Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 55

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

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DWIN AYER, superintendent of the paper-mills of S. D. Warren & Co. at Westbrook from 1884 till the time of his death in 1892, was born in Cornish, Me., February 26, 1842. He was the son of Jacob and Abigail (Sargent) Ayer. Jacob Ayer, who was a carpenter by trade, spent the latter part of his life in Westbrook in business as a contractor and builder. He acquired a reputation for exactness and thoroughness in all his work, and completed some important contracts, including the old high-school house,

the residence of L. W. Edwards, and the handsome dwelling of John Cloudman. He died in 1864.

Edwin Ayer was three years old when his parents removed to Westbrook, and his educa- tion was received in the common schools of this town. He learned to make paper boxes, but never worked at that business, as he en- tered the employ of Day & Lyons, paper man- ufacturers, on finishing his apprenticeship. The Day & Lyons mills were situated at Cum- berland Mills (Westbrook), and were the em- bryo, so to speak, of the large mills now con- ducted under the name of S. D. Warren & Co. Mr. Ayer was in the establishment many years, and obtained a thorough knowledge of the different styles of paper-making and all the processes, from the beginning to the finishing of the paper. When the office of superin- tendent was left vacant by the death of William L. Longley, he was promoted to that position ; and during the time of his incumbency he held the entire confidence of his employers and the esteem of all under his charge. Dur- ing the summer of 1892 he travelled exten- sively through England and Scotland. on special business in the interest of the Warren mills. He was universally esteemed in West- brook ; and his death, on November 26, 1892, was the cause of general regret.

Mr. Ayer voted the Republican ticket, but never sought public office. He was a promi- nent member of the Warren Phillips Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 186, of Cumberland Mills, in which he had been through all the chairs and held the degree of Master, belong- ing also to the Chapter; and he was Noble Grand of Ammoncongin Lodge of Cumber- land Mills, in which also he had been through all the chairs. Mr. Ayer was a member of the Warren Congregational Church. He was mar- ried in 1861 to Miss Maria E. Bacon, a native of South Windham.

One son lives to perpetuate his name, Will- iam E. Ayer. He was born in Westbrook, Me., December 2, 1863, and received his edu- cation in the public schools of Westbrook and the State Normal School at Gorham. He taught in the Westbrook schools for about four years, and then was engaged as private secre- tary by Mr. John E. Warren, agent for the

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mills of S. D. Warren & Co. Since 1892 he has been purchasing agent for the company, buying all the wood for making pulp for the Warren mills at Westbrook and the Forest Paper Company of Yarmouthville, Me. As they use about thirty-five thousand cords of poplar wood annually, which they get from different sections of Maine, Northern New Hampshire, and Canada, this is a very respon- sible position. The Warren mills have a wide reputation for the excellence of their products. The quality of their paper may be seen in the Youth's Companion and the Century Magazine.

William E. Ayer was married in December, 1888, to Miss Louise Brown, daughter of Free- man Brown, of Westbrook, and has one child, Florence E. He, too, votes the Republican ticket. He takes an active interest in educa- tional progress, and served on the School Com- mittee in 1890-91. Belonging to but one fraternal organization, the Masons, he is highly esteemed by his brethren, and holds the office of Past Master of Warren Phillips Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 186. Mr. Will- iam E. Ayer is organist of the First Congre- gational Church of Westbrook.

EORGE C. CANNELL, of Portland, Me., state agent for the industrial department of the Travellers' Insur- ance Company, is a native of Cumberland County, having been born at Windham, June 24, 1855. His father, Clark Cannell, son of Thomas Cannell, was born in 1815, and is now an aged man of more than fourscore years. He was reared to the occupation of farming, which he carried on in connection with the trade of carriage manufacturer for a great many years. He was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Hannah Harmon. She died, leaving him with one child, Mary H. His second wife, formerly Dorcas Plaisted, passed from earthly scenes in 1875, leaving two children - Sarah F. ; and George C., the subject of this biographi- cal notice.

George C. Cannell acquired the rudiments of his substantial education in the common schools of his native town, afterward attending Gorham Seminary and the Portland Business

College. After his graduation from the latter institution Mr. Cannell was engaged as assist- ant cashier of the Portland Street Railway Company, holding that position five years. Later he accepted a similar position in the employ of the Eastern Railway Company, with which he was connected one year. In 1883 he became agent of the Travellers' Insurance Company, to whose business interests he has continued to devote his energies, performing the duties connected with his department in a worthy and acceptable manner, his excellent judgment and practical business ability mak- ing him a most valuable official. Mr. Cannell is an active member of Harmony Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Fal- mouth Encampment of Portland, while, politi- cally, he is a stanch Republican. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, his religious beliefs harmonizing with the tenets of that denomination.

On September 29, 1879, Mr. Cannell was united in marriage with Miss Florence E. Hanscom, daughter of William S. and Mary A. (Libby) Hanscom, of Sebago Lake, Me. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Cannell is now at 51 Chestnut Street, Portland, Me.

AMES LAWRENCE, a leading farmer and prominent resident of North Yar- mouth, an ex-member of the Maine legislature, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Gray, September 4, 1842, son of Nathaniel S. and Mary Ann (Har- ris) Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence's grandfather, Ephraim Lawrence, who was born in Groton, Mass., in 1765, moved from Groton to Gray, where he was engaged in farming the major part of his life, and died in that town June 13, 1847, aged eighty-two years. He was an in- dustrious and successful farmer, a Whig in politics and in religious belief a Methodist. Ephraim's wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Sawtelle, born in Pepperell, Mass., May 1, 1773, died November 11, 1863. They had ten children, some of whom died young.

Nathaniel S. Lawrence, who was born in Groton, Mass., July 2, 1799, accompanied his parents to Gray. He received a good educa- tion, and afterward taught school for fifty

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terms. In early manhood he engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, which he followed with success. He went to California in 1852, but returned in 1854. Prominent in public affairs, he was a member of the Board of Selectmen and Town Clerk for a number of years, and ably represented his district in the legislature for two terms. In politics he was a Republi- can, joining that party at its formation; and in his religious belief he was a Universalist. He died October 19, 1882, aged eighty-three years. He was twice married, first to Eliza- beth S. Harris in 1833, having one child, Elizabeth A. In 1835 he married his second wife, maiden name Mary Ann Harris, a sister of the first wife and a native of Gray. They had nine children, of whom twin girls died in infancy. The rest attained maturity, and four are now living, namely: James, the sub- ject of this sketch; Mary A., who has taught school successfully for many years; Alice J., the wife of W. G. Freeman, of Portland; and Maria O., the wife of Ansel L. Dunn, of North Yarmouth. The deceased were: Eliza- beth A., who was the wife of Dr. William Warren Green, formerly a well-known surgeon of Portland; Frank, a resident of Portland, who married Lucinda P. Sawyer, of Gray, and by her had one child, Lucinda M. ; Luther, who served as Captain of Company H, Eleventh Regiment, Maine Volunteers, in the Civil War, was mortally wounded in the battle at Deep Bottom, Va., August 16, and died in Chesapeake Hospital at Fortress Monroe, Sep- tember 3, 1864, aged twenty-four years; and Charles, who served as a private in Company C, Twelfth Maine Regiment, and was drowned while skating on Royal's River at the age of eighteen years. The mother died January 2, 1894, aged eighty-two.

James Lawrence spent his youth in Gray and Pownal, receiving his elementary education in the district schools and completing his studies at the North Yarmouth Academy. He was reared to farm life, and resided with his parents until March 26, 1864, when he en- listed as a private in Company H, Eleventh Maine Regiment, commanded by his brother, Captain Luther Lawrence. With his regiment he participated in the series of engagements that immediately preceded the surrender of

General Lee, and was present at Appomattox when that memorable event occurred. He was wounded at the battle of Deep Bottom on August 16, 1864. In July, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant of Company C, Sixth United States Colored Troops. He subsequently served until Octo- ber of that year, when he was honorably dis- charged. After leaving the army, he entered the clothing and furnishing business in Boston as a clerk. Four years later he engaged in store-keeping on his own account, dealing in hats, caps, and general furnishing goods. He continued in this occupation until July, 1874, when he moved to North Yarmouth, where he has since resided. In 1882 he took possession of the old Marston homestead, a farm of eighty acres, which he has since conducted with profit. He carries on general farming and dairying, keeping from ten to fifteen finely bred cows. In politics he actively supports the Republi- can party, being a prominent leader in local public affairs. He has served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for six consecutive terms, and he was elected to represent his district in the legislature for 1895 and 1896. He is now one of the Trustees of the North Yarmouth School Fund and a Director of the North Yarmouth Fire Insurance Company.

On March 31, 1869, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Ellen M. Marston, who was born in North Yarmouth, July 6, 1843, daughter of Captain Levi and Lavina (Mitch- ell) Marston. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have five children, as follows: Alice L., who was born October 27, 1870, married the Rev. Charles P. Cleaves, June 12, 1893, and has one daughter, named Mary Lawrence; Frank L., who was born July 20, 1872, and is now filling a responsible position in the United States General Appraiser's office of New York City ; Herbert M., who was born August 25, 1874, and is now a prosperous farmer; Chester J., who was born August 13, 1876, and is also engaged in farming ; and Charles D., who was born August 5, 1878, and is now a student in North Yarmouth Academy. Mr. Lawrence is a member of Casco Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the Knights of Pythias; and he is a comrade of Haskell Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He occupies a prominent position

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in North Yarmouth, where both he and his wife are highly esteemed for their liberal hospitality and social qualifications.

DWIN A. HOLBROOK, conducting a profitable carriage-manufacturing busi- ness in the village of Otisfield, is a native of Oxford, Oxford County, born May 25, 1831, son of Henry and Judith (Holmes) Hol- brook. Henry Holbrook, who was born in Mendon, Mass., on September 1, 1786, re- mained with his parents during his minority. He then came to Oxford, Me., and engaged in farming. A carpenter and joiner, he also fol- lowed those trades whenever the opportunity offered. He continued to reside on his farm until within a few years of his death, when he retired to the village of Oxford. His wife, Judith, who was born in Oxford, April 29, 1792, died in Otisfield. The fruit of their union was nine children, namely: Seth T., born December 17, 1819, who died January 29, 1893; Henry, who died March 20, 1881; Gennett, born November 23, 1822, who died November 21, 1886; two unnamed children, twins, that died in infancy; William Gen- nett, born May 19, 1829, who died August 7, 1830; Edwin Augustus, born May 25, 1831 ; William Gennett, born March 7, 1833, who died May 7, 1833; and one unnamed child, who also died in infancy.

Edwin A. Holbrook, equipped with a prac- tical, common-school education, started out at nineteen years of age to make his way in the world. The following year he was employed in a cabinet-maker's shop in Norway, Me. Returning to Oxford, he then worked at car- pentry for a number of months. He then took advantage of an opportunity to learn carriage painting, and was thereafter engaged in that business in Casco, this county, for five years. After his marriage he again returned to Ox- ford, and opened a shop for the manufacture and repair of carriages, conducting that busi- ness successfully for two years. He next went to Livermore, Me., where he took up the same line of business; but he sold it in 1864, two years later, and came to Otisfield. Here he purchased the building now used as his carriage shop, where for over thirty years he

has carried on a successful business. In addi- tion to conducting his shop, he holds the agency of the Charter Gas Engine Company of Sterling, Il1.

On December 22, 1856, Mr. Holbrook was joined in matrimony with Miss Sarah Whit- more, who was born in Windham, this county, August 1, 1838, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Cressey) Whitmore. Her father, a blacksmith by trade, died at Auburn, Me., July 28, 1870. Her mother's death occurred at Greenwood, Me., September 30, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook's home has been blessed by the birth of two sons -- Frank A. and Charles. Frank A., born December 4, 1857, a cabinet-maker by trade, living in Malden, married Miss Lalia J. Parker, who has borne him two sons - Charles Henry, born October 28, 1885; and Parker, born Sep- tember 20, 1888. Charles, born April 1I, 1859, was a printer, married Miss Emma E. Keene, now living in Mechanic Falls, Me., and died January 24, 1890. Both sons had good educational advantages. Mr. Holbrook has always been a supporter of Democratic principles, but his attention has been devoted principally to his business. Beginning with very scanty resources outside of his native tact and ability, he has worked his way well up on the ladder of success, and is looked upon as one of the most enterprising men of the town of Otisfield.

OSHUA SEARS PALMER, who held the office of Postmaster of Portland, Me., for five years, beginning in 1885, continued to make his home in this city, occupying his pleasant residence on Grove Street, which he erected in 1852, till his departure to spirit life on April 26, 1893.

His parents were Barnabas and Ann (Grant) Palmer. His father came to Maine from Rochester, N.H., and was a pioneer of Kenne- bunk, where he contracted for and built the piers. A well-to-do business man, he was prominent as a Democrat, served as a member of Governor Wells's Council, and was Collec- tor of the port for many years. He was an officer in the War of 1812. His wife was a daughter of John Grant, of Berwick.

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Joshua Sears Palmer was born in Kenne- bunk, Me., November 29, 1824. He was grad- uatcd from Bowdoin College in the class of 1844. Among his classmates may be named General Samuel J. Anderson, the Hon. Horatio G. Herrick, of Lawrence, Mass., and Josiah L. Pickard, LL.D., of Iowa. After graduation he read law, and was admitted to the bar, but he did not practise. He was for some tinie in the wholesale dry-goods business with J. Dow and others. Later, on his return from a European tour, he became Treasurer and Manager of the Portland Glass Company, after which he was engaged in the insurance busi- ness until 1885, during President Cleveland's first administration, when he was appointed Postmaster. This position he retained five years, leaving a good record for faithfulness and efficiency. Mr. Palmer was Chairman of the Democratic State Committee, and promi- nent in politics all his life, his opinions in the party councils being much valued. In 1851 he served as Councilman; and in 1852, 1856, and 1860 he was an Alderman. The Grand Trunk Railroad secured him as Treas- urer and Chairman of its Board of Under- writers. Mr. Palmer was a Knight Tem- plar and a member of the Fraternity Club, which he joined on February 9, 1874.

Mr. Palmer's first wife, whom he married in early manhood, Caroline E., daughter of Jeremiah Dow, his business partner, died in 1867. His second wife, whom he married two years later, was Mrs. Helen L. Bronson, of Toledo, Ohio, who survives him. He had no children.

From an appreciative tribute to the memory of Mr. Palmer, voicing the sentiments of the Fraternity Club, we quote the following: "Mr. Palmer was a man of wide reading and daring inquiry, not much concerning himself about who would agree with him or would differ from him in the opinions which he put forth. ... There was in him an unfailing candor and good nature, which endeared him to associates at the farthest remove from his point of view.

"What he read to the club was always very entertaining, from the abundance of his infor- mation and the liveliness of his style.

"In his business career and in the offices

which he held Mr. Palmer was a personal product and illustration of what is best in the social influences, educational institutions, industrial opportunities, and intellectual asso- ciations of our State and time. His liberal learning fitted him for successful attention to affairs, while it kept him from a servile devo- tion to affairs, such as might have shut out those varied studies that made him so interest- ing and valuable a member of a literary asso- ciation."

DWARD RUSSELL STAPLES, one of Bridgton's valued citizens, was born in the town of Milo, Piscataquis County, December 8, 1829, in the log cabin reared by his father, Eliott Staples. He is of English ancestry, his great-grandfather, Na- thaniel Staples, having emigrated from Eng- land to this country, locating at Capc Eliza- beth, where, it is supposed, his son Peter, Ed- ward's grandfather, was born and reared. Peter Staples spent his years as a tiller of the soil, locating in that part of the town of Raymond that is now included within the limits of Casco. Here he clcared a good farm, upon which he and his wife, whose maiden name was Dingley, rounded out nearly a century of life.

Eliott Staples was one of a family of five sons and two daughters. He was early in- structed in all work pertaining to the cultiva- tion of the soil, afterward his life occupation with the exception of a few years spent in hotel-keeping in Casco. He removed to Milo when a young man, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that place. Securing a tract of unbroken land, he erected a log house, in which he and his family resided until he had quite a tract of land in tilling condition. Then he replaced the old log cabin with a good frame house, and erected suitable farm buildings, remaining in occupancy some six- teen years afterward. The following two years he spent on the parental homestead in Casco, after which he removed from there to Naples, where he bought a farm. This he conducted until within a few years of his death, when he removed to South Bridgton, and thereafter lived with his son Edward.

ALMON V. THOMPSON.

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He was ninety years old when he died, April 18, 1869. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Swett, was a native of Stroudwater, this county, born May 18, 1789. She, too, lived to a venerable age, the date of her death being October 17, 1876. Nine children were born to them; namely, Elizabeth G., Harriet S., Louisa S., Rebecca E., Charles M., Sarah M., Samuel A., Edward Russell, and Marietta.

Edward Russell Staples, after receiving his elementary education, attended Windham Hill High School and the Bridgton Academy, where he was well prepared for a teacher's duties: Having finished his studies in these institutions, he was engaged in teaching for several winter terms, which included the even- ings in the fall of the year, when he taught writing to large and appreciative classes. Soon after his marriage he removed to Bridg- ton, where he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness for ten years. Going thence to the city of Portland, Mr. Staples was employed in an official capacity some four years, when he returned to this place to engage in business with Mr. B. C. Stone. Five years later he bought out his partner's interest, and con- tinued the business alone for five years. . Mr. Staples then sold out and went to Portland, where, in company with C. A. Kennard, he was engaged by contract in sprinkling the streets for two years. At the expiration of that time he returned to this village, and resumed mercantile occupations. He fol- lowed these, successfully engaged, until 1889, when, on account of failing health, he disposed of his stock and interest, and has since lived retired, devoting his time to his private affairs.

In 1857 Mr. Staples married Miss Chad- bourne, a native of Cornish, York County, and a daughter of Nathan and Abigail (Boody) Chadbourne. They have had two children, one of whom, Hattie F., lived but two and one-half years. The other, Clara E., is now a teacher in the Bridgton public schools. Mr. Staples cast his first Presidential vote for the candidate of the Free Soil party, but since the formation of the Republican party he has been one of its stanchest adherents. While a resident of Naples he served as a member of the School Committee, and at the present

time is a member of the Bridgton School Board. He has likewise served as Town Clerk, and from 1867 until 1871 was Regis- trar of Probate. He has always been inter- ested in the advancement of the educational and literary interests of the town, and is now Treasurer of the Maine Chautauqua Union. Both he and his family are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

LMON V. THOMPSON, M.D., whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is a well-known physician and surgeon of Portland, Me. He was born at Eaton, Carroll County, N. H., March 22, 1843, son of John Thompson, Jr. John Thompson, Sr., the Doctor's grandfather, was a native of Newfield, Me., living there the first few years of his life. He subsequently became one of the original settlers of the town of Eaton, N.H., making the journey thither by a path- way marked by blazed trees. That section of the country was then in its primitive wild- ness; and in the midst of the woods he erected his modest dwelling, subsequently clearing a farm, there spending his remaining days.

John Thompson, Jr., was born on the pa- rental homestead in Eaton, where, when a young man, he learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, which he made his life occupa- tion. He died while yet in the prime of a vigorous manhood, at fifty-one years of age, his death being caused by a wound in the knee in 1870, which was before the use and value of antiseptics were understood. His wife, whose maiden name was Patience Drew, sur- vived him, dying in 1889, aged seventy-four years. She also was a native of Eaton, being the daughter of Clement Drew, a farmer, and a soldier in the War of 1812. Both parents were active members of the Free Will Baptist church.

Almon V. Thompson was the first-born of a family consisting of seven sons. He received his academic education at the New Hampton Literary Institute, N.H., which gave a college course, after which he taught in the various schools of his native town, besides serving as superintendent of the Eaton schools. Contin - uing his pedagogical career, he taught in Mad-

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ison, Brownfield, Lovell, Cape Elizabeth, and in Ellison township, Warren County, Ill., at the same time pursuing the study of medicine. Returning to Maine, he entered the Bowdoin Medical College, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1874. Dr. Thompson began the practice of his profession at Stand- ish, this State, where he settled on August IO, 1874, continuing there for nine years, dur- ing which time he established a lasting repu- tation for professional wisdom and skill. In 1883 he came to Portland, where he has since built up an extensive and lucrative practice. His first year was spent at 291 Brackett Street, whence he removed to 805 Congress Street. Six years later, in 1890, Dr. Thompson bought the house at 87 Carleton Street, being located there until the summer of 1895, when he removed his office to 559 Congress Street, and the same season built his pleasant and airy summer home at Woodford's.

The Doctor is identified with several social organizations, being a member of the Bruns- wick Alumni Association; of the Maine Med- ical Association and the American Medical Association; of Atlantic Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of this city; of Hadattah Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portland; and of Munjoy Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to Windsor Castle Lodge, Golden Eagle, and to the Golden Cross, con- sisting of ladies and gentlemen.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 55

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