Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 82

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

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Mr. Staley has been three times married. In 1864 he was wedded to Miss Maria Tiffin, who died five years later, leaving one child - Lizzie, now the wife of Owen B. Ingalls, of Bridgton. In 1871 he married Miss Delvina N. Bradeen, of Limington, of this union three children being born - Andrew R., Frank G., and Philip S. The mother of these children having passed away in July, 1893, Mr. Staley was again married in Oc- tober, 1894, Miss Susan E. Durgan becoming his wife.

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G EORGE CHASE PETERS, Cashier of the Canal National Bank of Port- land, Me., with which institution he has been connected for forty-two years, is in point of service the oldest active banker in this city, and in all probability in the State of Maine. He was born in Portland on April 12, 1830, son of Edmund F. and Susan (Corry) Peters, the former of whom was also a native of Portland.

William B. Peters, father of Edmund F., was a resident of Portland, although little concerning his life is known by his descend- ants. Edmund F. Peters was for some time in the first half of the present century one of the leading livery men and stable keepers of this city. He died at the early age of thirty- eight years, leaving his widow, whose maiden name was Susan Corry, with five small chil- dren. She was born on July 13, 1804, and still lives in Portland.

George Chase Peters, who was but a small boy at the time of his father's decease, acquired his education in the city schools, and then entered a Portland book store as a clerk. While he was engaged in that position, he took private lessons in book-keeping and spent his leisure hours in the pursuit of that study till he became competent to fill a place as book-keeper. He was employed in that capacity by different firms in the city until finally he entered the office of the old Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad Company, which is now a part of the Grand Trunk Railroad. He remained there until 1853, when he entered the Canal National Bank as junior clerk. Here he so improved the opportunities placed in his way that his diligence and faithfulness were rewarded by advancement first to the position of discount clerk, later to that of teller, at a time when the duties were both those of paying and receiving money, and finally to that of Cashier, which position he has ably filled since 1887.

The Canal National Bank is one of the oldest and most reliable banks in the city of Portland, having been established in 1826 with a capital stock of six hundred thousand dollars. It now has a surplus of three hundred thousand dollars and deposits amounting to six hundred thou- sand dollars.

On June 4, 1854, Mr. Peters was united in marriage with Miss Susan J. Burbank, of South Paris, Me., a daughter of Joseph Bur- bank, who was at one time a resident of Port- land. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have two sons and a daughter, namely : Mary, the wife of Will- iam H. Nauman, Chief Engineer of the United States Navy; Henry B. Peters, the able man- ager of the Portland Beef Company ; and Charles T. Peters, the discount clerk of the Canal National Bank.

Mr. Peters has always confined his attention to his business and has never actively engaged in political matters, although he does not fail to cast his vote when the different elections take place. He is a Republican in his politi- cal views. He and his wife are attendants of the First Parish Unitarian Church.

RANKLIN GIBBS, formerly a well- known citizen of Cumberland County, was a native of Bridgton, born Febru- ary 2, 1804. He was a son of Alpheus and Abigail (Wheeler) Gibbs. His father was born in the State of Massachusetts, June 2, 1766, and left his native State to come to Bridgton, being one of the pioneers of this town. He resided here many years, and was subsequently a resident successively of Wind- ham, Gorham, and Harrison, spending his last years on his farm in the last-named town. He died in Harrison on July 7, 1814, when his son Franklin was but little over ten years old. His marriage with Miss Abigail Wheeler was solemnized on January 25, 1790. Mrs. Gibbs survived her husband many years, passing away at a good old age. Thirteen children were born to them, twelve of whom attained maturity.

Franklin Gibbs, after obtaining in youth a good practical education, developed a manhood full of promise. He possessed a sterling character, based upon well-balanced qualities of mind and heart, and became prominent in public affairs, holding various offices of trust, and remaining a lifelong resident of his na- tive county. The promise of his early years was but partly fulfilled, however, as he was suddenly cut off before he had had opportu- nity to fully develop his capacity for useful-

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ness. He married Elvira Ingalls, a daughter of Aaron Ingalls, of Denmark, Oxford County, Me. Mrs. Franklin Gibbs died in 1875, hav- ing reared four children - Owen B., Octavia, Emma, and Frank. The first named of these, who was the eldest, became a successful busi- ness man, but, like his father, died in early manhood. Octavia became the wife of Samuel Brown, of North Bridgton; but both she and her husband fell victims to diphtheria within six months after their marriage. Emma has always made her home in Bridgton, and now cares for her brother Owen's children, who were left orphans at an early age. Frank is an enterprising and successful merchant of Bridgton.

OBERT DOWNING IIOLLIS, a prosperous and respected farmer of Deering, was born in the town of Folly, Colchester County, N. S., April 26, 1826. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Downing) Hollis, both natives of Colchester County, the former of English de- scent. The first representatives of the Hollis family in America, it is said, were two brothers, Richard and David Hollis, who immigrated to this country more than one hundred years ago and settled in New York State. In 1772 Richard Hollis, ancestor of Robert D., removed to Nova Scotia.

John Hollis, the father of Robert Downing Hollis, spent his life in Nova Scotia, attend- ing the common schools in boyhood and devot- ing the years of his manhood to agricultural pursuits on the farm which had been tilled by his father. He reared fourteen children, of whom six are now living - Sarah, wife of Will- iam Higgins, of Nova Scotia; Robert Down- ing, the subject of this sketch; Nathaniel, who is also a resident of Nova Scotia; Lottie, wife of Adam Downing, who lives near her father's homestead; Rebecca, wife of Oliver Wood, a farmer in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia; and Ellen, wife of Wentworth Ebson, of Mas- sachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. John Hollis were members of the Baptist church.

Robert Downing Hollis received his educa- tion in the schools of his native town, and, as he was a lad of more than ordinary intelli-

gence, made the most of the opportunities afforded. In 1856 he went to Portland and for about a year worked at whatever offered; then, in 1857, he entered the employ of Mr. A. W. Longfellow, with whom he remained ten years. In 1867 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, and since that time has been pros- perously engaged in general farming, also con- ducting a large trucking business.

May 28, 1854, Mr. Hollis was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Downing, daugh- ter of George Downing, a farmer of Colchester County, Nova Scotia. This union was blessed with six children, of whom five are living at present - Olive E., who was born in Nova Scotia, February 11, 1855, wife of Obart Cur- tis, of Bath, Me. ; Nellie M., born in West- brook, Me., November 29, 1857; John F. A., born in Westbrook, now Deering, Me., July 26, 1861, who married Miss O. F. Merry, of New London, Conn. ; Rhoda E., born in Deer- ing, December 25, 1863; and Robert D., Jr., born in Westbrook, Me., May 2, 1866, who is yet living with his parents.

Politically, Mr. Hollis favors the Republi- can party. He is not an aspirant for office, but served acceptably at one time as Street Surveyor. An intelligent and well-informed man, he is unassuming in his manners and way of living, content to enjoy the comforts of prosperity without seeking for luxury.

DWARD DUDDY, assistant yard-master of the Grand Trunk Railway at Port- land and at the present time a mem- ber of the City Board of Aldermen, represent - ing Ward 2, was born at Westbrook, now Deering, 'Cumberland County, Me., on De- cember 15, 1847, son of Richard J. and Ann (Owen) Duddy.

For centuries the ancestral home of the Duddy family was at Londonderry, Ireland; and there on May 18, 1812, Richard J. Duddy was born. On attaining his majority he set out for America, and after his arrival here took up the peddling of dry and fancy goods, following that occupation with good success for a quarter of a century. He then engaged in the grocery business in the city of Portland until 1857, when he retired, shortly after ac-

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cepting a position as agent of the Richardson Wharf Company. He was employed in that capacity for upward of twenty years before he retired from active participation in business. The subsequent six years were quietly spent ; and in April, 1887, he set out for the Emerald Isle with a view to gratifying a strong desire to see the place of his nativity once more. He was, however, permitted to cnjoy but a brief sojourn there; for on June 19 of that year, after a short illness, he died in the vicin- ity of his old home. His body was returned to Portland for burial. His wife, Ann Owen, was born in Ireland in 1818. At six years of age she came to this country in company with her parents, who settled in Portland, where at that early period there were not more than a dozen of her nationality; and at the time of her death, on May 10, 1890, she was the old- est Portland resident of Irish descent. As a school girl she had the pleasure of marching after General Lafayette, and her children still have the cap she wore upon that occa- sion. She was one of the first to be con- firmed in the first Catholic church erected in the city; and her father, John Owen, was among the first to join that communion. Her union with Richard J. Duddy was blessed by the birth of eight children, five of whom lived to attain years of discretion, and three are still living, namely: the Rev. John Duddy, the first native of Portland ever ordained to the Catholic ministry in that city, and now residing in Somersworth, N. H. ; Edward; and Patrick F., of Portland.

Edward Duddy acquired a good practical ed- ucation in the public schools; and on October 14, 1864, when not quite seventeen, he en- tered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway Company as an office boy. He soon worked his way up to the position of a switchman in the yard, and four years later became assistant yard-master, in which capacity he has scrved since 1869; and there are now few who have been connected with that branch of the rail- way service longer than he has. In addition to the duties connected with his employment, he has found time for certain real estate trans- actions; and, as a result of the combined in- come from both sources, he now owns ten city houses and a number of building lots.

On August 29, 1875, he was joined in mar- riage with Miss Mary Toomey, a daughter of Matthew Toomey, of Portland. They have had eight children, two of whom died in in- fancy. The living are: Richard J, a car- penter and contractor of Portland; Margaret ; David W .; Edward N .; John; and Mary Eulalie.

Like his father, Mr. Duddy is an advocate of Democratic principles, and has been promi- nently connected with the party, being for a number of years a member of the city Demo- cratic Committee. In 1878 and 1879 he was a member of the Common Council from Ward 2, and in 1895 he was elected Alderman for the same ward. He has served as one of the assessors of new buildings, also as one of the appraisers of unimproved real estate, and on the Committee on Public Instruction. Mr. Duddy and his family are members of the Catholic Cathedral Parish, of which he is sex- ton. They reside at 229 Congress Street in the substantial brick house which he pur- chascd several years ago, it being the one that his father crccted in 1866.

R EUBEN CUTTER, formerly a well- known merchant of Yarmouth, was born in this town, December 19, 1800, son of Samucl and Mary (Buxton) Cutter. The family is one of the oldest in Cumberland County, and an early ancestor of Mr. Cutter's is credited with being prominent as a minister of the gospel. Mr. Cutter's parents were both natives and lifelong residents of the county, his father being an industrious farmer of North Yar- mouth and a prosperous and useful citizen in his day. Mrs. Samuel Cutter became the mother of six children, all of whom have passed away. They were named respectively - William, Charlotte, Rachel, Moses, Eliza, and Reuben. The mother lived to an ad- vanced age.

Reuben Cutter was educated in the schools of this town, and in carly manhood learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some years. He was subsequently appointed Postmaster of Yarmouth, a position which he continued to hold without interruption for

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twenty-six years. He later engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, in which he was quite suc- cessful. In politics he was a stanch Democrat of the old school, and was prominently identi- fied with public affairs here, serving as Town Clerk and Treasurer for several years. He was capable as a business man, and was a prime mover in all matters relative to public improvements and the general welfare of the community. His every-day life was above re- proach, and he possessed in a high degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow-towns- men. His death, which took place December 27, 1864, caused a void that could not readily be filled. In his religious belicf he was a Universalist. He was three times married, having one child by each wife. His third wife, Eliza, was born in Yarmouth, January 14, 1805, being a daughter of Ebenezer Cor- liss, who was then a prominent resident of this town. She died April 5, 1888.

Miss Lucy Q. Cutter, daughter of Reuben and Eliza (Corliss) Cutter, and the only sur- vivor of the family, received her education in the schools of Yarmouth, and has always re- sided here. She is a lady of refined tastes, possessing intellectual qualities of a superior order, and occupies an important position in the community, both socially and otherwise. She was appointed Postmistress of Yarmouth on March 1, 1888, and has since conducted the affairs of the office, giving general satis- faction. She is liberal in her religious views.

"A" BNER L. HAWKES, an extensive brick manufacturer of Westbrook, Me., owner of the only steam brick dryer in the State, was born in Windham, Me., in 1843, son of Joshua L. and Sarah K. (Mayberry) Hawkes, both natives of Windham. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Hawkes, was a prominent farmer of Windham, and was a Quaker in religion. He married Rebecca Lowell, of Windham, and the follow- ing children blessed their union: Daniel, Sarah, Betsey, Joseph, Jr., Joshua L., Eben- ezer, Abner, and Harriett.

Joshua L. Hawkes was born in Windham, Me., in 1812. He, too, was a farmer, who was content to live and die within the confines

of his native town. He did his duty as a cit- izen of the United States, casting his vote on election days with the Republicans, but never sought public office of any kind. In religious belief he was a Methodist. He died in 1878. His wife was a daughter of Andrew Mayberry, a well-to-do farmer of Windham. Seven chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joshua L. Hawkes, five of whom are living, namely : Abner L., the subject of this sketch; Neander L. and Mary E., twins, the former a promi- nent business man of Westbrook, the latter a resident of Portland, Me .; Clarissa, wife of F. D. Winslow, of Portland; and Sarah B., wife of A. D. Woodbury, of Westbrook.

Abner L. Hawkes acquired his education in the public schools of Windham, the West- brook High School, and Gorham Academy. Possessed of an adventurous spirit, he tried many ways of earning a livelihood before set- tling down to his present occupation of manu- facturing brick. After leaving school he worked for his grandfather on the farm in Windham one year, then he was engaged in farming and teaming for his uncle, Simon H. Mayberry, some four years, and next he worked two years in a wire-mill. He was one year in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, sink- ing wells; and then, returning to his native State, he entered the employ of L. W. Ed- wards, of Westbrook, dry-goods dealer, as clerk. Two years later, purchasing a wagon, he bought a stock of dry and fancy goods, and travelled through Cumberland County, sclling his wares; but he was not satisfied with this mode of business, and within six months he entered the employ of John M. Webb at South Windham as book-keeper. There he remained six months; and then, in company with his uncle, Simon H. Mayberry, he went into the ice business in Westbrook. In 1875 he bought his uncle's share, and was sole proprie- tor of the ice route some thirteen years.

In 1882 he became interested in the manu- facture of bricks, which he carried on in a small way in connection with his ice business until 1888. In that year he disposed of his ice trade, his brother, Neander L., becoming proprietor of the route; and it is within the past eight years that he has built up the ex- tensive industry of which he is now manager.

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His output has increased from one million, five hundred thousand bricks per year to from thirty-five thousand to fifty thousand per day ; and he gives eonstant employment to from thirty to forty men at his works. He makes a specialty of front brick, specimens of which may be seen in the Edwards, Springer, and Boothy Bloeks in Westbrook and the paper- mills of S. D. Warren & Co. at Cumberland Mills, Mr. Hawkes having furnished all the bricks for those buildings. He dries all his brick by steam, a new departure in this sec- tion of the country, and it is to his enterprise that the remarkable suecess of the industry is due. In 1891 his plant was destroyed by fire, only the engine and boiler house and a small offiee being saved; and Mr. Hawkes then erceted the present plant, which is much larger than the old one. As shown by his rebuilding immediately after this disastrous fire, Mr. Hawkes is a man of unflagging energy and enterprise, and his qualities as a business man entitle him to a prominent plaee among the manufacturers of Cumberland County.

Mr. Hawkes and Mary W. Murch, daughter of Nathaniel Mureh, of Westbrook, were united in marriage in 1866; and they have one child living, Emma R., wife of E. A. Bodge, of Westbrook.

Politically, Mr. Hawkes favors the Repub- lican party. He is actively interested in the welfare of Westbrook, and before the eity charter was granted he served on the Board of Selectmen from 1866 to 1888. He is well advanced in Masonry, belonging to Temple Lodge, No. 86, A. F. & A. M., of West- brook, the Chapter and St. Albans Com- mandery, Knights Templars, of Portland; and as an Odd Fellow he is a member of Sacea- rappa Lodge, No. II, in which he has held all the offices except that of Master. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes attend the Congregational chureh.

OSEPH A. McGOWAN, the efficient cashier of the Grand Trunk Railway at Portland, Mc., of which city he has for a number of years served on the Com- mon Couneil, was born on July 21, 1859, son

of Patrick and Sarah (MeGloin) McGowan. His birth occurred at Gurteendarragh (mean- ing oak field), County Leitrim, situated a short distance from Ballyshannon, Ireland, which has been the home of the McGowan family for many generations. His grand- father, John McGowan, was there engaged in the successful pursuit of agriculture and kin- dred occupations.

Patrick MeGowan grew to manhood in the old home. He followed general farming until in 1862 he determined to try his fortune in America, and, eoming hither, settled in Portland. A brother, Terence McGowan, had come to Portland ten years previous, and es- tablished a book business; and upon his ar- rival he joined him in the enterprise. For a quarter of a century both brothers were promi- nent in various charitable and other civic movements. Patrick McGowan died in Port- land on September 23, 1894. For thirteen years he was a valued member of the city School Board, serving longer than any other citizen in that eapaeity ; and during his obse- quies all the sehools were closed, while the Mayor, members of the School Board, and principals of the different city schools, by their attendance, paid a last sad tribute to his memory, cvideneing the honor and estecm in which he was held by caeh and all. He was the first President of the St. Vineent de Paul Charitable Society, and for twenty years a Dircetor of the Widows' Wood Society, a ehar- itable organization for the furnishing of fuel to poor widows.

He and his wife, Sarah McGloin, to whom he was united before coming to this country, reared an interesting family of children - Terenee P., who is agent for various oeean steamers, such as the Cunard, White Star, and Anchor lines; Hugh F., who died in 1892, a charter member of the Grattan Lit- crary Association; John, whose death oe- eurred in 1876, a correspondent of the New York Tablet and the Boston Pilot, and an inti- mate friend of the late John Boyle O'Reilly ; Joseph A .; Winifred, the wife of Bryan Con- nolly, of Portland, where he is employed in the mechanical department of the city; and Sarah, who married Edmund J. Young, a resi- dent of Portland and a descendant of the

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Young family of York County, Maine. Mr. Young's uncle was the first bishop of Erie, Pa .; and he is himself engaged in literary work, and is the translator of the well-known volume, entitled "The Fact Divine." The mother is still living. Both parents attended the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Joseph A. McGowan was but a few years old at the time his parents left Gurteendarragh, and he therefore acquired his education in the common schools of Portland. After leaving school, in 1874, he entered the passenger de- partment of the Grand Trunk Railway as clerk, and a year later went into the traffic de- partment. He served in various positions, at one time as chief clerk of the European Steam- ship Company and at another in the corre- spondence department, until in 1884 he was promoted to the position of cashier. During the past twelve years he has filled that office to the entire satisfaction of all. In addition to his duties as cashier he is accountant for the road in Portland. During his connection with the road he has witnessed marked devel- opment in the Grand Trunk system, the most notable incidents being the change from broad to standard narrow gauge and the acquisition of new and tributary roads, so that the system now extends to Chicago and the north-western section of Ontario.

On October 21, 1891, Mr. McGowan was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Henri- etta Kohling, a daughter of William H. Kohl- ing, of Portland. They are the parents of one daughter, Alice Kohling McGowan.

Mr. McGowan has creditably filled many of the offices within the gift of the people. Shortly after attaining his majority, he was elected clerk of the second ward; and in 1885 he became a member of the Common Council. During that term of office Portland observed its centennial anniversary, and he was ap- pointed a member of the different committees which had in charge the arrangement of the details of what proved a most successful celebration. In 1887 he was again elected to the Common Council, also in 1889; and in 1892 he was chosen President of that body. He served as Alderman in 1893-94, and in the spring of 1895 was elected to the office of Supervisor of Schools. He is also a Director

of the Falmouth Loan and Building Associa- tion, ex-Vice-President of the Young Men's Democratic Club, and Grand Knight of the Order of Knights of Columbus, and in liter- ary circles, ex-President of the Grattan Liter- ary Association. Mr. McGowan and his fam- ily are active and influential members of the congregation of the Cathedral of the Immacu- late Conception; and for ten years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the Cathedral. They reside at 263 Con- gress Street.

HARLES B. SYLVESTER, M.D., a rising young physician of Harrison, Me., was born in Casco, Cumberland County, Me., February 12, 1865. He is the son of Samuel C. and Rebecca (Mayberry) Sylvester, both natives of Casco, Me. Samuel C. Sylvester was a machinist and engineer in Lowell, Mass., fourteen- years. In 1862 he returned to Casco, where he and his wife are now living. He is one of the prominent and respected citizens of the town. Three children completed the home circle - Wilfred, who died at the age of thirty-nine, leaving a wife and two children, Malcolm and Jessie; Minnie (deceased), who was the wife of D. L. Mayberry, of Otis- field, Me. ; and Charles B., the subject of this sketch.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine, Part 82

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