USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 11
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James E. Tripp is the youngest member of his father's family. At nineteen years of age he went to work in the woollen factory at Windham, Me. ; but six months later he re- turned home to take charge of the old Tripp homestead and to care for his parents during their declining years. Purchasing the farm after the death of his father, he continued to live there until 1866, when he sold out and bought what was then known as the town farm ; and after living there for a year he sold out and moved into a house belonging to a Mr. Spiller, engaging in the shoemaker's trade in connection with farming. A year later he commenced work for Mr. J. D. Spiller on his farm; and at the end of another year he repur- chased the old Tripp homestead, to which he moved, and during the following five years was successfully engaged in carrying it on. He then sold that place and went to Webb's Mills, where he was engaged in the axe-handle busi- ness for five years, and bought a house and lot there. After engaging in the nursery business for three years, he changed his house and lot for a small farm known as the Rogers place at Webb's Mills; later he sold that farm, and on May 24, 1884, he purchased the place which he still occupies. The estate contains about seventy-five acres of land, and he has made various improvements since he became the owner. He carries on general farming, making hay, sweet corn, potatoes, and fruit his principal products, also engaging in stock raising; and besides attending to his farm interests he still continues in the manufacture of axe handles.
On November 19, 1863, he married Miss Harriett Spiller, who was born in Raymond on October 6, 1847, and is a daughter of John and Polly (Strout) Spiller. They have had three children : John Chester Tripp, born Sep- tember 14, 1865, died December 28, 1883 ; Eda I., born December 17, 1871, now the wife of Clarence Winslow, a trader and Postmaster of Webb's Mills; and Hamden, born Novem- ber 14, 1873, a carriage and sign painter by vocation, living in Westbrook, Me., who mar- ried Miss Ada M. Jordan.
Although in his early manhood Mr. Tripp voted with the Democratic party, he has for many years been a stanch Republican. Fra-
ternally, he is a member of Tyrian Lodge, No. 73, A. F. & A. M., of Mechanic Falls, and Manomi Lodge, No. 40, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the same place. He and Mrs. Tripp are valued members of the Free Baptist Church of Casco, taking an active interest in church work.
Mrs. Mary A. Nash, the widow of Simeon Nash, the former owner of Mr. Tripp's farm, is now a member of the latter's household. Her parents were George and Fannie (Nason) Abbott, natives of Portsmouth, N. H., from which place they came to Portland in 1805. Her father was a rope-maker by trade, and followed that vocation throughout his life. He died in Portland in 1816, and his wife in 1856. They had seven children - George W., Abigail H., Elizabeth M., Mary Ann, Will- iam, Alice, and Lucy J. - all of whom are now dead with the exception of Mary Ann, who was born in Portland on December 1, 1810. She has been twice married. Her first husband, Silas Moses, was born in Scarboro, Me., Jan- uary 16, 1792. His grandfather, Nathaniel Moses, was born in England, whence he enti- grated to this country in the early part of the eighteenth century, and settled in Scarboro, Me. Nathaniel Moses, Jr., father of Silas, was born in Scarboro, Me., October 13, 1758. His occupation through life was that of a farmer and shoemaker. Silas Moses also fol- lowed farming and shoemaking with success. He died on July 12, 1864. On January I, 1865, his widow, Mary A. Moses, became the second wife of Simeon Nash, of Raymond, who was a stirring and enterprising farmer and a man held in high esteem by those with whom he came in contact in business dealings and social intercourse. It was he who brought the Nash farm into a state of cultivation, being the first to settle thereon. He died on Janu- ary 27, 1883. He had two sons by his first wife, namely : Franklin, a farmer (deceased), who married Miss Emeline Nash, now a resi- dent of West Roxbury, Mass. ; and David, a tailor by trade, who was in town business several years, and went once as Representative, and who died in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Nash were both honored members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and took an active part in the work of that body.
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"A" NDREW LEIGHTON, present Com- mander of W. L. Haskell Post, Grand Army of the Republic, is a retired produce dealer and a well-known farmer of Yarmouth, Me. He was born in Pittsfield, Somerset County, Me., February 28, 1824, son of James and Prudence (Blanch- ard) Leighton. The family is of English origin not very remote, Mr. Leighton's great- grandfather having emigrated from England to America and become one of the early settlers in Cumberland County. Andrew Leighton, Mr. Leighton's grandfather, was a native and lifelong resident of the town of Cumberland in this county. He was prominently identified with the early growth of the place, and built the county road from Falmouth to Portland. He built and conducted the old Leighton tavern which is still standing in West Cum- berland, and is now in the family's possession. He was an enterprising, public-spirited man. In politics he was a Democrat and in his relig- ious faith a Methodist. He died at the age of seventy, and his wife lived to reach the age of eighty years. They reared a family of ten sons and two daughters, as follows: William, Moses, Joseph, Andrew, Daniel, James, Ezekiel, Nicholas, Stephen, Robert, Lovey, and Massa. Joseph and Andrew were lost at sea in the privateer "Dash" in 1812, on George's Banks, it is supposed.
James Leighton, Mr. Leighton's father, was born in Cumberland in 1788, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. In early man- hood he bought a farm of three hundred acres situated in the town of Pittsfield, Me., where he resided for twelve years. Then, disposing of his Pittsfield property, he moved to Upper Stillwater, in the town of Orono, and there engaged successfully in lumbering and operat- ing a saw-mill. At the end of five years he returned to Cumberland, and, purchasing a grist-mill, continued to carry it on for the rest of his life. He died at the age of forty-eight years. His wife, Prudence Blanchard, who was born in Cumberland in January, 1801, became the mother of ten children, four of whom are living, namely: Andrew, the sub- ject of this sketch, who is the eldest; James M., whose home is in Cumberland; Enos; and Joseph, a resident of California. The others
were: Charles J., Christian, Loemma, Fran- cis, Roxanna, and Margaret. The mother lived to reach the age of seventy-four years. Mr. Leighton's parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his father was a Whig in politics.
Andrew Leighton passed his boyhood in Pittsfield, Cumberland, and Yarmouth; and he received his education in the district schools. At the age of twelve years he went to live with his grandfather Blanchard in Cum- berland Centre, and when eighteen years old began to work as a farm hand, receiving ten dollars per month. He saved his earnings ; and five years later, in 1847, he settled upon his present farm, which originally contained thirty-five acres, and has been increased by later purchase to sixty-four acres. Mr. Leigh- ton has made various improvements in the property, and in connection with farming he did a prosperous business as a dealer in pressed hay and produce for many years. Some time since, he retired from that business in favor of his son, who now carries it on; and he devotes his attention to the cultivation of his farm.
In 1862 Mr. Leighton enlisted as a private in Company E, Seventeenth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, under Captain Ellis M. Sawyer, and served until the close of the Civil War, taking part in several important engagements, includ- ing the battles of Fredericksburg, Cedar Creek, where he was severely wounded, Chancellors- ville, and Fort Stephens. He was disabled at Chancellorsville, and was in the Convalescent Corps for six months, from which he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and later to Company C, Sixth Regiment. He was made Corporal of the company, but acted as Orderly Sergeant until mustered out on July 8, 1865. He is now prominent in Grand Army circles, as above noted. Mr. Leighton supports the Republican party in politics, and in 1869 and 1870 he ably represented his dis- trict in the legislature.
On January 16, 1851, Mr. Leighton was united in marriage with Ruth Etta Purves, who was born in Cumberland, August 20, 1829. Her parents, Adam and Ruth Purves, were old residents of Cumberland, whose an- cestors were of Scotch origin. Mr. and Mrs. Leighton have had four children, namely :
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Fred W., who is engaged in the hay and prod- uce business in Yarmouth ; Ella Frances, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Mary Etta, who resides at home; and Hattie F., who married John E. Baker, and lives in West Deering. Mr. Leighton and his family are members of the Congregational church.
HARLES JOHNSON, formerly a prosperous agriculturist of Gorham, Me., spent his entire life here, his birth having occurred September 30, 1824, and his death April 7, 1895. His father, Thomas J., and his grandfather, Matthew Johnson, were both natives of Gor- ham, coming from English antecedents. Mat- thew Johnson was an extensive farmer and a respected citizen of the community. He mar- ried a cousin, Hannah Johnson, who bore him five children. He and his wife were active in religious work, being members of the Meth- odist church.
Thomas Johnson was born October 5, 1790, and lived to a venerable age, passing away April 29, 1869. He was a tiller of the soil, engaging in his chosen calling with perse- vering industry. He was twice married. On March 14, 1814, he married Mary, daughter of Joseph Hamblin, of Gorham; and she died April 16, 1830, leaving three children, the youngest being Charles, the special subject of this sketch. His second wife was Dorothy, daughter of Edward and Betsey Libby. She lived until December 14, 1864. The only child of the second marriage was Mary M., who married Dr. A. R. P. Meserve, of Port- land, and has one child, Lucian Meserve.
Charles Johnson was reared in the town of his birth, and, like his forefathers, engaged in farming. In 1857 he bought a farm of one hundred acres, the most of which he placed under cultivation, rendering it one of the most valuable estates in the neighborhood. A man of sterling qualities, upright in all his ways, possessing good financial
and executive ability, he was held in high esteem, and was prominent in town affairs. He served as Se- lectman two years and as Town Collector, being ever loyal to his trusts. In politics he was a strong adherent of the Republican party.
Socially, he was a Mason, belonging to Har- mony Lodge of Gorham.
On January 2, 1854, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of Ai and Elizabeth (Files) Libby, of Gorham. Of this union two children were born - Her- bert A. and Edward C., neither of whom is now living. Herbert, who died in 1887, mar- ried Mary E. Sawyer, to whom he left two children - Eleanor and Effie. Edward, the youngest son, died early at Orono in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson adopted a daughter, Julia H. Johnson, taking her when she was but two years of age, and bringing her up as carefully and tenderly as though she were their own. Mrs. Johnson is a worthy member of the Meth- odist church, to which her husband also belonged.
EORGE HENRY LIBBY, City Treas- urer of Portland, was born at Bruns- wick, this State, August 20, 1841. He is the worthy representative of one of the earliest families who settled Cumberland County, being descended from John and Sarah Libby, who located at Scarboro in 1630. Many of the descendants of this family have 'since spent their lives within a radius of fif- teen miles from Portland's city buildings. The line was continued successively by their son Eleaner; by his son David, who was born in 1657; by Samuel, first, who was born in 1690; by Samuel, second, born in 1714; and by Samuel, third, born December 17, 1759, who was the great-grandfather of George H. Libby. Samuel, third, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and lived many years thereafter, dying March 18, 1819. His son Caleb, George's grandfather, was born August 19, 1783, at Scarboro, and died in 1838. Caleb, who was a stevedore by occupation, served as "Sergeant of his company in the War of 1812. He spent a large part of his life in Portland; and here his son, John W. Libby, father of George H., was born May 15, 1816.
John W. Libby was reared to maturity in his native city. He there learned the trade of edge-tool maker, at which he became an ex- pert, winning a reputation as one of the most
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skilful of workmen at his handicraft. A few years of his life were passed in Brunswick. He returned to Portland about three years after his marriage, and at 21 Hanover Street built the house in which he resided until his death, March 9, 1885. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane R. Bolton, was a na- tive of Portland, born in December, 1819. Of their family two children grew to matu- rity ; namely, George Henry and Sarah A. The latter, who was born February 7, 1844, is the wife of the Rev. C. V. Hanson, D.D., of Skowhegan, Me.
George Henry Libby was less than three years old when his parents returned to this city. He acquired his education in the com- mon schools of Portland. Poor health obliged him to relinquish the advantage of a more ad- vanced course. In 1856 he began his busi- ness career, engaging in the grocery trade on Commercial Street with T. & W. H. Shaw. Having remained three years with that firm, he worked as clerk in the retail grocery store of Robert F. Green for another year, after which he was employed at the dyer's trade with Brad Foster until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In November, 1861, Mr. Libby, who inherited the patriotic ardor of his ances- tors, enlisted for the war in Company A, Twelfth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment joined the army at the Gulf. He was present at New Orleans and at the siege of Port Hudson, where in the first assault, May 27, 1863, he lost his left hand. He was sent directly to the hospital at Baton Rouge, where on account of disability he was discharged Sep- tember 12, 1863. Returning home, Mr. Libby was engaged for a time as book-keeper for C. H. Stewart & Co., stove dealers. After- ward he was employed in similar positions by T. E. Stewart and W. H. Stewart, both build- ing firms. He subsequently secured a clerk- ship in the examining office of the Provost Marshal, and from February 1, 1865, until the close of the war was recruiting officer for the city. Being then offered a position in the office of the City Treasurer, Mr. Libby accepted, and has since been employed in that department, proving himself an efficient and trustworthy servant of the city. On the death of Mr. Hersey, which occurred in March,
1890, Mr. Libby accepted the proffer of the office of City Treasurer and Collector, and was installed April 1, 1890. After two years of service, the city administration fell into the hands of the Democratic party; but two years later Mr. Libby was re-elected to the Treas- urership for a second term. He is now the oldest city official in point of service at the same time that he is one of the most highly re- spected. He holds other important offices, among which is that of Treasurer of the Diamond Island Association, of which he was one of the originators.
In the fraternal organizations of Portland Mr. Libby is quite influential. He was one of the organizers of Brumhall Lodge, No. 3, Knights of Pythias, and a charter member of Montjoy Lodge, No. 6, and is now Past Chancellor of both Lodges. He is likewise a member of the Grand Lodge, having been Grand Master of Exchequer. He has also con- nection with Unity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to Bosworth Post, No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic, having joined it in March, 1868. On January 1, 1868, Mr. Libby married Emma Charlotte, daughter of James Nutter, a pioneer settler of Trescott, Me., to which he came in 1800. Both Mr. and Mrs. Libby attend the Chestnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Mrs. Libby being an esteemed member of that or- ganization. Their pleasant home is situated at 291 Spring Street, one of the attractive parts of this beautiful city.
ARDNER B. WILEY, a prosperous farmer of Naples and a veteran of the Civil War, is numbered among the most worthy and substantial citizens of this town, having successfully cultivated his pres- ent farm since 1868. He was born in Stow, Oxford County, Me., September 30, 1841, son of Elbridge and Lucy M. (Webb) Wiley. His father was a thoroughly practical and ener- getic farmer, who made the best use of his opportunities in life. He and his wife reared a family of six children, four sons and two daughters ; and it is worthy of note that all of the sons served through the Civil War, and are still living, the eldest having enrolled
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himself at the age of twenty-seven, and the youngest, who is Gardner B., the subject of this sketch, entering the ranks at twenty-one.
Gardner B. Wiley received his education in the schools of his native town, and gave his attention to farming at an early age. He was engaged in the usual routine of farm labor at the breaking out of the war; but the stirring scenes of the times and the general trend of events aroused his patriotism to such a degree that all other things were thrown aside, and, following the example of his elder brothers, he volunteered his services in defence of the Union, enlisting in 1862 as a private in Com- pany B, Seventeenth Maine Volunteers, and serving with that regiment, with the excep- tion of a short interval, until the close of the struggle. The Seventeenth has an unusually brilliant record for continued active service ; and Mr. Wiley participated in many important and decisive battles, among which were those of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Locust Grove, Mine Run, Gettysburg, the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Peters- burg. At the battle of Petersburg, June 16, 1864, he was severely wounded in the left arm and side by a minie ball; and from the field hospital he was transferred to the hospital at Portsmouth Grove, R.I., where he remained for three months. After a short time spent in Massachusetts he rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg, serving until the close of the war and being discharged with the rank of Corporal. Returning to Stow, he remained there until 1868, at which time he moved to Naples, and one year later settled upon his present farm. His property consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres of fertile land, which is well located and finely improved; and here he is pleasantly and profitably occupied in general farming, keeping well up in the line of progress and taking high rank among the able and thrifty farmers of his section.
In May, 1868, Mr. Wiley was united in marriage to Lucy M. Chaplin, and has had eight children, as follows: Bennett S. ; George W., who is no longer living; Rosina; Joseph H. ; Florence V. ; Rubira E .; Mary L. ; and Elbridge G.
In politics Mr. Wiley votes with the Re-
publican party, and he is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic.
EORGE W. TAYLOR, superintend- ent of a woollen-mill at Windham, Cumberland County, Me., was born in the town of Dexter, Penobscot County, July 2, 1859, son of George and Helen (Henderson) Taylor. He is of English descent, both his father and his grandfather, David Taylor, hav- ing been natives of Meltham, Yorkshire, Eng- land. There the latter spent his threescore years of life, his trade being that of a woollen manufacturer. George was the second son born to him and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth.
George Taylor was born in March, 1823. He began working in the mills when a lad, learning the weaver's trade; and in 1846 he emigrated to New England, locating in Woon- socket, R.I., where he remained five years, being employed as boss weaver in the Harris mills. Going thence to Amesbury, Mass., he occupied the same position for four years in the Salisbury mills, and was next engaged as superintendent of the Dexter woollen-mills at Dexter, this State, continuing until 1860. Forming a partnership with William F. Perry, under the name of Taylor & Perry, he then went to Bridgton, Me., where they erected a mill with a capacity of three sets, and began manufacturing woollen goods, meet- ing with such profitable results that the mill had to be increased to twice its original capac- ity. This business he continued until his demise, November 1, 1878. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party, and was quite prominent in local matters, being ever interested in promoting the cause of education, and was one of the three committees under whose administration the first high school of Bridgton was built. In 1877 he was elected as Representative to the State legislature, and served one term, and was re-elected in IS78, but passed away before the legislature con- vened. Socially, he was an Odd Fellow and a Mason, belonging, as a Knight Templar, to St. Albans Commandery of Portland. Re- ligiously, he was a believer in the tenets of the Methodist church. To him and his wife
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five children were born, but three of whom are now living - George W., Walter H., and Evie M. DeGroot.
George W. Taylor attended the Bridgton High School, and afterward took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Boston, Mass. Returning to Bridgton, he was book-keeper at the Pondicherry mills for three years, but subsequently removed to Port- land, where he had charge of the woollen de- partment in the dry-goods store of Twitchell, Chapman & Co. for two years. Going then to Boston, Mr. Taylor was at work there four years, being one-half of the time with the New York and Boston Manufacturing Company, and the other half with the Massachusetts Mutual Accident Insurance Company. The follow- ing year he was employed as a wool sorter in the Pondicherry mills at Bridgton, afterward being similarly employed in the Wooumbo mills at Lisbon Falls, Me., for six months. In 1873 Mr. Taylor became connected once more with the Pondicherry mills, remaining with the company until 1894, being first book- keeper, then assistant superintendent, and finally being promoted to the responsible office of superintendent of the mills. In 1894 he came to Windham, accepting his present position, which he has since ably and faith- fully filled.
Mr. Taylor was married in 1882 to Miss Lilla L., daughter of B. F. Jewell, of Sebago, Me. Their union has been blessed by the ad- vent of six children, five of whom are living; namely, Adra B., Lcah M., Beulah E., Walter R., and Helen. In politics Mr. Tay- lor is identified with the Republican party. His religious views coincide with the creed of the Methodist church. Socially, he is a mem- ber of Red Men Lodge, No. 36, Nagwamqueeg Tribe.
DWIN T. MAYBERRY, Postmaster of Westbrook, was born in Windham, Me., April 11, 1866, son of Nelson and Elizabeth (Bodge) Mayberry. His grand- father, Daniel Mayberry, was an industrious farmer of Windham, where he passed a greater part of his life, being prominently identified with the public affairs of the town and at one
time a member of the Board of Selectmen. In politics he supported the Republican party, and in his religious views he was a Universal- ist. He died at his home in Windham in 1881, and of his three children only one is now living.
Nelson Mayberry, father of Edwin T., was born in Windham, Me., in 1839. He re- ceived his education in the schools of his na- tive town and at Oxford Academy, and, having learned the carpenter's trade, subsequently settled in Cumberland Mills, where, besides following his regular occupation, he became well known as a musician, devoting much time to playing at concerts and social gatherings in his locality; and for many years his ability in that direction caused his services to be in great demand. He was a member of West- brook Commandery, No. 209, Order of the Golden Cross. In politics he voted with the Republican party, and in his religious views he was liberal. His wife, Elizabeth Bodge, became the mother of three children, namely : Frances E., who resides in Hoosick Falls, N. Y .; Willard B., who is now living in the State of Virginia; and Edwin T., the special subject of this sketch.
Edwin T. Mayberry acquired the elements of learning in the public schools of Windham and at the Westbrook High School. He then entered the drug store of H. G. Starr at Cum- berland Mills, where he obtained a fair knowl- edge of pharmacy. From there he went to Chelsea as a clerk, and two years later to New York City, where he engaged in the drug busi- ness with his brother under the firm name of Mayberry Brothers. He remained in the metropolis for two years, at the end of which time he sold his interest in the business, and returning to Westbrook engaged with his father-in-law in the manufacture of furniture under the firm name of the New England Fur- niture Company. He continued in that enter- prise until April 8, 1895, at which time he was appointed Postmaster of Westbrook, a position which he is well qualified to fill, both by reason of his business ability and naturally agreeable manners; and since taking charge of the office he has won the good will and hearty approbation of his fellow-citizens, irrespective of politics.
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