USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 17
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 17
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The next in line, Lemuel Perham, fourth son of John, Jr., was born near Dunstable, " Mass., in 1727. He served in the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War
while living in Massachusetts; and shortly after the close of the Revolution he accom- panied his son Silas to Farmington, where he died in 1795. His wife's name was Mary_ Butterfield. Silas Perham, Captain Perham's father, was born in Dunstable, Mass., Febru- ary 10, 1770. In the spring of 1787, when only seventeen years of age, he took up lot No. 24 in the township of Farmington, the site of Captain Perham's present home, made a clearing, built a log house, and planted a crop. . The following winter he returned to Massachusetts for the rest of the family; and the father, mother, and children made the long journey hither on a sled, with one pair of oxen and a horse. They were twenty-three days on the way, stopping in woods to cook their simple meals, which, perchance, were often augmented by a fresh-caught fish or some wild game. There were few roads, and the route was mostly traced by blazed trees. We can imagine the pride of the youthful pioneer as the little caravan drew up at last before his log cabin, and gazed with delight on what he had accomplished, and the sense of restful ownership with which they slept that night under the primitive roof. Father and son were soon busily at work, felling the heavy hemlock, maple, and beech, some of which they burned to enrich the ground; and before long they had one of the best farms in the township. Silas Perham was a carpenter by trade, and in course of time he erected frame buildings in place of the early log house and barn. He was a man of large, strong frame, and was a tireless worker. For some years he was connected with the militia, and commanded the North Company of Infan- try. In politics he was a Democrat, in relig- ious belief a Free Will Baptist. He died at the age of seventy-four. His wife, who was a daughter of Eliphalet Jennings, of Farming- ton, died at the age of fifty-one. They had two children - John F., born April 11, 1808, who died in California in 1880; and Silas D., of Farmington, now to be further men- tioned.
Silas D. Perham received a good education in his childhood and youth, attending the public schools and Farmington Academy. He remained on the home farm, and proceeded
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with the work of its development, clearing the land from which his father had cut the timber, and evolving valuable pasture and tillage from rough fields. He set out a fine orchard; and he also purchased more land, so that his estate now includes two hundred acres. In 1865 he built a large house, and he has also erected a fine barn. Probably no man in Farmington has labored harder or longer than Captain Perham ; and yet in his eighty-second year he is straight as an arrow, and is still at work.
He was married February 2, 1837, to Mary Ann, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Hobbs, of Industry, Me. Five children blessed this union, namely: Hannah, born January 20, 1838, whose filial love and devotion have kept her in the home of her infancy, caring for her father and mother in their declining years; Joseph H., born October 17, 1842, who mar- ried Miss Mary S. Norton, and is a prosperous citizen, owning a farm in this town; Geor- giana, who lived but two years; Silas A., who died in infancy; and Silas F., born July II, 1850. Mrs. Mary A. Perham died May 13, 1874, aged sixty years. In early life Captain Perham was a Democrat; but when the Re- publican party was formed he was one of the delegates to the convention at Strong, and since that time he has supported the Republi- can platform. In religious belief he is a Free Will Baptist.
LBION P. MARSH, a former business man of Dixfield, now retired, was born here, August 8, 1823, son of David and Asenath (Parks) Marsh. The first ancestor of the family in America was John Marsh, who emigrated from England in 1634, and settled in Massachusetts. He followed the trade of a wool-carder or weaver, and died November 16, 1673. In 1635 he married Susanna Skelton, and with her subse- quently reared a family of eleven children. Andrew Marsh, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Sutton, Mass., June 2, 1769. He was an early settler of Dixfield, where, after clearing a farm, he spent the rest of his life occupied in its cultivation. On April 9, 1788, he married Rebecca Stone, of whose children by him there were reared John,
Nancy, David, Joshua, and Lawson, none of whom are living.
David Marsh, Mr. Marsh's father, also a native of Sutton, born May 19, 1792, was quite young when his parents moved to Dix-" field. In early manhood he engaged in log- ging to some extent, and was also a teamster. He eventually turned his attention to farming, which he followed with energy and success for the rest of his active period; and he died February 27, 1867. He was liberal in his views of religious matters, and in politics he supported the Republican party in the latter part of his life. His wife, Asenath, who was born April 19, 1796, bore him six sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Five are living; namely, Albion P., Liva L., Mattie L., Annette, and Ma- tilda. The others were: Andrew, Caleb. Leonora, Pauline, David M., Jerome, and Chestina. The mother died in September, 1882.
Albion P. Marsh was educated in the dis- trict schools, and resided at home until he was twenty-one years old. He then went to Rhode Island, where he was for a time em- ployed at a chemical manufactory. From there he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was there similarly engaged with his brother, David M., for ten years. Failing health caused him to relinquish that occupation ; and, returning to his native State, he became a dealer in country produce in Weld. Having done a large and successful business at this for several years, he retired, and has since resided in Dixfield.
Mr. Marsh has been three times married. His present wife, in maidenhood Matilda D. Newton, whom he wedded in 1870, is a daugh- ter of Burleigh and Sarah Newton, of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have had five children - Norman D., Chestina, Harry B .. Lutie M., and Owen. The last-named lived
but one year. In politics Mr. Marsh is a free coinage Democrat. He has been quite promi- nent in local affairs, having taken a deep inter- est in educational matters, and having served the town as Collector. He is a member of King Hiram Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and his social relations are of the pleasantest char- acter. The family occupies one of the hand-
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somest residences in the village, and its mem- bers are respected as worthy representatives of one of the old and reputable families.
RED A. PORTER, Sheriff of Oxford County, who resides upon a large farm in Rumford Falls, was born in Rox- bury, Me., December 30, 1850, son of Will- iam V. and Eliza M. (Taylor) Porter. His grandfather, Francis Porter, was an early set- tler of Roxbury, where he owned a good farm reclaimed by him from the wilderness, and re- sided for the rest of his life. William V. Porter, a native of Roxbury, was reared in that place. In young manhood he went to Boston, and was there employed as clerk in a store for a few years. He afterward returned to his native town, and followed agriculture successfully until his death, which happened when he was fifty-eight years old. He was a Democrat in politics, and he served for many years as a member of the Board of Selectmen in Roxbury. His wife, Eliza, who was also born in Roxbury, still active and well pre- served at the age of eighty years, resides in Rumford Falls.
Fred A. Porter in his boyhood attended the common and high schools of his neighbor- hood. In young manhood he went to Wis- consin, where he worked upon a farm for a year. He then returned East, and, settling in Chelsea, Mass., was there employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store for nine years. On account of poor health he relinquished mer- cantile occupations, and, returning to Oxford County, bought his present farm of five hun- dred and fifty acres in this town, where he has since resided. He carried on general farming and lumbering until 1892, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff. Since that timc he has devoted his attention to his public duties. He was one of the first to clear land upon the site of the present thriving settle- ment of Rumford Falls; and his property, which adjoins the village, is now quite valu- able. .
On April 22, 1877, Mr. Porter wedded Mary E. Green, of Rumford, and now has two sons - Fred A., Jr., and Charles N. In pol- itics Mr. Porter is a stanch Republican and a
leading spirit in the politics of this locality. He was for seven years a member of the Board of Selectmen, and he has been Tax Collector of the town. His appointment to the office of Deputy Sheriff was made when the town was incorporated, and he served in that capacity until elected High Sheriff of the county. In this responsible position he has shown a thor- ough competence, and has given full satisfac- tion. He is the present Secretary of Blazing Star Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M .; a mem- ber of Rumford Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of this town; Noble Grand of Penacook Lodge, No. 130, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and a member of Metalluc Lodge, No. 99, Knights of Pythias. His prominence in public affairs has gained for him a large ac- quaintanceship and much popularity through- out the county.
AGGETT BROTHERS, ALBERT AND WASHINGTON L., enter- prising general merchants and prominent citizens of Strong, are natives of New Vineyard, in Franklin County. Albert was born June 13, 1827, and Washing- ton L. was born May 6, 1835. Their parents were Captain Plamentin and Hannah (Snow) Daggett, the former of whom was born in In- dustry, Me., May 5, 1795, and the latter in New Vineyard, September 12, 1799.
Peter Daggett, the father of Plamentin Dag- gett, was a native of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., where he was born January 17, 1770. He located at New Vineyard in 1793, being the first member of the Daggett family to settle in this county. Five years later he moved to Industry, where he settled upon what is now known as the Lowell strip farm, and erected the first frame residence in the town. A well-to-do farmer, he died at his home in Industry on November 5, 1833. His wife, whose maiden name was Damaris Luce, died August 3, 1810.
Their son, Plamentin Daggett, served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in young manhood settled in New Vineyard, where he cleared and improved a farm. He followed agricultural pursuits in connection with the carpenter's trade, and became identified with
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the early growth and development of the town and its political affairs. He held various town offices, to which he was first elected by the Democratic party. He later cast one of the first votes in his town in favor of the Free Soil party, and he was a member of the con- vention which met in Strong for the purpose of organizing the Republican party in this lo- cality. He was prominent in the early State militia, in which he served for several years as a commissioned officer ; and as Commander of the New Vineyard Light Infantry the name of Captain Plamentin Daggett was long a familiar one in connection with the military affairs of Franklin County. In 1862 he re- moved to Strong; and he died in this town, March 28, 1866. In his religious belief he was a Methodist.
His wife, Hannah Snow, who was a woman of unusual ability and force of character, be- came the mother of six children, as follows: Ezekiel Snow, who was born February 7, 1823, and died February 25, 1858; Plamentin, Jr., who was born May 3, 1825, married Nancy T. Vining, of Strong, and died Decem- ber 12, 1884; Albert, of the firm of Daggett Brothers, of Strong; Oliver Cromwell, who was born April 20, 1830, and died April 3, 1847; Washington L., also of the firm of Daggett Brothers; and Hannah Snow, who was born January 14, 1839, and is the wife of George W. Luce, a retired jeweller of Colum- bus, Ohio. Mrs. Hannah Snow Daggett died in 1862.
Albert Daggett, senior member of the firm of Daggett Brothers, acquired his education in the common schools of his native town and the high schools in this county. When a young man he taught school for a time, and then set- tled upon a piece of agricultural property in Farmington. In 1863 he removed to Strong ; and in the following year he went to Mari- posa County, California, and from there to Nevada. After spending a year and a half in the mining district he returned to Strong, and, in company with his brother, engaged in gen- eral mercantile business. His business abil- ity has been fully demonstrated; and aside from this he possesses a natural genius for mechanics, which he has recently turned to good account by inventing a machine known
as the Daggett road rake. His model, which was patented on January 28, 1896, is con- structed for the purpose of cleaning streets and roads and removing loose obstructions. It is shaped like a snow-plough, but has spring steel teeth, and is believed to be the best and most feasible machine of its kind yet invented.
For his first wife Albert Daggett wedded Sarah M. Porter, of Strong, who died May 3. 1886. By this union there were three chil- dren - Willie, who died at the age of two years; Minnie W. and another child, both of whom died in infancy. His present wife was before marriage Ada Eldora Pottle. She was born in Freeman, Me., December 23, 1853, daughter of the late Jeremiah Pottle, a pros- perous farmer of Strong and formerly a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen and many years Town Treasurer. Mr. Daggett is a Republi- can in politics, and he and Mrs. Daggett are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Washington L. Daggett attended the com - mon schools of New Vineyard, where he ac- quired a good knowledge of the elementary branches of learning. He later attended the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, where he pursued more advanced studies; and for eight years thereafter he was engaged in teaching school. During the Civil War he was drafted for service, and, being ordered to the paymaster's department, served in that office in Portland for some nine months. He then taught school in Strong for one winter, after which he entered a mercantile establish- ment as a clerk; and a year later he, in com- pany with his brother, bought out the business, thus establishing the firm of Daggett Brothers. In 1886 their store was destroyed by fire; but a portion of the stock was saved, and, moving into their present building, they have since continued to do a large and profitable busi- ness. They carry a varied line of groceries and dry goods; and, as they are widely and favorably known as honorable, upright men and reliable merchants, they have a numerous and steady patronage.
On September 20, 1868, Washington L. Daggett was united in marriage with Reliance C. Dickey. She was born in Avon, Me., Oc-
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tober 27, 1841, daughter of the late John Dickey, of that town, and a niecc of the well- known Major Dickey, of Fort Kent.
In politics Mr. Daggett acts with the Rc- publican party. He was a Representative to the legislature in 1870, and for ninc ycars he served with ability as Town Clerk. He is one of the best-known and most active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church here, and has also acquired a high reputation throughout the State for his interest and efficiency in church and Sunday-school work. Hc is probably the oldest Sunday-school superintendent in Mainc at the present time, is a leading spirit in the State department of church work, and has been President of the Franklin County Sunday-school Association for over ten years. For three years he has served as County Secretary of the Maine State Sunday-school Association, during which time he was accorded high honor for having furnished the model annual report. He is a forcible speaker, and in response to urgent in- vitations has lectured upon Sunday-school work before county and State societies and other important gatherings, and, aside from his personal efforts in the churches of Strong, has rendered much valuable aid to the work throughout the State.
TOL HOMAS J. WHITEHEAD, who has been an important factor in advancing the agricultural and educational inter- ests of the town of Paris, is a native of the town, having been born October 17, 1816, son of John Whitehead, on the farm where he now lives. His father was born and bred in Woodbridge, N.J., whence in his early man- hood he came to Oxford County, seeking for a desirable locality in which to settle. Se- lecting the town of Paris, he purchased the present Whitehead homestead, where with his family he lived for a number of years in true pioneer style, depending upon the scanty pro- ductions of the soil and the wild game of the district for the maintenance of all. He cleared a portion of his one hundred and fifty acres, and engaged in general farming. He also kept a public house in Paris for twenty years, and was known as a genial host. He
married Mary Lovell, of Mansfield, Mass., by whom he became the father of three children, namely : Nancy, who is the widow of Henry R. Weber, of Paris; Thomas J., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Mary Ann Haskell, now deceased. Both parents died on the old homestcad, the father passing away at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother at the age of seventy-five years. Both were liberal in religion. In politics he was a Whig.
Thomas J. Whitehcad was educated in the schools of Paris and at the Norway High School. Afterward he followed the profession of teacher in this vicinity for thirty terms, and at one time served as superintendent of schools. Subsequently for about thirty years he devoted a portion of his time to canvassing the country, with considerable success, as agent for different firms, dealing in nursery goods or lightning rods. The old homestead is now owned by Mr. Whitehead and his sister, Mrs. Weber. Mr. Whitehead has a good farm of eighty acres, a part of which he devotes to fruit raising, his orchard being very productive. In 1876 he invented and patented a cooking range, which he subsequently sold to good advantage. In the settlement of a dis- pute between the towns of Paris and Norway regarding a cemetery located between the two places, Mr. Whitehead, associated with Judge Woodbury, of Bethel, obtained a decision in favor of Paris.
Mr. Whitchead was married April 5, 1848, to Caroline B. Jordan, who was born in Albany, Me., December 25, 1819. She was one of the eleven children, noted for their musical talent, born to Timothy and Mercy (Pike) Jordan. Of Mr. Whitehead's five chil- dren, four have died; namely, Eugene, M. Caroline, Herman M., and Mary E. Gran- ville M. Whitehead, the only living child, born November 17, 1861, resides with his parents, assisting in the management of the homestead, and also working in the Norway shoe factory. His first wife, formerly Sadie Stiles, died in 1893, leaving one child, Alton Eugene, born August 30, 1891. On June 15, 1 895, he entered a second marriage, contracted with Sadie M. Chase, who was born April 9, 1876, at Milton Plantation, Me., daughter of Charles and Clarissa (Godwin) Chase, both
WILLIAM ΒΕΑΝ.
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of whom are now residents of South Paris. In politics Mr. Whitehead is a Populist, while both he and his wife accept the teachings of Spiritualism. They have the distinction of being one of the oldest couples in this local- ity, and are held in high esteem throughout the community.
ILLIAM C. BEAN, a progressive farmer and one of the leading young men of Hiram, Oxford County, was born in Denmark, Me., October 5, 1863, son of William and Sarah Jane (Warren) Bean. Mr. Bean's paternal grand- parents were Abraham and Hannah (Burley) Bean, residents of York County, Maine.
William Bean, the father, whose portrait accompanies this biographical sketch, was born in Hollis, Me., May II, 1805. In 1835 he settled upon the Joshua Osgood farm in the town of Denmark, where he engaged in farm- ing and lumbering during the rest of his ac- tive period. He died April 21, 1894. A man of intelligence, energy, and public spirit, he took a leading part in town affairs; and he represented his district in the legislature three terms. His first wife was Sarah F. Blunt, who was born in Kennebunkport, Feb- ruary 2, 1808, and died January 10, 1862. She was the mother of four children, namely : George R., who died in Denmark, January 30, 1896; Ellen S .; Jane N .; and Frances Au- gusta. William Bean wedded for his second wife Sarah Jane Warren, who was born in Epping, N.H., October 15, 1829, and who became the mother of two children, namely: William C., the subject of this sketch; and Charles R., who was born November 15, 1871, and now resides with his brother. Mrs. Sarah J. Warren Bean died February 19, 1889.
William C. Bean was educated in the pub- lic schools of Denmark, and resided at home until becoming of age. In 1884 he came to Hiram, settling upon the Morris Clark farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, where he still resides; and since taking possession of the property he has greatly enhanced its value by making numerous improvements. He devotes his time to general farming, corn,
hay, and potatoes being his principal prod- ucts; and he raises some excellent cattle for his own use.
On October 6, 1884, Mr. Bean was united in marriage with Victoria L. Allen. She was born in Denmark, Me., August 9, 1859, daughter of Hosea and Mary Jane (Hartford) Allen. Her father was a prosperous farmer of Denmark, his native town, where he died, July 13, 1892; and her mother, who was a native of Hiram, is now residing in Denmark.
In politics Mr. Bean acts with the Republi- can party. He takes an interest in the gen- eral welfare of the community, being ever ready to aid in town improvements; and as a leader among the young men of this locality he is very popular. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of Denmark Lodge, No. 49.
AMUEL F. PERKINS, formerly a prosperous farmer of New Sharon, Franklin County, who died at his home in this town, February 27, 1889, was born in Woolwich, Me., June I, 1825, son of Samuel Ford and Sarah (Carter) Perkins. The father, who was a native of Woolwich, moved to New Sharon about 1840, and, purchasing a tract of land, founded the Perkins estate here. He died in 1869, at the age of seventy-five years.
Samuel F. Perkins (second) attended the schools of Woolwich and New Sharon until he was seventeen years old, when he began work on the home farm. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Regiment of Maine Infan- try, with which he served one year in the Civil War. Returning home, he resumed work upon the homestead farm, which he carried on with prosperous results until one year pre- vious to his death, when he sold the property to his son, Charles E. Mr. Perkins was a Republican in politics, liberal in his religious views, and was a highly respected citizen. He died, as above stated, at the age of sixty- four years. On December 21, 1863, he wedded Annette Smith, of New Sharon. She was born January 11. 1836, daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Dyer) Smith. Mrs. Perkins has had three children - Mary C., Charles E., and Lura M. Mary C., who was born Octo-
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ber 11, 1864, married Corydon Bailey, of In- dustry, and has three children - Charles H., born August 3, 1888; Leon A., born March 15, 1890; and Clarence E., born in 1892. Charles E. Perkins, who was born July 16," 1866, now owns and resides upon the home- stead farm. Lura M., who was born August 25, 1873, married Frank M. Tebbetts, of Nor- way, Me., and has one child, Ray, who was born December 15, 1895. Mrs. Perkins is an active, intelligent, and highly respected lady, one who fully merits the esteem in which she is held by her numerous friends and acquaint- ances.
HARLES B. CUMMINGS, of the well-known manufacturing firm of C. B. Cummings & Sons, of Nor- way, Oxford County, Me., was born here on December 18, 1834. His parents were Stephen and Fanny (Whitney) Cum- mings.
His paternal grandfather, Dr. Stephen Cummings, a native of Andover, Mass., son of Jonathan Cummings, was a prominent phy sician and surgeon, first in Waterford, Me., and later in the city of Portland. He died in 1854, a little past fourscore years of age. He and his wife, Eleanor Hale, were the parents of six children - Nathan, Sarah, Sumner, Stephen (second), John M., and Fitz Henry. The first three were natives of Waterford, the last three of Portland. Sarah Cummings, born in 1798, became the wife of Charles Bradley. John M. Cummings, M.D., was the only one of the sons who adopted the father's profession.
Stephen Cummings, the second of the name in direct line and the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Portland in 1803. When he attained his majority, his father, Dr. Cummings, gave him one hundred and fifty acres of uncultivated land in the northern part of Norway, which he cleared and sold, afterward buying the same number of acres in Bethel, a neighboring town in the county, where he was a resident for twenty- five years. Later he sold that farm also, and, buying a house in Norway village, retired from active business. A Democrat in poli-
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