USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 36
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RISTRAM G. CLEAVES, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest na- tive male resident of Yarmouth, Me., was born in this town June 13, 1809. His parents were Edmund and Jane (Trow) Cleaves, his father's ancestors being related to those of Governor Cleaves. His great- grandfather, Ebenezer Cleaves, who settled in Cumberland County many years ago, was a native of Gloucester, Mass. Edmund Cleaves, first, son of Ebenezer, was one of the early settlers of the town of Pownal in this county, where he cleared and improved a good farm. He served under General Washington all through the Revolutionary War, and, after the termination of hostilities, retired to his home- stead, and there passed the rest of his life, dying at the age of seventy-seven years. He
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was an industrious, high-minded, and patriotic citizen. In his religion he was a Congrega- tionalist, and his nanie appears as one of the six original members of the Congregational church in Pownal. He was twice married, his five children being as follows: Abigail and Edmund, who were by his first union; and Eunice, Dolly, and William, who were by his second.
Edmund Cleaves, second, son of the first Edmund, was born in New Gloucester, Me. When a young man he learned the trade of a shoemaker, and, settling in Yarmouth, fol- lowed that occupation in connection with farming. His farm was situated where the Grand Trunk Depot now stands, and he re- sided there until his death, which took place when he was seventy-two years old. He was a prominent and useful member of the com- inunity, supporting the Whig party in politics; and he ably filled some of the town offices. He was a Congregationalist in religion. His wife, Jane Trow, who was a native of Yar- mouth, became the mother of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity; and of these Tristram G., the subject of this sketch, is now the only survivor. Mrs. Jane T. Cleaves lived to reach the age of nearly eighty years.
Tristram G. Cleaves commenced his educa- tional course in the common schools of Yar- mouth, and completed it at the academy. In early manhood he settled upon the farm where he now resides, and, like his father, engaged for many years in both shoemaking and farm- ing, judiciously alternating these pursuits with satisfactory results, as was the frequent practice of New England landholders in the early and middle part of the present century. In the pleasant, comfortable home which he has occupied for the past fifty-five years, he now lives in retirement from active labors, his rest having been well earned.
On January 3, 1832, Mr. Cleaves was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Davis, who was born in Freeport in September, 1802. She was a daughter of Samuel and Patience Davis, and widow of Thomas Davis, by whom she had onc daughter, Mary E., who became Mrs. Gad Hitchcock. Mr. and Mrs. Clcaves had four children, as follows: Jane Trow, who died at the age of fifty-eight; Abigail Davis,
who died, aged nine years; Rachel B., who died, aged three years; and Thomas G., who died at the age of forty-two years. Mrs. Cleaves died March 28, 1874. She was a member of the Congregational church, with which Mr. Cleaves has been united for many years. He has been called upon to mourn the loss of both wife and children, the only sur- viving member of his family being his step- daughter, Mrs. Hitchcock; but he bears his affliction with patient resignation. He is a Republican in politics.
APTAIN JOHN M. RICHARDSON, superintendent of the life - saving stations of the First District, which comprises Maine and New Hamp- shire, with his headquarters at Portland, Mc., was born at Pittsfield, N. H., September 20, 1835, where his father, the Rev. John Rich- ardson, was settled as pastor of the Baptist church, remaining there until 1842. The Rev. Mr. Richardson's next charge was at South Berwick in this State, which was his home for many years, although at the time of his deceasc he was living at Auburn, Me. He married Mary J. Perkins, who bore him five children, namely: Mary J., wife of H. C. Gilpatrick, of Somersworth, N.H .; Mrs. S. P. Ordway, a widow, residing at Somerville, Mass .; W. S. Richardson, of Newark, N.J. ; T. B. (deceased); and the Captain.
John M. Richardson was educated at the common schools and academy at South Ber- wick, leaving the latter institution when a boy of fiftcen to follow the sea. For the first thir- teen years of his scafaring life young Rich- ardson was employed in the East India trade, and for twelve years thercafter was connected with European trade. Shipping at first as a boy before the mast, he gradually worked his way upward through every grade until he be- came master of the vessel, a position which he ably filled for some years. For a quarter of a century he sailed the seas, visiting in that time all the important ports of the globe, but fortunately meeting with no disaster of any kind. In 1874, at the time of the organization of the life-saving service, Captain Richardson accepted his present position; and under his
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supervision all of the life-saving stations of this district, twelve in number, have been built and equipped. From year to year vast im- provements are made, and the efficiency of the service greatly increased. Ninety-six men are now employed, distributed at various points along the coasts of Maine and New Hamp- shire, each station being amply supplied with life-boats of the most improved modern con- struction, many of the life-saving appliances of each boat having been devised by Captain Richardson himself. With the exception of S. I. Kimball, the chief of the department, Captain Richardson ranks as the oldest officer in point of time, and, it is hardly needful to say, is regarded as one of the most valuable in the service.
For many years the Captain has resided at 21 Locust Street, where he has a cosey home, in which he and his wife extend a cordial hos- pitality to their many friends. Socially, he is a Mason, belonging to St. John's Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M., of South Berwick. The maiden name of the first wife of Captain Richardson was Miriam P. Hanson. She died in early life, leaving him two children, namely: Minnie I., now deceased; and John W., who is in the employment of John C. Stevens, the noted architect of this city. Captain Richardson subsequently married Miss Emily S. Hunt, who was born and bred in Belfast, Me.
EWELL E. LIBBY, a prosperous farmer of Standish, Me., was born in Gorham, the date of his birth being December 22, 1832. He is of Revolutionary stock and the descendant of one of the early settlers of New England. John Libby, his ancestor several generations removed, was born, it is said, about the year 1602. The "Ilistory of Scarboro, " published in the "Collections of the Maine Historical Society," vol. iii., says that "John Libby, probably the first of the name in New England, came to this country from Broad- stairs, County Kent, England," and is sup- posed to have settled at Scarboro about 1659 or 1660, was a Selectman in 1669, and died in 1682. It is elsewhere stated that he had two
wives; but of these little is known, save that his first wife was the mother of all his sons excepting two and, probably, of all of his daughters. She bore him twelve children, Daniel, the progenitor of Sewell E., being the tenth child.
The said Daniel Libby was born in 1657 in Scarboro, this county, where he spent a farmer's life. To him and his wife Eleanor nine children were born, John, second, the next in line of descent, being the fourth son. John, second, was born in 1697, at Portsmouth, N. H., and on November 14, 1724, married Sarah Libby, who bore him seven children, Allison being the fourth son. Allison Libby, the great-grandfather of Sewell, was born September 12, 1733, and early learned the shoemaker's trade, although he made farming his chief occupation. He was twice married; and by his first wife, Sarah Skillings, had eleven children, Edward, the next ancestor, . being the third son by this union; and by his second wife, Mary, widow of an Edward Libby, he had six children.
Edward Libby, son of Allison and Sarah, was born February 10, 1759, in Scarboro. Although but a mere lad on the breaking out of the Revolution, the patriotic blood within him was stirred; and he enlisted in his country's defence, and took part in the battle: of Bunker Hill, fought on that memorable 17th of June, 1775. At the close of the war he bought a tract of wild land in Gor- ham, on which he cleared a space for the erec- tion of a log cabin, and when the latter was completed returned to Scarboro for his bride, Elizabeth Libby, who was his life companion. She settled with him in the wilderness, and assisted him in his efforts at establishing a homestead, on which they both spent their remaining days, he dying in 1848, and she in 1853. They reared eleven children, Ebenezer Howe Libby, father of Sewell E., being the youngest son and the tenth child.
Ebenezer Howe Libby, a native of Gorham, Me., was born December 22, 1810. He was reared to farming pursuits, which he continued during his brief life, spending his later years in the town of Standish. He married Cather- ine R. Irish, daughter of Daniel Irish, of Gorham; and of their union one child, Sewell
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E., was born. The mother is now living with her son, she having survived her husband, who died in early manhood. He was a Democrat in politics, and with his wife attended the Methodist church.
Sewell E. Libby was reared and educated in Standish. Selecting farming as the most congenial occupation, he has since devoted his time and attention to agricultural labors, and has besides been somewhat extensively en- gaged in lumbering, meeting with signal suc- cess in his various enterprises.
Mr. Libby was united in marriage June 23, 1855, with Mary A. Sanborn, daughter of Moses Sanborn. Four children are the fruit of this union, three of whom are now living, as follows : Katie B., born August 25, 1856, is the wife of Charles J. Libby, and has three children - Harold Clifton, Herman S., and Alice; Susie F., born October 16, 1863, is the wife of Willard T. Cram; Clifford S. was born July 24, 1875. Mr. Libby is a Demo- crat in politics, having proved true to the political principles in which he was reared. He attends and helps to support the Congre- gational church, of which Mrs. Libby is a faithful member.
REDERIC LINCOLN TOWER is the President and General Manager of the Thurston Print at 97112 Exchange Street, Portland, Me., which is one of the largest printing establishments in the State, as well as one of the oldest, it having been in existence for more than a half a century. Mr. Tower was born August 23, 1860, in Stough- ton, Mass., coming from ancient and honored Colonial stock. His title to membership in the Sons of the Revolution, an organization which he joined some time ago, is an unusually strong one. Five of his ancestors fought in the struggle for American Independence, one of them, Benjamin Gill, his mother's great- great-grandfather, having been a Colonel in the army and in command of a regiment at the surrender of Burgoyne. Colonel Gill married Bethiah Wentworth, their son Elijah marrying Abigail Fisher, the line continuing through Elijah Gill, Jr., who married Rebecca Hawes, thence through their son Jason, whose wife,
Mary Ann Talbot, bore him children, among them being Marietta Turner Gill, who married Francis W. D. Tower, father of Frederic Lin- coln.
Frederic L. Tower attended the public schools of Stoughton in his early boyhood, afterward continuing his studies in the Boston grammar schools and at the Roxbury High School. His first employment was with the E. Howard Watch Company, being a time clerk in their factory for two years. Subse- quently becoming a clerk in the wholesale grocery store of Matthias Rich & Co. on North Market Street, Boston, he remained with them two years, when he became ship- ping clerk for C. D. Cobb & Brothers, grocers of the same city. After working in this capacity for about one year, Mr. Tower's health became impaired to such an extent that a change to outdoor labor was necessitated. Accepting a situation with W. A. Greenough & Co., in the directory business, he proved an able assistant, becoming so thoroughly acquainted with the work that when, three or four years later, Mr. Greenough bought a half- interest in the Portland Directory, forming a copartnership for its publication with B. Thurston & Co., Mr. Tower, being the only man available who had any experience in the street directory business, was sent to Portland to take charge of compiling the work. Many of the valuable ideas in the street directory originated with Mr. Tower. The concern was incorporated on March 3, 1890, as the Brown Thurston Company, with B. Thurston as Presi- dent and George H. Watkins as Treasurer and Manager; but, Mr. Watkins dying very sud- denly on March 16, Mr. Tower was appointed General Manager in his place. This relation continued until January 21, 1895, when the present corporation was formed, Mr. Tower becoming President and General Manager, with Mr. Isaac N. Halliday as Treasurer and superintendent.
Besides publishing the directories for all the important cities and towns of Maine, this company has printed the directories for the larger cities of Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire, including those of Boston, Brookline, Brockton, Cambridge, Haverhill, Malden, Melrose, Concord, Nashua, Portsmouth, and
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many others. They make a specialty of fine job printing, their publications including prominent State historical works; religious papers, pamphlets, tracts, and books of differ: ent denominations, Protestant and Catholic; biographical and genealogical volumes; poems ; law books and school books. The Thurston Print publishes the works of the Maine His- torical Society, and is now at work on the York County Deeds, bringing out about a vol- ume a year. The firm has a wide reputation for accurate and artistic work, faithful efforts being made to bring it above the average.
On December 6, 1883, Mr. Tower was united in marriage with Miss Julia M. Crocker, daughter of Edmund and Julia M. (Oakes) Crocker, of Dorchester, Mass. They are the parents of one child, Frances Lilian. In his political relations Mr. Tower is an adherent of the Republican party. Socially, he is Past Chancellor of Bramhall Lodge and a representative to the Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias, being a prominent member of the organization. Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Tower are attendants at All Souls' Univer- salist Church of Deering, where they reside, he being a member of the Parish Committee.
R EUEL WILLIAM WOODMAN, an enterprising business man of West- brook, Me., the originator of the Fairfield, the Maine, and the New England Furniture Companies, was born in Fairfield, Me., July 25, 1837, a son of John and Nancy L. (Deering) Woodman. His paternal grandfather, John Woodman, Sr., who was a native of Buxton, this State, was a pioneer lumberman on the Saco River in his early manhood, but in his later life was engaged in the less hazardous occupation of farming. He attained the age of eighty-three years; and he and his wife reared seven chil- dren, all of whom have long since passed away.
John Woodman, Jr., the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Buxton, Me. He became a resident of Fairfield in the early days of that town, and was for some years engaged in lumbering and farming. The last years of his life were devoted exclusively to farming. In politics he was a Democrat, and
in religious belief a Universalist. He died October 18, 1872, at the age of seventy-two. His wife, who was a native of Gorham, Me., died at the age of eighty-two years. Five children were born to them, three of whom are still living, namely: Johanna, widow of Samuel Gibson, of Fairfield, Me. ; Reuel W., the subject of this sketch; and Frederick S., who now has charge of the old home farm.
Reuel W. Woodman obtained his education in the public schools of Fairfield. He worked on the old Woodman farm in Fairfield until attaining his majority, and subsequently entering the employ of Gage & Cate, manu- facturers of boxes, doors, sashes, and blinds, devoted his energies to learning the trade of a wood-worker. Within three years one of the firm died; and in September, 1863, Mr. Woodman hired the sash and door department and started in business for himself with a working force of nine men, under the style of . R. W. Woodman. He conducted this enter- prise for about a year ; then, taking James W. Sylvester as partner, they bought the entire business, which they conducted for one year, when Mr. Sylvester sold his interest to C. D. and A. E. Lawrence, their style being changed to Woodman, Lawrence & Co., and the new firm employing about twenty men. This plant was subsequently sold to Bray Wilkins; and, in company with Warren Clark, Mr. Woodman started a steam-mill on his father's farm, near the Maine Central Rail- road. As business increased, another partner, John Hammond, was admitted; and the firm of Woodman, Clark & Co. added to its original work the manufacture of ash and walnut furni- ture. Soon a company bearing the name of the Fairfield Furniture Company was formed, consisting of Messrs. Woodman, Clark, Ride- out, and Mullen. In course of time Mr. Woodman bought out his original associates and sold equal parts of the business to Samuel Gibson, George H. Newhall, and Tyng W. Fogg. About a year after these gentlemen became interested in the enterprise the plant was destroyed by fire; and, as there was no insurance, the loss was severe. After the fire Mr. Newhall retired from the concern, and the other partners built a large planing-mill and engaged once more in the manufacture of fur-
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niture. John F. Kendrick soon became asso- ciated with them; and, Mr. Gibson disposing of his interest, the other members of the company conducted a good business for seven years. They then sold the planing-mill to the Kennebec Framing Company, but contin- ued to manufacture furniture. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Woodman sold out his share in the enterprise, and in company with W. A. and F. E. Sheppard and F. P. Wing, bought a water privilege at Bar Mills, Buxton, Me., and, erecting a large mill, began to manufact- ure furniture under the style of the Maine Fur- niture Company. They had a branch estab- lishment in Boston, to which they sent their products, which were there put together, fin- ished, and sold to the wholesale trade. Mr. Woodman was interested in the Buxton plant about six years. Then, selling to his partner, he moved to Portland, where he resided for about a year. At the end of that time, with T. F. Ross as a business associate, he pur- chased the Warren water-power saw-mill and box manufactory at Pork Hill, Saccarappa (now Westbrook), and, erecting a two-story building, one hundred and ninety-two by fifty feet in dimensions, engaged in lumbering and making furniture, under the style of the New England Furniture Company. His partner sold his share in 1888, and Messrs. Wing and Pratt were active members of the company until February 4, 1893. Since that time Mr. Woodman has been sole proprietor of the plant. He employs on an average thirty- seven hands, and manufactures ash and oak furniture, making a specialty of extension tables of all kinds and grades, from pine to walnut. Being a practical workman himself, he takes a keen interest in his business, and has invented a number of ingenious machines, which he utilizes in his business. He has built, equipped, and successfully managed five different manufactories, and has long been an important factor in the industrial life of Maine.
In 1863 Mr. Woodman was married to Hat- tie M., daughter of John and Lucy Ann Gib- son, of Clinton, Me. Three children have brightened the years of their wedded life, two of whom are living, namely: Bert M., who is in business with his father, but resides in
Portland; and Helen G., wife of E. T. May- berry, Postmaster at Westbrook. Mr. Wood- man votes the Democratic ticket. He is con- nected with the fraternal orders, being a mem- ber of Siloam Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., Drummond Chapter, No. 27, of Oakland, Me., and St. Omer Commandery, No. 12, of Water- ville, Me. He has also passed the chairs of Fairfield Lodge, No. 68, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Fairfield. In religious belief he is a Spiritualist.
YLVANUS C. PRINCE, the leading merchant of Orr's Island, Harps- well, Me., was born in Brunswick, Me., March 7, 1832, son of Pyan and Lois (Furbish) Prince. His father, who was a native of North Yarmouth, Me., was for many years mate of a vessel trading with the West Indies; but, wearying at length of the restless and uncertain life of a sailor, he pur- chased a farm in Brunswick, at Simenses Point, and there spent the rest of his life in the enjoyment of domestic comfort, dying at the age of seventy-two. His wife was a native of Lisbon, Me. She lived to be sixty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Pyan Prince were members of the Calvinist Baptist Church. They were the parents of eleven children, and were called upon to suffer many of the trials incident to the rearing of a large family, three of their children lying dead in their home at one time, stricken down by diphtheria. The following five are now living: Sylvanus C., of Orr's Island; Solomon P. C., a farmer in Webster, Me. ; Beulah S., wife of Samuel E. Smullen; Henry K., a professional nurse in Lowell, Mass .; and Orrin G., a farmer in Brunswick, Me.
Sylvanus C. Prince remained on the home farm till sixteen years of age, and then, turn- ing to the sea as a means of gaining a liveli- hood, began to take part in the fishing indus- try, in course of time becoming Captain of a vessel. In 1853, when he was twenty-one years of age, he began his career as a merchant at Prince's Point; and in 1877 he built the store which he now occupies, the largest on the island. He keeps a full line of groceries, dry goods, and fishermen's supplies, and also
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wood and coal. Having been in business now over forty years, he is one of the oldest as well as one of the most successful inerchants in the vicinity ; and his universal courtesy and genial disposition have won hosts of friends. HIe has travelled a great deal, and has a fund of information and of anecdote that makes him a very pleasant companion.
In 1854 he was united in marriage with Fi- delia T. Sinnett, daughter of George Sinnett, who was at that time a fisherman of Harpswell, but has since died, completing a useful life of seventy-three years. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Prince, two of whom, Mar- cellus and John S., have passed from earth, the former at the age of thirty-six, the latter at the age of twenty-five. Marcellus Prince was a merchant of Portland, dealing princi- pally in fish. He married Ada Buxton, of Dexter, Me., who, with two children, Ger- trude and Marcia, is still living. John S. Prince, who was his father's partner, died December 22, 1893, leaving a widow. This lady's maiden name was Cora Y. York; and she was born in Wilton, Me. The other children, briefly named, are as follows: Al- bertina Prince is the wife of Eugene Pennell, an expressman of Brunswick, and the mother of three children - Annetta, Sylvanus, and Ada; Content J. is the wife of Charles E. Hacker, the contractor and builder of Bruns- wick, who erected the large cotton-mills there, and has one child, Beatrice; Georgie is the wife of Fred Fides, master of a fishing-vessel, and has two children - Mildred and Avery ; Sanford J. Prince, in business with his father, married Hattie E. Stilphen, of Harpswell, and has five children - Eva M., Rosetta, Beulah, Ivan, and Sadie; and Mary Jane Prince, young lady who has established a reputation for scholarship and intellectual brilliancy, is a cashier in Boston, but has not yet severed the home ties.
Mr. Prince cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan, but has since been a stanch supporter of Republican principles, refusing, however, all offers of public prefer- ment. He belongs to Pejapscot Lodge, No. 13, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brunswick, and to the Island Home Lodge of the Golden Cross, Orr's Island, of which he
was a charter member and has been chaplain. In religious belief a Methodist, he is Steward and Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church on Orr's Island, has filled other offices, and in the Sunday-school is class teacher and superintendent of the school. His wife also is a teacher in the Sunday-school, and his children take an active part in the affairs of the church.
ON. CHARLES JARVIS CHAP- MAN, merchant, banker, and ex- Mayor of Portland, was born in Bethel, among the hills of Oxford County, Me., January 29, 1848. He is the son of Robert A. and Frances (Carter) Chap- man, the former a native of Gilead, Me., the latter of Massachusetts. He attended the public schools and Gould's Academy in his native town, then took a course at Gorham Academy, and, entering Bowdoin College in 1864, was graduated in the class of 1868, with the degree of A. B. He was an enthusiastic student, and in his Senior year won the first prize for excellence in English composition -; but he applied himself so closely to his books during his college course that his health be- came impaired, and after his graduation he took a trip to Minnesota. He was there em- ployed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, which was then in its earlier period of construction in that State, and remained two years, making the acquaintance of many promi- nent railroad men.
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