USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 49
USA > Maine > Aroostook County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 49
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 49
USA > Maine > Washington County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 49
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 49
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In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, in religion a Roman Catholic. He is a member of the fraternal order, Knights of Columbus. He is unmarried.
ON. AUGUSTUS RUFUS BIXBY, of Skowhegan, Somerset County, who was a member of the Executive Council under Governor Robie and one of the Columbian Exposition Commissioners, was born in Norridgewock, this county, December 17, 1832, son of Deacon Rufus and Betsey (Weston) Bixby. Both maternal and paternal ancestors of his took part in the early Colonial wars and in the Revolution. No less than ten members of the Bixby family were commis-
sioned officers in the struggle for indepen- dence, while other Bixbys for several genera- tions were Deacons of the Congregational church. His paternal great-grandfather, who resided in Worcester County, Massachusetts, married a Miss Bond, of Philadelphia. Solo- mon Bixby, his grandfather, was one of the early settlers in Norridgework, Me., where he became an extensive farmer and fruit-grower, and was a member of the first Board of Select- men, in which capacity he afterward served for a number of years. Deacon Rufus Bixby was a pioneer of Norridgewock, where he reclaimed and converted into an orchard a large tract of land. He served in the militia during the War of 1812. Following the example of his predecessors, he was active in religious work in connection with the Congregational society of Norridgewock. His wife, Betsey, was a daughter of Deacon Benjamin Weston, who was a pioneer of Madison, Me.
Possessing a natural capacity for acquiring knowledge, Augustus Rufus Bixby easily mas- tered the common branches of study taught in the town schools. Afterward he taught in the district schools of his neighborhood for a time. Then his education was continued in the Bloomfield Academy until he graduated in 1852. He now found employment as a clerk in the general store of Eben H. Neal, Skow- hegan. On leaving that position in 1856, he set out for California, where he spent the en- suing twelve months in prospecting. During the succeeding six years he was mining in different parts of the State. In the fall of 1863 he returned to Maine after an absence
AUGUSTUS R. BIXBY.
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of nearly seven years. He spent the follow- ing winter in Washington, D.C., where he tried to enlist, but failed on account of a seri- ous asthmatic trouble from which he has been a sufferer since childhood. In the spring of 1864 he went to Minnesota, where he and his brother engaged in a promising wheat business. Shortly after, on finding that the climate of the North-west was aggravating his lung trouble, he sold his interest and returned to Skowhegan. In 1865 he engaged in the drug and book business, which proved profitable from the start. Six years after he received into partnership Frederick R. Buck, with whom he has since been associated. He was one of the ten incorporators of the Skowhegan Water Works; a promoter of the Skowhegan Electric Light Company, of which he was the treasurer and collector for twelve years; a di- rector and the acting treasurer of the Skowhe- gan & Norridgewock Electric Railway Com- pany until a severe illness in 1896 compelled him to resign.
In politics Mr. Bixby is an earnest supporter of the Republican party. As a member of Governor Robie's Council during the lat- ter's last term, he served in the Committees on Warrants, State Prison and Pardons, Mili- tary Affairs, and Pay Roll. He was also a member of the committee charged with visit- ing the insane hospital, and was the chairman of the Committees upon Indian Affairs and Election Returns. In 1890 President Harri- son appointed him a Commissioner of the World's Columbian Exposition. During his three years' labor in behalf of that enterprise
he was the chairman of the national Commit- tee on Fish and Fisheries, and served with credit upon the Committees on Horticulture, Floriculture, and Finance; also, as the chair- man of the Maine State Building Committee he rendered efficient service in planning and erecting the Maine Building, which was com- posed of granite selected under his personal direction from every quarry in the State. He is connected with Somerset Lodge, F. & A. M .; Somerset Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and De Molay Commandery, Knights Templar. For the past thirty years he has been an active member of the Congregational church, and he was the superintendent of its Sunday-school for twenty-five years in succes- sion. A person who has enjoyed a long and intimate acquaintance with Mr. Bixby wrote of him as follows: "From his father he inher- ited his extraordinary executive ability, clear and unshaken judgment, and love for horticult- ure; from his mother, strong intellect and vitality, and a generous and sensitive nature ; and from both, sterling principles, industri- ous and irreproachable habits, godly rever- ence, and hearty zealousness for the good of his fellow-townsmen." The Press, of Portland, reporting the proceedings of the Republican State Convention held there in 1888, said of him : "He is a man of a wonderful amount of energy and a great deal of public spirit. He makes everything that he takes hold of boom, and is always good-natured about it." By his marriage with Sarah H. Spaulding, of Skowhegan, Mr. Bixby has an only daughter, who is a graduate of the high school.
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ON. VORANUS L. COFFIN, State Councillor, an ex-member of the Maine Senate and the principal of the firm V. L. Coffin & Son, general mer- chants of Harrington, Washington County, was born in Addison, this State, October 3, 1831. A son of Simeon and Rebecca (Nash) Coffin, he is a grandson of John Coffin, who was one of the first settlers of Addison. The father, born in Addison, who spent his life in that town and in Harrington, and died in the latter place at the age of eighty-three years, was a surveyor by profession, and at one time was in the hotel business.
Voranus L. Coffin's early manhood was spent in Harrington, and he attended the schools here and one in Waterville. After completing his studies he engaged in teach- ing for some years. Then he followed the sea for a time. Just prior to the breaking out of the Civil War he engaged in business in this town. The call to arms, however, took him away from mercantile pursuits, and he enlisted as a private in Company B, Thirty- first Maine Regiment, was commissioned Sec- ond Lieutenant, promoted to First Lieuten- ant, and returned in command of his company. He was taken prisoner, and spent nine months in Libby and other rebel prisons. At the close of the war, when he received an honor- able discharge, he came back to Harrington, and engaged in ship-building in the firm of Ramsdell, Rumball & Coffin. This firm car- ried on a successful business until 1876, when Mr. Coffin bought out the other partners, and conducted the place for several years alone.
Although he has since abandoned ship-build- ing, he has retained an interest in shipping property. At the present time he owns a share in the now notorious "Herbert Fuller," on board of which occurred the triple murder for which Mate Thomas M. Bram has been tried and convicted. However, Mr. Coffin gives his chief attention to his store, which is said to be the leading establishment of the kind in Harrington to-day, and said to be carrying the largest stock of goods. The firm V. L. Coffin & Son was founded in 1883, previous to which time the elder Coffin had managed the business alone.
Mr. Coffin was married in 1854 to Christi- ana Wilson, a native of Harrington, born in September, 1835. Her parents, Samuel N. and Sophia Wilson, were early settlers of Harrington. Mr. Coffin's children are: Charles A., Edwin V., and Alphonso J. Charles A., who was born in this town, July 13, 1856, was educated in the schools here and in the Eastern Maine Seminary at Bucks- port. He has been engaged in a mercantile business all his working life, beginning as clerk in his father's store, and subsequently being taken into partnership. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for twelve years, for a portion of which time he has been the chairman. In 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, and 1892 he was a member of Governor Bur- leigh's staff. At the late fall election he was chosen as a member of the Maine State legis- lature. For about three years he acted as Supervisor of Schools. Fraternally, he is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. ro6, F. &
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A. M., at Addison; of St. Elmo Command- ery at Machias; and of the Order of Elks and the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- pany in Boston. His religious views are liberal. In politics he is a Republican. Edwin V. Coffin, the second son, who is a clerk in his father's store, was born in Har- rington, December 5, 1866. His education was obtained in the schools here and in the Maine University at Orono. He married Frances Rumball, and is the father of three children - Edwina N., Francis, and Voranus L. His religious views are also liberal, and in politics he is a Republican. He has been a member of the School Board for a number of years. Alphonso J. Coffin, born June 13, 1869, was educated in the same institutions that his brother was, and resides in New York City, where he has charge of the office of the Fawcett Fire Proof Building Company. He is unmarried.
As might be expected from a man of such varied interests and of such wide experience, Mr. Coffin has taken an active part in the affairs of the town, and has served his towns- people in various official capacities. For the past twenty-five years he has been Town Treasurer and for a number of years Select- man. He has also held minor town offices. From 1880 to 1884 he was in the State Sen- ate, and at the present time he is a member of Governor Powers's Council and also a di- rector of the Washington County Railroad. In political life he has been an aggressive Re- publican. He is to-day a leading man in the county and respected by all who know him.
A Mason of high standing, he belongs to Nar- ragaugus Lodge and Dirigo Chapter, of Cherryfield; Bangor Council of R. & S. M .; St. Elmo's Commandery; Delta Lodge of Perfection and Princes of Jerusalem in Ma- chias; Dunlap Chapter of the Rose Croix in Portland; and the Maine Consistory of S. P. R. S. He is also a comrade of Hiram Burnham Post, G. A. R., of Cherryfield, and a member of the Maine Commandery of the Loyal Legion.
MERCIER & SONS, a well-known lumber and general merchandise firm of Princeton, Washington County, consisting of Waldo WV. and John B. Mercier, was founded by their father, Ferdinand Mercier. A na- tive of Canada and of French ancestry, Fer- dinand Mercier, when a young man, came to Princeton. Here he found ready employment, as his steady habits and upright character soon gained favor for him among the lumbermen of the locality. Ambitious and progressive by nature, he could not be content with a sub- ordinate position for any great length of time. Eventually he embarked in the lumbering in- dustry upon his own account, and later opened a general store. Afterward for many years he was one of the leading merchants and lum- ber manufacturers in this section. He con- tinued in active business until his death, which occurred June 24, 1891. In religious belief he was a Congregationalist. He mar- ried Mary Haley, a native of Nova Scotia, who became the mother of nine children. Of
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the latter, Waldo W., William F., Charlotte A., Nellie M., John B., Charles F., and Hattie P. are living. The others were: Emma and Bertha. The mother resides in Princeton. Since the death of her husband the business has been continued by his two sons, Waldo and John, under the firm name of F. Mcrcier & Sons. These young men are rapidly advancing to the front. Besides con- ducting the general store, which is well stocked with salable merchandise, they deal in box shooks and hemlock bark, and operate a saw-mill, a box-mill, and a grist-mill, em- ploying an average of one hundred men.
Waldo W. Mercier, born in Princeton, De- cember 27, 1861, was educated in his native town. Since he was old enough to be of use, he has been connected with the business he is now conducting. He married Nellie Crab- tree, of Topsfield, and has one child, Dorothy.
John B. Mcrcier, who was born August 9, 1872, completed his education with a course Shaw's Business College in Portland. Since 1891 he has been associated with his brother Waldo in business. He is a member of the Order of the Golden Cross. The Mer- cier brothers are Republicans in politics.
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EORGE MERRILL LANCEY, one of the most prominent merchants and business men of Hartland, Somerset County, was born in this town, November 18, 1861, son of George and Frances C. (Blake) Lancey. His father came from Palmyra to Hartland when a boy, and in early manhood engaged in
mercantile business, which he followed suc- cessfully for the rest of his life. George Lancey was an able and upright business man, widely known throughout this section, and possessing the csteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen. He died in 1886. His wife, who was a daughter of the late Calvin Blake, M. D., of Hartland, became the mother of four children, namely : Blake, born in July, 1858, and now a travelling salesman residing in Toronto, Ont. ; William H., born in May, 1860, who married Alice Flanders, of Hart- land, is now a fish dealer in Lowell, Mass., and has one daughter, Florence M .; George M., the subject of this sketch; and Harry W., who was born in March, 1870, and died in May, 1874. The mother is no longer living.
George Merrill Lancey completed his schooling in Eaton, Middleboro, Mass. Then accepting a position as clerk at the Elm House, Auburn, Me., he remained there five years. For the succeeding three years he was employed as a travelling salesman by Lord Haskell & Co., of Portland. Later he was a book-keeper for Archibald Linn, the woollen manufacturer, one year. In 1886 he suc- ceeded to the business formerly carried on by his father. He carries a large stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, and a varied assortment of other wares, including everything likely to be called for in a first-class general store; and he has a large and increasing patronage.
On October 1, 1886, Mr. Lancey married Annie C. Linn, a native of Scotland and a daughter of William Linn, formerly overseer in the Linn Woollen Mills in this town, but
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now retired. Mr. and Mrs. Lancey have one daughter, Frances L., born November 5, 1888.
Mr. Lancey is treasurer of the Hartland & Pittsfield Telegraph and Telephone Company, and also cashier of the Hartland Branch of the Waterville Trust Company. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been Town Clerk since 1894. He is Worshipful Master of Corin- thian Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M .; and has been Recording Secretary of Hartland Lodge, No. 101, I. O. O. F., for nine years. He at- tends the Methodist Episcopal church.
ON. D. H. BARTLETT, a prosper- ous business man of Skowhegan and an ex-member of the Maine Senate, was born in Harmony, Somerset County, March 3, 1838. His parents were Cyrus and Sarah Ann (Butler) Bartlett. The first pa- ternal ancestor of whom he has any record was Samuel Bartlett. Isaac, son of Samuel and great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Holden, Mass., but spent the greater part of his life in Marlboro. Asa Bartlett, son of Isaac, the next in this line, settled in Livermore, Me., and devoted his energies to farming. He had a family of five sons and two daughters. His son Ozias established the fulling-mill in Harmony.
Cyrus Bartlett, D. H. Bartlett's father, went to Harmony when a young man. He carried on business there for twenty-five or thirty years, and was Selectman and Town Treasurer for a number of terms. His wife,
Sarah Ann Butler, daughter of Henry Butler, of Nottingham, N.H., became the mother of five children, of whom three are now living.
Darius Hamlin Bartlett, the subject of this sketch, was the third-born. In the fall of 1858, at the age of twenty, Mr. Bartlett en- tered into business with Henry Bartlett, con- tinuing until the spring of 1861, when Henry died, leaving the business of the firm to be settled by him. He soon after started for himself, and for years carried on the largest and most successful business in the county. In the spring of 1882 he sold out to H. W. Bartlett and John N. Longfellow; and in 1884 he went to Athens, where he carried on a successful business for four and one-half years. His health breaking down, he sold out in 1888, and moved to Skowhegan. In November, 1892, he, with two others, com- menced business under the firm name of Cairns, Goodrich & Bartlett. On January I, 1893, Goodrich retired from the firm, and the business was carried on under the name of Bartlett & Cairns until January, 1896, when the firm of Bartlett & Cairns were obliged to make an assignment for the benefit of their creditors. At the first meeting of the cred- itors it was decided to place the entire affairs of the firm in his hands for adjustment. At the expiration of a year Mr. Bartlett made final settlement with the creditors, continu- ing in business alone.
In 1868 he was appointed Postmaster. This office he held until he resigned in 1882. He was Town Clerk and Treasurer for many years. In 1871 he represented his district in
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the legislature, and in 1877 and 1878 he was a member of the Senate.
He was made a Mason in 1861, and is a member of Somerset Chapter, No. 15, R. A. Masons. He is also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.
HEPHERD FLETCHER, a well- known farmer of Parkman, Piscata- quis County, son of William and Sarah (Marsh) Fletcher, was born in Stark, Somerset County, on February 20, 1826. His grandfather, also named William Fletcher, who was drowned in the Kennebec River, was one of the early settlers of the town of Bingham, Me. The father, born in Bingham, who was engaged in farming, died in Stark at an advanced age. His wife, a native of Anson, was about eighty years of age at her death.
Shepherd Fletcher grew to manhood in Stark. He began to work out at the age of thirteen, receiving six dollars a month for his services, which he duly paid over to his father until he reached his majority. When twenty- three years of age he bought some land in the town of Anson, making a partial payment and giving his note for the remainder. Some time after he purchased land in New Vine- yard, where he afterward resided for twelve years. Since 1864 he has resided in Park- man. He owns a fine farm, and carries on general farming. In 1852 hc was married to Annie B. Cutts, who, born in New Portland, Me., June 17, 1835, died on December 17,
1857. He was married a second time in 1858 to Mrs. Amanda W. Patten, who was born in Sumner, Oxford County, Me., on June 4, 1827, daughter of Jedidiah Thomas and Mercy (Tilson) Thomas. By her first marriage Mrs. Fletcher has two children: John W. Patten, born July 26, 1848, who now resides in King- field; and Rhoda A., born March 2, 1852, who resides in Sangerville. Mr. Fletcher has one daughter, Annie B., born in Ncw Vineyard, November 27, 1857, who is now the wife of Adelbert S. Merrill. Mr. Fletcher is liberal in his religious views, while his wife is a Congregationalist. In politics he is a Democrat and a strong advocate of free trade. He has filled for two years the office of Town Treasurer, has been Collector for five years, and for three years has been a member of the Board of Selectmen, being the chair- man-of the board for two years.
DELBERT S. MERRILL, a son-in- law and the partner of Shepherd Fletcher, was born in Parkman, July 6, 1859, son of Charles B. and Sarah M. (Soule) Merrill. The grandfather, Abner Merrill, born in Greene, was a soldier of the War of 1812. He came to Parkman when a young man, and there took up land, from which he cleared a farm. He lived to be seventy-two years of age. His wife, Abigail Stevens Merrill, was over eighty when she died. They were liberal in their religious opinions. In politics he was a Democrat. Charles B. Merrill, son of Abner and a na-
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tive of Parkman, was also a farmer. He suc- ceeded to the Merrill homestead, where he still lives retired. In 1865 he was drafted for mil- itary service in the Civil War, but did not go to the war. He is a Republican in politics and liberal in his religious opinions. His wife, also a native of Parkman, has borne him eight children, of whom three sons are living. The latter are: Joseph Wallace, born on Sep- tember 4, 1856, now residing in Parkman; Adelbert S., the subject of this biography; and Leander W. Merrill, born July 23, 1861, also residing in this town.
Adelbert S. Merrill grew to manhood in Parkman, receiving his early education in the town schools. He has followed the occupa- tion of farming since his working life began. When a young man he worked out on different farms, giving his earnings to his father. After reaching his majority he worked at sur- veying for a time, being employed by the Bradstreet Company, of South Gardiner, Me. Subsequently he engaged in general farming. On April 14, 1883, he was united in marriage with Annie B. Fletcher. Since that time he has made his residence in Parkman, where he is associated with Mr. Fletcher in business. Messrs. Fletcher & Merrill carry on general farming, and are among the leading farmers of the town. They keep about one hundred head of sheep, and have a dairy of from six to eight cows.
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have no children. Mrs. Merrill is a member of the Baptist church; while her husband is not connected with any church organization. In politics he
is a Republican. Taking much interest in town affairs, he has been the chairman of the Board of Selectmen for eight years. Frater- nally, he is a member of Mount Kineo Lodge, F. & A. M., at Guilford; of Shield Lodge, No. 12, A. O. U. W., at Sangerville; and of the P. of H., of Parkman.
EVI LEIGHTON, a resident of Colum- bia Falls for many years, one of the leading business men of Eastern Maine, was born in the town of Columbia, September 18, 1818, being the second child of Moses and Prudence (Allen) Leighton. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Leighton, was born February 25, 1763. He was an early settler in Columbia, redeeming a farm here from the wilderness. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Worster, was born February 28, 1767. They had a family of nine children ; namely, Moses, Samuel, Daniel, Levi (first), Harrison T., Aaron, Lovisa, Sally, and Ann.
Moses Leighton, the father above mentioned, was born October 19, 1790. He was engaged during his active life in farming and lumber- ing. He died in Columbia, January 17, 1875. His wife was a daughter of Gideon and Susan (Rideout) Allen. Her parents also were early settlers of Columbia. They reared a family of nine children; namely, Obadiah, Abraham, Isaac, Nicholas, Jacob, Dolly, Polly, Hannah, and Prudence, who married Moses Leighton. Mrs. Prudence Leighton died at Columbia Falls, May 15, 1871, aged seventy-nine years. She was the mother of eleven children.
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Levi Leighton in his boyhood and carly youth attended the common schools of his native town. He then learned the ship-car- penter's trade and worked at it for a while, but, his right hand being injured by an axe, he was obliged to give up manual labor. In the spring of 1841 he entered Washington Academy at East Machias, and was fitted for a teacher. For a number of years after that he alternately taught school and pursued his stud- ies at the academy. In the summer of 1848 he bought his first bill of goods in Boston, and started in trade in Columbia, opening a small retail store, which in winter, when he was teaching, his wife used to tend. Early in 1851 he built a store and settled down to a business life. In the autumn he wrote in his diary : " I have now a snug little house, a con- venient little store, and some five or six hun- dred dollars' stock in trade, all paid for ; and, more than all, my health is good and that of my family, a promising girl, Miss E. A. Tib- betts, and a little boy, Horace M. Leighton."
He took his brother Jason into partnership in 1854, and they built up a good business. In May, 1871, Mr. Leighton sold his share to his brother ; and in 1872 he took his son into partnership and opened a general store at Co- lumbia Falls under the firm name of L. Leigh- ton & Son. This business also prospered. For a number of years Mr. Leighton kept a public house at Columbia Falls. He was also engaged in vessel building and lumbering.
Mr. Leighton was a Democrat in his early manhood, but is now affiliated with the Repub- lican party. He had a seat in the State legis-
lature in 1854; was Town Treasurer twenty- one years; and has served as Selectman, Town Agent, School Supervisor, Assessor, Collector, Overseer of the Poor, and as Justice of the Peace and Quorum. In this latter capacity he has solemnized more then one hundred mar- riages. On religious subjects he holds liberal views. A man of strong mental gifts and decided opinions, he is widely known and highly respected. He has written and pub- lished his autobiography, and has given several public talks on vital subjects.
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