USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 14
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 14
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HARLES B. ATWOOD, a leading merchant and prominent resident of Buckfield, Me., in the south-eastern part of Oxford County, was born in this town, April 8, 1825, son of Nathan and Ruth H. (Rogers) Atwood. The family is an old and highly reputable one in these parts,
Mr. Atwood's father, who was born in Liver- more, Me., in the adjoining county of Andro- scoggin, in May, 1800, having become a stir- ring and successful business man of Buckfield.
Commencing life for himself at an early age as clerk in a general store carried on by Deacon Barrell in Livermore, Nathan Atwood came to Buckfield when he was twenty-one years old, and for a short time was employed in the same capacity by a Mr. Phelps. In company with Zadoc Long he next went into business for himself, later conducting the store alone; and, finally selling out, he was engaged in the cutting and sale of wood for fuel purposes, until his buildings were de- stroyed by fire. Once more entering mercan- tile business, he continued in trade for some time, or until his retirement. He died in Buckfield at the comparatively early age of forty years. He acquired a wide reputation as an able and upright business man and a worthy citizen. He supported the Demo- cratic party in politics, and in his religious views he was a Universalist. His wife, Ruth H. Rogers, who was born in Berwick, Me., May 17, 1797, became the mother of five chil- dren, of whom the only survivor is Charles B., the subject of this sketch. His sister, Helen M., was the mother of George M. Atwood, one of the proprietors of the Oxford Demo- crat. Mrs. Ruth H. Atwood lived to reach the age of eighty-seven years.
Charles B. Atwood resided at home and at- tended school until he was in his twelfth year, when he shipped as a cabin boy on board the whaling-vessel "Columbia," commanded by Captain Thomas R. Hussey. The "Colum- bia," which was fitted for a two years' cruise, sailed from New York, September 26, 1836, and on December 25, 1838, was wrecked on the coast of Chile, both ship and cargo becom- ing a total loss. Happily rescued from the fury of the waves, young Atwood was on Jan- uary 3, 1839, placed on board of the ship "Edward Quesnell," of Fall River, which was honieward bound; but, strange to say, on May 9 of the same year that ship and cargo inet a similar fate six miles west of Mon- tague, L.I., eleven of the twenty-three souls on board being drowned. Reaching home on June 26, 1839, after passing through a series
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of disasters quite sufficient, one would think, to deaden his ardor for sea life, he remained on shore until 1841, when he shipped as a harpooner on the bark "Minerva," of New Bedford, Captain Horton, for a whaling voy- age in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Re- turning after a successful cruise. of twenty months, he next made a voyage to the west coast of South America on board the brig "Samos," of Salem, Mass., Captain Horton ; and, after coming back with a cargo of guano, he went to Africa and up the Congo River with Captain Wood on another Salem bark, the "Seamen," which returned after a voyage of eight and one-half months. His last voy- age was as second mate of the bark "T. O. Brown," Captain Horton, bound from Port- land, Me., to Cienfuegos, Cuba. Arriving in Philadelphia in 1846, the cruise having been a prosperous one, he relinquished a seafaring life. Returning to Buckfield, he on Septem- ber 5 of that year engaged with a partner in mercantile business, later carrying on trade alone until 1851, when he went to California, where, however, he did not long sojourn. From the time of his leaving the Pacific Coast till 1884, with the exception of about eight months, in which he was engaged in business in Chicago, he conducted mercantile enter- prises in Portland and Auburn, spending five years in each city. Since 1884 he has carried on a successful business at his present stand in Buckfield, being now in partnership with his son, under the firm name of C. B. Atwood & Co. They have a large and well-stocked general store, which receives a most liberal patronage from the people of this town and the out-lying districts.
On August 20, 1847, Mr. Atwood was united in marriage with Emily D. Irish, who was born in Buckfield, June 27, 1827, daugh- ter of Joshua Irish. Six children have been born to them, namely: Horace, Charles, and Harold, who are no longer living; Sarah E., wife of John E. Moore, of Buckfield; Fred H., a member of the firm of F. H. Atwood & Co., grocers and provision dealers of Rumford Falls, Me. ; and Edwin F., who is in company with his father.
Energetic, capable, and accommodating, Mr. Atwood is highly esteemed and respected
by his fellow-townsmen; and his success in business is the just reward for honest dealing. Socially, he is very popular with a large circle of friends and acquaintances; and he is a charter member of Evening Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of this town. In politics he acts with the Republican party, and both he and Mrs. Atwood attend the Universalist church.
EORGE B. RICE, a prominent citi- zen of Waterford, Me., and a mem- ber of one of the first families of the town - first in standing as well as in point of settlement - was born in Waterford, October 30, 1841. His parents were Eber, Jr., and Elizabeth (Frye) Rice. His paternal grand- father, Eber Rice, who was born in North- boro, Mass., was one of the pioneer settlers of Waterford, making a clearing in the wil- derness and developing a homestead. He worked early and late to improve the property, undergoing all the hardships of frontier life, and carrying his corn and rye ten miles to the mill to be ground. He was one of the wealth- jest and ablest men of the town, a justice of the Peace, and was known as Squire Rice. He died in 1853. His wife, Rebecca, was a native of Massachusetts. Five children were reared by this couple; namely, Betsey, Eber, Jr., Rachel, Samuel, and Sophia, all of whom have passed to the world beyond. Betsey was the wife of Asa Foote. Rachel, who always made her home in the house where she was born in 1794, was a teacher in her youth, and was widely known and esteemed. She was a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, and toward the close of her long life no one was better known in this part of Oxford County than "Aunt Rachel Rice." She lived through the changes of over a century, passing away January 24, 1895.
Her brother, Eber Rice, Jr., was likewise a native and lifelong resident of Waterford, and from the time of his marriage until his death, which occurred on the 23d of December, 1863, was engaged in farming near the homestead. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Frye Rice, a native of Fryeburg, this county, who passed away on March 13, ISSO. She was the mother of nine children, namely :
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John F., born December 14, 1824, a farmer and spool manufacturer of Waterford village, who married Miss Mary Ann Irish; Sarah F., born June 26, 1826, who died September 19, 1827; Sarah E., born December 6, 1827, wife of John Henry Millett, of Norway, Me .; Harriet L., born December 14, 1829, now living in Albany, Mc., widow of Joseph L. Rand; William R., born March 29, 1832, a resident of Albany; Mary A., born April 12, 1834, who died September 12, 1834; Isaac F., born July 12, 1835, who died March I, 1838; Charles H., born August 26, 1837, who married Elizabeth Grecn, and is living on the homestead in Waterford; and George B., the subject of this sketch.
George B. Rice in his boyhood received a common-school education, remaining in his native town until twenty-one years of age. In 1862 he went to Boston, Mass., where his first position was as coachman in a private family. He was engaged in that capacity for a year and a half, during the year following was employed as conductor on the Metropoli- tan Street Railroad, Boston, and the two years ensuing was driver for the Adams Express Company. About 1869 he returned to his na- tive town, settling on the old Rice farm, where he is now living. This is a fine estate of about a hundred acres, all improved; and Mr. Rice has achieved marked success as a farmer. He has a number of cows, and manages a small dairy business.
Mr. Rice was married October 15, 1868, to Harrict E. Marsh, of Boston, who was born December 14, 1843, the daughter of Rufus C. and Sarah (Choate) Marsh. Rufus C. Marsh was a well-known citizen of Boston, where he was superintendent of hacks and carriages for over thirty years. He died in that city, July 4, 1883. His wife is now living with a son in Waltham, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have five children, as follows: Mary E., born Sep- tember 8, 1869, wifc of Llewellyn Millett, of Waterford; Rufus, born May 30, 1871, now in Windsor, Vt. ; Lillian G., born May 21, 1873, wife of George W. Kneeland, a mill man of Newry, Me .; Vernon W., born May 7, 1875, employed in a mill in Shelburne, N. H. ; and Florence E., born July 29, 1877, who has not yet left the shelter of the parental roof.
Mr. Rice votes the Republican ticket. He and his wife are active members of the Con- gregational church in North Waterford vil- lage, of whose Sunday-school he was superin- tendent for eight years. He is an industrious and law-abiding citizen, and has the regard of all who know him.
AVID W. PRESSON, an industri- ous and highly respected resident of Farmington, was born July 5, 1828, in East Strong, now West New Vineyard, Me., son of Jamcs and Elizabeth (Hall) Presson. His grandfather, James Presson, who was a native of Ireland, emi- grated to America, and settled at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where for a time he followed agricultural pursuits. Grand- father Presson subsequently moved to West New Vineyard, and there partially cleared a new farm. He spent his declining years with his children, living to the age of seventy. His wife, in maidenhood a Miss Weston, who was born in Ireland, died in 1820, aged thirty-eight years, carried off by the epi- demic known as "cold fever " that then pre- vailed in Maine. She and her husband reared seven children ; namely, James, Peter, Thurs- ton, Hiram, Leonard, William, and Betsey.
James Presson, Mr. Presson's father, bought the homestead. Finding, after giving a fair trial, that it was not what he wanted, he sold it again, and purchased a tract of one hundred and fifteen acres of land, which was covered with heavy timber. This farm, which is now owned by E. Mosher, he cleared and improved into a state of cultivation, and erected on it a good set of buildings. In 1837 he sold it, and moved to a farm in New Sharon, where he resided two years, after which he returned and bought the Butler place, located one mile from the village. He sold that property in 1854, and went to Strong, from which place he moved to a farm near Franklin Bridge. In this last place he continued occupied in farming until old age compelled him to retire. In politics he was in his early days a Democrat, but later became a Republican. His religious belief was the Methodist creed. His first wife, Elizabeth,
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who was born March 23, 1787, died November 8, 1856, leaving five children, namely: Rachel F., who was born July 16, 1812; Mary H., who was born October 27, 1814; Harvey T., who was born June 9, 1820; Priscilla B., who was born January 26, 1824; and David W., the subject of this sketch. The father's second marriage was contracted with Rhoda Harding.
After acquiring a good practical education, David W. Presson was engaged in agriculture in this locality until 1854. In company with a party composed of M. Homer, M. Leak, N. Bean, and others, he then went to Eureka, Cal., and engaged in mining. In 1861 he re- turned East, and, settling in Farmington, bought the Church property, comprising a pleasant residence and a corner lot on Cottage Street, and has lived there since. He is now well established in the business of painting and paper-hanging, at which he does a large amount of work annually, employing a great deal of help. Still strong and vigorous, he has not been obliged to remain indoors two days in succession for fifty years. His politi- cal principles are Democratic, while in relig- ious belief he is a Unitarian.
On February 27, 1859, Mr. Presson wedded Dorris Pettengill Hillman, who was born Feb- ruary 18, 1833, daughter of Alexander and Thankful (Pettingill) Hillman. Mrs. Pres- son's grandfather, Uriel Hillman, with his family, moved in 1807 from Tisbury, Mass., to Farmington, where he was a prosperous farmer. Her father, a native of Tisbury, born February 4, 1804, was one of the largest and most progressive agriculturists of this county. Her mother, who was born in 1805, died in 1851, leaving six other children; namely, Uriah, Abel, Isaiah, Gilbert, Alex- ander, and Elizabeth A.
Mr. and Mrs. Presson have had four chil- dren, namely: Mary Elizabeth, born February IO, 1860, who died June 9, 1868; Lillie Belle, born September 4, 1861, who died March 14, 1862; George Mclellan, born August 4, 1864, now proprietor of a flourish- ing jewelry store in Farmington, who married Genevieve Huston, and has two children - Dorris M. and Cora P. ; and Alexander Hill- man, born January 16, 1873, who is now an assistant in his brother's store.
HARLES H. GEORGE, a leading resident of the town of Hebron, Ox- ford County, Me., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Plym- outh, N. H., September 3, 1834, son of William and Mary (Darling) George. His grandfather, King George, was an early settler in Plymouth, where he owned and cultivated for many years a good farm. He died there at the age of about eighty-seven. In his re- ligious belief he was a Congregationalist, and in politics he supported the Whig party. The maiden name of his two wives was Eaton, he having married sisters. He reared four sons; namely, Asa, David, Eaton, and William, afore-mentioned as the father of Mr. George, of Hebron.
William George was a native of Plymouth, and there grew to manhood. Having a natural genius for mechanical pursuits, he became very skilful in general handicraft. The greater part of his industrious life was passed in his native town; and he was well known and highly respected as a worthy, upright citizen. His wife, Mary Darling, who was born in Campton, N.H., became the mother of nine children, namely : Daniel, the first-born, who died in infancy; William; Washington; Asa K .; Charles H .; Daniel E .; Mary E .; Martha A .; and Joseph P.
William George married Harriet Thayer, a native of Oxford County, Maine, and died No- vember 16, 1849, leaving one daughter, Wil- hemina. Washington George died in 1859, aged twenty-nine years. Asa K., who resides in Rumney, N. H., and is reporter for the Plym- outh Record, married Abbie Mansfield; but she and her five children are no longer living. Daniel E. George was born March 26, 1837, and is now residing in Natick, Mass. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, First Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteers, with which he served during the Rebellion, taking part in many of the most important battles from the first Bull Run fight to the time of his dis- charge in 1864. He is now an express mes- senger on the Boston & Albany Railroad. In politics he is a Republican; and he has been Commander of Wadsworth Post, Grand Army of the Republic, No. 63, of Natick, Mass. He was married September 19, 1857,
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to Adeline Rockwood, who was born in Sher- born, Mass., March 3, 1837, and has had three children, namely: Hattie E .; Emma M. ; and Leonard F., who died at the age of eighteen months. Mary E. George first mar- ried Henry Dakin, by whom she had one daughter, Geddie. She afterward became Mrs. Woodward, and is now a widow, residing in Natick, Mass. Her daughter, Geddie O., is now Mrs. George Howe. Martha A. George married Frank P. Simonds, a caterer of Chicago, Il1., and has had two children, of whom the survivor is named George. Joseph P. George, a carpenter of Pasadena, Cal., married Clara Cushman, a native of Auburn, Me., who has departed this life. She was the mother of five children, namely: Minnie; Herbert; Fred; Edna; and Frank, who is no longer living. Mrs. Mary D. George lived to reach the age of sixty years.
Charles H. George, the fifth son, is the special subject of this biography. He was educated in the schools of Plymouth, and at an early age began life for himself. Going to Massachusetts, he resided successively in Boston and Natick, and was engaged in the express business and shoemaking until 1860, when he removed to Hebron, Me., which has since been his place of residence. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Sixteenth Maine Volunteers, and, going to the front with his regiment, was in active ser- vice until, having lost the use of his right arm at the battle of Fredericksburg, he was honor- ably discharged in February, 1863. Return- ing to Hebron, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has steadily advanced in pros- perity, owning at the present time a valuable farming estate, consisting of one hundred and eighty acres, lying within the limits of Ox- ford, Paris, and Hebron, on which he has made various improvements, including the erection of new buildings. Besides giving his attention to general husbandry, he takes care of an orchard embracing eight acres of choice apples and smaller fruits, the shipment of which is the source of considerable profit; and he also runs a well-equipped dairy. In pub- lic affairs he has for many years been one of the leading spirits in the town, having served with ability as a member of the Board of Se-
lectmen for three years, as Constable for some time, and as Collector and Deputy Sheriff for ten years. He is a Republican in politics.
On November 25, 1854, Mr. George was married to Ruth A. Gurney, who was born in Minot, Me., December 6, 1838, daughter of Samuel and Lucy Gurney, of that town. Mrs. George has been the mother of five chil- dren, as follows: Arthur E., who was born March 13, 1860, is married, and carries on mercantile business and farming in Hebron; Herman E., who was born March 8, 1865, married Alida Graves, and is now a carpenter of this town; Nettie Frances, who was born October 30, 1868, and died January 24, 1870; Minnie B., who was born January 7, 1879, and Gertie M., who was born December 13, 1881, both of whom are residing at home.
In business and in fraternal circles Mr. George is both prominent and popular. He is at the present time Secretary and Treasurer of the Patrons of Husbandry Mutual Fire In- surance Company, with which he has been connected for thirteen years; is a member of South Paris Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M .; and is a comrade of W. K. Kimball Post, No. 94, Grand Army of the Republic, of South Paris. For thirteen years he has been Master of Hebron Grange, No. 43, Patrons of Hus- bandry, with which his wife is also connected; and Mrs. George is a member of the Baptist church.
ALTER NICHOLS, a retired busi- ness man and highly esteemed resi- dent of Farmington, was born in Searsport, Me., December 14, 1812, son of James and Nancy (Fowler) Nichols. His great-grandfather, who was a native of Ire- land, settled in Londonderry, N. H., among the early pioneers, and cleared a farm, which was located upon the site of the present vil- lage. James Nichols, the grandfather of Walter, was born in Londonderry in 1733. He inherited the homestead, and followed gen- eral farming during the active period of his life. He was a man of unusual physical strength and one of the most energetic and suc- cessful farmers of his day. He died in 1818, at Searsport, Me. His first wife, in maiden-
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hood Dinah Woodbury, died leaving six chil- dren - William, David, Annie, James, Wood- burn, and Thomas. His second wife, Hannah Cadwell before marriage, bore him seven chil- dren -Alexander, Samuel, Hannah, Dinah, Nancy, Mary, and Margaret.
James Nichols, Mr. Nichols's father, also a native of Londonderry, born March 3, 1766, settled in Searsport when a young man, bought a farm of one hundred acres, and was there- after profitably engaged in its cultivation until stricken with typhoid fever, which caused his death in 1833. He possessed the characteristics of the early pioneers, and was in consequence able to make progress in the face of difficulties that would conquer weaker men. In politics he united with the Whig party, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Nancy, became the mother of ten children, who were: Will- iam, James, Nancy, Jane, Abigail, Wood- burn, Rufus, Walter, John F., and Betsey A. She attained the age of sixty-six years before her death.
In the district school Walter Nichols made the most of his opportunities for obtaining an education. Afterward by his personal efforts he became proficient in some of the higher branches. In young manhood he engaged in teaching, and successfully followed that pro- fession for ten winters. In that time he had charge of some of the schools most difficult to manage in his locality. Having learned the house carpenter's trade, he worked at it in the summer season, holding the position of foreman for ten years, when on account of failing health he was obliged to abstain from laborious occupation. By this time he had accumulated some capital, which he invested advantageously in Western lands. In 1868 he and Mr. Morrell bought a half interest each in the water-power privilege of Farmington Falls, and engaged in the manufacture of spools. A short time after, he sold his inter- est in the factory and removed to Farmington village. His residence having been burned in the fire of 1886, he bought the Captain Childs house on Main Street, and remodelled and enlarged it, making of it the commodious and fine-appearing dwelling that has since been his home. In Farmington for a consid-
erable period after his arrival he was profitably employed as a surveyor of land. He retired from that business in favor of the more active aspirants of a younger generation.
In 1850 Mr. Nichols wedded Rosina Witham, a daughter of John A. Witham, of Starks, Me. Mrs. Nichols has had three children, namely: Elaora, who is the wife of J. M. S. Hunter, editor of the Farmington Chronicle, and has one daughter, Mabel E. ; Albion, who died at the age of six years; and John W., a practising physician of this town. In politics Mr. Nichols is a firm supporter of the Republican party, with which he has been united since its formation. His religious faith is that of the Adventists. He is re- garded by his fellow-townsmen as one of the most able and successful business men and financiers in this part of the State; and the prosperity which has resulted from his busy life of industry and toil is amply merited.
John W. Nichols, M. D., was born in Sears- port, August 4, 1859. He fitted for his col- legiate course at Wendell Institute, and, after graduating from Bowdoin College with the class of 1881, was for a short time employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in Minneapolis, Minn. Deciding to adopt the medical profession, he subsequently pursued a thorough course of instruction at the Maine Medical School in Brunswick, from which he graduated in 1887. Excluding two years spent in Montpelier, Vt., he has since prac- tised continuously in Farmington. On June 7, 1892, he was united in marriage with Bertha E. Johnson, daughter of George W. Johnson, of Industry, Me. He is a Republi- can in politics. He has served with ability as superintendent of public schools in this town, and he is a member of the Maine State Medical Association. As a physician he is held in high esteem by the entire community : and, socially, both he and Mrs. Nichols are very popular.
OSHUA JONES McALLISTER, late an enterprising farmer of Stoneham, Oxford County, Me., who died on the 12th of October of the present year (1896), was born in Lovell, an adjoining town
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of the same county, Junc 6, 1849. He was a son of Josiah H. and Nancy (McKcen) McAl- lister, and was the eighth in a family of eleven children. The father, who was a native of Lovell, passed therc all his days in pursuit of the honored vocation of farming, being also employed somewhat as a mechanic. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy McKeen, was born in Stoneham, Me. She died in 1858, and he in 1868, having survived her about a decade.
J. Jones McAllister remained at the old homestead until he was about eighteen years of age, when, on the death of his father, he went to work as a farm hand in Bethel, Me. He sub- sequently continued that form of employment on various farms in Bethel for four years, after which he returned to Lovell, and worked in a saw-mill until his marriage in 1878. He then took up his residence at Stoneham, and, having purchased the old McAllister saw- mill, he was occupied for four years in the manufacture of staves and spool stock. Re- moving his mill to Albany, Me., he engaged in business there for ten years, and then moved it back to Stoneham, where he estab- lished the mill permanently. From that time on he gave his attention to husbandry and milling, sawing shooks and spool stock for the firm of Elliot & Bartlett, of Lynchville, Me. At the time of his departure Mr. Mc- Allister owned a farm of three hundred acres, besides almost a thousand acres of wild land.
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