Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 78

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

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JOHN BENNETT.

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the New England and Nova Scotia Steamship line, owned by the same parties, as mate and pilot of the "Carlotta" and the "Chase." He was finally put in command of the "Chase," and was pilot of the steamer "Fal- mouth" in the summer. He remained in the employ of this company eight years, and then took command of the steamship "Cortes" of the Cromwell line, plying between St. John's, N. F., and New Orleans. Five years later, in 1880, he renewed his connection with the Maine Steamship Company, sailing as master of the "Franconia " between Portland and New York ; and he also took command at different times of other vessels belonging to the com- pany. When the "Cottage City " was placed in commission, Captain Bennett was placed in charge of her, and has retained his position to the present day. He is well known to the travelling public, and his carefulness and courtesy have won for him universal confidence and esteem. His fraternal relations with other seafaring men are maintained as a mem- ber of the Pilots' Association, Harbor No. 12, of New York.

February 19, 1853, he was married to Lucy A., daughter of Captain Thomas Brown, of Vinal Haven. Nine children have been born to them, of whom five are living, namely : Annie, wife of George Randall, of Portland ; Elzina C., wife of Frank Sawyer, of the same place ; Ida C. ; Lucy, wife of Herbert Hutchins, of Kennebunk; and William B., now quartermaster of the "Cottage City." Captain Bennett's son, John R., died at the age of thirty-four, leaving three children - Wesley, Wallace, and Marion. His first two children, Roscoe and Tobias, died in childhood of diphtheria, aged respectively five and seven ; and a daughter Bessie died at sea in 1863. She was then a child of three years, and was with her mother, who had accompanied the Captain on one of his trips.

Captain Bennett is a prominent Mason, be- longing to Evangelist Lodge, No. 600, A. F. & A. M., of New York City, and to Mount Zion Chapter, No. 231; and he belongs to Maine Lodge, No. 1, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Eastern Star Encampment, No. 2. His portrait appears on a neighboring page of this volume.

HARLES B. WALKER, who has practically retired from active busi- ness, has been a lifelong resident of Bridgton, where his birth occurred April 2, 1836. His grandfather, Joseph Walker, was one of Cumberland County's early settlers, having removed from Oxford County to Westbrook in 1814. Joseph Walker, born July 22, 1774, in Denmark, was one of the several children born to his parents, Joseph and Mary Walker. He owned and operated a saw and grist mill in Westbrook for some time. Afterward he established two saw-mills and two grist-mills in this town, the former being located where the Forest mills now stand, and the latter on the present site of the Pondicherry mills at Stevens's Brook. In 1796 he married Mary Foster, who was born January 29, 1778. The children of this union were: Benjamin, born March 25, 1798; Joseph, born February 7, 1800; Moody, born February 27, 1808; and Edward S., who died on the day of his birth, July 12, 1814.

The Hon. Benjamin Walker, father of Charles B. Walker, was a native of the town of Denmark, Oxford County. When a youth he went to Westbrook with his parents. From there he came to Bridgton in 1827. He was a man of great enterprise and industry. For some years he was engaged in running canal boats. He was also an extensive dealer in real estate. Public-spirited and generous, he gave material assistance and encouragement to all plans tending toward the improvement and advancement of Bridgton. His death, September 26, 1869, was mourned by a host of friends. He was an esteemed member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. On March 25, 1797, he married Sarah A. Cross, who bore him nine children, as follows: Mary F., who died Sep- tember 30, 1863; Moody, who died June 6, 1867; Joseph, who died December 16, 1875 ; Benjamin, who died August 27, 1829; Charles E., who died August 26, 1833; Lydia J. ; Eliza A. ; Charles B. ; and Caroline A.

Charles B. Walker ably assisted his father in his many business relations, continuing with him as long as the father lived. After the death of the latter he gave his attention exclusively to his personal interests until his retirement from business. On May 3, 1858,

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Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Miss Harriet M. Merrill, a native of Bridgton. The union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Gertrude, now the wife of Frank Daily, of Roxbury, Mass.

ELAND H. POORE, M.D., an able young physician, residing at Webb's Mills in the town of Casco, Me., where he settled shortly after his marriage, now has a large and successful prac- tice, not only in Casco, but in the adjoining towns of Otisfield, Raymond, Windham, and Poland. His birth occurred in the town of Sebago, Cumberland County, on April 3, 1867 ; and he is a son of Edwin L. and Amanda M. (Whitney) Poorc.

Edwin L. Poore is a native of Sebago, and has been a lifelong resident of that town. In his carlier years he engaged in the practice of law, but at the present time he is successfully conducting a general mercantile business. He also holds the position of Postmaster of Sebago. His wife, whose maiden name was Amanda M. Whitney, is still living. Four children have been born to them, as follows: Willie E., who died in infancy; Leland H .; Lillian A. and Lunetta N. (twins), living with their parents.

Leland H. Poore acquired his rudimentary education in the common schools of Sebago, after which, in the fall of 1883, he left home to take a course at Fryeburg Academy, where he was a pupil at intervals during the next five years, spending the time when not in school in teaching. Among the places where he held the position of teacher are Jack- son, N.H., Brownfield, Sebago, and Fryeburg, Me. He was graduated at Fryeburg Academy in June, 1888; and he soon began the study of medicine with Dr. C. E. Wilson at Hiram, Oxford County, Me. In February, 1889, he went to Brunswick, and entered the Medical School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. Not long after he came to Webb's Mills, and began the practice of his profession under auspicious circumstances, as within two hours of putting out his sign he received his first call; and from that time he has been a busy and successful practitioner.

He also conducts a small drug business at his residence.

On September 7, 1893, he was joined in marriage with Miss Mary E. Fitch, who was born in Sebago, Me. She is a daughter of John and Nancy W. (Sanborn) Fitch, both natives of Sebago, where her father is still successfully engaged in the vocation of a farmer.

In politics Dr. Poore has always been an adherent of the Democratic party. While a resident of Sebago he served for two years as Supervisor, and was a member of the Board of Health one year. He is now one of the School Committee, also . superintendent and Justice of the Peace of Casco. Fraternally, he is an honored member of Raymond Lodge, Knights of Pythias, also N. E. O. P. of Webb's Mills. Dr. and Mrs. Poore arc regu- lar church attendants.

ON. JOSEPH A. LOCKE, of Port -. land, Me., was born in Hollis, York County, Me., December 25, 1843. He is a descendant in the sixth generation from John Locke, of Hampton (now Rye), N. H., who came from Yorkshire, England, in 1644, it is believed, and first set- tled in Dover, N. H., there becoming a land- owner. Through both his father, Stephen Locke, son of Caleb Locke, of Hollis, and his mother, Lucinda Clark, daughter of Charles Clark, of Hollis, Mr. Locke is a representa- tive of the fourth generation in descent from Sarah Pepperrell, the accomplished and be- loved niece of Sir William Pepperrell (and daughter of Andrew Pepperrell), and also from the historic Major Charles Frost, of Kittery.

In his early childhood Mr. Locke removed with his parents to Biddeford, where he fitted for college, graduating from Bowdoin College in 1865 with honor, being the salutatorian of his class. He taught in the Portland High School the first two years after graduation, having charge of classes in Greek, Latin. chemistry, and mathematics; and while teach- ing he was pursuing his law studies. He then entered the law office of Davis & Drummond (Judge Woodbury Davis and the Hon. Josiah H. Drummond), and was admitted to practice

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in the State courts in 1868 and in the United States courts in 1869.

He settled in Portland, remaining a short time with Messrs. Davis and Drummond, and in October, 1868, opening an office in the Boyd Block, which had just been finished. Here by close application to business, and the care and fidelity with which he attended to all matters intrusted to his charge, both in office work and the trial cases in the courts, he ac- quired a large and successful law practice, commanding the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. In 1880 he formed a co- partnership with his brother, Ira S. Locke, under the firm name of Locke & Locke, which still continues. They have an extensive gen- eral practice, are trustees of several large es- tates, and have the charge of many trust funds.

Mr. Locke has been frequently honored by his fellow-citizens with positions of trust. He was twice elected Representative from Portland to the State legislature; namely, for the sessions of 1877 and 1879, serving as a member of the Judiciary Committee both sessions, and also as a member of the Library Committee in 1877. The State election in the fall of 1878 for the session of 1879 was a very close one throughout the State, and especially in Cumberland County ; and out of the five Representatives to the House from Portland Mr. Locke was the only Republican elected. On the organization of the House of Representatives in 1879 he was the Repub- lican nominee for Speaker, but was defeated by the combined vote of the Democratic and Greenback Representatives. At the State election that fall he was elected a Senator from Cumberland County, being the only Re- publican nominee for the Senate from Cumber- land County who received his certificate of election from the Governor and Council. This was the famous session of the legislature of 1880.

From the first meeting of the Senate until its final organization, when he was elected its President, he was the leader in the Senate on behalf of the Republican party in opposition to the organization of the same by the mem- bers of the Democratic and Greenback parties ; and by his timely written protests, duly pre-

sented in session while they were attempting to organize the Senate, paved the way to bring the question involved, as to who were the legally elected members of the Senate, before the Supreme Court of the State for its de- cision. This is the only instance since the organization of the State that a member has been elected President of the Senate the first term of service therein. Mr. 'Locke was the youngest man who ever occupied the chair. He was returned to the Senate in 1881, and re-elected its President. This was the first session of the legislature following the amend- ment to the Constitution providing for bien- nial elections. Consequently Mr. Locke re- mained as President of the Senate, making him the second civil officer in the State, for three years and until the organization of the legislature in January in 1883, when he was elected a member of the Governor's Council. This position he held by subsequent election for four years, serving all the time as Chair- man of the Committee on Accounts and Public Institutions. Since that time he has entirely devoted his time and attention to his law prac- tice. Mr. Locke has ever taken great interest in educational matters. For several years after teaching in the high school he was a member of the School Committee of Portland. He has been for many years a member of the Board of Trustees of Maine Wesleyan Semi- nary and Female College at Kent's Hill, Me., and the last fourteen years President of the Board. Mr. Locke has been interested more . or less in the different historical, educational, and social organizations. He is a member of the Maine Historical Society, Genealogical Society, Portland Natural History Society, and the Masonic fraternity. He first became a Mason in 1866, receiving the Blue Lodge degrees in Dunlap Lodge in Biddeford, and became a member thereof. Having de- cided to make his home in Portland, he trans- ferred his membership to Portland Lodge, No. I, Portland, Me., the oldest Lodge in the State, acting under charter issued in 1769, and at the next election was elected Senior Warden, and afterward Worshipful Master, occupying the chair for the years 1871 and 1872. In June, 1877, honorary membership was conferred upon him; and in 1878 he was

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elected a member of the Board of Masonic Trustees.

Mr. Locke has at different times been highly honored by this large and strong fra- ternity. He was Most Eminent High Priest of Greenleaf Chapter, No. 13, in 1870; Emi- nent Commander of St. Alban Commandery, No. 8, for the years 1877 and 1878; Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Maine for the years 1881 and 1882. In the Grand Com- mandery of Maine in May, 1887, he was elected from the floor to the position of Deputy Grand Commander, and elected Right Eminent Grand Commander for the years 1888 and 1889. While occupying the latter posi- tion at the Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States holden in Washington, D.C., in 1889, he was elected Chairman of the Ritual Committee, to revise and correct the ritual of the Order throughout the country; and so well was the work done that at the next Triennial Conclave, holden in Denver, Col., in 1892, the report of the com- mittee was accepted, and the ritual presented by it unanimously adopted without a single change being made, although it was the gen- eral opinion of the members of the Order throughout the country before the Conclave that no ritual could be presented which would be adopted. In May, 1895, he was elected Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine, which position he now holds. Mr. Locke has also been honored in the Scottish Rite or so-called higher degrees of Free Masonry. He was for eleven years Thrice Potent Grand Master of Yates Lodge of Per- fection in Portland, and afterward Commander- in-chief of Maine Consistory, thirty-two de- grees, for eight years ; and in September, 1884, he received at Detroit the honorary grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the thirty-third and last degree. He is at the present time an officer of the Grand Encamp- ment, Knights Templars, of the United States.

Mr. Locke married Miss Florence E. Perley, daughter of Joseph H. Perley, a well- to-do merchant of Portland, August 27, 1873, and by her has four children now living, namely : Grace Perley Locke, now a student at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania; John

R. Locke, aged fifteen; Allan S. Locke, aged eleven; and Joseph A. Locke, Jr., aged seven years.

ARDNER MERRILL PARKER, a well - known and highly esteemed resident of Gorham, was born in North Scarboro, which is now a part of Gor- ham, Me., September 26, 1833, son of John M. and Louise (Worcester) Parker. John M. Parker was born near Steep Falls in the town of Standish, and by the death of his father was left dependent upon his own resources at an early age. He engaged in farming, also keep- ing a general country store for some time, and was Deputy Sheriff and Collector for several years. His wife, Louise Worcester, who was a daughter of Thomas Worcester, of Gor- ham, became the mother of ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom Gardner M., the subject of this sketch, was the fifth- born.

Gardner Merrill Parker received his educa- tion in the common schools of his native town, and subsequently learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed as a journeyman for ten years. He then returned to the home- stead, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits, carrying on the farm for two years. In 1868 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, a posi - tion which he ably filled a greater part of the time until 1895. He was Tax Collector from 1890 to 1893, and in that capacity rendered faithful and valuable service to the town. He now owns a good farm of thirty-four acres, which he cultivates successfully, devoting con- siderable attention to the raising of fruit.

On January 1, 1860, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Sarah M. Meserve, daughter of Deacon Samuel Meserve, a prosperous farmer of Gorham, and has three children, as follows : Esther L., residing at home; Nellie C., who is a school teacher in Manchester, N.H .; and Gardner M., Jr. Mr. Parker is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M .; Gorham Lodge, No. 98, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Treasurer; and Dirigo Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is now Secretary. He is also connected with the Gorham Grange. He has held the

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principal chairs in all of these lodges, except the Masonic. Mr. Parker is a Republican in politics, and his religious views lead him to attend the Congregational church.

ENRY B. HARTFORD, Postmaster at Standish, Me., and a general mer- chant, is a native of Oxford County, having been born March 9, 1849, in Brownfield. His paternal grandfather was Solomon Hartford, an industrious farmer in Hiram, Oxford County, a Democrat in poli- tics. He reared fourteen children, three of whom are still living, namely ; Hosea; Sarah, wife of Ezra Thompson; and Nancy, wife of Ephraim Ridlon.

George B. Hartford, son of Solomon, father of Henry B., was born in 1824 in Hiram, and there learned the cooper's trade, which, in conjunction with farming, he carried on dur- ing his years of active labor. He followed the political footpath in which he was reared, being an old-time Democrat. He lived three- score and ten years, dying September 10, 1894. His wife, Belinda Wormwood, daugh- ter of Ithamar Wormwood, was a native of Porter, Me. They were married in 1845, and eight children were born to them, six of whom are now living; namely, Ruth T., Henry B., Mary J., Belinda, Cora B., and Maria. Ruth T., wife of Michael Trainer, of Brownfield, has seven children - Mary, Catherine, John, Michael, Margaret, William, and Preston. Mary J., a resident of California, is the wife of Dennis Hatch, and has one child, Alice

Hatch. Belinda has been twice married; her first husband, John Hawkins, left her with three children - Bertha, Fannie, and Edgar, and by her second husband, Austin Newcomb, she has four children - Alfred, Allen, Clara, and Harry. Cora B. has also had two hus- bands, her first having been William McLucas, who died leaving her with two children - Ervie and Mina; by her second husband, An- drew Lewis, she has one child, Lulu, Maria, wife of Charles Ward, has four children - Florence, Walter, Alice, and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. George B. Hartford were of the Methodist faith and regular attendants of the church of that denomination,

Henry B. Hartford received his- education in the town of Brownfield, and after leaving school worked on his father's farm a few years. Preferring a business career, he left home, going to Hiram, Me., where he worked for a year with R. G. Green & Co., clothing manufacturers. In 1874 he went to Standish, and for four years was employed by I. D. Sawyer, who was engaged in the same indus- try. The following year Mr. Hartford spent in California on a ranch. Returning then to Standish, he worked for Mr. Sawyer another two years, when, in 1884, he bought out his employer, and for ten years conducted the establishment alone. In 1894 he gave up the clothing business, and has since given his whole attention to the management of his store of general merchandise, which he started in 1884. This he has enlarged from time to time, as the interests of his business demanded, and has now a lucrative local trade.

He was appointed to his present office of Postmaster in 1885, and has served eleven consecutive years. Politically, Mr. Hartford is an Independent, voting, irrespective of party, for the best men and best measures. Socially, he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Saco Valley Lodge, No. 43, of West Buxton, Me., and to Falmouth Encampment, No. II, of Portland.

On December 25, 1874, Mr. Hartford was united in marriage with Addie, the adopted daughter of Daniel Moulton, of this town. Their wedded pathway has been brightened by the birth of two children, namely: Harry, born May 12, 1876; and Edith, born February 24, 1878. Mrs. Hartford is an esteemed member of the Congregational church.

ON. ELIAS DUDLEY FREEMAN, attorney and counsellor-at-law, who has an office at 57 Exchange Street, Portland, Me., was born in Yar- mouth, Cumberland County, August 31, 1853. He is the son of Barnabas and Sarah Crosby (Dudley) Freeman, and on the paternal side is descended from Samuel Freeman, who settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1632.

Barnabas Freeman, his father, was born October 17, 1814, in Fairfield, Me. He was

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a graduate of Waterville College and a lead- ing citizen of Yarmouth, where he was engaged for many years in the practice of law and after- ward in cotton manufacturing. Ile died De- cember 18, 1894. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Crosby Dudley, was born Jan- uary 31, 1816, and died March 27, 1879. She was the daughter of the Hon. Elias Dud- ley, of Ilampden, and a direct descendant, in the eighth generation, of Governor Thomas Dudley, of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Elias D. Freeman fitted for college at North Yarmouth Academy, and was graduated from Amherst in the class of 1875. On completing his college course, he immediately took up the study of law in his father's office at Yarmouth, subsequently reading with Clarence Ilale, Esq., of Portland, who was afterward City Solicitor. In 1879 Mr. Freeman was ad- mitted to the Cumberland County bar, and opened an office in Yarmouth. In 1880 he went abroad, and on his return, after a year's absence, he purchased the Yarmouth granite quarries, which he operated till 1889. In that year he went to Alabama, where he re- mained two years, and then resumed the prac- tice of law in his native State, opening an office in Portland. He is now a prominent member of the legal fraternity in this city, and attends to the demands of a large clientage. Mr. Freeman has recently finished a "Supple- ment to the Revised Statutes," which has been highly commended by both bench and bar. He is treasurer of several corporations, and also of North Yarmouth Academy, in which position he succeeds his father, who held it for more than fifty years.

February 6, 1883, Mr. Freeman was married to Miss Georgia Norman Carlton, daughter of Jacob F. and Maria J. (Tyler) Carlton, of Andover, Mass. They have two daughters - Mary Dudley and Constance.

Mr. Freeman is a prominent man in the Republican councils of this State. In 1889 he was a member of the Maine Senate, in 1 890-91 Chairman of the Cumberland County Committee, has been a member of the State Republican Committee and of the Executive Committee since 1892, and since January, 1895, has represented Cumberland County in the Governor's Council. He is a member of

the Maine Genealogical Society of Portland, Vice-President of the Governor Thomas Dudley Family Association, and a member of the Maine Historical Society. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are members of the Congregational church. They have a beautiful home in Yar- mouth.

EORGE CLEMENT JORDAN, a

general merchant and the Postmaster at West Gorham, Cumberland County, Me., is a native of Gorham, born March 6, 1861. His paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Jordan, was born in Buxton, this State, and there spent a half-century. Removing then to Gorham, he purchased one hundred acres of land, which he conducted until his death in 1884, at the venerable age of ninety-two years. He married Desire P., daughter of the Rev .: James Lewis, of Marblehead, Mass., and to them six children were born, five of whom are living, namely: Sarah A., widow of Elisha Jordan, residing in California; Hannah E., the widow of the late Albion Jordan of Cape Elizabeth; Charles E., the father of George C. ; Martha, the widow of the late George C. Johnson ; and Louisa, wife of Charles E. Jor- dan, of Cape Elizabeth.

Charles E., son of Nathaniel and Desire P. Jordan, has been interested in farming pur- suits during his entire working life, and is now actively engaged in carrying on mixed husbandry on his well-appointed farm. His estate contains forty acres of fertile land, the larger part of which is in tillage, yielding him excellent crops each year. In local affairs he has ever taken an intelligent interest, and from 1888 until 1891 he served as a member of the Board of Selectmen. He is a sound Republican in politics, and on religious sub- jects is liberal in his views. To him and his wife, Caroline M. Topping, of Standish, three children were born, but one of whom is now living, George C., the subject of this sketch. The mother passed to the life beyond Novem- ber 8, 1895, aged sixty-six years and eleven months.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 78

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