USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 65
USA > Maine > Aroostook County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 65
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 65
USA > Maine > Washington County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 65
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 65
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Mr. Crandal has twice married. By his first wife, Hannah Ogden, of Ontario, he is the father of three children - Minnie, James, and Frederick; and by his second wife, Nellie Johnson, of Newport, Vt., he has two - Eva and Herbert.
In political affiliation Mr. Crandal is a Re-
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publican. Fraternally, he is connected with Pleasant River Lodge, No. 163, F. & A. M., and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is a member of the Episcopal church.
ANIEL MORGAN GARDNER,* the proprietor of the Border City Hotel, Calais, Washington County, and a Civil War veteran, was born in Pem- broke, this county, January 6, 1834, son of Jacob D. and Sarah L. (Morgan) Gardner. The family was founded in America by Thomas Gardner, who arrived from England in 1624. His son, Thomas, had two sons, Richard and John. The latter, who was known as Captain John Gardner, settled first in Hingham. Later he went to Nantucket, where he became prominent among the early settlers. He died in 1706. The maiden name of his wife was Priscilla Grafton.
Stephen Gardner, of Hingham, great-grand- father of Daniel M., married Huldah Chub- buck. Warren Gardner, the grandfather, who was born in Hingham, served in the Revolu- tionary War. Shortly after that war he came to Eastern Maine. He married Mary, daugh- ter of Jacob Dunbar, also of Hingham. Jacob D. Gardner, son of Warren, was born in Pem- broke, Me. Settling in Charlotte when a young man, he cleared a farm, and thereon resided for the rest of his life. He died Feb- ruary 7, 1844, aged forty-seven years. His wife, Sarah, who was a daughter of Theophi- lus Morgan, of Charlotte, became the mother of eight children, namely: Sarah E., born
December 17, 1821; Jacob, born January 21, 1824; Jeremiah, born in 1826; Almira B., born July 8, 1828, who died March 10, 1896, having been the wife of Jesse G. Tarbell, of Calais, now also deceased; Lavinia M., born May 20, 1831, who is the wife of S. H. Norton, of Tacoma, Wash. ; Daniel M., the subject of this sketch ; Olive Maria, born De- cember 28, 1836, who married William H. Gallison, of Portland, both of whom are de- ceased; and Sarah Amanda, born August II, 1839, who is the wife of John S. Bridges, of Meddybemps, Me. The mother was a mem- ber of the Baptist church.
Daniel Morgan Gardner attended school in his native town, and resided at home until he was sixteen years old. Then in Bangor he worked at the carpenter's trade with his brother for a short time; and for one winter he lived in Dexter, Me., with a Mr. Cutler, one of the owners of a woollen-mill. After this he learned the harness-maker's trade in Bangor, and followed it for about twenty-five years in all. Locating in Calais shortly after becoming a journeyman, he found steady em- ployment until September 10, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-second Regi- ment, Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed Sergeant. In the service, while stationed at Arlington Heights, he contracted a serious illness, from the effects of which he has not fully recovered yet. After his discharge from the army he drove a stage for a time, was em- ployed at his trade in Calais until 1875, and was in the livery business for two years. In May, 1878, he opened the American House,
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and subsequently carried it on until he took possession of the Border City Hotel, com- pleted by him in 1885. He has since man- aged this well-known hostelry with success. As a Republican, Mr. Gardner has represented his ward in the Board of Aldermen for seven years, during three of which he was the presi- dent, and during the greater part of one year he was acting Mayor.
Mr. Gardner married Deborah Bradford, daughter of Percy Bradford, of this city. Of his eleven children, seven grew to maturity ; namely, Charles B., Clara E., Daniel Merton, Olive M., Stephen, Edward M., and Sarah. Olive M. married French E. Hill, of Snady Island, Me. ; and Sarah L. is the wife of Ar- thur Corliss, of Portland. Mr. Gardner was Worshipful Master of St. Croix Lodge, F. & A. M., for four years; is Past High Priest of St. Croix Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; a member of Hugh de Payens Commandery, Knights Templar; of Delta Lodge of Perfec- tion, in Machias; of St. Croix Council, Royal and Select Masters; and of Kora Temple of the Mystic Shrine, in Lewiston. He also is connected with Calais Lodge and C. H. Porter Division, Uniform Rank, of K. of P. ; with the Maine Division, Sons of the Revolution; and he is a comrade of Joel A. Haycock Post, G. A. R. He attends the Universalist church.
EWIS W. HODGKINS, M.D.,* a prosperous and highly esteemed phy- sician of Ellsworth, Hancock County, son of Isaac Hodgkins, was born in
December, 1829, at Trenton, Me., now called Lamoine. His paternal grandfather, Edward Hodgkins, was one of the early pioneers of Trenton, whither he removed from Kennebec County in Colonial days. A man of energy and industry, Edward was skilled in many occupations, having been a sailor, a carpenter, and a farmer. One of his sons, his eldest, while serving as a ship-carpenter on a frigate during the War of 1812, was captured by the British, and subsequently died in prison. An- other of his sons was for many years a custom- house officer at Portsmouth, N. H. He lived to the venerable age of ninety-two years. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Hamor. Isaac Hodgkins made ship-building his princi- pal business. Owning land in Trenton, the town in which he spent his entire life of seventy-six years, he was also engaged to some extent in farming. He married Mary Ann De Siles, a descendant of one of the early French settlers of Hancock County; and the Doctor was his only child. Letters of inquiry received from France by Dr. Hodgkins about three years ago established the fact that the De Siles family is of gentle blood and one of the old- est in France.
Lewis W. Hodgkins was educated in the public schools of Ellsworth and at the Water- ville College, now Colby University. After- ward he began the study of medicine with Dr. Babb, of Waterville, and attended the Phila- delphia Medical College. In 1855 be gradu- ated from the Medical College of Albany, N. Y. He spent the next two years as a prac- titioner at Troy, N. Y. Thence he went to
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Fairfield, Ind., where he continued his prac- tice until 1862. Enlisting then as senior assistant surgeon in the Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and served until the cessation of hostilities. He was on the first fleet of boats that went up the Cumberland River to Nashville, and subsequently partici- pated in many hotly contested engagements. At the battle of Green River he was captured by the rebels, and held a prisoner thirteen days. At Dalton, Ga., he was again taken prisoner, and while so restrained was left in charge of a hospital. At the close of the war the Doctor returned to Hancock County. Set- tling in Ellsworth, he has here built up a lu- crative practice. For fifteen years he has had charge of the Marine Hospital.
The Doctor has served the community on the Board of Fence Examiners since he first came to the town. Fraternally, he is a Mason and a member of the G. A. R. in Ellsworth. In 1852 he cast his first Presi- dential ballot for Franklin Pierce. . Since then he has been a loyal Democrat. By his marriage with Miss Julia M. Thomas, of Pine Plains, N. Y., he has four children - Isaac L., Lewis, Minnie, and Charles. Isaac is an ex- pert carpenter, and has turned out many deli- cate pieces of fancy work. Lewis, who in his boyhood visited his father when he was a paroled prisoner, is now a practising physi- cian in Ellsworth. He married Miss Ida E. Norris. Minnie is unmarried, and lives with her parents. Charles is studying medicine at Dartmouth College.
ARTIN A. STEVENS,* a progres- sive, wide-awake, young agricult- urist of Smithfield, Me., was born October 13, 1868, on the old Stevens homestead, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, the late Milton Stevens. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Stevens, grew to manhood in the town of Shapleigh, York County, Me., but shortly after marriage came to Somerset County, and, buying a tract of heavily timbered land in Smithfield, began the pioneer labor of redeeming a farm.
Milton Stevens was born December 13, 1819, and until his death, June 23, 1897, lived on the home farm. He continued in the occupation to which he was reared, following farming, stock-raising, and dealing, his prac- tical knowledge and good financial ability bringing him substantial results. He mar- ried Miss Catharine Merrill, who was born in Oakland, Me., March 20, 1824. She is now making her home with her children, each one claiming her presence a part of the time. She is a woman of strong personality, highly esteemed by all, and a member of the Free Will Baptist church. To her and her hus- band seven children were born; namely, Nancy, Benjamin, Milton C., Oliver H., Martin A., Lynn C., and Adelbert. Nancy is the wife of August Goodrich, a farmer in Oakland, Me. ; Benjamin, a Smithfield farmer, married Mary Mosher; Milton C., engaged in farming in Fairfield, Me., married Ellen A. Spaulding; Oliver H., a farmer in Larone, Somerset County, married Climena Wade; Lynn C., also a farmer in Larone, married
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Emma Magoon; and Adelbert, a farmer in Smithfield, married Helen Wade.
Martin A. Stevens acquired his education in the district schools, and, working with his father on the home farm, was practically trained in the various branches of agriculture. He has been eminently successful as a tiller of the soil and as a trader in cattle. In the homestead property he has one hundred and fourteen acres of land, and in addition he has a wood lot of eighty acres in Smithfield and thirty acres of land in the town of Fairfield. Seemingly the only really ill luck which has befallen him in life happened on May 27, 1876, when he was injured by a bullet, losing the sight of his left eye. From his youth up he has been a stanch Republican in politics, and has already served in many of the minor offices of the town.
Mr. Stevens was united in marriage March 20, 1892, with Miss Carrie Lawrence, who was born September 13, 1875, in Norridge- wock. Her parents, Frank and Rosanna (Lawrence) Lawrence, are among the sub- stantial farmers of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have two children, namely: Irvin M., born October 21, 1893; and Roy Lynn, born May 29, 1897.
ON. JOHN H. RAMSDELL,* who passed the major part of his busy and useful life in Atkinson, Piscataquis County, and filled various elective positions in the public service, including those of Repre- sentative and State Senator, was born in Gray,
Cumberland County, July 13, 1798, son of Samuel and Betsey (Hamilton) Ramsdell. The father, who came from New Hampshire, later removed from Gray to Penobscot County, settling in Orono. He and his wife reared a family of seven children ; namely, William II., Roland, John H., Alonzo, Sarah, Charles, and Hannah W. Of these, Charles is the only sur- vivor. Roland and Alonzo resided in Atkin- son for a number of years. Hannah W. first married a Mr. Freeze. Her second marriage was with Russ Snow, of this town. Sarah married, and resided elsewhere.
John H. Ramsdell acquired a liberal educa- tion. He studied theology with the intention of entering the ministry, but, afterward decid- ing that he was better fitted for a mercantile career, was for a time engaged in business in Garland, Me. After moving from that town to Atkinson, he first gave his attention to farming. A short time after settling here he bought Elisha L. Hammond's general store, and subsequently conducted it until 1880, when he sold out to A. M. Campbell. He was also engaged in general farming to some ex- tent. What leisure time he could spare was devoted to public affairs. His scholarly ac- quirements were made use of in many ways, particularly in matters relating to public educa- tion. As superintendent of schools he not only raised the course of study to a much higher standard of excellence, but spared no pains to secure the most competent instructors. In politics he was a Republican. He served with ability in both branches of the State leg- islature, and was a Justice of the Peace for a
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time. During the war he was appointed to a position in the State Commissary Department, a part of his duty being to furnish the Adju- tant-general with a list of men in this town; and he also assisted in recruiting soldiers.
Mr. Ramsdell first married Mary Flanders, who had two children, Henry A. and George B., and died in Garland. In 1849 he married Ellen R. Hammond, who survives him. Shc is a daughter of Elisha F. Hammond, for- merly a prosperous merchant of this town. Her father, after retiring from active business, attended to the settlement of estates, and was prominently identified with moral and relig- ious movements in the community. She had four children ; namely, Mary E., Louise H., Emily, and Elisha H. Mary E. is now resid- ing with her mother, the widow of Danville S. Hathorn, who died in Medford, N. H., in Sep- tember, 1894. Louise H. married Milton D. Noyes, and resides in this town. Emily is a photographer in Bangor, and Elisha H. is no longer living. The father was officially con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal church for many years and the president of the Camp Meeting Association from its organization until his death.
ERBERT L. CILLEY,* a progres- sive young farmer of Atkinson, Pis- cataquis County, was born in this town, September 29, 1871, son of Loren B. and Louisa (Hobbs) Cilley. The Cilley fam- ily came originally from Brentwood, N.H., of which town Jacob Cilley, the great-grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, was prob- ably a lifelong resident. Isaac Cilley, the grandfather, was the first of the name to settle in Atkinson. Having got to Bangor from New Hampshire by sailing-vessel, he made his way to Piscataquis County by following a trail through the wilderness. He settled upon fifty-fivc acres of wild land, which he clcared and improved into a good farm, and afterward resided here until his death, which occurred in February, 1890, at the age of eighty-five years. A carpenter by trade, he followed that craft in connection with farm- ing during his active years. He married Betsey Blake, a native of New Hampshire, who had four children - Simon B., Loren B., Elvina T., and Isaac A.
Loren B. Cilley settled on a farm adjoining his father's property when he was twenty-one years old, since which time he has industri- ously followed agriculture. He has rendered his share of service to the town in a public capacity, having been a member of the Board of Seleetmen for six years. In politics he is a Democrat. His wife, Louisa, who is a daughter of William Hobbs, became the mother of five children; namely, Edwin R., Irene B., William B., Minnie E., and Her- bert L. Irene B. married C. L. Hoyt, of Dover; and Minnie E. is the wife of Arthur Tewksbury, of the same town.
After receiving his education in the schools of Atkinson, Herbert L. Cilley for a time was employed at the homestead farm. Later he succeeded to the property which was eleared by his grandfather, and where he is
WALTER O. HILTON.
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now making a specialty of dairy farming. In politics he acts with the Democratic party. Although the town is strongly Republican, he was elected a Selectman in 1897. He is a member of Kineo Lodge, No. 64, I. O. O. F. His wife, Mrs. Clara Cilley, is a daughter of Theron Rogers, of Dover.
ALTER O. HILTON, a prosperous dairyman and produce shipper of St. Albans, Somerset County, was born in this town, October 18, 1862, son of Jonathan F. and Ann Augusta (Brown) Hilton. The pa- ternal grandfather, Jonathan Hilton, Sr., came from New Hampshire to St. Albans toward the close of the last century, and resided upon land in the northern part of the town for the rest of his life. The father, who was born here, September 7, 1827, was formerly en- gaged in the cattle business, driving large herds to the market at Brighton, Mass., and is now residing on a farm situated some three miles north of the village. One of the promi- nent residents of the town, he rendered valu- able service as a member of the Board of Se- lectmen for a number of years. Ann Augusta Hilton, his wife, who was born in St. Albans, March 11, 1841, is the mother of six children, namely : Walter O., the subject of this sketch ; Alfred, born March 12, 1864, who married Mabel Philbrick, and is a farmer in this town ; Herbert B., born January 17, 1869, who mar- ried Annie Hanson, and is also engaged in farming here; Charles Sumner, born October 26, 1872; Harry J., born October 10, 1875,
both of whom are residing at home; and Nancy May, born July 31, 1878, who is the wife of Bert Lombard, a carriage painter in Ripley, Me.
Walter O. Hilton was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native town. His first em- ployment after reaching his majority was that of a mill operative in a mill on the Penobscot River. He followed the same business in Lewiston for a year. Going from there to Providence, R.I., he was an attendant at the Butler Hospital for a like period; and later he went to the Augusta (Me.) Hospital in the same capacity. Since 1886 he has resided upon the Smith farm of eighty acres, which he has greatly improved. Here he is engaged in general farming, stock-raising, and dairying, keeps an average of fourteen head of cattle, and produces a large quantity of butter annu- ally, which he ships to Boston and Lowell, Mass.
On January 1, 1886, Mr. Hilton was joined in marriage with Bertha E. Smith, a daughter of John and Lydia A. (Dunlap) Smith, both now deceased, who were prosperous farming people of this town. Mrs. Hilton is the mother of two children: Flossie A., born De- cember 13, 1886; and Sadie, born February 23, 1888. In politics Mr. Hilton is liberal. Aside from the minor town offices in which he has been called upon to serve, he is now sec- ond Selectman, having been a member of the board for three years. He is highly esteemed as an industrious and useful citizen, and the ability with which he forwards the interests of the community is heartily appreciated. Mr.
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Hilton is connected with Hartland Lodge, No. 101, I. O. O. F.
B ENJAMIN MOORE,* a prominent and popular citizen of Somerset County, residing in the village of North Anson, is well known as a stirring busi- ness man, who has done much to advance the material interests of town and county. He was born November 18, 1847, in Anson. This town was likewise the place of birth of his parents, Albert and Sarah E. (Dinsmore) Moore, both of whom were descendants of pioneer settlers. The founder of the Somer- set County branch of the Moore family was Major John Moor, who came here from New Hampshire, locating in the village of North Anson, which he afterward made his home.
Albert Moore was a man of literary tastes and accomplishments, and during a large part of his active career was engaged in newspaper work. Possessed of great intelligence and force of character, he was one of the foremost citizens of North Anson, and was honored by his fellow-townsmen with election to impor- tant public offices. He served as Selectman for thirty years, was a member of the State legislature in 1850, and was also for several terms Judge and Register of the Probate Court, filling each and every office in a man- ncr reflecting credit upon himself and his con- stituents. He was very active and influential in Masonic circles, being an official member of Northern Star Lodge, No. 28, of North Anson, and of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
He passed to the life beyond, April 11, 1895. His widow, Mrs. Sarah E. Moore, still occu- pies the old homestead on Elm Street in North Anson. They had a family of five chil- dren, namely: Sarah A., now deceased, who was the wife of the late Frank Bodfish, for- merly a druggist in North Anson village; Alice P., who resides with her mother; Ben- jamin, the special subject of this sketch; Elizabeth and Ellie, who died in infancy.
Benjamin Moore acquired the rudiments of his education in the common schools, subse- quently completing his early studies at the Anson Academy. Remaining at home, he worked with his father, from whom he learned the printer's trade; and on attaining his ma- jority he became junior member of the firm of Albert Moore & Son. This firm established a paper called the Union Advocate, which was published weekly, and had a circulation of eight hundred copies. He continued its pub- lication for a year or more after the death of his father. He has since been engaged in job printing, carrying on an extensive business in that line. He is also engaged in the insur- ance business, and is the owner of much real estate in this locality, his investments invari- ably proving judicious and profitable.
He is a strong Democrat in his political affiliations, but has never cared to hold public office, although from 1893 until 1897 he was Postmaster in North Anson. He is deeply interested in Masonry, and has done much to advance the interests of this order since unit- ing with the Northern Star Lodge when twenty-one years of age. He is likewise a
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member in high standing of the Grand Lodge of Maine, being a Past Master.
On June 8, 1870, Mr. Moore married Miss Martha E. Dinsmore, a daughter of Abner and Julia (Getchell) Dinsmore, natives of Anson, but after their marriage residents of Bingham, Somerset County, where Mr. Dins- more was engaged as a dealer in boots and shoes. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two chil- dren - Helen E. and Albert. The former is attending school in Boston; and Albert, also a resident of that city, is a clerk in the audi- tor's office of the Boston & Maine Railway Company.
ILLIAM M. YOUNG,* a veteran agriculturist of Lamoine, Hancock County, son of the late Solomon Young, was born September 2, 1816, in that part of Tren- , ton that is now included within the limits of Lamoine. Elkanah Young, his paternal grandfather, removed from Cape Cod, the place of his birth, to the town of Eden, Mount Desert, in his early manhood. While living in Massachusetts he was one of the men, who on the evening of December 16, 1773, disguised as Indians, boarded certain ships anchored in Boston Harbor, and cast into the sea three hundred and forty-two chests of tea designed for the colonists. When he settled on Mount Desert, the land was in its pristine wildness. Along Jour- dan's River he found excellent hunting and fishing, pastimes of which he was exceedingly fond, and by which he kept his larder well
supplied with provisions. At one time he found a dead moose on the marsh. He was also engaged in whaling for several years. In 1800 he took up land in Trenton; and was thereafter chiefly occupied in farming. He died in 1832. His second wife, in maiden- hood Mary Lewis, bore him seven sons, all of whom took up land near the parental home- stead. Solomon Young was born and brought up in Eden. Coming from there to Trenton with his parents, he soon became familiar with the manual labor necessary to clear and improve a farm; and, finding it congenial to his tastes, he became a tiller of the soil. Taking up a tract of land in that portion of the town now known as Lamoine, he was here engaged in farming and lumbering until his demise, at the age of threescore and three years. He married Sarah Lord, the descend- ant of an old family of Hancock County. Of their family of fourteen children, twelve grew to maturity, William being the fifth child in order of birth.
William Young attended the district school during the winter terms until nearly twenty years old. Going then to Castine, Me., he was employed as a carpenter in the ship-yard for twenty years, during which time he as- sisted in building many noble ships. Return- ing then to his farm, which comprised fifty acres of the old Young homestead, he estab- lished himself as a general farmer, and has since been here engaged in tilling the soil. He continued the improvements already begun, and in 1840 erected the present dwell- ing and other farm buildings. In the pur-
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suit of his peaceful occupation he has met with good success, and has won the respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends. He cast his first Presidential vote in 1840 for W. H. Harrison, and since the organization of the Republican party he has been true to its avowed principles. He has served as Road Surveyor and School Agent, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Baptist church. By his marriage with Sarah, daughter of Edward Berry, of Trenton, he be- came the father of four children; namely, Nahum B., Adel M., James L., and William C. James died from sunstroke at Philadel- phia when but seventeen years old, and William C. was drowned at sea when sixteen years old. Nahum B. Young, a resident of Lamoine, married Lydia Robinson, and has one son, Ralph T. Young. Adel M. is the wife of Artemas Berry, of Hancock, and has two daughters - Nettie S. and Susie. Nettie S. is now the wife of Edward Gilpatrick, of Connecticut, and has two sons - Redmond F. and Jerome Eaton. Susie is the wife of Her- vey Saulsbury, of Lamoine, and has two daughters - Nathalie and Della Maria. Mrs. Sarah Young died December 13, 1891, aged seventy-four years.
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