USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 48
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On November 16, 1874, Mr. Hall was united in matrimony with Miss Nellie Tubbs. The union has been blessed by the advent of three children, namely: Ernest L., born in May, 1876; Annie, born October 9, 1878; and Helen, born December 1, 1891.
LARK N. MAXFIELD, a well- known resident and native of Casco in the first years of this decade, was born January 28, 1810, son of Josiah and Nancy (Partridge) Maxfield. Jo- siah Maxfield, who was a native of Windham, Me., followed the sea in his earlier years. He is said to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean forty-four times and upon one occasion to
have been taken prisoner by the French. About the year 1795 he came to Casco, and was among the first settlers to take up land in that town. He cleared a good farm, and resided upon it during the rest of his life. He died there, January 3, 1834. His wife, a native of Maine, became the mother of ten children; namely, Nathan, Catherine, Clark N., Joseph, Annie, Rufus, Elizabeth, Lydia, Andrew, and a child who died in infancy. Of these the survivors are: Lydia, who resides in Windham, and is the widow of Nathan Pope; and Andrew, who married Lizzie Boyce, and resides in Woodford's, Me.
Clark N. Maxfield received his education in the common schools of Casco, and subse- quently learned the trade of a millwright. He resided at home until of age, when he began to take employment at his trade outside the immediate locality of his home. This called him to different parts of the county. He
was also engaged for some time in the lumber- ing region about Moosehead Lake. After his marriage he bought a farm at Cook's Mills, and there resided for nine years. He then returned to the old homestead in Casco, where the rest of his life was passed, occupied in farming and working at his trade. In both
occupations he was very prosperous. He was an industrious and upright man. He won pub- lic esteem as Tax Collector for seven years, and as Constable for a considerable time. Other important town offices were open to him had he desired to accept them. He was an earnest member of the Friends' Society, and in politics he was an active supporter of the Republican party.
On August 28, 1839, Mr. Maxfield was united in marriage to Salome Cook. She was born in Casco, June 13, 1813, daughter of Daniel and Jane (Whitney) Cook, prosperous farming people, both of whom were natives and lifelong residents of Casco. Mr. and Mrs. Maxfield reared a family of six children, as follows: Annie M., of Seabrook, N. H., born February 10, 1841, the widow of Edward L. Gove, who died March 12, 1891 ; Daniel C., born August 27, 1842, who married Alice R. Wing, of Sandwich, Mass., and is now residing in Amesbury, Mass. ; Caroline, born December 15, 1843, who is now living at the
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old homestead; Isaiah P., born February 17, 1846, who also resides at the homestead ; Ellen, born July 22, 1853, who is now en- gaged in missionary work abroad; and Maria P., born April 18, 1855, likewise residing at the homestead. The children were all edu- cated in the common schools of Casco and at the Friends' School in Providence, R. I. Of Ellen Maxfield it should be further stated that she was a teacher in the schools of Cape Eliza- beth for eight years; that on June 14, 1895, she married Charles M. Jones, of Deering, Me. ; and that in the present year she and her husband were sent by the New England Soci- ety of Friends as missionaries to Palestine. Mr. Maxfield died April 12, 1893, in his eighty-third year. Mrs. Maxfield, who sur- vives him, resides at the homestead. She is also a member of the Society of Friends, and attends the church of that denomination in the vicinity.
Isaiah P. Maxfield, who now manages the farm, is an enterprising farmer and a promi- nent citizen of Casco. His property contains one hundred acres of well-improved land de- sirably located. His principal crops are hay and grain, and he raises some excellent fruit. On June 21, 1882, he married for his first wife Angie M. Currier, of Amesbury, Mass., who died January 19, 1889. He was again married on October 6, 1894, to Annie A. Mayberry, of Pownal, Me. The family is well known and highly respected, and occupies a prominent position among the well-to-do residents of Casco.
DWARD S. SOULE, a highly respected citizen of Freeport and the proprietor of one of the finest dry-goods stores - in the town, was born there on June 6, 1838, son of Robert S. and Joanna Soule. His grandfather, Rufus Soule, a native of Che- beague Island, this county, was a prominent ship-builder in his day and one of the leading citizens of Freeport, where he died when eighty-two years of age. Among the public offices filled by him was that of Senator in the State legislature. He was the father of eight children who attained adult life - three sons and five daughters.
Robert S. Soule, the eldest of his father's children, worked on the home farm until he was eighteen years old. He then became master of a packet-boat running between Free- port and Portland, and followed that calling until 1842. He then started out for himself in the mercantile business at Freeport, and successfully conducted a general store for twenty years. At the end of that period of time he sold out to his son and retired from active business. His death occurred on Sep- tember 19, 1895. Respecting religious doc- trines he held liberal opinions. Politically, he was a Democrat, and served his town acceptably for a number of years as Treasurer. His wife, Joanna, died in February, 1891. They had eight children, of whom three sur- vive. These are: Edward S., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Susan F. Soule, residing in Freeport ; and Mrs. Annie L. Ford, of Portland.
Edward S. Soule remained with his parents during his boyhood, receiving his early educa- tion in the common schools of Freeport and in the Farmington Academy. When but a boy he began to assist in his father's store. In 1862 he took full charge of the business, and carried it on until 1889, when he sold out. In 1894 he bought his present store. Here he carries a first-class line of dry goods, gen- tlemen's furnishings, carpets, and kindred articles. He does a good business, and is now the oldest merchant in trade in Freeport.
On July 17, 1860, he was joined in mar- riage with Miss Ella L. True, a daughter of Lorin B. True, of Washington, D.C. He has two sons and a daughter, namely : Bernard S. Soule, born May 10, 1863, a clerk in Cumber- land Bank of Portland; Robert E. Soule, born September 24, 1872, a student in Bow- doin College; and Brenda L. Soule, born in September, 1879, a pupil of Freeport High School. In politics Mr. Soule is a Democrat. He has served as Postmaster for four years. Among the town offices held by him were those of Selectman for one year and Town Clerk one year. He is connected with Freeport Lodge, No. 23, A. F. & A. M. ; Alpha Council, No. 3; Jerusalem R. A. C., No. 4; Portland Com- mandery, No. 2, Kora Temple; and Harra- seeket Lodge, No. 30, Knights of Pythias.
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Mr. Soule holds liberal opinions respecting re- ligion, while his wife is a communicant of the Baptist church of Freeport.
AYSON TUCKER was born in Lowell, Mass., on February 14, 1840. He began his railroad career on November 14, 1853, at Portland, as clerk in the Superintendent's and Treas- urer's office of the Portland, Saco & Ports- mouth Railroad, a position which he held until 1860. From 1860 to 1870 he was gen- eral ticket agent and paymaster, and from 1870 to 1872 passenger conductor on the same road. From 1872 to 1875 he was general agent of the Boston & Maine Railroad at Portland. In 1875 he was called to the Maine Central Rail- road, of which Governor Coburn was then President. From 1875 to 1880 he was super- intendent, from 1880 to 1882 general superin- tendent ; and from 1882 to the present time he has been Vice-President and General Manager. In 1889 he was elected a Director of the Maine Central, and has been re-elected at every an- nual meeting sincc.
From January 1, 1883, to December 16, 1885, Mr. Tucker was General Manager of the Eastern Railroad. From November 10, 1891, to November 8, 1893, he was a Di- rector and General Manager of the Phillips & Rangeley Railroad. He has been General Manager of the Portland, Mount Desert & Machias Steamboat Company since 1884, when the Maine Central acquired control of that property. He was one of the promoters of the building of the Portland Union Station, and has always been- a Director in that com- pany. He was also one of the foremost projectors of the cantilever bridge at St. John, N. B.
When Mr. Tucker assumed charge of the Maine Central, it had a mileage of three hun- dred and fifty-seven miles and gross receipts of less than one million six hundred thousand dollars. To-day it has a mileage of over eight hundred and twenty miles, to say nothing of two hundred miles of steamer lines, and gross receipts of over five million dollars. As super- intendent he introduced many valuable train rules which have been generally adopted ; and
as General Manager he gave the first tests to many valuable improvements in track material and equipment, the Maine Central being the first railroad to adopt the well known Sewall system of steam heating for cars. In 1884 he personally superintended the building of the Bar Harbor Branch, and in 1889 the extension of the Mountain Division from Fabyan's to Scott's Junction.
AVID C. SAUNDERS, a merchant tailor, carrying on a substantial busi- ness in Bridgton village, was born February 4, 1843, in the town of Waterford, Oxford County. His parents, Humphrey and Araminta Saunders, reared cight children, five sons and three daughters, six of whom are living. David was reared and educated in his native county, attending the schools of Waterford and then of Sweden, where his parents settled when he was about ten years old.
In 1862 David, then a youth of nineteen years, enlisted in the service of his country, joining Company B, Seventeenth Maine Vol- unteer Infantry, being mustered in at Port- land as a private. He subsequently partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cedars, Wapping Heights, Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Po River, Spottsyl- vania Court-house, Todd's Tavern, Freder- icksburg Pike, North Anna, Talopotomy Creek, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Harc House, both engagements at Hatch's Run, the capt- ure of Petersburg, Amelia Springs, and at Little Nailors' Creek. Having served gal- lantly throughout his term of service, Mr. Saunders returned to Maine, where in Port- land, June 10, 1865, he was honorably dis- charged with the rank of Sergeant.
After spending a time with his parents in Sweden, Mr. Saunders went to the town of Norway, where he served a seven years' ap- prenticeship to learn the tailor's trade. In 1872 he came to Bridgton, where he has since been engaged in his present occupation. He has a superior assortment of furnishing goods, and does a large amount of fine custom work. A man of tact and sterling business capacity,
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Mr. Saunders occupies an excellent position among the most valued of Bridgton's citizens.
In 1871 Mr. Saunders was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Bryant. The only child born of the union, Paul, died when twelve years of age. Mrs. Saunders, after a lingering illness, died at her home April 5, 1896. In politics Mr. Saunders is a steadfast Republi- can. He belongs to the fraternities of the Free Masons and the Odd Fellows.
ON. GEORGE BLAKE, a prominent merchant and a former State legis- lator of New Gloucester, was born in that town, March 10, 1812, son of Richard and Susan. (Pierce) Blake. At an early day John Blake, the paternal grandfather, came from Cape Ann, Massachusetts, to New Gloucester, where he carried on farming until his death. James Pierce, the maternal grand- father, also came from Cape Ann in early times, and, with his family, settled in New Gloucester, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying at the age of ninety-two years.
Richard Blake, the father, came to New Gloucester with his parents at the age of four- teen. He subsequently settled on Gloucester Hill, where he lived to the age of seventy- four years, being engaged in farming. His wife lived to be eighty years old. Both were natives of Cape Ann. They had eight chil- dren, only two of whom are now living. These are : George, the subject of this sketch ; and David, now residing with his daughter in Hebron, Me. Those deceased were : James, Joseph, Johanna, Susan, Betsy, and Jane. All had a common-school education.
The Hon. George Blake remained at home until he was twenty-one. Then he went to Boston and engaged in making white oak trunnels for ships. The next summer he worked on a farm, after which he learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it until 1836. Returning to Gloucester Hill, he opened a store for general merchandise, which he man- aged for eight years. Mr. Blake then sold out his interest and went to North Gray, where he built a store, and conducted it for eight years. This business he also sold out, and then went to Upper Gloucester, where he bought the old
Chandler store. He carried on the business of this place in partnership with John White for ten months. Then he purchased Mr. White's interest, and has since been the sole proprietor. He has been a resident of the town for forty-one years.
In politics Mr. Blake is a Republican. He held the office of School Trustee for twenty- four years. In 1859 he represented this dis- trict in the State legislature. He has been a member of the Society of Good Templars, and he is now a member of the Congregation- alist church in this village.
Mr. Blake was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united February 12, 1856, was Eunice C. (Dolloff) Blake, formerly of Rumford, Me., who was born September 13, 1834. Of this union there came four children : Eva E., born February 11, 1858; Herbert E., born March 29, 1860; Roscoe D., born July 15, 1862; and Ora V., born August 22, 1874. Eva E. is now the wife of Dr. Nathaniel Mar- shall, of Portland, Me. Herbert E. married Miss Holmes, and lives near his father, for whom he now runs the store and post-office. They have three children -- Florence, Marion, and Arthur. Roscoe D. died on February 9, 1877. Ora V. was married on October 16, 1891, to C. R. Dollof, and is the father of one child - George R., born May 15, 1892. The first Mrs. Blake died on February 14, 1877. On December 7, 1879, Mr. Blake mar- ried Miss Ann Hill, a native of Gray, who, born April 27, 1823, died March 12, 1895. Mr. Blake had a limited education, but his invincible energy has conquered every diffi- culty. He has been remarkably successful through life, but none too much for his deserts.
TON. MARSHALL JORDAN, an enterprising merchant and manufact- urer of Harrison, Me., in the ex- treme northern part of Cumberland County, was born in Raymond, a neighboring town, October 3, 1830. His parents were Nathaniel and Mary (Brown) Jordan, both na- tives of Raymond.
Nathaniel Jordan, who was born October 5, 1786, was a practical farmer, devoting his life from early youth until the time of his death
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to the cultivation of the soil. About 1844 or 1845 he removed from Raymond to Poland, Me .; and in the latter town he died, February 28, 1869. His wife, who was born October 22, 1787, died October 29, 1849. Nine chil- dren blessed their union - Andrew, the eldest, born March 22, 1807, died March 1I, 1840. He was married October 10, 1832, to Miss Olive Shaw, by whom he had two children - Osmond B., born June 15, 1834, now a res- ident of Raymond, Me .; and Ann B., born November 27, 1838, who became the wife of Thomas Witham, of Raymond, and died in September, 1894. 1 Mark Jordan, the second son, born December 3, 1808, married in 1835 Miss Mary Snow, of Raymond, and died March 5, 1837, leaving a widow but no chil- dren. Osman Jordan, born January 24, 1812, was married October 13, 1835, to Miss Mary Allen, and seven children completed their household circle - Sarah A .; Roscoe M .; Susan B .; James R .; John B. (Rev.); Alma F. ; and Frank L. Dorcas, who was born Octo- ber 6, 1814, married March 19, 1834, E. Stinchfield, of Raymond, they having three children - Ellen, Eliza P., and Mary. Me- hitabel B., born April 6, 1817, was married in December, 1840, to Francis Small, of Ray- mond. John B., born April 6, 1819, died in 1842, unmarried. Mary, born July 16, 1825, died August 20, 1865, was married February 4, 1852, to Amos T. Gidding, and they reared five children - Mary E., Andrew R., Annie, Nellie G., and Charles C. Rachel, born March 26, 1827, died January 1, 1873, was married July 1, 1860, to John Rolf, and had one child, Mary. Marshall, the ninth of the family, is the subject of this sketch.
Marshall Jordan acquired his early educa- tion in the schools of Raymond, and took an active part in the work of the home farm until he was nineteen years of age. He then joined the westward-flowing stream of emigration, going to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, the journey consuming thirty-five days. With other "forty-niners " he worked in the gold mines in El Dorado County, re- maining four years, and then engaged in lum- bering in the northern part of the State. This latter occupation proved very profitable, and Mr. Jordan followed it four years and a half.
He then sold his property, and returned to his native State, settling first in Auburn, where he bought a farm. In 1868 he purchased an interest in the "old Milliken" store at Minot Corners, Me., which he successfully conducted twenty years, selling out in 1888, in order to purchase the store of J. H. Illsley in Harri- son. This he now has completely stocked with a full line of groceries, dry goods, and other articles usually found in a general store. He is also engaged in manufacturing coats for the Boston market. Starting in life as a penniless youth, Mr. Jordan by his energy and ability has made himself master of his circumstances, and has been successful in the various lines of business which he has taken up.
On July 1, 1860, Mr. Jordan was married to Rosa T. Rowe, daughter of John Rowe, of Danville, Me. She was born June 12, 1841, and died December 14, 1891. Seven children were the fruit of this union - Charles M., born June 25, 1861, a farmer of Poland, Me., who married Miss Ruth Wight, of that town; An- drew B., born May 29, 1863, who married Maud Annie Illsley, of Harrison, and here makes his home; Mary J., born March 19, 1865, who died June 11, 1869; Alice M., born October 10, 1867, who became the wife of W. W. Smith, of Harrison, and died May 4, 1894; Albert E., born December 5, 1870, who is yet with his father: Victor L., born October 29, 1873, who lives with his father and assists in the store; and Walter C., born March 8, 1878, who is yet a member of the parental household. All the children were well educated, each taking a final course of study at Bridgton Academy. June 19, 1892, Mr. Jordan was again married, taking for his bride Jennie L. Chaplin, who was born in Naples, Me., in 1866.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Jordan repre- sented Minot and Danville in the legislature in 1869 and 1870; and in Harrison he has been Chairman of the Selectmen several years and Postmaster for a long time. He is a Mason, belonging to Tyrian Lodge, of Me- chanic Falls, Me., and an Odd Fellow, be- longing to Harrison Lodge, No. 41. He is a member of the Baptist church in Harrison, is President of the society, and an active
SAMUEL F. PERLEY.
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worker therein. Mr. Jordan is a man of genial disposition and courteous manners, and is a general favorite.
AMUEL F. PERLEY, whose por- trait is here shown, late a well- known citizen of Cumberland County, active in agricultural and political matters, was born on the Perley homestead in Naples, Me., June 30, 1817. He was a son of Thomas and Betsey ( Farnsworth) Perley, respected residents of Naples, who had a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, only one of whom is now living. Reared in his native town, the subject of this sketch received a good education, finishing his studies at Bridgton Academy. For some time after leaving school he was engaged in surveying in Oxford and Cumberland Counties; and when about twenty-five years of age he succeeded his father as manager of the home farm. This estate, which covers six hundred acres, is one of the finest in the locality, em- bracing broad arable fields, good pasture land, and some timber -
" The swelling uplands, smiling in the sun, Where quiet cattle graze and robins run, Their scarlet waistcoats glinting as they pass In quick pursuit of insects in the grass."
Mr. Perley was for years actively engaged in general farming, in which he was very suc- cessful ; and, as a man of practical experience in agricultural matters and of broad intelli- gence, he took a leading position in the com- munity.
In politics he was a Republican, earnest and influential, working untiringly for the in- terest of his party. He was in the legislature two terms, and was always ready to aid in enterprises for the advancement of the public good. In religious belief he was a Congrega- tionalist, and his church was always sure of his help and support. He died in 1881. His remains rest in the family cemetery on the old homestead in South Bridgton.
Mr. Perley's first wife, formerly Miss Hannah P. Griswold, with whom he was united in 1842, died, leaving one child, Mary G., who is now living in Andover, Mass. His
second wife, to whom he was married in 1847, was Miss Almira T. Fitch, a native of Cum- berland County, daughter of Luther and Al- mira (Titcomb) Fitch. She is now living on the homestead, and, though born in 1819, ap- pears much younger than would be indicated by that date. She is the mother of four children - Augusta, Ellen F., Enoch, and Alice, all of whom await her in the world beyond,
" Whose portal we call death."
ABEZ TRUE, a much esteemed citizen of New Gloucester, is extensively en- gaged in general farming, and is one of the large milk dealers of that place. His birth occurred on the farm where he now resides, December 16, 1835; and he is a son of Moses and Martha (Pierce) True.
The history of the True family in this coun- try dates back to the early settlement of New England, the first representative being Henry True, who settled in Salem, Mass. His son, Henry True, Jr., who was born in Salisbury, Mass., March 8, 1644, died on September 8, 1735. On March 15, 1668, he married Miss Jane Bradbury, who died January 24, 1729. Their son, William True, born in June, 1670, married Miss Eleanora Stevens. His death occurred on March 18, 1733, and hers on April 29, 1768. The next lineal representa- tive of this branch of the family was Winthrop True, born on August 18, 1710, who died July 26, 1783. On June 15, 1732, he was united in marriage with Miss Dorothy Currier. She died on March 11, 1764. Their son, Israel True, was born on July 31, 1735- Hc was twice married, the first time on August 20, 1761, to Miss Mary Carr, of North Yar- mouth, Me., who died January 7, 1820. He then formed a second union with Miss Mary McIntyre. His son, Winthrop True, grand- father of Jabez, was born in 1763. When twenty-six years old, he was joined in mar- riage with Miss Mary Oakes, who reared him four children, as follows: Moses, the father of the subject of this sketch; Samuel, born in North Yarmouth, Me., who became a Colonel in the State militia, and for a number of years was a singing-master; Polly, who married
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Adam Bradbury, of New Gloucester, now de- ceased; and Lydia, who became the wife of Chandler Cobb, also both deceased.
Moses True was left an orphan at the age of twelve years. He then learned the ship- builder's trade, and was subsequently engaged in that calling until 1811, when he purchased the farm where his son now resides. After reaching the age of thirty-five years, he was unable to work; but he continued his residence there up to the time of his death, which oc- curred March 6, 1876. He married Miss Martha Pierce, of New Gloucester, a daughter of Abram and Martha (Parsons) Pierce. Both her parents, who were born in Gloucester, Mass., settled in New Gloucester about 1775 ; and their first home was a log house, erected by the father near where his daughter now lives. He engaged in farming, and also fol- lowed the sea for some years. They subse- quently removed to a farm near Cobb's Bridge, where they lived during the remainder of their lives. Nine children were born to Moses True and his wife, all of whom lived to cele- brate their parents' golden wedding. They were as follows: Winthrop, deceased, whose widow, Mrs. Ophelia (Gooding) True, formerly of Pownal, Me., now lives near New Gloucester; Moses, Jr., who married Miss Desire Linnell, of Otisfield, Me., both of whom are now deceased; Elbridge, deceased, whose widow, Mrs. Margaret (Rogers) Truc, now resides in Freeport, Me .; Nathan O., who married Miss Mary Anderson, both de- ceased; Calvin S., deceased, whose widow, Mrs. Alice (Anderson) True, lives in Port- land, Me. ; Martha P., who became the wife of William R. Rogers, both deceased; Lewis Pennell, deceased, who married Miss Adeline Pierce, of Malden, Mass., and was engaged in the hotel business in Boston, Mass .; William P., who married Miss Dorcas Ricker, of San- ford, Me., and resides in Malden, Mass. ; and Jabez, the subject of this sketch.
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