USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 84
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Mr. Marrett is an influential member of the Democratic party, and in the fall of 1892 was nominated to the City Council from Ward 6; but, this being a Republican stronghold, he was defeated. He was one of the three origi- nators of the Portland Athletic Club, of which he is a prominent member and at the present time the President; and he is also a member of the League of American Wheel- men, being Chief Consul of the Maine Divi- sion. Mr. Marrett has the honor of being one of the seven consuls representing the govern-
609
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ment of the Republic of Uruguay in the United States, the other consuls being located in the following cities: New York, Savannah, San Francisco, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
On March 3, 1881, Mr. Marrett was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Potter, daughter of Merritt and Mary (Sinnott) Potter, of Troy, N. Y., and a descendant of one of the old Dutch families of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Marrett are the parents of four children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Grace, Edna, and Hilda. Their hospitable home is at 70 Deering Street. They attend divine service at the State Street Congrega- tional Church.
LFRED O. NOYES, who owns and cultivates a productive farm in Harri- son, Cumberland County, was born in this town, August 27, 1848, a son of Alfred and Nancy C. (Brackett) Noyes. His father, who was a native of Falmouth, Me., followed the sea in early manhood, at the age of twenty -seven settling upon a farm in Harrison, which he carried on successfully during the rest of his life. He was an active and ambitious man and a skilful farmer, but was cut off in the prime of life in 1849, just as he was about to reap the fruits of his labor. His wife, Nancy, who was also a native of Harrison, became the mother of but one child, Alfred O., the subject of this sketch. She is still living, and resides in Norway, Me.
Alfred O. Noyes received his education in the public schools, and was brought up in the family of his grandfather Brackett, with whom he lived until attaining his majority. After an experience of eight years in a coat manu- factory in Harrison village, he engaged in farming in Waterford, where he resided for nine years, being subsequently engaged in the same occupation at Bolster's Mills for one year. In 1890 he removed to his present farm in Harrison, which contains one hundred acres of good land well improved. Mr. Noyes makes a specialty of raising sweet corn and hay. Having formerly been quite extensively engaged in breeding, he still kceps some choice selected stock, disposing of his milk
in Turner Centre. In politics he supports the Democratic party, and has served his town capably as Highway Surveyor and in other offices, but prefers to give the major part of his time and energies to the cultivation of his farm. His industry and thrift have led to their natural result - a fair competence ; and he is classed among the substantial citizens of the town.
Mr. Noyes has been twice married; and by his first wife, who was before marriage Jennie Walker, a native of Harrison, he had one son, Erland F., who was born August 28, 1877. On November 28, 1885, Mr. Noyes was mar- ried to Mintie B. Small, his second wife, who was born at Bolster's Mills, June 6, 1845, daughter of Amos Small, a prosperous farmer. Her parents are no longer living. Mr. Noyes is a member of Mount Tyron Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Waterford.
EACON ASA A. LUFKIN, a lead- ing resident of North Yarmouth, Me., who died April 10, 1896, was born on the farm which was his life- long home, July 15, 1813. He was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ludden) Lufkin, and be- longed to one of the oldest families of North Yarmouth, his grandfather, Nathaniel Lufkin, having been one of the pioneer settlers. He came from the vicinity of Cape Ann, Massa- chusetts, and established a home in the wil- derness when Indians and wild beasts were his nearest neighbors, building a log house and clearing a farm, which soon made a com- fortable home for his family. Seven children were born into his household - Jacob, Asa, Libby, Nathan, Seth, William, and Eliza.
Jacob Lufkin, who was the oldest child of his parents, was born near Cape Ann, Massa- chusetts. He succeeded his father as owner of the homestead in North Yarmouth, and was very successful as a farmer, also engaging profitably in butchering. In politics a Whig, he took an active interest in public affairs, and was generally looked up to as a man of ability and sound judgment. He died at his home at the age of seventy. His wife, who was a native of Yarmouth, Mc., lived to be seventy-seven. They were both members of
610
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the Congregational church. Jacob and Eliza- beth (Ludden) Lufkin reared nine children, namely: Joseph, Jacob, and Mary, who died some time since; Elizabeth; Asa A., the sub- ject of this sketch; Nathaniel; David P .; Sarah ; and Sidney.
Asa A. Lufkin gained his first knowledge of books in the district schools of his native town. Reared on a farm, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits from early boyhood, and earned his first wages as a farm laborer, hiring himself out for thirteen dollars a month soon after attaining his majority. He subsequently worked in the brickyard at Yarmouth three seasons, and, carefully husbanding his earn- ings, purchased a farm, making a partial pay- ment at first, and incurring a debt of fifteen hundred dollars. By unremitting industry and careful management he cleared this debt; and his property, which at first amounted to but sixty acres, at the time of his demise comprised over one hundred acres of good land. He car- ried on general farming in a progressive way, and made great improvements on the home property, both in the buildings and the land.
April 9, 1845, Mr. Lufkin was united in marriage with Almira Dennison, who was born in Freeport, Me., in 1822. She died March 9, 1876, at the age of fifty-four, having been the mother of five children, namely: Al- bert O., born May 3, 1846, who died March 2, 1871; Jacob B., born March 29, 1849, a farmer of North Yarmouth; Frank W., born June 15, 1853, who died March 6, 1873; Ella, born April 25, 1858, wife of Edwin Dow, of Portland; and George A., born March 19, 1863, a resident of North Yarmouth. Octo- ber 16, 1877, Mr. Lufkin married for his second wife Mrs. Lucy N. Merrill, daughter of Charles Porter, of Paris, Me., and widow of John H. Merrill, of Yarmouth, Me. Mrs. Lufkin, who survives her husband, was born on April 21, 1820, in Paris, Me.
Politically, Mr. Lufkin was a stanch Repub- lican. He was a member of the Congrega- tional Church of Yarmouth for over thirty years, and long held the office of Deacon. Earnest-minded, steadfast in the faith, a man who could be depended upon to be true to his convictions of right and duty, he was widely known, and was highly respected.
J OHN C. SMALL, a leading citizen and ex-Postmaster of the city of Port- land, was born November 5, 1842, in the town of Buxton, York County, son of Richard and Abbie A. (Jose) Small. He is descended in the eighth generation from Edward Small, the line being continued through Francis Small and his son, Samuel Small, whose son Samuel, the second of the name, married Anna Hatch. Their son Sam- uel, the third, married Dorothy Hubbard, who bore him several children, among them being Benjamin Small, grandfather of John C. Small. Benjamin was born and lived in Limington, this State, being a well-to-do farmer, and was there united in marriage to Miss Phœbe Plummer.
Richard Small, son of Benjamin, was born in Limington, where he lived until attaining his majority, when he engaged in mercantile " business in Buxton. He there married Miss Jose, the daughter of Alexander Jose, one of the representative citizens of the place. In 1845 he moved to Guildhall, Essex County, Vt., where he engaged in general farming, re- maining there until his decease, at the age of seventy-five years. He became influential in local affairs, representing his town in the State legislature for two terms, and serving as Selectman for many years. He was familiarly known throughout the county as Judge Small, having been associate judge, or side judge, as the office was called, for several terms. While a resident of Maine he was Colonel in the State militia and quite active in military affairs. Both he and his wife were members of the Orthodox church. They had a family of four children - Sally B., Horatio N., John C., and Abbie A. Sally B. Small is the wife of Ossian Ray, a prominent attorney in Lan- caster, N.H. Horatio N. Small was graduated from Dartmouth College, and at the breaking out of the late Civil War enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the Seventeenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. As this regiment did not leave the State, Dr. Small was transferred to the Thirteenth Regiment, and after some months of active service was made Surgeon of the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infan- try, with which he remained until the close of the war, being on the staff of General Charles
WILLIAM A. ALLEN.
613
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Devens, of Massachusetts, whose regiment was the first to enter Richmond. Abbie A. Small is the wife of Horace Porter, of Lancaster, N.H.
John C. Small was but three years of age when his parents removed to Guildhall, Vt., where he acquired his elementary education, after which he attended the academy at Lan- easter, N. H., which was just across the river from his home. Coming then to Portland, Mr. Small entered the employment of his unele, Charles E. Jose, a wholesale dealer in eroekery-ware, and gradually worked his way from a elerk in the store to a partnership in the business, being admitted to the firm in 1866, and continuing as a member until 1888, their establishment being the largest of the kind in the State. In that year Mr. Small withdrew from the partnership, and associated himself with another unele, Mr. Horatio N. Jose, in the lumber business. Two years later he became engaged with Richard Briggs, of Boston, as a elerk in his large china store, remaining with him two years. The following year Mr. Small was again engaged in the lum- ber business in Portland, giving it up on De- cember 16, 1881, when he received an appoint- ment as Postmaster of Portland. The office is an important one in the Union, being the largest in this State and the depository of every other post-office in Maine, Northern New Hampshire, and Vermont, giving em- ployment to a large foree of elerks. Mr. Small held this position until 1896, when he was succeeded by Mr. George L. Swett. He had besides many other responsibilities, being custodian of the government building, in which the United States court-house and post-office are located, and having charge of the improvement of the same.
Mr. Small has always been an active worker in Masonic circles, and has done mueh to pro- mote the advancement of the Order in Maine, being a prominent member of the Ancient Landmark Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; of the 'Mount Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he was High Priest for two years; a member of the Portland Commandery, Knights Templars, in which he has filled all the offices, having served as Commander for three years; and he is also a member of the Seot-
tish Rite and of the Maine Consistory, hav- ing received the thirty-second degree. Mr. Small likewise belongs to the Ancient Brothers' Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is an active member of the Cum- berland Social Club. He is distinguished for his business ability, being a member of the Rigby Park and West End Land Association and one of the executors of the estate of the late H. N. Jose.
On October 22, 1869, Mr. Small was united in marriage with Miss Mary S. Dresser, daughter of Richard and Mary Dresser. Her parents were formerly residents of Buxton, Me., but removed to this eity during the ehild- hood of Mrs. Small. The record of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Small is as fol- lows: Sally B. is the wife of John M. Kim- ball, superintendent of Slater's mills, at Slatersville, R. I .; Richard Dresser Small, A.B., was graduated from Harvard College, and is now a student in the Harvard Medieal School; Mary S. died in infancy; and John C., the youngest ehild, is a pupil in the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Small have a pleasant home on Deering Street, one of the most beautiful locations in the city. They attend the First Parish, or Unitarian, Church.
ILLIAM ALFRED ALLEN, pro- prietor of a planing-mill, manu- facturer of wood mantels and stair work, and a dealer in tiles, is actively identi- fied with the manufacturing and business in- terests of Portland, of which eity he has been a resident sinee boyhood. He was born May 8, 1849, at Falmouth, Me., son of Alfred R.
and Salome (Libby) Allen. His paternal grandfather, Otis Allen, was a well-known farmer of West Gray, and served as a soldier in the Mexican War. His maternal grand- father, William Libby, also was a soldier in that war. He was a resident of Falmouth, where he reared a family of ten children.
Alfred R. Allen was born and reared in the town of Gray in this county, and continued a resident of Maine during his short life. When a comparatively young man he was killed at the explosion of the South Windham powder-mill, leaving his widow and one ehild,
514
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
William Alfred, then six years old. The mother was a native of Falmouth, being the daughter of William Libby, a descendant of a well-known family of that place. In 1861 she removed to Portland, enabling her son to have the benefit of the excellent public-school system of this city. She has since lived in or near Portland, being now seventy-two years of age.
On completing his course of study, the youth, who had a native talent for mechanical work, was apprenticed to Moses Colley, of whom he learned the carpenter's trade. At the time of the big Portland fire Mr. Allen, by reason of Mr. Colley's serious injury, was thrown out of employment, and then began learning the trade of stair building with his uncle, Joseph G. Libby. He afterward worked for Littlefield & Wilson, going thence to Massachusetts, where he followed his trade for four years, the last half of the time being foreman of the shop in which he was em- ployed. Returning to Portland in 1875, Mr. Allen established a business of his own on a very modest scale on Preble Street, as a stair builder, his only assistant being a young ap- prentice. His success surpassed his expecta- tions, his orders, before the summer was over, demanding the assistance of three men. From his first location Mr. Allen removed to Doten's mill on Cross Street, whence nine months later he went to Brackett's mill, where he was in partnership with W. H. Stone. In 1876 this mill was burned out, Mr. Allen los- ing everything, as he had no insurance. After the rebuilding of the mill, he, however, started again, there carrying on a flourishing business until 1886, when he built his first mill, but still continued the occupancy of the leased mill as well.
In 1888 Mr. Allen completed his own mill, which was then fifty feet by eighty-seven feet, two stories in height, equipped with a twenty- five horse power engine and all the latest ap- proved machinery for working in wood, manu- facturing mantels, hall work, and builder's finishings. In 1890 he met with another dis- astrous loss, this mill also being burned. With characteristic enterprise he at once began rebuilding, having in the course of six weeks and four days a three-story building,
fifty feet by eighty-seven feet, fully equipped, with the machinery in running order. The facilities were greatly increased; and he is now the largest manufacturer of his line of goods in the city, giving constant employment to a force of twenty-five men. In 1894 Mr. Allen erected a storehouse one hundred feet by twenty-two feet, two stories in height; and in addition to his manufacturing he handles the tiling used with wood mantels, having the largest and best-assorted stock this side of Boston. He also has a sales and sample room at 424 Congress Street, corner of Temple.
Mr. Allen is quite prominent in the fra- ternal orders, belonging to Hadattah Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; to the Eastern Star Encampment; Ivanhoe Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is Past Chan- cellor; and to the Michigonne Tribe of Red Men, having been through all the chairs of . the latter. He is much interested in aquatic sports, having a yacht of his own, and being a member of the Portland Yacht Club. During the winter season Mr. Allen and his family are at home at 76 Myrtle Street, but in the summer season they occupy their pleasant cot- tage on the shore.
On August 13, 1867, Mr. Allen was mar- ried to Miss Kate Carle, a native of Eastport, although reared in this city. They are the parents of six children, namely: Anna B., the wife of the Rev. C. Everett Bean, a Methodist minister; William F., a law student; Emma ; George E .; Harry F. ; and Benjamin F. Mr. Allen attends and contributes liberally toward the support of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Allen belongs.
R OSWELL P. GREELEY, an active, wide-awake business man of Yarmouth, Cumberland County, was born April 14, 1847, in the city of Portland, son of John W. and Helen (Tuttle) Greeley. He is descended from sturdy pioneer ancestors, his paternal grandfather, Thomas Greeley, having been a typical representative of the original settlers of this section of the State, purchasing and clearing up a large tract of land in East North Yarmouth. He married Susan Coolbroth, of Standish, to whose help-
615
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ful industry and thrift much of his success was due. Ten children were born to them, of whom the five sons are yet living, each having a vivid recollection of the hardships of a farmer's life half a century ago.
John W. Greeley has continued in the inde- pendent vocation to which he was bred, spend- ing the earlier portion of his life in North Yarmouth, his native place, subsequently re- moving to Guilford, where he has a fine and well-kept farm, and is numbered among the respected and prosperous citizens of his com- munity. His wife, a native of Pownal, for- merly Miss Helen Tuttle, died in 1861, leav- ing three children, as follows: Frank, de- ceased; Roswell P .; and Josephine, wife of Fred Hamilton, of North Yarmouth. The mother was a conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while the father is a liberal in religion, and in politics is a steadfast Democrat.
Roswell P. Greeley spent his days of child- hood and youth in the towns of Yarmouth and North Yarmouth, acquiring his education in the latter place. Not content to settle down to farming pursuits, he began at the age of sixteen years to learn the blacksmith's trade; but, the patriotic blood surging through his veins, he could not calmly work at the forge while his country was endangered. Therefore in 1863 he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Maine Volunteer Infantry, being among the youngest members of the company. With his comrades Mr. Greeley was at the forefront in many serious engagements, taking part in the battles at Sabine Cross-roads, Deep Bottom, Va., and Pleasant Hill, La. While on the field he was taken sick with the black measles and was sent to the Marine Hospital at New Orleans, whence he was transferred to Mc- Dougal Hospital on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor. As soon as able he was granted a furlough, which he spent with the home cir- cle, remaining there until again able for duty, when he reported at headquarters. He was assigned to the military police force at Savan- nah, Ga., remaining in that city until his honorable discharge from the service, August 27, 1865.
On his return to Yarmouth Mr. Greeley established himself in a trucking and express-
ing business, controlling the route between this place and Portland for twelve years. In 1888 he opened his present coal and wood yard, which he has managed with signal suc- cess, having built up an extensive business, his prompt attention to the needs of his cus- tomers and his honorable methods of dealing with them having won for him the confidence of the public.
. Mr. Greeley is public-spirited, taking an intelligent interest in local and national affairs, supporting the Democratic ticket by voice and vote. He has ably served his fel- low-townsmen in various official capacities, having been Overseer of the Poor, Assessor, and Fire Warden; and at the present time he is Selectman, Constable, Harbor Master, and Public Weigher of Wood and Coal for the town of Yarmouth. Socially, he is a member of the W. L. Haskell Post, No. 108, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Yarmouth Tribe of Red Men, being a charter member of the latter organization.
Mr. Greeley married Miss Martha S. Lowe, a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Lufkin) Lowe, of North Yarmouth, their nuptials being celebrated February 22, 1872. Both Mr. and Mrs. Greeley are liberal in their views on religious subjects, in perfect sympathy with the poet who says -
" We believe in Truth and Freedom as man's privilege below,
As his guide to larger wisdom, and diviner life to know."
HARLES CURTIS BROWN, Post- master at Deering Centre and a dealer in periodicals, etc., was born at Corinna, Me., October 18, 1822, on the home farm of his parents, John and Sarah (Smith) Brown. His paternal grand- father was Ephraim Brown, who was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Pe- nobscot County, this State. Of the ten chil- dren born to him and his wife, three are now living, namely: William P .; Ruel J. ; and Charles Curtis, the subject of this sketch.
Charles C. Brown early became familiar with farm labor, having to assist in the care of the stock and do chores about the house when out of school, becoming so used to the
616
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
care and management of horses that when but sixteen years of age he began driving a four- horse team from St. Albans, this State, to Bangor, and continued as a teamster for three or four years. Going then to Boston, he was for several months brakeman on a train run-
ning between that city and Medford. Becom- ing infected with the gold fever, at that time the prevailing epidemic, he went to California, where he spent five years variously employed - mining, farming, gardening, hotel-keeping, or stage driving, but never out of work. In 1858 he returned East and entered the mercan- tile business in Palmyra, Me., where he was also Postmaster in 1859, 1860, and 1861. During the succeeding fifteen years he carried on a substantial drug business in Newport, Penobscot County, coming thence to Deering, which has since been his place of residence. He has been engaged in mercantile business much of the time, having at different times in Portland conducted a drug store, a grocery store, and a book and stationery establish- ment. In 1891, under Postmaster-general John Wanamaker, Mr. Brown received his appointment to his present office, accepting the position August 12, and being one of the few to retain the office through the political changes. In politics he supports the princi- ples of the Republican party; and, socially, he is a Mason.
Mr. Brown wedded Martha A. Pollard, daughter of Dr. T. B. and Olive A. (Shaw) Pollard, the only child born of their union being Frank P., who resides in Malden, Mass., but is engaged in business in Boston. Frank P. Brown married Miss Augusta Mont- gomery ; and they have three children - Doris, Pauline, and Barbara.
OHN T. OXNARD, a stirring business man of Freeport, where he is largely interested in real estate, was born in this town on November 21, 1844, son of John H. and Harriet (Leighton) Oxnard. The Oxnard family came originally from England, and were among the pioneer settlers of Cumberland County. Thomas Oxnard, the great-grandfather of John T., was born in 1744, and died on May 20, 1799, at fifty-five
years of age. On June 17, 1772, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Preble, a sister of Commodore Preble. She was born September 9, 1733. Their son Edward be- came a ship-master, and was a man of business enterprise and thrift. He lost his life at sea in the year 1812.
John H. Oxnard was born in Portland, Me., in 1808. He followed a seafaring life from the time he was ten years old up to the year 1864, and during twenty-three years of that time was commander of various vessels, as follows : the ship "Magic Land " ; brig "Sarah Bently "; barque "Alabama"; ships "Mont Blanc" and "John Henry"; and during the war of the Rebellion the "Shatemuc," which was captured by the privateer "Captain Reed " ; and, lastly, the "Neptune." He then retired and spent his remaining years with his son in Freeport, where he died on July 26, 1892. In ' politics he was a Democrat. He married Harriet Leighton, and they reared three chil- dren, all of whom are still living, namely: Ed- ward P., residing in Medford, Mass. ; Alfred L .; and John T. In religious belief their father was liberal, and their mother was at one time a communicant of the First Baptist Church, and later became a member of the Calvinist Baptist Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.