USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 39
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Mr. Trumbull has been twice married. His first wife, Rebecca N. Harnden, to whom he was united in 1842, died October 16, 1851, leaving two children, Sarah H. and Orren A. Sarah became the wife of Daniel Harmon, who served in the late Rebellion, having enlisted
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in 1862 in Company B, Twenty-third Maine Volunteer Infantry. The son, a bridge builder and contractor, lives in Reading, Mass. In 1857 Mr. Trumbull was united in marriage to Miss Sophia M. Frye, who passed to the bourne from which no traveller returns, No- vember 28, 1888. The only child born of his second union was a son, Edward Frye, who lived but five years.
AJOR WILLIAM HENRY GREEN, one of the prominent contractors and builders of Port- land, and Department Com- mander of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a native-born citizen, the date of his birth being April 2, 1836. He is of substantial English stock, his paternal grandfather, John Green, Sr., having emigrated from England to Maine in the latter part of the last century. He built the first house, which is still stand- ing on Green Street, Portland, that thorough- fare being named in his honor. The large tract of land which he here bought appreci- atcd afterward in value, being not far from the centre of the city. John Green, Sr., married a Miss Gould, daughter of an early settler; and their son, John Green, Jr., was the Major's father.
John Green, Jr., was born in Portland in 1795, and after reaching maturity started in business for himself as a rope-maker, carrying on a very successful business, supplying boats and producing cordage for other purposes for many years, continuing active until his death in 1858. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Jackson, was a native of Raymond, Me. They became the parents of the following chil- dren: John, the third of that name, who served in both the Mexican War and the late Civil War, and now resides at Fairfield in this State; Eliza, the wife of Seth Martin, of Chelsea, Mass. ; William Henry; and Mary Frances, who married William E. Stevens, both being now deceased. The mother lived a widow many years, passing away in 1887, at an advanced age.
William H. Green was educated in the Portland schools, being graduated from the high school in 1852. He soon began working
at the trade of a brick mason, serving a three years' apprenticeship with S. C. & G. M. Chase, afterward working as a journeyman until war times. On June 10, 1862, Mr. Green enlisted as a private in Company B, Seventeenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, which, after the organization of the regiment, was sent to Camp King, on Cape Elizabeth, going thence to the front, August 22, 1862. The succeeding seven weeks the regiment occupied the line of forts on the north side of Washing- ton, after which it was assigned to Berry's Brigade, First Division, Third Corps of the Potomac Army, and was at the forefront at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. The regiment spent the following winter in camp near Potomac Creek, but was present at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, and took part in the battle of Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, 1863, and in the engagement at Waupin Heights, afterward joining General Meade, when he fell back from Rapidan to the vicinity of Washington. The company advanced with the army to Kelly's Ford, and subsequently fought in the battles of Locust Grove and Mine Run, going into winter quar- ters near Brandy Station. In the spring the divisions were consolidated, forming the Sec- ond and Third Divisions of the Second Corps, and took an active part in the important con- tests of that year, being at the battles of the Wilderness, in all of the engagements in the vicinity of Spottsylvania, and at the capture of the bridges and works at North Anna, May 23, 1864. The army then moved via Milford to Cold Harbor, after the battle there crossing the James River and marching on to Petersburg, making assaults on the enemy's works at various times and places. In the spring of 1865 this regiment was under the command of General Grant in the skirmish at Deep Bottom, Boynton Plank Road, Hatches Run, and at Sailor's Creek, and on April 9, 1865, was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, an impressive scene, never to be forgotten. Mr. Green was made Sergeant of his company in December, 1862; Second Lieutenant in July, 1863; and, after the bat- tle of Gettysburg, for brave conduct was pro- moted to the rank of First Lieutenant. The following December Lieutenant Green was
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raised to the position of Captain of Company G, and at Sailor's Creek, three days before Lee's surrender, was brevetted Major, a well- merited promotion.
After the Grand Review in Washington Major Green, having been in active mili- tary service three years, returned with his regiment to Portland, and resumed work at his trade, at first as a journeyman. In 1868 he became a member of the firm of Knight, Green & Co., the firm continuing in business under this name until 1873, being engaged in contracting and building. In that year he formed a partnership with Mr. Jordan, under the name of Green & Jordan, and is still in business, theirs being the oldest contracting firm in the city. They have erected many of the prominent buildings of Portland, among others being the Storer Building, the Emery & Waterhouse store, the Shaler, Cavanaugh and Carroll School-houses, the Public Library, and likewise many of the finest residences in the city, including Dr. Dana's and H. M. Rayson's. Major Green is a prominent mem- ber of the Mechanics' Building and Loan Asso- ciation, having been one of its promoters and a Director since its organization.
Major Green has always been identified with the Republican ranks. He cast his first vote in 1864 at Petersburg, Va., for Abraham Lin- coln, the ballots being dropped in an ammuni- tion box. In local affairs he is very active and influential, and has served in various municipal offices with great acceptability. During the years 1872 and 1873 he was a member of the City Council, and has been one of the Committee on Public Buildings, Street Commissioner, member of the Board of Over- seers for over twelve years, being Chairman of the Board for two years, and Chairman of the Farming Committee for six years. While serving in the State legislature in 1889, the Major was Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, a member of the Public Building Committee, and of the State Pension Committee, and instrumental in having the State Militia Bill and an appropriation for the Gettysburg monument carried through the House.
In the years 1889 and 1890 he was City Marshal under Mayor Melcher; and many im-
provements in the police department were made during his term of office, the first patrol wagon ever used here being purchased, and the rogues' gallery established. A particular time for the annual spring and autumn chang- ing of police uniforms from light to dark, and vice versa, was then instituted. The Major is a man of prominence in military circles, hav- ing joined the Bosworth Post, Grand Army of the Republic, in 1867, since when he has been Post Commander three different times; and, in February, 1895, at Skowhegan, was elected Department Commander for the State of Maine, having under his charge one hundred and sixty-six Posts, with an aggregate mem- bership of nine thousand. He is also identi- fied with other social organizations, belonging to Portland Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; to Munjoy Lodge, Knights of Pythias; to the Ancient Brothers Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; to the Eastern Star Encampment; to . the Maine Commandery of the Loyal Legion ; and the Lincoln Club.
Major William H. Green married Miss Eda A. Merrill, daughter of Nathaniel Merrill, of Windham, Me., the only child of their union being Mildred G., wife of Herbert A. Roberts, of this city. Major Green is a regular attend- ant of the First Universalist Church and a generous contributor toward its support. He was one of the first to discover the beauties of that portion of the city known as the West End, and some twenty-five years ago built his present residence at No. 128 Emery Street.
ORACE CRESSEY, a prominent and well-to-do agriculturist of Gorham, Cumberland County, Me., was born in the town of Buxton, York County, March 10, 1841. He comes of sturdy English stock, his great-grandfather having emigrated from England in Colonial times, becoming a settler of Buxton. His two brothers, who accompanied him across the Atlantic, both located in the town of Gorham. All three took up land, and were in prosper- ous circumstances.
Mr. Cressey's paternal grandfather, John Cressey, was a native of Buxton, and there
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spent his life. To him and his wife, Hannah Owens, seven children were born, two of whom are still living - Edmund Cressey, of Hollis, Me. ; and Elijah Cressey, of Buxton.
Daniel Crcssey, one of the sons of John and Hannah Owens Cressey, was born and reared in Buxton, and there engaged in lumbering and general farming. Hc was a keen, far- sighted man of business and very successful in his various undertakings, continuing in active pursuit until his death, which occurred in 1891. Politically, he was a Democrat, and, religiously, was an attendant of the Frec Will Baptist church. He was twicc married. His first wife, Mary Hill, a native of Brownfield, with whom he was united in 1840, died in 1877, leaving six children, namcly: Horace, the leading subject of this bricf sketch; Hannah ; Charles H .; Noah; Danicl; and Mary C., wife of Wilbur Rand, who has two children - Maud and Harold. Of his union with his second wife, Mary Flood, of Buxton, there were no children.
Horace Cresscy was educated in the schools of his native town and afterward workcd on the home farm until 1863, when he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company C, Twenty-seventh Maine Volunteer Infantry, which was made up of brave boys from York County. He subscquently re-enlisted, just prior to the battle of Gettysburg, for a week or ten days, and for his gallantry received a medal of honor. On his return from war hc worked for a time on the farm, going thence to Portland, where he worked threc ycars for the Portland & Rochester Railway Company. Mr. Cresscy was then employed for three years in Warren's paper-mill at Cumberland Mills, after which he leased a farm in Buxton for two years. In 1878 he purchased the old Stone farm of one hundred acrcs, in Gorham, and here has since becn actively and prosper- ously engaged in general agriculture, being a practical and progressive farmer. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Dem- ocratic party, and attends the Methodist church, of which his wife is a member.
On November 21, 1874, Mr. Cressey was married to Lovanthia Elwell, the seventh of a family of nine children born to George and Nancy (Smith) Elwell, of Gorham. Mr. and
Mrs. Cressey have two children now living, namely : Ida M. Cresscy, born May 29, 1876; and Alvin H. Cressey, born September 8, 1877.
ATHANIEL DYER, a highly estecmed native resident of Pownal, Mc., for many years prominently identified with the management of town affairs, was born January 24, 1825, son of Michael and Rachel (Haskell) Dyer. Mr. Dyer's grandfather, Nathaniel Dyer, was an carly settler of Cape Elizabeth, where he owned and cultivated a good farm. He was a ship master and owner, and for many years was a prominent man at Cape Elizabeth. He passcd his last days in Portland, and died in that city at a good old agc. He reared a fam- ily of three sons and threc daughters, Michacl, Mr. Dyer's father, being the youngest son.
Michael Dycr was born at Cape Elizabeth, November 1, 1782. In early manhood he set- tled in Pownal as a pioneer, crecting a log house, and clearing a good farm from the wilderness, and by his encrgy and persever- ance succeeded in establishing a comfortable home for himself and family. He owned a farm of one hundred acres, which he culti- vated with prosperous results. He died at the agc of seventy-eight ycars and ten months. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was called to serve in public affairs as a Select- man of the town and a Representative to the legislature. He was twicc married. His second wife, who was born in Gorham, Mc., January 1, 1786, lived to reach the unusually advanced age of nearly onc hundred years. He reared a family of thirteen children, three of whom are living, namely: Nathaniel, the subject of this sketch, who is the eldest; Mrs. Rachel Bangs, who was born March 23, 1826, and now resides in Pownal; and Sarah Whit- more, who was born October 8, 1827, and re- sides in Oakland, Cal.
Nathanicl Dyer received his education in the schools of Pownal, and in young manhood he was employed as a ship carpenter for a short time. His principal occupation in life, how- ever, has been farming. In 1848 he purchased the home farm of one hundred and fifty acres,
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desirably located, which he has since con- ducted. As a general farmer he has by his energy and good management kept his farm up to a high standard of excellence, and has at- tained a comfortable prosperity. The present substantial buildings on his place were erected by him. In politics he supports the Repub- lican party, and he has rendered faithful and valuable services to the town as Selectman, Assessor, Treasurer, and in other offices; and in 1861 and 1862 he served with marked abil- ity as a Representative to the State legis- lature.
On March 18, 1851, Mr. Dyer was united in marriage with Harriet L. Martin, who was born in Poland, Me., April 9, 1827, daughter of Robert Martin. Mrs. Dyer died September 12, 1877, leaving two children - Edwin L. and Hattie E. Edwin L. Dyer, born October 15, 1855, is a lawyer and present City Clerk of Portland. He was married August 2, 1888, to Fanny Green, and has two children, named Dorothy and De Young. Hattie E. Dyer was born October 6, 1857. On September 22, 1886, she married Fred B. Estes, a travelling salesman. Mr. and Mrs. Estes reside in Deering. They have one daughter, named Mabel H.
Mr. Dyer is widely and favorably known as a genial, sociable gentleman and a kind- hearted friend. His views are liberal upon religious subjects. Socially, he is connected with Freeport Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Knights of Pythias.
EWELLYN SPURR, a prominent citi- zen of Otisfield, Cumberland County, Me., who is now actively engaged in general farming and dairying, was born in Otisfield, October 15, 1844. He is the son of Samuel and Laura (Harding) Spurr, the former a native of Otisfield, Me., the latter of Blue Hill, and the grandson of William and Nabbie N. (Dole) Spurr, early settlers in Otisfield.
William Spurr, who was born March 8, 1 765, was an able farmer and also worked at shoe- making. He spent the greater part of his life in Otisfield, dying July 10, 1837. His wife, Nabbie N. Dole, was born in Windham, Me.,
October 3, 1770, and died in Otisfield, October 12, 1844. She was the mother of twelve chil- dren - Miriam, born August 11, 1790, who died December 25, 1851; Joseph, who was born August 18, 1792, and died August 20, 1802; Oliver, born June 23, 1794, who died May 14, 1868; Polly D., who was born April 13, 1797, and died May 7, 1828; Fannie, who was born July 27, 1799, and died July 23, 1815; Merrill, who was born April 18, 1801, and died February 21, 1876; Jemima, born September 26, 1803, who died February 3, 1848; Amelia, who was born March 25, 1806, and died April 21, 1806; Robert, born April 20, 1807, who died June 4, 1878; Meredith W., born June 23, 1809, who died February 16, 1881; Samuel, born March 1, 1812; and William, Jr., born May 31, 1814, who died April 28, 1825.
Samuel Spurr was the eleventh child of this large family. Reared to farm life, he early settled on the farm which is now managed by his son, and by industry and judicious manage- ment drew from the soil a comfortable living. He occupied a prominent place among the citizens of the town, and held many offices of trust. He died March 3, 1855, his wife sur- viving till 1895. Six children brightened their home- Clara S., born in 1840, now the wife of Hamlin Spiller, of Lowell, Mass. ; Joseph M., born May 21, 1841, a shirt manu- facturer of Lowell, Mass., married, his wife being formerly Miss Laura Adams; Byron, who died in infancy; Cyril P., born in February, 1846, a shoemaker living in South Bridgton, Me., and married to Mary Corson, of Bridgton ; Lewellyn, born October 15, 1844, the special subject of this sketch; and Ida M., born in January, 1852, wife of Albert Strout, of Webb's Mills, Me.
Lewellyn Spurr received his early education in the public schools of Otisfield. He was but ten years of age when his father died, and was obliged to be content with a common- school education, going to work on a farm in North Yarmouth, Me., when he was seventeen years of age. He worked in North Yarmouth three months, and, when the war broke out, though under age, signified his willingness to fight for his country, enlisting August 2, 1862, in Company H, Seventeenth Maine Infantry,
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under command of Captain A. L. Fogg and Colonel T. A. Roberts. He took part in some of the most momentous engagements of the Civil War, including Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Chancellorsville. At Gettys- burg, July 2, 1863, he received a bullet wound in the leg, which permanently disabled him, and on account of which he was sent to the hospital at Newark, N. J. Receiving his discharge from the service September 25, 1863, he returned home; and, his lameness in- capacitating him for farm work, he learned the shoemaker's trade and worked at it for two years in Mechanic Falls, Lewiston, and Otis- field. By that time his strength had returned ; and, being again able to engage in active out- door labor, he resumed his farm work during the summer season, being employed in logging in winter in New Hampshire and Vermont, and in the summer of 1867 working in the brickyard in Oxford, Me. November 1, 1870, he moved to his present home to take care of his uncle and aunt; and when they died he succeeded to the ownership of the farm. The estate comprises about one hundred acres, and under Mr. Spurr's management is in a highly productive condition. He raises large quan- tities of hay, grain, and potatoes, and makes a fine grade of butter, which he sends to markets in different parts of the country. He also finds lucrative employment as a carpenter and mason.
On February 14, 1882, Mr. Spurr was mar- ried to Miss Lydia Scribner, who was born in Otisfield, August 20, 1852, daughter of John and Sarah (Lamb) Scribner, both of Cumber- land County. Mrs. Spurr comes of a long- lived family, her great-grandfather, Edward Scribner, attaining the remarkable age of one hundred and three, and her grandfather, John Scribner, living to be ninety-five years of age. Her father was a prominent farmer and lum- berman of Otisfield. Mr. and Mrs. Spurr have one child - William S., born February 28, 1883.
Politically, Mr. Spurr has been an ardent supporter of Democratic principles since he be- came of age. He was Selectman of Otisfield in 1884, 1892, 1893, and 1894. He is some- what of an antiquary and has a unique collec- tion of old documents and other relics, includ-
ing almanacs dating back to 1757, which were gathered by different members of the Spurr family and given to him by his aunt, Sallie Spurr, who lived to be ninety years of age, and a singing-book, dated February 5, 1755. Mr. Spurr is adding yearly to his interesting collection, which is thus constantly increasing in value.
AMES L. RICE, a substantial citizen and highly successful retail grocer of Portland, where he has a store at the corner of Congress and Portland Streets, was born in his city, October 9, 1861, a son of Richard Gooding and Mary E. (Libby) Rice.
When he was but six months old, his parents left Portland and moved to North Pownal, where they settled on a farm, subsequently removing to a farm in Westbrook, and going after a year's stay in that place to Scarboro, and thence to South Gorham. In the two places last named they remained several years, the father being engaged in agriculture.
James L. Rice attended school in various places ; and, as his parents returned to Portland on leaving South Gorham, he finished his early education in the common school of Deer- ing. In 1876, when he was fifteen years of age, he took a course at Gray's Business Col- lege, and subsequently found employment with I. S. Bean in a wholesale fruit and produce store, where he remained a year, acquiring his first practical knowledge of business. After that he secured a position as book-keeper for Thompson & Hall, general commission prod- uce merchants, and two years later, in 1884, started a small grocery store on his own ac- count. At first he employed but one clerk ; but at the end of two years his trade had in- creased to such an extent as to warrant his entering more commodious quarters, and he came to his present stand, a fine large corner store, where he now has the best business in this portion of the city, giving employment to seven people besides himself.
On February 16, 1884, Mr. Rice was united in marriage with Miss Ida L. Phillips, a daughter of Ossian C. Phillips, of Turner, Me. ; and they are the parents of two children
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Albert L. and Ada May. Mr. Rice is a - faithful supporter of the Republican party at the polls, but has never sought office. He and his family reside in Deering and are at- tendants of the Congregational church, to the support of which he contributes.
ANIEL M. CROCKETT, Town Clerk at Bridgton, Me., was born January 25, 1831, in Charleston, S. C. His parents, Daniel Merrill and Ellen (Thomas) Crockett, had but two children, the elder being a daughter. The mother died when Daniel was an infant; and the father, who was engineer in a rice factory in Georgetown, N.C., died eight years later.
After the death of his mother Daniel M. Crockett was taken to Portland to live with an uncle, who had sent for him, and made his home in that city until fourteen years old. Engaging subsequently for some time as a farm laborer, he became thoroughly acquainted with agricultural work ; but, preferring to learn a trade, he then went to Westbrook, where he served an apprenticeship at shoemaking, which he subsequently followed for six years, and after that he was employed in lumbering in Wisconsin for two years. Returning to Westbrook, and again working at shoemaking for a short time, Mr. Crockett next established himself in business, which he finally sold out in the time of the late Rebellion, in order that he might offer his services in his country's defence. Accordingly, on October 3, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Twelfth Maine Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in at Portland. Sent to the South with his regiment, Mr. Crockett first met the enemy in battle at Ponchatoula, where he was wounded in the face by a piece of shell and was taken prisoner. He was held in the prisons of Jackson and Vicksburg from September I until the following January, when he was ex- changed. Rejoining his regiment, he was soon sent to New Orleans, where he was sta- tioned three weeks, and the following fourteen weeks he spent at the .St. James Hospital. His term of enlistment having now expired, he was honorably discharged, being mustered out of service September 7, 1864.
On his return to Westbrook Mr. Crockett resumed work at his trade, but was afterward appointed Assistant Postmaster, and was also clerk in a store, continuing thus engaged until 1865, when he came to Bridgton, where he has since made his home. For some years he has been engaged in farming. He was re-elected March 2, 1896, for the fifth term as Town Clerk of Bridgton, having filled this office with credit for four years, and, himself a loyal Republican, enjoying the respect of both po- litical parties. He is prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic circles, having been Adjutant of Farragut Post, No. 21, for a quar- ter of a century.
Mr. Daniel M. Crockett and Miss Abbie Mead were united in wedlock on November 26, 1865. They have but one child living, a daughter, Susanna M., having been bereft of their only son, Charles M.
R EV. ASA DALTON, D.D., Rector of St. Stephen's, Portland, Me., was born in Westbrook, Me., October 30, 1824. He comes from good old. New England stock, being a descendant of Philemon Dalton, who emigrated to this coun- try in 1635, bringing with him his wife and son, and was one of the founders of Dedham, Mass. After a time he moved to New Hamp- shire, and settled in Hampton, of which place he was also one of the first settlers and incorporators.
Philemon Dalton soon became a leading man in his new home. He was elected to many offices of trust, and gained the respect and confidence of the people among whom he dwelt. He became Deacon of the church and Selectman, and, as civil magistrate, had authority to perform marriage ceremonies. He died June 4, 1662, from injuries received from the fall of a tree. The Rev. Timothy Dalton, brother of Philemon, also sought a home in the New World. The rectorship of Woolverstone, Suffolk, England, which he had held for more than twenty years, was taken from him under the tyrannical rule of Archbishop Laud. He, therefore, in 1637 left England, and joined his brother Philemon at Hampton, and was the first "teacher" of the church there.
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