where he has made his home for over thirty years. Besides this he owns the Burns home- stead of one hundred and thirty-five acres, another farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and fifty acres of unimproved land. He and his father made all the improvements on the home farm, which is one of the most valuable estates in this locality. While general farm- ing and stock-raising are his chief occupa-
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tions, he has a large dairy business, making a specialty of butter.
On June 23, 1867, he was married to Carrie P'. Howes, of Strong, Me., a daughter of George and Martha (Knowlton) Howcs. She was born August 12, 1844. Mr. Howes, a farmer and carpenter, spent somc years in New Vineyard, and passed the latter part of his life in Strong. He died on Janu- ary 18, 1885, and his wife on October 15, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. McKenney have one child, Walter C., who, born June 11, 1869, is a farmer residing in Anson. He grad- uated from the Anson Academy in 1892, fol- lowed teaching for a time, and married Miss Emma Mayo, of Salem, Me. Mr. McKenney, Sr., voted the Democratic ticket when Horace Greeley was a candidate for the Presidency. With that exception he has been affiliated with the Republican party since he became eligible to vote, Hc has served as Town Treasurer for five years, and has creditably filled other offices. An esteemed Grand Army man, he belongs to E. O. C. Ard Post of North Anson. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in North Anson, which he has served as stew- ard, director, and in other capacities. Walter C. McKenney and wife are also members of the same church.
OLONEL CHARLES P. ALLEN, a well-known and popular lawyer of Presque Isle, Aroostook County, was born herc, October 21, 1852. A son of
J. Augustus and Lovina (Pratt) Allen, he is a descendant of a family that emigrated from England in Colonial days, and settled in Mas- sachusetts. John Allen, Sr., his paternal great-grandfather, coming from Massachusetts, was a pioneer of Franklin County, Maine.
John Allen, Jr., came to Aroostook County from Franklin in 1839. Here he purchased a large tract of wild land, and subsequently, by farming on it, accumulated quite a sum of money. A man of ability, enterprising, and far-seeing, he was for many years the leading spirit in the settlement of Maysville, and was largely instrumental in bringing the place to its present prosperous condition. In 1861 he bought the land on which the business part of the town now stands, an investment that proved very profitable to him at a later period. He afterward went to California, where he became the owner of extensive vineyards and fruit lands that yielded him a good yearly income. From that time until his death, in 1886, at Presque Isle, he traversed the country between the Atlantic and Pacific many times. To him and his wife four children were born - J. Augustus, John, Frank, and the present Mrs. Warren Pratt. John and Frank are en- gaged in the fruit business in California. Mrs. Pratt resides in Presque Isle. J. Augus- tus inherited in a marked degree the business ability that distinguished his father, and was known as one of the most successful farmers of the community in which he lived. He died at his homestead while yet in the prime of life, on February 1, 1862. His wife, Lovina, a daughter of Beniah Pratt, became the mother
CHARLES P. ALLEN.
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of four children, namely : Charles Plummer, the subject of this brief sketch; Eldora L., who married Charles H. Church; Clinton Augustus, now deceased; and Lizzie E., who is the wife of Fred L. Oak.
After completing his studies at the Presque Isle Academy, Charles P. Allen entered the State University in Orono, Me., from which in 1876, after a four years' course, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During the college vacations and the winter following his graduation he was engaged in teaching for six terms. He subsequently studied law with Colonel Jasper Hutchins, of Bangor, and H. R. Downs, of Presque Isle, and in 1877 was admitted to the bar. Since then he has followed his profession here, acquiring the reputation of one of the most skilful attorneys in the State. He organized the National Bank of Presque Isle, of which he was the president for three years; and the Merchants' Trust and Banking Company, of which he was the presi- dent for several years. For four years he was County Attorney of Aroostook County. While serving in that capacity, he tried a murder case, obtaining a verdict of manslaughter, for which he received special mention in the report of the acting attorney-general, ex-Gov- ernor Cleaves. From 1888 until 1894 he was Judge Advocate, with the title of Colonel, on the staff of Governor Burleigh. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar and a Knight of Pythias.
In politics he is an uncompromising Repub- lican, and was a member of the State Republi- can Committee for four years. He repre-
sented the district in the legislature of 1891 and 1892. For nine years he served as Town Treasurer ; and, in addition to aiding the cause of education as a member of the local School Board, he is one of the trustees of the Maine State University.
Dealing extensively in realty, he is the owner of many valuable building lots in the village. He likewise owns a farm of three hundred acres; and, notwithstanding that all the labor of conducting it is paid for, he con- siders it very remunerative property, and every year is more and more convinced that farming in Aroostook County is profitable. On Octo- ber 3, 1881, he was married to Annie, daugh- ter of Major J. Fenno, of Bangor. They have one child, Edward A.
EORGE GRIFFIN BROWN, of Brownville, Piscataquis County, a kinsman of Moses Brown, whose memory is perpetuated in the name of the town, was born here on the farm which is still his home, Au- gust 21, 1840, son of Francis W. and Mary J. (Griffin) Brown. The paternal grandfather, Francis Brown, was a native of West New- bury, Mass., born February 9, 1780. In 1812 he came to Brownville and settled, being the first to make a permanent home here. His object was to look after the property of his uncle, Moses Brown, who owned the town- ship. He made the journey over a road in- dicated only by spotted trees. Upon his ar- rival he built a log house for his dwelling, and then began to clear the land and bring a
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portion of it under cultivation. As agent for his uncle he sold a large part of the town- ship, in this way gathering about him other settlers, and finally establishing the town of Brownville. He further contributed to its ad- vancement by building the first saw and grist mills. In 1819, seven years from the time he came here, he helped to organize the Congre- gational church, of which he afterward be- came a Deacon, and whose first minister was ordained in his barn, where meetings were held. This barn is still in a good state of preservation. Grandfather Brown was also very active in the administration of town affairs, serving as First Selectman and Town Treasurer. He was a Whig in politics. Al- though he had but six weeks' schooling, by availing himself of every opportunity he be- came well informed on topics of general inter- est. Like other self-educated persons, he was strong-minded and a man of excellent business capacity. When he died he owned a fine farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres. The house in which his grandson lives was built by him, under his personal supervision, he being a master carpenter and builder, having served an apprenticeship of seven years. None but the best materials were used in the construction of the house, which is still substantial and well preserved. On September 28, 1804, he married Hannah Dustin, who was born in West Newbury, Mass., November 23, 1781. Eight children were born to them, as follows: Mary J., June 28, 1805; William, December 9, 1806; Eleanore, December 1, 1808; Eliza G., No-
vember 12, 1810; Francis W., October 15, 1813; Moses W., June 15, 1818; Hannah, June 20, 1822; and Luther, October 15, 1824. Of these the eldest son, William, is living. The father died here, June 19, 1854, and the mother on May 6, 1861.
Francis W. Brown, the father of George G., inherited the home farm, on which he erected the smaller buildings, and made many improvements. That he also succeeded his father in the esteem and confidence of his townsmen is shown by the fact that for many years he held the office of first Selectman, was Town Treasurer for over a score of years, and a member of the Maine legislature for one term. In politics he was a Republican. Although he never subscribed to any religious creed, he was a regular attendant upon the services of the Congregational church, and was a chorister there for over thirty years. He died here, November 17, 1895. His first wife, Mary J. Griffin Brown, died in De- cember, 1840, leaving one child, George Griffin Brown. His second marriage was contracted with Abbie S. Ryder, who died childless, July 26, 1891.
George .Griffin Brown grew to manhood here on the old Brown homestead, and was ed- ucated in the schools of Brownville. He has followed the inherited vocation of general farmer, and is now owner of the homestead, which has never passed out of the hands of the family since it was taken up. When but fourteen years old he helped in the work of clearing the land. He has always taken pride in keeping everything about the premises in
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good shape. The location of his home, on a hill overlooking Brownville, is a very desir- able one. Before he sold it for village lots, he owned all the land between his farm and Pleasant River. He is very popular, and now holds the office of Town Treasurer. He has served one term as Selectman. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Ryder, a daughter of Jotham and Lydia Ryder. She was born in Brownville, August 15, 1838. They have no children. Both are members of the Congregational church, in which he is a Deacon. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the order of Pilgrim Fathers at Brownville.
DWIN A. PORTER, M.D., a popular physician residing at Pittsfield vil- lage, was born February 1, 1856, in Dixmont, Me., son of Albert O. and Susan (Farnham) Porter. The father, who was also a native of Dixmont, resided in that town up to 1884, and then removed to Montville, where he has since been engaged in farming. His wife, Susan, born in Jefferson, Me., has had four children, namely: Edwin A., the subject of this sketch; F. Addison Porter, who is now a professor of music in the New England Con- servatory; Evie, who died at the age of six- teen; and Clarenteen F., who resides with his parents on the farm in Montville.
Dr. Porter attended the graded schools and high school. Subsequently in Pittsfield he was a student of the institute for a year and a half. He then secured a place as clerk in
the employment of Wood, Bishop & Co., stove dealers in Bangor, and remained with them a year. After this, having decided to become a physician, he read medicine with Dr. Weed, of Dixmont, for a while, studied at the Uni- versity of Vermont in Burlington and the medical college in New York City, and in 188I received his degree of Doctor of Medi- cine from the University of New York. Shortly after he settled for the practice of his profession in Liberty, Me. He had spent fourteen and one-half years in Liberty when, in February, 1896, he came to Pittsfield. Al- though he has been here but a short time, the Doctor has become very popular, and has se- cured a goodly amount of patronage. His skill as a physician is unquestioned, and his services are sought, not only by the people of this town, but by those of adjoining towns. His office hours are from 1. 30 to 2.30 in the afternoon and from seven to eight o'clock in the evening.
On June 30, 1881, the Doctor was united in marriage with Amorette L. Emery, of Monroe, Me., who is a daughter of Naham and Maria Frances (Dodge) Emery, both now de- ceased. Mr. Emery was a farmer. Dr. and Mrs. Porter have two children, namely: Minnie, born in 1882; and Amorette, born in 1887. The Doctor takes a warm interest in all affairs of public importance. While in Liberty he was a member of the School Board. In politics he always votes the Republican ticket. A Mason of long standing, he was Master of the Masonic lodge in Liberty for three years, the Deputy of the Seventh Ma-
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sonic District for two years, and at present he is a member of the chapter of Pittsfield. He is also a member of Phleutonia Lodge, No. 151, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Pittsfield; and of Enterprise Lodge, American Order of United Workmen, of Belfast, of which he has been District Deputy. Profes- sionally, he is affiliated with the Maine Medical Association, the Waterville Clinical Society, and Academy of Medicine of Portland, Me., and the Sebasticook Clinical Society of Pittsfield, Me. Both he and Mrs. Porter are members of the Baptist Church of Pittsfield, which the Doctor serves in the capacity of as- sistant superintendent of the Sunday-school.
ENJAMIN HILTON, who was for many years an esteemed resident of Anson and the proprietor of the Somerset House, was born in the village of Anson on November 2, 1835. A son of Edgar and Adeline (Moore) Hilton, he was descended from one of the oldest and most honored families in the county. Both par- ents, natives of the town of Anson, spent nearly all their lives there. The father, a farmer, died on August 26, 1886. The mother died on July 26, 1868. They had a family of seven children, whose names may be found in the biography of Benjamin's brother, John Hilton.
The boyhood of Benjamin Hilton was passed on a farm. In 1855 he went to Boston, and was there employed in a store for some time. In August of the following year he returned
home. He and his brother John in the fall of 1857 purchased a large farm, on which they were engaged in farming until December, 1859. Then Benjamin went to California, and spent there three years at the head of the extensive sheep - breeding establishment of Messrs. Flint, Bixby & Co. For several years after his return to the East he continued in the sheep business, devoting much time to the study of the best flocks and the best breed- ing animals. From 1876 to 1881 he made annual trips to Vermont for the purpose of purchasing high-grade, fine-wool sheep, and brought to his farm in Anson about three hundred sheep for breeding purposes. He be- came an expert judge of fine-wool sheep, and was said to be without question the most judi- cious breeder of the same in New England. Mr. Hilton was the first to conceive the idea of introducing Shropshire sheep and Welsh ponies into the State of Maine. In 1886 he visited Scotland and England, and purchased and subsequently brought to America eleven of these ponies and forty-nine sheep. Shortly afterward twenty more ponies were added to the number, making thirty-one in all. He began his connection with hotel-keeping shortly after his return from California. In 1863 he and the late William Brown became joint proprietors of the Somerset Hotel, which they conducted under the name of Brown & Hilton. He added lumbering to his list of enterprises in 1894.
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