USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 4
USA > Maine > Aroostook County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 4
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 4
USA > Maine > Washington County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 4
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 4
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Charles H. Allen received a good common - school education. In his early life he taught school for several terms in Somerset County. He has always been interested in educational matters, doing whatever he can to advance the cause and watching with pleasure the prog- ress made in the methods of imparting in-
struction to the young. Among interesting relics preserved by him are some of the old school books used ninety years ago by his father-in-law, Josiah Hinkley, a well-educated man for his time. After the death of his father Mr. Allen assumed the management of the parental homestead. He bought another farm in Skowhegan, not far from the place of his birth, and was there engaged in farming until May 1, 1867. Coming then to Mercer, he settled on his present farm, known as the old Hinkley homestead, and on which Mrs. Allen was born and reared. He has now three hundred and thirty acres of highly im- proved land in this estate, and also owns one hundred acres in Rome township, Kennebec County. Some years ago Mr. Allen bought a saw-mill and a grist-mill in the village of Mercer; and he operated both until recently, when he relegated their management to his sons, who are in a great measure relieving him from the cares and responsibility of active work.
On September 29, 1864, Mr. Allen married Ellen Sabra Hinkley, who was born February 15, 1842, on the present homestead, daughter of Josiah and Abigail (Bosworth) Hinkley, both lifelong residents of Mercer. Mrs. Allen, who was a most estimable woman and an active member of the Mercer Baptist Church, died March 14, 1893, leaving four children, of whom the following is the record : Charles Kelsey, born August 28, 1865. has charge of the saw-mill in Mercer village, where he married Miss Carrie Le Baron : Ellen F., born March 26, 1868, is the wife of
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WV. L. Walker, a miller and farmer in Starks township; Calvin H., born July 4, 1873, is now in Boston in a wholesale leather store; and Carrie Sabra, born February 23, 1880, is attending school in Skowhegan. Mr. Allen is an uncompromising Republican in his poli- tics, and has served his fellow-townsmen in many capacities. For fourtecn years he was a member of the Board of Selectmen, being the chairman of that body for twelve consecu- tive years. He has also been Township Clerk, and he represented his district in the State legislature at Augusta for one term. In the legislature he spoke very effectively on some of the more important questions brought up that session.
OHN RUGGLES SOPER, a prosper- ous farmer and lumberman of Orland, Hancock County, was born in this town, December 28, 1822. His father, for whom he was named, was also a native of Or- land. The grandfather, Justus Soper, who was born in Massachusetts, came to this local- ity as a pioneer, settling upon a tract of wild land in the neighborhood of "The Falls." He occupied a log house until circumstances enabled him to build a frame dwelling. This latter was subsequently destroyed by fire, and the family forced once more to inhabit their primitive abode. Of industrious habits, he cleared a good farm from the wilderness, on which he resided for many years. He lived to be over eighty years old. He was among the minute-men organized for service in the
War of 1812. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Viles.
John R. Soper, father of the subject of this sketch, resided at home for some six years after his marriage. He then settled upon un- improved land, from which he cleared the farm now owned by his son. He kept con- șiderable stock. The house which he built, and wherein he died at the age of seventy-six years, is still standing. Hc married Mar- garet Steele; and they reared three children - Elisha D., Margaret A., and John R. Elisha D., who is a farmer and carpenter of this town, married Maria Blaisdell. He has two children - Frank De Forest and Frances.
John Ruggles Soper began his education in the district schools, and subsequently attended Bucksport Academy. In his youth he assisted in carrying on the home farm. Later he en- gaged in the lumber business, which he has since conducted in connection with agricult- urc. After the death of his father he suc- ceeded to the ownership of the homestead by purchasing the interests of the other heirs. His farm is under good cultivation, and he owns considerable wild land, which is well covered with timber.
Mr. Soper married Sophia Eaton, of Deer Isle. He has had three children, one of whom died in infancy. The survivors are: Annie, who is the wife of Eugene Gross, of Orland; and Dennis R., who married Emma Pickering, and has one child, Reynold E. Dennis R. resides on the homestead. Mrs. Soper, the mother, died January 1, 1891, aged fifty-one years.
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Mr. Soper cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and is now inde- pendent in politics. He takes a lively inter- est in all matters relative to the progress of the town, and is a member of the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
EORGE W. HOWE, of Milo, Judge of Probate for Piscataquis County,
an ex-member of the legislature, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in St. Albans, Me., April 24, 1844, son of Jonathan and Jane (Hubbard) Howe. The father, who was a native of Greene, Me., left that town when about eighteen years old, and resided for a time in Canaan. From Canaan he moved to St. Albans, where he lived until 1855. Then, removing to Penobscot County, he resided in Bradford, Hudson, Corinth, and Charleston; and his last days were spent upon a farm in Orneville. He died in 1878. In early life he was a Jacksonian Democrat. Later he joined the Republican party. His religious belief was that of the Free Will Baptists. His first wife, Jane Hubbard Howe, who was a native of Canaan, died about the year 1852. His second marriage was con- tracted with Mrs. Strout Dumphy. The children of his first union were: Mary, Eliza, Caroline, George W., and Roxana. Mary is now the wife of Daniel Keaton. Eliza mar- ried Henry Mason, who died in 1897. Caro- line, residing in Oshkosh, Wis., is the widow of Charles Kimball, who was drowned in Lake Superior. She was educated at the Hamp-
den (Me.) Academy, and after the death of her husband taught school in Oshkosh. Rox- ana is no longer living. Jonathan Howe's second wife had four children; namely, Sam- uel T., Charles A., Ella F., and Mahala. Mahala is now deceased.
George W. Howe was eight years old when his mother died. For the succeeding two years he lived with George Hubbard, a farmer in Canaan. Then he went to Penobscot County to reside with his father, and his edu- cation was completed at the East Corinth Academy. Subsequently entering the office of Jacob Lovejoy in East Corinth, he pursued his law studies in connection with teaching school until 1862. In that year he enlisted as a private in the Twenty-second Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for nearly a year in the Civil War. The regiment was attached to the Department of the Gulf, serving on the Lower Mississippi and in the Red River expedition under Gen- eral Banks, and taking part in the battle of Irish Bend and several other engagements. For a time Mr. Howe did clerical work in the hospital department. After he was mustered out in Bangor in August, 1863, he tried to re- enlist, but was not accepted on account of physical disability. Receiving an offer to enter mercantile business in Hudson some time after, he accepted, and for several years was associated with Henry Briggs, both as clerk and partner. While residing there he taught school, served as Trial Justice and Justice of the Peace, and resumed his law studics by the aid of books borrowed from
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Lawyer Wentworth, of Bradford. He com- pleted his legal preparations in the office of Davis & Bailey, Bangor, and was duly ad- mitted to the Piscataquis County bar at Dover. He continued school teaching for a short time after opening an office in Milo in 1883. Eventually he gave it up in order to devote his entire attention to his practice. Politically, Mr. Howe is a Republican. Al- though Hudson is strongly Democratic, he was elected a Selectman, and served as Super- visor, Moderator, and Town Clerk while re- siding there. In Milo he has filled the offices of Supervisor and First Selectman; and as a member of the legislature in 1895 he was as- signed to the Committees on Legal Affairs and Education. He was appointed by Gov- ernor Cleaves to complete the unexpired term of the late Judge Hale as Judge of Probate, and has performed the duties of that office in a most capable manner. As a lawyer he is widely and favorably known throughout Pis- cataquis County, and has a large practice in the Supreme Judicial Courts of Dover and Bangor. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Masonic fra- ternity ; and he has been Commander of Post J. S. Sampson, G. A. R.
Mr. Howe married for his first wife Susan V. Tozier, a daughter of Joseph Tozier, of Hudson, and who died in 1887. His second wife was before marriage Mary E. Clement, daughter of George M. Clement, of Corinth, Me. She was educated at the East Corinth Academy, and became a successful teacher. Born of this union was one son, George.
Mrs. Howe died September 17, 1896. Mr. Howe is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his first wife.
HOMAS S. DICKISON, M.D., a
young physician of Houlton, Aroos- took County, who gives fair promise of be- coming one of the foremost practitioners of the county, was born March 10, 1868, in Carleton, N. B., being one of the eleven chil- dren born to Adam and Janet (Gibson) Dicki- son. He was reared on a farm, and received his elementary education in the district schools of his native town. There he showed such a strong inclination for books that his parents encouraged him to continue his studies by sending him to the Woodstock Grammar School. From that institution he was subse- quently graduated at the head of a class of thirty-five pupils, taking the first prize, a scholarship worth sixty dollars a year to him while at the New Brunswick University, which he soon afterward entered. A younger brother, Adam S. Dickison, won the same prize in that school two years later, and, hav- ing since become a proficient civil engineer, is now stationed at Westbrook, Me. Thomas S. Dickison again distinguished himself by capturing another scholarship while at the university, in which he took a three years' course. At the same time during the long summer vacations he studied medicine with Dr. Cobb, a physician of repute in Portland, Me. In 1893 he was graduated, magna cum laude, from Bellevue Medical College, New
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York, among the first four in his class. Then, ambitious to take advantage of every oppor- tunity for improving his knowledge, the Doc- tor spent three months at the New York Mid- wife Dispensary, where he made a special study of obstetrics and children's diseases. Thus thoroughly equipped, he located in Houlton. During the comparatively short time that he has been here he has won a large and lucrative practice, and gained the confi- dence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Fraternally, the Doctor is an Odd Fellow; and in 1893 he was made a member of the I. O. F., in the local lodge of which he is Past Physician. At the present time he is High Physician for the Foresters of the State of Maine, a responsible position, to which he was elected at the last State convention in Portland, defeating his predecessor in the office, Dr. L. A. Merritt, of Pittsfield, Me. He is a member of the Y. M. C. A., of Fred- ericton, N.B., and was an active worker in that organization while living in that city. On October 22, 1895, Dr. Dickison married Almatia, daughter of Charles Nelson, of Houlton. They have one child, Horace Earl.
LEXANDER P. PORTER, a lifelong resident of Strong, Franklin County, Me., and one of the substantial business men of this place, was born March 6, 1825, and died at his late home here, Janu- ary 28, 1876.
His parents, Ezekiel and Eunice (Hitch- cock) Porter, spent their entire lives in Strong, his mother's death occurring here in 1848, and his father's in 1867. The latter was a leading merchant of the town, and also operated a saw and grist mill. He had nine children, three of whom died in infancy. Six grew to years of maturity, as follows: Thurza C., who is the widow of the late Lemuel Crosby, a merchant, and lives in Phillips, Me .; Jeremy, who is retired from active pur- suits, and resides in Strong village; Eunice, widow of the late Dr. Edmund Russell, of Lewiston, Me., who now lives with her son in Farmington; Alexander P., whose name begins this sketch; Elias H., proprietor of a hotel at Strong; and Sarah, who was the wife of Albert Daggett, and died in 1886.
Alexander P. Porter was bred and educated in his native town. On attaining his major- ity he entered into business relations with his father, which continued until the death of the latter in 1867. From that time until the close of his earthly career he had charge of the mills at Strong, including the grist and saw mills. A man of much force of charac- ter, possessing good financial and executive ability, he prospered in all of his undertak- ings. He was held in high esteem by his fellow-men, and had the respect of the com- munity in which he spent his life, being pop- ular and well liked by both old and young. He invariably cast his vote in favor of the Re- publican party, but never held public office, his business demanding his entire time and attention.
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On April 29, 1866, Mr. Porter married Miss Emily S. Gould, who was born in New Portland, Somerset County, February 15, 1838, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Spooner) Gould, of that town. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Porter are three in number, namely: Mary E., born May 25, 1867; Gould Alexander, born May 10, 1869; and Nellie Emery, born May 31, 1873. In July, 1895, Mrs. Porter disposed of her interests in Strong, and removed with her family to the village of North Anson, where she purchased property at the corner of Madison and Sum- mer Streets, that is now her home.
LONZO J. LONG, the proprietor of a large general store in Blue Hill, Hancock County, was born in this town, June 23, 1849, son of James R. and Lavinia (Howard) Long. The grandfather, Joel Long, who was born in Castine, Me., in July, 1782, learned the trade of a comb-maker in Boston, and in 1810 came to East Blue Hill, being the first permanent settler in this place. He first tended a saw-mill. Later he cleared a good farin, and, purchasing the mill in which he had previously worked, became quite successful. His death occurred in 1871. He married Eliza Rogers, of Boston.
James R. Long, Alonzo J. Long's father, a native of Blue Hill, in his younger days was a millman. He visited California during the gold fever, worked for a time in the mines and at the carpenter's trade, and then returned to Blue Hill. During the Civil War he en-
listed in the Second Regiment, Maine Volun- teer Infantry, and took part in the battles of Malvern Hill and Hanover Court-house and the siege of Yorktown. Since leaving the army he has resided in a house that he erected when a young man. He married Lavinia, a daughter of Samuel Howard, of Searsmont, Me., and with her reared eight children; namely, Mary E., Laura E., Lillian A., Minnie A., Miles H., Alonzo J., Solon A., and Edgar C. Long. Mary E. married Har- land P. Stover, and died leaving three chil- dren - Henry H., Eugene H., and Walter E. Laura E. married Edward H. Sheafe, who is in business in the West. Lillian A. married Joseph Johnson, of Blue Hill, and has one daughter, Minnie A. Johnson. Minnie A. Long married Harry W. Binder, formerly of Philadelphia, and now of Council Bluffs, Ia., and has two children - Frank and Venia. Miles H., who resides in Blue Hill, married Cora Wood, and has three children - Archie, Ethelyn M., and Homer. Solon A., residing at East Blue Hill, married Carrie Blodgett, and has four children - Ralph, Jessie, Mar- gie, and Harland P. Edgar C. married Fanny Grindle, and has two children - Au- brey and Roscoe Long.
Alonzo J. Long acquired a limited educa- tion in. the district schools. ' At the age of twenty-one he began to learn the stone-cutter's trade, which he followed for fourteen years. In 1883 he took a contract to furnish General Tilson with stone balustrades for government buildings then in process of erection at Washington, D.C., a venture that proved re-
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munerative. Next year he started in the manufacture of lumber, purchasing and im- proving a saw and grist mill, and also engaged in a general mercantile business, which he has since carried on with success.
Mr. Long married Hannah A. Carter, a daughter of Calvin Carter, and now has two sons - Oscar L. and Earl F. Long. Oscar L., a graduate of Baltimore (Md.) Medical College, is now a practising physician in Har- rington; while Earl F. is attending school. In politics Mr. Long is a Republican. His first Presidential vote was given to U. S. Grant in 1872. He has served with credit as Town Treasurer for four years. The ability he displays in handling a large and increasing business promises well for the future prosper- ity of the town, and he deservedly ranks as one of the most progressive men in the county. His fraternal affiliations are confined to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In re- ligious belief he is a Calvinist Baptist, being one of the principal supporters and the senior Deacon of the First Baptist Church.
AVID R. STRAW, of Guilford, the secretary of the Piscataquis Woollen Company and a son of David R. and Caroline A. (Ayer) Straw, was born in this town, May 16, 1836. Both the grand- father, Gideon Straw, a farmer and one of the early settlers of Newfield, York County, and his wife, Mary, died in Newfield at an ad- vanced age. They reared two sons and five daughters. David R. Straw, Sr., the eldest
son, was born in Newfield, November 7, 1795. Largely self-educated, he graduated from Brown University, and in 1830 began to prac- tise law in Sangerville, this county. About 1833 he moved to Guilford, and was in active practice here for many years. A capable lawyer, he was also a successful business man. He was a Democrat in politics, but took no active part in public life, refusing offices of trust proffered him. On religious subjects his views were liberal. He died in Guilford, August 31, 1876. His wife, who was born in Norway, Oxford County, August 12, 1813, is living with her son, the subject of this biog- raphy. She had thirteen children, of whom Martha K., Daniel, Ellen M., Frederick H., Nahum O'Neil Straw, and two infants are deceased. The rest are: Agnes M., the wife of Eliphalet W. Bennett, of Guilford; Will- iam O., residing in Ubet, Mont. ; Gideon M., residing in Guilford; Caroline A., the wife of George E. Clark, of Algona, a .; and Henry, residing in Garner, Ia.
Having studied at Foxcroft (Me.) Acad- emy, Gilmanton (N.H.) Academy, and Phil - lips Academy at Andover, Mass., the present David R. Straw graduated from Bowdoin Col - lege in 1859. After this he read law with his father, and was admitted to the Piscataquis County bar in 1862. He was subsequently associated in practice with his father until the death of the latter. At present, while not in active practice, he does some professional work. He was largely instrumental in mak- ing the Piscataquis Woollen Mills what they are to-day, and was one of the incorporators
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of the concern. This enterprise was started in 1882, with thirty-five hands; and in 1892 the plant was enlarged. The mills now give employment to one hundred and twenty-five hands. Mr. Straw is also actively engaged in the insurance business with Otis Martin as partner.
On June 16, 1873, Mr. Straw was married to Ellen L., daughter of Abner Downing. She was born in Norway, Me., November 23, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Straw have had the fol- lowing children: Alice B., born March 9, 1877, who died February 20, 1884; Grace M., born September 25, 1880; and Harold D., born April 7, 1882. They also have an adopted child, Doris W., who was born Au- gust 12, 1893. Mr. Straw has been Town Clerk and Treasurer for a number of years, and he served on the Board of Selectmen one year. He is a member of Mount Kineo Lodge, F. & A. M., of Guilford; of Good Cheer Lodge, I. O. O. F., of the same place; and of the fraternity of Knights Templar. The family residence, one of the handsomest in the locality, was built under his own super. vision. It stands on elevated ground, and commands a beautiful view. Both Mr. and Mrs. Straw are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HARLES A. ROLFE, one of the best known business men of Prince- ton, Washington County, and an ex-member of the legislature, was born in this town, December 25, 1842, son of Putnam and
Rosanna (Hilton) Rolfe. Ebenezer Rolfe, the grandfather, who was a native of Massa- chusetts, came to this section when a young man, and engaged in lumbering and farming. He was one of the original settlers in Prince- ton, where he resided for the rest of his life, and died when he was eighty years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Hum- phrey, died at seventy-six.
Putnam Rolfe, a native of New Brunswick, in early life carried on farming. He later en- tered the lumbering business, building the first saw-mill in Princeton; and he also estab- lished the first general store. One of the leading men here in his day, he served in the more important town offices, and was State Senator for two years. In polities he acted with the Republican party from the time of its formation until his death, which occurred July 4, 1878. He was a member of the Con- gregational church. Rosanna, his wife, who was a native of North Bridgton, Me., became the mother of five children. Of these, two are living: Charles A., the subject of this sketch ; and Fred P. Rolfe, who is a surveyor, and resides at Chippewa Falls, Wis. The others were: Annie M., Alice E., and Mary E. The mother died in July, 1872.
Charles A. Rolfe completed his education at the Calais Academy. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Eleventh Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infan- try. He participated in the siege of Charles- ton, the battles of Bermuda Hundred and Deep Bottom, and witnessed the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court-house.
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After he was mustered out with his regiment in 1865, he returned home and engaged in business with his father. When the latter died, he became the sole proprietor of both store and lumber-mill. Retiring from the lumber business in 1884, he has since devoted his time exclusively to the store. His stock includes the staple goods needed by an agri- cultural and lumbering community; and, as he does not allow it to deteriorate, he retains the confidence and patronage of the public.
In politics Mr. Rolfe is a Republican, and he has been more or less active in local and State affairs. He has served as First Select- man and Town Treasurer for a number of years, was a member of the legislature for four terms, and is agent for the Passamaquoddy tribe of Indians, which numbers four hundred and seventy-five souls. In February, 1865, he married Emma F. Pike, of Waterford, Vt., a daughter of Nathan and Julia Pike, neither of whom is living. Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe have one daughter, Annie M. Mr. Rolfe is con- nected with Lodge No. 138, F. & A. M., of Princeton; with St. Croix Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; with St. Croix Council, R. & S. M .; and with Hugh de Payens Command- ery, of Calais, Me.
ESLIE W. McINTIRE, of Solon, Somerset County, druggist, Postmas- ter, and express agent, was born in Bingham, Me., January 21, 1856, son of Obed and Rose A. (Robinson) McIntire. His par- ents were natives of Bingham, this county,
where the father was engaged in farming for a number of years. Moving subsequently to Athens, Me., Obed McIntire carried on a general store there for twelve years. From Athens he removed to Lewiston, in which city he spent his last days. He was a much re- spected citizen of Somerset County in his day, and served with ability in various town offices. His widow now resides in Auburn. She has been the mother of four children, namely : Leslie W., the subject of this sketch ; Mabel, who died in 1894, and who was the wife of Frank L. Hight, now a resident of North Cornville, Me .; Laura, who resides with her mother in Auburn; and Amo Mc- Intire, of that city.
Leslie W. McIntire completed his educa- tion in Skowhegan, where also he learned the druggist's business with W. H. Fuller. In 1872 he engaged in trade with his father in Athens, making a specialty of drugs and chemicals. He continued with his father for several years, and in 1881 established himself in Solon. He has occupied his pres- ent store since 1887. Besides a full line of drugs, chemicals, and medicines, he carries paints, oils, varnishes, and similar materials, and is conducting a profitable business. He has acted as express agent since coming to Solon, and was appointed Postmaster in 1897.
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