Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 58

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

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Lyman Nutting was born in Groton, Mass., in 1793. When two years of age he came with his parents to Cumberland County, which was his home from that time. After his marriage he settled on a farm on Oak Hill in Otisfield. He resided there until the death of his brother, when he returned to the old home to care for his parents. Here he carried on gen- eral farming, and was also largely interested in lumbering. He died here in 1859. His wife, Charlotte, a native of Gorham, Me., survived him many years, dying in 1884. Seven children were born of their union, as follows: James L., who married a Miss Graeff, both deceased; Charlotte C., now deceased, who married Charles Chadbourne; Lyman (de- ceased), who married Miss Louisa Halter, now residing in Pennsylvania; Dorcas A., who is the wife of Moses Eastman, now living in retirement in Casco village; Emma H., who became the wife of Dr. Webb, of Bridg- ton, both deceased; Silas W., who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Albert F., the subject of this sketch.

Albert F. Nutting acquired a good educa- tion in the elementary schools and high school of his native town. During his younger days he remained at home, assisting his father in carrying on the farm. After his marriage he took charge of the place, and has conducted it since. It contains about two hundred acres of land, every part showing signs of careful superintendence. Besides carrying on general farming, Mr. Nutting raises stock, deals in milch cows, and supplies milk to the Poland

creamery. He also carries on quite an exten- sive lumber business.

In June, 1874, he was married to Miss Martha E. Andrews. She was born in Otis- field, and is a daughter of Robert Andrews, a successful farmer, who was one of the early settlers of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Nutting have had a son and daughter. The son, Silas D., was born April 23, 1875, and is living with his father. The daughter, Charlotte, died in infancy. Mrs. Nutting died April 23, 1891.

The Hon. Albert F. Nutting has always taken a very active interest in political matters and in everything else relating to the welfare of the town, county, or State. He has often been called upon to occupy positions of responsibility and trust, such as Selectman, Supervisor of Schools, and Town Clerk. In 1880 he was chosen State Senator for this dis- trict, and served with distinction for four- years. He has long held the esteem and con- fidence of his neighbors by his sterling quali- ties, both in his public and private capacities.

J. EDWARDS, a prosperous farmer and one of the largest tax- payers of Otisfield, was born in that town, May 5, 1832, son of Nathaniel and Mary (Gammon) Edwards. Mr. Edwards's grandfather was an early settler in Otisfield, having moved there when his son Nathaniel was but eight years old; and he followed agri- cultural pursuits successfully for the rest of his life.

Nathaniel Edwards was reared to farm life. In young manhood he settled upon a tract of wild land, which he cleared and improved into a good farm. . He experienced all the diffi- culties that usually beset the early pioneer settlers, first having to dwell in a rude log house; but he overcame them all. His farm is now the one owned and occupied by his son, D. J. Edwards. He died in July, 1872, leav- ing the reputation of an able and industrious farmer and an upright, conscientious man. His wife, Mary, who was a native of Otisfield, was reared in Buckfield, Me., to which town the parents removed when she was four years old. She became the mother of seven chil-

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dren, as follows: Nancy, who is now the widow of William Bolster, and resides in Otisfield; David and Bretania, deceased ; Margaret, the widow of William McClelland, of Raymond; Jonathan, who died at the age of twenty years; James, who married Dorcas Piper, and resides in Otisfield; and D. J. Ed- wards, the subject of this sketch. The mother died in August, 1871.

D. J. Edwards received his education in the common schools of Otisfield. At an early age he began to assist in carrying on the farm. During his father's declining years he took charge of the property. Eventually succeeding to the homestead, it has been his residence for his lifetime. He owns three hundred acres of fertile land, desirably located and well improved. He pays particular attention to raising hay, corn, fruit, and hops, producing large and superior crops, which he markets with profit. He is also engaged to some extent in stock raising. At one time he was very profitably engaged in lumbering. His life has been a busy and a prosperous one.

In 1872. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Lottie T. Gage, a native of St. George, N. B., and daughter of Kennedy Gage, who is still engaged in farming in New Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have three children, namely : Llewellyn N., who is now pursuing a collegiate course ; Forrest L. and Dayton J., who are residing at home. Mr. Edwards is a Democrat in politics, and has served with ability in some of the town offices. He has never aspired to political prominence, his business interests having always required his close and undivided attention. He is now practically retired from active business pur- suits. Mrs. Edwards is a member of the Baptist church.

LMER F. WOODBURY, a very capable young business man of Portland, is now manager of the largest system of railway dining-rooms and cafés east of Bos- ton, including those at the Union Station, Portland, and other cafés on the line of the

Maine Central Railroad. He was born at South Paris, Me., March 18, 1865, and is the son of George E. and Sophia (Morton) Wood-

bury. His paternal grandfather, Elmer Wood- bury, was one of the earliest and most popular hotel men of Maine, managing hotels at South Paris and at Gray. He was widely known to the travelling public throughout New England, and his name was a synonym for first-class en- tertainment.

George E. Woodbury was born at South Paris, and there made his home until he attained his majority. He then engaged in railroading, and was for many years a popular and efficient conductor on the Maine Central Railroad, eventually taking up the business of which his father had made such a success, and obtaining from Payson Tucker, general man- ager of the Maine Central, the café privilege at Brunswick, Me. He soon began to increase his business, and within a few years had many first-class restaurants along the line of the Maine Central. He married a daughter of Jo- seph Morton, of Andover, Me. Mr. and Mrs. George E. Woodbury have resided for some years at Brunswick. Their only living child is the subject of this sketch.

Elmer F. Woodbury attended the common and high schools of Bath, Me., and later took a course of study at a business college in Port- land. On leaving school, he immediately became associated with his father at the Bruns- wick Café, and was for some years connected with the railroad dining-rooms, the Bangor Café being soon taken by them. Mr. Wood- bury subsequently took charge of the Nor- mandie, a well-known hotel in Washington, D.C., of which he was proprietor two years. Returning to Portland, he was again for some time in partnership with his father; and in 1895 he put the line of restaurants into the hands of a company, the Elmer F. Woodbury Hotel and Restaurant Company, of which he is manager. The fare and service of these cafés is such as to command a first-class patronage. Mr. Woodbury likewise attends to other business interests, being an active member of the Arlington Loan and Trust Company of Washington, D. C., the Baker Ex- tract Company of Portland, and the Morton Bonbon Company of this city. He is a busi- ness man of ability, who commands success in all that he undertakes. Mr. Woodbury was married to Miss Emma J. Schofield, of Bruns-

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wick, Me., on January 2, 1885; and their home has been brightened by two children --- Samuel S. and Virginia. In politics Mr. Woodbury is a Democrat. He is a member of Fort George Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Brunswick; and in religious matters he favors the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member.

OHN TALMAN LAWRENCE, a well- known resident of Pownal, who for thirty years was superintendent of schools, has now retired from official life with the reputation of having performed his duties faithfully and for the best interests of the community. He was born in Pownal, July 1, 1823, son of John and Elizabeth (Jones) Lawrence.

Mr. Lawrence's paternal grandfather, John Lawrence, Sr., served as a soldier in the Continental army during the entire Revolu- tionary struggle. He became an early settler in North Yarmouth, Me., where he engaged in farming and lumbering and was a promi- nent man in his day. He was identified with the formation of the early State militia, in which he held a Colonel's commission; and he was widely known as an able business man and a useful citizen. He died in North Yarmouth at the age of eighty-four years. He reared four sons; namely, Samuel, John, David, and Joseph.

John Lawrence, son of John, Sr., was born in North Yarmouth, and was reared to agricult- ural pursuits. He was also a good mechanic, and was for many years engaged in building, which he followed in connection with farming. Ile was an industrious man and a patriotic cit- izen, serving as an officer in the militia, and being actively engaged in the War of 1812. Ile joined the Republican party at its forma- tion, and supported its principles for the rest of his life. He owned a good farm in the vicinity of lownal Centre, which he cultivated successfully for many years. He died there on August 18, 1859, aged seventy-five years and seven months. His wife, Elizabeth Jones, whom he married November 27, 1806, was a daughter of Dr. David Jones, a surgeon in the Revolutionary War and a well-known medical

practitioner of his day, who died in North Yarmouth, March 27, 1822. Dr. Jones mar- ried Elizabeth Hobart, daughter of Aaron Hobart. Her father was a caster of hollow ware, and it is said that the first cannon ever cast in the United States was the work of his hands.

John Lawrence was the father of nine chil- dren, as follows: William T., who was born November 7, 1807, and died September 20, 1822; David J., born December 3, 1809, and died April 15, 1810; Mary H., born April 10, 18II, and died December 6, 1868; Joseph, born April 17, 1813, and died November 13, 1834; Henry S., born April 29, 1815, and died September 9 of the same year; Elizabeth J., born August 23, 1816, and died November IO of the same year; Sarah S., born Septem- ber 10, 1818, now residing in Holyoke, Mass., the widow of Charles S. Upham; John Tal- man, the subject of this sketch ; and David J., second, born February 22, 1827, and died June 8, 1884. The mother died in March, 1861, aged seventy-seven years and ten months. Mr. Lawrence's parents were members of the Congregational church.

John Talman Lawrence commenced his edu- cation in the schools of Pownal ; and, after com- pleting his course of study at the North Yar- mouth Academy, he taught school for some ten years. His principal employment, how- ever, has been farming. In 1852 he purchased the old homestead, where he continued to reside for over twenty years; and on May 14, 1873, he removed to his present farm, consist- ing of one hundred and seventy acres of valu- able land; and he has since conducted general husbandry, his energy and good management ensuring success. He was for many years closely identified with the administration of public affairs in Pownal, and rendered valuable services to the town, commanding the hearty approbation of his fellow-citizens. He was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for seven years, was Town Clerk and Treasurer for some time, and served as superintendent of schools for thirty years, a position for which he is especially well qualified.

On August 24, 1852, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage with Eunice Johnson, who was born in North Yarmouth, January 4, 1820,

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daughter of Samuel Johnson, a prosperous farmer of Pownal. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have one daughter; namely, Esther J., who was born December 15, 1853, and is now the wife of Eliab H. Latham, a resident of Pownal. Mr. and Mrs. Latham have a daughter named Lillian Lawrence, who was born May 4, 1878.

Mr. Lawrence is well informed upon all the important issues of the day, and occupies a leading position among the intelligent and well-to-do residents of Pownal. He is liberal in his religious views and a Republican in politics.

YRUS COLE, for many years one of the prominent business men of Cum- berland County, was born February 28, 1814, in Winthrop, Kennebec County, this State, son of William Cole. He spent his boyhood days in Buckfield, working much of the time in his father's carding-mill. When nineteen years of age, he went to Boston, hoping to find some congenial employment ; but after a short stay in the metropolis he re- turned to Maine, securing work at the Tontine House in Brunswick, where as a clerk he earned and saved some money, leaving the place with a bank account of sixty dollars. Going thence to Buckfield, Mr. Cole, with true Yankee enterprise, established himself in trade, entering into partnership in 1838 with. Mr. Ephraim Atwood, with whom, under the firm name of Cole & Atwood, he carried on a good business in general merchandise for two or three years. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Cole disposed of his interest in the store to his partner, and removed to Turner village, Androscoggin County. Forming a copartner- ship with Washington Long, he began the manufacture of woollen cloths and satinets, also establishing a general store, besides carry- ing on an extensive business in buying and selling wool and in exchanging that com- modity for woollen cloth.

In 1844 Mr. Cole sold out his share of the business to Mr. Long, and changed his place of residence to Freeport, where he operated a grist and flour mill, conducted a general store, managed a large farm, and in addition to these varied industries built several vessels,

being prospered in each of his ventures. Ten years later he, in company with Mr. Bibber, started a wholesale grocery business in the city of Portland, under the name of Cole & Bibber, continuing five years, and also dealing largely in real estate, having some heavy trans- actions in Munjoy Hill property. Coming thence to Cape Elizabeth, the northern part of the town, since incorporated as South Port- land, Mr. Cole purchased the homestead farm at Pleasantdale, now occupied by Mrs. Cole, residing here until his decease, December 2, 1892.

Cyrus Cole and Sarah A. De Coster were united in marriage on September 29, 1840. Mrs. Cole was born at Buckfield, Mc., on January 18, 1817, being the youngest of a family of eight children. Her parents were Samuel and Sarah (Bacon) De Coster. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, but they adopted a boy whom they reared as their own son ; namely, Charles M. Cole, who still lives to requite his foster-mother's care. Mrs. Cole is sustained and cheered by strong relig- ious faith, being a devout Universalist.

A man of much native ability and force of character, a stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Cole ever takes a leading part in local public affairs, serving for several years as Selectman and representing his district in the State legislature. Religiously, he was an active and conscientious member of the Universalist church. Socially, he belonged to the Aged Brotherhood, or Society of Old Men.

YMAN W. HOLDEN, who is pros- perously engaged in mercantile busi- ness in Casco village, was born on May 28, 1834, son of Colonel Levi and Annie (Leach) Holden. His father was one of the first merchants of this place.

Levi Holden was born in Otisfield, Me., in February, 1803. When he started out on his life career, he engaged in trade in Casco vil- lage, where he continued in business up to 1845, when he sold out and purchased a farm, which he conducted with success until his death, in March, 1875. In politics he was a stanch Democrat ; and among the offices in which he served the town of Casco was that of

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Selectman, which he held for several years, and that of Postmaster for a number of years. He was for some time Colonel of the State militia, a position that brought him in touch with many leading men; but, whatever the position in which he was placed, his manly, straightforward bearing won the esteem and respect of his associates. His wife, Annie Leach, was born in Naples, Me., in June, 1805. She died in December, 1869, leaving one son, Lyman W. Holden. Their only daughter, Mary E., died in 1857.

Lyman W. Holden remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, receiv- ing his education in the public schools of Casco. He then went to Illinois and engaged in teaching, and subsequently spent a year canvassing for nursery stock in Kansas. On leaving the latter place, he returned to Casco; and from that time until his marriage he was alternately engaged in farming and teaching. He then started in a general merchandise busi- ness, and has continued to carry on a profit- able trade since that time, a period of about ten years.

On July 17, 1885, he married Miss Mary Jane Brackett, who was born in Naples, Me., May 15, 1847. Her parents, Robert and Mary (Gammon) Brackett, were natives of Casco; and her father spent his life as a farmer. He died in August, 1895, and his wife in July, 1888. They had eleven chil- dren, briefly mentioned below: Charles E., residing in Naples, married Miss Helen Tenny, and has three children - Gertrude, Frank, and Eva; Maria E., the wife of Solo- mon Gale, of Casco, has three children - Everett, Alice, and Richard; Malvina D., who married George Bean, of Lynn, Mass., also has three children - Mabel, Hattie, and Mary; Iseta died in infancy; Martha A., the wife of R. Gay, of Casco, has two sons - Everett R. and Merritt B. ; Mary Jane is now Mrs. Holden; Robert A., residing in Casco, married Hattie L. Cook, and has a son and daughter - Ruby and Herman; John G., also of Casco, married Miss Alice Colwell, who has borne him four sons and a daughter - Edward, Clarence, Etta, Elmer, and Raymond; Anna A. married R. Edwards, of Otisfield, Me., and has two daughters - Ethel and Florence ;

Thomas Franklin died at eight years of age ; and one child died in infancy. Both parents were communicants of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Holden have no children. She is successfully engaged in the millinery busi- ness, and has one of the most attractive stores in the village.

In political affiliations Mr. Holden is a firm Democrat and a stanch advocate of the principles of his party. In 1865 he was elected to the office of Town Clerk, and he has held that office at intervals for fifteen years. He also served a number of years as a member of the School Committee, and has held other offices of lesser importance, fulfil- ling the duties of each in a manner acceptable to his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Holden and his wife are members of the Free Baptist church, in the work of which they are actively in- terested.

ANIEL F. NASH, of Portland, who, as a financier, manages large and varied interests, his private business being trade in stoves, furnaces, heat- ing and plumbing apparatus, and manufactur- ing tinware, copper, and sheet iron, was born in Portland, October 19, 1858. His parents were Daniel W. and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Nash, his father being a native of East Ray- mond, Me., born in December, 1827, his mother of Portland, born in 1833. Daniel

W. Nash, who also was a stove dealer, senior partner of the firm of O. M. & D. W. Nash, a well-known stove firm of Portland, died in June, 1883. His wife also has passed away. They reared three children - Ella Frances, wife of Peter S. Nickerson; Carrie Adelaide, wife of Frank M. Strout; and Daniel F., our subject.

Daniel F. Nash attended the public schools of Portland, graduating from the high school in 1878. He subsequently took a course of study at the Portland Business College, and earned his first salary as book-keeper for O. M. & D. W. Nash, his uncle and father. After the death of his father the son pur - chased his interest, and the business was con- tinued without change of name. In 1891 Mr. O. M. Nash died; and our subject became

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sole proprietor of the enterprise, still retain- ing the original firm name. The business, which is one of the oldest of its kind in Port- land, has materially increased since Mr. Nash became its manager. He has added plumbing and steam and hot water apparatus to the stock; and his trade, which is mainly local, is very extensive. He employs a large num- ber of men, and occupies five floors of the building at 6 Exchange Street, where he has hardly room for his increasing business. Mr. Nash is a member of the Merchants' Exchange of Portland and a stockholder in the follow- ing corporations: the Portland Steam Packet Company, International Steamship Company, Portland Railroad Company, Portland Water Company, Standish Water and Construction Company, Underwood Spring Water Com- pany; and he is also a stockholder in the Merchants' National and First National Banks. He is part or whole owner of various vessels, including steamboats, schooners, brigs, and barques. In fact, his interests are so many and various that it seems hardly possible for one man to attend to them all; but he neglects nothing, and every enterprise with which he is connected prospers.

In December, 1883, Mr. Nash was married to Miss Flora R. Parker, a native of Putney, Vt., daughter of Henry M. Parker; and three children have brightened their home - Edith Marion, Mabel Frances, and Arthur Freeman.

In politics Mr. Nash is a Republican. He was elected a member of the City Council in 1894 from Ward 7, and re-elected this year, during both terms serving as a member of the Committee on Finance. He has passed the thirty-second degree of Masonry, belonging to Portland Lodge, No. 1; Greenleaf Chapter, No. 13; St. Albans Commandery, No. 8; Portland Council, No. 4; and Maine Consis- tory, Kora Temple, N. M. S. He was a charter member of Iona Lodge, No. 21, Order of the Eastern Star; is Past Noble Grand of Harmony Lodge, No. 19, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been a Trus- tee for a number of years; a member of the Grand Lodge of Maine; Past Chief Patriarch of Eastern Star Encampment, No. 2, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is also a Trustee; a member of the Grand En-

campment of Maine; a charter member of the Grand Canton Ridgely, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and a Director in the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows Relief Associa- tion. He was a charter member of the Wood- bine Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, and of the Royal Society of Good Fellows, of which he is also a Trustee; is Past Chancellor and Trustee of Pine Tree Lodge, Knights of Pythias; a member of the Grand Lodge of Maine of the same Order; a charter member of Samoset Tribe, No. 32, Independent Order of Red Men; and he belongs also to the Young Men's Christian Association, and to the social organization known as the Portland Fraternity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nash attend the Williston Congregational Church of Port- land. Their home, which is at 277 Spring Street, is one of the handsomest in the city.

ON. CHARLES EDWIN GIBBS, a Director of the Pondicherry Com- pany and ex-Postmaster of Bridgton, was born in the town, August 7, 1835, son of Rufus and Adaline (Sears) Gibbs. His paternal grandparents, Alpheus and Abigail (Wheeler) Gibbs, were born in Mas- sachusetts, whence they removed to this county in the latter part of the last century. They were pioneers of the town of Harrison, where they cleared a homestead, and thereon spent the remainder of their lives.

Rufus Gibbs, the father of Charles, was born in Bridgton, on the home farm. Not liking agricultural life, he served an appren- ticeship with Major Perley, of South Bridgton, at the tanner's trade. On attaining his major- ity he received one hundred dollars, and shortly after established himself in the tanning business in this village, continuing for a num- ber of years. He afterward gave some atten- tion to general farming and lumbering. Fi- nally he purchased a water privilege in Bridg- ton, built the Cumberland mill on the site, and there manufactured blankets for a number of years. He was one of the organizers of the Pondicherry Company, and subsequently was its President until his decease. He married Adaline Sears, who was born in 1803, a daughter of Joseph Sears. She died in 1874,

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leaving five children - Edward A., Ann M., Charles Edwin, John S., and Horace. The father died in 1893, being then in his ninety- third year.

Charles E. Gibbs acquired a practical edu- cation in the public schools of his native town, finishing his studies at the Bridgton Academy. He began his business career with his father, and was engaged with him in man- ufacturing blankets for a number of years. During that time he built the Mount Pleasant Hotel, situated on Mount Pleasant. In 1870 Mr. Gibbs engaged in steamboating on the Sebago Lake. He continued in this business until 1892, when he sold out his interest to S. D. Warren, for whom he has since man- aged the enterprise. Mr. Gibbs is a Director in the Pondicherry Company, which his father assisted in organizing.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 58

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