Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 49

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

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Jabez True, the youngest child of his par- ents, received a practical, common-school ed- ucation. He remained under the parental roof-tree until his marriage. At that time he took charge of the old homestead, of which he is now the owner. It contains one hundred and fifty acres of land, and is an excellent

hay-producing farm, and also yields a large quantity of fruit. He is an extensive milk dealer, and he also sells cream to the creamery.

On January 26, 1859, Mr True was married to Miss Celinda H. Waterhouse. She was born on September 15, 1838, and is a daugh- ter of Joseph G. and Mary (Linnell) Water- house. Her father throughout his lifetime followed the twofold occupation of farmer and blacksmith. She has borne her husband four children, namely : Edith, born December 28, 1859, who was for a number of years success- fully engaged in school teaching, but is now at home; Joseph S., born July 10, 1862, who married Miss Georgia E. Murray, of Auburn, Me., resides at New Gloucester, where he con- ducts a large steam grist-mill, a grain and grocery store, and is Postmaster of Interval, Me. ; Clara L., born April 11, 1865, who lives at home; and Maria A., born October 20, . 1870, who is a teacher in the public schools of Somerville, Mass. All the children had excellent educational advantages.

Mr. True has always voted the Republican ticket. He has served as Trustee of the New Gloucester Fair Association, and for several years was a member of the Building Commit- tec. The Grange of New Gloucester also counts him among its most esteemed members. Mrs. True is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of South Auburn, Me. Clara and Maria are members of the Congregational church.

OHN B. WINSLOW, now living in retirement at Webb's Mills, is a repre- sentative of one of the oldest and best- known families of Cumberland County. He was born on the old Winslow homestead in this town, September 14, 1827, son of Cyrus and Fannie (Foster) Winslow. His grand- father, James Winslow, settled on a farm in Westbrook, Me., in the early part of this century.

Cyrus Winslow, born in the town of West- brook, was the first of the family to settle in Casco. He purchased a tract of timber land near Webb's Mills, and at once began the work of clearing it. It was not long

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before the dense forest was superseded by broad meadows that in the summer months were broken here and there with fields of corn and grain. He lived here until his death, in April, 1848. His wife, Fannie, who was born in Freeport, Me., had outlived her husband more than a quarter of a century when she died, in 1874. They reared nine children, four sons and five daughters. These were: Rebecca, James, Matthew Franklin, William, Olive C., John B., Lydia, Dorcas J., and Sarah Jane. Rebecca married Robert Welch, who was killed while engaged in felling trees near Sandy Stream, Me .; and after his death she became the wife of C. B. Smith. Both are now also deceased. James married Miss Eliza Jane Gary, now deceased, and lives in Bath, Me., where he is successfully engaged in the hardware business. Matthew Franklin married Miss Deborah Small, now deceased, and resides on the old homestead. William, now living in Freeport, married Miss Lois Noble, who has since died. Olive C. is the widow of Nathaniel Duran, and lives in Casco. Lydia, residing in Portland, is the widow of Alvin Hall. Dorcas J., married Richard M. Webb, the founder of Webb's Mills, where he erected a mill, store, and the house in which John B. Winslow now resides. Mr. Webb, who was the only child of his par- ents, became the father of seven children. The members of this family, nine in all, died successively within twenty months of each other. Sarah Jane married Benjamin F. Cook, who survives her, and is now living in Oxford, Me.

John B. Winslow received a good common- school education. He remained with his par- ents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out to make his way in the world. The first enterprise in which he engaged was that of peddling tinware and " Yankce notions " froin a wagon throughout Cumberland County. Two of his brothers also followed the same occupation for a number of years. After a time he added dry goods to his stock, and con- tinued in the business until 1856. When he married he purchased the old Winslow home- stead in this town, and engaged in general farming and lumbering. Stock raising was his specialty, however; and he became one of the

largest dealers in general stock in the county. In 1885 he left this farm to settle on one that he purchased at that time in the town of Stand- ish. This was the well-known Lemuel Sawyer farm. After living there for eight years, he came to Webb's Mills, his present home, having previously purchased the place. He also owns orchards and timber lands in the towns of Casco, Gray, and Standish. Although during the past two years he has lived in re- tirement, his love of cattle, sheep, and horses makes him desirous of taking up once more his former business of a stock dealer; and this he intends to do if his health does not fail him.

On November 19, 1856, Mr. Winslow was united in marriage with Miss Maria H. Sawyer, who was born in Standish, Me., Sep- tember 11, 1835, daughter of Lemuel and Esther (Purington) Sawyer. Lemuel Sawyer was one of the leading farmers of Standish, where his whole life was spent. His wife was a native of Deering, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Winslow have had two daughters, namely : Fannie Rebecca, born in April, 1859, who died when but four years of age; and Sadie M., born in August, 1860, who died in 1875.

Mr. Winslow, who is a Republican, is known throughout the county as a strong poli- tician. His first Presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont. He is a member of Presumpscott Lodge, No. 127, A. F. & A. M., of Windham; of Siloam Lodge, No. 45, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Hathorn Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at Ray- mond village. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Winslow is often opened for the entertainment and accommodation of the travelling public, and those who accept its hospitality are sure of a friendly welcome. Their residence is one of the finest in Webb's Mills. Besides the house, there are about ten acres of land, which furnish Mr. Winslow with agreeable employment during his spare hours.

RC ICHARD J. CHAPLIN, a farmer of Naples, beginning life without edu- cation or financial resources, has qualified himself to meet on an equal footing those who have had the advan-

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tages of both wealth and a liberal education. He was born in the town of Harrison, within a mile of where he now lives, April 4, 1820, son of Jacob and Miriam (Jackson) Chaplin. The family is of English descent. Richard J. Chaplin's great-grandfather, Hugh Chaplin, an Englishman, settled in the quaint old town of Rowley, Mass., early in the eighteenth century. There John Chaplin, the grand- father of Richard J., was born. John Chaplin learned the blacksmith's trade in his native town, and worked at it for some time. He left his forge at the call to arms. in the days of the Revolution, and entered the ranks of the militia, going up from Ipswich and Rowley to Boston to join Washington's army. After the close of the war, some timc prior to 1790, he removed to Cumberland County, Maine, and settled in the town of Bridgton, now Naples, where he died in 1830. By his marriage, performed in Massachusetts, of which State his wife was a native, he became the father of thirteen sons.

Jacob Chaplin, the father of Richard J., was born in Rowley, Mass. He also learned the blacksmith's trade, but devoted the greater part of his time to the cultivation of a farm in Naples. He voted the Republican ticket without showing any desire to take an active part in the town government. He died in Naples in 1853 at the age of seventy-three. His wife, who was a native of Raymond, Me., died January 20, 1853, aged sixty-six years. Their remains rest in the cemetery at Edes Falls. They had eight children, namely : Charlotte, who became the wife of Reuben Doughty; Louisa, the wife of Richard Bean, of Otisfield; Benjamin, a farmer of Naples, now eighty-four years old; Jacob, a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, now deceased ; William, who died in 1893; Richard J., the subject of this sketch; George, deceased, who was a farmer of Harrison; and Henry, who was also a soldier in the Rebellion and died in 1866.

Richard J. Chaplin was born and reared on a farm, receiving a limited education in the district school. Like most farmers' boys, he was obliged to give more time to chores than books; but he learned to love his work, and he engaged , in farming when he attained

his majority. In 1847 he purchased the nucleus of his present property, thirty-seven acres of wild land to clear and improve, which he worked industriously, enlarging it by new purchases as the opportunity offered. It now contains two hundred and forty acres, and is a fine farm. A tireless worker, Mr. Chaplin raises large quantities of farm produce, and keeps his estate in an excellent condition. When he moved to his present home, he had but one yoke of oxen: now he owns some of the best live stock in the county. Withal he finds time to read a great deal, so that he is well informed on all current topics.

On January 28, 1849, Mr. Chaplin was mar- ried to Miss Loretta A. Mayo, a native of Standish, Me., born October 26, 1828. The union was blessed by one child, George M. Chaplin, now proprietor of a hotel in Denver, Col., and the father of two children-Beatrice I. and Maria E., by his wife, Nora (Keating) Chaplin. Mr. Richard J. Chaplin is a stanch Republican, and has served as Selectman of Naples. In religious belief he and his wife are liberal. During the years of their resi- dence in Naples they have won the esteem of their neighbors, and rank among the foremost citizens of the town.

RANKLIN C. WEBB, the leading merchant of Brunswick, Me., was born in Brunswick, October 23, 1849, son of Samuel and Cynthia (Coburn-Hemenway) Webb. Samuel Webb was born in Wool- wich, Me., and reared on a farm. He was engaged for some years as a lumberman, and in 1849 opencd a grocery store in Brunswick, which he managed successfully up to the time of his death, at the age of seventy. His second wife, whose maiden name was Cynthia Coburn, was a native of Dracut, Mass., and was the widow of Martin D. Hemenway, of Lowell, Mass. She died in Farmington, Me., at the age of sixty-eight, having reared three children - Charles Hemenway; Rena C., now the wife of Dr. John Linscott, of Farmington, Me. ; and Franklin C., the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Webb attended the Universalist church.

Franklin C. Webb acquired a good educa-

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tion, graduating from the high school of Brunswick, and taught school for a while after finishing his studies. He entered on his mer- cantile career when twenty-one years of age, obtaining a position as clerk for J. T. Adams & Co., who were then the proprietors of the store now owned by himself. In 1882 he pur- chased Mr. Adams's interest; and since that time he has controlled a growing and prosper- ous business, carrying in stock a full line of groceries, meats and provisions, dry goods, boots and shoes. His store is the largest in the town, and gives constant employment to a number of clerks. Mr. Webb is a shrewd and capable business man, whose motto, as he ascends the hill of success, is "No steps back- ward." He wins custom by his courtesy and attention to the demands of purchasers, and keeps it by supplying first-class goods only. Mr. Webb is also a Director of the Electric Light Company of Brunswick, and of the First National Bank.

He was married in 1874 to Lizzie E. Ran- dall, daughter of B. F. Randall, of Harpswell, Me. Her father died at the age of fifty-six, leaving a widow and three children. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Webb, three of whom are living - Ethel M., a student at Smith College; Harold R. ; and Frank W.

Mr. Webb votes the Republican ticket. He has been a member of the Board of Select- men three years and Chairman since the time of his election. He is a Mason of high rank, belonging to United Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 8, of Brunswick, in which he has held all the offices but that of Master; St. Paul Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 14; Mount Vernon Council, No. 2, Portland Commandery, Knights Templars, No. 2, of Portland, and the Maine Consistory; is a member of Pejapscot Lodge, No. 13, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brunswick ; and has been Chancellor Commander of Fort George Lodge, No. 37, of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Unitarian church of Brunswick, of whose Standing Committee he is a member. Mr. Webb's qualities of mind and heart have made him very popular in Brunswick, both in business and social circles.

ILLIAM HENRY TRUE, M.D., for the last twenty-six years a prominent medical practitioner of Portland, was born in Freeport, Cumberland County, Me., March 1, 1825, being a son of Captain Solomon and Nancy A. (Morse) True. His paternal grandfather was Israel True, who came from Massachusetts to what is now the town of Cumberland, but was at that time a portion of North Yarmouth. Here he pur- chased a good farm, on which he resided until the date of his death.

Captain Solomon True, the Doctor's father, was born in North Yarmouth, May 27, 1780. In early manhood he went to the city of Bath, Me., where he was engaged in ship carpenter- work until he became qualified to discharge the duties of a master ship-builder. In Bath he married Nancy A. Morse; and they subse- quently moved to the town of Freeport, where he purchased a farm which he cultivated suc - cessfully, occasionally leaving home to super- intend the construction of a ship. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Morse, a patriot soldier of the Revolution, who, having lost a leg in battle, was some months later assigned to duty in a fort in Boston Harbor. On returning to his home one very warm day, he, being very thirsty, drank copiously of cold water, was shortly seized with severe pain, and at the expiration of a few hours died. Mary Morse, his widow, was residing in Portland when the city was burned by the British in 1775, her house with most of its contents being consumed by the fire. She died of lung fever at the home of her daughter in Freeport, at the venerable age of ninety-eight years.

Captain and Mrs. Solomon True had six children, four sons and two daughters. The eldest son died at the age of seven years. The daughters and two sons embraced religion early in life, and at the time of their death had for many years been members of a Chris- tian church. Dr. True is the only surviving member of the family. His father, though not a member of any church, was a man of prayer, had received the ordinance of baptism, and was constant in his attendance at church service on the Lord's Day. For several years he was Captain of an artillery company in which he took much interest. He was a man

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of strict integrity, and one of Freeport's most reliable and substantial citizens. He died of consumption at his home in Freeport, March 26, 1857, aged nearly seventy-seven years. His wife, Nancy A. True, was a very gener- ous, kind-hearted woman, much respected and beloved by all who knew her. She was born in Bath, October 29, 1783, and died of paraly- sis in Freeport, February 16, 1862, aged seventy-eight years.

At the age of fifteen years William H. True, the subject of this sketch, became a student at Freedom Academy in the town of Freedom in Waldo County, where he remained one year. Subsequently he attended school at Yarmouth Academy several terms; and later he became a student at Auburn Academy, where he completed his classical studies pre- paratory to a college course. Some months later he entered Waterville College, and there he took an elective course having reference to the study of a profession. In the spring of 1853 he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. N. T. Palmer, of Brunswick. He attended two courses of lectures at Bow- doin Medical College, also two courses at Har- vard Medical College, from which he was grad- uated in March, 1856. A short time after graduating he opened an office in Freeport, his native town, for the practice of medicine and surgery.

Here he remained in successful practice until 1862, when, the war cloud having over- shadowed the land, he went before the State Medical Examining Board, passed a satisfac- tory examination, and was recommended by the board to the governor for an appointment in the army. Some weeks later he was offered a commission on the medical staff of three dif- ferent regiments. There being a goodly num- ber of soldier boys in his town who had en- listed in the Twenty-fifth Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry, he accepted the position of First Assistant Surgeon of that regiment in September, 1862. The following month the regiment was ordered to Virginia. In the spring of 1863, just after Mosby's famous raid at Fairfax Court-house, the regiment was ordered to Chantilly; and, while stationed there, Dr. True received an order to report to Medical Inspector Abbott at Washington, D. C.

He was assigned by the inspector to duty on the medical staff of Campbell Hospital, then under the charge of the late Surgeon-general J. H. Baxter. After remaining there a few weeks, he was ordered to report for duty at the Convalescent Camp in Virginia. Here he served on the Examining Board for discharges, and was the surgeon of two wards in the hos- pital. After several weeks he joined his regiment in Virginia, and returned to Maine, where the regiment was mustered out by reason of the expiration of its term of service in July, 1863.

Soon after his return to his home, he re- ceived a letter from Surgeon J. H. Baxter, urging him to come to Washington and take charge of his former wards in Campbell Hos- pital. He accordingly returned to Washing- ton, and resumed his duties at the hospital about the early part of August, 1863. While he was connected with this hospital, the soldier boys of one of his wards, as an expression of their good will and appreciation of his services, presented him with an elegant surgeon's sword and belt. A few days later another ward pre- sented him with an expensive gold watch and chain. Here he remained on duty until Feb- ruary, 1865, when, the Governor of Maine, having sent him a commission appointing him surgeon of the grand old Twentieth Regiment of Maine Volunteers, he left the hospital, and joined the regiment in front of Petersburg, Va. He was first appointed one of the sur- geons on the operating staff of the Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps ; . and subsequently he was appointed Surgeon- in-chief of the brigade to which he belonged. This position he retained as long as he re- He mained in the United States service. was with his regiment at Appomattox when the last shell came over from the Confederate army on the day of General Lee's surrender. In the latter part of the month of July, 1865, the war having closed, the regiment was ordered to Maine. Here, with the rank of Major, Surgeon True with the rest of the regi- ment was mustered out of the United States service. Returning once more to Freeport, he resumed his medical practice, remaining there until July, 1869, when he removed to Portland. His subsequent history is identi-

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fied with the professional and social life of the city.

Dr. True is a member and Past Commander of Thatcher Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, in which he takes a great interest. In 1 893 he was Aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen- eral John Palmer, Commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has at- tended all the Encampments of the Depart- ment of Maine since he became a comrade of the order, and has also attended the National Encampments at Portland, Me., San Fran- cisco, Cal., Columbus, Ohio, Boston, Mass., Washington, D.C., and Pittsburg, Penn. For the last three years he has been Medical Director of the Department of Maine, Grand Army of the Republic; and his reports have all been accepted by the Encampment without any amendments or criticisms.

Dr. True has been a member of the Cum- berland County Medical Association ever since that organization was formed. In politics he was formerly a Republican; but for several years past he has been an ardent, earnest, active Prohibitionist. He has belonged to several temperance organizations, has been prominent in the conventions of his party, and was once a candidate on the Prohibition ticket for mayor of Portland. For more than forty years he has been a member of the Baptist church in Freeport.

Dr. True was married in Portland, July 4, 1849, to Lidia Augusta Holden, an estimable young lady, daughter of William P. Holden, of Westbrook, Me. In process of time five chil- dren successively joined the family circle, bringing joy and gladness to the hearts of fond, loving parents. Of these only two are living, namely: Mrs. Julia A. Cummings, widow of the late Captain Francis E. Cummings; and Dr. William H. True, Jr., who for the past nine years has been one of Portland's success- ful dentists. Mrs. True lived the life of a Christian woman. After a long and painful sickness, which was borne with Christian for- titude and resignation, she died December 2, 1883, mourned by a large circle of loving friends.

In 1870 Dr. True built him a residence at the corner of Congress and Smith Streets, where he now resides. He has been one of

Portland's most active and energetic physi- cians. Within the last few years his health has become very much impaired; and, fre- quently, when some of his best friends desire his medical services, he is obliged to send the messenger to some brother practitioner, not being able to attend in person himself. He has a complication of disabilities, from which at times he suffers severely, being confined to his residence for several days; and, as he is seventy-one years of age, the outlook for future health and work, he thinks, is far from encouraging. But an enforced rest after so long a period of beneficent activity can only illustrate the sublime truth expressed in Milton's line : -

" They also serve who only stand and wait."

HARLES S. SCHILLENGER, one of the leading farmers of New Gloucester, where he has resided for many years, a prosperous citizen, was born in Poland, Me., on August 3, 1828, son of Jeremiah and Mary (Garland) Schil- lenger.

Jeremiah Schillenger, who was likewise a native of Poland, Androscoggin County, was reared to agricultural labors. He continued to follow farming after his marriage, and in that way spent a very useful life, although never acquiring large means. His wife, Mary Garland, who was born in Poland, Me., died

in 1836, having been the mother of ten chil- dren, as follows: Daniel (deceased) ; Lydia (deceased) ; John (deceased) ; Jeremiah, who lives in Danfer, Me .; Ellen, the widow of Charles W. Worster, residing in Clinton, Mass. ; Benjamin (deceased) ; Mary, the wife of Nathaniel Green, of Brunswick, Cumber- land County ; Isaac, a resident of San Fran- cisco, Cal. ; Charles S. ; Henry (deceased). Mr. Jeremiah Schillenger died in 1885.

As there was a large family of children de- pendent upon his father for support, Charles S. Schillenger remained at home only until he was twelve years old. He then went to work on a farm in Poland, and two years later came to New Gloucester, where the succeeding nine years were spent in farm work in the employ

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of Joseph L. Foxcroft. At the expiration of that time he secured a position as section overseer on the railroad, and was thus em- ployed for a dozen years. After his marriage he again turned his attention to agriculture, and in 1865 he purchased the property on which he now resides. This farm comprises one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, and is located in the best farming section of Cumberland County. While hay is his prin- cipal product, he is successfully engaged in general farming, and also keeps a dairy of six- teen choice cows, which give on an average about twenty gallons of milk per day. This he ships to Portland.

Mr. Schillenger has been twice married, first in Turner, Me., on November 25, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Staples, who was born in Turner and was a daughter of Charles Staples, a farmer of that town. She died in Novem- ber, 1882. On May 13 of the following year he was united in marriage with Mrs. Annie (Alexander) Brackett, of Pownal, Cumberland County. Her birth occurred on August 19, 1850, and she is a daughter of the late Thomas L. and Betsy (Merrimer) Alexander. Her father was born in Harpswell, Me., and died in New Orleans, August 4, 1858. Her mother also was a native of Harpswell, Me. She lived until January 11, 1895. Mr. Schil- lenger is the father of two children, both borne by his present wife; namely, Charlie and Helen.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 49

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