USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 66
USA > Maine > Aroostook County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 66
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 66
USA > Maine > Washington County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 66
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine > Part 66
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UDSON TOWNSEND FRISBIE, a leading merchant of Houlton, Aroos- took County, was born in this place in 1839, son of Timothy and Mary E. (Ste- vens) Frisbie. The first progenitor of the Frisbies in this country came from France
about the year 1700, and the family name at that time was La Frisbie. Timothy Frisbie, father of Hudson T., was born in New Hamp- shire. He came to Houlton about 1827, and subsequently carried on a mercantile business here. An enterprising man and a model citi- zen, he took a deep interest in the prosperity of the town and county. He was politically
HUDSON T. FRISBIE.
a Democrat, and served as Register of Deeds for more than thirty years. He was a Uni- versalist in religion.
Hudson T. Frisbie has resided from his birth up to the present time in Houlton, with the exception of a period of about six years. His education was obtained in the academies at Houlton and Yarmouth, Me. He commenced business as a merchant in Houlton in 1860, and has continued thus engaged up to the present time, having met with more than usual suc-
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cess. He deals chiefly in dry goods and car- petings, his stock is varied and up-to-date, and he enjoys a large patronage.
He was married February 28, 1867, to Clara Phinney McAllister, a native of Calais, Me., and a daughter of William and Almira McAl- lister. A Democrat politically, Mr. Frisbie faithfully performs his duties as a citizen. He is a Unitarian in religion. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
EORGE F. WITHEE,* a farmer of Norridgewock, Me., was born in this town, April 5, 1841, a veteran of the Civil War. He is a son of Lovell F. Withee, who has spent his ninety years of life in this township. The family was first represented in Somerset County by two brothers, Na- thaniel and William Withee, who removed here from Massachusetts toward the beginning of the present century. Both engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, Nathaniel Withee, the grandfather of George F., locating on a farm near the present homestead.
Lovell F. Withee was born in Norridge- wock, and here he carried on general farming throughout his years of activity. He bought the present home farm, on which he labored faithfully, adding substantial improvements, and here reared his family to habits of indus- try and thrift. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Frederick, was born in Starks. She died January 11, 1891. They had seven children, George F. being the third. The following is the record of the other six: Lydia
Frances died at the age of two years; Helen F., born January 15, 1837, is the widow of the late Jacob Goodwin, and resides in Bidde- ford, Me .; Eliza A., born April 26, 1838, is the widow of the late George Henderson, and also lives in Biddeford; Francis M., born March 16, 1843, is a farmer in South Dakota; Joseph W., born March 14, 1845, is now de- ceased; and Mary V., born October 26, 1850, died in March, 1897.
George F. Withee in his boyhood pursued his studies in the common schools of Nor- ridgewock, and on his father's farm obtained a practical knowledge of agriculture. On ob- taining his majority he enlisted in the service of his country, under Captain Amos Tobey, in Company K, Twenty-first Maine Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel Johnson, and with his regiment participated in the battle of Port Hudson. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received his honorable dis- charge at Augusta, Me., August 26, 1863. He was never wounded, but from the inci- dental exposures and hardships of life in camp and in the battlefield he was physically dis- abled, and has since suffered much in conse- quence. After his discharge he spent three years in Northern Wisconsin engaged in lum- bering. Returning to Norridgewock, he soon after married and settled on the old Kennedy homestead, where he engaged in farming and lumbering, remaining there until 1888. Since that time he has managed the home farm, his father living with him. He has two hundred acres of land, a large part of which is under cultivation, and is profitably carrying
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on general farming, stock-raising, and dairy- ing. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held several of the minor township offices. His father, however, is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, with which he has voted since its formation.
Mr. Withee was married July 7, 1867, to Miss Emma A. Woodsum, who was born in Mercer, Somerset County, January 22, 1847. Her father, Elisha Woodsum, a farmer, was born in Searsmont, Me. He died in 1896. Mrs. Woodsum, formerly Harriet M. Sawtell, was born in Sidney, Me. She still resides with a daughter on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Withee have two children, namely : George L., born September 9, 1868; and Herbert E., born November 9, 1869, both of whom are living at homc, and assist in the management of the farm.
RLANDO ASH,* of Bar Harbor, Hancock County, was born in this town, January 16, 1843, son of Ben- jamin and Maria (Higgins) Ash. The father, who was a native of Nova Scotia, when he was a young man came to Hancock County, and engaged in fishing and coasting. He resided in Gouldsboro until about the year 1853, when he bought land in Bar Harbor, whither he moved his family, and continued to follow the sea for some years. Later he sold building lots to summer visitors at a profit, and resided here until his death, which occurred in 1881 at the age of sixty-six years. With his wife, Maria, who was a daughter of Oliver Higgins,
hc reared cight children, all of whom arc liv- ing; namely, Alonzo H., Almira, Orlando, Elizabeth, Adelinc, Nathan, Marian, and Julia H. Alonzo H., who resides in Bar Harbor, married a daughter of Captain Amos Richardson; Almira is unmarried; Elizabeth is the wife of Ambrose Higgins, of this town; Adeline married Edward H. Higgins; Nathan married Sarah A. Cooper; Marian is the wife of W. L. Roberts, of the Newport House; and Julia H. married Arthur W. Ells.
Orlando Ash was educated in the district schools, and remained at home until he was twenty-two years old. He then engaged in menhaden fishing, which he followed success- fully until 1886. About that time he started a sardine packing business on Deer Isle, that has been of much benefit to the locality. Since then he has also opened a store, which he still conducts. He now owns several cot- tages, stables, and other buildings erected by him in Bar Harbor, and he has had some profitable transactions in real estate. One of his cottages was at one time rented to the Hon. Eugene Hale, and was occupied by the late Hon. James G. Blaine in the summer of 1880, when he was a candidate for the Presi- dency.
On November 6, 1876, Mr. Ash was united in marriage with Rachel M. Welch, a. native of Tremont. Mrs. Ash has been the mother of three children, namely: Olie M., born Feb- ruary II, 1880; Ethel M., born July 6, 1886, who died November 25, 1890; and John Em- mons, born August 22, 1890. In politics Mr. Ash is a Republican, and he cast his first
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Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. In the Knights of Pythias he belongs to Uniform Rank. He attends the Congrega- tional church.
ATHANIEL TRACY,* a well-to-do farmer of Abbot, Piscataquis County, Me., was born in Rome, Kenne- bec County, this State, January 1, 1840. He is the only surviving son of Amos and Philena (Cummings) Tracy. Amos Tracy was born in Rome, and lived in that town for a number of years. During the past twenty-eight years he and his wife, who is a native of Mercer, Som- erset County, Me., have resided in Abbot, and they are now with their son Nathaniel. They had a family of twelve children, five of whom are living; namely, Nathaniel, Eva N., Alfa- retta, Delphina, and Sarah.
Nathaniel Tracy was educated in the pub- lic schools of Rome. He has devoted the years of his manhood to the pursuit of agri- culture. In 1869 he purchased a tract of wild land in Abbot, on which he built a log house. Year by year he has improved his property, erecting a good dwelling-house, and develop- ing his estate into one of the best farms in this locality. He has two hundred and forty acres of land. Mr. Tracy's main crop is hay, and he keeps from fifteen to twenty head of fine Jersey cattle. Ambitious and persever- ing, he has worked hard to better himself, and is now in the full enjoyment of the fruit of his labor.
Mr. Tracy was married at the age of twenty-
five to Hattie Walton. She died in 1888, leaving one son, Alfred J., born in Abbot, February 8, 1877. In 1897 Mr. Tracy con- tracted a second marriage, Miss Mabel Buzzell becoming his wife. In politics he is a Re- publican. On religious subjects his views are liberal.
ON. WILLIAM M. NASH, a mer- chant of Cherryfield, Washington County, and one of the leading lumber manufacturers of the Narraguagus River region, was born in Cherryfield, Octo- ber 13, 1837, son of William Binghamn and Triphena (Leighton) Nash. The grandfather, John Nash, who died at the age of fifty or sixty years, was one of the pioneer settlers of Columbia, where he spent the rest of his life occupied in farming. Of his five sons and two daughters who grew to maturity, none are living.
William Bingham Nash, born in Columbia on August 25, 1796, died March 26, 1875. He grew to manhood in his native town. In 1820, after his marriage, he came to Cherry- field, bought land, and engaged in farming. Later he carried on shoemaking and a tannery. During the latter part of his life he was en- gaged in ship-building. He was respected as a man of integrity and ability, and held nu- merous positions of public trust, including those of Town Treasurer and trustee of Cherryfield Academy. In politics he was successively a Whig and a Republican. While his religious creed was that of the Universalist church, he attended the Meth-
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odist church in company with his wife, who was a member of the latter body. Born in Steuben, July 19, 1802, she died September 30, 1865. Of their ninc children, cight grew to maturity - John, Henry L., Arthur R., Elizabeth M., Wilmot, Gcorge M., William M., and Ellcry B. Of these, William M., the subject of this sketch, is the only one living.
William M. Nash grew to manhood in Cherryfield, receiving his education in the public schools of this town and the East Mainc Seminary at Bucksport, which latter institution he attended for one term. His working life began as clerk in the store of J. W. Coffin in 1854. Eleven years later he was able to purchase a half-interest in the business, and in 1885 he became full proprie- tor. In 1890 his sons were admitted to part- nership, and the firm has since been known as that of William M. Nash & Sons. Messrs. Nash have a large general merchandise store, and carry on an extensive trade. They also own large tracts of timber land, which sup- plies them with material for their lumber manufacturing business, in which they are most largely interested.
In 1862 Mr. Nash was married to Caroline Jewett Moore, a native of Cherryfield, whose father, James W. Moore, came here about the year 1834. She died in December, 1890, at the age of fifty-one years, leaving thrce sons - James W. M., Frank C., and William B. James and Frank are members of the firm of William M. Nash & Sons, and William is the proprietor of the Rockland Daily Star. James married Josie Bentley Crandon, of Columbia
Falls, Me., and has three children - Caroline M., Mary C., and John C .; and Frank, who married Josic M. Ricker, of Cherryfield, has also three children - Roger R., James Walker, and Frank W. William wedded Maud S. Smith, of Machias, and has no chil- dren. Although not connected by member- ship with any church organization, Mr. Nash, Sr., contributes to the support of and attends the Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican. He was a member of the House of Representatives at Augusta in 1889 and of the Senate in 1891. In 1892 he was one of the Presidential electors, and in 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention. He is a trustee of Cherryfield Academy and a director of the Washington County Railroad. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Narraguagus Lodge, No. 88, F. & A. M. ; of Dirigo Chapter, No. 39, of Cherry- field; of St. Elmo Commandery, No. 18, at Machias; and of the Maine Consistory at Portland. The Narraguagus district owes much to him as one of the most active and prominent men within its limits.
EORGE W. MCLAUGHLIN, an ex- perienced and successful farmer and stock-raiser of Cornville township, Somerset County, was born October 3, 1829, at the homestead where he now resides. He is of the fifth generation of his family in this country, being a lineal descendant of John McLaughlin, first, who came from Ireland and settled at Bedford, N. H., in 1735.
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The name of the wife of the immigrant ancestor is not known. He was a public- spirited citizen and the first Town Clerk of Bedford. His children were: John, Thomas, Isabella, Roxanna, and Mary. Thomas, the second son, served in two wars, being an Ensign in Canada in 1754, and a Lieutenant in 1775 at the battle of Bunker Hill, where on the retreat at Charlestown Neck he was knocked down by earth thrown up by a ball. He married Margaret Ayers, of Derry, N. H., and about 1803 removed to Maine, where he died, aged eighty-four years.
John McLaughlin, second, brother of Thomas and great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married Jennet Taggart, and had the following named children: Isabella, James, Patrick, Martha, John, Mary, and Daniel.
James McLaughlin, son of John and Jennet and grandfather of George W., removed in 1790 from Bedford, N. H., to Madison, Me., where he redeemed a farm from the wooded wilderness. He married Rebecca Harvill, of Madison. Their children were : John, third, the father of George W. ; James; Patrick and Joseph, twins; Thomas; Rebecca; Mary; and David P.
John Mclaughlin, third, was born at the Madison home in 1794, and remained beneath the parental roof until his marriage. Coming then to Cornville, he bought wild land and proceeded to clear it for cultivation. Soon the ringing blows of his axe could be heard as one by one he felled the forest trees, and before a very long time had elapsed he had a field ready
for the plough. Continuing to labor with undiminished energy for many years, he suc- ceeded in improving a good homestead prop- erty, on which he lived until quite an old man. His very last years he spent with his daughter in Garland, Me., where he died in July, 1873. His wife, Azubah Atwood, was born in Fairfield, Me., in October, 1791, and died in November, 1877. They had five chil- dren - Sarah, Atwood F., John, George W., and William. Sarah married Charles Redlon, a farmer of Garland, Me., and is now a widow. Atwood F., a dealer in lumber, married Sarah (Christie) Dyer, both now deceased. John, who married Mary Cayford, was for some years engaged as a farmer and surveyor at Sioux Falls, S. Dak., where his widow now lives. William is a practising physician in Harmony, Somerset County. He married first Mary Tibbetts, and after her death he married Mrs. Emma Longfellow.
George W. Mclaughlin, after completing his education at an academy, worked with his father at farming until March 28, 1853, when, succumbing to a very severe attack of gold fever, he sailed for the Australian gold fields, where he remained six months. The ensuing seven years he was in California, whither he went by way of South America, journeying through that country during the yellow fever epidemic that proved fatal to so many travel- lers and natives. While in California he worked at mining for a time, and was then employed in the manufacture of lumber. In 1861 he returned to Cornville, and, purchasing the old Mclaughlin homestead, has since car-
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ried on general farming, including the raising of horses of a good grade. His one hundred acres are well improved and well kept, giving evidence of industry and good management. Mr. McLaughlin has never sought public office. He does his duty at the polls, voting as his judgment dictates, having formerly sup- ported the Republican party, but being now an adherent of the Democratic party. He is a member of Carrabassett Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 34, of Skowhegan, and likewise belongs to the grange at East Madison Mills.
On October 4, 1864, Mr. Mclaughlin mar- ried Miss Eliza B. Glidden, who was born August 1, 1841, in Bingham, Me., a daughter of Hartley W. and Lydia (Smith) Glidden. Her father was born at Jefferson, Me., but carried on farming in Bingham a large part of his life. He died at Litchfield in March, 1888. Her mother was born at Bingham, and died in that town in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Mclaughlin have but one child, Maurice Angier. He was born May 24, 1876, lives at home, and assists in the care of the farm.
ILLIAM DOBSON, senior member of the firm of Robert Dobson &
Co., of Pittsfield, Me., manufacturers of woollen goods, and one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Som- erset County, was born in Galashiels, Scot- land, on November 19, 1846, son of Robert and Janette (Wayness) Dobson. His parents were both natives of Galashiels, Scotland.
Robert Dobson came to America in 1856, a year before his family, having been previously employed as general manager for P. & R. Sanderson, of Galashiels, who operated one of the largest tweed mills in North Britain. Upon his arrival in America he was first em- ployed in the Hodges Mill at Cherry Valley, four miles from Worcester, Mass., now owned by Olney Brothers, Richard Olney, late Sec- retary of State, being a member of the firm. Thence he went to Amesbury, Mass., where he was employed by the Salisbury Mills Cor- poration for three or four years. At the end of that time he was called to Peconic, Conn., a few miles from Bridgeport, to reorganize the company there engaged in manufacturing yarns and to start a new mill. Owing, however, to disagreement among the stockholders, these plans were not fully carried out ; and at the end of a year Mr. Dobson went to Schaghticoke, N. Y., where he took charge of the mills then called the model mills of America. He sub- sequently acted as superintendent of the shawl- mills at Leeds, N. Y., owned by Hunt, Tilling- hast & Co. In 1868 he came to Pittsfield, being attracted by what he believed to be a good location for a woollen-mill. After the matter had been thoroughly discussed with the citizens of the town, who were unanimously in favor of aiding in the building of a woollen- mill, it was voted that the town should con- tribute fifteen thousand dollars toward the enterprise and should exempt the plant from taxation for a period of ten years. The mill was accordingly built and the machinery set up; and upon its completion it was purchased
WILLIAM DOBSON.
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by Robert Dobson, William Davis, of Law- rence, Mass., and William Dobson, a small sum of money beng paid down and a mortgage being given to cover the balance of the amount. This was in 1869. The new firm was known as Dobson, Davis & Co. Mr. Davis remained as a member of the firm for about four years, and then sold out his interest to Gordon Dob- son and Dennison Walker, the brother and brother-in-law of the subject of this sketch, the firm name being changed to that of Robert Dobson & Co.
With characteristic energy and with an intelligent conception of means and ends born of wide experience, Mr. Dobson set to work to build up a successful and vigorous business, to this end devoting his whole time, scarcely allowing himself proper hours for rest. It was his custom to rise very early in the morning, often at three o'clock, to look after the books and attend to the correspondence of the firm before the workmen began to arrive at the mill. When, finally, the big wheels began to revolve and all parts of the machinery were set in operation, he was on hand to oversee everything. Understanding thoroughly every detail of the business, he could determine at once whether or not work was being properly done, and could quickly detect any irregularity in the running of the machinery. The goods manufactured were therefore of superior grade, and up to the present time have borne that reputation in the market. From time to time the mill has been enlarged and new ma - chinery added; and to-day it is a twelve-set mill, equipped throughout with the most im-
proved modern machinery and employing about two hundred and fifty workmen. The manu- factured product is sold mostly in Boston, New York, St. Louis, and other large cities. Only one serious loss has been met with. That was in 1872, when a large lot of goods that had been manufactured for the Southern trade and were stored in a warehouse in Boston were destroyed by the great fire in that city. This loss was estimated at twenty thousand dollars. The two small fires that have since occurred did but little damage. The hand- some and roomy office building at present oc- cupied by the firm was completed in Decem- ber, 1892, and is in every respect suitable and convenient for its purpose as well as elegant in its design and finish.
Robert Dobson and his wife had six chil- dren, two sons and four daughters. Only their sons, William and Gordon, are now living. Mrs. Dobson resides with the last named of these, who is unmarried. Her daughter Phœbe died at Lawrence, Mass .; Lizzie died shortly after the family removed to Pittsfield ; Jennie married Dennison Walker; and Mary became the wife of Orlando Briggs. Mr. Walker, who became a member of the firm of Robert Dobson & Co. after the retirement of Mr. Davis, remained in it for about twelve years. At the end of that time he sold his interest to the other partners and built a four- set mill, known as the Maple Grove Woollen Mill, which he now owns and operates. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs had one child, Frank Briggs. He now lives with his grandmother, his father and mother having both passed away.
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Mr. Robert Dobson was an admirer and personal friend of the late James G. Blainc. He was a man of fine literary tastes, familiar with ancient and modern history and keenly observant of current events. Although a loyal-hearted American, he cherished a warm feeling toward his native land. Indeed, love of Scotland was with him a passion, and a stranger visiting his beautiful home would at once sec evidences of this fact: the thistle adorned the glass panels of the front door ; pictures of Sir Walter Scott's monument, Edinburgh Castle, Glencoe, and Balmoral Castle were hung on the walls; and portraits of Burns and Scott, the memory of whom was especially dear to Mr. Dobson, and of Christopher North and other famous Scots- men, were seen in different parts of the house. Mr. Robert Dobson's death, which took place at Young's Hotel, Boston, Mass., April 11, 1896, was deeply regretted, and called forth many tokens of respect and admiration not only from his own townspeople, but from prominent men throughout the State of Maine, and even from men of other States.
William Dobson, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was educated in the com- mon schools, and began his working life under his father's direction. He and his brother now hold a large interest in the new Waverly mill, which was built in 1892 for the manu- facture of men's wear, and is one of the finest mills in the State, employing about one hun- dred and eighty hands. Their father took an active interest in the establishment of this mill, as he desired to see the water-power
utilized. The firm has also an interest in the Old Town woollen-mill.
In 1873 Mr. William Dobson married La- citna M. McMaster, daughter of Albion P. McMaster, president of the National Bank of Pittsfield and a prominent merchant of this town. Mr. and Mrs. William Dobson have two children : Hattie E., who married S. R. Haines, of Pittsfield, and is now assistant superintendent at the woollen-mills; and Mae McMaster, who resides with her parents. Mr. Dobson takes a warm interest in public affairs, and at one time represented Pittsfield in the State legislature, to which he was elected on the Republican ticket. He is affiliated by membership with Meridian Lodge, No. 125, F. & A. M .; Ira Berry Chapter, Pheltoma Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and the Encampment of Pittsfield.
Mr. Dobson sustains the credit of the good name bequeathed him by his father, and has proved that he is worthy in his own right to manage the great enterprises of which he is the head, and which furnish employment to and affect the happiness of a large number of his fellow-men.
UGUSTUS TUPPER CLARKE, M. D., Calais, was born in Canning, N. S., June 16, 1849. The family originally came from Norwich, England, went to North Kingston, R. I., thence to Hartford, Conn., and subsequently removed to Nova Scotia.
John H. Clarke, father of the subject of this
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sketch, was a merchant and ship-owner of Can- ning, N.S., and was for many years one of the prominent business men of that Province. He married Elizabeth Tupper, daughter of Augus- tus Tupper, of Kentville, N. S., and cousin of Sir Charles Tupper, the well-known Canadian statesman.
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