Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 34

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

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employs one hundred and fifty hands, besides eight travelling agents; and their product supplies the best retail trade east of the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Goding is also Treasurer and Manager of the Casco Paper Box Company, a growing enterprise, which he in connection with other business firms organized. Besides this he is President of the Diamond Island Association, and is actively engaged in pro- moting its interests. He owns a beautiful summer residence there and a number of cottages and lots.

Mr. Edwin L. Goding is a member of Beacon Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was one of the charter members of the Portland Encampment. His wife, whom he married in August, 1882, was Marion S. Longley, daughter of John H. Longley, of Macon, Ga. Mr. and Mrs. Goding have three interesting children - Florence, Emily, and Margaret Goding. The family attend the State Street Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Goding is a member.

REGORY CROSTON, late an es- teemed citizen of Standish, Me., where his widow, Mrs. Lucinda Paine Croston, still makes her home, was born in Ireland, October 1, 1829, and was a son of William and Sarah (Hawkes) Croston. He came to America when fifteen years of age, locating in Ellsworth, Me., and for many years followed the sea. He sailed at first as a com- mon sailor before the mast, but afterward be- came master of a vessel, and made many long voyages, going to nearly every quarter of the globe, becoming especially familiar with French and Spanish ports, much of his trad- ing being confined to the Mediterrancan shores, but likewise visiting the important harbor towns of Cuba and South America.

Mr. Croston was first married in 1857 to Anna Clark, of Ellsworth. They settled in Portland, where two children, neither of whom is now living, were born, and where his first wife, Mrs. Anna C. Croston, died in 1861. Four years later, on April 18, 1865, he marricd Miss Lucinda Paine, a daughter of William Paine, who was a lifelong resident of Standish.

Mr. Paine was born on January 12, 1796,

and died November 8, 1881. For many years hc was engaged in the cooper's trade. He was one of the foremost politicians of the town, being a prominent factor of the Repub- lican party, very active in town and county affairs, serving as County Commissioner from 1854 until 1857, and during and after the war as Town Clerk and Treasurer for two years. For fifteen years thereafter he filled the office of Deputy Sheriff, being likewise a member of the Board of Selectmen; and from 1866 until his demise he was Postmaster at Stand- ish. Religiously, hc was a Unitarian. He marricd Louisa, daughter of David Otis, of Limington. Of their four children two are now living - Lucinda P. ( Mrs. Croston); and Marcia A., wife of John D. Higgins. Mrs. Paine, now eighty-nine years of age, livcs with her daughter, Mrs. Croston. She is a member of the Congregational Church of Standish.

After his second marriage Mr. Croston, who continued his sea voyages, removed to Stand- ish, where he purchased the residence now oc- cupied by Mrs. Croston. Of this union two children were born, but both have passed to the life immortal. Mr. Croston dicd in 1886. In politics he was a stanch Republican. Re- ligiously, he attended and contributed toward the support of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Croston is a member, He was a Master Mason, belonging to the Standish Lodge, and was also a member of the Marine Association of Portland.

RANKLIN A. SKILLINS, an able and successful agriculturist, owning and occupying a large farm at South Portland, Me., formerly a part of Cape Eliza- beth, is a native-born citizen, the date of his birth being August 22, 1853.

Among the original settlers of Cape Eliza- beth were a family of the name of Skillins; and herc Danicl Skillins, the paternal grand- father of Franklin A., was born May 31, 1764, he being the fifth child and the eldest son of his parents. He continued to reside on the Capc during his entire life, becoming one of the well-to-do farmers and a valued citi- zen, doing his part toward promoting the

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growth and prosperity of this section of Cum- berland County. He was an old-time Whig and a regular attendant of the Methodist church. His wife, Jane Johnson, bore him eight children, Silas, father of Franklin, being born on the present homestead, May 17, I 801.

Silas Skillins attended the pioneer schools, and from his earliest boyhood days worked on the farm, eventually succeeding to the ownership of the old homestead property. In 1845 he erected a saw-mill on his place, and for ten years or more he carried on the manu- facture of lumber in conjunction with general farming. He followed the faith of his father in religion, but became a Democrat in his political affiliations. He married on Novem- ber 24, 1835, Miriam Ward, daughter of Na- thaniel Ward, of Kennebunkport, Me. Of their eight children that grew to years of dis- cretion, five are now living, Franklin A. being the youngest child. The cldest, Lucy Ward Skillins, born August 18, 1836, died November 23, 1840; Daniel Ward Skillins, now a resident of Medford, Mass., was born August II, 1838, and married Adelaide Gould, of Kennebunkport; John Johnson, born Oc- tober 29, 1840, learned the trade of a house carpenter, and is now residing in Westbrook, Me., where he married Mary Ellen Trickey ; Edwin Augustus, born June 23, 1846, died September 11, 1847 ; Hezekiah, born April 19, 1847, died September 14, the same year; Silas Edwin, now of Richmond, Me., was born November 12, 1848, and married Eunice Pur- rington, of Bowdoin; Augustus Eugene, a resident of Hartford, this State, born Fcbru- ary 8, 1851, married Lois Anna Thompson, of the Cape.

Franklin A. Skillins was the seventh son born to the parental household. He received his elementary cducation in the district schools of the Cape, being further advanced in learn- ing by an attendance at the Westbrook Semi- nary. Mr. Skillins has since been busily employed in agricultural pursuits on the home- stead farm. The estate contains one hundred and forty acres, of which over fifty are in a good state of cultivation, yielding abundantly of the crops common to this part of the coun- try. By his personal integrity and his up-

right dealings with all with whom he has business transactions Mr. Skillins has won the confidence of his fellow-townsmen, and is everywhere held in high respect. Socially, he is a member of the Golden Cross, No. 379, and of Stroudwater Commandery, Knights Templars; and, politically, he is a supporter of the Democratic party.

Mr. Skillins and Anna Bellc Chaplin, daughter of Alonzo C. Chaplin, of this place, were united in marriage on November 17, 1880; and their wedded life has been cheered by the advent of threc bright and interesting children, namely: Harry Alonzo, born No- vember 12, 1881; Silas Franklin, born May 5, 1888; and Howard Chaplin, born June II, 1893.

J EDEDIAH AUGUSTINE PRATT, of the Portland Paper Box Company, is a . native of Poland, Androscoggin County,

Me. He was born March 3, 1841, son of Jedediah and Sarah (Partridge) Pratt. His father was born and reared in Middleboro, Mass. He came to Oxford, Oxford County, this State, with his parents, and when only sixteen years old he enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812. His father, Aberdeen Pratt, tried to have him released from service, but, being unable, enlisted in the same company, both serving until the close of the war, after which they returned to Oxford.

Jedediah Pratt was a cooper by trade, carry- ing on a substantial business at Poland for many years. He was much respectcd for his many sterling virtues, becoming quite active in local affairs, and served his fellow-towns- men in many ways, being Selectman, Justice of the Peace, and a Representative to the State legislature one term. His wife was a daughter of David Partridge, whose father was one of the original settlers of Poland. Six children were born to them, four of whom grew to mature years, namely: Louisa, wife of David Small, of Gray, Me .; Jedediah Augus- tine; Aratus E., who removed from Maine to Massachusetts, and in 1885 returned to Port- land, where he died April 30, 1895, leaving a family of children; and Mrs. Climena Leigh- ton, who died, and also left a family.

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Neither of the parents is living, the father having passed away when comparatively young, in 1847, the mother surviving him thirty years. Both were valued members of the Free Will Baptist church. Jedediah Augustine was but a child when his father died. He soon afterward removed to Falmouth, where he received good educational advantages, later serving an apprenticeship at the wheel- wright's trade. For some years Mr. Pratt worked at various mechanical pursuits, start- ing in business on his own account as a wheelwright or carriage-maker, locating at first at the foot of Deer Street and afterward on Federal Street. He was next employed by the government, having charge of the carpenter department of forts in Maine and New Hamp- shire, acting for five years as foreman of the men employed. Resigning his government position in 1876, he formed a partnership with J. P. Libby, with him engaging in the manu- facture of paper boxes under the present name, continuing about a year, carrying on the busi- ness in a modest way. Mr. Pratt then bought out his partner's interest, and soon afterward, in July, 1877, consolidated with his competi- tors, Ayer & Dodge, these three men being still associated at the present time, carrying on an immense business. This company has the oldest established box factory in the State, and during its existence has made many tons of boxes, which have found their way to every part of the United States. Mr. Pratt has ac- cumulated considerable wealth. He invests his means judiciously, being the owner of val- uable real estate; and recently he has pur- chased the large, double brick house at the corner of India and Newberry Streets. In politics he is a steadfast Democrat, but not an aspirant for official honors.

DWIN C. TOWNSEND, a well-known business man of Cumberland County, prominent also in public affairs, has spent the larger part of his life in Freeport, where his birth occurred, January 23, 1834. His paternal grandfather, Seth Townsend, a native of the old Bay State, was a pioneer settler of Freeport, and for many years served in the State militia, holding a Major's com-

mission. He was a shipwright and calker by trade, continuing in this occupation as long as able to work, attaining a ripe old age. His wife, Anna Curtis, to whom he was married January 10, 1801, bore him eight children, five sons and three daughters, whose names were : Enos, Earl, Seth, Addison, Relief, Roxanna, Caroline, and Ira C., of whom but one is now living - Mrs. Caroline Knight, of Woodford's. Major Townsend was a Whig in politics and a Congregationalist in religion.

Addison Townsend, father of Edwin C., was a lifelong resident of Freeport, where he owned a good farm, and was one of the leading busi- ness men of his day. He was an extensive dealer in wool and other merchandise, in addition to which he marketed all kinds of farm produce. He died March 8, 1891, at the age of eighty-three years, six months, and twenty-eight days, his wife, whose maiden name was Harriet B. Jordan, surviving him four years. She was born in this town De- cember 8, 1802, being the second child of William Jordan by his wife, Rebecca Orr, of Harpswell, and died on the farm where she was born, March 30, 1895, aged ninety-two years, three months, and twenty-two days.

Four children, three sons and a daughter, were born to the parental household. One son, Emore T., died January 21, 1887; and Abbie A., the only daughter, died October 12, 1887. The living are: Edwin C., the special subject of this sketch ; and David J., who occupies the old Jordan homestead, which has been continuously in possession of the family since July 8, 1778.

Edwin C. Townsend completed his educa- tion in the old North Yarmouth Academy, which has a more than local reputation, after- ward fitting himself for a civil engineer and land surveyor. He studied civil engineering with Professor Smythe, of Bowdoin College, and had early practice with Charles J. Noyes, a civil engineer on the Kennebec & Portland Railroad. Mr. Townsend has done much surveying in this part of the county. He is also widely known as one of the early teachers of the county, having taught with great success for sixty terms, numbering among his pupils many who have since attained places of impor- tance in the literary world, in business, and in

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the professions. Mr. Townsend, who has always labored to promote the cause of popular education, has but recently resigned his posi- tion on the School Board, of which he had been a member for fifteen years. In this his native town he has held all of the local offices excepting that of Treasurer, having been Clerk, Selectman, and Moderator many years and a member of the Board of County Commissioners in 1872, 1873, and 1874. At the present time he is a Trial Justice, and is also devoting his attention to surveying, real estate, and probate business, having a large practice, his ability and integrity being widely recognized. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party ; and in religion he is liberal and consistent, believing in any and all systems of divine faith and worship that tend to improve the mental and moral condi- tions of mankind.

Mr. Townsend has many ancient papers, plans, and records, valuable to himself as family relics and valuable to the community in which he resides. He is quite prominent in social circles, belonging to Freeport Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; to Dunlap Chapter of Bruns- wick; to Ligonia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portland; and to the East- ern Star Encampment of Portland.

Mr. Townsend and Caroline Field, daughter of William B. and Relief Townsend Field, of Freeport, were married on October 31, 1858, and their thirty years of wedlock were blessed by the birth of three children; namely, Evie C., Fred M., and Anna M. Into this happy household one deep shadow has come, the mother having passed from earth October 16, 1889, aged fifty-six years, two months, and twelve days; but the silent benediction of her pure and gentle life is ever present with the family.

ERNALD L. KEENE, a sagacious and enterprising farmer of Otisfield, was born in Oxford, Me., May 3, 1851, son of Lemuel C. and Martha E. (Emery) Keene. His father was a native and lifelong resident of Oxford, where he was prosperously engaged as a tiller of the soil during the active period of his life, being known as an

industrious farmer and a useful citizen. He died October 21, 1865. His wife, Martha E. Emery, who was a native of Poland, Me., became the mother of four children, namely : William E., who died October 5, 1865 ; Fer- nald L. ; Anna E., who died August 13, 1858; and Ida F., whose death occurred September 21, 1862 - the only living child being Fernald L., the subject of this sketch. The mother died October 29, 1865.

Fernald L. Keene received his education in the common schools of Oxford; and, as his parents died when he was fourteen years old, he was thus early thrown upon his own re- sources. He found employment as a farm laborer in Oxford and the vicinity until reach- ing the age of twenty, at which time he went to Boston, and for the succeeding two years was employed at a public institution. He then spent two years as a car conductor, at the expiration of which time he secured a position as employee at the Massachusetts Insane Asy- lum in Worcester, where he remained -for a like period. Returning to Maine, he pur- chased a farm in Otisfield, which he carried on for a short time, and then selling out went to Providence, R. I., where he passed the next two years as an officer at the House of Correc- tion. Thence he went to Meriden, Conn., and was for four years superintendent of the Reform School Farm at that place, capably performing the duties of the position. In 1888 he bought his present farm in Otisfield, and has since resided here, being profitably engaged in agriculture, which he finds a con- genial occupation. He owns one hundred and forty acres of well-located land, upon which he has made various improvements; and besides general farming and stock raising he has for several years devoted some attention to the entertainment of summer boarders, hav- ing every convenience for their comfort, and having admirably succeeded in attracting and retaining their patronage.

On May 25, 1884, Mr. Keene was united in marriage with Miss Kate Louisa Black, who was born in Devonshire, England, August 12, 1858, a daughter of James Gibson and Mary Elizabeth (Burnett) Black. Her parents, who were prosperous farmers in Eng- land, are both now deceased, her father dying

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in 1866, and her mother in 1873. After their death she came to the United States to live with her sister, and was for some time a resi- dent of Keene, N. H. She was subsequently employed at the House of Correction in Provi- dence, R.I., where she first met her husband ; and they were married in Meriden, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Kecne have one son, William L., who was born in Meriden, Conn., June 26, 1885. Mr. Keene is a Democrat in politics, and has ably filled several of the town offices. His society affiliations are with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows in Worcester, Mass. In his religious views he is a Baptist, Mrs. Keene being an Episcopalian.

RNESTO PONCE, proprietor of the Granite Spring Café, 86 Exchange Street, Portland, Me., and also of Granite Spring Hotel and Casino on Long Island, Portland Harbor, was born in Santan- der, Spain, September 6, 1844, son of Thomas and Mary (Gontalis) Ponce. Mr. Ponce's father, who is still living, has always followed mercantile pursuits, and is at the present time a wholesale flour merchant in Santander. His family consists of five children, namely : Er- nesto, the subject of this sketch, who is the only one of them in America; Manuel, An- tonio, Maria Josefa, and Becenta, all of whom arc residing in Spain. The mother died in 1856.

Ernesto Ponce was educated in the schools of Santander. At the age of sixteen, with the view of sceking his fortune in the New World, he went to Havana, Cuba, where he entered the employment of the famous cigar manufact- urer, Cabanas, with whom he remained for two years. He continued to follow that branch of industry, working for other firms for some time, and finally established a cigar manufact- uring business upon his own account in Ha- vana, which he successfully conducted for ten years. He then came to the United States, making the city of Portland his point of desti- nation ; and, after spending a year in seeing the country and obtaining a knowledge of the Eng- lish language, he here established himself in the cigar manufacturing business. He carried on a profitable trade for some years, during

which time he accumulated considerable cap- ital; and, being favorably impressed with the real estate interests as a good field for invest- ment, he at length relinquished his former line of business and engaged in the buying and developing of unoccupied land.

In 1876 he opened the Granite Spring Hotel on Long Island in Portland Harbor, and he has had the satisfaction of secing his place be- come one of the most popular resorts in Casco Bay. The Granite Spring Hotel is located about six miles from the city ; and Mr. Ponce owns about ten acres of land upon the island, and also the wharf known as Ponce's Landing, directly in front of the hotel. He has erected nine pleasant cottages for the accommodation of summer boarders, and also the Casino Theatre, which affords first-class amusement during the season. There is a finely equipped bowling alley, with other attractive means for pleasure and exercise; and the grounds are tastefully laid out. The development of this property has necessarily required a heavy out- lay, but the popularity of the house and its proprietor is sufficient to insure profitable returns for the investment.

The resort is easily reached by a regular line of fast steamers. Not the least attractive feature of the spot is the well-known Granite Spring, the water of which is said to rival that of the famous Poland Spring in its curative power ; and it has been aptly said that, "while Ponce de Leon went to Florida in quest of the fountain of youth and found malaria, Ponce of Exchange Street went to Long Island in quest of the fountain of health and found the Granite Spring." Mr. Ponce is doing a large and profitable business at his Granite Spring Café, 86 Exchange Street, and is also renew- ing his former success as a dealer in fine cigars. He is a Democrat in politics.

R UFUS K. JORDAN is the efficient superintendent of George II. Ray- mond's foundry in Westbrook. IIc was born in this city, November 28, 1863, son of George D. and Elizabeth C. (Bixby) Jordan. His grandfather, Israel Jor- dan, was a native of Gray, Me., and in early life became a sea captain, being engaged prin-

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cipally in the West India trade. He finally abandoned the sea, and, settling upon a farm in Gray, there passed the rest of his life. He was an esteemed and useful citizen, and he and his wife reared a family of two children.

George D. Jordan, father of Rufus K., was born in Gray, and, when a young man, learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some time. He subsequently engaged in car- pentering, and for some years was employed at S. D. Warren's paper manufactory at Cumber- land Mills as general repairer. He was after- ward watchman at the mills, but after a ser- vice of three years in that capacity was forced to retire on account of failing health ; and he died in 1882. He was twice married. His first wife, by maiden name Sally Tower, be- came the mother of two children. His second wife, Elizabeth C. Bixby, had but one child, Rufus K.

Rufus K. Jordan was educated in the public schools of Westbrook; and, after completing his course there, he studied civil engineering with S. L. Stevenson, of Gorham, Me., under whose direction he worked for about six years. He then spent six months in surveying the mountain division of the Maine Central Rail- road system, during which time he had charge of the work ; and upon finishing operations for the company he returned to Westbrook. He was next employed, under contract, in conduct- ing the foundry department of George H. Ray- mond's machine works, an undertaking which he ably carried on for two years, at the expira- tion of that time accepting the post of super- intendent of the foundry, a position he has capably filled for the past four years. He has a thorough knowledge of the business; and, as he possesses executive ability of a high order, he is a valuable acquisition to the enterprise.

In 1885 Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Iva B. Quimby, a daughter of George Quimby, who died in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have two children - George K., who is attending school in Westbrook; and Carrie M., an infant. In politics Mr. Jordan is a Democrat ; but, although taking a deep interest in public affairs, he has no political aspira- tions. He is a favorite socially, being a mem- ber of Wahmenock Tribe, No. 35, Imperial Order of Red Men; and he readily gives his

support to any movement for the general im- provement of the community. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational church.

OHN FARWELL ANDERSON, who died in Portland, Christmas Day, 1887, was a man of remarkable ability and sterling character. He was born July 22, 1823, in Portland, in the house on Con- gress Street now numbered 633. He was the son of the Hon. John Anderson and his wife, Ann Williams Jameson, and through both father and mother was of Scotch-Irish descent. The following biographical sketch is abridged from the interesting memoir by the Rev. George M. Bodge, published in the New England Historical and Gencalogical Register for April, 1889.

His first ancestor on the paternal side in this country was John Anderson, a Scotch- Irish immigrant, who married in Watertown, Mass., July 16, 1706, Rebecca Waight. Their son Abraham, who was born August 18, 1708, was a pioneer of New Marblehead, now Windham, Me., and cleared and improved a farm near the centre of the town. This farm is still in the family, and has been enlarged and improved by each succeeding generation. Abraham Anderson was a man of great in- fluence in the development of the new town : and after its incorporation he was the first Representative to the General Court, in 1767- 68. He died in 1769.

Abraham, Jr., his successor in the owner- ship of the homestead, was his youngest son by his second wife, Mrs. Ann Colin Cloutman, widow of Edward Cloutman, of Gorham, who was taken by the Indians in 1746, and died in captivity. Abraham, the younger, possessed much of his father's energy and ability. He married Lucy, daughter of the Rev. Peter Thacher Smith and grand-daughter of the Rev. Thomas Smith, the first minister of Falmouth, now Portland; and they had seven children. Their third son, John, who was born July 29, 1792, was the father of the special subject of this sketch.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 34

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