USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 45
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has served acceptably in the various official capacities, having been Town Clerk, Collector, Treasurer, and Selectman, holding each office several years.
On October 5, 1863, Mr. Fickett married Priscilla, daughter of Samuel Banks, of Free- port, this State. She died in 1881, leaving five children - George W., Freeman B., Hattie E., Emma A., and Frank A. George W. married Miss Tryphena Carroll.
ON. CLARENCE HALE, a leading attorney and counsellor-at-law of the city of Portland, was born in Turner, Me., April 15, 1848, son of James Sullivan and Betsey (Staples) Hale. Mr. Hale's line of ancestry is clearly traced to Thomas Hale, of Watton-at-Stone, Hertford- shire, England, who, with his wife, Thomas- tine, emigrated to Massachusetts in 1635, bringing to Governor John Winthrop a letter of introduction from Francis Kirby, a mater- nal relative, a copy of which is contained in volume vii. of the "Collections of the Massa- chusetts Historical Society." Thomas Hale settled in Newbury, Essex County, Mass. David Hale, a native of old Newbury, Mass., several generations removed from the immi- grant, was one of the pioneers of Turner, Me., settling upon a farm which is still in the pos- session of the family. On that farm James Sullivan Hale was born; and his wife, Betsey Staples, was also a native of Turner, a mem- ber of one of the old families of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Hale reared the following chil- dren : Eugene, who is one of Maine's promi- nent statesmen, a United States Senator; Hor- tense, who married Dr. John T. Cushing, and lives on the old homestead; Frederick, who died in 1868, formerly a law partner of his brother, Senator Hale; Augusta, the wife of George Gifford, United States Consul at Basle, Switzerland; and Clarence, who is further mentioned in the succeeding para- graphs.
Clarence Hale was fitted for college in the schools of his native town and at Norway Academy, and was graduated with honors from Bowdoin in 1869. He read law with this brother, the Hon. Eugene Hale, and with
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L. A. Emery at Ellsworth, Me., beginning to practise in 1871 at Portland. Sinee that time he has elosely devoted himself to his professional work, and has enjoyed for many years a large and luerative praetiee, being eonneeted with much of the important litiga- tion and other legal work of the State. In 1879 he was elected City Solieitor of Portland, and during his three years in that offiee eon- dueted many important eases for the eity. Mr. Hale's style in forensie speaking is eharaeter- ized by elearness and foree; and his arguments in court and his addresses to the jury are very convincing. He believes firmly in the prin- eiples of the Republican party, but, while always ready to assist in political matters, and speaking in all campaigns sinee 1872, it has not been as a professional politician. From 1883 to 1885 he was a member of the State legislature from Portland, and took the highest rank as a debater and a well-equipped jurist. He is skilled in financial matters and is identified as Director and Trustee with the management of some of the largest business enterprises of the eity.
Mr. Hale was married in 1880 to Margaret Rollins, daughter of the Hon. Franklin J. and Arabella C. (Jordan) Rollins, of Portland, and has two children - Katharine and Robert. Mr. Hale is a gentleman of scholarly taste and attainments, and possesses one of the finest private libraries in the eity. He has a fondness for historieal study, and is a promi- nent member of the Maine Historieal Society. In religious belief he and his wife are Congre- gationalists.
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NDREW J. TRYON, whose productive farm is situated in Pownal, Me., was born in this town December 26, 1827, son of Simeon and Jane (Cook) Tryon. Simeon Tryon was born in New Fairfield, Conn., September 28, 1778. He settled in that part of Freeport which is now called Pownal, at an early date in the town's history, and, purchasing the farm which is now owned by his son, Andrew J. Tryon, resided here the rest of his life. The improvements are the result of his labor and industry, and the present brick house was
ereeted by him in 1806 from material manu- faetured upon the farm.
Simeon Tryon was well and favorably known in his day, and aeted for many years as Justice of the Peace. He conducted farming with energy and prosperity during the active period of his life, and died August 7, 1844, aged sixty-five years and ten months. He was twiee married. His first wife, Mercy Cook, who was born in Litehfield, Me., died March 24, 1825 ; and he wedded for his second wife Jane Cook, who was also a native of Liteh- field, where she was born in the year 1800. Simeon Tryon reared a family of nineteen children, and, of these, two by his first and five by his second marriage are now living, namely : by the first, Samuel L. Tryon and Mercy Ransom; and, by the second, A. J. Tryon, Saul Cook Tryon, Joseph Tryon, James Tryon, and Winfield S. Tryon. The deceased are: first, Jane Tryon, James Tryon, Luey H. B. Perham, Elizabeth Poor, Doreas Freethy, Apphia Tryon, Simeon Tryon, Jane Tryon, and Martha R. Tryon; seeond, Thank- ful Sylvester, Greenville Tryon, and Mary E. Tryon. Mrs. Jane C. Tryon lived to reach the age of eighty-eight years and two months.
Andrew J. Tryon attended the sehools of Pownal, and in young manhood he acquired a knowledge of both shoemaking and house ear- pentering. These occupations he has followed in connection with farming, in his youth hav- ing received good training in agricultural labors. The homestead farm, to whose owner- ship he has succeeded, he has eondueted with ability, and has realized good returns. It contains ninety aeres, more or less, is desir- ably located, and kept up to a high standard of cultivation, as he has always made the best of his resources and facilities for produeing large and superior erops. Industrious and ea- pable, Mr. Tryon is numbered among the well-to-do residents of Pownal. In polities he supports the Republican party; and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal ehureh in North Pownal, of which he is at the present time a Trustee and Recording Steward. He has also been active in Sunday-sehool work.
On September 29, 1853, Mr. Tryon was married to Lucinda N. Corliss, who was born in North Yarmouth, Me., September 24, 1832.
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Her parents were Osborn and Phoebe (True) Corliss, the former of whom was born in 1800, and died in 1887; and the latter was born in 1802, and died February 20, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Tryon have eight children, as follows: Clarenee E., born July 26, 1854, now a con- duetor on the Grand Trunk Railroad; Fred- erick, born November 13, 1855; Alice M., born August 6, 1857; Lizzie, born April 7, 1859; Lincoln, born July 15, 1861 ; Mellen, born February 2, 1867; Cora F., born Oeto- ber 22, 1868; and Agnes C., born Deeember 25, 1876.
Clarence E. Tryon and M. Lilla Noyes, of Pownal, Me., were married in Pownal, Deeem- ber 19, 1877, by the Rev. F. A. Herriek. They lived in Portland, Me., and had two children - Edric M. and Harry L. Mrs. M. Lilla Tryon died at their home in Portland, Me., March 3, 1891 ; and her husband married for his second wife Lizzie M. Orne, of Port- and, Me. They were married in Portland, September 11, 1892, by the Rev. A. H. Wright, and still reside in that eity.
Frederic Tryon and Addie M. Jordan, of Lisbon, Me., were married in Lisbon, Oeto- ber 24, 1877, by the Rev. Mr. Given. They have one child, Arthur W., and now reside in Auburn, Me., where the father is in the gro- eery business.
Aliee M. Tryon and S. J. Tuttle, of San' Francisco, Cal., were married in Portland, Me., March 14, 1880, by the Rev. A. S. Ladd, of Portland. They have three children -Fred T., Susie B., and Clarenee, and now live in Coquille City, Ore., where they man - age a hotel.
Lizzie Tryon and Henry R. Knapp, of Oak- land, Cal., were married in Oakland, April II, 1887, by the Rev. A. P. Meedrum. They have two children - Osborn Corliss and Wendell. Mr. Knapp is a plumber by trade. They reside in Oakland, Cal.
Lincoln Tryon and Annie L. Huff, of Brockton, Mass., were married March 22, 1892, by the Rev. F. A. Warfield in Brock- ton, and reside in that city. Lineoln Tryon graduated from the high school at Freeport, Me., in 1885. He is a shoemaker by trade.
Mellen Tryon and Alice J. Goddard, of Pownal, Me., were married in Portland, Me.,
November 26, 1889, by the Rev. N. T. Whitaker. They lived at the old homestead. Mrs. Alice J. Tryon died April 17, 1894. Mellen Tryon is a farmer. He has been elected as Seleetman by the Republican party.
Cora F. Tryon and Walter F. Barnard, of Lisbon, Me., were married in Portland, Me., January 2, 1893, by the Rev. O. S. Pillsbury. Mr. Barnard is a jeweller. They have one ehild, Mary Agnes, and they now reside in Bellows Falls, Vt.
Agnes C. Tryon remains at home and is unmarried.
HARLES A. HASKELL, an intelli- gent and progressive agriculturist, owning a valuable farm in the town of Windham, is a native of Maine, having been born May 13, 1836, in New Gloucester, son of Moses M. Haskell. His grandfather, Jabez Haskell, of New Glouees- ter, was a wide-awake, enterprising man, carrying on a sueeessful business as a miller as well as a farmer. He married Nancy Chipman, of Poland, Me., who bore him five. children. Both he and his wife were liberal in religious belief; and, politically, he was a Demoerat.
Moses M. Haskell, third son of Jabez, suc- eeeded to his father's occupations, becoming a prosperous miller and farmer, and like his par- ents was a lifelong resident of New Glouces- ter, his birth oeeurring in 1804, and his death, June 22, 1849. His first wife, Sarah Merrill, of New Gloucester, bore him one ehild only, Mary A. His second wife, Polenah S. Mc- Intire, bore him two children - Charles A., the speeial subjeet of this sketeh; and Sydney H., who was born July 5, 1839. The father was of the liberal type in religion. He was a strong advocate of the principles of the Dem- oeratie party, and was prominent in the old State militia, in which he held a Captain's commission for many years.
Charles A. Haskell attended the district and high schools in his native town, and sub- sequently learned the trade of a horseshoer, following it some six years in New Gloucester. In 1866, desirous of becoming permanently es- tablished in life, Mr. Haskell purehased his
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present property in Windham. This estate contains one hundred and forty acres of land, about forty of which he has placed in a high state of cultivation, carrying on general farm- ing with eminent success. He makes a specialty of dairying, manufacturing butter, which he sells to regular customers in Port- land, receiving the highest market price therefor. In politics he is a stanch Demo- crat and an influential member of his party. He served as Selectman in 1874 and 1875, being Chairman of the Board the last year. The following year he was nominated as Rep- resentative to the State legislature, but was defeated by seven votes. In 1891 he served as Collector of the town of Windham.
On April 14, 1863, Mr Haskell was married to Hannah A., the youngest daughter of a family of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Elias Libby, of Windham. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell have four children. Frederick L., the eldest, born in New Gloucester, Septem- ber 12, 1865, was married November 19, 1887, to . Jessie A. LeGrow, of Windham; and they have two children - Walter Everett, born in Windham, January 15, 1889; and Winnifred Hannah, born in Cumberland, August 2, 1895. Ella F., born in Windham, October 30, 1867, is the wife of Eugene B. Lamb, of Naples, Me., and has one child, Luella May Lamb, born in Windham, May 29, 1894. Frank H., born in Windham, July 1, 1871, a grad- uate of Bowdoin College, is a member of the Windham School Board, having been elected in 1895 for a term of two years, and is now studying law. Alta Gertrude, born in Wind- ham, March 1, 1875, is a school teacher, and lives at the home of her childhood with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell are liberal in their religious views, believing in the fatherhood of God and the universal brother- hood of man.
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ON. SEWALL C. STROUT, whose brilliant record as advocate and judge has lent a lustre to bar and bench of Portland and Maine, was born in Wales, Androscoggin County, Me., February 17, 1827. Judge Strout's paternal grandfather, Enoch Strout, was a native of
Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, from which place he removed to Wales in his youth, there remaining until his death, about the year 1833. He held a Captaincy in the Revolu- tionary War.
Ebenezer Strout, father of Judge Strout, was also a native of Wales, Androscoggin County, born June 6, 1802. Mr. Strout was educated in the common schools of his birth- place, and began his business career as a farmer, a vocation he gave up some years later to enter mercantile life in the town of Topsham, whither he removed from Wales in 1835. From Topsham in 1842 he went to Portland, where he engaged in trade until 1853, when failing health compelled him to abandon business. Although not officially connected with the temperance cause, Mr. Strout's example did much toward effecting its object in his vicinity and was significant of his character. In 1835 he discontinued in his store the sale of liquor, an almost universal practice in those days and a source of consid- erable profit to the merchant. Mr. Strout's conscientious and busy life extended over a period of seventy-eight years. He died in June, 1880. He was married in 1824 to Hannah, daughter of John Cushing, of Dur- ham. Both Mr. and Mrs. Strout were Meth- odists during their early life, but subsequently connected themselves with the Congregational church.
Sewall C. Strout was the only child of this union. Little Sewall was but seven years of age when his father moved to Topsham, and was a lad of fourteen when the family became residents of Portland, in which city he was destined to make a distinguished career. In old Master Libby's high school, the future occupant of the Supreme Bench of Maine re- ceived instruction, admonition, and encourage- ment until he was eighteen, when his health began to fail and his parents decided that study must be abandoned. The young man entered the dry-goods store of Mr. David J. True as clerk, but soon became convinced that commercial life was not suited to his inclina- tions. About this time he had some experi- ence as "printer boy " in the American office. His fellow-worker in the office was Edward H. Elwell, and both boys were anxious to inform)
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the public as to the proper settlement of ques- tions of national interest. Each sent in anony- mous articles to the editor of the American, which were generally published. A contro- versy was in this way carried for some time by the two printer boys, young Strout advocat- ing the annexation of Texas, young Elwell opposing it.
During the short interval of his mercantile experience, which embraced little more than a year, he began the study of law, devoting his evenings and most of his Sundays to legal reading. His parents were opposed to his adopting this profession, having always desired he should become a doctor ; and in spite of his expostulations they made arrangements for him to enter the office of a leading physician in the city. Young Strout was resolute in his determination; and in this case, as in most cases, steady resolution won the day. He entered the office of Howard & Shepley, both of whom afterward became ornaments of their State bench, and was admitted to the bar in 1848, when he was twenty-one years of age. The young lawyer began to practise law in Bridgton, where he soon secured plenty of clients; and it was here that he was for the first and only time in his life a candidate for office. The Democrats were then in majority in the county, and the office to be filled was that of County Attorney. The opposing can- didates were General Samuel J. Anderson and James O'Donnell, of Portland, the latter of whom was the victorious competitor. In 1854 Mr. Sewall C. Strout came to Portland, where for a year he practised law alone. When Judge Howard's term in the Supreme Court expired, he proposed a partnership, which was immediately formed, under the firm name of Howard & Strout. The connection contin- ued for a decade, until 1864. Two years later, 1866, Mr. Strout formed a partnership with Hanna W. Gage, which continued till April, 1894, meanwhile being enlarged by the addi- tion of Mr. Strout's eldest son, upon whose death, in 1888, the second son, now Alderman Strout, became a partner.
In reviewing Sewall C. Strout's career at the bar, it will be difficult to say in what special branch of his profession he is pre-emi- nent. Logic and rhetoric have combined to
make him equally effective in the law court or before a jury, and an undeviating devotion of his time and faculties to research and study has placed him in the rank of exceptionally prominent lawyers. For eight or nine years he was President of the Cumberland Bar, dis- charging his official duties with grace and dignity. A notable recognition of his achieve- ments and abilities was manifested by the almost unanimous recommendation of him by the bar of Maine for the position made vacant by the resignation of Judge Lowell from the Circuit Court of the United States. The fact that President Arthur appointed Judge Colt, of Rhode Island, to fill the vacancy, did not detract from the value of the testimony of ap- proval from his native State and his fellow- citizens.
On April 12, 1894, a well-deserved honor was awarded to Sewall C. Strout when he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court. One of the first judicial opinions Judge Strout was called to write was on the collateral inheri -- tance tax. This was an important case, as it was a new departure in legislation. The tax was assailed vigorously on all sides; but Judge Strout maintained that it was constitu- tional, and his opinions received the indorse- ment of the other members of the court. A similar law had been decided as constitutional in Virginia and New York, unconstitutional in New Hampshire, and was still pending in Massachusetts.
The Hon. Sewall C. Strout was married November 22, 1849, to Miss Octavia J. P. Shaw, daughter of Elias Shaw, of Portland. Five children were born to them, namely; Annie; Louise, who married Mr. Frank Gibbs, of Bridgton; Frederick S., who died of heart disease, from which he had suffered from childhood, in March of 1888, at the age of thirty-two; Joseph Howard, who died in infancy ; and Charles A. Frederick S. Strout was a member of the law firmn of Strout, Gage & Strout ; and his abilities promised a brilliant future. Charles A. Strout is a member of the law firm above named, in which he is likely to fill with honor the place made vacant by the death of his gifted brother.
During the winter of 1863 and 1864 Judge Strout was eritieally ill. He had not had a
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vacation all the years of his hard work, and the physicians prescribed annual vacations in the open air and strongly recommended a fish- ing trip. This suggestion was followed. . The Judge has been an enthusiastic angler ever since, regular visits to Moosehead being a part of each summer's outing; and he is one of those fishermen who would flaunt the idea of catching trout with anything but an old-fash- ioned fly. Judge Strout is a man in whom narrowness and prejudice have no place; and broad sympathies and clear intellect are the characteristics which make him at once the leading lawyer, the cultured gentleman, and a genial friend.
ERBERT W. RICH, junior member of the firm of S. S. Rich & Son, undertakers and embalmers, with their business establishment at 106 Exchange Street, Portland Me., was born in this city, August 19, 1861. His father, An- drew J. Rich, is the senior member of the present firm, which was established by S. S. Rich, grandfather of Herbert W., who settled here over sixty years ago. He took his son, Andrew J., into partnership, and the business was first established near its present site; but, the building being destroyed in the memorable fire of 1866, a removal was made to a building on the site of the present structure, which later was completed, and occupied in 1893. It is a beautiful four-story building, twenty-five feet by seventy-five feet, of fancy brick, with terra-cotta front, the firm here carrying on the largest undertaking business in the city. Andrew J. Rich married Miss Ellen S. Win- chester, daughter of William B. Winchester.
Their son, Herbert W. Rich, was educated in the common and high schools of Portland, from the time of his earliest youth having been in and about the store so much that it may be literally said he grew up in the busi- ness with which he is now identified. As soon as he was old enough he began working for the firm; and on the death of his grand- father, which occurred in May, 1883, he as- sumed an interest in the business, having re- ceived his grandfather's share as a legacy. It is the oldest established business of the
kind in the city and one of the most prosper- ous, being conducted on a sound, substantial basis. Politically, Mr. Rich supports the principles of the Republican party. In Masonic organizations he takes a very active part, belonging to the Ancient Landmark Lodge, Mount Vernon Chapter, Portland Council, Portland Commandery, and to the Yates Lodge of Perfection, being a thirty- second degree Mason. He is prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member in high standing of Harmony Lodge, Portland Encampment, Canton Ridgely, and is Commandant of the Patri- archs Militant. He is also a Knight of Pythias, belonging to Munjoy Lodge. Of the union of Mr. Rich with Miss Elva L., daugh- ter of Luther A. and the late Lucetta E. (Eaton) Sterling, one child, Irvin Lockhart Rich, was born, September 15, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Rich attend the State Street Con- gregational Church, their home being located at 261 State Street.
HOMAS B. KNAPP, a leading mer- chant of Bridgton, was born in South Bridgton, October 2, 1845, son of George and Caroline (Rose) Knapp. His grandfather, Jesse Knapp, who was a native of Massachusetts, was one of the first settlers in the town of Bridgton, where he died at an advanced age.
George Knapp, the father of Thomas B., was born in Bridgton, November 25, 1800. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native town, and followed it at intervals during his life. In 1848 he purchased a farm of seventy- five acres in the pretty town of Naples, Me., and devoted the rest of his life chiefly to agri- culture, passing away in 1859, at the age of fifty-nine. His wife, Caroline, who was a native of Massachusetts, lived to the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of the following children, namely: Caroline, now the widow of Gilbert Perry, of Dubuque ; Eliza, who died in 1861; Russell R., who is a Constable in Boston; William O., now a grocer of Newton Centre, Mass. ; Ruth A., the wife of J. C. Stover, of East Boston; Joseph P., who died in 1865; Thomas B., the subject
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of this sketch; and Fred P., who is a court deputy of Boston.
Thomas B. Knapp was reared on the home farm, receiving a limited education. He began to provide for himself when thirteen years of age, hiring out as a farm hand, and worked in that way some five years. He then obtained a position as clerk in the general store of E. R. Staples in South Bridgton, with whom he remained three years. He then was with the Boston & Albany Railroad one year. Next he entered the employ of E. Harris & Co. at Woonsocket, R. I., as a clerk. Two years later he was hired by A. A. Little, dry-goods dealer, of Portland, with whom he remained a. year. In 1869, in company with Ashbel Chaplin, he engaged in business at South Bridgton, opening a general store. After some two years and a half he purchased his partner's interest, and conducted the place for five years as sole proprietor. At the end of that time he took Fred W. Sanborn into part- nership. His business continued to increase ; and in 1890, requiring more room, he moved into his present commodious quarters. He has won a high reputation for reliability, and his store is one of the best-equipped in the locality.
Mr. Knapp was married in 1871 to Miss Helen Patrick, of South Bridgton, daughter of James and Huldah (Berry) Patrick. He has one son, Arthur C., who is now studying at Hebron Academy, with a view to entering on a professional career. Politically, Mr. Knapp is a Republican. He has served on the Bridg- ton Board of Selectmen three years, and was Chairman of the Board one year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Oriental Lodge, No. 13, of Bridgton. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are members of the Congrega- tional church.
ANIEL H. CHIPMAN, a prosperous farmer and a much esteemed resident of Raymond, was born in that town, December 28, 1845, son of Lyman Beccher and Mary H. (Jackson) Chipman. The earliest representatives of this family spelled the name Chapman. Chipman is of a comparatively recent origin.
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