USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 21
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 21
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Captain William Dorr, who was master of a vessel, and spent much of his life on the high seas, always made his home in Boston; and he died there in 1845. His wife had gone before him, passing away in 1843. They were the parents of seven children - of whom the
youngest only is now living - namely : Caleb ; William; Charles M., the subject of this sketch; Lucinda; Elizabeth; James; and Sarah, who resides in Roxbury, Mass., the widow of Edwin Lemist.
Charles M. Dorr was educated in Boston, remaining with his parents until the time of his first marriage, when he went to Dorchester to live. After a residence of some years in that place he removed to Bradley, Me., and engaged in the lumber business. This was in the early forties, when there was not so much competition in that line of industry as at the present day, and when timber could almost be had for the cutting; and Mr. Dorr accumu- lated a fortune within the space of a quarter of a century.
In 1865 he became a resident of Milford, Me., retiring from active business ; and in that town he died, June 9, 1866. He was an ener- getic, capable, and persevering man, never shirking a task, no matter how heavy; and he won the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was a Republican.
Mr. Dorr was married in Dorchester to Miss Ann Morse, of Dedham, Mass., who died in 1844 in Bradley, Me. By this union he had six children - Albert H. (deceased) ; Caleb Davis, a lumberman in Minneapolis, Minn .; Ann, wife of Symond J. Murphy, of Detroit, Mich .; Sarah E., widow of William Garland, residing with her sister in Detroit; William, of Milford, Me., who married Miss Lena Doe; and Temple E., who married Miss Malvina Eddy, and lives in East Saginaw, Mich. On August 18, 1845, the year follow- ing the death of his first wife, Mr. Dorr was married in Bradley, Me., to Miss Charlotte Morse, of Waterford, Me. She was born July 21, 1816, the daughter of Jonathan and Chloe (Willard) Morse. Her parents were born in Massachusetts, the father in Stow, the mother in Harvard. They removed to Waterford in the early part of this century; and Mr. Morse was here prosperously engaged in farming for a number of years, and he was also a drover. He died in Waterford in 1833, the year fol- lowing the death of his wife. They were the parents of twelve children, all but three of whom died in infancy. Of these three, the
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CHARLES M. DORR.
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eldest is Mrs. Dorr. The second, Augustus G., died in 1864; and the third, Sarah, who was the wife of Dr. Z. Jodon, died July 9, 1 884.
After her husband's death Mrs. Dorr went West, and was in Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio for two years, visiting her step-children. Returning to Milford, Me., she resided there a year, and then came to her native place to spend her declining years amid the scenes familiar to her childhood. Although Mrs. Dorr has passed the eightieth milestone in life's journey, she does not seem old; and her friends are sanguine that she will spend many succeeding seasons in her beautiful home. She is a member of the Congregational church in Waterford.
LVIN W. JUDKINS, a successful blacksmith and carriage builder of West Farmington, was born No- vember 29, 1856, in Carthage, Me., son of Willard and Malissa (Mitchell) Jud- kins. His grandfather, Phillip Judkins, who was one of the first settlers in Carthage, mar- ried Rachel White, and died at the age of seventy-five, leaving seven children. His widow's death occurred in September, 1896, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Their children were: Orrin, Asaph, Willard, Irena, Eastman, Benjamin, and Mercey A. Asaph was killed in the late war.
Willard Judkins learned shoemaking in early life, and subsequently worked at it for a while in Stoughton, Mass. Not liking the trade, he then turned his hand to carpenter- ing. Some time after, a part of his father's farm became his by inheritance; and he re- turned home to take charge of it. He built some new buildings on the property, and he carried on general farming until his death in 1876. He was a Republican in politics. He represented the town for a time in the State legislature, and served it acceptably as Select- man. In religious belief he was an Ad- ventist. His wife, a daughter of Joshua Mitchell, of Carthage, bore him six children. Preston died young. The survivors are : Alvin W., Everrett P., Orrin S., Morris T., and Evander C. The mother is also living.
Alvin W. Judkins was educated in his na- tive town. Upon arriving at maturity, he bought his father's farm and cultivated it for a period of four years. Selling it then, he went to West Farmington, and took charge of the Elm Hotel, which he ran for a short time. After this he conducted a boarding- house for a spell, during which he learned the blacksmith's trade. He subsequently worked at this craft for two years in West Farming- ton, and then moved to Madison, Me., where he rented a blacksmith's shop, and started in business for himself. Some time after, he bought a shop, which, on finding it unsuit- able for his purpose, he sold. Then, in part- nership with Mr. H. H. Steward, he bought some land, built a first-class shop and house on it, and was there prosperously engaged at his trade until 1893. In that year he disposed of his share in the business, came back to West Farmington, and bought a half-interest in the Whitney blacksmith shop. Here he has since carried on general blacksmith work and carriage ironing with much success, em- ploying skilled workmen to assist him. He also deals in wagons and in carriages. Some time ago he purchased the fine old residence on Water Street known as the Ed Greenwood estate, and has much improved it since.
Mr. Judkins was married September 17, 1880, to Miss Flora B. Hutchinson, a daugh- ter of Reuben and Isabel (Pratt) Hutchinson, highly respected farming people. Their four children are: Florence H., born November II, 1881; La Forrest E., born March IO. 1883; Gertrude B., born June 19, 1889; and Lucy W., born September 4, 1895. Like his father, Mr. Judkins is a Republican, and in religion an Adventist. He is also a member of Euclid Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Madison, and of the Ancient Order of United Work- men.
HARLES E. WILSON, M.D., an esteemed physician of East Hiram village, Oxford County, was born in Limerick, Me., September 9. 1853, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Cole) Wilson. The family, which is of Scotch origin, descends from Gowen Wilson, its
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founder in America. Moses Wilson, Dr. Wilson's grandfather, who was a native of Kittery, Me., settled upon a farm in Parsons- field, Me., previous to 1800, and some years later removed to Cornish, Me., where he re- sided for the rest of his life.
Jonathan Wilson, who was a native of Par- sonsfield, was twelve years of age when he moved with his parents to Cornish. In young manhood he settled in Limington, Me. At a later date he went to Limerick, and subse- quently to Sweden, this county, where he died September 3, 1890. His wife, Eliza- beth, who was a native of Cornish, had nine children, as follows: Harriet, born April 2, 1837, who died November 6, 1858; John, born December 25, 1838, who died June 26, 1896; Fanny N., born April 22, 1840, who died March 5, 1875; Moses B., born April 2, 1842, who died March 16, 1864; George F., born July 15, 1844, who died March 14, 1882; Sarah E., born July 28, 1846, who died April 19, 1847; Sarah E. (second), born May 12, 1848, who died February 9, 1888; Daniel W., born August 11, 1850, who died October 18, 1862; and Charles E., the subject of this sketch. Her death occurred on January I, 1892.
Charles E. Wilson received his early edu- cation in the public schools. He subse- quently attended the North Bridgton Academy and Gray's Business College for a time; and then he fitted for Bowdoin College at the Nor- way Institute, where he graduated as class orator. After teaching school in Norway, Waterford, Sweden, and Lovell for eighteen terms, he entered Bowdoin College Medical School, from which he graduated with the class of 1885. Upon receiving his diploma, he entered upon his profession at Kineo, Me. In the following November he located in East Hiram, where he has since resided. During the winter of 1894-95 he took a post-graduate course at the Post-graduate Medical College of New York City. His practice extends over a wide circuit, including several towns in Ox- ford and Cumberland Counties. The duties of Secretary of the Board of Health and of a member of the Board of United States Exam- iners in pension cases are also discharged by him. He has been a member of the Maine
Medical Association since 1886, and is also connected with the Maine Academy of Medi- cine and Sciences.
On June 16, 1885, Dr. Wilson was united in marriage with Frances Ella Chadbourne, daughter of Francis S. Chadbourne, a promi- nent resident of Oxford, who died in 1893. They have one son, Charlie Louville, who was born November 10, 1886. A Democrat in politics, the Doctor is too much occupied with his professional duties to take a promi- nent part in public affairs. At present he is rendering valuable service to the town as a member of the School Board, and he was Su- pervisor of Schools during six years of his residence in Hiram. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Mount Tire'm Lodge, No. 132, of Hiram; of Aurora Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Cor- nish. He has also membership in Hiram Lodge, No. 16, Knights of Pythias. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson attend the Congregational church, and occupy an important social position in the community.
RASTUS W. DEERING, a native of Denmark, Oxford County, represents an old county family. He was born September 11, 1819, upon the farm he now owns and occupies, son of Robert and Rhoda (Whittemore) Deering. Mr. Deering's father, who was a native of Saco, Me., born October 22, 1789, came in 1808 to Denmark, where he settled upon the farm which has since been the homestead of the family. He continued to till the soil with success during the rest of his active period, and died June 3, 1864. His wife, Rhoda, who was born in Hebron, Me., July 2, 1788, became the mother of seven children, of whom two are living, namely : Erastus W., the subject of this sketch; and Sarah Jane, who married Myron H. Mansfield, and is now residing in Nebraska. The others were: Deborah W., Robert, Jairus M., Mary J., and Eunice Eliza. Deborah W. died at the age of seventeen, and Mary J. and Eunice Eliza also died before reaching maturity. The mother died August 28, 1854.
Erastus W. Deering acquired a common- school education, and was reared to farm life
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at the homestead. Some time after his mar- riage he went to McLean County, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming for a year. Returning then to Denmark he has since given his attention to carrying on the home farm, which he inherited at his father's death. The property consists of two hundred acres of desirable land, the tillage portion of which is in a good state of cultivation. His princi- pal crops have been hay, corn, and potatoes. He has been exceedingly active and industri- ous, making the most advantageous use of his opportunities for advancement. Some time since he practically retired from labor, leaving the management of the farm to his son.
On March 23, 1843, Mr. Deering wedded Joann I. Jewett, who was born in Denmark, daughter of Daniel and Lydia Jewett, the for- mer a thrifty farmer of this town. Born of the marriage were four children, namely: Annie H., who is the wife of Nathaniel Wiggins, of Baldwin, Me. ; Jairus M., who died at the age of sixteen ; Alice A., who is now a teacher in the public schools of Chicago; and Arthur M., whose birth occurred August 18, 1857, and who is now in charge of the home farm. Ar- thur M. married Mary S. Lowell, daughter of Daniel Lowell, late of this town, and has five children ; namely, Jennie E., Arthur L., Wal- ter P., Helen I., and Ralph O. His mother died February 11, 1860; and on October II of the same year his father married for his second wife Mary A. Jordan, who was born in Den- mark, August 30, 1829, daughter of Mial and Mehitable Jordan, former residents of this town, both now deceased. In politics Mr. Deering is a Republican. He has voted with his party since its formation, but has never aspired to public office. He is, however, deeply interested in all matters relative to the general welfare of the town, and is well in- formed regarding the principal questions of the day. Mrs. Deering is a member of the Methodist church.
ILLIAM AUGUSTUS MANNING, manager of the Elliott & Bartlett spool-mills of North Waterford, Oxford County, was born in Eaton, N.H., December 12, 1850, son of Dr. William A.
and Nancy (Atkinson) Manning. Dr. Will- iam A. Manning, who was a native of Ipswich, Mass., entered on the study of medicine in his native town, finishing his professional training in Philadelphia. He began practice in Dover, N.H. Subsequently he pursued his profession in Springvale, Me., South Berwick, Me., and Eaton, N.H .; in Stoneham, this county, where he remained several years; and in Weld, Me., for two years. His death oc- curred March 26, 1876, in Weld. He was married in Eaton, N. H., to Miss Atkinson, a native of that town, who is now living in Eaton with her sister. They had five chil- dren, namely: William A., the subject of this sketch; Allegra, in Ellsworth, Me. ; John F., a practising physician in Ellsworth, Me., who married Miss Maude Saunders; Ida H., de- ceased, who was the wife of Dr. Charles M. Coolidge, a physician of North Waterford; and Hattie, who lived but three summers.
William A. Manning received a common- school education, supplemented by one term at the Bridgton (Me. ) Academy. He left home when about twenty years of age, going to Albany, Me., where he worked in the tim- ber some two months. He then obtained em- ployment in a saw-mill in Milton, N. H., re- maining four months. The three months following he was employed in a saw-mill in Stoneham, this county. In 1872 he entered the employ of Elliott & Bartlett, whose favor and confidence he won by his industry and the conscientious discharge of his duties. He has now been manager and overseer of the mill for nearly a quarter of a century. The Elliott & Bartlett spool-mill, located at Lynchville, about a mile north of the village of North Waterford, is one of the largest and most prosperous concerns in this part of the county. Mr. Manning is also engaged to some extent in farming, and owns some real estate near North Waterford village.
He was married June 13, 1881, while on a visit to Pittsfield, Pa., to Miss Lizzie M. Bartlett, of that town. She was born at Stoneham, Me., January 17, 1860, daughter of Enoch M. and Mary (Ayers) Bartlett. both natives of Maine, born respectively in Newry and Stoneham. Mr. Bartlett, who is a farmer, living in Naples, Me., has been three times
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married. llis first wife died at Pittsfield, Pa., June 24, 1883. His second marriage was contracted with Mrs. Sarah Gray, of Thomas- boro, Ill., and his third with Mrs. Sophia Leavitt, of Naples, Me., who is still living. Mr. Manning has four children, all natives of North Waterford, namely: Fonti E., born July 15, 1882; Robert L., born January 21, 1885; Mary A., born August 12, 1888; and Arthur B., born July 4, 1891. Mr. Manning votes the Republican ticket. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of North Waterford village. Keeping on friendly terms with all conditions of men, "Gus Manning" is one of the most popular men of the town.
A LBION K. P. JONES, of Jay, Frank- lin County, was born here, March 2, 1829, son of Hiram and Betsey (Tuck) Jones, both natives of Fay- ette, Me. His grandfather, Captain Sylvester Jones, a native of Taunton, Mass., who was a ship-master at one time, settled upon a farm in Fayette, and resided there for the rest of his life. Hiram Jones came to Jay in 1826. He purchased a farm here, which he cultivated industriously during the rest of his active period, and died about the year 1870. His wife, Betsey, became the mother of seven chil- dren, namely : Mary A., who is still residing at the homestead in Jay; Albion K. P., the subject of this sketch; Harriet, who is now the widow of Otis Richardson, and lives in Livermore Falls; Albert F., who married Jane Gordon, and occupies the old homestead ; William B., who is no longer living; Ann Elizabeth, who married John Peterson, and now resides in California; and Charles H., Ann Elizabeth's twin brother, who died in the Civil War. The mother reached the age of eighty years before she died.
Albion K. P. Jones was educated in the common schools of Jay, and resided at home until he was nineteen years old. He then went to Lowell, Mass., where he remained for three years employed as a watchman. In June, 1851, he joined a party bound for the mines in California, and with them, on the 28th of the month, left New York City for
the Isthmus. On arriving there they crossed to Panama in a log boat ; and, after waiting in that city seven days for a vessel, they started on the voyage up the coast, which occupied seventeen days, and arrived at San Francisco on August 6. Mr. Jones went to the diggings in Northern California, and there obtained employment in a mine at seven dollars per day. He lived in a hut made of brush, board- ing himself at seven dollars per week; and his sojourn there was productive of good financial results. After making considerable money he finally left the mines, and engaged in agri- culture upon a farm in Suisun Valley for two years. He then returned to Jay, and bought the farm where he now resides. He owns two hundred and forty acres of fertile land, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and much enhanced in value by erecting new and substantial buildings.
On January 10, 1854, Mr. Jones was first united in marriage with Emily Bigelow, who was born in Corinna, Me., daughter of John Bigelow. She died November 10, 1863, leav- ing two children, namely: Fannie, now the wife of Albert Wing, of Fayette, Me .; and Emma J., who is the widow of Bradford F. Parker, and resides at the Parker homestead, having two children - Horace A. and Brad- ford S. By a second marriage on April 4, 1866, Mr. Jones was wedded to Mrs. Mary E. (Reynolds) Porter. She was born in Belfast, Me., November 25, 1830, daughter of William and Mehitable (Trundy) Reynolds, now de- ceased, who were prosperous farming people of that town. In politics Mr. Jones acts with the Republican party. Both he and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have the warm esteem and good will of their neighbors.
J OHN WESTON, of Fryeburg, an exten- sive dealer in live stock and one of the largest timber land owners in Oxford County, was born in Fryeburg, January 13, 1834, son of Edward and Rachel (Ward) Weston. Edward Weston was a native of Lincoln, Mass., came to Fryeburg in March, 1800, and settled upon the farm where his son John now resides. He was a farmer and a
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cattle drover; and for many years he carried the United States mail from Fryeburg to Port- land. In his day he figured prominently in public affairs, and was Deputy Sheriff for sev- eral years. He died April 3, 1853. His first wife, in maidenhood Jane Webster, of Conway, N. H., who died in 1829, bore hin five chil- dren - Ann, James, Charles, Edward, and John, none of whom are living. By his second marriage he was wedded to Rachel Ward, a native of Concord, N. H. Her father, Jona- than Ward, came to Fryeburg when she was six months old, and resided here for the rest of his life. She became the mother of four chil- dren, as follows: John, the subject of this sketch; George Ward, who was an extensive cattle dealer in South America, where he has since died; Jane W., who resides at the home- stead in this town; and Edward Payson, who married Frances Hunt, and is a general mer- chant in Fryeburg. She survived her husband nearly forty years, and resided at the home- stead until her death, which occurred January 3, 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-two years.
John Weston acquired his education at the Fryeburg Academy. After his father's death he began life for himself, first working in the lumber camps, and later employed in handling stone. Being a great admirer of live stock, he naturally drifted into that business, commenc- ing in a small way by shipping to the cattle markets. Since then he has become one of the largest dealers in this county. He is also extensively interested in lumbering, and owns over four thousand acres of timber land. This property is located as follows : five hundred acres in Fryeburg; five hundred in Fryeburg and Brownfield townships; three hundred in Mason; one thousand in Conway, N. H. ; thir- teen hundred in Madison and Eaton, N. H. ; three hundred in Bartlett, N. H. ; two hundred in Freedom, N. H. ; and other tracts in Maine and New Hampshire. His homestead prop- erty contains one hundred acres of excellent tillage land with a substantial residence, and occupies a pleasant location near the village of Fryeburg.
On January 13, 1859, Mr. Weston was united in marriage to Abbie F. Glines. She was born in Eaton, N. H., daughter of Thomas
Glines, now deceased, formerly a prosperous farmer of that town. She became the mother of five children, as follows: Edward, born Oc- tober 23, 1859, who married Sadie Gordon, a native of Canada, and is now in the grain busi- ness in Fryeburg; James Herbert, born No- vember 3, 1861, who died at the age of two years; Mary, born February 9, 1866, residing at home; Susan, born March 12, 1868, who is now a teacher in the public schools of this town; and George Ward, born September 3, 1870, also residing at home. Mrs. Weston died May 28, 1895. In politics Mr. Weston is a Republican, and, though actively interested in all measures calculated to secure the party's success, he has never sought public office. Highly esteemed by the community, he exer- cises a wide influence in all public matters. He and his daughters are members of the New Jerusalem Church of Fryeburg.
LBERT GUY HOWARD, M.D., a popular and successful physician and surgeon of Farmington, Me., was born in the town of Rangeley, Franklin County, October 20, 1846, the son of Guy C. and Mahala (Howland) Howard.
Guy C. Howard was born in the town of Phillips, Me., and reared to farm life. His first independent venture was the purchase of a farm in his native town, which he tilled for a few years; and then selling it he engaged in trade and manufacturing, purchasing a store at Bragg's Corners and also the potash-mills. He subsequently moved to the town of Rangeley, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land near Quimby Pond and erected a log house. , After clearing most of the land in the pioneer fash- ion, he sold it at an advantage and purchased some property in the town of Phillips. There he remained but a short time, next purchasing a farm in the town of Weld. In 1864 he sold his farm and bought a house in the village of Weld, retiring from active business. In 1879 his home was broken by the death of his wife; and, selling his effects, he went to live with his daughter in Lynn, Mass., where he died at the age of eighty years. He had been a man of remarkable physical vigor, and at the time
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of his death there was not a gray hair in his head. Mr. Guy C. Howard was a Democrat in his early manhood, but after the formation of the Republican party he transferred his allegiance to that. In religious belief he was a Baptist. His wife, who was a daughter of Briggs S. Howland, died in 1879, at the age of sixty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Guy C. Howard were the parents of the following children : James G. ; Briggs H .; Abigail, who died young ; William B. ; Frank S .; Helena M. ; Della R. ; Albert Guy ; and Mary E.
Albert Guy Howard, the youngest son and the special subject of this biography, spent his boyhood years in acquiring his education in the public schools. After leaving the high school he learned the trade of harness-making ; and then opening a shop he carried on the busi- ness some ten years, at the same time studying medicine under the tuition of Dr. J. J. Lin- scott, of Farmington, and Dr. S. P. Warner, of Portland. He subsequently took a practical course at the Medical Institute of Vermont, graduating in 1881. In July of the same year he began to practice at New Sharon, Me., where he remained two years, and he next settled at Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County ; but, the salt air not agreeing with him, he re- moved to Kingfield, where he established himself, August 16, 1883. There he soon had a large practice, the frequency of accidents in the woods among the lumber camps and mills keeping him busy as a surgeon and phy- sician; and his skill and success soon gave him a favorable reputation. On May 7, 1891, he moved to Farmington; and although there were a number of old established physicians here, he soon won his way to favor, as his prac- tical experience in surgery especially made his presence desirable in cases of emergency. He has a large practice in Farmington and vicin- ity, and is often called in consultation long distances away. His residence and office are at 22 High Street.
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