Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 42

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

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Mr. Lamson has made a hobby of aero- nautics, being a thorough believer in the possibility of aerial navigation; and in the course of his studying and experimenting he has constructed some peculiar kites, looking toward a solution of that problem. One of them, called the Lamson multiplane kite, has attracted considerable attention from those interested in such matters. He has been in correspondence with Hiram S. Maxim, of England, Otto Libenthal, of Germany, and other aeronautical inventors. Mr. Lamson cast his first Presidential vote for General U. S. Grant, and has never since swerved from party allegiance. He is a well-known member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Ancient Landmark Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is likewise a member of the Ancient Brothers, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Lamson was married July 27, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth H. Cox, daughter of John and Adeline (Preble) Cox, both parents belonging to families formerly prominent in this city. Rear Admiral Preble, of the United States

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navy, was a brother of Mrs. Cox. Mr. Lam- son and his wife have two children - Adelyn Preble and Charles A. Although both Mr. and Mrs. Lamson have liberal views on relig- ious subjects, their beliefs are not identical, he being a follower of Swedenborg, while she is a Unitarian and a member of the old First Parish Church of Portland.

AVID F. FILES, a native of Gor- ham, Me., occupying the ancestral homestead of the Files family in this town, was born on March 3, 1833. He comes of Colonial stock, being a great- grandson of William Files, who was one of the early settlers of this section of Cumber- land County, being known as the "old Ranger." He was of English descent, and took an active part in the French and Indian War. He acquired a large tract of wild land, from which he reclaimed a farm, and built thereon the house that is now the home of his descendant above named, who is one of the posterity of his youngest son, Samuel.

Samuel Files inherited the brave spirit of his forefathers, and was a patriotic soldier of the Revolutionary War. He followed farm- ing as his occupation, continuing his resi- dence in Gorham. To him and his wife, Esther Thomas, nine children were born, Stephen, father of David, being the youngest. Grandfather Files was a Whig in politics, and he was a member of the Congregational church.

Stephen Files, born in 1800 in Gorham, was a shoemaker, and worked at his trade nearly his entire life, but passed his declining years restfully on the old homestead. On Oc- tober 21, 1828, he married Eunice Freeman, daughter of David Freeman, of this town, and by this union had four children, two of whom are now living -- David F. and Susan A. The latter is the widow of Paul R. Seavey, of Bangor, and has two children - Mary Ellen and Haller D. Stephen Files died April 15, 1882; and his wife, January 6, 1885. Both were faithful . members of the Methodist church, and he was a Republican in politics.

David F. Files completed his course of education in Portland, where he afterward learned the trade of an iron moulder, of E.

Orcutt & Co. In 1847 he began working for Prince's Express Company in Portland, re- maining thus employed ten years; and in 1857 he returned to the old homestead at West Gorham, where he has since been engaged in general farming. He has one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, about seventy-five being under cultivation. He makes a specialty of dairying, sending his milk to Boston, Mass., having an excellent trade in this product.

Mr. Files was first married January 1, 1858, to Fanny S., daughter of Charles Curtis, of Belfast, Me. Their wedded life was but of three short months' duration, as she was called to pass from earthly scenes on April 15, 1858. On June 6, 1861, he was again married, Mor- gia, daughter of S. Eastman, of Lovell, Me., becoming his second wife. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Files, and eight are now living, the following being a brief record: Charles E., born September 7, 1863, resides in Boston ; Carrie W., born July 3, 1865, is a nurse in the hospital at Bangor, Me. ; Vane E., born May 5, 1867, is a mason by trade, working in Boston; Harry P., born July 3, 1869, is employed by the Wal- worth Manufacturing Company in Boston ; Stephen C., born May 12, 1871, is at home; Nettie S., born August 24, 1873, is employed. by Mr. John S. Palmer, milliner, in Portland ; William R., born March 11, 1875, is a student at the Maine State College in Orono; and Katherine M., born April 28, 1876, lives with her parents. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Files are Congregationalists, and in politics he is a firm Republican. Socially, Mr. Files is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, belonging to Harmony Lodge, No. 38, of Gorham, and to Gorham Lodge, No. 98, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

HOMAS B. HASKELL, who has been identified for many years with the busi- ness interests of South Portland, Me., formerly a part of Cape Elizabeth, was born September 22, 1839, in the city of Portland, son of Samuel and Adeline (Stevens) Haskell. His grandfather, Silas Haskell, was a lifelong resident of North Brookfield, Mass. He there married Sarah Bond, who bore him seven boys

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and two girls, of whom the only one now surviving is Chauncey Haskell, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

Samuel Haskell, son of Silas, was born in North Brookfield in 1800; and twenty-eight years later he married Miss Stevens, a native of the same place. The year previous to his marriage he had become a resident of Boston, Mass., having purchased the old Lafayette Hotel, which was located on the present site of Brigham's Restaurant, managing it until 1833, when he moved to Portland, Me. There he purchased the furnishings and business of the old Elm Hotel, which occupied the place where the store of Kendall & Whitney now stands. In 1841 he bought the business of the American House, which he conducted for ten years, when he retired from active pursuits, settling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres at Cape Elizabeth, where he passed his last days in pleasant retirement, dying in 1878.

Mr. Samuel Haskell was a hard worker and a public-spirited citizen, laboring zealously and efficiently in behalf of local improvements. He is gratefully remembered, in particular as having been a conspicuous factor in freeing from toll the Vaughn Bridge, which was built in 1800 across the Fore River to connect this place with Portland. He was a stanch mem- ber of the Democratic party, and, although not an office-seeker, did serve his fellow-townsmen through one term as Selectman. Religiously, he was of the liberal type of Christians. Seven children were born to him and his wife, of whom the following four are now living : Mrs. Sarah A. Small, a widow, residing in Chicago, Ill. ; Mrs. Emily S. Whitney, a resi- dent of Portland, wife of Ammi Whitney, of the firm of Kendall & Whitney; Thomas B. ; and George A., a clerk in the store of Kendall & Whitney.

Thomas B. Haskell completed his school studies at the Westbrook Seminary, after which he returned to his father's home in Cape Elizabeth, continuing here until 1864, when he became an overseer in the Portland kero- sene oil works, a position which he filled for seven years. In 1871 Mr. Haskell settled on the home farm, which has since been under his judicious management. In the conduct of local public affairs he has taken an important

part, having been elected Selectman, As- sessor, and Overseer of the Poor in 1872, and re-elected the ten following years, being made Chairman of the Board every year but one. He has likewise served one year as Town Treasurer, and since 1882 has been Town Collector, making twenty-five years of contin- uous service, a fact rendering superfluous any comment on his honesty and efficiency. He is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Democratic party and an active worker in its ranks.

Mr. Haskell was married December 14, 1893, to Miss Georgiana Allen, daughter of George Allen, of Chelsea, Mass. Both he and his wife are liberal in their religious faith, not bound by creeds and dogmas. In the fraternal organizations of this vicinity Mr. Haskell is very prominent, belonging to Hiram Lodge, No. 180, A. F. & A. M .; to Green- leaf Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Port- land; to Harmony Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portland; to Machigoone Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of Portland; to the Pine Tree Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and to the St. Albans Commandery, Knights Templars, of Portland.

EREMIAH R. ANDREWS, a retired business man of Westbrook, was born in Great Falls, now Somersworth, N. H., August 21, 1811, son of Benja- min and Mercy (Randall) Andrews. Mr. An- drews's grandfather, who was a native of Somersworth, resided for many years in Great Falls, and reared a family of two children. Benjamin Andrews was born in Somersworth. He was a prosperous farmer during the active period of his life and a worthy upright man and a useful citizen. In politics he was originally a Whig, but joined the Republi- can party at its formation. In his religious views he was a Calvinist Baptist. He died in 1857. His wife, who was a native of Somersworth, became the mother of seven children, two of whom are living, namely : Jeremiah R., the subject of this sketch; and Rachel, the wife of Ladd Canney, of Farm- ington, N. H.

Jeremiah R. Andrews attended the public

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schools of Great Falls. After completing his studies, he commenced to learn the black- smith's trade with Leonard Wood. One year later he took up the trade of a machinist, in which his employer had engaged. He learned the trade; and, after working for Mr. Wood for two years, he entered the employ of Clark & Aldrich, with whom he remained for one year. In 1832 he moved from Great Falls to that part of Saccarappa which is now included in the town of Westbrook, where he engaged with Whitney & Reade, who were at that time erecting the plant of the Westbrook Manufact- uring Company. He spent his first year there in setting up the machinery and getting the factory into working order, and subsequently, in March, 1833, spun the first thread made in the place. He continued as a journeyman until 1836, when the firm failed. Then, in partnership with John T. Gilman, he bought their machinery, and under the firm name of Andrews & Gilman, commenced business upon his own account. Three months later he pur- chased his partner's interest. Soon after by good management he placed the business upon a firm running basis, and carried it on suc- cessfully until 1870. He then engaged in the furniture business in Westbrook, bring- ing into that branch of trade his well-known energy and valuable experience. He con- ducted it with profit for some eighteen years, or until 1888, when he retired permanently from active business. During his long resi- dence in Westbrook he has gained an enviable reputation as a reliable and conscientious busi- ness man. In 1860 he established the fur- nishing-goods store conducted under the firm name of J. R. Andrews & Son, an interest in which he still retains. With this single ex- ception, he has withdrawn from all business ventures, and is now passing his time in quiet retirement.

In his younger days he united with the Whig party in politics, casting his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1832. He subse- quently gave his adherence to the Republican party, and has since supported it both by his vote and influence. Although a man of keen perception, possessing a good knowledge of public affairs, he has never aspired to political prominence, leaving the way clear for more

ambitious aspirants ; but he has rendered val- uable services to the town as a member of the School Board, to which he has been three times elected, and has served as District Surveyor. In 1836 he stood the draft for soldiers to serve in Aroostook County during the excitement caused by the threatened in- vasion of the British at the time of the north- east boundary dispute; but he drew a blank, which entitled him to remain at home.

On May 15, 1834, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Mary Ann Haley, daughter of John Haley, of Saco, and has had seven chil- dren, five of whom are living, namely: Addie W., the widow of W. J. Thorne, late of West- brook ; Charles L., a resident of that town ; John Q., of Dayton, Ohio; Arthur E., who is engaged in the clothing business in San- ford, Me. ; and Benjamin F., who is employed by his brother in Westbrook.

Mr. Andrews was connected with the Sons of Temperance, and is a leading man in the Universalist church. While upon a visit to Washington during General Harrison's admin- istration, he attended a reception at the White House, and had the satisfaction of shaking hands with the President, whose grandfather he had supported in 1840.

RLANDO P. WEEKS, the represent- ative of an old family of Cumberland County, was born in Standish, Me., July 31, 1846, son of Alvah and An- gelinah (Smith) Weeks. His first ancestor in this country, George Weekes, came from England in 1635, and settled in Dorchester, Mass. He is " said to have been of an ancient and honorable Devonshire family." Various spellings of the name are found, as Week, Wyke, Weekes, and other forms. The coat of arms of a Wyke, and of Weekes of Honey- church, England, is thus described in Burke's "Heraldry " : "Ermine, three battle - axes, sable"; the crest, "an arm embowered, in armor proper, holding a battle-axe, gules" (red). The motto is "Caro Deo nihilo carent " (Those beloved of God want for nothing). Mr. Orlando P. Weeks traces his descent from the first settler, George Weekes, through Ammiel Weeks, Sr., Ammiel, Jr.,

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George, Ammiel, third, Ebenezer, William, Samuel, and Alvah Weeks.

Samuel Weeks was born on the site of the old market in Portland. In his early life he followed the sea, visiting the East and West Indies, and other parts of the world. He took up his residence for a time in Newfield, Me., and in 1811 moved to Standish and settled on the land now owned by the Maine Central Railroad, his house standing near the site of the present round-house. When the War of 1812 broke out, he went into the army as Drum-major, in which capacity he served until the close of the struggle. He then re- turned home, and was engaged in farming and other pursuits until his death in 1871. He married Eleanor West, and they had six chil- dren, namely : Alvah, who was born in New- field; John, Caroline, Harriet, Albion, and Lucy A., the last five being born in Standish.

John, the second child, married Clarissa Haines, of Buxton, Me., and had two children, Wallace and Ellen, neither of whom is now living. After his marriage he moved to Massachusetts, and at the time of his death was a physician in Malden, that State. His wife is also dead. The third child of Samuel Weeks, Caroline, married Charles Howard, a brick mason of Westbrook, and had ten chil- dren, three of whom are now living in Boston, namely: Nellie, wife of Rufus William Clark, a Captain on the North Ferry ; Carrie, widow of the late Harry Stebbins; and William. Harriet, the fourth child, married Richard Whitney, a blacksmith, now deceased, and became the mother of six children, two of whom are now living - Lucy M. and John A. The daughter, Lucy M. Whitney, married Au- gustus Bangs (now deceased), of Farmington, Me., and now resides in Portland. Mrs. Bangs had six children, four of whom - Cla- rissa Lillian, Hattie E., Allen, and Laura are living. The first named, Clarissa Lillian, married George Montgomery, a leather dealer of Portland, and has two children - Earl and William Howard. John Whitney, son of Richard and Harriet (Weeks) Whitney, mar- ried Martha Gray, of Standish, and resides on Standish Neck. They have had one child, now deceased.

Alvah Weeks, eldest child of Samuel

Weeks, was born in Newfield, April 7, 1810, and died August 21, 1887. He was a stone cutter and mason by trade, and becanie a prom- inent contractor and builder, laying the foun- dation of many of the public buildings of this State. He was formerly a Whig in politics, and for some years served as Town Collector and Constable. Both he and his wife were active members of the Free Will Baptist church. His marriage, which united him with Angelinah Smith, daughter of Hugh M. Smith, of Buxton, Me., occurred on June 6, 1833; and the day following he moved on to the farm that he had purchased in Standish, where he subsequently lived and died. On

this estate, now owned by Orlando P. Weeks, is the site of the first frame house built in Standish. It stood on the height of land about thirty-five rods to the north of the present house, and in it was held the first religious meeting in this town. A maple beam, taken from its frame, was placed in the present dwelling, and is still in a fine state of preser- vation.

Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Weeks had four chil- dren - Gardner D., Alonzo, Albert P., and Orlando P. The first named, Gardner D., was born in Standish, August 12, 1834, and died July 6, 1893. He married Narcissa J. Freeman, of Gray; and they became the parents of two children - Mary Grace and An- gelina Louise. He was a member of Gray Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also belonged to the Knights of Pythias. His wife died November 20, 1895. Both were members of the Congregational church. Alonzo Weeks, born March 7, 1836, is now a resident of Washington, D. C., where for twenty-four years he held an office in the Pension Bureau. He married on May 24, 1858, Mrs. Susan L. Elder, born Dorsett. He belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, and is a member of the Metro- politan Church of Washington, D.C., as was his wife, who died April 9, 1891. Albert P. Weeks, who was born July 6, 1840, and died April 7, 1893, was a prominent physician of Chelsea, Mass. ; and at the time of his death he occupied a high position in Boston medical circles, being on the Hospital Board and a Director of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was married on July 19, 1869, to Elizabeth

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Day, of Kennebunkport; and they had two children - Charles Lord and Walter Scott, the first named of whom married Grace Carter, of Hanover, N. H., in June, 1893. Dr. Al- bert P. Weeks was a member of the Knights of Honor of Chelsea, and he and his wife were members of the Congregational church.

Orlando P. Weeks, after juvenile attendance at the district schools of his native town, ac- quired a knowledge of the painter's trade. He soon became a skilled mechanic, and, being naturally ingenious, has since worked at various trades, including carpentry, his present occupation being that of a jeweller. He is a Republican in politics, and socially has been a member of Windham Lodge, No. 2276, Knights of Honor, of North Windham, for the past fifteen years. Mr. Weeks was first married on December 31, 1868, to Fanny M. Fogg, who was born in Standish, where their nuptials were celebrated, and who died in 1880. On July I, 1891, Mr. Weeks was married to Matilda A., adopted daughter of Amos Ward, of Sebago. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks are numbered among the prominent and repre- sentative residents of this town, being widely known and equally respected.

LBRIDGE G. PINKHAM, JR., Post- master and leading merchant of South Harpswell, Me., was born near his present residence, February 25, 1860, son of Elbridge G. and Pamelia (Brown) Pinkham. Elbridge G. Pinkham, Sr., reared in a fishing community, early took to the sea for a liveli- hood, and, being an enterprising man, pros- pered to a marked degree. He owned a num- ber of fishing-vessels, large and small, and carried on an extensive business for many years. He is now, at the age of seventy-nine, living retired from active work in Harpswell. His wife, a native of Freeport, Me., is a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Brown, of that town. Mrs. Pinkham, who is now sixty- seven years of age, and an active member of the Methodist church, reared three children - Georgia, wife of G. R. Johnson, of Harpswell ; Charles, clerk in the store of his brother El- bridge G. ; and the subject of this sketch.

Elbridge G. Pinkham received a good edu-

cation, attending the common schools of his native town, Brunswick High School, and Topsham Academy. He first worked as a clerk at Lisbon Falls, Me., and then entered the employ of William P. Bailey, who was proprietor of the store now owned by Mr. Pinkham in South Harpswell. He worked for Mr. Bailey eight years, and then, his em- ployer dying, in 1892 he purchased the busi- ness, which he has since carried on very suc- cessfully. He keeps in stock a complete line of groceries and provisions, fresh and salt fish, ship stores, dry goods, and wood and coal, receiving his coal by boat direct from New York. Though young in years, he is a good business man, and is already one of the fore- most merchants of this town.

Mr. Pinkham is a Republican in politics. He was appointed Postmaster in 1892 for four years, and has proved a very capable official.

He is a member of several fraternal bodies, including Pejapscot Lodge, No. 13, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brunswick ; Sebascodegan Lodge, No. 30, of Red Men, of Orr's Island; and the local branch of the Pil- grim Fathers. Though liberal in his relig- ious views, he attends and supports the Meth- odist church. He is a man of more than ordi- nary intelligence, and is highly esteemed by his townsmen.

RTHUR L. FARNSWORTH, Spe- cial Deputy Collector of the port of Portland and Falmouth, was born in Kennebunk, Me., September 29, 1849, and is the oldest son of the Hon. Joseph S. and Judith M. (Stevens) Farnsworth. His father, a draughtsman by occupation, was one of the leading citizens of Windsor, Vt., and was one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity in that State, being the last surviv- ing charter member of Vermont Commandery. He died June 20, 1895, aged seventy-four. His wife, who was a daughter of James and Susan (Littlefield) Stevens, is still living. They were the parents of three children - Arthur L., James W., and Susie A.

Arthur L. Farnsworth received his element- ary education in the common schools of Ver- mont, and took a supplementary course of

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study at Windsor Academy. He worked ten years as clerk for Tuxbury & Stone at Wind- sor, and in 1874 removed to Portland, where for some years he was in the gentlemen's fur- nishing business. In politics a Democrat, he was appointed in 1886, by General Samuel J. Anderson, Weigher and Gauger of the port of Portland, and served in that capacity till Jan- uary 1, 1891, when he was removed by Col- lector Fred N. Dow to make room for Major H. A. Shorey. He was, undoubtedly, one of the best weighers and gaugers ever appointed for the port of Portland. In March, 1892, he was elected City Assessor for three years, and for the past year has been Chairman of the Board of Assessors. Always active in politi- cal matters, he belonged to the Democratic City and County Committees for many years, filling the office of Chairman of the City Committee from 1892 to 1894; and under his supervision the party made large gains and was well organized. He was complimented on the good fight he made in September, 1892, by a personal letter from President Cleveland. He has filled every office to which he has been elected with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public, and for the position he now holds had the strongest possible indorsement, not only from his own political party, but from the leading business and professional men of the city and State, irrespective of political bias.

On September 20, 1870, Mr. Farnsworth was united in marriage at Windsor, Vt., with Miss Georgie M. Hawley, only daughter of William T. and Nancy (Pierce) Hawley, and two children have blessed their union - Arthur H., who is a travelling salesman for the Twitchell-Champlin Company ; and Myra P.

Mr. Farnsworth is affiliated with several fra- ternal associations, and is a thirty-second de- gree Mason. He belongs to Atlantic Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Greenleaf Chapter, Portland Council, Portland Commandery, and the An- cient and Accepted Scottish Rites. He is also a member of Unity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Eastern Star Encamp- ment, Knights of Pythias, Trinity Lodge, the Falmouth Club, and the Young Men's Demo- cratic Club. He and his wife attend the Uni- versalist church.

UGH J. CHISHOLM, a citizen of Portland whose career in the business world has been one of eminent success, was born in the little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, May 2, 1847. His parents were Alexander and Mary Chis- holm, natives of Inverness, Scotland; and he can trace his lineage back without break to the year 1300, when the Chisholm clan flourished at Strathglass, in the Highlands of Scotland. Mr. Chisholm has samples of the plaid adopted by his forefathers and worn by them through generations, and is justly proud of his race. He visited Scotland during the summer of 1894, and erected a monument to the memory of his grandparents.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 42

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