Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 6

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

however, a boat was sent ashore fully officered and armed, and they were taken to the brig as prisoners. The Philadelphians were informed that a supply vessel would be along in a couple of weeks, and they might be sent by that to Hilton Head, S.C., then held by the Union forces. Ten or twelve days later they were transferred to this vessel, and when they reached Hilton Head were allowed to stay at a hotel, as they had money to pay their bills, but still under guard as prisoners. The steamship " Arrago " was then making weekly trips between New York and Hilton Head; and on the " Arrago " they were sent to New York as prisoners of war, placed at first with the Confederate prisoners and treated with scant ceremony. This treatment Mr. Yorke complained of, stating that they were gentle- men, with money to pay for their passage; and the second day out the Captain sent for them, and they had an interview in his cabin, with pleasant results. They arrived in New York City on the famous "black carpet-baggers' night," in October, 1864, when all the hotels were to have been simultaneously fired, a plot which most happily fell through. In com- pany with the Captain of the Union forces, who had the prisoners in charge, Mr. Yorke and Mr. McIlhenny saw some of the sights of New York; and during their tour the Philadel- phians lost the Captain, but they met him next morning at his headquarters, as per agreement, and by him were sent to the head- quarters of General John A. Dix, who was in command of the forces in New York. From him they obtained papers of release, and left New York by the first train they could get for Philadelphia. Mr. Yorke had with him twenty-eight hundred dollars in greenbacks, which he had secured during the last seven or eight months of his residence in Macon by trading with a Jew pedler who had access to the Union soldiers in rebel prisons, giving to the Jew five dollars in Confederate money for one dollar in United States currency. He lost over forty thousand dollars in real and personal estate through the war. After a stay of two months in Philadelphia Mr. McIlhenny was appointed superintendent of the Washing- ton (D.C.) Gas Light Company's works at the capital, with Mr. Yorke as assistant.

The latter held his position four years, and in 1868 was assigned to the post he now holds. For twenty-seven years he has been the effi- cient and esteemed engineer of the Portland Gas Light Company; and his principal busi- ness interests have for many years been cen- tred in the city of Portland, as he disposed of his Southern property at the close of the war.

Mr. Yorke married Lucy A. McKenny, daughter of Abner McKenny, of Maine; and one daughter, Louie E., has blessed their union. In politics Mr. Yorke is a Democrat. With his family he attends the Universalist church. He is one of the oldest residents of Portland and a representative citizen of that thriving city.

ALVIN S. SAWYER, a retired sea captain of Yarmouth, who resides at his pleasant home on Cousins Island, was born on Chebeague Island, May 10, 1850, son of Jacob E. and Sarah (Hamilton) Sawyer. His father, who was born upon the same island, September 14, 1825, at an early age adopted a seafaring life, which he followed for many years. He was thrifty and industrious, and owned land upon Chebeague, Cousins, and Little John's Islands, residing at intervals on each, but spending a greater part of his life, when not at sea, on Chebeague. His death occurred January 22, 1887. He was liberal in his religious views and a Republican in politics. His wife, Sarah Hamilton, who was born on Chebeague Island, September 17, 1824, became the mother of four children, as follows: Calvin S., the subject of this sketch; Smith D., who was born April 10, 1853, and resides in Yar- mouth; Georgia A., who was born May 5, 1860, is now Mrs. Merrill, and lives on Cousins Island; and Serena A., who became Mrs. Groves, and died October 6, 1873. Mrs. Jacob E. Sawyer died April 5, 1889.

Calvin S. Sawyer received his education at the school on Cousins Island. At the age of sixteen he began the life of a sailor in the coasting trade, and followed that occupation steadily for several years. For two years previous to his retirement from the sea he was Captain of a steamer which plied between

GEORGE R. SKOLFIELD.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

points along the coast. Since 1889 he has been occupied in farming and attending to his real estate interests, having recently disposed of some land on Little John's Island. His property on Cousins Island consists of forty- eight acres of valuable land, on which he is prosperously carrying on general farming and dairying. His residence, which is a land- mark, was built by Ebenezer Cleaves, and is the only brick house upon the island.

On December 22, 1875, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage to Lizzie C. Prince, a na- tive of North Yarmouth. Mrs. Sawyer, who was born December 4, 1850, is a daughter of Joseph R. and Cordelia C. Prince, her father, who was a prosperous farmer of North Yar- mouth, being born in Cumberland July 14, 1812, and dying January 14, 1882. His wife, Cordelia C. Prince, who was born August 8, 1813, reared but one child, Lizzie C. Mrs. Sawyer's mother, who still survives, resides with her. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have four children, namely: Emery R., born December 29, 1876; Louise E., November 17, 1878; Rena B., April 13, 1884; and Harold S., Oc- tober 2, 1886.

In politics Mr. Sawyer supports the Repub- lican party, and he is a member of the Baptist church. He is connected with Ancient Brothers Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Portland, the Knights of Pythias of Yarmouth; and he is highly esteemed for his many commendable qualities.

EORGE R. SKOLFIELD, a retired ship-builder of Harpswell, Me., was born September 20, 1809, on the estate where his present beautiful residence is situated. His parents were George and Lydia D. (Doyle) Skolfield, both natives of Harpswell. His great-grandfather Skolfield was born in England. Immigrating to this country in the vigor of young manhood, he settled in Harpswell, and here cleared a large tract of land at a time when the homes of a few pioneers formed the nucleus of the present thriving town. He was the father of Clement Scholfield, who was born on this homestead and here passed his life, prosperously engaged in agriculture.

George Skolfield, son of Clement, was reared to farm life, but found ship-building a more congenial pursuit, and engaged in that business when a young man. He finally es- tablished a ship yard of his own in Brunswick, near the present home of his son, which is not far from the town line; and his fame as a reli- able ship-builder spread throughout the sec- tion. He died in his eighty-seventh year, at the home where his father and grandfather had closed their eyes forever on the scenes of earth. His wife was called to rest at the age of eighty-three. Mr. and Mrs. George Skolfield were esteemed members of the Congregational church at Brunswick. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living - George R., the subject of this sketch; Lin- coln; and Samuel.

George R. Skolfield entered his father's ship yard when eighteen years of age, and learned the ship-builder's trade according to what were then the latest and most approved methods. After the death of his father he and his brothers, Lincoln and Samuel, carried on a successful business until 1884. They built wooden ships altogether, and in their particular line were very successful, acquiring a wide reputation as first-class ship-builders. When iron vessels came into vogue they closed up their business. Mr. Skolfield has built a great many ships, including some of seventeen hundred tons; and, with his brothers, he owns at present some fine vessels which are in active service, plying between different ports. He now manages a small farm, which is part of the old family homestead; and his residence is one of the finest in the county, his long ex- perience in building beautiful vessels culti- vating a natural taste for architecture and giving him ideas as unique as they are beauti- ful when put into practical expression in a dwelling-house. His ability as a business man is universally recognized, and he has been a Director of the Pejapscot and Union Banks in Brunswick for several years.

At about twenty-one years of age Mr. Skol- field was united in marriage with Eliza Reed, a native of Topsham, Me., who died at the age of twenty. She left one child, Ann Eliza, who became the wife of Captain Paul C. Mer- riman, of Brunswick, who died in 1895. Her

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

daughter, Eliza, married Willis Chennery, of Portland. In 1848 Mr. Skolfield married Hannah F. Milliken. Of this union five chil- dren were born- Susan (deceased) was the wife of Isaac Merriman, a merchant of Harps- well; Lydia, wife of Captain Dunning, is with her parents, her husband being at sea; John T. is a wholesale grocer in Portland; Daniel T. is with his father. Mr. Skolfield's eldest son, John T., married Josephine l'ennell, of Portland, and has two daughters, Frances and Lydia. Daniel T. Skolfield married Carrie Richardson, of Brunswick.

Mr. Skolfield cast his first vote in the ranks of the Whig party, but is now a Democrat. Though not an aspirant for office, he served for some time as Selectman of Harpswell and represented the district in the legislature in 1884. He attends and helps to support the Congregational church, the church of his parents, and is most highly esteemed in the parish. A man of rare intelligence, quick wit, and jovial disposition, Mr. Skolfield is very popular in Harpswell and Brunswick; and the name of his friends is legion.

OHN STEVENS, one of the noble army of patriots who laid down their lives for the preservation of the Union, was a native of Bridgton, Cumberland County, Me., having been born here, July 3, 1832. His parents, Ransom and Betsey (Ab- bott) Stevens, were prosperous farmers of this place ; and they reared ten children, the names of whom were respectively: Emeline, Rufus, Elizabeth, William, Hannah, John, Ransom, Alvin, and Harriet, and one son that died in infancy. Of this large family but two are now living - Elizabeth, wife of Joel Bailey; and Harriet, widow of William Mann. Four of the sons, Rufus, William, John, and Ran- som, served in the late Civil War. Ransom was at the battle of Cain River Crossing, where he received wounds that caused his death three days later. William was captured in the battle of Sabine Cross-roads and Pleas- ant Hill, and confined for nine months and thirteen days in Tyler Prison, Texas.

John Stevens, our special subject, in early manhood left the home farm to learn the brick-

maker's trade, which he followed for several years. In 1858 he purchased the farm now owned and occupied by his widow, and here engaged in agricultural pursuits until after the second call for volunteers. Then, en- thused by patriotic zeal, he enlisted December 29, 1863, in Company F, Thirtieth Maine Regiment of Veteran Infantry, going to the front as a private. With his regiment he went to New Orleans, afterward taking part in the Red River expedition under General Banks, besides which he was in other important engagements, among them the battle of Sabine Cross-roads. He was subsequently taken sick and sent to Jarvis General Hospital at Balti- more, Md., where he died, August 24, 1864, from disease contracted from the exposure and hardships incidental to army life. His re- mains were brought home and carefully in- terred by loving hands in the family burial lot in the Hio Cemetery.

Mrs. Stevens, whose maiden name was Mary J. Libby, was born March 6, 1833, in the town of Auburn, Me., being a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Jordan) Libby. Her union. with John Stevens was celebrated November 3, 1853. Of the five children born to her and her husband, one, Joseph A., died in infancy. The record of the others is thus given : Morrill A. is a farmer in this town; George B. resides in Reading, Mass .; Mary E. is the wife of Irving Hibbard, and resides with her mother, Mr. Hibbard having the care of the home farm; and Ella M. married Rollo H. Reid, a printer of Minneapolis, Minn.

RANK MITCHELL, M.D., a skilled and popular physician of Bridgton, was born August 19, 1847, in the town of Kennebunk, York County, Me., where his father, the Rev. John Mitchell, then had charge of a pastorate. The father was born in the town of Newfield, being there reared on a farm, on which he remained until attaining his majority. He then studied for the minis- try, and for the following six years was an itinerant preacher. Being then ordained, he subsequently had charge, in succession, of the Methodist churches in the towns of Kenne- bunk, York, Eliot, Buxton, Alfred, Wayne,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Kent's Hill, New Sharon, Readfield, Wilton, Strong, and Fryeburg. About ten years prior to his decease he retired from active minis- terial labor, settling in Kezar Falls, York County, Me., where he died in 1889. Of his union with Miss Elizabeth Wentworth two children were born - Frank, whose name ap- pears at the head of this sketch; and Nellie E., wife of Francis Redlon, an attorney.

Dr. Mitchell entered the class of 1872, Bowdoin College, in which he remained till the year 1871. He then went to Jacksonville, Fla., and began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. F. D. Mitchell, remaining there one year. Returning North, he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York City, and the Bellevue Hospital, staying there until 1874, when he received his diploma from the college. He commenced the prac- tice of his profession at North Fryeburg, this State, continuing there until 1881, when he went to New York City, where he spent the winter attending lectures and taking special studies. In the spring of 1882 Dr. Mitchell came to Bridgton, and has since built up an extensive practice here, having devoted his entire time, with the exception of the years 1892 and 1893, when he was Pension Exam- iner at Fryeburg, to his professional duties. The union of Dr. Mitchell with Miss "Abbie M. Dresser, of Lovell, Oxford County, Me., was celebrated in 1879; and to him and his wife one child, Everett T. Mitchell, has been born. In politics the Doctor is an adherent of the Republican party; and, socially, he is a member of the Masonic Order.

AMUEL ROLFE, President of the Maine Savings Bank and Treasurer of the Portland Gaslight Company, who may be found for some part of every day in the week at either the bank or the gas company's office, was born in Portland, June 21, 1813, son of Benjamin and Susan Newman (Jacques) Rolfe, both of New- buryport, Mass. Benjamin Rolfe removed from Newburyport to Portland in 1802, and there engaged as a mechanic, doing an exten- sive business and employing several men. Twenty years prior to the time of his death

he retired from business. He was the father of five children.

Samuel Rolfe, the youngest and sole sur- vivor of his parents' children, received his ed- ucation in the schools of Portland. On leav- ing school he engaged as clerk in a wholesale and retail establishment, carrying a stock of paints, oils, drugs, medicines, and dyestuffs, and conducted by Joshua Durgin. After serv- ing as clerk some six years, Mr. Rolfe was ad- mitted to partnership, the firm name becoming Joshua Durgin & Co. Their warehouse was on Middle Street until after the fire of 1866, and they were in business thirty years. Toward the end of that period Mr. Rolfe took full charge, and finally bought his partner's interest. After that he conducted the busi- ness for twenty years under his own name. He was the oldest apothecary in the city at the time of his retirement, having followed that calling for over fifty years. On that occasion the wholesale and retail druggists of the city met at his residence, and presented him with the handsome Rogers group entitled "The Charity Patient," which represents an apothe- cary ministering to a poor woman's sick child. Mr. Rolfe has for years been interested in other enterprises besides his regular business. He was a member of the original company organ- ized to establish the Maine Savings Bank, and one of the original Trustees; and for the past fifteen years he has been President of the institution, which is the second largest in the State, with a capital of six million dollars. Of the Portland Gaslight Company Mr. Rolfe was for some years Director. On resigning that office he was elected Treasurer, a posi- tion which he has now held for ten years. For the past thirty-five years he has been Treasurer of the Widows' Wood Society, a charitable organization that furnishes wood to poor widows. For this purpose the society has a fund of fifty thousand dollars, left to it by legacy, and in consequence demands a bond from its Treasurer of forty thousand dollars. It now supplies fuel to seven hun- dred and fifty indigent women. It is one of the finest charitable institutions of Portland ; and Mr. Rolfe is a zealous and conscientious worker in its behalf, cheerfully attending to all the duties of his office. He is also inter-

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

ested in other charitable enterprises in the city, and has otherwise done much for the poor, by whom he is universally loved and respected.

On January 18, 1839, he was married to Mary Fuller Wilson, who was born January 16, 1819, daughter of Eben Wilson, of Port- land, and became the father of five children, two of whom died in childhood. Of the sur- vivors Samuel L. is in Cleveland, Ohio; Charles W., a prosperous business man, lives in Newtonville, Mass. ; and Percival Bryant is a resident of Portland. The mother died March 20, 1882. Mr. Rolfe was a member of the City Council three years, but has not been an aspirant for political honors. He is a charter member of a Maine Lodge of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined it in 1843. Of the thirty-five members who constituted the first Lodge he is the only one now living. He has held all the different chairs of the Lodge and of the Encampment, and is a member of Grand Lodge of Maine. Mr. Rolfe is a member of the Park Street Unitarian Church, to which his late wife also belonged; and he has not missed a service, sunshine or storm, for fifty years, the Sab- bath always finding him at the accustomed place of worship.

AJOR LOMBARD, an industrious farmer and well-known resident of North Yarmouth, was born in Otisfield, Cumberland County, Me., May 10, 1818, son of Joshua and Fanny (Morton) Lombard. Mr. Lombard's grand- father, Joshua Lombard, who served seven years in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, was a resident of Oxford County, Maine, where he followed the vocation of a farmer, and died at a good old age. He raised a family of five sons and one daughter, of whom Joshua, Mr. Lombard's father, was the eldest son.

Joshua Lombard, second, was born in Ray- mond, Me. In early manhood he followed various occupations, working as a cooper and a millwright for some time, but finally settled upon a farm, which he cultivated successfully for many years. He was a Methodist in his

religious views and a liberal supporter of the church of that denomination. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but subsequently voted with the Republican party. At the ap- proach of old age he sold his farm, passing his last years with his children, and dying at the home of his son in North Yarmouth, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two. In young and middle life he was a man of fine physical de- velopment, strong and robust; and it is said that at one time he lifted a cannon which weighed nine hundred pounds. His first wife, Fanny Morton, who was born in Otisfield, became the mother of nine children, of whom Major, the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. She died at the age of forty years. By his second wife he had no children.

Major Lombard received his education in the common schools of his native town, and, when a young man, entered the employ of the Androscoggin & Kennebec Railroad Company, which now forms a part of the Maine Central. After remaining in that service for some time, he learned the trade of a ship carpenter, which he followed in Yarmouth and South Freeport, until obliged to relinquish it, owing to fail- ing health. In March, 1854, he settled upon the farm where he now resides. His home property consists of thirty acres; and he owns, besides, a farm of sixty-five acres in the same neighborhood, both consisting of fertile and productive land. His present easy circum- stances are the result of his industry and good management.

Mr. Lombard has been three times married. His first wife, Martha Rollins, whom he mar- ried in 1849, died in February, 1852, leaving two sons, namely: Gilman R., who is a moulder by trade, and resides in Orange, Mass .; and Moses H., who died at the age of twenty-five years. On October 12, 1852, Mr. Lombard wedded Esther C. Wood, who died October 12, 1860, leaving no children; and on April 28, 1861, he married for his third wife Jane Merrill. She was born in Hebron, Me., January 9, 1825, daughter of Jabez and Betsey (Mason) Merrill, her father being a na- tive of Hebron, and her mother of Minot, Me. Jabez Merrill was a shoemaker, which occupation he followed through life. He

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

died at the age of eighty-four years. He and his wife reared ten ehildren, five sons and five daughters, three of whom are living, namely: Jane (Mrs. Lombard); Betsey N., who is now Mrs. Bolster; and Franklin. Mrs. Lombard's parents were both members of the Free Will Baptist Church. Her mother lived to reach the age of sixty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Lombard have two children, as follows: Edwin M., who resides at home, and is a farmer, stone cutter, and earpenter, mar- ried Isabella Mccullough, and they have two children - Major John and Ralph Edwin; Eudora B. is the wife of William E. Hutch- ins, an artist of Biddeford, Me., and has two children -Arthur and Ethel May. Mr. Lom- bard supports the Democratie party in poli- tics, but is an ardent believer in the temper- ance cause. Both he and his wife are Univer- salists in their religious belief.

ERNALD J. SAWYER, the present popular Postmaster of Otisfield Gore, was born in Harrison, Me., on July 21, 1841, being the son of David and Edna (Brackett) Sawyer. His father was a native of Otisfield, his birth taking place in the house now owned and occupied by our subject. He resided in this town until attaining his majority, then removed to Harrison, and set- tled near Bolster's Mills, being about that time employed on the eanal from Harrison to Portland. In 1868 he returned to the old Sawyer farm, which he carried on for a time, afterward purchasing a place in this loeality, where he spent his last days. His wife, who still resides here, is a native of Harrison, Me. Four children were born to them, namely: Fernald J .; David S., who died No- vember 21, 1860; Hattie S. ; and Mary Lizzie, the two latter living at home with their mother.

Fernald J. Sawyer made the best of his ad- vantages for attaining a common-sehool educa- tion, and remained with his parents during the years of his minority. In the busy season he assisted his father with the farm work, and during the winters taught sehool in Otisfield and Harrison, and also in various towns in Oxford County. Since boyhood he has made

his home here on the old David Sawyer home- stead, the house in which he lives being ereeted about 1795. The farm contains about one hundred and sixty aeres of well-improved land. Besides engaging in mixed husbandry Mr. Sawyer makes a specialty of dairying, keeping a dairy of twelve milch cows. On June 28, 1871, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Gilman, who was born in South New Market, N. H., daughter of Lycurgus G. and Rhoda Ann (Wiggins) Gil- man, both her parents being natives of that State: Her father, who was a machinist by trade, died in New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have had four children, only one of whom survives. One died in early infancy ; Ernest F. also died in infancy, at the age of six months; David F. is attending school at Norway, where he is fitting himself for col- lege; and Della M. died when but eight and a half years old.

Until a few years ago Mr. Sawyer voted the straight Democratic tieket, but has lately been a Prohibition Democrat. On March 4, 1889, a post-offiee was established at Otis- field Gore; and in September, 1890, Mr. Sawyer was appointed Postmaster, having served to the present time exeept during ten months from December 24 to October 25. He has also served this town acceptably as a member of the School Committee and as Supervisor of Schools. In 1876 and 1879 he was Selectman, and he has held other minor offices. He is a member of Crooked Rion Lodge, No. 152, A. F. & A. M., having been Worshipful Master three years; and he is also a member of the grange society of this eounty.

IRAM VARNEY, for many years closely associated with the agrieult- ural interests of Windham, Me., was a lifelong resident of the town, his birth oceurring in 1807, and his death in 1859. He was of pioneer stock, his grand- parents, Timothy and Johanna Varney, having removed from the town of Kittery, where they were farmers, to Windham, eoming here in the early days of its settlement. Both were Quakers in religious belief, and both lived to a good old age. They reared seven children, of

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 6

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