USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 53
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ORACE H. TOWLE, General Baggage Agent of the Maine Central Railroad, with his office at Portland, has held this responsible position since 1881, his long term of service with this company being indicative of the estecm heartily ac- corded him by his employers. He was born February 7, 1852, at Epping, N.H., where his
great-grandfather Towle and his grandfather, Levi G. Towle, were pioneer settlers.
Levi Towle, the father of Horace H., was born at Epping, N. H., February 4, 1819, and died in the same town in December, 1881, his death being caused by an accident. He fol- lowed the occupation to which he was rcared, being engaged in general farming during the greater part of his life. He married Caroline Bartlett, daughter of Richard Bartlett, an old and respected resident of Deerfield, N.H. She bore him six children, four of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Levi F., now de- ceased; Mary Ann, wife of Charles W. Bean, of Brentwood, N.H .; Horace H .; and Etta L., deceased. The mother is yet living, re- siding on the old homestead. Though ad- vanced in years, she is active and vigorous, and is a devout member of the Baptist church.
Horace H. Towle was rcared on the home farm; and, having completed his common- school education, he pursued his studies for a time at the Northwood Seminary near by. Having no particular taste for agricultural pursuits, he was subsequently engaged at dif- ferent kinds of work until 1872, when he came to Portland. For the first year there- after Mr. Towle was employed on the street railway; but in September, 1873, he entered the service of the Main Central Railway Com- pany, his first employment being general work. Being zealous and faithful in the per- formance of his duties, he was soon promoted to the office of baggage master at the old station, afterward having full charge of the baggage-room at Portland, from which place he was advanced to his present position in 1881. At that time this line was but three hundred and twenty-eight miles long, against the eight hundred and thirty-one miles it now covers. His work and responsibilities have correspondingly increased, Mr. Towle having charge of all steamer connections, as well as the main line and its branches, with several hundred employees to look after. Under his wise supervision many improved methods of keeping records and of tracing baggage have been made, the value of the office being greatly enhanced. .
Mr. Towle is a man of prominence among railway officials and employees, and was one
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of the promoters of the Maine Central Relief Association, he having been one of its first Board of Directors and its Vice-President since its incorporation in 1887. This organi- zation has a membership of about seventeen hundred men, and is under excellent manage- ment, both financially and socially. Mr. Towle is likewise a member of the National and of the New England Associations of Gen- eral Baggage Agents. He has been among the leading Masons of Portland and this vicinity for some time, being a member of Deering Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; of Greenleaf Chap- ter; of the Portland Commandery, Knights Templars; and of the Scottish Rites, includ- ing the Maine Consistory, thirty-second de- gree. Politically, Mr. Towle sympathizes with the Democratic party, although he votes independently.
On October 22, 1886, Mr. Towle was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Home- stead, daughter of Timothy Homestead, for- merly a business man in Skowhegan, but a resident of this city since . 1870. Two chil- dren have been born of their union, both sons ; namely, Gerald Homestead and Horace H., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Towle reside at 544 Cumber - land Street, in a very pleasant portion of this beautiful city. Mr. Towle is the owner of the ancestral homestead in Epping, N.H. The dwelling-house in which he was born was built by his grandfather, who manufactured the brick used in its construction.
J OHN BURNHAM BRAY, M.D., a popular practising physician of Bridg- ton, Me., was born in this town, Febru- ary 21, 1833, son of the Rev. Jacob Bray. He is of English stock, his great-great- grandfather, William Bray, who was a barris- ter, having emigrated from England in early Colonial times. He was accompanied by his family; and he located on Cape Cod, Massa- chusetts, where his children, consisting of four sons and one daughter, were reared. His son, the Rev. William Bray, removed from Cape Cod to that part of Massachusetts that is now included in Androscoggin County, this State, being a pioneer settler. Of his children Ebenezer was the next in line of descent. .
Ebenezer Bray was born, it is supposed, in the town of Minot, Me., where he was edu- cated. He became a preacher in the Calvin- istic Baptist church, holding pastorates in the towns of Hartford, Bethel, Bridgton, Lancas- ter, N. H., and in Middletown, N. Y., where he passed his last days, dying at the venerable age of ninety-four years. His wife, Penelope Royal, of Yarmouth, died during their resi- dence in this village, aged seventy-five years. They reared ten children, as follows: Ebene- zer, Ansel, Eleanor, Washington, Jacob, Betsey, Olive, Eliza, Elizabeth, and Mary A.
Jacob Bray was converted in the days of his youth, and, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, became a minister of the Calvinistic Baptist faith, and preached in the towns of Harrison, Bridgton, Leeds, Hart- ford, and North and South Paris. He made his home in Bridgton for many years, owning a fine farm in the western part of the town, where he carried on general farming for some time, although his last years were spent in the village, where his death occurred in 1882. The maiden name of his wife, mother of the Doctor, was Harriet Mcclellan Lewis. She was a native of Gorham, Me. Her father, Major George Lewis, was born near Hingham, Mass., and in 1806 settled in Gorham, whence he removed to Bridgton in 1810, residing there until his decease in 1857, at the good old age of eighty-two years. He served with distinc- tion in the War of 1812, being Major of his regiment. Major Lewis married Ruth Lin- coln, who lived to the age of seventy-five years. Three children were born to the Rev. Jacob and Mrs. Bray ; namely, John Burnham, Harriet E., and Ruth Lincoln.
John B. Bray acquired his early education in the district schools and at the Fryeburg Academy. Having inherited great musical talent, he began when quite young to teach music, continuing for sixty-seven terms, and having under his instruction during this period nearly five thousand different pupils. Relin- quishing his first calling, he began the study of medicine with Dr. W. W. Green, of Port- land, and was afterward graduated from the medical department of Bowdoin College. Dr. Bray at once began practice in Bridgton, where he has won a good reputation for professional
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skill and integrity. He is quite prominent in social circles, being a member of Cumberland Lodge, No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mount Pleasant Encampment, and of Oriental Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Superintending School Committee, and President of the Board of Health.
On September 24, 1861, Dr. Bray was united in marriage with Lydia Susan Pitman, daughter of Esquire Hazen and Polly (Pen- dexter) Pitman. She was born in Bartlett, N. H. Dr. and Mrs. Bray have one child, a daughter, Mary Almeda Bray, who is a talented artist, an instructor of vocal and in- strumental music, and a teacher in the Bridg- ton public schools.
LISHA M. MORGAN, a practical farmer of New Gloucester, Me., an esteemed citizen who has served ac- ceptably in various offices of public trust, was born in this town, October 28, 1826, son of John and Sarah (Ramsdell) Morgan.
Luke Morgan, the grandfather of John Mor- gan, came from Cape Ann with his wife and three children in 1779, and settled on a farm in New Gloucester. His eldest son, John M. Morgan, married Sarah Tarbox, born August 28, 1763 ; and they were the parents of seven children - John, Mary, Sarah, Luke, Lydia, Susan, and Martha, all of whom have departed this life. John M. Morgan died in November, 1842.
John Morgan, son of John M. and Sarah (Tarbox) Morgan, lived on the farm during his life, never being absent more than two weeks at any one time. His wife, Sarah, a daughter of Kimball and Sarah (Pearse) Ramsdell, was born on November 18, 1791. They had six children : Mary, born January 21, 1819, mar- ried Samuel O. Cobb, of New Gloucester ; Elizabeth P., born October 5, 1820, died on November 5, 1842; Harriet K., born July 19, 1822, married Benjamin W. Merrill, of New Gloucester, and died May 15, 1895; Charles M., born December 10, 1824, married Mary E. Lock, of Woodstock, Me .; Elisha M. is the special subject of the present sketch ; John F., born September 24, 1829, was a Congregation-
alist minister in Portland, Me. His first wife, Elizabeth Hasty, died leaving three children ; and his second wife, Hannah M. Chandler, bore him two children. Only one of the five children is now living. John Morgan died in February, 1881, and his wife, Sarah, on November 19, 1883.
Elisha M. Morgan, after completing his school education, remained at home until 1845. He then went to work in a brickyard in Cambridge, Mass. ; but he returned after a short time and has since continued farming. He now owns one hundred and fifty acres of good land, on which he has made all the im- provements. His principal products are hay and small grain. He also raises some stock, keeping ten head of cattle and selling cream.
In politics Mr. Morgan is a Republican. He served the town as Selectman for six years, and was also a School Trustee for some time, besides holding other offices. He belongs to . the Grange at Danville Junction, Me.
On October 28, 1858, Mr. Morgan was mar- ried to Miss Rosilla C. Tucker, who was born in Norway, Me., June 12, 1828. Her parents were Benjamin and Mary (Pike) Tucker. Her father, a harness and saddle maker, was the first man in Norway who carried on that trade. He also carried on farming. He was born in Canton, Mass., in 1776, and her mother was a native of New Gloucester, born in 1786. Mr. Tucker could remember when the first wheel carriage was run into Norway. He died October 27, 1857. Mrs. Tucker lived with her son-in-law until her death on October 5, 1859. She had fifteen children, only three of whom are now living, namely: Mary, widow of Jeremiah Howe, residing with her daughter in Haverhill, Mass. ; Rosilla C., Mrs. Elisha M. Morgan; and Luther P. Tucker, a broker in New York City, who married Georgiana Manning, and after her death married for his second wife Marion E. Dick.
Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have three children : Benjamin Tucker, born January 17, 1860, is assistant manager in a lumber-yard in Win- chester, Mass. ; Dr. George Prentiss Morgan, born June 22, 1861, married Madge E. Elliot, and practises medicine in Dover, N. H. ; Mary Georgia, born January 20, 1866, is the widow of Dr. I. E. Hobart, of Dunningville, Me.,
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and now lives in Milford, Mass. By his assi- duity, perseverance, and square dealing Mr. Morgan has won a large measure of success in the business world. Socially, he is well known, and everywhere esteemed for his lib- eral hospitality.
B ENJAMIN S. SKILLINGS, a
highly intelligent farmer and repre- sentative citizen of Otisfield, is a native of Harrison, Cumberland County, born August 26, 1833, son of Merrill and Fannie (Stewart) Skillings. His paternal grandfather, John Skillings, removed to Harri- son from Gorham, Me.
Merrill Skillings was born in Gorham, Sep- tember 28, 1803. In his boyhood he removed with his parents to Harrison, which was his home for a number of years. He learned the trade of a stone cutter, and thereafter followed that occupation during the summer season. His chief employment in winter was cutting timber. In 1834 he settled at Bolster's Mills village, in Harrison township, where the re- maining years of his life were passed, and where he died March 16, 1874. His wife, Miss Fannie Stewart before marriage, was born in Harrison, December 10, 1806. She survived her husband three years, dying No- vember 8, 1877. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Eliza A., born Octo- ber 13, 1825, who is now the widow of the late William C. Hobbs, and resides in Abi- lene, Kan. ; Caroline, born June 10, 1827, who died September 28, 1828; Harriett E., born November 14, 1829, who is the wife of O. D. Hancock, of Bolster's Mills village; Merrill A., born April 2, 1831, who married Miss Maria Rich, and resides in Harrison, where he is successfully engaged in farming; Benja- min S., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, born December 24, 1834, who is the widow of the late Whitman Weston, and makes her home with her brother Isaac in Harrison ; Caroline, born August 14, 1836, who is the wife of George B. Dorman, of Auburn, Me. ; and Isaac S., a tradesman of Bolster's Mills village, who married Miss Alma Edwards.
Benjamin S. Skillings has had the advan- tage of a thorough common-school education.
He remained at home until twenty-one years of age. During the succeeding four years he was employed on different farms in the county. At the end of that time, on account of poor health, he decided to try a new line of work, and started as a pedler of general merchandise, including dry goods and groceries, throughout Oxford and Cumberland Counties. This proved a successful venture, and he continued in it without interruption for twelve years. He then settled down to farming for himself, carrying on in connection therewith a considerable trade in live stock. He has made various improve- ments in his farm, which contains about one hundred and twenty-three acres of land.
In June, 1857, he was united in matrimony with Miss Mary S. Scribner, of Harrison. She was born in Otisfield, April 12, 1830, daughter of Clements Scribner. Mr. Scribner, who was an early settler of this town, died April 18, 1881. His wife's death occurred July 29, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Skillings have had a son and two daughters, all of whom are living. They are : James Sumner, born Feb- ruary 12, 1859, who married Miss Lilla Jill- son, and lives with his wife under the parental roof-tree; Fannie S., born March 24, 1863, who married Arthur E. Tyler, a farmer of Mason, Me. ; and Carrie, born December 2, 1866, the wife of Fred C. Weston, a farmer, residing in Bolster's Mills village. Their parents were careful to have each furnished with a good practical education. As a politi- cian Mr. Skillings is well known throughout the county, being one of the leading canvas- sers for the Republican party. For the past five years he has served as Deputy Sheriff. In 1878 he was elected Selectman, and is now holding that office, having served eight years in all. He is a member of Crooked River Lodge, No. 152, A. F. & A. M., of Otisfield, and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Skillings are attendants of the Free Baptist Church at Bolster's Mills.
ILLIAM LEONARD BILLINGS, who is retired from active business, owns and occupies the commodious brick residence at the corner of Franklin and
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Cumberland Streets, Portland, having lived there since 1853. He is an excellent repre- sentative of Portland's native-born citizens, the date of his birth being October 17, 1832. His paternal grandfather, Leonard Billings, Sr., was born and reared in Massachusetts, In the prime of life, a married man and a father, he came to Maine with his family, set- tling for a while in Farmington, but eventu- ally removed to Butterfield, Ohio, where he died in 1843, aged seventy-six years.
Leonard Billings, Jr., son of Leonard, Sr., and father of William L., was born at Sharon, Mass., July 11, 1793, and was fifteen years of age when his parents removed to Farmington, he himself at the same time coming directly to this city, where he was first employed in an eating-house, owned by a Mr. Quincy. Ambitious, energetic, and versatile, Mr. Leonard Billings, Jr., was engaged in various occupations until 1844, when he became one of the organizers of the Portland Steam Packet Company, which began business in a modest way with but two propellers, the "General Warren" and the "Commodore Preble." These packets were used chiefly for freighting, but carried a few passengers. The business increased rapidly; and before his death, which occurred July 31, 1872, a regu- lar line of passenger steamers, commodious and elegantly furnished, plied between this city and Boston.
Ann I. Knight, who was married to Leonard Billings, Jr., on January 30, 1828, was the daughter of Benjamin Knight, a pioneer mer- chant of this city, who in early life was prosperously engaged in the clothing business, but later was interested in the steamship line. She was a native of Portland, born July 13, 1 804; and she died June 20, 1887, having sur- vived her husband nearly fifteen years. Four sons were born to them, as follows: William Leonard, who died in infancy; Alvas Ray, who died young; William Leonard, the spe- cial subject of this biographical sketch; and George Washington, deceased.
William Leonard Billings, having acquired a substantial education in the public schools of this city, learned the cooper's trade, and was for some time engaged in that occupation. After reaching years of maturity, he entered
his father's office, being at first engaged as a clerk, but later, as his father's health failed, to a large extent bearing the burden of the management of the business, and, after the death of the father, holding for a time the po- sition of agent of the company, his whole term of service embracing a score of years. For the past twenty years Mr. Billings has lived practically retired, enjoying leisure and freedom from business cares.
On April 9, 1870, Mr. Billings was united in marriage with Miss Laura Helen Cushing, daughter of Rufus Cushing, one of the old settlers of the town of Freeport, where her girlhood days were passed, her birth having occurred there December 17, 1833. Liberal- minded and charitable, Mr. and Mrs. Billings are sincere members of the Universalist church, having been born and reared in that faith.
R. REBECCA A. BUZZELL, a suc- cessful lady physician practising at Gorham, was born in the town of Buxton, York County, November 20, 1816, daughter of Captain Jabez and Betsey (Hancock) Hobson, both natives of the same place. Her grandfather, Joseph Hobson, a farmer by occupation, was a resident of Buxton throughout an active life of fourscore years. Joseph Hobson's wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Sawyer, was also a native of Bux- ton. She died at the age of sixty years, hav- ing borne him a family of five sons and four daughters.
Captain Hobson was for many years an officer in the State militia, and one of the prominent men of his native town. He was extensively engaged in farming and lumber- ing, giving employment to many men. He was quite active in church affairs, having been a Deacon in the Free Will Baptist church for ten years. To him and his wife nine children were born, four of whom are living - Sewell, Rebecca A., Ellen, and Jabez. Sewell, born March 20, 1815, was twice married. His first wife, Martha Buzzell, bore him five children, three of whom are living - Ethelinda, Eliz- abeth, and Alma. His second wife, Ann Thompson, had one child, Sewell. Ellen
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Hobson, born in 1834, is the wife of Ingalls Paine, and has one ehild, Aliee Leona. Jabez Hobson, born in 1837, married Eliza Smith, and they are the parents of three ehil- dren - Lillian, William, and Rebecea.
Dr. Buzzell obtained her elementary educa- tion in the common sehools of Buxton, after which she continued her studies at the acad- emy in Limeriek and Parsonsfield Seminary in Parsonsfield, this State. In 1836 she became the wife of Dr. James M. Buzzell, a prominent surgeon and physician of Parsons- field. He afterward removed to Worcester, Mass., remaining there two years as a profes- sor in the Eelectie Medical College. He subsequently filled the same ehair in the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia for about the same length of time. Resuming private practice, he returned to Maine, loeat- ing at Gorham, but afterward settled in the eity of Portland, where he continued in aetive practice until his death in 1892. He was very successful as a practitioner, being a skil- ful surgeon and a most able physician, highly esteemed by his professional brethren and by his large eirele of friends and aequaintanees.
Dr. Rebecea A. Buzzell was always inter- ested in the study of medicine, and after her marriage became a elose student of the seience. She first made a study of the allopathie method of treating diseases, later taking up the study of homoeopathy. She has praetised the latter sinee 1870, meeting with exeellent results, both in Gorham and in the surround- ing towns. Although now an experienced practitioner, she is still a close student, keep- ing up with the modern methods as they come into authorized use. Of late years the Doctor has confined herself principally to offiee work, treating home patients, of which she has many. Religiously, she is a member of the Gorham Congregational church. In polities both her husband and father were staneh Re- publicans.
OSEPH HELLEN, a prosperous farmer of New Gloucester, was born on the island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, June 8, 1833, son of Robert and Sarah (Guinn) Hellen. Mr. Hellen's paternal
grandparents were natives of Ireland, who em- igrated to America and settled upon the is- land of Cape Breton, near the Straits of Can- eer. They later moved to Aspen Bay, N.S., where they passed the rest of their lives. They raised a family of six children, two of whom are still living, namely: Eliza, the wife of William Young, who resides in Nova Seotia; and Robert, Mr. Hellen's father.
Robert Hellen, who was born in Queens- town, Ireland, came to America with his par- ents. He engaged in the fishing industry at Aspen Bay, an oceupation which he followed with success for many years. He was also profitably occupied in farming. Still smart and active at the age of eighty-seven years, he has long been a prominent resident of the locality. His wife, Sarah, who is a native of Aspen Bay, has had eleven ehildren, as fol- lows: Joseph, the subject of this sketeh, who was the first-born; Mary, who is now residing in Massachusetts, the widow of John Guinn; John, who died at the age of twenty-five years ; Ellen, who married Thomas Guinn, and re- sides at Aspen Bay, N.S .; Sarah, who resides in Boston, and is the widow of David Harcas ; Robert, who married Catherine Morrison, and resides near Aspen; Eliza, now living at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, the widow of Charles Whittier, who was killed at sea; Me- hitable, residing in Boston; Ann, who married John McPherson, and lives at Aspen Bay ; Will- iam, who married Elizabeth Young, and now resides at the homestead with his father; and James, who died at the age of three years. The mother, who still survives, is eighty years old.
Joseph Hellen commenced to assist in his own support at an early age. His attendanee at the regular sessions of the common sehools ended after a brief period, but he afterward availed himself of the opportunity of advane- ing his edueation by attending night sehool. At the age of twenty-three he engaged in the fishing industry, which is the principal souree of employment at Aspen Bay; and he followed that occupation quite extensively in connee- tion with farming for thirty-six years. In 1892 he came to New Gloucester, and bought the property of one hundred and twenty-nine aeres known as the True farm, upon which he now resides. Since entering upon posses-
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sion of it he has improved the farm, which is now in a good state of cultivation. He car- ries on general agriculture, fruit growing, and stock raising with an energy and ability that show his familiarity with the most approved methods. He oeeupied a leading position among the residents of Aspen Bay, his former home; and he served as Justice of the Peace there for sixteen years. He is a Republican in his political relations.
On July 6, 1857, Mr. Hellen was united in marriage to Isabelle McPherson. She is a native of Scotland, born in October, 1833, whose parents brought her with them to Aspen Bay in 1849, and there resided for the rest of their lives. Her father was engaged in the fisheries, and was also a prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Hellen have had seven children, as follows: Sarah Ann, the wife of B. D. Goring, who is superintendent of the furnish- ing-goods department in a large mercantile house in Boston; Christiana, who married George H. Jordan, and lives in Auburn, Me. : John, who married Mary Chisholm, and is superintendent of an electric light plant in Auburn; Mary, the wife of John A. Reed; Eliza; Catherine, who married H. A. Mc- Clcod, a prosperous merchant of New Haven, N.S. ; and Effie, who married Ransom Verill, of Gray, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Hellen are Pres- byterians in their religious belief, and united with that church in Aspen Bay. Mr. Hellen is an able farmer, an intelligent and useful citizen, and is highly esteemed by his fellow- townsmen. He has lived a busy and indus- trious life, and his prosperity is the result of his own unaided exertions.
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