Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 33

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

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November 26, 1788, and they became the par- ents of ten children. He was for many years a teacher of the younger members of the So- ciety of Friends in Falmouth. He was very religious, and in 1800 was appointed an Elder in the church, an office which he filled until his death, which occurred April 4, 1844.

Nathan Read, son of Noah and Mary (Robinson) Read, and father of Joseph W., was a native of Windham, born March 2, 1795, and lived to the good old age of eighty- four years. He married January 28, 1824, Ruth Horton, a daughter of John Horton, of Portland. Of the five children who were the fruit of this union three are now living; namely, the subject of the present sketch and his two sisters. Emily H. Read, the elder of these, born August 30, 1826, is the wife of Isaiah Jones, and has three children - Charles W., Elmer H., and Frank; Julia W. Read, born September 1, 1831, is the wife of Nathan R. Dyer, of South Portland.

Joseph W. Read acquired his elementary education in Windham, this being supple- mented by an attendance at Westbrook Semi- nary. In 1855 he went to Portland, where he worked for a time as a clerk in a retail grocery store, and then became clerk in the wholesale grocery store on Commercial Street of T. & W. H. Shaw, remaining with them during the year 1857. He was next employed for three years in the wholesale flour and grain estab- lishment of William L. Southard. In 1860 Mr. Read, still remaining in Portland, estab- lished himself in business, and carried on a substantial wholesale trade in groceries until 1876. In that year he returned to Windham, moving on to the old homestead. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster for South Windham, retaining the office four years, two and one- half months; and in 1880 he was elected a member of the Board of Selectmen, in which office he served four consecutive years, being Chairman of the Board the last two years. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.

Mr. Read was married July 9, 1863, to Ellen F. Jordan, daughter of William Jordan, of Portland. They have had seven children, but have been called to part with five. The two now living are: Charles W., born Febru- ary 13, 1866, employed by Chisholm Brothers

in Portland; and Elizabeth Horton Read, born May 22, 1868, and now residing at South Windham with her parents.

HARLES PRITHAM, an enterprising general farmer, residing in the town of Freeport, was born in Old Orchard, Me., November 30, 1839, the son of Samuel and Matilda Pritham. He spent his early years in Old Orchard, receiving a good common-school education, and in 1859 accompanied his parents to Freeport. Like his father, he adopted the vocation of a farmer, which he has since followed. On November 4, 1876, he was married to Mrs. Eleanor Robinson; and they have two children -C. H. Pritham and F. J. Pritham. In politics Mr. Pritham is a Republican.

M. STAPLES, one of the solid business men of Bridgton, was born February 8, 1855, in the town of Naples, Cumberland County, Me., being a son of Charles M. Staples. The father, for many years a resident of Naples, removed to South Bridgton in 1865. He married Miss Sarah N. Center, who became the mother of five chil- dren, two of whom died in infancy. The others were: the subject of this sketch and his two sisters, Mary E. and Annie M.

Mr. Staples acquired his elementary educa- tion in the district schools of his native town, it being supplemented by an attendance at the Bridgton High School and the Bridgton Acad- emy. He remained beneath the parental roof until attaining his majority, when he was en- gaged for a short time in teaching. Two years later Mr. Staples came to Bridgton, entering the store of an uncle, by whom he was engaged as a clerk until 1881. Having paid faithful attention to his duties while thus employed, he had become familiar with the details of mercantile business, and then started in trade for himself, opening a store for the sale of general merchandise and continuing about five years. Wisely investing his money in real estate, he during the first administration of President Cleveland erected the fine building in which the Knights of Pythias have their

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headquarters, and in which the post-office is located. In this block he has also established a store, which he devotes to the sale of gro- ceries and general merchandise, conducting therein a thriving and extensive business. During the summer season Mr. Staples, who is ever wide-awake and active, runs a steamer, the "Lady of the Lake," carrying pleasure parties on lake excursions.

On November 20, 1881, the union of Mr. Staples with Miss Idalyn M. Gove was sol- emnized. Politically, Mr. Staples is a firm supporter of the Republican party, and for some time did excellent and appreciated service as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen; for three years also he was Town Treasurer. H is prominent in social organizations, being a member of the Free Masons, the Odd Fel- lows, and the Knights of Pythias. He is an active worker in the Congregational church, of which both he and his wife are faithful members. Generous and public-spirited, he is ever ready to lend a helping hand toward promoting the advancement and prosperity of . the community in which he now lives, and of which he is a respected member.

APTAIN JACOB B. PINKHAM, a popular member of the farming community of Harpswell, Me., formerly master of a vessel in the West India trade, was born near his present home, July 5, 1823. His parents, Elijah and Lydia (Willson) Pinkham, were natives of Harpswell, where his grandparents on both sides of the house were carly settlers.

His paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Pink- ham, was a native of New Hampshire, and was a farmer by occupation. Many years of his life were spent in Harpswell; and here his son, Elijah Pinkham, likewise followed agri- culture for a livelihood, also taking part in the fishing industry peculiar to the place. He built a comfortable house and rounded out a useful life of ninety years, his wife having been called to rest at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham attended the Methodist church. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living, namely : Joseph; Ann, wife of John Rogers;

Nathaniel; Jacob B., the subject of this sketch; Jane, wife of Ralph Sinnett; Almira; and Elijah J. Susan M. Pinkham died some years ago.

Jacob B. Pinkham remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, aiding his father about the farm and going with him on his fishing expeditions. When he attained his majority, he went to sea, soon rising to be master of a vessel. He was for thirty years Captain of a West Indiaman, spending the greater part of his time at sea; and after a few years passed on the land he took charge of another vessel in the same trade, which he commanded until 1887. In that year he re- signed his position and settled in his present pretty residence, which he planned and erected. He has a fine farm of fifty acres at West Harpswell, overlooking the sea, where he can still enjoy the ocean breezes, and at the same time is surrounded by all the comforts of home life.

On December 19, 1853, Captain Pinkham was married to Hannah A. Bartlett, daughter of Ballard and Annie (Rogers) Bartlett, of Phippsburg, Me., where she was born. Bal- lard Bartlett was a well-to-do farmer. He died at the age of seventy-four, and his wife lived to be ten years older. Seven children were born to Captain and Mrs. Pinkham, four of whom are living: J. Seymour, Captain of a one - thousand - two - hundred -and-thirty-seven- ton vessel, married Fannie Pennell, of North Harpswell, and has three children - Seymour L., Nellie F., and Mabel; William F., a carpenter and joiner, married Carrie Riggs, of Lewiston, Me., and has four children - Florence A., Lloyd, Elsie, and Dwight ; Howard assists his father on the farm; Or- ville S., Captain of a nine-hundred-and-three- ton vessel, makes his home with his father. He married Helen Savage, of Dresden, Me., and has two children - Millard B. and Ber- nard Orville.

Captain Jacob B. Pinkham is a prominent man in the ranks of the Republican party. Though in a Democratic locality, he was elected to the legislatures of 1895 and 1896, served on the Board of Selectmen froni 1890 through 1892, and on the Board of Assessors and Overseers of the Poor for the same length

CHARLES STANWOOD.

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of time, being Chairman of the last-named body in 1891 and 1892. He is a member of the Try Again Lodge of Good Templars of Harpswell. In the Methodist church he has long been Steward and class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school; and his wife, who was a public-school teacher before her marriage, is one of the ablest Sunday- school teachers in the parish. Captain Pink- ham has all the characteristics of a genial and hearty seaman, and is very popular with his townsmen.

HARLES B. COTTON, an enterpris- ing and progressive agriculturist of Gorham, is a native of this town, the date of his birth being Novem- ber 5, 1836. His father, William Cotton, born in 1801, was a lifelong resident of Gor- ham, being the second son of John and Eliza- beth (Chase) Cotton, members of the farming community.

William Cotton industriously followed for many years his trade of cooper, but subse- quently engaged in tilling the soil, living on a farm during his last days. He married Maria, daughter of Joseph Sturgis, of Gorham ; and they reared two children, Charles B. and Howard. The parents were members of the Baptist church, and the father was a Republi- can in politics. Both lived beyond the ap- pointed seventy years of man's life, the father dying in 1876, and the mother in 1885. Howard, the younger son, born in December, 1843, is a resident of Cumberland Mills and an active member of the Republican party. He married Hannah E., daughter of Daniel Billings, of this town; and they have four chil- dren - Helen L., Carroll H., Maria A., and Ralph H. His wife and eldest daughter are members of the Methodist church.

Charles B. Cotton obtained his education in . the place of his nativity, and was subsequently engaged in teaching for several terms, being an instructor in schools at Standish, Wind- ham, and Gorham. Since that time, however, he has given his time and attention to agricult- ure in its various branches. Much of his land is under cultivation, and his farm is well stocked and well equipped for carrying on his

extensive business after the most approved modern methods. His apiary, containing about one hundred and seventy hives of bees, yields him vast quantities of honey, which he markets in Portland and adjoining towns. He has a choice dairy, from which he manu- factures a superior quality of butter, selling it to regular family customers.

Mr. Cotton was married October 25, 1862, to Lizzie E. Douglas, daughter of Freedom Douglas, of Gorham, where her birth occurred September 1, 1845. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, seven are living - Elmer S., Charles S., Bertha, William, Inez C., Walter M., and Ernest L. Elmer S. Cotton, born March 30, 1863, married in 1886 May T., daughter of Edmund Clement, of Cumberland Mills; and their only child is a son, Edmund C., born August 30, 1890. Charles S. Cotton was born March 5, 1866. Bertha, born February 9, 1871, is the wife of Dr. Bertelle F. Worthing, of Augusta. Will- iam Cotton was born February 20, 1873. Inez C. was born November 30, 1875. Wal- ter M. was born June 10, 1879. Ernest L. was born January 22, 1881. In politics Mr. Cotton is independent, having the courage of his convictions, voting for the best men and measures irrespective of party lines. In religious matters he exercises the same right of private judgment, being in faith a strong Second Adventist.

HARLES STANWOOD, shipsmith, an esteemed resident of Woodford's, is busily engaged in all kinds of ship work belonging to his calling, his smithy being located at 310 Commercial Street, at the head of Merchant's Wharf, Port - land, Me. A native of Brunswick, this State, he was born June 17, 1828, son of William, second, and Nancy (Woodside) Stanwood. He is of English antecedents, his grandfather, William Stanwood, first, having been a son of Samuel and grandson of Ebenezer Stanwood, the emigrant ancestor.

William Stanwood, second, was born in Brunswick, where he learned the trade of a ship carpenter, and was also engaged in farm- ing. He died in 1853; and his wife Nancy,

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who was likewisc a native of Brunswick, Me., and a daughter of Adam Woodside, lived until 1880. They had a family of six children, the following being a brief record: Charles is the subject of this brief biographical sketch ; Hugh Dunlap, who was master of the barque "Sea Duck," was lost at sea; William Henry died in 1893 in California; George resides at Cape Elizabeth ; Robert, also one of the crew of the "Sca Duck," was lost during a voyage; and James died in infancy.

Charles Stanwood acquired a good common- school education in his boyhood, attending school in Brunswick and working on the farm until sixteen years old. He then began to learn the blacksmith's trade with Mr. Thomas Knowlton, agrecing to stay with him two years for thirty dollars per year and one month's schooling. Running away, however, before he had served his full time, he went to Bath, where he secured work with Anderson & Smith, shipsmiths, for whom he worked several months, receiving twelve dollars a month wages. Hle subsequently worked a short time for a Mr. Babb, who gave him eighteen dollars a month, being later employed by William Donnell, of the same town. Re- turning to Brunswick, Mr. Stanwood began work for Mr. George Woodward, at Schofield's shipyards, on the ship "Brandywine," con- tinuing there until the vessel was launched. He then came with Mr. Woodward to Portland to assist in finishing the ship, remaining here until the following winter, when he went to Bath to iron a ship, the "Ellen E. Stevens," for Thomas Winslow, in Larrabee & Allen's yard. Going thence to Harpswell, Mr. Stan- wood ironed the brig "Mantanzas," for Nor- ton Stover, afterward returning to Scovill's yard, where he ironed the "Sciota," when that was finished going again to Stover's yard to iron the barque "Panama " and the schooner "Mayflower." Mr. Stanwood was next em- ployed on the Brunswick River, ironing the "Singapore" and the "Annie H. Kimball," later going to Bath to iron the ship "Union" for Thomas Howard. From there he went South in 1852, taking his crew with him, and ironed the ship "Neptune " for Carr, Page & Allen in Virginia.

In 1853 Mr. Stanwood returned to Bruns-

wick, where he worked for different people, ironing many ships, among them being the "Redwood," "William Woodside," "Sam Dunning," the "Daniel Elliott," and after- ward worked on various vessels, including the "Joseph Badger," the "State of Maine," and two schooners. In 1856 Mr. Stanwood settled in Portland, working for three years for the Portland Company. In 1860 he went to Aspinwall, South America, and was em- ployed for a time on the Panama Railway. Returning in 1863 to this city, he at once bought a half-interest in the blacksmith busi- ness of Fred K. Hatch; and a year and a half later he bought out the other half, continuing the business alone at the same location, 162 Commercial Street, for a score of years. In 1870 he tore down the old shops, and, in com- pany with his brother George, built the new ones. He has here ironed many barques, ships, schooncrs, and brigs, working for- N. Stover, R. Lewis & Co., J. S. Winslow & Co., and Charles H. Chase; and in many of these vessels (here designated by a *) he has had an interest : "Manuela," the "Ella and Anna, "* "Ellen," "Tattay,"* "Archer;" "Ella," "Sarmento," "Samuel B. Hale," "Selina, "Clara M. Goodrich," "Bruns- wick," "Samuel E. Spring,"* "Isaac Jack- son,' " Rufus E. Wood," " Portland

"Philena

Lloyds,' "* Winslow,' "Carrie Winslow,' "Ellen Crusoe, " the "Annie Lewis, " and the "Charles R. Lewis."

Of Mr. Stanwood's union with Maria Ross, daughter of Robert and Jane (Woodside) Ross, scven children have been born, as follows: Charles W., a blacksmith; Robert R .; Jane R., who died in young womanhood; Richard M. ; Georgie; Janie; and Allie. In his po- litical affiliations Mr. Stanwood is an uncon- promising Democrat. In 1870 he served as a member of the City Council. In religion he is a liberal Christian, attending the Uni- versalist church.

HARLES C. WIGGIN is well qualified for the position of Town Treasurer, which office he has held in Freeport since 1891, being a man of good business ability, sagacious, and pru-

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dent, and one whose cordial manner has won him many friends. He was born in Scarboro, Me., on January 26, 1844, son of Ethan and Abigail (Prout) Wiggin.

Benjamin Wiggin, his paternal grandfather, was a native of New Hampshire, where the family name has been prominent from the early settlement of the State. He removed to Maine, and was among the successful farmers of his day. He resided at Cape Eliza- beth for several years near the close of his life, and died there at the advanced age of eighty- one years. During the Revolutionary War he was a patriot soldier, rendering service for seven years. He was the father of three chil- dren - two sons and a daughter - all of whom grew up and two married. Ethan Wiggin, his eldest son, became a seafarer in early man- hood; and during the forty years in which he followed his vocation he was commander on different vessels and visited many of the prin- cipal ports of the world. He then retired and spent his last years on a farm in Scarboro, Me., where he died in July, 1879, at upward of eighty years of age. In his younger days he was a Whig, but after the formation of the Republican party he became a supporter of the latter. Liberal in his religious views, he was an occasional attendant of the Congregational church. His wife, Abigail Prout, survived him just one year, dying in July, 1880, at eighty-one years of age. Nine children were born to them, eight of whom grew to maturity, and five are still living, as follows: George Wiggin, who during the Civil War served in the United States Navy, being the Captain of the "Tennessee, " one of the ships in Admiral Farragut's fleet, also Captain of the "Colonel Kinsman," now residing in Townsend, Del. ; John Wiggin, of Scarboro, Me. ; Charles C. Wiggin; Mrs. Mary Means, the widow of Cyrus Means, residing at Old Orchard, Me. ; and Abbie P., the wife of Captain William A. McNulty, an officer in the late war, now resid- ing in Washington, D. C.

Charles C. Wiggin remained with his parents until after he attained his majority, acquiring his education in the public schools of Scarboro. In 1868, at twenty-four years of age, he went to Culpeper, Va., and for two years was profitably engaged in mercantile

business. Returning to Maine at the end of that time, he was engaged in various lines of business in Scarboro until 1880; and about two years later he settled in Pownal and was engaged in farming for three years. In 1885 he removed to Freeport village, where he still resides, having since then for the most part been engaged in general farming, carrying on the land which he owns in Freeport. He was married at Pownal, Me., on January 10, 1882, to Miss Mary A. Curtis, who was born in Pownal and is a daughter of Franklin and Statira B. (True) Curtis. Her ancestors were among the early settlers of Cumberland County.

Mr. Wiggin is a loyal supporter of the Re- publican party. He is a member of Freeport Lodge, No. 23, A. F. & A. M., and of Harra- seeket Lodge, Knights of Pythias. In relig- ious views he is liberal, and his wife is a com- municant of the Baptist church. They reside in their fine residence in the village of Free- port.

DWIN A. BODGE, a public-spirited citizen of Windham, Me., his native place, has done much to promote the interests of this town, more especially of the village of South Windham. He was born on May 18, 1835. His father, the late Josiah Bodge, and his grandfather, Thomas Bodge, were both lifelong residents of Windham.

The grandfather was a farmer by occupation, and in this healthful labor passed the active part of his seventy-five years. He married Betsey Mayberry, of Windham, and they be- came the parents of ten children, of whom four are now living, namely : Susan, wife of Thomas Smith, who has six children - Josiah William, George T., Melissa J., John A., Charity Ann, and Abner T .; Andrew, who married Sarah Manson, of Standish, and has six children - Peter A., Susan J., Betsey, Sarah, William, and Clinton; John A., who married Esther A. Harmon, of Standish, and has four children - George M., Emily J., Henry W., and Edward M. ; and Eunice. The latter has been twice married. Her first husband, Joseph Hawkes, of Windham, left her with one child, a daugh- ter, Harriet A. Hawkes; and by her second

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husband, William F. Sawyer, she also has a daughter, Ella J. Sawyer.

Josiah Bodge was born March 29, 1805, and died in 1886. During his ycars of active life he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning about forty acres of land. He was respected as an industrious and up- right man and a useful citizen. His first wife, Isabel Richards, of Cape Elizabeth, whom he wedded on August 16, 1831, died February 10, 1864. Four children were born of their union, two of whom are now living, namely: Edwin A., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Ann E. Ann E. Bodge, born May 15, 1842, is the wife of Frank A. Cloudman, of Westbrook, Me., and has three children - Frank H., Cora B., and Andrew C. On August 8, 1865, Josiah Bodge married Mrs. Eunice F. Emery, widow of David Emery and a daughter of Elias Means, of Saco. Three children were born of this union, one of whom is now living, Joseph F. Emery. He was born in Clinton, Me., and after his marriage with Miss Annie Davis, of Portland, removed to Savannah, Ga., where he is now a resident.

Edwin A. Bodge acquired his education in the public schools of his native town, and, like the majority of farmers' boys, early began to make himself useful at home. After learn- ing the shoemaker's trade, he followed it in connection with farm labors for nearly fifteen years, but has since given his whole attention to agriculture. An active member of the Re- publican party, Mr. Bodge has been identified with the best interests of the town since at- taining manhood, and has served his fellow- citizens in various capacities. From 1878 until 1880 inclusive he was Town Collector, and the two succeeding years he was one of the Board of Selectmen. Socially, Mr. Bodge is a Knight of Pythias, belonging to Oriental Lodge, No. 17, of Windham. Religiously, he is a valued member of the Free Will Bap- tist church.

Mr. Bodge was first married in January, 1854, to Mary, daughter of Amos Hanson, of this place. She passed to the higher life beyond April 28, 1864, leaving no issue. Mr. Bodge was united in wedlock with Esther C. Haskell, daughter of Oliver Haskell, of

Windham, on January 13, 1867, and they have two children, as follows: Mary E., who was born July 10, 1868, is the wife of Eugene Hawkes, of Gorham, and has one child, Esther M., born July 20, 1895; and Charles A. Bodge, born March 28, 1870.

DWIN L. GODING, the well-known Treasurer and Manager of the Shaw, Goding Shoe Company of Portland, Me., was born in North Livermore, Andro- scoggin County, March 6, 1851, son of Ephraim and Harriet (Bumpus) Goding. His father, who was a native of Livermore, was born July 9, 1820, the year when the Missouri Com- promise Bill was passed, and Maine became a State.

After moving to Portland in 1850, Mr. Ephraim Goding carried on the grocery busi- ness and afterward the fruit business for many - years. He still lives in Portland, but has retired from mercantile activities. His wife was a native of Mercer, Me. She died in 1892, leaving three sons, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. M. R. Goding, the second son, is Cashier of Casco National Bank of this city. H. F. Goding, the third son, is now employed by the same bank. Jonathan Goding, the grandfather, was a farmer, who spent his life at Livermore, but his ancestors came from Watertown, Mass.

Edwin L. Goding, the special subject of this biographical sketch, was graduated from the Portland High School in the class of 1867, and was then employed by C. H. Breed & Co., wholesale manufacturers of boots and shoes on Union Street, with whom he re- mained during their continuance as a firm. Mr. Goding has followed this business enter- prise through successive changes. The firm name first changed to Walden & Shaw, and later to Shaw, Goding & Co. In December, 1873, they moved to the present location on Middle Street. In August, 1895, the Shaw, Goding Shoe Company was incorporated with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars.

Mr. Goding, having been connected with the business since its foundation, is thoroughly conversant with all its details, and has proved a most efficient manager. This corporation

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 33

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