Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 70

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

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On March 16, 1863, Mr. Carsley was united in marriage to Annie D. Cummings, born in Harrison, May 10, 1831, daughter of Jonas and Nancy S. (Piper) Cummings, both now deceased. Mr. Piper, who was a native of Salem, Mass., settled upon a farm in Harrison when a young man. His wife was born in Otisfield, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Carsley have three children, namely : Willis E., born Feb- ruary 28, 1867, who married Lida B. Frost, and now resides in Boston; Annie E., born June 13, 1868, living with her parents; and George P., born September 23, 1870, also residing at home. Both sons are members of. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Carsley, who is a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party, is a prominent figure in local politics. He has filled some of the town offices with marked ability. Occupying a

leading place among the well-to-do residents of Harrison, he enjoys the esteem of all.

P ZRA HAWKES, Special Deputy Sheriff of Cumberland County, Maine, was born in China, Me., March 22, 1834, son of Ezra and Hannah (Winslow) Hawkes. The elder Ezra Hawkes was a native of Windham, Me., born in 1792. He was a millstone cutter, and was also engaged in farming, spending a part of his life in the town of Jack- son. He died in 1878. His wife, who was a native of Falmouth, Me., died in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes were members of the Society of Friends, to which the Hawkes family has belonged for many generations. They were the parents of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. Four are now living, namely : Joseph J. G. ; Abbie, wife of John Lane; Mary, widow of Peleg Collings; and Ezra, our subject.

Ezra Hawkes, Jr., attendcd the common schools of Jackson and completed his education at the Friends' Boarding School at Providence, R. I. He learned the trade of granite cutting, at which he worked for several years, being em- ployed for some timc as foreman of the govern- ment yards at Portland, established for supply- ing the material for the erection of public buildings, and going thence to Richmond, Va., on the James River, to fill the position of fore- man on the Army and Navy Building at Wash- ington, the stones for which were prepared in Richmond. Mr. Hawkes was next appointed superintendent of stone work for the Philadel- phia post-office, the stones being prepared at the Old Dominion granite quarry on the James River; and after that he was made government inspector of granite cutting and stock to be used in different public buildings, a position which he held for several years. He was subsequently engaged in the real estate business in Portland for a year, at the end of which time he was appointed city marshal by Mayor C. J. Chatman. In that capacity he served three years, and was then sent to Con- cord, N. H., as one of the inspectors of the stock of material and the stone cutting for the Congressional Library Building at Washing- ton. This work consumed three years. On

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January 1, 1895, Mr. Hawkes was appointed to his present position as one of the special deputy sheriffs of the county, and his time is now devoted exclusively to office work, his place of business being Room 18, City Hall Building. Mr. Hawkes is a man of unusual ability and conservative judgment, who wins and holds the confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact.

On May 28, 1863, in Boston, Mass., Mr. Hawkes was united in marriage with Alice Waite, daughter of Henry and Jane E. (Waite) Smith, and the grand-daughter of General John K. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes have no children. In politics Mr. Hawkes is a Republican. He and his wife belong to the Society of Friends, Mrs. Hawkes being a con- vert to the Quaker doctrine. They have a pleasant and homelike residence at 259 Brackett Street, Portland.

OLOMON JORDAN, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of Naples, was born in the town of Newry, Oxford County, Me., October 15, 1814, son of Solomon Jor- dan. He was reared by his grandfather, a farmer of Naples, who took charge of him when he was a year old, and with whom he remained until he attained his majority. He then began to earn his own living, hiring out as a farm hand. In 1850 he purchased the farm on which he has since made his home. It is now a fine property of about two hundred and twenty-five acres. An enterprising and indus- trious man, he labored continually, tilling his

fields in the growing season and lumbering in winter. His prosperity is the fruit of his own effort, as he started in life with no resources but a strong constitution and a willing hand. In the sunset of life he can now take a rest with the pleasing sense of having earned it by a work well accomplished.

On March 3, 1840, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage with Abigail Russell, daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Barker) Russell. Seven children blessed the union, two of whom are now living, namely: Pascal, who is with his parents; and Leonora, the wife of Ansel Hawkes, of Standish, Me. Pascal Jordan was

a soldier in the Tenth Maine Regiment at the time of the war, and participated in several hard-fought battles. He now superintends the home farm, and is also engaged in lumber -. ing in the winter time. He is a man of ability and good judgment, and owns some real estate in the town. Solomon Jordan votes the Re- publican ticket. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. His home is pleasantly situated in the pretty town of Naples, which is not without some of the natural beauty of the situation that has made its namesake in Italy renowned throughout the world.

B YRON KIMBALL, a prominent resi- dent of North Bridgton, actively identified with its agricultural, man- ufacturing, and social interests, was born August 8, 1840, in the town of Bridgton, son of Richard and Zilpah (Dresser) Kimball. His parents, who were farming people in com- fortable circumstances, had four children, of whoni a daughter died in infancy. The others were: Elizabeth, Nancy, and Byron. Nancy also died at an early age. Mr. Kimball was reared on the home farm, which was located near Bridgton Centre. He attended the public schools until he was sixteen years of age. Then for five years, in the spring and fall terms, he pursued the more advanced course of the Bridgton Academy, from which he gradu- ated in 1861. He spent the summers of this period in farm labor and the winters in teach- ing. This latter occupation he continued afterward for twelve terms. After this he engaged in farming, first in Bridgton and then in North Bridgton. In 1876 he took up his residence permanently in the latter place upon his present homestead, then purchased by him.

Seven years later he bought an interest in the Luke & F. H. Brown furniture factory. This place was established in 1840, and its business is one of the pioneer industries of the town. The present firm have extensive dealings. Their goods are sold throughout New England, in some of the States farther west, and even in England. They manufacture their own lumber, and employ from thirty to sixty men. Politically, Mr. Kimball is iden-

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tified with the Republican party, the principles of which he earnestly sustains both by voice and vote. A man of broad and liberal views, he is an esteemed member of the Universalist church.

In 1866 Mr. Kimball was united in matri- mony with Miss Adeline Hazen, and has be- come the father of four children. They are : Willis H., a graduate of the Bowdoin Medical College, who is now a practising physician ; Sophronia B., the wife of Virgil H. Johnson, of the town of Norway ; George R. ; and Carrie. He has served two terms as Selectman of Bridgton. He has been a Trustee of Bridg- ton Academy since 1879, and is now Vice- President of the Board. He joined the Odd Fellows when quite a young man, being one of the earlier members of the local Lodge. In 1872 he was chosen Secretary of the State As- sociation, which then had a membership of three hundred. He held the office for eleven years, and in that time the membership in- creased to five thousand. Mr. Kimball was elected Grand Master of the Maine Odd Fel- lows in 1880. Subsequently he was elected as a representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge for two years.

H. RICKER & SONS, of Harrison, Me., manufacturers of saw-mill sup- plies, shafting, and machinery in gen- eral. This firm now consists of Franklin C. and Alvin P. Ricker, sons of the founder of the enterprise, Timothy H. Ricker, and his wife Drusilla (Wiggin) Ricker.

Timothy H. Ricker was born in Shapleigh, York County, Me., in 1802, and there grew to manhood, becoming a skilful blacksmith. He worked as a journeyman in Waterford and Oxford, Me., and in 1847 moved to Harrison village, where he shortly after established the thriving industry which perpetuates his name. He died July 29, 1891. His wife, who was born in Parsonsfield, Me., May 9, 1802, was a daughter of Nathan and Olive (Weymouth) Wiggin. She lived to the age of seventy-seven years and six months. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Timothy H. Ricker - Nathan, Sherburne H., Iloratio, Franklin C., Olive, Freeland, Alvin P., and Ellen. Nathan

Ricker is in the real estate business in New York City. Sherburne H. was married August 26, 1871, to Amelia Kneeland, daughter of Almon and Dorcas (Sands) Kneeland, of Har- rison. , Horatio died in California. Franklin C., born August 24, 1834, is the present senior member of the firm. Olive, who became the wife of H. W. Lewis, of Portland, Me., died March 12, 1896, leaving one child, a daughter, who married George Crocket, of Portland, Me. Freeland H., born July 19, 1838, has been in trade in Harrison since 1888, and has a wife, formerly Miss Mary Turtellot, but no children, his only daughter having died at the age of twenty-five. Alvin P., born August 13, 1841, is the junior member of the firm whose name heads this article. Ellen is the wife of J. M. Smith, a plumber of Harrison, and mother of three children.

Franklin C. Ricker went to Lewiston, Me., when he was sixteen years of age to learn the machinist's trade, and after finishing his ap- prenticeship worked for a year as a store sales- man in Bridgton and Portland, Me., and New York City. In 1858 he returned to Harrison and entered into partnership with his father and brother; and in 1889 he and his brother Alvin bought their father's interest in the business, and have since successfully con- ducted the enterprise together. They make a specialty of fitting saw mills, and manufacture all necessary saw-mill supplies, including one machine which deserves more than a passing notice. This machine is familiarly known as the Ricker bolter, and may be seen in opera- tion throughout at least fifteen States and in the provinces of Canada. They also produce shafting and machinery for other manufacturing establishments; and such is the quality of their work that orders come to them from Can- ada, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and other parts of the country West and South.

Franklin C. Ricker married Miss Zelpha Brickett, of Stow, Me., who died in 1870. She had but one child, Annie Adelia, who was called to the world beyond just as her feet had touched the threshold of womanhood, at the age of fifteen. Mr. Ricker subsequently married Miss Cora Burnham, of Bridgton, Me. Politically, Mr. Ricker favors the Republican .

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party. He and his wife attend the Free Will Baptist church.

Alvin P. Ricker learned the machinist's trade in Harrison, and worked as a machinist in Worcester, Mass., for about a year, going there when he was nineteen years of age. He then returned to Harrison, and in 1889, as stated above, in company with his brother Franklin, purchased his father's interest. Practical machinists themselves, the brothers thoroughly understand their business; and the success of the enterprise is due to their com- bined ability and good judgment.

Alvin P. Ricker married Miss Fannie Tib- betts, of Harrison; and two children have blessed their union - Josephine and Jessie. Politically, Mr. Alvin P. Ricker is a mem- ber of the Republican party. He belongs to Harrison Lodge, No. 41, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but has no other social affilia- tion. In religious belief he is a Congrega- tionalist.

REN SCOTT THOMES, a prominent business man of Cumberland Centre, Me., was born in the town of Cumber- land, May 24, 1837, son of Ebenezer S. and Dolly (Rideout) Thomes. Mr. Thomes's great-grandfather, Ebenezer Scott Thomes, was a native of Portland and a pioneer resident of Cumberland County. His son, Moses P., Mr. Thomes's grandfather, was born in Gorham, Me., December 18, 1780. When a young man he settled upon a farm in Cum- berland, where he passed the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was an industri- ous, practical farmer and a useful citizen, and lived to reach a ripe old age. He married for his first wife Jane Hasty, and for his second Abigail, widow of Jacob Blanchard; and he was the father of eight children, Ebenezer S., Mr. Thomes's father, being the eldest son.

Ebenezer S. Thomes was born in Scarboro, Me., in 1810. He began the work of life at an early age as a sailor, and, advancing rapidly in seamanship, soon became master of a vessel. A prosperous future seemed open to him; but he was not permitted to enjoy its realization, as he contracted yellow fever while upon a foreign voyage, from the effects of which he

died in 1837, aged twenty-seven years. His wife, Dolly Rideout, who was born in Cumber- land, died on October 8, 1847, leaving but one son; namely, Oren Scott, the subject of this sketch. Both parents were members of the Congregational church.

An orphan at the age of ten years, Oren Scott Thomes was brought up in the family of John Blanchard, a resident of Cumberland. He received his education in the schools of his native town, and at the age of eighteen com- menced to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed as an occupation at intervals, as his health would permit. In 1861 he bought a small farm in Cumberland, and there devoted himself to agricultural pursuits for some time, eventually selling that property. In 1877 he was called to the Pacific Coast upon business connected with the estate of his uncle, Robert H. Thomes, who was a wealthy Californian.

In 1879 Mr. Thomes removed to his present place of abode. For eight years he has en- gaged in mercantile business, but at the present time he is operating a saw and grist mill, and manufactures all kinds of lumber and building materials. His mills are equipped with the latest improved machinery, which is capable of turning out the finest work ; and his energy and business ability are the means of establishing an industry of considerable value to the town. In 1883 Mr. Thomes commenced the erection of his fine residence, which was built according to his own plans and under his own supervision, and was completed the fol- lowing year.

On August 15, 1861, Mr. Thomes was mar- ried to Abbie Eveleth, who was born in Farm- ington, Me., September 23, 1842, daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Kempton) Eveleth. They have two sons - Robert S. and John B. Rob- ert S. Thomes, who was born August 15, 1866, and is now engaged in the wholesale fancy- goods business in Portland, as a member of the firm of Merrill, Thomes & Co., married Viola B. Drummond, of Waterville, Me., and has three children - John B., Margaret D., and Aubigne. John B. Thomes, who was born Au- gust 9, 1870, was graduated from Dartmouth Medical School in the class of 1895, and is now residing in Cumberland, but expects to settle in Massachusetts.

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Mr. Thomes is one of the most prominent residents and able business men of Cumber- land, and his efforts in developing the town's industrial resources have been productive of success. In politics he acts with the Republi- can party, and he served as Town Treasurer for two years with credit both to himself and his constituents. He is widely known both in business and in the social orders, and is con- nected with Casco Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Yarmouth, and the Red Men of Cumberland. Both he and his wife are members of the Con- gregational church.

AMUEL T. DOLE, an excellent representative of the native-born citizens of Windham, Cumberland County, Me., first opened his eyes to the light January 17, 1831, being a son of Major Daniel W. Dole. He comes of pure English stock, the emigrant ancestor having been one Richard Dole.

Said Richard was baptized on his father's estate, Ringworthy, near Bristol, England, December 31, 1622. In 1639 he left his native land, coming to America, shortly after- ward settling himself as a trader near Parker River, in Newbury, Mass., being thereafter known as Merchant Dole. His first wife, Hannah Rolfe, whom he married May 3, 1647, bore him ten children ; namely, John, Richard, Anna, Benjamin, Joseph, William, Henry, Hannah, Apphia, and Abner. On March 4, 1679, he married Mrs. Hannah Brocklebank, widow of Captain Samuel Brocklebank; but of this union no children were born. Neither

were there any children by his third marriage, which was with Patience Walker, of Haver- hill, Mass. There is no record of the death of Merchant Dole or of his last two wives; but the inventory of his estate was taken July 26, 1705, and his will approved four days later, so that it is probable he died in his eighty-third year.

The next in line of descent was William Dole, who was born in Newbury, Mass., April 10, 1660, and married Mary Brocklebank, of Rowley, Mass. They reared nine children ; namely, William, Hannah, Mary, Richard, Jane, Patience, Apphia, Samuel, and Benja-

min - Samuel, the eighth child, being the great-great-grandfather of Samuel T. He was born June 1, 1699, at Newbury, Mass., and there married Elizabeth Knight, who bore him ten children, as follows: Elizabeth, Samuel, Moses, Mary, Apphia, Oliver, Richard, Sarah, Eunice, and Hannah.

Richard Dole, seventh child of Samuel and Elizabeth, was born February 3, 1736, and died in 1825, almost ninety years of age. He was a joiner and chair-maker by trade, and in 1760 removed from Newbury, the place of his na- tivity, to Portland, Me., then included within the limits of Massachusetts. On May 15, 1767, he bought land in Windham, being the first of his name to locate here. He was a Deacon in the church and a man of promi- nence. He and his wife, Martha Merrill, of Newbury, were the parents of six children, namely : Ruth and Betty, born in Newbury ; Samuel, born in Portland; Nabby Merrill, Polly, and Martha, born in Windham. Dea- con Dole was among the leading citizens of Windham, where he held town office for twenty-one years, being a Deacon in the Con- gregational church for about the same length of time. He fought in the Revolutionary War, enlisting for three years in the company raised by Captain Benjamin Wolcott, belong- ing to the regiment of Colonel Thomas Mar- shall at West Point, but being discharged at the close of the war after a service of two years, eleven months, and twenty-six days. Ile then returned to Windham, but spent his closing days in Hebron.

Samuel Dole, grandfather of Samuel T., was born in Portland, as above mentioned, in 1765, but was reared and lived in Windham, where, when a young man, he married Mehita- bel, daughter of Ephraim Winship. Of their eleven children -- Richard, Catherine, Sally, Apphia, Nancy, Oliver, Enoch, Polly, Mattie, Daniel W., and Sally F. - six grew to adult life.

Daniel W. Dole was born November 29, 1807, in Windham, and during his early man- hood was engaged in teaching in various towns in this county, being a most successful and popular educator. He was a man of scholarly attainments, and was also versed in military tactics, taking a deep interest in the old State

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militia, of which he was an officer, rising to the rank of Major, a position which he hon - orably filled. His death occurred July 4, 1876, in the town of Phillips, his remains being brought to Windham for interment.

On September 16, 1830, Major Daniel W. Dole married Eliza A., daughter of Thomas and Betsey (Maybury) Bodge. She died March 19, 1832, leaving two children - Samuel T. and Richard. Richard Dole, born March 18, 1832, was accidentally killed, in 1864, on the Boston & Maine Railway, near Boston, Mass. He married Rosilla Chute, of Otisfield, Me., and they had three children- Jennie, born in August, 1856, died October 11, 1863; Freddie, born March 18, 1858, lived but ten days; and Sarah, born August 25, 1860, married F. H. Freeman, of Gorham, in 1880, and has two children -- Bertha R., born January 30, 1886, and Harland Dole Freeman, born November 4, 1890. On De- cember 31, 1835, Major Dole married Mary W., daughter of Daniel Hasty, of Standish. Five children were the fruit of this union; namely, Oliver, Eliza, Daniel H., Florence A., and Susan M. Oliver, born October 19, 1837, was united in marriage April 19, 1865, with Elizabeth C. Chaplin, of Gorham, who has borne him four children, a brief record of whom is as follows: Lucinda H., born June 22, 1866, is the wife of Henry J. Hanscom, of Standish; George HI., born September 25, 1 869, married Elizabeth Sands Sawyer, of Bux- ton, April 20, 1890, and has one child - Al- fred L., born December 21, 1891; Mary L. was born November 5, 1871 ; and Edward L. was born August 7, 1873. Daniel H. Dole, M. D., born June 12, 1843, was married De- cember 26, 1874, to Margaret Bryant, of Ray- mond, Me., by whom he has two children - Florence M., born January 14, 1876; and Richard B., born May 8, 1880.

Samuel T. Dole acquired a good education in the public schools of Windham in his boy- hood, and by reading and study has since continually added to his stock of knowledge, es- pecially of the natural sciences and of histori- cal facts and dates, on which he is considered an authority. In his youth he learned the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years with Oliver Robinson. This

occupation he has followed the larger part of his life, continuing his residence in his native town. He is a great lover of books, and has without doubt one of the largest and finest private collections in the town, his library containing many rare and valuable volumes.

Mr. Dole was married May 1, 1853, to Phœbe Cobb Larry, daughter of Joseph C. and Mary (Purinton) Larry. Mrs. Dole is a lady of refinement and culture, possessing marked literary ability. For the past thirty years poems from her gifted pen have appeared in the Portland Transcript and many other periodicals; and she is the present editor-in- chief of the Narragansett Sun, a weekly paper published in Portland. She also possesses artistic talent, and has produced landscapes which have received special mention. Mrs. Dole is represented in Griffith's "Poets of Maine " and Moulton's "A Woman of the Cent- ury." Mr. and Mrs. Dole have had two chil- dren - William B. and George H. William B. Dole, born April 23, 1854, died January 4, 1887. He married Mary E. Brown, of Gor- ham, May 15, 1874; and their only child, Frederick H., born July 15, 1875, is at present Senior at Bowdoin College. George H. Dole, born May 1, 1856, died September 2, 1864. Religiously, Mr. Dole is a member of the. First Parish Congregational Church of Gorham.

EORGE W. BROWN, President and General Manager of the Belknap Motor Company of Portland, Me., was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 31, 1850, son of Captain Joseph K. and Mary K. (Chap- man) Brown, the former a native of Topsham, Me., the latter of Damariscotta. Joseph K. Brown was born in 1819. He followed the sea for a livelihood, being Captain of the barque "Missouri," which was built at Newburyport, Mass. Captain Brown died, and was buried at sea in 1850, while on a voyage from New York to Sumatra. His wife, who is still liv- ing, is now seventy-three years of age. They were the parents of three children - Josie, Susie, and George W.

George W. Brown received his early educa- tion in the schools of Damariscotta, his mother having removed from Brooklyn after her hus-

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band's death, and returned with her little family to her old home. He subsequently at- tended Lincoln Academy at New Castle. In 1874, when he was twenty-four years of age, he went into the grocery business in Damaris- cotta, continuing in this some fourteen years; and, some years later removing to Portland, he engaged in the sale of water motors. From handling these goods Mr. Brown became in- terested in their mechanism, and invented a combined water motor and mill, which was a grand success. He afterward added to this mill an electric motor, and later combined water motors and dynamos. The sale of these machines led to the handling of other electric contrivances, which were all made by con- tract. In 1888 a stock company was formed, known as the Belknap Water Motor Company. A large amount of advertising was done, and the company secured orders for its inventions through all parts of the United States.

In 1890 the Belknap Motor Company, which includes some of the leading citizens of Port- land, was organized, purchasing all the right, title, and interest of the Belknap Water Motor Company, whose stock had advanced in value from ten dollars to fifty dollars per share. Up to 1892 all the products of the corporation were manufactured by outside companies, the electrical machines being made by the Giant Motor Company. On the failure of that company, being unable to obtain the products required to fill their orders, the Bel- knap Company was obliged to take up the manufacturing business, which they did in March, 1892, taking the building that the Giant Company had formerly occupied. At the end of a year the business had so increased that they were obliged to double their capac- ity; and in 1894 they enlarged it one-third more, adding fifty feet to their three-story building, making a factory one hundred and ten feet long and three stories high, covering a floor surface of about twelve thousand feet.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 70

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