Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 27

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 722

USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 27

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In 1876 Mr. Thomas was chosen one of the Presidential electors at large, and at the meet- ing of the State electors at Augusta was made President of the Electoral College of Maine. He voted in favor of the election of Mr. Hayes.

Mr. Thomas, Neal Dow, W. D. Little, and others organized in 1827 the Portland Tem- perance Society, which was one of the earliest temperance societies in the State; and he has now in his possession the Secretary's book, containing the preamble and a long list of signers, among them some very prominent names. He has always been an earnest sup- porter of the cause of temperance, and has never used intoxicating drinks or tobacco in any form during his long life. In 1827 Mr. Thomas united with the Second Parish Con- gregational Church, Dr. Payson, pastor, and is now the oldest living member.

For seventy-four years Mr. Thomas has taken an active part in the business life of his native city. In the course of this long busi- ness career he has accumulated a large fort- une; but he has acquired every dollar of it by fair, open, and honorable dealing. He has also ever been a cheerful giver. As his fort- une has increased, so also have his benefac- tions. Many are the institutions that have been helped, and hundreds the homcs that have been brightened by the largess of his hand and the benediction of his heart.

Mr. Thomas is to-day the oldest merchant and banker, and he is also the most venerable and highly respected citizen of Portland. So

true are the words of ancient Scripture, "The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness."

DWARD W. DOLLOFF, Deputy Sheriff of the County of Cumberland, Me., is a native of Standish, the date of his birth being October 14, 1857. His grand- father, William Dolloff, was for many years a farmer in Carroll County, New Hampshire, living in the towns of Jackson and Bartlett. In 1850 he came to Maine, purchasing a farm of seventy-five acres in Standish, where he car- ried on general husbandry until his death, at the age of fifty-six years. He married Lucy Nute, of Jackson, N.H .; and they became the parents of four children, two of whom are now living - Gencva and Charles. Geneva Dolloff is the wife of Almon Marean, of Standish, and has five children-Fred, Albert O., Thcodore B., Walter E., and Robie C. Charles Dolloff married Julia Cousins, and has six children Lottie, Lucy, William, Almeda, Annie, and Henry. Grandfather Dolloff was a sound Democrat in politics, and he and his wife at- tended the Baptist church.

William Dolloff, Jr., son of William and Lucy, and father of Edward W., was the eldest child of the grandfather's family, his birth having occurred in New Hampshire, January II, 1831. In his early manhood he was em- ployed in driving a team from Cornish to Port- land, taking three days to make the round trip, afterward changing his route from Stand- ish to Portland, being engaged in this business some five years. He then learned the cooper's trade, which he followed in Standish fifteen years, when he settled on the farm that he had previously bought. After the death of his first wife he sold his farm, and removed to Gorham, going into trade with Fred Marean, under the firm name of Dolloff & Marean, con- ducting a general store for three years. Dis- posing of his business, he then went to North Windham, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise in 1893. He was twice married. His first wife, Ann M. Warren, of Standish, whom hc espoused Janu- ary II, 1857, died in 1884, leaving two chil- dren - Edward W. and Hattie M., the latter,

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born September 2, 1865, being now the wife of Horace Buzzell, of Portland. The father and mother were members of the Orthodox church. After the death of his first wife William Dolloff married Mrs. Martha (Man- chester) York. In politics he was a steadfast Republican.

Edward W. Dolloff acquired his elementary education in the place of his nativity, after- ward completing his course of study at the Portland Business College. In 1879 he started West to seek his fortune, going to California, where he worked two ycars for the North Beach & Mission Railway Company. Returning in 1881 to Standish, Mr. Dolloff began coopcring, and a year and a half later purchased a farm of forty acres, carrying it on two years. Then selling his farm, he re- moved to Michigan, but did not stay there very long. Again coming to his native town, he resumed work at coopering, continuing until 1887, when he bought a half-interest in the general store of William H. Libby, with whom he remained in partnership three years. In 1890 he bought out Mr. Libby; and he has since conducted the business alone, having in the mean time built up an extensive and profit- able local trade.

In politics Mr. Dolloff is an carnest sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and has been prominent in town affairs, serving most acceptably in various offices of importance. He was Selectman of Standish in 1891 and 1892, being Chairman of the Board the last year; and in 1894 he was elected Town Clerk and Treasurer, offices to which he was re-elected the following year, and re-elected again this year for 1896. In 1895 he was appointed to his present position of Deputy Sheriff. Socially, he is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 20, Knights of Pythias, of Stecp Falls, Standish, and Knights of Honor, No. 3333, Watchic Lodge.

Mr. Dolloff was married October 12, 1882, to Addie J., daughter of Wesley Spcar, of this town. They have four children, namely : Harold W., born March 25, 1884; Ethel M., born March 11, 1886; and Orin P., born July 13, 1890; and Philip E., born January 20, 1896. Mrs. Dolloff is a conscientious mem- ber of the Congregational church.

ILLIAM HENRY BLANCHARD. who conducts general farming suc- cessfully in North Yarmouth, Me., was born in Pittsfield, Somerset County, in this State, November 18, 1832, son of Reuben and Mary E. (Johnson) Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard's great-grandfather, Joshua Blanch- ard, was one of the very first settlers in North Yarmouth; and his grandfather, William Blanchard, was a lifelong resident of this town. He was a successful farmer, owning a good farm; and he was a worthy and esteemed member of the community. He died at the age of seventy-four, and his wife lived to rcach the age of eighty years. Their family consisted of five children, four of whom lived to attain a good age.

Reuben Blanchard was born upon the farm where his son William Henry now lives, and at an carly age he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He succeeded to the ownership of the property, upon which he continued to re- side; and he always maintained a comfortable prosperity, being a good practical, industrious farmer. His death took place in 1864, at . the age of fifty-eight years. He was a Republican in politics. His wife, Mary E. Johnson, who was a native of North Yarmouth, became the mother of four sons and two daughters, and of these two are now living, namely: William Henry, the subject of this sketch, who is the elder; and Payson N., a prosperous farmer, of Cumberland. The others were: Emma, Mary F., and Albert A. Mrs. Mary E. Blanchard died November 7, 1877. Mr. Blanchard's parents were members of the Congregational church.

William Henry Blanchard acquired his ele- mentary education in the common schools of North Yarmouth, and pursued more advanced studies at the academy. He grew to manhood upon the home farm; and at the age of twenty he began to learn the trade of a mason, which be followed as an occupation steadily for twelve years. He then made three voyages as a sailor, and, returning, finally settled upon the home farm, which he now owns and occu- pies. His property contains one hundred acres of land, which he has greatly improved by judicious management; and he conducts general farming with satisfactory results.

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On January 1, 1870, Mr. Blanchard was married to Emma H. Howe, who was born in Boston, Mass., December 25, 1843, daughter of Enos and Martha (Libbie) Howe. Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard have had three children, namely : Cora Mayne, who was born January 27, 1871, and is now residing in North Yar- mouth ; Albert L., who was born November I, 1875, and died in North Yarmouth on Febru- ary 1, 1896; and Selden F., who was born May 28, 1879, and died January 17, 1888.

Mr. Blanchard is a representative of one of the oldest families in his part of the town, and is well and favorably known as an energetic farmer and a kind-hearted neighbor. He sup- ports the Republican party in politics, and at- tends the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Blanchard is a member.

ZEKIEL JORDAN SYLVESTER, a prominent resident of Otisfield, in the extreme northern part of Cumberland County, was born in Casco, Me., October 8, 1823, son of Zadoc and Mary (Jordan) Sylves- ter. The family is well known in Cumber- land County, and Mr. Sylvester traces his ancestors back for seven generations.

Zadoc Sylvester was a native and lifelong resident of Casco, where he followed the trade of a carpenter in connection with farming dur- ing the active period of his life, and where he died in 1879. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Jordan, was born in Casco. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Martha A., who married Charles Perkins, of Vermont, and is no longer living; George B., late a carpenter and contractor of Lowell, Mass., who married Nancy R. Howard, and died October 8, 1894; Ezekiel J., the subject of this sketch; Zadoc, who married a Miss Lagro, and lives in Windham, Me .; and Eliphalet, his twin brother, who married a Miss Robinson, and is now residing in Loui- siana. The mother died in 1825.

Ezekiel Jordan Sylvester had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was but two years old, and he resided with his father and friends in Casco until he reached the age of eight. After spending a short time with an aunt in Bridgton, he lived with his uncle in Turner

for two years, and at the age of eleven came to Otisfield, where he found a home in the family of Joseph M. Knight, with whom he remained until he was nineteen. He then went to Lowell, Mass., and entered the em- ploy of the Lawrence Manufacturing Com- pany, continuing there for seventeen years, and for a number of years was overseer of · weaving. His health becoming impaired, he returned to Cumberland County, and settled upon his present farm in Otisfield. He en- gaged in agricultural pursuits with energy, making the best of his means and opportuni- ties; and in 1855 he purchased the property, which consists of one hundred and twenty-five acres of productive land, upon which he has made all the improvements. Of late years he has devoted special attention to the cultiva- tion of fruit, onions, hay, and grain, with gratifying success. He was formerly quite an extensive stock raiser, but has relinquished that branch of agriculture.

He was originally a Whig in politics, but since the formation of the Republican party has zealously supported its principles, and was for many years a political leader in his local- ity. He has served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen, has been Town Agent and Constable for the town, and has acted as a Justice of the Peace, and of the Quorum for twenty years, being still in office, in his seventy-third year.

On November 15, 1846, Mr. Sylvester was united in marriage with Mariam T. Sargent, who was born in Strafford, Vt., May 18, 1823. Mrs. Sylvester's parents, Robert and Lucinda (Tuttle) Sargent, who are no longer living, were natives of Vermont, and always resided in that State, the former a blacksmith and farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Sylves- ter have one son, Herbert Milton, who was born February 20, 1849, and is now an attorney and counsellor-at-law in Boston. He mar- ried Clara M. Elder, of Portland, August 5, 1872, and has one son, named Robert Elder, who is now in his office. Herbert M. Sylves- ter is a successful lawyer and a prominent Mason, having advanced to the thirty-second degree. Mr. Sylvester is a self-made man, his prosperity as here shown being due to his own unaided exertions. He is a charter mem-

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ber of Crooked River Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and both he and his wife are united with the Congregational church, of which for a number of years he was clerk.

ILLIAM HALEY. Among the prominent residents of Sebago, Cumberland County, Me., is Will- iam Haley, who is well and favorably known for his able service in the public affairs of the town as a member of the Board of Selectmen and of the School Board. His residence in Sebago dates from his birth, which took place July 2, 1825.

He was named for his father, William Haley, Sr., who followed the trade of a black- smith in connection with farming, and was known as an energetic, industrious man and a worthy citizen. His wife, Mary Johnson, became the mother of eleven children, eight of whom lived to reach maturity.

William Haley, son of William and Mary (Johnson) Haley, attended the schools of his native town in his early years; and after fin- ishing his studies he assisted in conducting the farm, also working with his father in the smithy. He remained at home until his mar- riage, when he settled upon a farm formerly owned by his wife's father, and applied him- self steadily to agricultural pursuits for some years. On December 30, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Thirtieth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the service of his country at Augusta. The regiment was ordered to join the Depart- ment of the Gulf at New Orleans; and Mr. Haley was among those who participated in military operations upon the Mississippi River, accompanying the regiment as far as Alexander, when he was sent to the hospital in New Orleans, where he was confined for two months. He was then given a furlough, dur- ing which he visited his home; and while he was there his leave of absence was extended one month. Upon reporting for duty he was ordered to rejoin his regiment in the Shenan- doah Valley ; and he continued in active ser- vice until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with his company, August 20, 1865. Having completed an honorable term

of service, he resumed his former occupation at the farm, and has continued to reside here. His property consists of one hundred and twenty-five acres of good land, which he de- votes to general farming; and by diligent ap- plication of his energies he has derived a good income therefrom.

On May 14, 1849, Mr. Haley was united in marriage with Miriam S. Pugsley, who was born upon this farm, her father, John Pugsley, having settled here in 1817, and made most of the improvements in the property. Mr. and Mrs. Haley have four children, as follows: Elzira, wife of O. A. Douglas; John F. ; Sarah D .; and William W., the sons both re- siding at home.

In local affairs Mr. Haley has always evinced a lively interest, and has rendered his share of service to the town whose welfare he guarded with ability for five years as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen. He also served upon the School Board for one year, and has in other ways proved his usefulness to the community. In politics he supports the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic.

RANK A. LIBBY, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist of the town of Bridgton, was born December 28, 1845, in the town and county of Oxford, Me., being one of eight children, three sons and five daughters, born to Thomas and Nancy (Hil- bourne) Libby. Mr. Libby had the misfort- une when but five years old to lose his father by death. He continued to live with his mother until a boy of fourteen, when he left the district school, which he attended rather irregularly, in order to learn the blacksmith's trade. He worked at his trade until 1864, when, on September 6, he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company A, Thirtieth Maine Volun- teer Infantry. His regiment was ordered to Virginia, where it was stationed before Win- chester for some months, being afterward em- ployed to guard Washington, where Mr. Libby and his fellow-comrades remained until June, 1865. They then returned to Maine, and were mustered out of service at Lewiston.

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Taking up once more the duties of civil life, Mr. Libby resumed his former occupation for a time, giving it up in November, 1865, when he moved on to his present farm. The lot, which he at first purchased, consists of one hundred acres of rich and fertilc land, which under his management yields bounti- fully of the crops common to this section of the country. He has since bought other real estate, his property including two hundred and fifty acres of land, some of it being covered with valuable timber. In addition to general agriculture, he carries on an extensive lumber business, meeting with much success in all of his operations. Socially, Mr. Libby is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic; and, politically, he is a sturdy Democrat. In 1864 Mr. Libby was married to Miss Julia S. Morrison, a daughter of William A. and Malinda (Ingalls) Morrison, and sister of John Morrison, an account of whose life will be found elsewhere in this work. The union

of Mr. and Mrs. Libby has been perfccted by the birth of four children, as follows: George A., who married the only daughter of Joseph L. Parker, of Lovell, Me., a highly respected young lady ; Linnie M., a graduate of Bridg- ton High School, class of 1887, and one of Bridgton's most successful school teachers; Warren S., a graduate of Shaw's Business College, now employed at George C. Shaw & Co.'s grocery store, Portland; and Myron L., the youngest of the family, who continues to live with his parents.

ERMAN M. CASTNER, proprietor of the West End Hotel, Portland, and Secretary of the G. F. Quinn Refrigerator Company, was born in Damariscotta, Me., September 24, 1860, his parents being Joseph W. and Sarah (Mero) Castner. His father is now a resident of Damariscotta, where he follows the occupation of a spar-maker. He and his wife reared a family of six children, namely : Herman M., the subject of this sketch; Laura, who mar- ried Kendall Dunbar; Frank, who is cashier at the West End Hotel; Edward; Helen; and Walter A., who is clerk at the hotel.

Herman M. Castner received his education

in the common and high schools of his native town; and, after completing his studies, he entered the grocery store of George W. Brown in Damariscotta as a clerk, remaining in that business for two years. He then served an apprenticeship at spar-making; and, after finishing his trade, he entered into partnership with his father in the manufacturing of spars, and continued in the business for twelve years. He next engaged in the restaurant business, which he conducted for seven years ; and during the years of 1890, 1891, and 1892 he was quite largely interested in the ice busi- ness. In May, 1892, he acquired possession of the West End Hotel in Portland, which at that time contained but forty-three rooms, and was not in favor with the travelling public. His first day's receipts amounted to three dol- lars and seventy cents; but business rapidly improved under his capable management, and in 1894 he was obliged to build an addition to the hotel, which increased his capacity to one hundred and twenty-two rooms. The West End has become a favorite with travellers, being especially desirable on account of its close proximity to the Union Station. Mr. Castner has a farm of fifteen acres, which is situated just beyond the city limits; and here he keeps cattle, swine, and poultry, and raiscs farm products for his table, having on the place at the present time about one hundred and thirty-two hogs, five cows, three horses, and a large flock of hens. Aside from his hotel business he is interested in the G. F. Quinn Refrigerator Company of Portland, being Secretary, Treasurer, and General Agent of that thriving concern.

In politics Mr. Castner is a Republican, and has frequently been solicited to accept nominations to public office, but has been forced to decline, as his business interests demand his undivided attention. He is prom- inent in Masonic circles, being a member of Portland Commandery, and of Kora Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Lewiston, Me.

He is an active and progressive young busi- ness man, a great favorite with the travellers who frequent his hostelry and highly es- teemed by his numerous friends and acquaint- tances at home. Mr. Castner married Allura Sanborn, daughter of Dexter and Eliza San-

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born; and she shares largely in her husband's popularity.

AVID P. SINNETT, of Bailey's Island, Harpswell, Me., grocer, boat builder, and wholesale dealer in fish, was born on this island, October 19, 1843. He is the son of Hugh and Margaret (Perry) Sinnett and grandson of James and Mary (Johnson) Sinnett, all lifelong residents of Harpswell.

James Sinnett was born on Orr's Island, but resided for many years on Bailey's Island, where he was one of the pioneer settlers. Be- sides clearing and cultivating a farm, in the season for fishing he spent much of his time on the sea, obtaining large quantities of fish, which he cured and disposed of to good advan- tage. He lived to be ninety-two years of age. His wife, Mary Johnson, was the daughter of one of the original owners of Bailey's Island, her father and two others building the first houses here. She lived to be sixty-nine years of age, spending her life, from the time of her birth until she closed her eyes forever, on the island.

Hugh Sinnett was one of the nine children born to James and Mary Sinnett. He learned to cure fish with his father when a boy, and in his mature manhood owned a number of fish- ing-vessels. He is yet living on Bailey's Island, which has been his home from the time of his birth, and at the advanced age of eighty- one is remarkably active, in full possession of all his faculties. Though exposed to all kinds of weather in the pursuit of his arduous call- ing, he has never known what it is to be ill; and his cheek to-day has the ruddy glow of perfect health. His wife Margaret is a daugh- ter of Captain David Perry, a native of Thomaston, Me., who also was a seafaring man, master of a vessel. Captain Perry died at the age of thirty-five, leaving eight chil- dren, only one of whom, Mrs. Sinnett, is liv- ing to-day. She is eighty years of age, and, like her husband, is in perfect health and in possession of all her faculties. A remarkable couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Sinnett have lived together fifty-seven years, exempt from sickness. Alert and intelligent, they are fine

types of a class which forms one of the pecul- iar features of the State of Maine -old people who know not the decrepitude of senil- ity. They attend the Union Church on the island. Two children only blessed their union -- Charles N. and David P. Charles N. Sinnett, who is a Congregational minister, is at present settled in New Hampshire.

David P. Sinnett received a good common- school education, and carly acquired a knowl- edge of the fishing business, accompanying his father on fishing trips and aiding him in cur- ing the fish. About 1876 he purchased a store on Bailey's Island, about a quarter of a mile farther up the bay than his present loca- tion; and he was there successfully engaged in the grocery business seven years. He then built what is now known as Sinnett's Wharf, and started in the wholesale fish trade, buying from the fishermen of the locality and ship- ping large quantities to Portland, Boston, and New York. This venture also was a success. Some idea of the extent of his transactions may be gained from the statement that in 1892 he bought and sold three thousand quintals of fish. Mr. Sinnett's present store on Bailey's Island is stocked with a full line of groceries and with fishermen's supplies of all kinds. He is also engaged in boat building, produc- ing various kinds of boats for fishing and pleasure parties; and with all his other inter- ests he deals extensively in wood and coal.

Mr. Sinnett was married in 1868 to Mary Alexander, daughter of Perry Alexander, a fisherman who was a native and lifelong resi- dent of Bailey's Island. Mrs. Sinnett died in 1886, at the age of forty-five, leaving three children - Chester, a fisherman, who married Jennie Stetson, of Auburn, Me. ; Herbert P., in the same business, married to Bessie Baker, of Auburn, Me .; and Maggie, who superin- tends her father's household.

Politically, Mr. Sinnett is independent. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Red Men and of the United Order of the Golden Cross, belonging to the Lodge of each of these societies on Orr's Island ; and in the Golden Cross Lodge he has held all the offices and been through all the chairs. He attends the Union Church on Bailey's Island. Gifted with rare intelligence and

DAVID P. SINNETT.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 27

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing Company Number of Pages: 722

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 722