USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
fidence and esteem of his fellow-officials, and by his unfailing courtesy and his wise judg- ment in matters of moment, has won gen- eral respect and good will.
December 3, 1863, he was united in mar- riage with Augusta Bradford, daughter of Free- man and Maria H. (Hall) Bradford, of Port- land. One child was born to them, March 4, 1865, who died in October, 1875.
Mr. Chase takes no active part in political matters. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, the first Lodge of which he became a member being Atlantic, No. 81, of which he was Master and is now Past Master. He was the first Master of Deering Lodge, No. 183, which was organized in 1878, and is its present Sec- retary ; is Past High Priest of Greenleaf Chap- ter of Portland, of which he has been Secre- tary since 1876; Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Portland Council, Royal and Select Masters; Past Eminent Commander of St. Alban Commandery, No. 8, of which body he is now Prelate; a member of Yates Lodge of Perfection and of the Portland Council of Princes of Jerusalem. He has been conductor of ceremonies in Rose Croix Chapter, of which he is now Warden, and belongs to the Maine Consistory. He is also a member of the Grand Commandery of the State of Maine, and was District Deputy Grand Master for the dis- trict of Maine for two years, and has attended the different conclaves. He belongs to Unity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Rocky Hill Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Deering; is a member of the Samoset Tribe of Red Men, of Portland; and was Master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen one term ; he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Royal Society of Good Fellows, and has been Financial Secretary of the Portland Assembly since its organization. While in Portland Mr. Chase attended the High Street Congregational Church, contributing to its support.
LBERT GREEN, who is engaged in a general mercantile business at Bridgton, this county, was born March 16, 1841, in Berlin Falls, Coos County, N. H., being a son of Edmund and Hannah C. (Wiley) Green. The parental
144
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
household included five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom four are now liv- ing, namely: Albert; Mary A .; Nelson A., who was a private in the Thirteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and died of diphtheria on Ship Island, his remains being interred on Southern soil; and Charles S., who served as a private in Company H, First New Hamp- shire Heavy Artillery, and is now residing in Mechanic Falls, Me.
Albert Green was reared on the home farm, remaining with his parents until his enlist- ment, August 13, 1864, in the First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, Company H, being mustered into service at Concord, that State. With his regiment he was sent to Washington, where he did guard duty until receiving an honorable discharge, June 17, 1865. On his return home he settled in Stark, Coos County, N. H., whither his pa- rents had moved during his absence, and where he remained until 1866, when he went to Ridgway, Elk County, Pa., where he worked in the woods and in a mill for two years, having control of a lumber camp during the winter. Returning to Stark, he opened a store for the sale of general mer- chandise, continuing until the spring of 1872, when he came to Bridgton, and was engaged here for four years and a half in the grocery business. He then went to Lewiston, where he remained two years. The following year Mr. Green spent in Berlin Mills, N. H., after which he paid a visit to his parents in Stark, remaining with them a while, and assisting them in their store. In 1883 he came again to Bridgton, and, opening his present well- equipped store, has since carried on a flourish- ing trade in general merchandise, his stead- fast aim being to please and satisfy the demands of his large and increasing number of patrons.
Mr. Green has been twice married, first in 1868 to Miss Kate M. Horr, who died two years later; and second, in 1874, to Miss Flora Plummer, who is the mother of one child, Alice R. Socially, Mr. Green is a member in high standing of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.
ON. FRED EDGECOMB RICH- ARDS, President of the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Portland, was born at Lincolnville, Waldo County, Me., August 28, 1841, son of Charles and Elizabeth P. (Smith) Richards. The Richards family is one of the oldest in New England, having settled in Massachusetts in Colonial times. Thomas Richards, the great-grandfather of the subject of this biogra- phy, was a farmer in Stoughton, Mass.
Charles Richards, son of Benjamin and grandson of Thomas Richards, was born in Sharon, Mass., January 7, 1800, and lived in that town until twenty-five years of age, being by occupation a farmer. In 1825 he settled on a farm in Lincolnville, Waldo County, be- coming in course of time one of the influential citizens of that town, actively interested in all projects for the public good, especially for the advancement of education. In politics he was a Democrat until 1856, when he became an ardent supporter of John C. Fremont ; and he was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died January 5, 1881. His wife, to whom he was united when a young man of twenty-three, was a daughter of James and Mollie (Smith) Smith, of Can- ton, Mass. She lived to be seventy-seven years of age, passing from earth in 1877. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are still living. One son, Charles F., is Treasurer of the Camden Savings Bank at Camden, Knox County, Me.
Fred E. Richards attended the common schools of Lincolnville and the high school at Rockport, Knox County, where his parents spent the latter part of their lives. He first worked as a clerk for David Talbot, a large ship-owner; but in 1862, on account of severe lung trouble, he resigned his position and went to California, travelling by way of Aspinwall. He was in the employ of the Wells-Fargo Ex- press Company for three years, at the end of that time returning to Rockport and engaging in the manufacture of lime. He carried on an extensive and successful business till 1877, shipping the commodity in vessels, of which he was part owner, to Charleston, Wilmington, and other Southern markets.
In the mean time he was prominently iden-
FRED E. RICHARDS.
1 47
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
tified with the interests of the Republican party, and was elected to represent the town of Camden in the State legislature in 1872, being re-elected in 1873. Although his business cares were great, he yielded to the earnest solicitations of his townspeople, and in 1875 served as a member of the Executive Council of Governor Dingley, and in 1876 as a mem- ber of Governor Connors's Council. The fol- lowing year, 1877, he was appointed State Land Agent, but resigned after a short term of service. In 1878 he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Maine Insane Hospital at Augusta; and in 1880, Governor Davis, recognizing his sagacity, business ability, and faithfulness to every trust, appointed him State Bank Examiner, Governor Robie reappointing him for the two succeeding terms.
The duties of this office included the exami- nation of kindred institutions, trust companies, loan and building associations, and all State corporate companies intrusted with the money of the people. Mr. Richards held the posi- tion in all nine years, and during his incum- bency effected some radical changes for the better in banking systems, his motto being 'Safety first, profit second." While he was Bank Examiner, the deposits in the savings- banks of Maine increased from twenty million to forty-three million dollars, the increase being partly due to confidence in the banks, inspired by his management. He resigned his position as Bank Examiner in 1888, and subse- quently established a private banking house at 89 Exchange Street, Portland, in the Jose Building.
In October, 1893, he was elected President of the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company, to fill the vacancy caused by the tragic death of John E. DeWitt, at Chester, Mass., and, disposing of his private banking interests, took his seat in November of that year. Having been connected with the corporation for eleven years as Director and a member of the Finance- Committee, he was thoroughly acquainted with the standing and workings of the company when he took the President's chair. The present condition of the enterprise is suc- cinctly stated in the following paragraph from the Daily Eastern Argus of Portland, dated January 30, 1895: "To have been able to
make such an excellent gain in surplus as one hundred and thirty thousand four hundred and ninety dollars is one of the best results of the past year, indicating as it does a substantial growth in strength, although the statement that not a single bond owned by the company was in default of interest on the thirty-first day of December seems to be even more re- markable, in view of the fact that in financial circles generally 1894 was considered to be a period of unusual depression, and many rail- road properties were under the control of re- ceivers. These results, and others equally valuable, speak volumes for the present ad- ministration, indicating able, economical, and judicious management.'
The home offices of the company are in its own building at the corner of Congress and Exchange Streets, in the third and fourth stories, accessible by an elevator. They are well lighted and ventilated; and, while lavish expenditure has been avoided, they are pro- vided with every essential for the transaction of business. The second story is given up to lawyers' offices; and the ground floor is occu- pied by the Union Safe Deposit and Trust Company and the Portland National Bank, two of the most flourishing institutions in the State, making the building a most important financial centre.
The Union Safe Deposit and Trust Com- pany, of which Mr. Richards is President and Director, was organized about a year ago, and transacted business as a safe deposit company only until April 1, 1895, when it commenced business under the trust provisions of its charter. Its capital to the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars has already been subscribed, and fully paid up for that purpose. No part of this capital is invested in the vault and fixtures used by the corpora- tion. The plant is owned by the Union Mut- ual Life Insurance Company ; and the company has a clean cash capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, more than double the amount of any trust company in Maine. With the National Bank also Mr. Richards has been connected since its inception, and was the leading spirit in directing its course at its or- ganization. In August, 1889, he was chosen President, which position hc still occupies.
148
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
This institution has a capital stock of three hundred thousand dollars, and has probably as large a business as any bank in the State, its deposits amounting on an average to one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Mr. Richards is prominently identified with
many other financial enterprises. He has been a Director of the First National Bank since 1893; is a Director of the Limerick National of Limerick, Me. ; the Rockland Trust Com- pany of Rockland; the York Light and Heat Company of Biddeford; and a Director in the Camden and Rockland Water Company. He is intimately connected with the Rockland and Thomaston Street Railway and other corporate companies; was fiscal agent of the Maine Cen- tral Railroad from 1889 to 1893, resigning when elected President of the Insurance Company, and has been fiscal agent and is a Director of the Portland & Rumford Falls Railroad. In short, he is a leader in all departments of the realm of finance, winning by his integrity and unimpeachable judgment the confidence of all, and at the same time inspiring esteem by his many admirable personal qualities.
In 1871 Mr. Richards was united in mar- riage with Miss Caroline S. Piper, of Rock- port, Me., daughter of Captain John D. Piper, a representative of an old Rockport family.
Mr. and Mrs. Richards attend the High Street Congregational Church. They occupy a beautiful residence at 150 Vaughan Street, which he erected in 1893-94.
ON. SAMUEL M. BRACKETT, an ex-member of the Maine legislature, who died at his residence in Cum- berland, March 9, 1895, had served the public faithfully for many years in various positions of responsibility and trust, and was highly esteemed for his practical ability and sterling traits of character.
Mr. Brackett was born in Westbrook, Me., March 2, 1820. His father, Reuben Brackett, who was a native of Cumberland and a farmer by occupation, after marriage settled in West- brook, where he engaged successfully in agri- cultural pursuits. Both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Morrill,
and whose native place was Westbrook, lived to an advanced age.
Samuel M. Brackett received a good educa- tion in the schools of Westbrook, and, having grown to manhood, early gave much attention to public affairs, in the administration of which he exhibited sound judgment and good executive ability. He was Deputy Sheriff for twelve consecutive years, and also served as Coroner and in various town offices. In Janu- ary, 1855, he moved to the town of Cumber- land, where he resided for the rest of his life, settling upon a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, and devoting his attention with sys- tematic energy to various branches of agricult- ure. He was well versed in both State and national politics, and was a sagacious man of business. He was a member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1870, and in 1879 was again called to the legislative coun- cils of the State.
On January 4, 1855, Mr. Brackett was united in marriage with Mrs. Harriet Sturdi- vant, daughter of Joseph and Priscilla (Wil- son) Russell, the former of whom was a native of Gray, and the latter of Falmouth. Joseph Russell was a house-joiner, and carried on his trade in Falmouth in connection with farming. He died at the age of sixty-eight years. Ilis wife was a daughter of Nathaniel Wilson, who was one of the first settlers at Poplar Ridge. She was the mother of nine children, five of whom are living; namcly, Eli, Sarah, Mrs. Brackett, Mrs. Lucy Leighton, and Mrs. Eunice Loring. Mrs. Russell lived to reach the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Brackett's first hus- band, whom she married in February, 1843, was Gardner M. Sturdivant, who was born in Cum- berland in July, 1820, and died September 5, 1851, leaving four sons; namely, William, Oscar R , Lyman P., and Alfred M., all of whom are living.
Mr. and Mrs. Brackett have had five chil- dren, as follows: Alma M., wife of Fairfield Whitney, of Feeding Hills, Mass. ; Reuben G., who resides at home; Phillips Russell, who died at the age of twenty-eight; Anne, widow of Samuel K. Hitchings, also residing at the parental home; and Harriet, who died at the age of seven years.
Samuel M. Brackett was liberal in his relig-
149
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ious views, and in politics he was a stanch Democrat. He was a member of Ancient Landmark Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Portland. Mrs. Brackett, an estimable woman, who possesses the respect of the entire community, still resides upon the Cumberland farm, which is carried on by her son, Reuben G. Brackett.
J OHN W. WARREN, a retired cotton manufacturer and real estate owner of Westbrook, was born at the old Warren homestead in that city, January 16, 1847, son of Louis P. and Sarah (Turner) Warren. The family is an old and prominent one in Cumberland County, its ancestors hav- ing settled in Westbrook previous to the in- corporation of the town.
John Warren, second, Mr. Warren's grand- father, was born at the homestead, May 23, 1776, the day on which his eldest brother died, while serving as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. Grandfather Warren, when a young man, engaged in mercantile pursuits, later founding a successful lumber business in Westbrook, where he became prominent in the early development of the town, figuring conspicuously in its affairs as an able, indus- trious, and worthy citizen. He died Septem- ber 10, 1845. His wife, Eleanor Lamb, whom he married on November 29, 1810, was born in that part of Falmouth which is now included within the limits of Westbrook, July 5, 1785. Their three children were named as follows: George, William L., and Louis P. Mr. Warren's grandmother dicd January 13, 1835.
Louis P. Warren, Mr. Warren's father, passed his boyhood and youth in Westbrook, eventually taking up his permanent residence at the homestead. His wife, Sarah Turner, was born in Otisfield, May 21, 1818. Shc be- came the mother of five children, namely: John W., the subject of this sketch; Albert F .; Lelia A .; Edna A .; and Cora B.
John W. Warren commenced his education in the public schools of Westbrook, supple- menting his knowledge of the elementary branches by advanced studies at the Gorham Academy and Limington Academy, and finish- ing with a business course at a commercial col-
lege in Portland. He began active life by en- tering the grocery business in Westbrook as a member of the firm of H. P. Murch & Co .; and he continued as a partner in that concern for some seven years, when he withdrew. He then associated himself with W. K. Dana, and engaged in cotton manufacturing, four years later becoming sole proprietor of the cstablish- ment, and conducting the business for twenty years, or until his retirement in February, 1894, which was caused by failing health. His connection with the manufacturing indus- tries of Westbrook was characterized by a steady advance, his business ability asserting itself prominently in placing and maintaining his enterprise upon a firm financial basis, and his capital invested being made to yield the most satisfactory returns. Since relinquish- ing active business pursuits, he has given his attention to the management and care of his real estate interests, which embrace much val- uable land, together with several tenement- houses, from which he derives a handsome in- come.
On November 7, 1872, Mr. Warren was married to Martha J. Hawkes, of Medway, Mass., daughter of Ahijah Hawkes, and has two sons, namely: John Clifford, who was born September 29, 1879; and Louis P., who was born August 6, 1890. John Clifford is now attending the Westbrook High School, and Louis P. has entered the primary grade.
Mr. Warren is connected with Saccarappa Lodge, No. II, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Cummings Encampment. Though not an office-seeker, he takes a lively interest in public affairs, possessing a thor- ough understanding of local, State, and na- tional political issues; and his influence is always used in securing the election of able candidates for positions of responsibility and trust. Mr. and Mrs. Warren are members of the First Congregational Church.
ONATHAN H. FLETCHER, senior member of the firm of Fletcher & Co., wholesale grocers, provision and flour dealers, of Portland, Me., was born in Westford, Mass., July 27, 1822, son of Adams and Abigail (Davis) Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher
150
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
represents the seventh generation of his family in this country, the line being traced as follows : -
Robert Fletcher, who was born in York- shire, England, in 1592, settled in Concord, Mass., in 1630, in which year seventeen ships arrived in Massachusetts Bay, swelling the number of settlers to twenty-one thousand. He was then thirty-eight years of age. His name appears in the earliest records of the town of Concord, Mass. ; and in the court files of Middlesex County it frequently occurs, ap- pended to petitions for bridges, on jury lists, and in other connections. He was a wealthy and influential man. He died at Concord, April 3, 1677, aged eighty-five years. He reared five sons - Luke, William, Cary, Sam- uel, and Francis.
William Fletcher, the second son, was born in England in 1622, and was eight years old when his father settled in Concord. He was one of the first settlers in Chelmsford, Mass., locating there in 1653, his tract of land em- bracing what is now the city of Lowell. He died November 6, 1677. His wife, Lydia Bates, whom he married in Concord, October 7, 1645, survived him many years, dying Oc- tober 12, 1704. They reared five children, namely: Lydia, who married the Rev. John Fiske; Joshua; Paul; Sarah; and William. Joshua Fletcher was born March 30, 1648, and died November 21, 1713. May 4, 1668, he was married to Grissies Jewell, who died Jan- uary 16, 1682; and July 18, 1682, he was united to his second wife, Sarah Willey. He reared the following children: Joshua; Paul; Rachel; Timothy; John; Joseph; Sarah, who married March 14, 1709, Thomas Reed; Jon- athan; Elizabeth; and Jonas.
Joseph Fletcher, who was commonly known as Captain Fletcher, was born in Chelmsford, Mass., June 10, 1689, and died October 4, 1772. He married November 17, 1712, Sarah Adams, of Concord, Mass., who was born in 1691, and died April 24, 1761. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in Westford, Mass., where the parents settled soon after marriage, and spent the re- mainder of their lives. These children were named as follows: Joseph, Benjamin, Tim- othy, Thomas, Sarah, Edith, Pelatiah, Joshua,
Ruth, and Mary. Pelatiah Fletcher, who also was called Captain Fletcher, was born May 3, 1727, and died February 23, 1807. He was twice married. His first wife, Dorothy Hil- dreth, to whom he was united January 13, 1757, was born August 26, 1736, and was the daughter of James Hildreth. She died June 14, 1782. The second wife, who became Mrs. Fletcher October 13, 1782, was widow Betty Keyes, born Hartwell. Captain Pelatiah Fletcher was the father of twelve children, namely: Betsey, born December 15, 1757; Dorothy, born December 21, 1759; Joseph, born November 6, 1761, who died . December 25, 1765; Sarah, born August 12, 1763, who died August 22, 1783; Lucy, born November 14, 1765, who died July 1, 1766: Pelatiah : Joseph; Lucy; Adams, born March 10, 1773, who died September 27, 1775; Ezra; Polly: and a second Adams, born August 17, 1779.
Adams Fletcher was by occupation a farmer, and spent the greater part of his life in West- ford, Mass. He was twice married, his first wife being Betsey Bateman, of Chelmsford, Mass., to whom he was united May 27, 1806; his second, Abigail Davis. Adams Fletcher was the father of six children, namely : Adams, born January 16, 1807; Betsey, born September 12, 1808, who was married in 1834 to Levi Tufts, of Groton, Mass .; Elzina, born April 17, 1810, who was married March 1, 1832, to James Robbins; Potter Kimball, born December 28, 1813; Abigail Davis, born September 17, 1817, who was married Septem- ber 24, 1842, to Theophilus C. Hersey, of Portland, Me .; and Jonathan Hartwell, the subject of this sketch.
Jonathan Hartwell Fletcher attended the common schools of his native town, and grad- uated from the academy. In 1841 he obtained a position as clerk in the grocery store of Smith & Hersey in Portland; and in 1843 he was taken into partnership, the firm name be- coming Smith, Hersey & Co. He subse- quently bought Mr. Smith's interest ; and busi- ness was transacted thereafter in the name of Hersey, Fletcher & Co. This partnership lasted several years, the next change making the firm name Fletcher & Co., Mr. Franklin Fox becoming a partner. Some years later Mr. Fletcher bought the share of Mr. Fox, and was
151
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
joined in the enterprise by Mr. Edwin Tom- linson. The latter subsequently sold his inter- est, and the business is now entirely in the hands of the Fletcher family. Mr. Fletcher is a man of great business ability, shrewdness, and foresight, who has made his way, step by step, from a subordinate position to that of head of one of the largest mercantile estab- lishments in Portland. The business, which was founded in 1835, commands a first-class patronage; and the large stores at 241 Com- mercial and 2, 4, and 6 Union Streets bear every sign of good management and pros- perity.
In September, 1852, Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage with Mary J. West, daugh- ter of Henry N. and Sarah J. (Gordon) West. Their children are: George H., born October I, 1854, who became associated in business with his father on the retirement of Mr. Tomlinson; Henry Adams, born January 29, 1858, who also is a member of the firm of Fletcher & Co .; Clementine, born June 1, 1862; Marion, born July 9, 1867, who died August 26, 1868; and Mary, attending school in Boston.
In politics Mr. Fletcher favors the Repub- lican party, but is a strong Cleveland man. He served on the Common Council of Portland two years. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to Ligonia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Eastern Star En- campment. The family are members of the Universalist church. They have a beautiful home at 366 Spring Street.
HARLES B. KNEELAND, a well- known resident of Bridgton, Cumber- land County, Me., was born in August, 1846, in the neighboring town of Harrison, being the youngest son of Simeon and Hannah (Richardson) Kneeland, and one of a family of seven sons and three daughters.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.