Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 7

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

whom Samuel, father of Hiram, was the sixth. Samuel Varney was born in 1768 in Kit- tery, now in Maine, but at that time included in Massachusetts, and came from there to Windham with his parents. He was a farmer, following that occupation throughout his life. In religion he was a Quaker, like his parents. He was married in September, 1803, to Tamson Kennard, a native of Kittery; and they became the parents of five children, none of whom are now living.

Hiram Varney was reared to the indepen- dent occupation of his immediate ancestors, and became a prosperous agriculturist He was an esteemed and respected citizen, and conscientiously adhered to the religious belief of the Quakers, in which he was reared.

He married Susan, daughter of Wyer and Amny (Morton) Green, her father being a soldier in the War of 1812; and she survived him many years, dying, at the age of sixty- eight, in 1873. Their household circle was gradually increased by the birth of twelve children, five of whom are living, the follow- ing being recorded of them : George O. Varney, born in 1825, married Lucinda Young, of Greenville, Me., and they have four children Susan L., Mary A., Abby, and Grace; Har- riet, born in May, 1836, is the wife of Orrin Watkins, of Casco, Me., and has four children - Edgar M., Emma L., Ernest L., and Susan M. ; Charlotte A., born June 23, 1840, is the wife of Joseph L. Tukey, of Windham; Lydia A., born July 30, 1844, is the wife of Cor- nelius N. Morrell, of Windham, a sketch of whose life may be found elsewhere in this work; and Julia E., born in March, 1848, is the wife of Stephen Knight, of Windham.

ANSON M. HART, one of the oldest and most prominent business men of Portland, was born at Portsmouth, N. H., September 20, 1807. His

parents were Hanson M. and Abigail (Mitchell) Hart, the former a native of Ports- mouth, the latter of Kittery Point, Me. The elder Hanson M. Hart, who was commonly called Captain Hart, was actively engaged in the coasting trade, being proprietor of a num- ber of boats, and was also head of the cus-

tom-house for many years. He reared four children, namely: Henry B., who was long engaged in the wool and tanning business in Portland; Hanson M., the subject of this sketch; Esther P., wife of Mr. Joshua Ban- field, of Dover, N. H. ; and Sarah, who mar- ried a Mr. Charles Walker and lived in New York State.

Hanson M. Hart was educated in the leading schools of Portsmouth, N. H., completing his studies under the tuition of Master Jackson, who was afterward a well-known teacher in Portland. He was then two years in the em- ploy of Le Favour & Pinder, who were in the wool and tanning business in Portsmouth ; and at the age of seventeen he went to sea, ship- ping first for a cruise of three and a half years on a vessel bound for South American ports. In course of time Mr. Hart became Captain of a vessel; but, as he was a home-loving man and the sea had no charms for him, in 1835 he settled in Portland, engaging in the wool and hide business with his brother. His establish- ment during all of these sixty years has been in the large building at the corner of Portland and Alder Streets, of which he is now sole owner. He has been in business longer than any other merchant in Portland, and has had a wonderfully successful career, encountering none of the reverses or catastrophes that affect some time or other most business en- terprises. He is also owner of a large amount of real estate in the city.

Mr. Hart was married in 1835 to Phobe Hill, daughter of Elisha Hill, of Portsmouth, N. II., and by her death in 1843 was left a widower with the following children: Ade- laide, now the widow of Roscoe G. Elder, who has one daughter and lives in Deering, Me. ; Ellen, wife of Augustus True, a prominent miller and dealer in flour and grain in Port- land; Hanson M., who served in the army and died a short time after his return home; and Abbie, wife of Cullen C. Chapman, a leading banker of Portland. Mr. Hart married for his second wife Miss Caroline Richards, who died in 1888. By this union Mr. Hart has one child, a daughter, now the widow of Dr. Web- ster. She has a son, Hanson Hart Webster, who was graduated from the Portland High School in 1895, and has entered Bowdoin Col-

HANSON M. HART.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

lege. Mrs. Webster lives with her father, being mistress of his beautiful home at 308 Spring Street.

In politics Mr. Hart is a Republican. He takes an active interest in municipal affairs, and has served as a member of the City Couneil and as alderman. He has been a member of the Free Street Baptist Church since 1838. His long reeord has been an honorable one, and he is justly esteemed by all who know him.

LARK WATSON, well known in the town of Naples as a skilled and reli- able earriage and sign painter, was born in Gorham, Me., February 7, 1829, son of Captain G. C. and Lydia (Thompson) Watson. The family is of Scoteh origin; and Mr. Watson's grandfather, John Watson, who was the first aneestor in Amer- iea, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Captain G. C. Watson, who seems to have inherited his father's military instinets, dis- played his patriotism by serving as an officer in the American army during the War of 1812. He subsequently settled in Gorham, where he engaged in farming, and became quite a prominent eitizen, being aetive in the early growth of the town. He was also a Captain in the State militia. He married Lydia Thompson, of Buxton; and they had a family of nine children, seven sons and two daugh- ters. Four of the sons and both the daugh- ters are still living.

Clark Watson passed his boyhood in Gor- ham, where his opportunities for obtaining an edueation were limited to the slender advan- tages afforded by the district sehools. He as- sisted in earrying on the farm until reaching the age of seventeen, when he went to Port- land, and served an apprenticeship at the painter's trade. His first five years as a journeyman were passed in Saeo, Me., from which plaee he went to the State of Massachu- setts, where he followed his trade for a short time. After his marriage he settled in South Bridgton, Me., where he conducted a good business for about seven years, at the end of that time removing to Parsonsfield. Six years

later he changed his residenee and place of business to Cornish, where he remained for twelve years. At this period he was attraeted toward agriculture as an oeeupation; and, de- ciding to follow his inclination, he returned to Bridgton, and bought a farm, which he culti- vated for four years. In 1888 he removed to Naples, where he resumed his trade, and, opening a shop in this town, has sinee devoted his attention to carriage and sign painting with satisfactory results.

On July 27, 1856, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Eliza A. Ingalls, a native of Bridgton and daughter of Abel and Sophia (Mareh) Ingalls. She was one of a family of eight ehildren, four sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have had four children, namely : Abbie E .; Fanny, who died young ; Edward C .; and Seth B.

In polities Mr. Watson supports the Demo- cratie party.

¡DWARD TRICKEY is a well-known member of the agricultural elass of Westbrook, where he owns a valu- able piece of farm property. He came to Westbrook from Cape Elizabeth, where he was born, May 16, 1814, his parents, Zebulon and Luey (Skillin) Trickey, being residents of the Cape. Mr. Triekey's grandfather lived in Deering, where he was well and favorably known. He and his wife reared a family of six ehildren, none of whom survive.

Zebulon Triekey, father of Edward, passed the aetive period of his life engaged in farm- ing at Cape Elizabeth. He also carried on a lumbering business to some extent and with fairly profitable results. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as a member of the Board of Seleetmen, besides being Tax Col- leetor; and he well and faithfully performed the duties intrusted to his eharge. In his religious belief he was a Congregationalist. His wife, whose maiden name was Luey Skillin, became the mother of seven children, three of whom are now living- Robert, Luey, and Edward.

Edward Trickey received his edueation in the common sehools of Cape Elizabeth, and upon completing his studies engaged in farm-

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

ing with his father. He was subsequently associated with his father in the milk busi- ness, in which he continued for about twenty- five years. In 1860 he bought his brother's share in a farm of one hundred aeres situated in Westbrook, and he has since resided here. IIis principal erop is hay, of which he raises about forty tons annually; and he usually keeps about eight head of eattle. He has ex- pended much money in improving his farm, having built a new residenee and barn, the last-named building being sixty-five by forty- two feet and capable of holding sixty tons of hay. These expenses, besides others, have been met by the income derived from the cul- tivation of his property.

Mr. Trickey married Martha E. Bond, daughter of Amer Bond, of Indiana, but has no children. He supports the Democratic party in polities, and in his religious views he is a Universalist.

ARON CLEAVES, a native and resi- dent of Chebeague Island, was born January 2, 1843, being a son of Aaron, Sr., and Eliza (Hamilton) Cleaves. His grandfather, Ebenezer Cleaves, who carried on general farming on this island for many years, here married Miss Jane Cleaves, the deseendant of another family ; and they reared a family of ten children, Aaron, Sr., being the fourth son in order of birth.

Aaron Cleaves, Sr., was born on Cousins Island in 1809. He was a natural meehanie, and mueh of his life worked along the eoast, engaged in building sea walls and break- waters. He assisted in building Brown's Wharf at Portland, and the Boston & Maine Wharf, formerly ealled Smith's Wharf, and continued to work at his trade until his death, June 20, 1876. His wife, Eliza Hamilton, a daughter of James Hamilton, a resident of the island, bore him seven children, of whom three are now living, namely: Aaron; Mary E., born January 30, 1845, who is the widow of Lewis W. Sylvester, and has four children - Nellie E., Herman J., Fred L., and Elvie C. ; and Isaae H., born April 6, 1851, who, like his brother Aaron, is a resident of Che- beague Island.

Aaron Cleaves was bred and educated on the island where he was born, and here started in life for himself a short time after attaining his majority. Buying an interest in a sloop, Mr. Cleaves transported granite to different places on the Maine coast. He subsequently engaged in his father's occupation, building sea walls at Roekland, and the Bar Harbor breakwater, his work in each place being thorough and durable.

On September 24, 1865, Mr. Cleaves was united in marriage with Caroline L., daughter of Stephen Curet, of Chebeague Island. Of their union two children have been born, George L. and Charles A., the birth of the former having occurred June 17, 1867, and of the latter, September 24, 1870. George L. has been twice married. His first wife was Alma A. Garrett, of Vinal Haven, Knox County, Me., and his second wife, Annie M., daughter of Isaae Strout, of Chebeague Island. Charles was married April 19, 1892, to Minnie Brown, of Vinal Haven. Both of the sons are mem- bers of the Star Hope Lodge, No. 42, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Cleaves is a steadfast Republiean in politics and an attendant of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Cleaves is a member. Mr. Cleaves is well known in social organizations, being a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 19, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows of Portland; of Portland Encampment, No. 19, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of the Golden Cross Banner Commandery, No. 76, of Che- beague Island.

PUTNAM STEVENS, general agent for Maine of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company of Spring- field, Mass., whose office is at 40 Ex- change Street, Portland, was born in Winthrop, Me., November 24, 1852, son of Joseph W. and Mary C. (Ingalls) Stevens. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Stevens, who was a prominent farmer and extensive fruit grower, came originally from Ipswich, Mass., while yet a young man, and settled in Winthrop, Kennebec County, where he died in 1875, aged about eighty years. Joseph W. Stevens, who was born in Winthrop, August 15, 1826,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

worked for many years as a carpenter and builder, and died May 23, 1889. His wife, Mary, born in Madison, Me., April 6, 1825, a daughter of John Ingalls, of that place, is yet living, residing with her son, the subject of this sketch. She had two other children, namely: Bettie M., who married H. C. Dexter; and Mary L., who married A. E. Hutchins.

J. Putnam Stevens received a good educa- tion, having studied in the public schools of his native town, at Wilton Academy, and at Kent's Hill Seminary, known as the Maine Wesleyan Seminary. He taught school for a while, and subsequently engaged as a travel- ling salesman. This latter occupation he fol- lowed until ten years ago, when he took up the insurance business, entering the employ of the Maine Benefit Association of Auburn. He transacted more business for this company in a given time than any man they ever had in the field. In 1887 he was offered and ac- cepted the management of the Massachusetts Mutual for the State of Maine. This company had been represented in the State for thirty years when Mr. Stevens became manager, and had on its books a premium collection of ten thousand dollars. In 1894, at the end of the seventh year of his management, the amount of premiums collected for that year footed nearly fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Stevens is an alert and persevering business man, who knows how to make the most of an opportu- nity and to win success in the face of diffi- culty.

In 1879, January 1, Mr. Stevens was mar- ried to Miss Julia A. Wing, of Wayne, Me., whose parents died when she was only two years of age. Their union has been favored by the birth of one son, Carl P., who is now twelve years of age. In politics Mr. Stevens is a Republican. He has held various offices dur- ing his lifetime, serving from 1875 to 1878 as Selectman of Wayne, and acting for some time as superintendent of the School Commit- tee of that town. He is well advanced in Ma- sonry, belonging to Asylum Lodge, No. 133, of Wayne; Greenleaf Chapter, No. 13, of Portland; Portland Council, No. 1; St. Al- bans Commandery, No. 8; Maine Consistory, A. A. S. S .; and he is also a member of the

Mystic Shrine. He belongs to Samoset Tribe of Red Men and to Portland Colony of Pilgrim Fathers. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are attendants of the Congress Square Universalist Church. They have a pretty home at I Sher- man Street, Portland.

R ICHARD MAYBERRY, who has spent his long and prosperous life of more than fourscore years in the town of Windham, was born May 19, 1814, being a son of Josiah and Eunice (Miller) Mayberry, both natives of this place. His paternal grandfather, a brave and loyal soldier of the Revolution, spent his entire life in Windham, earning his living as a tiller of the soil. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Miller, eleven children were born, seven boys and four girls, Josiah being the sixth son.

Josiah Mayberry was born February 27, 1783, and was here bred to farming pursuits, which he followed through life, becoming the owner of a farm of one hundred acres, a large portion of which he placed under cultivation. He was an industrious, hard-laboring man, and rounded out a long life, living until June, 1870. He was twice married. On October 25, 1806, he was united to Eunice Miller, who died December 26, 1815, leaving five chil- dren, of whom Richard is the only one now living. His second wife, Eliza Swett, of Gorham, bore him seven children, four of whom are living, namely: Joshua; Stephen ; Sarah J., wife of David R. Hawkes; and Ed- mund D. The father was a Democrat in poli- tics and an attendant of the Baptist church.

Richard Mayberry was less than two years old when his mother died. After leaving the district school, which he attended regularly during his boyhood, he worked out as a farm laborer for several years. In 1839 he bought twenty-five acres, which are now included in his present homestead property. By dint of persevering energy and thrift he succeeded in his occupation, from time to time buying more land, his estate now containing one hundred acres of good land, about one-half of which is under tillage. As a citizen Mr. Mayberry has always been held in high regard, being

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

prominent and influential in local affairs; and in 1873 he represented his native town in the State legislature, being elected on the Repub- lican ticket, which he has always conscien- tiously supported. In religion he is liberal, believing that "righteousness and character are keys to heaven's prize."

On March 30, 1841, Mr. Mayberry married his cousin, Mary J., daughter of Thomas May- berry, of Windham, and unto them four chil- dren have been born, as follows: Almeda Ellen Mayberry was born December 14, 1848; Mrs. Mary Abbie Mayberry, born August 30, 1854, has two children - Mabel May and Richard Leroy; Frank N., born October 22, 1858, married Clara, daughter of Isaiah Allen, of this town, and has two children - Inez F. and Mildred E. ; and Frederick Eugene was born April 27, 1865.

R. JOHN T. PALMER, one of the rising young physicians of Portland, having his home and office at 306 Congress Street, is a native of this city, born March 4, 1858. His father, also John T. Palmer, was born in Portland, England, where his parents were accidentally killed when he was but four years old. When eight years of age, John T. Palmer, Sr., came to this country, and to Portland when a young man. He has been a sea captain for more than thirty years. He used to sail from this port in charge of some one of its larger vessels, but for the past eight years he has sailed from New York. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Steadman, has borne him four children.

Dr. Palmer acquired the rudiments of his education in the schools of this city, and was afterward fitted for college at a private school. He began the study of medicine with Dr. S. E. Sylvester, of Portland, subsequently taking his lecture course at the Hahnemann College in Chicago, from which he was prepared for graduation in 1879; but, not being old enough, he took a second course, and received his diploma in 1880. In the latter year the Doc- tor took a number of special courses, including a study of the diseases of the eye and ear, and of obstetrics, they being practically post-grad-

uate courses. On March 3 of the year of his graduation Dr. Palmer entered upon the prac- tice of his profession in this city, locating at No. 294 Congress Street, where he lived for thirteen years. He then bought his present property, which has been occupied by physi- cians since 1866. By his knowledge and skill he has won the confidence of the community, and has built up a large and lucrative practice.

The Doctor is prominently connected with many social, fraternal, and beneficiary organi- zations, being an active worker in each. He is a member of the Ancient Landmark Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; of Haddattah Lodge, No. 117, and Una Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Canton Ridgely ; of Longfellow Lodge, Knights of Pythias : of the New England Order of Protection; of the Royal Society of Goodfellows, of which he has been Treasurer for many years; and of the Order of United Friends. He was one of the founders and a charter member of Had- dattah Lodge, and a founder of Una Encamp- ment, of which he has since been agent. He has held the office of Captain or Assistant Surgeon of Patriarch Militant, First Regiment of Maine, and is a member of the Grand Lodge, being Chairman of the Committee on Returns. The Doctor was, likewise, one of the charter members of Longfellow Lodge. He is popular with all people, serving the different societies with universal satisfaction, and is now the examining physician of thir- teen different insurance organizations.

Dr. Palmer was united in marriage October 18, 1882, with Miss Anna M. Rooney, of this city, their union having been blessed by the birth of two children - Edwin L. and Lizzie M.

ETH L. PLUMMER, an active and useful member of the farming com- munity of Scarboro, this county, is a native-born citizen, the date of his birth being March 30, 1835. His grand- father, Abram Plummer, was also born in Cumberland County, on Richmond's Island, but subsequently removed to Cape Elizabeth, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits during his remaining years. He there mar-

BENJAMIN F. PRITCHARD.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

ried Martha Libby, who bore him six sons, the second and third being twins; and of these David was the father of Seth L.

David Plummer was reared and educated in Cape Elizabeth. He became a farmer, and also followed the trade of house carpenter, and was an esteemed and law-abiding eitizen. Religiously, he was a member of the Orthodox church, and in politics supported the Demo- cratie party. He married Mary A. Moody, whose mother lived to be one hundred and four years old, and she bore him three chil- dren -Seth L., the special subject of this sketeh; David O .; and one child that died in infaney.

David O. Plummer, who is a mason by trade and a well-known farmer of Scarboro, was born May 20, 1838. He has been three times married. His first wife, formerly Nellie Hunnewell, died, leaving one child, Nellie. He afterward married Miss Lizzie Hunnewell, a sister of his first wife; and of their union a daughter was born - Lizzie. To him and his present wife, whose maiden name was Alice A. Stone, two children have been born - Walter E. and Susan Josephinc.

Seth L. Plummer obtained a practical edu- cation in the distriet schools of the Cape, where he spent his early life. Suecceding to the occupation of his father and grandfather, Mr. Plummer has been prospered in his work, being now the owner of a well-appointed and finely improved farm of eighty aeres, fifty of which are under execllent cultivation. In addition to his agricultural labors, he has been actively engaged in earriage making and re- pairing, having picked up the trade himself, his natural mechanical ability and ingenuity making him highly suceessful in this work. Mr. Plummer, who is now .a member of the School Committee and the Town Agent, served as one of the Selectmen of Scarboro in 1886, 1887, 1888, 1890, and 1891, being Chairman of the Board the last two years. He was also a member of the superintending School Committee in Cape Elizabeth for a number of terms. On June 26, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan E. Stone, a native of Cape Elizabeth and a daughter of John Stone. In politics Mr. Plummer is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Dem-

ocratic party, and in religion his views are broad and liberal.

EV. BENJAMIN F. PRITCHARD, for many years one of the most popu- lar and successful preachers of the Free-will Baptist denomination, has in recent years been engaged in the real estate and brokerage business, but in the mean time has also done a good deal of evangelistic work. A native of Blackstone, Mass., he was born August 26, 1833, son of Benjamin and Lillas (Bowen) Prichard (name formerly spelled without the "t"). His father was born in 1802 in Marblehead, Mass., and attained the venerable age of eighty-five years, being long employed as an overseer in a cotton-mill. The mother was a native of the town of Foster, R.I. ; and she also saw many days on earth, dying in 1891, aged eighty-nine years. They were the parents of four children, namely: Mary Ann, born in 1829; Mary Eliza, born Mareh 12, 1831; Benjamin F .; and James W., born September 20, 1836.

Benjamin F. Pritchard acquired his carly education in the schools of Providence, R.I., and vieinity, being graduated from the North Providence High School. He then began his active carcer as a teacher in the schools of South Killingly, Conn., where he was en- gaged in the winter of 1857 and 1858. There in the spring of the latter year, on March 14, he married one of his pupils, Celie L., daugh- ter of Jesse and Martha (Gibson) Handall. The only child of this union was a daughter, Harriet Eudora, born December 24, 1858, who became the wife of Ernest W. Arnold, of Providence, R.I., and is now well known in the literary world as a writer of merit, many of her poems being published in the Portland Transcript and other leading journals.

After his marriage Mr. Pritchard continued teaching, being in Greenwich, R.I., for nearly four years; and while there he was superin- tendent of the schools of the town, and also served as Justiee of the Peace, his commission being signed by William Sprague, Rhode Island's war governor. During all this time Mr. Pritehard was studying for the ministry, and had become a licensed preaeher. In May,

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 7

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