USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 16
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William L. Larrabec acquired a practical education at the Westbrook Seminary, after which he carried on general farming in the place of his nativity. In 1858 he purchased one hundred acres of land in Gorham, and was numbered among the enterprising and prosper- ous farmers of that town for thirty-three years. Disposing of his Gorham farm in 1891, he bought his present farm of twenty-two acres in South Portland, which has since been his
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home. In politics he is identified with the Republican party, and during the years 1875 and 1876 he was one of the Selectmen of Gor- ham. Religiously, he is an attendant of the Baptist church. Mr. Larrabee was married June 27, 1852, to Eunice W., daughter of Rufus Fluent, Sr., of Westbrook. She died February 27, 1895, leaving one son, John F., who was born in Westbrook, April 19, 1853, and was married July 10, 1895, to Matie E. Williams, of Hesper, Ia. He is a machinist and engineer by trade.
EORGE E. WHITNEY, general agent of the Boston & Maine and 2 Maine Central Railroads at Portland, was born in Topsham, Me., April 14, 1852, son of Robert P. and Ruth F. (Sprague) Whitney. His grandfather Whitney was one of the early settlers of Lubec, Me. He mar- ried a Miss Hunter, of Topsham, a member of a family distinguished in Revolutionary annals; and through her Mr. Whitney is eligi- ble as a member of the Sons of the Revolution.
Robert P. Whitney, the father of George E., was born in Lubec, Me., in October, 1819, and settled in Topshani when a young man, engaging in the grocery business. He is now the oldest merchant in the place, and has been Postmaster for twenty-five years. He likewise served as Town Clerk for several years. In politics he is a Republican, and has taken an active share in the work of the party in Maine, as Topsham is a prominent lumbering town and one of the salient points in a political can- vass. He was intimately acquainted with Hannibal Hamlin and James G. Blaine. His wife, who was born in Topsham in 1824, was a daughter of Willis S. Sprague, one of the first settlers of that place, a man of influence in the early days and Deacon in the Congrega- tional church. Mrs. Whitney also was a Con-
gregationalist. She died in 1868, having been the mother of nine children, eight sons and one daughter. The five now living are : Willis S., of New York City; George E. ; Carrie, wife of N. Farrar, of Boston; Charles Sumner, a resident of Gardiner, in the employ of George F. Hewett ; and Edward L., an em- ployee on the Maine Central.
George E. Whitney received a good educa- tion, graduating from the high school at Topsham and studying for a while with the Rev. Dr. Wheeler, a noted scholar of that town. When a boy of eleven, he began to work in the railway service during his vacations, first as water boy, later as newsboy; and, when nineteen years of age, he became a regular employee, a brakeman on the Maine Central, then the Portland & Kennebec. Four or five years later he was made train baggage-master, and after some five years of service in that line was promoted to the position of conductor, making his first run on the night train from Boston to Bangor, being subsequently placed in charge of the day express from Portland to Bangor and Bar Harbor. His courteous and obliging manners made for him a great many friends, among whom may be named the Hon. James G. Blaine, who was at that time travel- ling back and forth a great deal; and he also became acquainted in this way with General Logan, President Arthur, and other noted men.
In 1892, after officiating as conductor for thirteen years, Mr. Whitney was appointed to the position of great responsibility which he now holds, discharging its duties with marked efficiency. He has oversight of all the pas- senger conductors and brakemen on the two roads, the cars in the passenger service, and full charge of the Union Station at Portland, which places a large number of men under his supervision. Ile is a very busy man, and has very little time to spare for matters outside of his railroad interest, to which he is closely devoted. Mr. Whitney is one of the charter members of the Order of Railway Conductors, and has been a director since the time of its organization. He also belongs to the Maine Central Relief Association.
October 28, 1879, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage with Miss Lottie Merrill, of Tops- ham, daughter of William P. Merrill, a promi- nent citizen of that town.
Mr. Whitney votes in the ranks of the Re- publican party, but takes no active part in political affairs. He is advanced in the degrees of Masonry, belonging to United Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M., of Brunswick, Me. ; St. Paul Chapter of the same place ;
GEORGE E. WHITNEY.
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Portland Council and Portland Commandery, Knights Templar; and has held all the offices in the latter, being at present. Eminent Com- mander. He is also a member of the Order of Red Men, and belongs to the Bramhall League of Portland. Mr. Whitney and his wife attend the First Parish Unitarian Church. They have a handsome residence at 12 West- cott Street, Portland.
OLLIS ST. CLAIR, who for many years has been one of Cumberland's prosperous and substantial residents, was born in Strafford, Orange County, Vt., June 13, 1810, son of John and Rhoda (Merrill) St. Clair.
Mr. St. Clair's father was a native of New Hampshire, born January 18, 1778. He was a machinist and followed his trade through life, his last days being spent in Burlington, -Vt., where he died July 4, 1817. He was an industrious man and a worthy citizen. His wife, Rhoda Merrill, whom he married Sep- tember 18, 1797, was a native of New Hamp- shire. She became the mother of six children, as follows: John M., who was born Janu- ary 13, 1800; Cynthia, born February 24, 1804; Ebenezer, born May 13, 1806; Thomas J., born March 8, 1808; Hollis, the subject of this sketch; and Orrilla, born November 22, 1812. Mr. St. Clair's mother married for her second husband Simon Green, by whom she had two children, namely : Alpa, who was born January 30, 1819; and Alba, born November 19, 1820. Of her eight children Hollis is the only survivor.
Hollis St. Clair grew to manhood in Straf- ford, Vt., and received a good academie educa- tion. When a mere boy he was naturally inclined to busy himself in some profitable em- ployment ; and he earned his first dollar as a helper in some kind of night work, for which he received twelve and one-half cents per night. After completing his studies at school he engaged in teaching. He taught six winter terms, four of which were in his own neighbor- hood, and during the summer season he was employed at the eopperas works of Strafford. His connection with that industry dated from the time he was sixteen years old; and he be-
came an expert in the chemical treatment of copperas and alum and the manufacture of cop- peras, a business which he followed as an occu- pation for many years. He was offered the position of superintendent of the Chemical Works in Portland, Me., which he accepted under the vehement protestations of his former employers; and he remained with the Portland concern for six years. He was then selected by Congressman Albert Smith to fill the post of commissary of the United States corps of engineers, which was engaged in surveying the north-east boundary between the United States and Canada; and for the succeeding two years he was quartered in the densc forests of Maine. During his sojourn there he saw a great deal of wild life and adventure, the woods being alive with animals and game of every description known in this climate; and on one occasion, while walking through the woods alone and unarmed, he met a full-grown moose, which he at length frightened away by his loud and continual screaming. In 1841 he settled in Cumberland, where he bought a large farm, a portion of which he still owns ; and he has since resided in this town. He was a custom-house officer in Portland under Buchanan's administration for almost four years.
Mr. St. Clair has been twice married. On October 15, 1840, he was united in marriage to his first wife, Jane Sturdivant. She was born in Cumberland, September 9, 1817, daughter of Ephraim and Rachel Sturdivant, who were representatives of old and prominent families of Cumberland County. Mrs. Jane Sturdivant St. Clair died October 12, 1871, leaving two children, namely : Frances Ger- trude, who was born March 18, 1842, and is now living at home; and Herbert, who was born February 5, 1860, . and now resides in Atlanta, Ga. On November 3, 1882, Mr. St. Clair wedded for his second wife Jane S. Mer- rill, who was born in Cumberland, June 20, 1836, daughter of John and Sally (Chenery) Merrill. Mrs. St. Clair's paternal grand- parents, Jacob and Rosanna (Davis) Merrill, were early settlers of Pownal; and the family was a prominent one in that neighborhood. John Merrill, Mrs. St. Clair's father, was a native and lifelong resident of Cumberland,
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where he followed agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died August 3, 1881. His wife, who was a native of Massachusetts, became the mother of six children, two of whom are living, namely : Asa, who was born February 27, 1826, and resides in Cumberland; and Mrs. St. Clair, who is the youngest. Mrs. Sally C. Merrill died in 1882.
Mr. St. Clair has lived a busy and prosper- ous life, his business transactions having all been attended with good financial results. He served as a Justice of the Peace for forty years, but of late years he has retired from the more active details of business. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics and liberal in his religious views. Mrs. St. Clair attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
EORGE W. SYLVESTER, manager of the Gilbert M. Soule Lumber Company, located at 418 Commercial Street, Portland, is a worthy representative of the native-born resident of the city, and one of its prosperous business men. He was born October 17, 1850, the only child of George S. and Helen R. (Couch) Sylvester. His mother died in 1891; but his father is still living, being actively engaged in busi- ness in this city. The subject of this notice was reared and educated in Portland, being graduated from the high school in the class of 1869. With the energy characteristic of his boyhood days, he soon began business life, being employed for a time as clerk in the wholesale grocery establishment of Elias Thomas & Co. During a subsequent two years' engagement with Robert Holyoke, Mr. Sylvester became thoroughly acquainted with the details of the lumber business; and the succeeding two years were spent in the employ of Holyoke, Benson & Co., Mr. Sylvester leaving them to accept a position with the late Gilbert Soule, with whom he remained until Mr. Soule's death ten years later. The pres- ent company was then incorporated, and Mr. Sylvester appointed to the position of man- ager, the duties of which he has filled most successfully for the past ten years. In poli - tics he is a consistent Republican, and for
three years- 1887, 1888, and 1889-he served his fellow-citizens as a member of the Common Council, representing Ward 5.
Mr. Sylvester married Miss Luena M., daughter of Frank J. and Maria A. Ames ; and they have a pleasant home at 201 High Street, where they give hospitable welcome to their numerous friends. They are earnest be- lievers in the truths of Christianity, and wor- ship at the Williston Congregational Church.
OHN A. S. DYER, general merchant, Postmaster, and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of South Portland, has occupied the last-named position since the town was set off from Cape Elizabeth in 1894. The office of Postmaster he has filled for seven years at Knightsville, having been ap- pointed to the position by President Harrison. For sixteen years he has been engaged in mer- cantile business, Mr. Levi Seavy having been in company with him for six years; but since 1885 he has managed the store himself, carry- ing on a substantial retail business under the firm title of J. A. S. Dyer & Co.
Mr. Dyer is a native-born citizen, his birth having occurred March 30, 1861, in Pleasant- dale, in what was then called Cape Elizabeth. He grew to mature years in the place of his nativity, being here educated, and commenced his business career when but a mere youth, his success therein being solely attributable to his own energy and pluck. He is the representa- tive of one of the oldest families of the neigh- borhood. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Dyer, Sr., who, it is thought, was born here, was a well-to-do farmer, settling on a farm after his marriage with Mary Brown, who bore him several children, among them being a son Jesse, who was the father of John A. S. Dyer.
Jesse Dyer, Jr., has been a lifelong resident of Pleasantdale, where he is now living, re- tired from active business, a most genial and pleasant man of seventy-three years, happy in having won the respect of the entire community in which he has lived through boyhood, man- hood, and old age. For many years he was a prominent business man, being engaged as a general merchant, also dealing in grain and ice, and also for a time extensively engaged in
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manufacturing brick. In politics he has never swerved from allegiance to the Democratic party. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Jane Fickett, was born, bred, and edu- cated in Pownal, Me., afterward removing to Portland, where she met and married Mr. Dyer. They subsequently made their perma- nent home in Pleasantdale, where she died a few years ago. Of the children born to them three are dead, namely : Frederick died a few years after his marriage with Miss Nellie Nutter, of this town; Edmund A. died in early manhood; and one son passed away in infancy. The record of the living is as fol- lows: Malvern, in the meat business in New- ark, N. J., married Miss Ethel Hamilton, for- merly of this place; John A. S., is the espe- cial subject of this sketch; Walter H., in business with his brother John, being junior partner, married Miss Eva Gild, of Boothbay, this State; and Carrie F., wife of Frank Libby, a carpenter in Pleasantdale.
John A. S. Dyer was united in marriage December 29, 1885, to Miss Helen H. Pills- bury, who was born and reared in South Port- land, being a daughter of the late Albert Pills- bury, formerly a conductor on the Grand Trunk Railway, and his wife, Louisa (Fickett) Pills- bury, who is now living in Pleasantdale. The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Dyer has been enlivened and cheered by the advent of four in - teresting children; namely, Ella G., Albert L., Martha, and Raymond C.
J OHN C. ROBERTS, the efficient su- perintendent of the city almshouse at Portland, was born in Waterboro, York County, Me., on April 22, 1840, and is a son of Major Jerry and Olive (Roberts) Roberts.
His paternal grandfather, Jeremy Roberts, served as a private in the Revolutionary War, and was among those who fought so valiantly at the battle of Bunker Hill. Jerry Roberts, whose birth occurred in the town of Lyman, Me., on May 27, 1798, spent the early years of his manhood in farming. Later on he con- ducted a hotel, and was also engaged in specu- lations of various kinds, especially in lumber ; and he owned one or more saw-mills. He held
various town offices, and in the years 1868 and 1869 he represented the towns of Water- boro and Limerick in the State legislature. He died on July 24, 1874. His wife, Olive Roberts, was born on February 28, 1808, and died on July 15, 1870. She was a daughter of Andrew J. Roberts and grand-daughter of Ichabod Roberts. Her uncle, Moses Roberts, served in the French and Indian War, in that contest losing his life. Mrs. Olive Roberts bore her husband nine children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Harriet Stone, the wife of William H. Johnson; Martha F., who married Horace Hamilton, and is now residing in Kansas; Albert H., who is married and occupies the old homestead; John C .; Lucy H., now Mrs. Jason H. Shaw, of Portland ; Luther B., a stock-broker in Portland; and Olive J., who married Elliot Dearborn.
John C. Roberts obtained his education in the public schools of Waterboro, Me., finish- ing his course of study in the high school, after which he assisted his father in farm work at home until he was nineteen years old. At that time he went to Lynn, Mass., to learn the morocco dresser's trade; and after completing his apprenticeship he remained in Lynn and engaged in that vocation for six years. Re- turning to Waterboro, he entered a union store ; but after three years he again went to Massa- chusetts to superintend a department in a mo- rocco shop in Beverly, and continued in that position for four years. In 1878 he estab- lished himself in trade in Portland, Me., and during the succeeding ten years did a prosper- ous business. Then selling out he entered the employ of Libby & Larrabee, and for five years had charge of their furnishing-goods de- partment. Since the spring of 1893, when he was elected by the Board of Overseers, he has served most acceptably as superintendent of the city almshouse.
His wife, formerly Miss Sarah A. West- wood, a daughter of James and Sarah (Moss) Westwood, is a native of London, England. Three children have been born to them, namely : Harry C. and Lillian W., both of whom died in childhood; and Henrietta W., the only one living. In political views Mr. Roberts is a strong Republican ; and in 1885- 86 and 1886-87 he served as Councilman of
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Ward 7 in Portland. Since 1867 he has been affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and is now a member of Portland Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is also connected with Cogowosco Tribe of Red Men. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are active members of the West Congrega- tional Church of Portland. .
ON. WILLIAM FENDERSON PERRY, who has for many years been closely identified with the leading enterprises of Bridgton, Cumberland County, is a native-born citizen, the date of his birth being February 1, 1826. His father, George Perry, was born in Lim- erick, York County, this State, and was but seven years old when his father died. His widowed mother afterward became the wife of Elijah Allen, a Revolutionary soldier and a blacksmith by trade. As George grew to man- hood he learned the blacksmith's trade from his step-father, and in 1820 came to Bridg- ton, where he carried on his trade in the village for a while. He afterward purchased a tract of land about two miles from the centre of the town, and there engaged in blacksmithing until his demise at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Fenderson, was born in Parsonsfield, Me., being a daughter of William Fenderson, a vet- eran of the Revolution also. She survived her husband about two years, dying at the age of seventy-three. She reared eight of her eleven children, William . F., the subject of this sketch, being the only one now living.
William F. Perry attended the district schools of his native town, in the mean time, from the age of seven to fourteen years, assist- ing on the farm. He then began working at the forge with his father, continuing with him until twenty-one years old, when he started out for himself, even with the world. Going to Portland, Mr. Perry found employment at his trade, receiving three dollars and fifty cents per week and his board. After four months he returned to Bridgton, where he formed a partnership and engaged in blacksmithing. In a short time Mr. Perry purchased his part- ner's interest, and conducted the business alone for four years. Selling that shop he
then formed a copartnership with Amasa H. Merrill, and bought of James M. Kimball a carriage factory, which he and his partner con- ducted until the death of Mr. Merrill four years later. Mr. Perry then purchased Mr. Merrill's interest from the latter's heirs, and carried on a prosperous business until 1858, when he sold out, being engaged for the next two years in lumber dealing. In 1860, in company with George Taylor, he bought a water-power, which they improved, subse- quently building the Forest Mills, in which they engaged in the manufacture of woollen goods. After the death of Mr. Taylor, No- vember 30, 1879, a stock company was formed, being incorporated under the name of the Forest Mills Company, of which Mr. Perry was elected President, a responsible office, which he has since most capably filled. In addition to the woollen factory, this enterpris- ing company also owns and operates a saw and planing mill, where they are extensively en- gaged in the manufacture of boxes, building material, etc. Mr. Perry holds other impor- tant positions, being President of the Bridgton & Saco Railway Company, and interested with others in many of the industries in this town.
On October 31, 1859, Mr. Perry was united in marriage to Miss Maria Gibbs, the only child of their union being a daughter, Adeline G. Mrs. Perry was born in Bridgton, being a daughter of the Hon. Rufus and Adaline (Sears) Gibbs, a sketch of whose lives may be found elsewhere in this volume, in connection with the history of Charles E. Gibbs. Mrs. Perry, a woman of true Christian worth, is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Perry has been a Republican since the forma- tion of that party and a stanch supporter of its principles. He has twice represented his con- stituents in the State legislature, in the years 1872 and 1873, serving with credit to himself and to the honor of his party.
AMUEL H. JOSE, a prominent builder and contractor of Portland, Me., has been a resident of this city since 1851, and during the time has been actively associated with its business interests. He was born December
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16, 1832, at Hollis, now Dayton, this State, his parents being William, Jr., and Eunice (Huff) Jose. Mr. Jose's paternal grandfather, William Jose, Sr., was one of thrce brothers that came to Maine at an early date. Hc lo- cated in Saco, York County, where he cleared and improved a farm, and likewise, having learned the carpenter's trade, built many of the earlier houses of that place.
William Jose, Jr., was born in 1798 in Saco. During his early manhood he there worked at the trades of a carpenter and wheel- wright ; but soon after his marriage to Miss Huff, who was also born and reared in Saco, hc removed to Hollis, where he carried on general farming for some years. Subsequently returning to the place of his nativity, he set- tled on the old homestead of his father-in-law, Joseph Huff, living there until his death, which occurred in 1868. His wife, who sur- vived him till August, 1894, reached the ven- erable agc of ninety-five years, her birth hav- ing occurred in June, 1799. Both were con- sistent members of the Free-will Baptist church. They had a family of five children, namely: Sarah, who married Samuel Harmon, of Buxton, Me .; William, who died at the age of forty-two years; Samucl H .; Martha E., wife of Lucius Thayer, of Mechanic Falls, this State; and Mrs. Fanny E. Busscll, wife of George Buzzell, of Connecticut.
Samuel H. Jose received his education in the common schools of Saco, after which he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade with Francis Low, of that town. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Jose was engaged at his trade in Portland for a few weeks, being so much pleased with the city that he settled here permanently the following spring. For two years thereafter he worked as a journeyman, then, with characteristic enterprise, started in business for himself, being at first his own architect, as well as builder. Many of the most important public buildings and private residences of the city have been constructed under his immediate supervision, among which may be mentioned the Jose Building, now Danforth Block, William E. Gould's residence, and Kotczhman Hall. During the forty-two years in which Mr. Jose has been en- gaged in contracting and building he has paid
out a large sum of money in wages, thus giv- ing support to many families, having at times as many as forty men in his employ. He is an able financier, making wise investments of his money, dealing somewhat in city real es- tate, and is at the present time the owner of seven houses which he has erected. He has a very comfortable dwelling at 24 Bramhall Street, having built it in 1867, before very many people had recognized the desirability of this section of the city as a residential place.
Mr. Josc has been three times married. His first wife, Mary C. Goud, daughter of the Rev. Robert Goud, died, lcaving four chil- dren, namely : Samuel H., Jr., who died when seventeen years old; Edward C., of Boston, Mass .; Charles F. and George C., both with their father. His second wife, Clara Sawyer, lived but a short time after their marriage, dying without issue. Mr. Jose was subse- quently united in marriage with Mrs. Maria M. (Millett) Andrews, a daughter of Joel Millett, a farmer. She is a woman of many estimable qualities, and an active worker in the Frce-will Baptist church, of which both herself and husband are conscientious mem- bers. In politics Mr. Josc is a steadfast Re- publican.
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