USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 10
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 10
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George Berry, here numbered as the fourth child of his parents, was reared and educated in Paris, obtaining in his early years a fair, common-school education and a practical knowledge of agriculture. He began earning his own living when but a youth, for several years working for the neighboring farmers, who at first paid him for his services twelve dollars per month. By prudence and economy
he was enabled to save a portion of his wages cach season, in the course of time having a sufficient sum to warrant him in buying a farm, on which he was engaged in his chosen occupation for many years. In 1874 he sold that property, and purchased his father's homestead. He now owns about one hundred acres of choice land, on which he has made the more valuable of the improvements. A self-made man, having steadily climbed the hill of success by his own industrious efforts, Mr. Berry is now numbered among the well- to-do farmers of this vicinity, owning other real estate besides his well-appointed farm.
Mr. Berry has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Melissa Buck, died in 1847, having borne him two children, namely: Cynthia, wife of Addison Abbott, of North Paris; and a child that died in infancy. On January 7, 1850, Mr. Berry married Mary Hannah Marshall, who was born in this town, April 9, 1831. Her father, Nathan Marshall, was a son of David Mar- shall, who emigrated from Scotland to America in Colonial days. David Marshall married Mary Mason, and settled first on land in Bethel, Me., but was compelled to leave that place on account of trouble with the Indians. His wife was the first white woman to spend a night in the town of Paris. Re- moving to Hebron, he became identified with the leading 'business interests of the town, building saw-mills, a grist and shingle mill, and a carding machine. He served in the Revolutionary War, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill. He assisted in building the Baptist meeting-house of Hebron, he and his wife being among the original members of the church. Each lived to the age of fourscore years. They had twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity; namely, David, Wal- ter, Miriam, Lucy, John, Nathan, Asahel, Aaron, and Moses.
Nathan Marshall, the fourth son as here mentioned, Mrs. Berry's father, was born in Hebron, January 16, 1795. In his early man- hood he was interested in milling with his father. In 1818 he came to Paris, and, pur- chasing the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Samuel D. Marshall, was thencefor- ward engaged as a farmer and blacksmith
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JOHN A. ROBERTS.
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until his death, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Zilpha Dunham, lived to the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Marshall was a stanch abolition- ist, and he was a Deacon of the Free Will Baptist church; while his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had five children, two of whom are living - Samuel D. and Mrs. Berry. The others are: Nathan L., Eleazer D., and Hiram D.
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Berry ten children have been born, as follows: Nathan L., who is deceased; Eleazer, also deceased; George W .; Frederick L .; Frank E .; Edwin R .; Ella Z .; Hiram M .; Jennie E., who died in 1886, aged eighteen years; and Clara. In politics Mr. Berry has always been identi- fied with the Republican party since its forma- tion. Both he and his wife are active mem- bers of the Free Will Baptist church. Mr. Berry is not connected with any of the social organizations of this locality, but Mrs. Berry is a member of the West Paris Grange.
ON. JOHN A. ROBERTS, of Nor- way, Me., State Senator, recently elected, is a gentleman of liberal education, a lawyer by profession, also a practical farmer, and has had much ex- perience in the conduct of local public affairs and in the leadership of social organizations. He was born in Gardiner, Me., on September IO, 1852, son of John M. and Mary E. (Potter) Roberts. His paternal grandfather was Simon Roberts, who settled in Water- boro, Me. He was a successful farmer; and he also followed the trade of carpenter and joiner, accumulating quite a large property. He lived to be seventy-three years of age, but his wife died at the age of sixty-nine. Their children were: May, Esther, John M., Syl- vester, Abigail, Elmira, and Betsy.
John M. Roberts, the father, afore-men- tioned, was a native of Waterboro, born on June 25, 1828. For some time in his youth and early manhood he worked in a saw-mill, eventually running a mill until his marriage, when he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Andover, Me. He built a new house, remodelling the barn; and he and his
worthy helpmeet are there living at this day in the enjoyment of good health. They have had four children - one who died an infant ; John A. ; Arthur M. ; and Augustus F., de- ceased. Mr. John M. Roberts is a man of prominence in the Republican party and in the Congregational church.
At the age of eighteen, after being gradu- ated from the high school, John A. Roberts, the special subject of the present sketch, en- tered the Oxford Normal Institute at South Paris, Me., and fitted for college, matriculat- ing at Bowdoin College in 1873. He was graduated in 1877. During his college course and for several terms thereafter Mr. Roberts taught school, subsequently reading law with M. T. Ludden, of Lewiston. Being admitted to the bar of Oxford County in the fall of 1878, he began practice in Mechanic Falls; but a year later, his health having failed, he was obliged to seek life in the open air. In 1880 Mr. Roberts bought the Henry Pike place on the west side of Norway Lake. Here he still lives and manages the farm, though since 1890 he has been employed as book-keeper in the office of C. B. Cummings & Sons. The estate is beautiful for situation, and the buildings have been remodelled and improved until it is a model country home.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Roberts has shown marked ability in the management of town affairs, officiating as attorney for two years, as President of the public library, and as superintendent of schools. In 1893 and 1894 he was a Representative to the State legislature, and in the autumn of 1896 was elected State Senator, a merited honor, as he is undoubtedly well qualified for a seat in the upper house. Fraternally, he is promi- nently connected with the order of Patrons of Husbandry, having been Master of Norway Grange for six years, being now Master also of the county grange, and Overseer of the State grange, elected in December, 1893, and re-elected in 1895. In 1893 he was elected President of the Oxford County Agricultural Society, and in 1895 he was re-elected to this important post.
On August 24, 1881, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Pike, a daughter of Henry and Sarah E. (Forbes)
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Pike and a member of one of the leading families in the town. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have one child, Thaddeus B., who was born on November 20, 1884, and is now a promising lad of twelve years.
OSEPH W. HINES, of West Farm- ington, the proprietor and manager of one of the largest department stores in Franklin County, was born in Hartford, Me., March 6, 1850. He is a son of Hiram H. and Fanny (Woodsome) Hines, a grandson of Hollingsworth and Ruth (Hall) Hines, and a great-grandson of Richard and Abigail (Jen- kins) Hines. The children of his great-grand- parents were - Hollingsworth, John, Thad- deus, Polly, Abigail, Chitman, Prudy, and Richard. Hollingsworth Hines was born in Buckfield, Me., August 12, 1781 ; and his wife was born in the same place, February 17, 1788. Their children were - Enoch, Barnum, Hiram H., Phoebe, Calista, Mary, Joseph, Sarah, Emily, Clara, Zilpha, and Enoch H.
Hiram H. Hines, a native of Buxton, Me., was a man of large stature. During his early manhood he taught school in winter, working at farming in the summer. Having saved a considerable part of his earnings, he in time was able to purchase a farm in Hartford. Soon after he started a store, which he managed for eighteen years. He then sold his Hartford property, purchased a large farm in Buckfield, and carried it on for fifteen years, conducting a store for a part of this period also. At the end of that time he retired from active work ; and, selling his farm, he purchased a home in Lewiston, Me., where he quietly passed his declining years, dying at the age of seventy- seven. He was an active Republican. While living in Hartford he was elected to the State legislature, and served the town as Selectman and Treasurer. His wife met her death in 1867, the result of falling down stairs, being then sixty years old. Both were members of the Free Will Baptist church. They had eight children, of whom two died in infancy. The others were - Rufus, Nancy, Catherine, Washington B., Joseph W., and Calista E.
Joseph W. Hines received a good practical education in the schools of Buckfield, at He-
bron Academy, and at Bates Commercial Col- lege at Auburn, Mc. He was subsequently employed as clerk in his father's store until March, 1876, when he formed a partnership with A. F. Gammond ; and they purchased the stock in trade of E. Scarles, and started in business in the building at West Farmington, of which a lease was taken. The venture proving very successful, they afterward bought the building. In 1882 he purchased his part- ner's interest; and, before the railroad was built through the northern part of the county, he had probably the most extensive produce trade in this section. When the railroad changed the conditions of traffic, he met the change with a new line of goods to suit. He now has a large and varied stock, comprising groceries, dry goods, crockery, ready-made clothing, boots and shoes, paints and oils - in fact, everything found in a general store. He occupies two buildings for the sale of his goods, besides large storehouses. His trade has increased greatly since he started, and he has been obliged to enlarge the original building.
On December 25, 1877, Mr. Hines was united in marriage with Miss Emma H. Dodge, daughter of Andrew and Jessie Dodge, of West Farmington. Three children have blessed his union - Hiram Earl, Ralph G., and Joseph W. In politics Mr. Hines is a Republican. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and belongs to Maine Lodge, Franklin Chapter, the council, and Farmington Com- mandery. On religious subjects he holds lib- eral views. He has a handsome residence on Water Street, which was formerly known as the Ira Russell place. The house has been re- modelled since it came into his possession.
LBERT CASWELL, a prosperous gen- eral farmer of Waterford, now serving as Third Selectman, is a native of Winthrop, Me., born July 14, 1828. Richard Caswell, his father, was born in Mansfield, Mass., April 27, 1792, son of Bowden Caswell, who was engaged in farm- ing in Mansfield until his latter days, which were spent with his son in Winthrop, Me. Richard carried on farming in Winthrop up
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to 1840, at which time he removed to Mercer, Me., and was there engaged in farming until his death on July 20, 1858. He married Miss Sarah Hodges, who, born in Norton, Mass., March 1, 1794, died August 3, 1865. They were the parents of seven children, namely: George, born April 25, 1820, who died June II, 1889; Almon, born April 28, 1822, who died November 12, 1892; Har- riett, born April 9, 1824, now the wife of Stephen Messer, of Madison, Me., who died August 5, 1896; Charlotte, born April 17, 1826, who died February 13, 1847; Albert, the subject of this sketch; Edward, born July 9, 1831, living in Lynn, Mass., who married Miss Nancy L. Sanford, now deceased; Susan H., born March 23; 1835, who died Septem- ber 16, 1868.
Albert Caswell received his education in the common schools of Mercer, Me. At the age of twenty-one he went to Belgrade, Ken- nebec County, to accept the position of station agent on the Maine Central Railroad, which he afterward held for nineteen years, giving the utmost satisfaction. In 1872 he went to Lewiston, Me., where he remained for four years, conducting a shoe business. From Lewiston in 1876 he came to Waterford, and settled on his present farm in the southern part of the town. He now owns about sev- enty-five acres of land, which he devotes to general farming and dairying.
On July 10, 1854, while in Belgrade, Mr. Caswell was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Swan, of Conway, N.H., where her birth occurred May 8, 1831. She died March 18, 1864, leaving five children, two sons and three daughters. These were: Ellen M., born October 6, 1855, who is now the wife of B. F. Yeaton, of Stark, Me .; Charles Dud- ley, born March 8, 1857, who married Miss Fannie Dyer, and is now living in Holbrook, Mass .; Alice Josephine, born February 27, 1859, who died February 6, 1883; Albert Danforth, born June 10, 1860, who married Miss Mary E. Varney, and is now living in Lebanon, Me .; and Mary Swan, born January 8, 1862, who married George Yeaton, and lives in Belgrade, Me. On November 6, 1864, Mr. Caswell was married a second time to Miss Mary P. Swan, of Waterford, who was
born November 3, 1836, daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Sanderson) Swan. Her father was born in Waterford September 11, 1810, and followed farming here throughout the active years of his life. He also engaged in the stone cutter's trade, and superintended the building of the roads in Oxford County. He died April 15, 1896, aged eighty-five years. Mrs. Swan, who was born in Sweden, Me., and became a resident of Waterford while young, died January 6, 1878. Mrs. Caswell's children are: Byron Sanderson and Fannie Eliza. The son, born September 24, 1865, married Miss Sadie Low, of New Bedford, Mass., and is now living in Boston, Mass. He is an electrician of that city. Fannie Eliza, born October 7, 1866, conducts a dressmaking shop in Harrison village, and makes her home with her parents.
The citizens of Waterford have shown their appreciation of Mr. Caswell's sterling charac- ter and ability by electing him to various po- sitions of trust and responsibility. He now holds the office of Third Selectman, to which he was elected in March, 1896. In 1867 and 1868 he represented Belgrade in the State legislature. His political principles are Democratic. He is a member of Relief Lodge, No. 108, A. F. & A. M., in Belgrade; and of Oakland Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Oakland, Me.
TEPHEN D. HUTCHINSON, a venerable and valued resident of Paris, bearing with ease and dig- nity his burden of fourscore and four years, has the distinction of being the oldest man actively engaged in business in Oxford County. He was born September 25, 1812, in the neighboring town of Hebron, son of Stephen and Asenath (Gilbert) Hutch- inson, both natives of the State, born respec- tively in Gorham and Leeds. His grand- father, a native of Massachusetts, served in the French and Indian War, and afterward went to Nova Scotia, where he lived for a time. Returning to the States, Grandfather Hutchinson settled in Gorham, Cumberland County, purchasing a tract of timber land, from which he cleared a homestead. He
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labored with the courage and perseverance characteristic of the sturdy pioneer, and also served as local preacher of the Free Will Baptist denomination. His children were: Joseph, Lydia, Samuel, Stephen, Betsey, Daniel, Henry, John, and Rebecca.
Stephen Hutchinson was a farmer through- out his life. When a young man he came from Gorham to this county, first locating in Hebron and afterward in Buckfield, where he died at the age of seventy years. He was an unswerving Democrat in politics. At first his religious faith was that of the Free Will Baptists, of whose church at Hebron he was a member; but later he became a Universal- ist, and belonged to that denomination at the time of his death. He was Selectman for many years, and also filled less important offices. His first wife, Asenath (Gilbert) Hutchinson, died at the age of forty-six years, leaving six children - Stephen D., Chandler, Horace, Mark, Albion P., and Bet- sey. Betsey died in infancy. Of the num- ber, Stephen D. and Albion P. are the only survivors. After the death of his first wife the father married Jeanette Alden, daughter of Benjamin Alden, a Quaker. By this mar- riage there were four children - Jeanette, Angusta, Vesta, and Aseneth. Of these the eldest and youngest are living.
Stephen D. Hutchinson grew to man's estate in Buckfield, obtaining his education in the district school, and at home evenings by the light of pitch pine knots. He first worked at harvesting for one William Loring, receiving a third of a dollar per day for his labor. In 1835 Mr. Hutchinson entered into a partner- ship with H. H. Hutchinson, Jr., with whom he conducted a mercantile business in Buck- field for five years. In 1840 he leased a farm in the same town, and for a few years carried on general farming. At the same time he added to his income by taking boarders in the summer season and teaching school dur- ing the winter terms. In 1845, having been elected Registrar of Deeds of Oxford County, he removed to Paris, the county seat, and for eleven years retained that office. He next embarked in mercantile business at Paris Hill with Frank Bates, with whom he was asso- ciated two years. In 1860 he established his
present store, which he has since successfully conducted, building up a good local trade.
Mr. Hutchinson was married in June, 1835, to Mary Atkinson, who, born in Minot, Me., September 17, 1808, died at Paris Hill, July 18, 1874. She bore him five children - Mary Annette, John R., Winfield S., George W., and Kate W. John R., who was born April II, 1840, died March 2, 1896. Mr. Hutchin- son has witnessed many changes throughout this locality, and has contributed his full share as a good citizen toward the development of his native county. While living at Buck- field he served as Town Clerk and as a member of the School Committee. He is a firm ad- herent of the Democratic party.
HARLES A. AND GEORGE W. WHIBLEY are well-known and ex- ceedingly prosperous business men of East Wilton, Franklin County, Me., the former of the mercantile firm of Whibley & Brown, and the latter an exten- sive manufacturer of tinware and a dealer in stoves, hardware, paints, and oils. These successful merchants are sons of the late George and Julia A. (Morrison) Whibley.
George Whibley, their father, who was for some years engaged in trade here, was born in London, England, August 2, 1819. When a young man he emigrated to the United States with the view of obtaining a livelihood in a country where the opportunities for acquiring wealth were more equally distributed than in the Old World. After his arrival on these shores he served an apprenticeship at the car- penter's trade, upon the completion of which he began work as a journeyman in Skowhegan, Somerset County, Me. Having no friends or relatives in this country, he was obliged to make his way wholly through his own ability and perseverance, which he eventually suc- ceeded in accomplishing by a strict adherence to principles of honesty and the faithful dis- charge of his duties as a workman; and when he had thoroughly mastered the trade in every detail he became ambitious to advance. Es- tablishing himself in Skowhegan as a con- tractor and builder, he soon had a large and profitable business under his control ; and dur-
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ing his residence in that town he erected many of the principal buildings standing there to-day. As he advanced in years he grew stout of figure, which prevented him from climbing, as required in the work of construction; and, being obliged upon this account to relinquish the pursuit of his calling, he settled in Madi- son, where he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness until 1860. In that year, removing to East Wilton, he bought of John Perley the building now owned and occupied as a place of business by his son, Charles A. ; and putting in a full stock of goods he conducted during his remaining days the largest general store in this section. His death took place July 21, 1879. His wife, Julia A. Morrison, who was born December 1, 1815, was a daughter of Mary and John Morrison, of Farmington. She became the mother of four children, as follows : Elizabeth, who was born November 18, 1846, and died September 13, 1866; George W. and Charles A., who are the subjects of this sketch; and Amerilla, who was born May 8, 1857, and died September 30 of the same year. Mrs. Julia A. Morrison Whibley died Novem- ber 13, 1895, at the age of eighty years.
Charles A. Whibley was born in Skowhe- gan, Me., November 3, 1852. After finishing his education he began working as a clerk in the store, remaining in that capacity until his father's death, when he purchased the business, which he carried on alone for about sixteen years. In 1895 he formed a partnership with E. B. Brown, his present business associate. The firm of Whibley & Brown carry the largest stock of general merchandise, including groceries, grain, feed, crockery, and other wares, to be found in this section.
Charles A. Whibley wedded Rose E. Brown, daughter of Almon H. and Sylvia (Gould) Brown. By his honorable business methods Mr. C. A. Whibley has gained the confidence of his numerous patrons, and has attained merited success. Besides his mercantile in- terests he owns one-half of the late Fred Gor- don farm. He is a member of Williamson Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is independent in politics and liberal in his relig- ious views.
George W. Whibley, the elder of the two brothers, was born in East Madison, Me., De-
cember 28, 1848. He acquired betimes a good practical education, and while still in his youth began to learn the carpenter's trade. Not liking that craft, however, he relinquished it and learned the trade of a tinsmith; and after working as a journeyman for ten years he bought the Macomber place in this town, where he fitted up a small shop. Manufactur- ing tinware during the winter, he travelled through the country with a pedler's team, selling it in the summer season. Two years later he rented the Eastman store, which he stocked with a full line of stoves, general hard- ware, paints, oils, and various other articles of merchandise, in which he has a good trade. Aside from this he manufactures tin pails and pans, keeping a team upon the road; and he also is engaged in setting up furnaces and con- ducting a general plumbing and roofing busi- ness.
George W. Whibley married Elzoda Ma- comber, daughter of David and Hannah G. (Allen) Macomber, highly reputable and well- to-do farming people of this town. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whib- ley, namely : Clarence M., who died at the age of six months; and George M., whose birth occurred on October 13, 1881.
ERSIAN V. EVERETT, of Hebron, a veteran of the Civil War, now en- gaged in general farming and fruit growing, was born in Hebron, July 5, 1847, son of Hiram M. Everett. Mr. Everett is a descendant of John Everett, a Frenchman by birth, who accompanied Gen- eral Lafayette to America, and served during the Revolutionary War in the Continental army, losing an arm in the struggle. John Everett afterward settled among the pioneers of Norway, Me., where he died at an advanced age. His wife, who was probably the first school teacher in Norway, reared three chil- dren - John, Susannah, and Peter. Peter Everett, the grandfather of Persian V., was born in Norway, and was for many years a prosperous farmer of that town. His last days were passed in Poland, Me., where he died at the age of seventy-four years. He married Charlotte Parkhurst, who reached the age of
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sixty-three years, and had eleven children, five of whom are living.
Hiram Millett Everett was born in Norway, November 2, 1818. While still young he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed during the winter season until he was twenty- six years old, spending the summer season at farm labor. With his savings he then bought his father's property in Norway. Afterward he resided for short intervals in Poland, East Hebron, and Minot Corners. He learned the trade of a shoemaker in the last-named place, and subsequently worked at it in Hebron, where also, having bought a farm, he culti- vated it until his death in April, 1893. In politics he was a Republican, and he held for several years the offices of Constable and Col- lector. In religious faith he was a Baptist. Of his four children the only survivor is Per- sian V., the subject of this sketch. The others were: Anna Delphina, Justin, and Anna Bethany. The mother is still living, and resides in Hebron.
Persian V. Everett passed his boyhood in Hebron. At the age of seventeen, while attending the academy, he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company A, Thirtieth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, with which he served dur- ing the last years of the Rebellion. After he was honorably discharged in 1865, he resumed his studies at the academy for a time, and then engaged as a general storekeeper in Hebron. At the end of three years he sold his business; and, after working in a shoe factory for six and a half years, he went to Auburn, Me., where he engaged in the same business. In 1879 he moved his family to his present farm. He spent about fourteen years in Auburn, after which he returned to Hebron, where he has since resided permanently. As a general farmer he has been quite prosperous. He now owns one hundred and fifty acres of fertile land, which he devotes to dairying and fruit growing, while he makes a specialty of breeding fine horses.
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