USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 44
USA > Maine > Aroostook County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 44
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 44
USA > Maine > Washington County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 44
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 44
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Beginning in carly life, John A. Beal as- sisted his father in his fishing business until he was twenty-one years of age. He was in- dustrious and in every way reliable, and was placed in command of a fishing-vessel before reaching his majority. Upon coming of age he started in life for himself, continuing to make fishing trips to the Bay of Fundy. Later he became interested in the curing and drying of fish, and did quite a business. These lines of work he continued down to 1885. Then he opened a general merchandise store, which he has conducted successfully up to the present time, in the meanwhile retain- ing his interest in the fisheries. His annual business amounts to a sum varying from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars, giving direct employment to from three to eight men, and indirect employment to at least a hundred persons. Making a specialty of the lobster industry, he has built two lobster smacks since 1894, the "Charlotte A. Beal," com- manded by James F. Beal; and the "E. Mc- Nichol," commanded by F. W. Beal. He has also built a new steam lobster smack, the "Mina and Lizzie," commanded by Charles H. Beal. These smacks, doing the principal lobster business in Jonesport, during the lob- ster season carry twenty thousand lobsters weekly to the Portland markets.
Captain Beal has done much toward develop- ing the industries of Beal Island, more, in- deed, than any other man now living here. He has also assisted liberally, both with finan- cial and moral support, every progressive movement started on the island. He was one
of the generous contributors toward the new Holiness Church, which was erected here in 1896-97, although he is not a member of the church organization. - Besides his residence, which was built in 1896, and his neatly kept store-room, which was erected in 1885, he owns a number of tenements. He was married in 1879 to Miss Cordelia Kelley, who was born in Jonesport in 1861, daughter of Elijah Kelley. The Captain's political principles' are Republican. Although he is always glad to help along any good cause, and is sincerely desirous of serving the best interests of the community, he has never cared to hold politi- cal office of any kind. He is a member of Jonesport Lodge, No. 188, F. & A. M., of Jonesport.
HILIP J. HOOKE, the Bangor and Castine telegraph operator at Cas- tine, Hancock County, was born in this town, March 25, 1825, son of Benjamin and Jeanette E. (Jarvis) Hooke. The father, a native of Salisbury, Mass., about the year 1800 came to Castine as a deputy under his brother, who was at that time Collector of Customs at this port. Later he was associ- ated in business here with William Wither- lee, and at one time was the town's Postmas- ter. He lived to be eighty years old. His wife, who was a member of the well-known Jarvis family of Castine, became the mother of twelve children; namely, Ann M., Sarah, Benjamin, Eliza, Frederick, Charlotte, Josiah, William, Philip J., Mary, George, and Caro- line. Of these the only survivors are: Philip
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J., the subject of this sketch; and Mary, who is the widow of Benjamin Frink, and resides in Mount Vernon, N. Y. Caroline died at the age of two years.
Philip J. Hooke acquired his education in the public schools of Castine. He started in business as a dealer in lumber and general merchandise in Bangor, where he remained some ten years. During the succeeding two years he was associated in business with his brother William, at Waltham, Mass. Sub- sequently after a short time spent in Castine he went to Princeton, Il1. Here he was en- gaged in farming with his brother Josiah, until the latter moved to California, where- upon he sold the property and returned to his native town. After this he learned teleg- raphy, and became local operator for the Ban- gor & Castine Telegraph Company, in which capacity he has served continuously up to the present time. Also, for about forty years he has been librarian and Town Clerk. Both as telegraph and public official he has given gen- eral satisfaction, and he is highly esteemed in the town.
Mr. Hooke married Mrs. Lucy A. Gay, the widow of the late Captain Moses Gay. The children of this union are: Jeanette E., who married John Challis, of Winchester, Mass. ; Henry D., who married Miss Fannie M. Mosely, of Dorchester, Mass., and has two children - Annie and Robert G .; and Will- iam F. Hooke, who married Elizabeth Maxcy, and has one daughter, Jeanette C. Mr. Hooke has been a Selectman for many years in succession. His first Presidential vote was
cast for General Cass in 1848. Since the Civil War he has acted with the Republican party.
HARRIS FOSTER, a prominent lumber manufacturer of Machias, Washington County, was born in Jonesboro, October 10, 1845, son of Elisha Burton and Mary E. (Noyes) Foster. The great-grand- father, John Wooding Foster, one of the first settlers of Machias and the first blacksmith in the town, was one of the guards who had charge of the prisoners taken from the "Mar- garetta," which was the first vessel captured from the English during the Revolutionary War. His son, Elias Foster, who was born in East Machias and was also a blacksmith, first married in East Machias. In 1817, after the death of his first wife, Elias removed to Cooper, and there followed his trade, besides carrying on farming and lumbering. In Cooper he was one of the prominent men, and served as Road Surveyor and as Selectman. His second marriage was made with Lucy Dorman, of Harrington, Me.
Elisha Burton Foster, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Cooper on the 4th of March, 1820. After his school days ended he came to Machias, being then quite a young lad, and learned the blacksmith's trade with his brother, Lewis. Having finished his ap- prenticeship, he started in business for him- self at Jonesboro; but some years later he returned to Machias, and engaged in black- smithing here. Though still strong and rugged, he has not been engaged in active
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business since 1882. His wife, Mary, who was a daughter of Captain John Noyes, of Jonesboro, bore him four children : G. Harris, the subject of this sketch; Lucy E., now de- ceased, who was the wife of Joseph Crandon, of Machias; Eugene, who resides in Boston; and Caroline, whose home is in Machias.
G. Harris Foster received his education in the town schools of Machias, to which place he was brought by his parents when only seven years old. At the age of fourteen he went to work in a blacksmith's shop, where he remained for three years. Then he went into a ship-yard, where he stayed until he was twenty-four years of age, learning the ship- carpenter's trade. Subsequently he engaged in the manufacture of sashes, blinds, mould- ings, etc., making a specialty of exterior and interior wood finishings for buildings. He now carries on a large business, his place being the centre of trade in this line, not only for Machias, but for all the adjoining towns. He employs from two to six men.
Mr. Foster married Sarah Bernice, daugh- ter of William E. Pennell, of Machias. His children are: Corrie, the wife of Llewellyn McGouldrick, of this town; and Gertrude, who resides in Waterbury, Conn. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is active in town affairs. He has served the town for several years as Selectman. Fraternally, he is a member and Past Master of Harwood Lodge, No. 91, Free and Accepted Masons; Past High Priest of Washington Chapter; Eminent Commander of St. Elmo Commandery; a member of Deering Council and Delta Lodge
of Perfection; and he also belongs to Machias Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, of which he is a Past Master Workman. At the present time he is the District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
TIS S. BRADLEY, of Dover, Piscat- aquis County, one of the town's most able farmers, was born here, August 15, 1830, son of John and Lucinda (Spauld- ing) Bradley. His grandfather, Samuel Brad- ley, was an early settler in New Sharon, Me., where he resided upon a farm for the rest of his life. John Bradley, son of Samuel, born in Haverhill, Mass., April 5, 1797, was a farmer and a mechanic. In 1820 he settled in Dover, erected a log house, cleared the farm his son now occupies, and built the present residence in 1844. The rest of his life was spent in tilling the soil; and he died Septem- ber 6, 1861. His wife, Lucinda, who was born in Norridgewock, Me., November 30, 1798, became the mother of ten children, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Abigail McQuesten, of Merrimac, Mass .; John, who resides in South Dover; Otis S., the subject of this sketch; and Alphonso Bradley, who lives in Bangor. The others were: Thomas, Samuel, Alonzo, George, Sarah, and William.
Otis S. Bradley passed his youth in Dover and Fairfield, acquiring his education in a district school. He has been engaged in farming since early manhood. At the present time he owns two hundred acres of well-im- proved land, with excellent buildings. His
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crops are always large and of a superior qual- ity, and his prosperity is the result of hard work and a practical knowledge of agricult- ure. He is a member of Kineo Lodge, No. 64, I. O. O. F .; and of the Daughters of Re- becca of the same order. On September 18, 1859, he was joined in marriage with Mary Helen Davis, who was born in East Sanger- ville, Me., December 14, 1840, daughter of Isaac H. and Emeline (Rich) Davis. Her father was a native of Norridgewock, and her mother was born in Bucksport, Me. Her grandfather, Abijah Davis, who was a native of this State and a farmer by occupation, after residing in various places, spent his last days in Wisconsin. His wife, who was be- fore marriage Priscilla Harding, a native of Norridgewock, came to Piscataquis County on horseback, bringing her son, Isaac H., in her arms. Isaac H. Davis carried on farming and shoemaking in East Sangerville, where he spent the greater part of his life. He en- listed for the Civil War in the First Maine Heavy Artillery, and was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania. Of his eight children, two others are living, namely: Mrs. Emma R. Giles, of Maplewood, Mass .; and Henry W. Davis, who resides in Alabama. The de- ceased children were: George A., John P., George H., Abbie W., and Isaac P.
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have four children, born as follows: Charles W., July 30, 1861 ; Alfred L., February 27, 1863; Albert M., April 5, 1868; and Claire M., October 3, 1874. Charles W., who is a railroad man and resides in Foxcroft, married Eva Herring, and
has four children - Leon W., Roxy V., Earl A., and Thalmer. Albert M. and Alfred L. are single, and reside at home; and Claire M., who also lives at home, is the wife of Charles Hammon. Both parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
ANIEL C. HALL, a retired lum- ber dealer of Fairfield, Somerset County, son of Luther and Priscilla (Potter) Hall, was born in Bowdoin, Me., September 8, 1821. The father, who was a native of Taunton, Mass., was a farmer by occupation, and spent most of his life in Bow- doin, dying there in 1878. His first wife, previously Christine Cowen, of Litchfield, Me., bore him two children - Joseph and Elizabeth, both of whom are now deceased. His second wife, Priscilla, who died in 1860, was the mother of twelve children; namely, Christine, Mary, Tabitha, Daniel C., Pris- cilla, John, Martha, James, Elizabeth, Francis, Denham, and Alfred. Of these the survivors are: Mary, who married Alfred Carr, and resides in Bowdoin; Denham, who married Amanda Jones, and is engaged in farming on the old homestead in Bowdoin; Daniel C., the subject of this biography; and Alfred, who is a machinist, residing in Boston.
Having attended the district schools of his native town for the usual period, Daniel C. Hall when twenty years of age went away from home for the first time, to become a lum- berman in the woods. At the end of the sea-
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son he came to Fairfield, and here for the next twenty-five years was engaged in lumber- ing on the river and in the woods. From 1855 to 1869, when he sold out, he was a member of the lumber firm, Fogg, Hall & Co., which had a prosperous and successful busi- ness. He is now interested in the Fairfield National Bank, of which he is a director .; His most important service to his fellow- townsmen has been his participation in the government of the town for twelve years as a member of the Board of Selectmen. In that period he did a large amount of important and difficult business. In October, 1855, he was married to Sarah Crawford, of Sidney, Me., a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Dunbar) Craw- ford, of whom the former was a leading farmer in Sidney. Two children have been born of this union, namely: Laura, who died when twenty-one years of age; and Fred, who died at eleven. In politics Mr. Hall is a Republi- can. Fraternally, he is a Mason of Siloam Lodge of Fairfield. Both he and his wife at- tend the Universalist church. A good type of our self-made men, Mr. Hall now enjoys in his beautiful home on High Street the leisure and comfort he has earned by his industry.
EON S. MERRILL, one of the hust- ling business men of Solon, Somerset County, was born in this town, De- cember 22, 1864, son of Stephen and Jerusha (Dean) Merrill. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Merrill, came here from Salisbury, Mass., when this locality was mostly a
wilderness, and, having cleared a farm, occu- pied it for the rest of his life. He married a Miss Durrill, a native of Embden, Me. Their children were: Robert, Benjamin, Jo- seph, Stephen, Rachel, Rebecca, Hannah, Mary, and Temperance. Stephen Merrill, son of Benjamin, having spent some time in Solon industriously occupied in farming, is now living on the homestead east of the vil- lage. Both he and his wife support the Con- gregational church. Jerusha, born in Green- ville, Me., is one of the twenty-two children of Ebenezer Dean. The latter served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, and later became a pioneer of the region around Moosehead Lake. The maiden name of his wife was Green. Mrs. Jerusha Merrill is the mother of two children, namely: Al- bert, born in September, 1859; and Leon S., the subject of this sketch. Albert Merrill, who is a carpenter in Solon, married Annie Coleman, of Augusta, and has one daughter, Amy.
Leon S. Merrill acquired his elementary education in the common schools. Subse- quently he completed the regular course at the Maine Medical School, and graduated with the class of 1889. However, he did not en- gage in the medical profession on account of impaired vision. From 1889 to 1893 he was Postmaster in Solon. In 1889 he opened his present store, which is well stocked with gro- ceries, drugs, medicines, and a varied line of general merchandise. His numerous patrons are retained, as they were acquired, by his business ability and gentlemanly courtesy.
DANVILLE L. ANNIS.
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In 1884 he was joined in marriage with Alice Wilson, of Solon, a daughter of Allen and Helen (Moore) Wilson, who were natives, re- spectively, of Bingham and Madison. The latter died about five years ago. Mr. Wilson resides in Solon, and is a wool carder. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have two children: Gladys, born August 1, 1893; and Earl, born October 12, 1895.
Mr. Merrill has been the secretary of the Republican Town Committee for nine years. For several terms he has served with ability upon the School Board. He is a Past Grand of Solon Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and is also a member of the Parmenas Encampment of Skowhegan; and has served as District Deputy and Grand Master of the eleventh and twenty- ninth subordinate districts. Since its estab- lishment in 1891 he has been the local editor of the Solon Weekly. Both he and Mrs. Merrill are members of the Congregational church.
ANVILLE L. ANNIS, senior mem- ber of the firm of Annis & Chase, general merchants, Sebec, Me., was born in this town, January 18, 1864. He is the son of John N. and Caroline F. (Lyford) Annis, who are both natives of Sebec; and he is a grandson of Alfred Annis, who settled as a pioneer in the western part of the town.
Alfred Annis was an industrious and perse- vering man ; and he cleared a good farm, upon which he resided for the rest of his life. In politics he originally voted with the Whig party, and he followed the majority of that
element into the ranks of the Republican party at its formation. A Free Will Baptist in his religious belief, he served as a Deacon of that church for many years.
John N. Annis, father of Danville L. Annis, was reared upon his father's farm, and when a young man he learned the carpenter's trade. He has followed that calling in connection with farming in Sebec, his home, for the past twenty-five years being in the village. He is one of the stirring men of the place, and highly esteemed for his many excellent quali- ties as a citizen and neighbor. Politically, he is a Republican, and his opinions in religious matters are inclined to be liberal. Of the three children born to him and his wife, Mrs. Caroline F. Annis, two - namely, Selden J. and Elden P. - are no longer living.
Danville L. Annis, the third child and the subject of this sketch, was educated in the vil- lage schools. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed in various places until 1894, when he engaged in business as a member of the firm of Annis & Chase. They carry a good line of general merchandise, which on account of their large patronage is frequently replenished; and consequently their goods are always fresh. An active and able business man, Mr. Annis has already attained gratifying success, and his future prospects are unusually promising. He has a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
On August 5, 1897, Mr. Annis was joined in marriage with Lucy E. Crockett, of this town, daughter of Captain A. G. Crockett, who is the proprietor of two steamers running
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on the lake. In politics Mr. Annis is a Re- . publican, and is a member of the School Board. His residence, which is one of the handsomest in the village, is a substantial dwelling erected by him during his leisure time while following his trade. Mr. Annis is a member of the Baptist church.
EORGE W. PERKINS, a prosperous farmer of Castine, Hancock County, was born in this town, February 23, 1833, son of Mark H. and Lois (Bowden) Perkins, both of whom were natives of Castine. His grand- father, Stover Perkins, was one of the early merchants and ship-builders of the town. Residing about two miles north of the village, Grandfather Perkins became quite an old man. The maiden name of his wife was Annie Hatch.
Mark H. Perkins, the father, settled upon wild land in the northern part of the town. He was engaged in farming and lumbering during his active years, and died at the age of eighty-four. His wife became the mother of four children, two of whom are living, namely: George W., the subject of this sketch; and Louisa, who married Mark E. Hatch, of Castine, and has three children - William, Luella, and Lettie. The others were: Mark, a sea captain, who married Ellen Hatch, and left one son, Harry F. Perkins, now of Bangor; and John, who was lost at sea in his twenty-third year, while on a voy- age with his brother.
George W, Perkins was educated in the
common schools. After the completion of his studies he went to sea for a time. The greater part of his active period, however, has been devoted to farming and trading. Since the death of his father he has occupied the homestead, which is a well-known landmark on account of its having been the site of the Methodist camp-meeting ground for many years. His farming has been very successful. In politics he is a Republican, and he cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. He was school agent for a time, and he served in the capacity of Selectman for fourteen years, after which he declined further nomination.
Mr. Perkins first married Clarissa A. Mor- grage, who bore him two sons - John W. and Edward D. A second marriage united him with Mary E. Lawrence, who has one daugh- ter, Lois M. John W. Perkins, who was not married, and resided at home, died recently at the age of thirty-six years. Edward D. Perkins, after teaching in Maine for some time and serving as the principal of a large school in Washington, D.C., graduated with honors from the Georgetown Medical School, and since 1894 has practised medicine at the national capital. Lois M. Perkins, who was a school teacher for several years, married Harry S. Soper, of Bucksport, Me.
EONARD LORD, a retired business man of Detroit, Somerset County, and an ex-member of the legislature, was born in Gorham, Me., June 1, 1822,
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son of Nahum and Charlotte (Waterhouse) Lord. The father, who was a native of Ber- wick, Me., moved to Gorham when a young man, and there followed the tailor's trade in connection with farming. In 1830 he came to Detroit, then called Chandlersville, where in addition to these occupations he was engaged in lumbering; and he died here on October 26, 1846. Charlotte, his wife, who was a native of Gorham, became the mother of eleven children, of whom Leonard is the only survivor. The others, besides a child that died in infancy, were : George, Jeremiah, Joseph, Nahum, Harriet, Martha Ann, James, Major, and Alvin. The mother died in March, 1870, aged eighty-seven years.
Leonard Lord attended the common schools, and in his younger days was engaged in trade at the village. Later he carried on lumber- ing operations, and had an interest in vari- ous enterprises, including a saw-mill and a blacksmith shop. He also cultivated a farm for many years. On January 9, 1855, he mar- ried Ellen P. Crosby, who was born in Plym- outh, Me., March 28, ' 1829. Her parents, Manson and Sabra (Getchell) Crosby, who were prosperous farming folk, resided in Plymouth until the year of her marriage. Then they moved to Marion, Linn County, Ia., where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Lord have had no children by their marriage. They reared an adopted daughter, who married J. A. Norton, formerly of Pittsfield, Me., with whom she is now re- siding in San Jose, Cal.
Mr. Lord was a Representative in the legis-
latures of 1869 and 1872, serving during each term on the Mercantile Insurance Committee. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for twelve years and Town Clerk for two years, and he is now Town Treasurer. In politics he is a Republican. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
OHN H. STIMSON, formerly the proprietor of a large granite quarry in Sullivan, Hancock County, was born in Cambridge, Mass., June 30, 1829, son of John and Eliza (Green) Stimson. On the paternal side he is descended from Quakers of Vermont. The father, a native of Vermont, was for many years a member of the firm Ames & Stimson, a well-known granite con- cern in its day, that worked quarries in Rock- port, Mass. A business man of unusual energy and ability, he was prominent in the community. He died in his eighty-seventh year. His children were: John H., Lewis G., Eliza Jane, and Alfred A. Alfred A. is a real estate broker in Boston. Eliza Jane, now residing in Paris, France, is the widow of the late Jules Levy, who was formerly the professor of French at Harvard University.
John H. Stimson began his education in the public schools of Cambridge, and con- pleted it at a private school in Philadelphia. It was the intention of his parents that he should enter professional life; but, preferring a business career, he became connected with the granite quarries on Cape Ann. After- ward, purchasing the Ames interest in the
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firm of Ames & Stimson, he organized the Rockport Granite Company, with which he was prominently identified for a number of years. In 1875 he settled permanently in Sullivan. Here he purchased one of the larg- est quarries in this section, and engaged in cutting pavement blocks, curbing, and such other random work that offered sufficient. profit. After buying his pleasantly located residence, he so improved it as to make it a most welcome addition to the locality. He died here on March 18, 1889, after an illness of a year's duration. His wife, Mrs. Cathe- rine Augusta Stimson, who survives him, is a daughter of the Rev. Eben G. and Mehitable Farnam Barker Eaton, of Bridgton, Me. Mrs. Stimson's only daughter, Lillie A., mar- ried George C. Emery, of Kansas City, Mo., and has one son, Richard Stimson Emery.
ALVIN BLAKE, Town Treasurer of Hartland, Somerset County, was born in this town, March 14, 1836, son of Dr. Calvin and Louisa (Haskell) Blake. The father, a native of Turner, Me., born in 1798, in 1822, after graduating from the Maine Medical School at Brunswick, located for practice in Hartland, where he resided for the rest of his life. He was widely and favorably known throughout this section as a skilful and reliable physician. He also cultivated a large farm, and was a Justice of the Peace for many years. His death occurred in 1870. Louisa, his wife, who was a native of New Gloucester, Me., became the mother of eight children,
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