USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Cumberland County, Maine > Part 93
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building in which his store is now located, moving into it in 1889, and stocking it with an ample and varied assortment of general mer- chandise.
A man of his business tact and progressive spirit uniformly occupies a position of promi- nence among his fellow-townsmen; and, al- though not particularly active in politics, his business engrossing the larger part of his time, Mr. Gleason has served as Town Warden three years, having been elected to that position on the Republican ticket, which he loyally sup- ports. Socially, he belongs to the Odd Fel- lows and to the Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Gleason and Miss Emma Scribner were united in marriage on November 2, 1889.
DWARD SMALL, proprietor of the book-binding establishment at 35 Plum Street, Portland, Me., was born, bred, and educated in this city, making his advent upon the stage of life September 8, 1830. His father, Arthur M. Small, was a son of Alexander Small, who was an early settler of Cape Elizabeth. Arthur M. Small spent the larger part of his business life in Portland, being a custom-house gauger for many seasons, and for thirty years before his death he was City Weigher and Gauger. He married Miss Hannah Jordan, daughter of Nicholas Jordan, and they became the parents of eight children, namely : Edward, who died in infancy; Charles, who died in California; Caroline; Edward, the special subject of this sketch; Sarah, wife of H. B. Brown; Arthur, deceased; Mary, wife of John C. Chandler ; Louisa, who married Charles J. McConnell, of the United States Navy, and is now in China.
After completing his course of study at school, Edward Small worked for a while in his father's store; but, preferring to learn a trade, he at length entered the book bindery of Nathaniel LeFavre, of this city, continuing in his employ until May, 1865, when he pur- . chased Mr. LeFavre's interest, thus becoming sole proprietor of the business, which was then located on Exchange Street. During the great fire of 1866 Mr. Small's place of business was destroyed ; but he shortly resumed business on the same street, remaining there two years
longer, and then removing to his present loca- tion. Mr. Small has here conducted a large and prosperous business in general publishing and binding, doing pamphlet, job, and edition work, having a wide and favorable reputation, his being the oldest established book bindery in Portland, having been started by Mr. George Coleman when Mr. Small was a young lad.
. Mr. Small married Miss Ellen E. Jack, a native of Denmark, Me., a daughter of Sam- uel and Mary A. (Berry) Jack. Into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Small at 118 Emery Street three children have been born, namely : Addie C., wife of Frank Woodman, paying teller of the Casco National Bank of this city; Ger- trude C., who died April 12, 1893 ; and Louie M. Mr. Small is an earnest supporter of the Republican party; and he is a Universalist in religious belief, he and his family worship- ping at the West Church, of which the Rev. Henry Blanchard, D. D., is the pastor.
IMBALL J. DIKE, a representative farmer of Sebago, who occupies the old
homestead formerly owned by his father, was born here on March 27, 1825, son of Edward and Susan (Wood) Dike. Mr. Dike descends from Massachusetts ancestry, his pa- ternal grandfather, Jonathan Dike, having been a native of that State.
Edward Dike, Mr. Dike's father, who was born in . Massachusetts, came to Sebago in 1805, when he was eight years of age; and his boyhood and youth were passed upon a farm. In young manhood he adopted agriculture as an occupation ; and, succeeding eventually to the possession of the farm which had been his home since coming to Maine, he continued to cultivate the soil during the active period of his life. He died at the age of seventy-three years ; but his wife, whose maiden name was Susan Wood, lived to reach the age of eighty- three years. She was the mother of nine chil- dren, five sons and four daughters, of whom three are now living.
Kimball J. Dike passed his boyhood in at- tending the district school, which was located two miles from his home; and he walked to and from the school-house daily while pursuing
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his studies. At the age of seventeen he com- menced life for himself by working upon dif- ferent farms in his neighborhood, an occupa- tion which he followed until his marriage, when he settled upon the homestead farm, where he has since continued to reside. His property contains one hundred and twenty-five acres of well-improved land. The soil is fer- tile and productive; and he has devoted his energies to general farming with excellent results, his prosperity being of that substantial kind which always follows the exercise of careful judgment and strict attention to every detail in farm management.
Mr. Dike was united in marriage with Ase- nath Stevens in 1843, and has had seven chil- dren, as follows: George, Mary, Simeon C., James E., Clarissa S., Jennie H., and Sadie. Mrs. Asenath S. Dike died in 1883, aged sixty-seven years. In politics Mr. Dike sup- ports the principles of the Republican party, and he is deeply interested in the Patrons of Husbandry, of which organization he is a member.
RANKLIN RIPLEY BARRETT, President of the Portland Savings Bank, was born in Portland, Me., January 21, 1835, son of Charles E. and Eliz- abeth M. (Baker) Barrett. The emigrant an- cestor of the Barrett family was James Barrett, who settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1638. Lieutenant Colonel John Barrett, the great- grandfather of our subject, was an officer in the Revolutionary army. He was at Ticonderoga, under the command of Colonel Seth Warner ; and he took part in the siege of Quebec. His son John, the grandfather of Franklin Ripley Barrett, was a graduate of Harvard College and a prominent attorney of Northfield, Mass., where he died in 1816.
Charles E. Barrett was born January 4, 1804, in Northfield, Mass. ; and at the age of twelve, his parents having died, he was taken by his guardian to Portland, where he fitted for college. Graduating from Bowdoin in 1822 and subsequently reading law, he was admitted to the bar and practised for a short time. But his forte was finance, and he grad- ually became known as one of the most emi-
nent financiers of the day. He was President of the Canal National Bank for many years and Treasurer of the Atlantic & St. Law- rence Railroad, now a part of the Grand Trunk Railway, being one of the original corporators named in the charter and the last to die. Many of the best years of Mr. Charles E. Barrett's life were devoted to the affairs of this road; and he was also a Director of the Portland, Saco & Portsmouth Road, now a part of the Boston & Maine for many years, becoming interested in the road in 1839, when it was in process of construction. He was likewise active in the councils of the corpora- tion that built the canal to Sebago Lake. In politics he was a Federalist, then a Whig, and lastly a Republican. Though not an aspirant for office, he served for a while on the Board of Aldermen of Portland. He died January 2, 1894, within two days of the ninetieth anni- versary of his birth. His wife, who was a daughter of Joseph Baker, died young. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living; namely, Mary E., Franklin Ripley, and George P., the latter also a resi- dent of Portland.
Franklin Ripley Barrett attended the com- mon schools of his native city and the old Portland Academy, and was graduated from Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1857. Since leaving college his career has been sim- ilar to that of his father, his first employment being in the office of the Treasurer of the Grand Trunk Railway. In 1875 he became a member of the banking firm of Swan & Bar- rett, and some years later was elected Director of the Portland, Saco & Portsmouth Railroad, to succeed his father. This office he still holds; and he is also Director of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Road, now leased to the Grand Trunk, and a Director of the Canal National Bank, with which he has been con- nected many years, and of which his father was fifty years Director. Mr. Barrett was some years ago elected to the Board of Di- rectors of the Portland Savings Bank, and in 1891 was made President. This bank is the largest institution of the kind in the State and the eighth in rank in New England. To its management Mr. Barrett devotes the greater part of his time, and the flourishing condition
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of its affairs witnesses eloquently to his finan- cial ability. He is also Secretary and Treas- urer of the Maine General Hospital, Treasurer of the Portland Society of Natural History, and Trustee of the Portland Public Library. Though his offices are so many and his busi- ness cares so great, nothing is neglected : each enterprise prospers, and it is evident that his father's mantle has not fallen on unworthy shoulders.
August 15, 1872, Mr. Barrett was united in marriage with Mary D., daughter of John Parker Boyd, a representative of an old Port- land family. Mrs. Barrett died March 9, 1878, or within six years after her marriage. Mr. Barrett belongs to the Maine Historical Society and the Cumberland Club. In relig- ious belief he is a Unitarian, attending and supporting the church of the First Parish, the oldest church in the city.
OHN D. MARSH, one of the promi- nent citizens of Bridgton, Cumberland County, Me., his native place, was born August 9, 1841, son of Stephen and Eliza (Plaisted) Marsh. He is the eldest of a family of seven children - five sons and two daughters. His parents lived for many years on a farm near the centre of the town.
Born and reared in a conservative agricult- ural community, at the time of the breaking out of the Civil War he had never been away from home; and it was with mingled feelings of pride and grief that his parents saw him depart for the scene of conflict. In 1862 he was enrolled in Company F, Sixteenth Maine Infantry, being mustered in at Augusta; and he was soon actively participating in the struggle for the maintenance of the Union. He took part in some of the most desperate conflicts of the war, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the battle of the Wilderness, and the engage- ment in front of Petersburg. While engaged in destroying the Welden Railroad, he re- ceived an injury which seriously disabled him ; and after a week's stay in the Finley Hospital he went home on a furlough. He received his final discharge from the service in July, 1865, and shortly after went to work in a shoe-shop
in Worcester, Mass., where he remained two years. He then returned to his native town and again took up the pursuit of agriculture, moving in 1875 to the pleasant home in which he is now living. Here he has a good prop- erty of thirty-five acres, the greater part of which is devoted to general farming; and in addition to his agricultural labors he is em- ployed during a great part of the time in the Berry saw-mills.
January 10, 1867, Mr. Marsh was united in marriage with Miss Victoria J. Long, daugh- ter of Robert A. and Nancy (Barker) Long. She, too, is a native of Bridgton, her birth- place being very near the site of her present home. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of the following children : Clayton R., a resident of Somersworth, in the dry-goods business; Lillian C .; Nathan O .; Willard D .; and Grace - all living. .
In politics Mr. Marsh favors the Republican party. He is a comrade of the Grand Army, and he and his wife are esteemed members of the Baptist church.
R C. EDES, a rising young merchant of Edes Falls, in the town of Naples, Cumberland County, Me., was born in the pretty village which bears his name, August 29, 1870. He is the only son of the late Robert Edes and his wife, Ellen M. (Wight) Edes, and belongs to an old and prominent family of the locality.
Robert Edes also was a native of Edes Falls. After acquiring his education in the public schools, he went to work as clerk in a general store; and when he attained his majority he started a similar business of his own. He was very capable and enterprising; and, when his trade in general merchandise was firmly estab- lished, he engaged also in the manufacture of clothing. In both undertakings he was very successful, and for many years was the lead- ing business man of the town. Mr. Robert Edes took an active part in political affairs as a Democrat. He served as Postmaster for many years and as Selectman and Town Clerk. He was a Mason in good standing, and was also an Odd Fellow. He died in 1889, at the age of fifty. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edes
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reared two children : R. C., the subject of this sketch ; and Effie F. R. C. Edes was reared and educated in his native town. He has been engaged in mercantile business since 1894. Mr. Edes was married in 1889 to Cora M. White. They have a promising family of five children - Myrtle A., Rella, Amy C., Robert, and George C.
"A" MBROSE V. ACKLEY, proprietor of Toronto Cottage, Portland Harbor, Me., is a native of this State, having been born February 2, 1848, in the
town of Rumford, Oxford County. His father, John Ackley, was a lifelong resident of Rumford, dying there when Ambrose was but a few months old. Mrs. Ackley, whose maiden name was Polly Penley, survived her husband but a few years, passing away in 1854. Their son Ambrose, who was thus early deprived of parental care, was reared on a farm, and attended the district schools until fifteen years old. At that time he went to Pine Grove, Pa., where he worked on a farm for two years.
Returning to Maine, young Ackley con- tinued his studies at the North Waterford and the North Bridgton Academies, afterward attending the Norway Literary Institute, applying himself so diligently that in July, 1868, he was enabled to enter Bowdoin Col- lege. He worked his way through college, teaching school winters and spending his sum- mer vacations in book canvassing, receiving his diploma with the class of 1872, which in- cluded men of such ability and note as the Hon. George M. Seiders, Dr. George H. Cummings, of this city, and Herbert M. Heath, of Augusta. After his graduation Mr. Ackley resumed teaching for eight consecutive years, having charge of the school on Peak Island. He then bought a place on that island, and, having married, established a boarding-house, which he conducted success- fully until purchasing Toronto Cottage, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in teaching school a number of years at Cape Elizabeth and other places.
Mr. Ackley is a firm adherent of the Repub- lican party. He has served as Warden; and
he was Census Enumerator in 1880 and 1890, taking the census of all the islands belonging to Portland, including Peak's, Cushing's, House, Great Hog and Little Hog, now known as Great and Little Diamond, Long, Jewell's, Little Chebeague, and also a part of Ward I of the city. Mr. Ackley is prominent in Masonic circles, having been made Master Mason in Crooked River Lodge, September, 1870, at Otisfield. The following year he was exalted in Oriental Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Bridgton, and in February, 1895, joined the Portland Council. He is likewise a member of the Order of the Golden Cross, of which he was the financial Keeper of Records for eighteen consecutive terms, and is now the Noble Commander.
Mr. Ackley married Miss Mary E., daughter of Simeon and Nancy E. (Sterling) Skillings, who were among the original settlers of Cush- ing's Island. Three children have been born of their union, namely: Laura E., wife of Walter B. Sterling, of Peak's Island; Ethel ; and Edward Preble.
R ICHARD T. KITSON, a retired busi- ness man, living in North Bridgton, on the farm where his birth occurred September 21, 1824, is a son of Richard and Alice (Chesley) Kitson. His father was born in 1784 in Portsmouth, N. H., where he learned the potter's trade, serving an apprenticeship of seven years. Going to Portland in 1810, he took up his residence there, and assisted in building the old fort on Munjoy Hill. He saw military service in the War of 1812, subsequently working at his trade until 1818, when he came to North Bridgton and here started a pottery, which he operated successfully until his death in 1859. His wife Alice became the mother of nine children, among whom was Richard T., whose name begins this article.
Richard T. Kitson's opportunities for ob- taining an education were limited, as he was obliged to assist in his father's pottery shops when but a young lad. He acquired a practi- cal knowledge of the business, however; and on attaining his majority he entered into part- nership with his father, which connection con-
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tinued until the latter's death in 1859. Froni that time he continued the business alone until 1887, when he retired. In 1884 Mr. Kitson removed to his present commodious dwelling, which is the property of his daughter, and was built near the place of his birth, being located on the same lot. He is the owner of a good farm in this locality. He has been a hard worker, prudent in the management of his affairs and honorable in all his dealings, thus winning the respect and esteem of the com- munity in which he has spent his entire life. In politics he is a strong Republican, having been a supporter of the principles of that party since its formation in 1856.
Mr. Kitson was married in 1863 to Miss Ella A. Farnsworth, who departed this life in Marclı, 1893. She left one daughter, Maria E., who is an accomplished musician, having spent three years at the New England Con- servatory of Music in Boston after her gradua- tion from the Bridgton Academy.
ARDNER WALKER, Street Com- missioner of Deering, Me., where he is well known as a man of sterling integrity, was born at Fryeburg, Me., on Sep- tember 26, 1843, son of Barnes and Catherine (Colby) Walker.
Barnes Walker was a native of Stow, Me., and received his education in the common schools of that town. He remained with his parents on the homestead, and at his father's death he assumed the management of the old homestead and the care of the family. Subsequently he went to Fryeburg, Oxford County, Me., where for a number of years he was in the employ of Joseph Colby ; and after his marriage he purchased a farm near by, which he conducted with success until about sixty-five years of age. He then sold out and removed to Lovell, Me., and spent his last days in retirement, dying there in 1883. His wife Catherine was a daughter of Joseph Colby, of Fryeburg ; and their marriage was celebrated in 1830. Six children were born to them, of whom five lived to attain years of discretion, namely : Marshall, who died in Lovell, Me., in March, 1894; Joseph, a soldier of the Civil War, who lost his life in service; Seth, wlio
died in Lovell in April, 1895; Elizabeth C., who married George Shirley; and Gardner. Both parents were members of the Orthodox church.
Gardner Walker, who was named for Gard- ner Colby, the founder of Colby University, received his early education in the common schools of Fryeburg, and afterward attended Fryeburg Academy. When he had completed his course of study, he engaged in school teaching for a time, and later on went to work in a store conducted by his father and brother, with whom he remained for five years. In 1867 he came to Portland and entered the employ of D. W. True & Co., wholesale grocers, as a travelling salesman, and con - tinued in that position for five years, when he was obliged to leave it on account of ill health. He next purchased a general store in Fryeburg, which he conducted for three years, and then sold out to its former owners. Shortly after, he resumed his old occupation of a travelling salesman, this time in the employ of A. F. Cox & Son, for whom he worked four- teen years; but ill health again forced him to give up this employment, and for fifteen months he was laid up with nervous prostration.
On November 23, 1863, Mr. Walker was joined in marriage with Miss Charlotte Helen Gamage, a daughter of Nelson Gamage, of Fryeburg. Their home has been brightened and blessed by the birth of one daughter, Catherine Colby.
During his residence in Lovell Mr. Walker served as Town Treasurer for three years. In 1894 he was elected Street Commissioner of Deering, and in 1895 he was re-elected to the same position. Fraternally, he is a member of Deering Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Mount Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Port- land Commandery, Knights Templars; and the Pine Tree Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Walker attend and support the Con- gregational Church of Deering.
HESTER H. PEASE, Cashier of the Chapman National Bank of Portland, was born February 19, 1869, on a farm in the town of Cambridge, Me., his parents being John and Martha (Hen-
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derson) Pease, who still own and occupy their homestead property. The father is a native of Wellington, Me., born December 5, 1833, while the mother, born in 1840, is a native of Andover, N. B. They have four children, namely : Almon W., who married Altie M. Morrill; Chester H .; Emma E., wife of Francis H. Hubbard; and Alba May.
Chester H. Pease was the recipient of bet- ter educational advantages than many of our farmers' boys, having supplemented his com- mon-school education by an attendance at the Maine Central Institute, afterward taking a commercial course at the Portland Business College, from which he was graduated with an excellent record for scholarship. Being well equipped for a business life, Mr. Pease se- cured a situation in Natick, Mass., as book- keeper for a house-furnishing company, re- maining there a year, when he returned to this city to take charge of the theoretical department of the business college from which he had received his diploma. At the end of a year he resigned, accepting a situation with the Chapman Banking Company, with whom he remained four years, or until the reorgan - ization of the company, which has since been known as the Chapman National Bank. Under the new regime Mr. Pease was elected Cashier, a position which he still fills, his strict integrity, trustworthiness, and unfailing courtesy winning the confidence and good will of all with whom he has transactions. Mr. Pease is a sound Republican in politics, and he attends the Congregational church. He is an active member of the Portland Athletic Club.
On July 10, 1895, Mr. Pease was united in marriage with Miss May Lawton Ham, who was born and reared in Cambridge, Me., attending the district schools, afterward con- tinuing her studies at the Maine Central Insti- tute at Pittsfield. Her native musical talent was early developed, her advanced instruction in that art being received at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, from which she was graduated prior to her marriage. Mrs. Pease is a daughter of Charles and Hattie M. (Kittredge) Ham, of Cambridge, where Mr. Ham is numbered among the leading agri- culturists of the place, and is one of its most
respected native-born citizens. His wife also was a native of Maine, born and reared in the town of Dover, in this State.
BNER D. STILES, a well-known farmer of Bridgton, Me., with his sister owning and occupying the old Stiles homestead, was born in Androscoggin County, Maine, March 28, 1839, son of Isaac and Amy (Jones) Stiles. His grandfather, Davis Stiles, purchased this homestead about a century ago, when much of the land in the vicinity was covered with heavy timber, and wild game was plentiful in the forests and fish in the lakes. He cleared his land and established a comfortable home, living to the advanced age of eighty- four.
Isaac Stiles, son of Davis, was born on the homestead in Bridgton, and took up the pur- suit of agriculture at an early age. He went to Androscoggin County when a young man, and remained till 1842, in that year returning to Bridgton, and shortly after taking up his residence on the farm where he was born. There he spent the rest of his life, passing away in 1885 at the age of seventy-four. Mr. Isaac Stiles was a Democrat of the old school, never neglecting his duty on election day, but caring little for political honors. He was
married in Androscoggin County to Miss Amy Jones, a native of Turner, Me. Five chil- dren completed their home circle, namely : Abner D., the subject of this sketch; Albert (deceased) ; Ruth A., wife of Wallace Carey, a resident of Turner; Martha (deceased) ; and Clarice, who resides with her brother Abner D., and is part owner of the homestead. Mrs. Amy J. Stiles died in 1889, at the age of seventy-one.
Abner D. Stiles has lived in Bridgton since early childhood, and received his education in the schools of this town. The associations of farm life are linked with his earliest recollec- tions; and as a boy he rode the horse to plough, and drove the cows to pasture. In the maturity of manhood he was content to dwell amid the scenes which had grown dear to him through familiarity, and for many years he aided his father in the cultivation of the farm.
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