Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 44

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

USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 44

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Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth R. Lane had seven children, namely: Cyrus, born September 15, 1834, died on July 25, 1888; Mary J., born

November 11, 1835, now the widow of J. R. Adams, and residing in East Raymond; Henry J. ; Orrin B. ; Chester D., born March 18, 1840, who married Miss Rebecca E. Manches- ter, and is living at Cumberland Mills; Clara J., born April 8, 1842, died October 25, 1857; and Harriet E., born March 27, 1844, died March 21, 1850. The father died Feb- ruary 2, 1866, and the mother on October 29, 1857. Mr. Wentworth R. Lane held the position of Postmaster in East Raymond for thirty years and that of Town Clerk for a quarter of a century, besides other offices of less importance.

Henry J. and Orrin B. Lane enjoyed the advantages of a good practical common-school education, acquired during their home life. Henry J. Lane took a position as clerk in a store when fourteen years old, and continued thus engaged about ten years, being succes- sively in the employ of Thomas Morrill at East Raymond and Anson Jordan at Webb's Mills. Orrin B. began working in a store when but twelve years old, his first employer being Franklin Sawyer, a dealer in general merchan- dise. He was afterward engaged for a year in the store of L. D. Strout, and later was at East Otisfield for two years as a clerk for N. L. Scribner. In the fall of 1860 he and his brother Henry J. opened a store in Casco, which they conducted until May, 1862, at which time they sold out and removed to East Raymond, where they did business for a year ; and in June, 1863, they purchased the general store of Orrin B. Lane's former employer, Franklin Sawyer. They have conducted this store since that time; and, though at the be- ginning their capital was small, they have met with excellent success, as a result of good management and close attention to the details of their business, which they now conduct on a cash basis. The brothers own considerable timber land in East Raymond and vicinity. It was they who started the Riverside Cemetery, which is now owned by several of the leading men of the town - Henry J. Lane, Orrin B. Lane, Charles Cole, G. W. Foss, D. W. Leavitt, and the heirs of Sewell Welsh.

While they were conducting business in Casco, on March 28, 1861, Henry J. Lane was married to Miss Maria L. Hayden, the cere-

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mony being performed by the Rev. E. S. Jor- dan. They have one child, Clara B., born June 16, 1862, now the wife of C. K. Richards, of Falmouth, Me. Orrin B. Lane has never married, but has boarded with his brother for the past thirty-five years. H. J. has acted as Postmaster for the last thirty years; and his brother, O. B., has served as Assistant Postmaster for an equal length of time.

In political affiliation H. J. and O. B. Lane are Democrats, and they have always voted that ticket. Both have served as Representa- tives from this district to the State legislature, the former in 1883, and the latter in 1871 and 1874. Henry J. has filled the office of Town Treasurer at intervals for the past thirty years, and Orrin B. that of Town Clerk for thirty- three years. Henry J. has also held the posi- tion of Selectman for six or seven years. Orrin B. is a member in good standing of Siloam Lodge, No. 45, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Gray; Henry J., of Windham Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and Orrin B. of the Sons of Temperance of Raymond.

NDREW JACKSON OTIS, a veteran agriculturist of Standish, Cumberland County, Me., was born August 8, 1815, in Barrington, N. H., son of Job and Sally (Kimball) Otis. His great- grandfather 'on his father's side, Joshua Otis, married in 1745, Jane Hussey, of Dover, N. H. ; and in 1752 they moved to that part of Barrington that is now included within the limits of Strafford. Joshua Otis, with most of his brothers, served in the war of the Rev- olution. His wife died in 1790, but he lived until 1810. They reared ten children, Mi- cajah, the grandfather of Andrew J., being the second son and child.

Micajah Otis was born in Barrington, N. H., and there owned a good farm of two hundred acres, a large part of it under cultivation. He was a man of eminent piety, and for many years a preacher in the Free Will Baptist de- nomination, having charge of the Barrington church until his death. His wife, Sarah Foss, a daughter of Joshua Foss, of Barring- ton, was also a member of that church. They

were the parents of six children, Job being their first-born.

Job Otis was born in Barrington in 1770, and far outlived the old-time allotted years of man's life, dying in 1854. He was a well-to- do farmer, succeeding to the ownership of the homestead on which he was born and reared. He was a man of strong individuality, noted for his practical wisdom and ability, was a Democrat in politics, and occupied an impor- tant position in the management of local pub- lic affairs. In 1808 he was elected Select- man, an office which he held four consecutive years ; and in 1819 and 1820 he represented the town of Barrington in the State legislature. During the latter year the town of Strafford was set off from Barrington; and this new town he represented in the legislature in 1822, 1823, 1828, 1833, 1834, and 1835. In 1835 he was a member of the Board of Councillors for the State of New Hampshire. He likewise served as a Justice of the Peace for many years. His wife, a daughter of Ephraim Kiniball, of Dover, N. H., bore him nine children, Andrew J. being the only one now living. The mother belonged to the Free Will Baptist church.

Andrew J. Otis acquired the rudiments of his education in the district schools of his native town, afterward attending the academy at Strafford. On the parental farm he was thoroughly drilled in agricultural arts, and during the first half-century of his life carried on general farming in the place of his nativity.

He was a man of prominence in Strafford, succeeding his father as Justice of the Peace, and being at one time a member of the Major- general's staff, serving as Quartermaster. He also represented his town in the legislature at Concord, N. H., in 1855. In 1865 Mr. Otis removed to Maine and purchased a farm of sixty acres in Standish, on which he has since resided, being known as a thrifty and successful farmer.

Mr. Otis was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah Howe Kimball, daughter of John Kim- ball, of Hiram, Me. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Otis have all passed away from this earthly home. In politics Mr. Otis is a firm adherent of the Democratic party, and in religious belief both he and his wife are Universalists.

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ILLIAM HARRISON MOTLEY, attorney-at-law of Deering, and at the present time serving as Post- master at Woodford's, was born at Gardiner, Kennebec County, Me., December 1, 1840. His father, Nathaniel Motley, was born at Gorham, this county, a grandson of John Mot- ley, who settled at Fort Hill in Gorham, and was the first ancestor of the family in this country, John Lothrop Motley, the distin- guished historian, being one of his descend- ants. At the time of the Indian troubles in the carly history of Maine, when the Brackett family was massacred, this same John Motley, who was also a Revolutionary veteran, was appointed administrator of the Brackett prop- erty. His son, William Motley, grandfather of our subject, was an influential citizen of Windham for many years.

Nathaniel Motley, father of William H., received a liberal education in the place of his nativity, and after his marriage resided for some time in Vermont, while there represent- ing his town in the State legislature. He married Miss Rachael Horton, daughter of Rufus Horton, one of the leading members of the Friends' Society of Portland; and they be- came the parents of eleven children, William H. being the eighth in order of birth. Neither of the parents is now living, the mother hav- ing passed away on February 7, 1893. She remained true to the faith in which she was reared, being a member of the Friends' Society during her life.

William H. Motley assisted his father in his mercantile pursuits until the breaking out of the late Civil War, when, in August, 1861, he enlisted in his country's service, joining Company G, Seventh Maine Volunteer Infan- try, and being sent at once with his regiment to Virginia to join the Army of the Potomac. He was at the front in many severe engage- ments, being present at the seven days' battle on the Peninsula, there receiving a wound in the right foot and another in the left knee, and later, at the battle of Antietam, being wounded through the mouth, and also receiv- ing a flesh wound under the chin. After this battle, the regiment being practically annihi- lated, it was sent home to recruit its ranks; and on its reorganization Mr. Motley was made

Lieutenant of Company I, Thirtieth Maine Volunteer Infantry, which was sent to join the Red River expedition, there participating in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Grand Ecore, Crim River Crossing, and in the action at Mansura Plains. At this time Lieutenant Motley was Acting Adjutant of his regiment; and at Alexandria, La., just before the last battle, while his men were guarding the river, in order that a dam might be constructed to facil- itate the passage of the gunboats down the stream, he received a severe wound at the base of the spine, the bullet cutting a hole the size of a silver dollar in his clothes, and tearing the flesh from the spine, the injury being followed by paralysis. Notwithstanding his bloody experience, this plucky soldier was in the hospital but twenty days during his entire time of service. The regiment was then ordered to Virginia, forming a part of Grant's command and going to Deep Bottom, and thence to the Shenandoah Valley, being stationed at Cedar Creek when, on October 19, 1864, Early surprised the Union forces, causing a stampede. Lieutenant Motley was then in command of a line of skirmishers, and was one of the very first to see the gallant Sheridan when he galloped to the front to re- trieve the lost ground and save the day. After the cessation of hostilities Mr. Motley re- mained in service several months, being lo- cated in Savannah, Ga., until August 20, 1865, when he received his discharge.

On his return home he pursued his studies at the Hebron Academy and the Norway Lit- erary Institute, subsequently becoming a law student in the office of H. M. Bearce, of Nor- way, and being admitted to the bar in 1872. He then read law for a year with the Hon. T. B. Reed, the distinguished statesman, after- ward beginning the practice of his profession in Portland. He first practised alone, meeting with excellent success, and was then in partner- ship for a time with H. A. Bletheim, under the firm name of Motley & Bletheim, subse- quently becoming senior member of the firm of Motley & Sylvester. While a resident of Portland, Mr. Motley always took an active and intelligent interest in politics, being an ardent Republican, but steadily refusing all official honors. For the past twenty years he

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has resided in Deering, but had his office in Portland until his appointment as Postmaster for a term of four years, dating from Decem- ber, 1891, since which time his office has been in Deering. Socially, he is a member of Bosworth Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, of the Union Veteran Legion, and of Deering Club. He has a summer home on Long Island and another at Woodford's, usually retreating with his family to one of these beautiful resorts during the heated season. In October, 1872, Mr. Motley was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Whitney, a daughter of George P. Whitney, of Oxford. Two children have been born to them, namely : Ada Whitney Horton Motley, wife of Charles F. Sawyer, of Bangor; and William H., Jr., now a student in the Hebron Academy. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Motley attend the Baptist church.

IMON H. MAYBERRY, a well- known citizen of Westbrook, Me., by trade a stone mason, is also a practical farmer, and has led a life of useful and varied activity. He is a native of Cumberland County, having been born in Windham, March 15, 1818, son of Andrew and Margaret (Trott) Mayberry.

William Mayberry, a veteran of the Revolu- tionary War and the paternal grandfather of Simon H. Mayberry, spent his life in Wind- ham. He followed agriculture with success, and was an honored and respected resident. A Democrat in politics, he was a man who took much interest in the affairs of his town. He was an attendant of the Methodist Episco- pal church.

Andrew Mayberry was born in Windham and there spent the major part of his life. Like his father, he engaged in farming. Politi- cally, he was a Democrat; and during the War of 1812 he was one of those who faithfully served the interests of their country by taking up arms. He was an attendant of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His marriage with Miss Margaret Trott was blessed by the birth of eleven children, seven of whom are still living, namely : Sarah, the wife of Lowell Hawkes, of Windham; Simon H. ; Margaret,

who married Merritt Mayberry, of Windham ; Mary A., the wife of Lorenzo Knight, of Westbrook ; Frank, on the old homestead farm in Windham; Jefferson, residing in Gray, Me. ; and John, a resident of Windham.

Simon H. Mayberry was educated in the common schools of his native town. Shortly after leaving school, he obtained a position as watchman in the cotton-mills at Westbrook, where he was employed during the summer for about eleven years. He then entered the service of the Westbrook Manufacturing Com- pany, his duty being to watch one-half the day and one-half the night; and he continued in the employ of that company for eight years. In 1861 Mr. Mayberry began to work as a stone mason, and since then a great deal of stone cutting and stone laying has been done by him and under his direction. Such men as he always find something to do even in the dullest of times, opening up new enterprises when the old ones flag. In 1865 he started the ice business in Saccarappa, now Westbrook ; and he conducted it for twenty years. Of late years he has engaged in building-moving and in farming, being the owner of a small farm of about thirty acres, where he carries on general husbandry.

Mr. Mayberry was married in June, 1845, to Miss Mary Hall, of Raymond, now Casco, Cumberland County. His wife's father was Stephen Hall, and her grandfather Hall was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Two children live to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mayberry, namely: Orlando, who is employed in the S. D. Warner paper-mills at Cumberland Mills, Westbrook, Me. ; and Clara, the wife of Charles Pride, of West- brook, Me. Mr. Mayberry has always been an ardent advocate of Democratic principles. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

VERETT L. HUSTON, a member of the enterprising firm of Huston Brothers, who are doing a successful saw-mill business at West Falmouth, was born in the town of Falmouth, July 28, 1869, and is a son of Joseph W. and Mary (Babbige) Huston.

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Stephen Huston, the paternal grandfather of Everett L., spent his boyhood in Gray, Me. ; but when a young man he came to Fal- mouth and engaged in farming. He still fol- lows that occupation, and is an honored and respected citizen of the town. In political affiliations he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for public position. He at- tends the Baptist church.

Joseph W. Huston, a resident of West Fal- mouth, who is now engaged in carpentry, formerly combined the vocations of a farmer and carpenter. About six years ago he sold his farm, and since that time has given his attention to his trade. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Babbige, bore him five children, all of whom are living. They are: Everett L., Leslie L., Stephen G., Carrie, and Minnie. In political matters Joseph W. Huston, like his father, supports the Democratic party. He is an attendant of the Baptist church, and a member of the Ancient Brothers Lodge, No. 4, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portland.

Everett L. Huston acquired a good practical education in the public schools of West Fal- mouth, after which he learned the carpenter's trade of his father. He continued to work with his father until 1892, then purchased the Edwin Merrill saw-mill at West Falmouth, and in company with his brothers, Leslie L. and Stephen G., under the firm name of Hus- ton Brothers, has carried on a steadily increas- ing business. The present capacity of the mill is between seven and eight thousand feet per day ; and in busy times they employ four or five men, and run their mill day and night. They have recently made extensive additions to their mill, and are soon to add a planer, edger, and rip saw, and will also erect an addi- tional building, twenty-one by thirty feet in ground area, which will enable them to greatly enlarge their business.

Mr. Huston is unmarried. In religion and politics he follows the faith and practice of his father and grandfather, attending public worship at the Baptist church, and voting with the Democratic party. The only town office in which he has served is that of Surveyor of Lumber, a position that he is well qualified to fill, and in which he acquitted himself with

credit. He is a member of Presumpscot Lodge, No. 91, of Falmouth.

APTAIN JAMES MONROE BUCK - NAM, who was formerly a well-known ship-master in the coasting trade, and is now a prosperous farmer of Yarmouth, was born at his present home September 12, 1818, son of Samuel and Phebe (Chandler) Bucknam.

Captain Bucknam's paternal grandfather, William Bucknam, was one of the early set- tlers of Cousins Island, where he owned a tract of land. Active and industrious, in his younger days he availed himself of every opportunity for advantageous employment ; but his principal occupation was farming, and he followed it with good results. His last days were passed upon the farm which is now owned by his grandson, and he died at the age . of eighty-six years. He was possessed of many worthy traits of character, and he was a representative citizen of his day. He mar- ried Sarah Loring; and they reared a family of eight children, named as follows: Eliza- beth, Charlotte, Sarah, Mary, Dorcas, Samuel, Jeremiah, and William. Mrs. Sarah L. Buck- nam lived to reach the age of eighty-four.

Samuel Bucknam, Captain Bucknam's father, was born on Cousins Island, Septem- ber 2, 1775, just previous to the destruction of Portland by the British at the commence- ment of the Revolutionary War. He grew to manhood in Yarmouth, and engaged in the coasting trade, which he followed for some time. He finally settled upon the farm where his son now resides, and became very success- ful in agricultural pursuits. He owned one hundred and fifteen acres of land, which he improved; and the present residence was erected by him in 1814. He was a hard- working man, who diligently applied himself to the task of maintaining a comfortable home for his family, and his prosperity was the result of manly energy and perseverance. He died on November 2, 1855, at his home in Yarmouth, a place to which he retired in 1847. In his religious views he was liberal, and in politics he supported the Whig party. His first wife, Mary Blanchard, died leaving

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four children; and he wedded for his second wife Phebe Chandler, who was born in North Yarmouth, what is now Yarmouth, October 6, 1776, and who became the mother of six children. She died April 6, 1863. Of Sam- uel Bucknam's ten children the only one now living is James M., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Phebe C. Bucknam was a mem- ber of the Baptist church.

James Monroe Bucknam commenced his education in the schools of his native town, and completed his course of study at the North Yarmouth Academy. At an early age he began to assist his father in carrying on the farm ; but, when a young man, he shipped as a sailor on board of a coasting-vessel. He was soon able to buy a one-quarter interest in the schooner "Watchman," which was built in 1830; and, after commanding her for some time, he became master of the packet sloop, "Express," which he ran between the different points in Casco Bay. He followed the sea for many years, making short voyages along the coast, his only foreign trip being a voyage to the West Indies, which he made in company with his brother; and he was well known in the various local seaports. In 1847 he settled in Yarmouth, in order to care for his parents during their declining years; and he has con- tinued to give his attention chiefly, but not exclusively, to agriculture. His farm, which consists of one hundred and' fifteen acres, occupies a delightful situation, overlooking the sea; and his pleasant home is a favorite resort for summer boarders, who are sure to pass an enjoyable season beneath the hospita- ble roof of the jovial old sea captain, where boating, fishing, and sea-bathing are near at hand.

In politics Captain Bucknam is a Republi- can, and has been active in the public affairs of the town, serving as a member of the Board of Selectmen for seven years, in which capac- ity he rendered valuable aid in advancing the interests of the community. He has labored earnestly to attract visitors to Yarmouth, and with that view has sacrificed fifteen acres of his valuable land for summer resort purposes.

On November 23, 1843, he was united in marriage with Caroline P. Drinkwater, who died March 20, 1869. On December 4, 1870,

he wedded for his second wife Abbie F. Twombly, a native of Yarmouth; and she died November 20, 1886. Of his five children living, three are by his first union, and two by his second, all of whom are residents of Yarmouth. They are as follows: Nicholas D. ; Clarence L., Deputy Sheriff ; James M., Jr. ; Mrs. Carrie P. Miller; and Albion L., who resides at the old homestead. On De- cember 24, 1895, Captain Bucknam was mar- ried to Edna A. Marston, widow of William Marston, of North Yarmouth.

Captain Bucknam is one of the oldest and best-known residents of the town, and is highly esteemed. He is a member of the Baptist church, and has been connected with Casco Lodge, A. F. & A. M., for forty years.

OSEPH S. FICKETT, residing in that part of the old town of Cape Elizabeth now constituting the new town of South Portland, on the homestead where his birth occurred May 1, 1832, has been identified with the educational interests of this section of Cumberland County the larger portion of his life, much of his time having been spent in teaching. His grand- father, Ebenezer Fickett, was a native of Cape Elizabeth and a lifelong farmer. He was also, like his father before him, a wheelwright by trade and a prominent member of the Society of Friends. He cleared a good farm from the wilderness, and on this spent his last years, living to the age of seventy-five. He was twice married. His first wife, Mary Fickett, bore him seven children; and the eldest of these, Amos P., was the father of Joseph S.

Amos P. Fickett was born in Pownal, this county, November 5, 1809. He followed the independent occupation of a farmer, first in his native town and later in Kennebunkport, where he lived ten years, subsequently return- ing from York County to the parental home- stead in Cape Elizabeth. His wife, Eunice Small, was a native of Cape Elizabeth, being the daughter of Edward Small. They reared six children, five of whom are now living, as follows: Joseph S., Wyman C., Edward S., Ellen, and Maria. The fourth son, Lieu- tenant George W. S. Fickett, of the Seven-

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teenth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, Company E., died at Fort Carroll, Md., September 24, 1862. The parents are now deceased.

Wyman C. Fickett, the second son, a well- known educator, is now superintendent of schools at Spencer, Mass. For two years in his earlier life he was Principal of the Clin- ton Institute at Clinton, N. Y., and afterward had charge of the high school at East Bridge- water, Mass., for fifteen years. While a resi- dent of that village, he served two years as Representative to the State legislature. He married Ora Wheeler, of Sterling, Mass. ; and they have two children, Grace and Edward W., now students at Tufts College in Med- ford, Mass. Edward S. Fickett, the third son, Treasurer of the Georgetown Savings Bank, at Georgetown, Mass., was principal of the high school in that town for twenty-six consecutive years, a noteworthy record. Ellen is the wife of Warren R. Tibbetts, of Lyman, Me., and has seven children - George W., Albert, Charles, Herman, Clifford, Martie, and Mary Alice. Maria is the widow of W. B. H. Larrabee, of Westminster, Mass., and is the mother of six children - Maud, Berke- ley, Charles, Roland, Walter, and Effie.

Joseph S. Fickett, the first-born of the pa- rental household, acquired his education at the Westbrook Seminary in Westbrook, Me., and then returned to the ancestral farm, in what is now South Portland, the north-western part of the old town of Cape Elizabeth, which has practically been his home during his entire life. He has paid much attention to agricult- ure ; but this has not been his leading pursuit, as he has been for many years actively and successfully engaged in teaching, which he began in 1859, taking charge of the Spurwink School. He taught there a short time, subse- quently continuing his pedagogical labors in this locality, and for the past twenty years has taught in the Lagonia School, which, under his wise supervision, takes high rank. For thirty consecutive years Mr. Fickett has been a member of the School Committee, being Chairman of the Board most of the time. Like his brothers and sons, he is a stanch member of the Republican party, upholding its principles by voice and vote. He has long been prominent in town affairs, and

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 44

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