USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 68
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table Mechanic Association; Bosworth Post, Grand Army of the Republic; the Loyal Legion; and the Veteran Firemen's Associa- tion. Mr. Beals was first married to Maria F. Simonton, a daughter of James Simonton, and by her he had two sons - Frederick H., now in business with his father; and Charles T., who died in 1889. The mother of these chil-
dren died in 1872. His second wife was Celia A. Smith, of Boston, a daughter of Jacob and Maria Smith, of Exeter, N. H. She passed away in 1889. Mr. Beals subsequently married Adelaide M. Bibber, of Portland, a daughter of Captain Bibber, of Brunswick, Me. Mr. Beal is a liberal in religious belief. He resides with his family at 517 New Cum- berland Street, Portland.
RUE M. MERRILL, a lifelong resident of New Gloucester, where he is ex- tensively engaged in shipping apples to foreign markets, and carries on general farming and stock raising, was born in New Gloucester on St. Valentine's Day in 1850, son of Cephas and Lovina (Nevins) Merrill. Edmond Merrill, his grandfather, came to New Gloucester in the early days of that town, and united with the Society of Shakers who now have a settlement near West Gloucester. His connection with this community lasted until his marriage, after which he purchased the farm where his grandson now lives; and the remainder of his life was spent here in improving and cultivating the land. He mar- ried Miss Phœbe Merrill, who was also a mem - ber of the Shaker community. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom have since died. They were : Rachel, Susan, Ce- phas, Mary, Joshua, Rozella, Elisha, Nathan, and Sewell.
Cephas Merrill lived at home until his mar- riage. He then settled on the east side of Sabbath Day Lake in New Gloucester, where he purchased a large tract of land, now known as the Bickford farm. After sixteen years spent there he sold the place and returned to the old homestead to care for his parents in their declining years. At their decease he purchased the old homestead, and lived there until his death, which occurred January 28,
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1879. His wife, Lovina, who was a native of Lewiston, Me., bore him eight children; namely, Nathan, Benjamin, Davis N., Charles E., Augustus, True M., Henry, and Mary. Nathan died when four years old. Benjamin married Miss Helen Dumont, and lives in Littleton, Mass., where he is engaged in can- ning vegetables and fruit. Davis N., who is a successful dentist of Trenton, N. J., married Miss Estella Hilt. Charles E. makes his home with his brother. Augustus resides in New Gloucester, where he owns four hundred and twelve acres of land, half of which is covered with a heavy growth of timber. In 1885 he purchased the saw-mill known as the old William Small mill, and since then has engaged quite extensively in lumbering, while still carrying on his regular farm work. Con- cerning political matters he holds to the views of the Democratic party. He has been twice married. His first wife, in maidenhood Miss Eunice Merrill, died April, 1890, leaving one child - Davis A., who married Marzilla Ver- rill (deceased), and is now living with his father. In April, 1893, he contracted his second marriage with Miss Martha Herssey, who was born in Minot, Me. Henry Merrill, the seventh child of Cephas Merrill, died when four years of age; and Mary, the eighth child, died in infancy. The survivors received a good practical education.
True M. Merrill acquired his education in the common schools of New Gloucester. Until he became twenty-one years of age, he remained with his father, assisting in the work of the farm. He then started out as a salesman of fruit trees and other nursery products, and successfully followed that business for fifteen years. Since his father's death he has had full charge of the old homestead, a productive farm of one hundred and fifty acres. He de- votes a portion of the land to raising large quantities of fruit, for which he finds a ready sale by shipment to Europe. His dairy pro- duces choice butter that is also a source of income. He makes a specialty of breeding Jersey cattle for the home market.
On March 4, 1875, Mr. Merrill was married to Miss Nettie Cook, who was born in Casco, Me., in 1853, a daughter of Daniel M. Cook, a prosperous farmer of that place. She died
on July 8, 1878, leaving two children - Ada M., born in 1876, now living with her grand- mother in Casco; and Nettie C., born April 10, 1878, living at home. On February 2, 1888, Mr. Merrill formed a second union with Miss Hattie Rhino, a native of Nova Scotia, born June 20, 1862. Her parents were John and Fanny (Whiles) Rhino. Her father, who is deceased, was engaged in the twofold occu- pation of farmer and lumberman. Her mother still lives in Nova Scotia. Two sons canie of this second union, namely : Harry, born August 21, 1889; and Jason, born July 10, 1891. Both of his daughters have received a good education.
Mr. Merrill has ever been a stanch Demo- crat. He has been Magistrate for seventeen years and Selectman and Overseer of the Poor for two years. He is a member of Cum- berland Lodge, No. 12, A. F. & A. M., of New Gloucester; and of Golden Cross Lodge, No. 236, also of New Gloucester.
ARON GIBBS, an industrious and skil- ful agriculturist, owning a finely cul- tivated farm on the Highlands of Bridgton, is a native of the village, born June 10, 1830. His parents, natives of Cumberland County, were Alpheus and Sophia (Brigham) Gibbs, who had a family of five children, one of whom died in infancy. The rest attained maturity, and were: Aaron, the special subject of this sketch; Charles B., the. subject of a sketch on another page, contain- ing a more detailed account of the family's ancestry; Lydia, wife of Colonel Briggs Bald- win, of Kansas; and Mary, widow of Micajah Gleason, of Bridgton. The mother, who out- lived her husband many years, had reached the age of eighty-six at the time of her death in August, 1894.
Aaron Gibbs is a self-made man in every sense implied by the term. He began to be self-supporting at the age of eleven years, when he went to work for his board and clothes. On these terms he worked nine years for one farmer. He received his education in the district school, paying close attention to his studies when privileged to attend. He at- tended as earnestly and faithfully to his farm duties, giving so much satisfaction to his em-
LINCOLN WEBB TIBBETTS.
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ployer that when dying the latter bequeathed to him one hundred dollars. He afterward worked by the month at farm labor or any other useful employment. After his marriage he settled on the farm which has been his resi- dence ever since. The property contains sixty-five acres of land, which he has put in a condition that makes it compare favorably, in point of improvements and cultivation, with any in the vicinity. In addition to this, Mr. Gibbs also owns a tract of thirty-five acres, the entire one hundred acres being on the Highlands. Politically, he is a sound Demo- crat, strictly adhering to the principles promulgated by that party.
On November 11, 1858, Mr. Gibbs formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Eliza A. Walker. He is the father of one child, Ben- jamin W., who is successfully conducting a meat market and provision store in the village of Bridgton.
APTAIN LINCOLN WEBB TIB- BETTS, whose features are portrayed on the opposite page, one of the prominent business men of Port- land, Me., was born in Boothbay, Lincoln County, September 18, 1834, son of James and Eunice (Brookings) Tibbetts.
His paternal grandfather, James Tibbetts, Sr., born in 1768, married Abigail Lewis, who was born in 1772. They had twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, married, and had families of their own. Grandmother Tibbetts died at the age of eighty-two years, leaving eighty-three grandchildren, and also eighty- three great-grandchildren, her death being the first in the family in that long period of eighty-two years.
James Tibbetts, the younger, was born in Boothbay in 1806; and from that port he en- tered on the life of a seaman, eventually becom- ing a Captain and the owner of several vessels. In the latter part of his life he resided perma- nently on shore, and was engaged in farming and in mercantile business. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but afterward a pro- nounced Republican, being one of the organ- izers of that party. He was active in town affairs, holding the office of Justice of the
Peace for many years, and that of Selectman. He died in Boothbay at an advanced age. His wife, Eunice, was a daughter of Josiah and Eunice (Bailey) Brookings, of Woolwich, Me., where she was born in 1811. She also died in Boothbay. Mr. and Mrs. James Tibbetts reared eight children, namely: Sumner R., a resident of Melrose Highlands, Mass. ; Lin- coln Webb, of Portland; Mary Louise, wife of Leonard Lewis, of Farmington, Minn. ; Eliza, wife of Roscoe Hodgdon, of Boothbay ; Jennie, wife of Captain Ward H. Lewis, of Portland; Ellen, a teacher in Massachusetts ; Hattie, wife of John Dow, of East Branch, Mich. ; and Albert S., the eldest (deceased), formerly a prominent sea captain of Falmouth, in the River Platte trade during the latter part of his life.
Lincoln Webb Tibbetts received a good ed- ucation, finishing his course of study at Litch- field Academy. He was very young when he took his first voyage, a long cruise to Africa; and he was Captain of a vessel engaged in African trade before he attained his majority, bringing hides, ginger, and palm oil from ports on the west coast of the Dark Continent. He made but a few voyages to Africa, being engaged but two years in that trade, a round trip consuming six months. After that he sailed to West Indian and European ports in large vessels, of which he was part owner, and previous to the breaking out of the Civil War he had entered into trade with the South. Captain Tibbetts sailed from New York just before secession was proclaimed, with eight thousand kegs of gunpowder for New Orleans, was dismasted in a gale, and put into St. Thomas for repairs; but, when the repairs were completed, Louisiana had seceded, and he returned North without delivering the powder, arriving in New York the day after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Captain Tibbetts would have realized a neat sum had he delivered the powder, but he preferred to suffer loss rather than injure the Union, even in an indirect way; and, though the matter has been before Congress since 1872, when the country could afford to reward her faithful ser- vants, his loss has never been reimbursed.
The Captain was on the high seas until 1865, and had many hair-breadth escapes from
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privateers, as he always refused to put his vessel under foreign flags for protection. After that he was four years in the furniture business on shore, but in 1870 returned once more to the sea, trading with the West Indies and Mexico for two years, and then engaging in traffic on the River Platte, carrying lumber to South America, and returning with hides. He was thus engaged until 1887, sailing in the barque "Celina " the last five years. He then went into the roofing business, represent- ing a New York firm in the city of Portland, an occupation which he still follows. He is an eminently successful business man, his knowledge of different parts of the world and all sorts and conditions of men admirably supplementing the tact which is his natural endowment. He is Treasurer and Manager of the Maine Lighting Company (incorporated) and Treasurer of the Mountain Farm Seashore Company, which is improving the property at Small Point, near the mouth of the Kennebec.
July 7, 1857, Captain Tibbetts was united in marriage with Elizabeth Merrill, of Rich- mond, Me., daughter of Captain John Merrill, a seafaring man of that locality. The following children have brightened their home: Lizzie May, Hattie, Emma, and Alice. The latter is the wife of Dr. J. B. Thornton, of Boston.
Captain Tibbetts takes an active interest in political affairs. He is a member of the Democratic City Committee, and has been twice elected Councilman from Ward I (in 1892 and 1893), serving while in the Council on important committees; and in 1894 he was nominated for the legislature, but defeated by a small majority. He is well advanced in the degrees of Masonry, belonging to Herman Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Gardiner, Lebanon Chapter, and Maine Commandery, Knights Templars, of the same place, and is also a member of the Portland Marine Society. The residence of Captain Tibbetts and his family is at 23 Becket Street, Portland.
LONVILLE BENNETT, M. D., actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Bridgton, is a native of the . town, born August 6, 1842, son of the late Joseph and Dolly (Chaplin) Bennett. Jo-
seph Bennett was born July 10, 1810, and during his long and active life was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. In 1855 he pur- chased the homestead now occupied by his sons, there carrying on mixed husbandry until his death, August 2, 1890. He was buried in the Burnham Cemetery on the farm, beside his wife, who had passed away September 13, 1882, at the age of seventy-eight years. Their chil- dren were: Dr. Bennett and William, both of whom reside on the home farm ; and Daniel E., who died in infancy.
J. Lonville Bennett grew to man's estate on the family homestead, receiving his early edu- cation in the district and the high school. Subsequently at the Bridgton Academy he was fitted for Bowdoin College, which he entered when nineteen years old. One year later he relinquished his studies to defend the Union. He enlisted as a private, September 10, 1862, in Company B, Twenty-third Maine Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in as a nine months' man at Portland. The following March, on account of physical disability, he was honor- · ably discharged from the service. In the fall of 1863 the Doctor resumed his place in Bow- doin College, remaining there until the close of that school year. On November 15, 1864, having recovered his usual health and vigor, he again offered his services to his country, joining the Seventh Maine Battery. The bat- tery was stationed in Virginia during the winter of 1864 and 1865. With his comrades he was at the forefront in the siege of Peters- burg, and afterward joined in the pursuit of Lee, prior to his surrender at Appomattox. He received his second discharge at Augusta, Me., June 21, 1865.
After returning from the war, the Doctor studied medicine with Dr. J. H. Kimball, of Bridgton, for two and a half years, and then entered the Portland Medical School. He subsequently attended lectures at the Bowdoin Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1869. Dr. Bennett entered upon his pro- fession at North Fryeburg, Oxford County, continuing in practice there and in Lovell for five years. After spending eight months in Weston, Mass., he removed to Hiram, Me., where he built up an extensive patronage and remained a full decade. The Doctor next prac-
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tised in Peabody, Mass., for some time, and then returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided. In the exercise of his pro- fession he has won an enviable reputation as a practitioner of skill and knowledge.
Dr. Bennett was united in marriage in 1886 with Miss Rosalia Larrabee, a most pleasing and estimable woman. Politically, the Doctor affiliates with the Republican party, but is too busy professionally to take any very active part in public affairs. While in North Frye- burg, he served as a member of the School Committee, and while in Hiram was Super- visor and member of Board for a number of years. At present he is superintendent of schools in Bridgton. In 1893-94 he was Supervisor. Dr. Bennett is a Knight of Pythias, a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M.
OSEPH M. STROUT, D.D.S., who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at 45712 Congress Street, Portland, was born in Gorham, Cum- berland County, Me., October 20, 1843. He is a son of William and Sarah (Meserve) Strout, and a grandson of George and Comfort Strout. George Strout, his grandfather, was born April 9, 1780, and died September 10, 1837; his wife, Comfort, was born October 24, 1780, and died April 15, 1839.
Their son William Strout was born in Gor- ham, November 17, 1804, and obtained his education in the common schools of that town. He learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed exclusively until 1845, at which time he purchased a farm, subsequently devoting a part of his time to agriculture. During the last twelve years of his life he suffered greatly from rheumatism, which completely inca- pacitated him for the performance of any kind of labor, though his mental faculties re- mained clear to the last. His death took place October 31, 1886. His wife Sarah, who was a daughter of John Meserve, of Scar- boro, Me., was born August 21, 1805, and died June 15, 1864. She bore her husband two sons and a daughter, namely: Mary E., who was born March 26, 1836, and became the
wife of Jedediah Wheeler, of Deering, Me. ; William E., born May 18, 1839, and now a resident of Gorham, Cumberland County ; and Joseph M. Both parents were members of the Free Will Baptist church, which the father served as Deacon for a number of years.
Joseph M. Strout was educated in the com- mon schools and academy of his native town. He then took up the study of dentistry in the office of Charles H. Osgood, of Portland. After acquiring a good knowledge of his pro- fession, he formed a partnership, in 1868, with Albert Evans, which continued until 1873, when he opened an office of his own. He has since acquired a large and successful practice, and has a good standing among his professional brethren. He is progressive in his methods, keeps in touch with the latest discoveries and improvements in dentistry, and possesses a large share of technical skill. His genial manners and gentlemanly characteristics also have much to do with his personal popu- larity. On September 17, 1879, Dr. Strout was married to Miss Sarah A. Willard, a daughter of William Willard, of Portland. Dr. Strout is associated by membership with Portland Encampment and with Beacon Lodge, No. 67, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portland, of which he is Past Grand Master.
HARLES E. SMALL, of Raymond, the proprietor and manager of the well-known Raymond Springs and the Raymond Springs Hotel, was born in Falmouth, Cumberland County, No- vember 25, 1845, son of the Hon. William and Sarah H. (Churchill) Small.
William Small grew to manhood in Minot, Me., whence he afterward removed to Fal- mouth, where he conducted a hotel and store from 1845 to 1847. From Falmouth he went to Gray, Me. ; and, after keeping a store and hotel in that place for about three years, he settled in Raymond. He was a stirring busi- ness man. For thirty years he was at the head of a general store in this town, being at the same time engaged quite extensively in farm- ing, and conducting one of the largest lumber- ing enterprises in Cumberland County. In politics he was a Republican; and, although
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an active worker in the interests of his party, he was never an office-seeker. He was never- theless often chosen for positions of responsi- bility and trust. He served as Selectman for a number of terms, as County Commissioner from 1873 to 1875, and as Postmaster of Ray- mond for over a quarter of a century. He died in this town on December 18, 1886. His wife, Sarah, to whom he was married in March, 1845, was born in Raymond, April 25, 1826, daughter of Matthew and Dolly (Hall) Churchill. Fler father was from Buckfield, Me. ; and her mother was a native of Falmouth. Mr. Churchill spent his life in Falmouth, suc- cessfully engaged in the trade of a stone cutter, and also in farming to some extent. William Small and his wife were the parents of five children, namely : Charles E., the sub- ject of this sketch ; George L., born April 17, 1848, who died December 18, 1877; Roland, born October 27, 1855, who died March 21, 1864; Clarence Elmer, born July 1, 1858, who died April 2, 1864; and William Everett Burnside, born December 19, 1863, who died March 22, 1864.
Charles E. Small, the only survivor of his parents' children, at his father's death took charge of the Raymond Springs property, which had become his father's by purchase some time previously. He lost no time in completing the improvements designed and begun by his father. On this estate is the Raymond Springs House, but twenty-two miles distant from the city of l'ortland, and located in one of the most beautiful spots in the county, overlooking a picturesque valley- dotted with a chain of small lakes, and within four miles of the famous Poland Springs. Since his marriage Mr. Small has conducted the hotel as a health and pleasure resort. Persons desiring to spend the summer months in one of the most attractive places in the State will make no mistake in selecting Ray- mond Springs. The hotel has accommodations for thirty guests, but each year its proprietor is compelled to turn away a large number of people. It is conducted in first-class style, and its guests are all of the better class of those who leave our New England cities during the summer months. Mr. Small also carries on farming and gardening in connection with his
hotel, being in this way able to supply his table with fresh vegetables, eggs, milk, and small fruits. The springs are but a few steps from the hotel, and are now covered with a fine spring house.
HILIP J. LARRABEE, who has been actively engaged in the legal profession at Portland for the past twenty-five years, was born April 12, 1844, at Scarboro, Me., which was also the place of nativity of his parents, John S. and Lucy T. (Libby) Larrabee. Mr. Larrabee comes of pioneer stock, being the direct de- scendant of Stephen Larrabee, who removed from Malden, Mass., to Cumberland County at a very early day, locating in North Yar- mouth, where his son Thomas was born in 1660. In 1681 the said Thomas was a land- holder in Scarboro; but at the time of the Indian War, in 1686, he changed his residence to Kittery. He subsequently returned to Scarboro, and on April 19, 1723, was killed by the Indians. His son John was married January 13, 1726, to Mary Ingersoll, of Kit- tery ; and on March 3, 1744, their son Philip, the great-grandfather of Philip J. Larrabee, whose name we have placed at the head of this sketch, was born.
Philip Larrabee married Sally Smith, of Berwick, afterward settling in Scarboro, where his death occurred May 11, 1826. Their son Daniel, the next in the line of descent, was born April, 1782, and settled in North Scarboro, where he lived until the time of his decease, July 6, 1864. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving as Captain of a company. Captain Larrabee married Mary Quimby, who bore him several children, among them being John S., who is mentioned above.
John S. Larrabee was born June 12, 1816, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed for several years. He subse- quently engaged in mercantile business, hav- ing a general store at Scarboro. In 1858 he removed to Portland, where he lived about seven years, returning then to the place of his birth, there making his home until his death, which occurred on the old homestead January
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24, 1884. In December, 1841, he married Lucy T. Libby, a daughter of Johnson and Emeline Libby, the latter of whom attained the venerable age of ninety-four years. Mrs. Lucy T. Larrabee, now an active woman of threescore and ten years, bids fair to live as many years as her mother. She bore her hus - band three children, two of whom are now living - Philip J. ; and Lucy M., wife of Will- iam D. Libby.
Philip J. Larrabee attended the Scarboro schools till fourteen years of age, when he came to this city, where he continued his edu- cation, being graduated from the high school in 1863. He subsequently entered Tufts Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1867. While in college Mr. Larrabee taught school two or three winters, afterward being an in- structor in the Portland Academy for two years. In the mean time he read law with Howard & Cleaves; and, being admitted to the bar by examination in 1869, he established himself in the law business, practising alone until 1883. In that year Mr. Larrabee formed a copartnership with the Hon. M. P. Frank, the firm being one of the strongest in the city, with an extensive and lucrative practice. Mr. Larrabee is well known as one of the most able attorneys in this locality, thoroughly ac- quainted with the intricate points of the law, and an indefatigable worker. He is influen- tial in politics, actively supporting the Demo- cratic party, which has at various times nomi- nated him for official positions, he having been a candidate for Councilman, Alderman, County Attorney, and as Representative to the State legislature. The Republican party, however, being in power, he was defeated each time. For five or more years he served his party as a delegate to the different State conventions.
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