USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 24
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
sixty - seven years. Their children were - Freeman C., James P., Angeline, Richard L., Ann M., John J., Newell J., and Horace J. The father was a member and class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his ear- lier years his political opinions were Demo- cratic; but, when the Republican party was formed, he joined it, and thenceforth sup- ported that party.
John Janett Morton, whose name occupies the sixth place in this list, was reared and educated in South Paris. After leaving school he went to Roxbury, Mass., where he was em- ployed three years, at first learning the busi- ness of manufacturing cut nails, and then working at that calling. Subsequently he worked for his brother, Freeman C. Morton, who was a contractor and builder, until 1850. Then he joined the crowd of gold-seekers at that time going to California. Near Aca- pulco, Mexico, the steamship "North Amer- ica," on which he had embarked, was wrecked on a sand-bank. The disaster caused a deten- tion of six weeks, and obliged him finally to ride to the next port on a mule, the distance being eighty miles. Here he took ship again; but before reaching his destination a further delay was occasioned by the breaking down of the engine, so that he was one hun- dred days upon the journey. On arriving in Sacramento, he engaged in carpenter's work for a short time; and then he went mining, visiting several places. Not liking his ex- perience in this occupation, he at length gave it up and returned home. Soon after he was appointed freight agent of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad, now known as the Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1883, when the road con- necting South Paris with Norway was built, he received the further appointment of conductor of the trains running upon this branch. In both capacities he has given entire satisfaction, alike to his employers and the public at large.
On November 11, 1856, he was united in matrimony with Hannah B. Morse, a daughter of Nathan, Jr., and Mary (Crockett) Morse. Her father and mother were natives of Maine, born respectively in Lewiston and Danville, in the year 1788. The parents of Nathan Morse, Jr., were Nathan and Sarah (Bacon) Morse, natives of Dedham, Mass., who settled
177
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
in Lewiston. Their son, Nathan, Jr., removed to Danville, where he was a prosperous farmer. When advanced in years he bought a home in Norway, and there dwelt in retirement until his death, which occurred in 1871, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife died in 1869, having borne him twelve children. Of these nine attained maturity ; namely, Joseph, Sally, Judith, Edwin, Jennie, Lucinda, Benjamin F., Julia, and Hannah B. Both parents were members of the Baptist church. In politics the father was at first a Whig and subsequently a Republican.
Mr. Morton and his wife have had four chil- dren, as follows: Ada May, born May 1, 1858; Ralph W., born October 28, 1859, who died March 7, 1887; Harry R., born October 23, 1861 ; and Helen T., born January 17, 1869. Ada May is now the wife of N. Dayton Bol- ster, the leading merchant of South Paris, and has four children - Elsie M., Morton V., Ruth M., and Philip C. Harry R., who con- ducts the night-lunch car at Auburn, Me., married Mina Daicy, and has one child, named Grace. Helen T. is the wife of George Hargrave, of Portland. In politics Mr. Mor- ton supports the Republican party. During the entire period of his employment in the ser- vice of the Grand Trunk Railroad Company he has lost but six months on account of sick- ness. He and Mrs. Morton reside at 29 Pleas- ant Street, in a house erected by him on a lot purchased in 1860. Few men of the town are so well known and esteemed as Mr. Morton.
EORGE R. BEAN, who was a well- to-do farmer and a prominent resi- dent of Denmark, Oxford County, was born in Hollis, Me., July 3, 1834, son of William and Sarah F. (Blunt) Bean. The family was founded by John Bean, an emigrant from Scotland, who settled in Exeter, N. H., antecedent to the year 1660. Mr. Bean's grandparents were Abraham and Hannah (Burley) Bean, both residents of York County. Giles Burley, the founder of the Burley fam - ily, came from England and settled in Ipswich in 1648.
William Bean, born May 1I, 1805, in Water- boro, York County, having been reared a
farmer, in 1835 settled in Denmark, where he bought a large tract of land known as the Joshua Osgood farm. Dealing extensively in lumber, he resided here until his death, which occurred April 21, 1894. His religious be- lief was that of the Universalists. For many years he figured prominently in public affairs, having represented his district in the legislat- ure for three terms. He was twice married. His first wife, Sarah F., who was born Febru- ary 2, 1808, in Kennebunkport, Me., and died January 10, 1862, had four children, as fol- lows: George R., the subject of this sketch ; Ellen S., born December 13, 1838, who is now the wife of R. G. True, a prosperous farmer of Hiram, Me. ; Jane M., born Septem- ber 12, 1841, who successively married Al- mond Perry and George P. Hoyt, of Baldwin, Me., and is now a widow residing in Old Or- chard, Me. ; and Frances A., born September 8, 1849, who is now the wife of the Rev. S. R. H. Biggs, a preacher and publisher of Lincoln, Mass. The father entered a second marriage, contracted with Sarah J. Warren, who was born in Effingham, N. H., October 15, 1827. She died February 19, 1889, leav- ing two children, namely: William C., born October 5, 1863, who married Lucy V. Allen, and is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Hiram, Me. ; and Charles R., born November 15, 1871, who resides with his brother in Hiram.
After receiving his education in the schools of Paris Hill and Waterville, George R. Bean taught school in Denmark for eight years. Throughout the rest of his life he was prosper- ously engaged in general farming at the home- stead. A great admirer of good cattle, he also bred stock extensively. He died at his home, January 30, 1896, aged nearly sixty-two years. The estate left by him comprises the home- stead proper, containing two hundred and thirty acres; twelve hundred acres of outlying land; and the Red Mill in Hiram, erected by him in 1895. In politics he was an active supporter of the Republican party, by which he was elected to the offices of Supervisor and Collector. He was prominent in all move- ments conducive to the general good, and was highly respected by the community.
On September 26, 1860, the late Mr. Bean
178
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
was united in marriage with Sarah M. Jordan, of Portland, Me., who, born June 13, 1836, came to reside in Denmark when she was five years old. Her parents, William M. and Almira P. (Harmon) Jordan, now deceased, were both natives of Maine, born respectively in Gray and Biddeford. Mrs. Jordan passed some years of her life in Brownfield, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Bean have had five children, as fol- lows: Jennie, born February 23, 1863, who married E. W. Bosworth, the present proprie- tor of the Red Mill in Hiram, and has one daughter, Bethesda I., born December 13, 1893; Anna Maud, born July 6, 1865, who is now the wife of Fernando W. Witham, of Denmark Corner; Fred Roy, born December 30, 1867, who resides at home; Mildred May, born February 1, 1870, who died December 11, 1894; and Mahlon, born August 24, 1872, who died March 14, 1873. The father was a member of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 53, A. F. & A. M. The farm is now carricd on by Frcd Roy Bean, an intelligent and pro- gressive young man. He raises horses and cattle, runs a dairy, and sells a large amount of cream. Mrs. Bean is a member of the Universalist church. Her many admirable qualities endear her to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
APTAIN WILLIAM TRUE, a re- tired carpenter of Farmington, Me., formerly a commissioned officer in the State militia, is one of the most venerable and highly respected citizens of this town. Hc was born in Temple, Franklin County, Me., June 10, 1815, son of William and Hannah Abbott (Russell) True. He is a descendent of the Yarmouth Trues, a promi- nent Cumberland County family, who settled there at an early date in Colonial history.
Zebulon True, Captain True's grandfather, son of William True, was born in Yarmouth, Me., May 21, 1765 ; and when a young man he resided for some time in Augusta. He served as a private in the Continental Army during the latter part of the Revolutionary War; and in 1791 he settled upon lot No. 18 in Farm- ington, which was then an almost unbroken wilderness, but few white men living here at
the time. A few years later he sold his Farmington property ; and in 1799 he bought another tract of wild land in the town of Temple, where he cleared a good farm, being one of the pioneer agriculturists of that local- ity. He died February 4, 1830. His wife, formerly Martha Kennedy, who was born in Ireland, October 26, 1770, became the mother of twelve children; namely, William, Betsey, Zebulon, Martha, Polly, Sally, James K., Jo- siah L., John, Thomas, Roxaillany, and Jacob ' B. Captain True's grandmother died February 9, 1858.
William True, son of. Zebulon and Martha True, was born in Farmington, Me., April 12, 1789. Upon reaching manhood he cleared a farm situated upon Porter's Hill, later selling and clearing a part of another tract containing one hundred and sixty acres, making two farms which were reclaimed by him from a wild state. From this it appears that he was a strong, able-bodied, exceedingly energetic man, capable of much physical endurance and hard work. He also followed the carpenter's trade in connection with his other labors; and he was one of the most successful among the carly settlers of Temple, where he lived to be- come an octogenarian. He died at the home of his son, May 9, 1869. In politics he was a Democrat, and in his religious views a Con- gregationalist ; and by his industrious and ex- emplary life he gained the respect and esteem of his neighbors and fellow-townsmen. He married for his first wife Hannah Abbott Rus- sell, who was born May 4, 1794, daughter of Thomas and Phebe (Abbott) Russell. She
died March 16, 1838, leaving seven children, as follows: Sumner, who was born October 6, 1813; William, the subject of this sketch ; Hannah A., born May 22, 1817; Julian, born March 7, 1824; Octavia, born February 4, 1 828; Marilla, born June 14, 1832; and Philip, born October 5, 1835. Captain True's father married for his second wife Elizabeth P. Haskell, who lived to reach the age of eighty- one years, and died in 1880, and whose only daughter, Octavia, was born December 3, 1839.
William True, the subject of this sketch, attended school in his boyhood; and when old enough he began to learn the carpenter's trade, working with his father. At the age of
WILLIAM TRUE.
181
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
twenty-four he settled in Phillips, where he bought a farm which he carried on in connec- tion with his trade for four years. At the ex- piration of that time he sold his property, and, moving to Worcester, Mass., worked as a jour- neyman carpenter in that city for three years, when his health failed. For the next seven years he kept a public house, for four years managing a hotel on the west side of the river, and for the succeeding three years being pro- prietor of the Blue Mountain House, which stood upon the site now occupied by the pres- ent Farmington Exchange. Retiring from the hotel business, he bought the Butler home- stead, which was the oldest residence in the village, and, having remodelled it and placed it in a substantial condition, has since resided here. He continued to follow his trade with energy and prosperity for several years, but has now practically retired from regular labor, although he is able at his advanced years to spend considerable time at his bench daily.
On March 29, 1839, Captain True wedded Mary S. Smith, who was born in Farmington, December 19, 1815, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Sprague) Smith. Mrs. True died July 24, 1886, leaving no children.
While residing in Temple, Captain True was prominent in the State militia, and re- ceived his commission, the title of which he has since borne. In politics he is a Republi- can. For the past thirty years he has had charge of the house of worship of the Old South Congregational Church, of which he is an active member. He enjoys good health; and there is not a citizen here who is more widely and favorably known than this venerable octogenarian, or more entitled to the respect and veneration which is extended to him by the entire community.
IAL FRANCISCO BRADBURY, M. D., a brilliant young physician of Norway, Me., son of one of the most eminent medical and surgical practi- tioners in Oxford County, was born in Spring- field, Me., February 5, 1861. He is a son of Dr. Osgood N. and Ellen R. (Scribner) Brad- bury. Dr. Bradbury's immigrant ancestor, from whom he is eighth in descent, was
Thomas Bradbury, who was baptized at Wicken Bonant, Essex County, England, on February 28, 1610-II, and in 1634 appeared in Agamen- ticus (now York, Me.) as agent of the propri- etor, Sir Ferdinando Gorges.
Thomas Bradbury afterward settled in the town of Salisbury, Mass., and married Mary Perkins, of Ipswich, who was convicted of witchcraft, but escaped execution. Thomas, the immigrant, and his wife, Mary, had a son William, who was a land-owner in Salisbury. William Bradbury married Rebecca Maverick (née Wheelwright), and their son Jacob mar- ried Elizabeth Stockman. Moses, the son of the couple last named, settled in North Yar- mouth, Me., and later removed to New Gloucester. He married Abigail Fogg; and his fourth child and second son, Benjamin, located in 1777 in the town of Minot, An- droscoggin County, on Bradbury Hill. He married Eleanor Fellows; and his descendants are found in Oxford, Androscoggin, and Frank- lin Counties.
Benjamin's son Joseph, who settled first in New Gloucester, in 1790 moved to Minot, in 1794 to Poland, and in 1807 to Norway, locat- ing to the south-west of Pike Hill, where he purchased one hundred and five acres of land of Joshua Smith. This land he cleared for farming purposes, in the mean time working as a carpenter when opportunity offered. He was interested in political matters, voting with the Whigs, and in religious progress serving as Deacon of the Congregational church for a number of years. He died April 4, 1836, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, Tab- itha Cotton before marriage, died in 1845. Their children were: Charles A., Sophia, Ruth, Eleanor, Betsey, Jacob, Nathan A., Moses, and Nathaniel M.
Jacob Bradbury, last named, who was the grandfather of Dr. B. F. Bradbury, was born June 25, 1799. He inherited the homestead, and, as a farmer, took a leading place in the community ; while as a schoolmaster he had a long and successful record, teaching thirty- three winters -twenty-seven winters in suc- cession. He died in Norway, August 2, 1880. His wife, whose maiden name was Sally K. Ripley, was a daughter of Uriah Ripley, of Paris, Oxford County, Me. She died October
.
182
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
20, 1880. The children of this couple were -- Sabina E., Matilda A., Nathan O., Osgood N., Henry A. M., Harriet N., Sarah A., Eu- phemia J., Jacob F., Nellie F., James G. B., and Ida E.
Osgood Nathan Bradbury, son of Jacob and Sally K. Bradbury, was born in Norway, Octo- ber 28, 1828. He finished his preliminary studies at the Norway Liberal Institute, and when he was eighteen years old took charge of the high school of Springfield, Me. In 1852 he entered the counting-room of S. W. Pope & Co., of East Machias, as clerk, and in 1856 went to California and into the mines. He soon after located in San Francisco, where he was in business until July, 1860. On his return to the East he took up the study of medicine under Dr. P. C. Jones, of Spring- field, Me. ; and after completing the curricu- lum of the Maine Medical School, where he was graduated June 4, 1864, he entered the Cony United States Military Hospital at Au- gusta as executive officer and assistant sur- geon. In January, 1866, he was made sur- geon-in-charge, and was in office until the hospital was abolished. During the ensuing years, until 1873, Dr. Osgood N. Bradbury conducted a successful practice as physician and surgeon at Springfield, Me. ; and in that year he moved to Norway, where he has since been an active factor in all progressive movements.
While a resident of Springfield, Dr. Brad- bury, the elder, was elected to the House of Representatives, entering on his duties in 1863 ; and the two years following he was Sen- ator from Penobscot County. He was a mem- ber of the Committee on Education for three years, and also served on other important com- mittees; and in 1864 he was Chairman of the joint special Committee on the Death Penalty, which found the state of popular feeling such that public hearings were held during every week of the legislative session. Dr. Bradbury has been a Mason for more than forty years, is Past Master, and has taken all the degrees of the York rite; and as an Odd Fellow he is a charter member of Norway Lodge and of Wildey Encampment, and has presided over the deliberations of the lodge and encamp- ment. He has been United States Examining Surgeon for pensions thirteen years.
In 1886 he commenced the publication in the Norway Weekly Advertiser of a series of recollections ; and he has broadened the scope of his writing until it has embraced a careful and extremely valuable compilation of the his- tory of all the early settlers, extending down to the youngest descendant. Dr. Osgood N. Bradbury was married June 13, 1852, to Miss Ellen R. Scribner, who was born in Spring- field, Me., July 10, 1832. Three children blessed their union: Nellie R., who died in infancy; Bial F., the subject of this sketch; and Guy, who was born March 24, 1872, and died May 17, 1876.
Bial F. Bradbury was graduated at the Nor- way High School, and first took up the study of medicine with his father. He continued his studies in the Maine Medical School at Brunswick, and later in Atlanta, Ga., where his father, whose health was failing, spent a year, and two years in South Carolina (1881- 84), with beneficial results. The young man was graduated at the Southern Medical Col- lege of Atlanta, highest in his class, taking the first prize, seventy-five dollars in gold. . This was in 1882; and in the spring of that year he began practice in Norway, Me. Though he had taken the polyclinic course in Atlanta, he did not consider his preparatory studies fin- ished; and in 1885 he pursued an advanced course in the Post-graduate Medical College of New York City. Since then Dr. B. F. Brad- bury has been gradually taking his father's place, having practised in conjunction with him at first ; and he is already one of the most successful physicians and surgeons in the county. In 1885 he was appointed Assistant Surgeon and First Lieutenant of the First Regiment, National Guard of Maine; in 1894 he was promoted to the rank of Captain; and in April, 1896, to that of Major and Surgeon.
Dr. B. F. Bradbury was married March 22, 1882, to Mabel F., daughter of Dr. George P. Jones, of Norway. He has no children. In politics he is a Democrat. The young Doctor is a member of the Town Board of Health, and actively interested in all projects for the im- provement of the town. He is a thirty-second degree Mason; Master of Oxford Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Norway; has taken all the degrees of the York rite; is a member of
183
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Kora Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Lewis- ton; and as an Odd Fellow he is Medical Director of the Odd Fellows Graded Relief Association, and a Knight of Pythias, in which he holds the rank of Colonel and Assistant Surgeon-general in the Uniform Rank, Maine Brigade. In the town of Norway no man is more popular than Dr. Bial F. Bradbury.
ILLIAM E. COOPER, an esteemed agriculturist of Paris, was born here, December 19, 1855, on the farm where he now resides. His father, Will- iam Cooper, was also born on this homestead ; and his grandfather, Benjamin Cooper, was one of the early settlers of the town. Benja- min Cooper came to Paris when it was but a
mere hamlet. Buying one hundred acres of land, he cleared a homestead for himself. A skilful carpenter, he also assisted largely in the building up of the place, remaining here until his death at a good old age. He was a man of upright principles, a stanch Democrat in politics, and a firm believer in the Univer- salist religion. To him and his wife, Susan Cooper, six children were born, of whom but one, Mrs. Miranda Cole, of Paris Hill, is now living. The others were - Harriet, John, Hannah, Sarah, and William.
William Cooper, the youngest member of his father's family, succeeded to the home farm, where he was busily engaged in farming for many years. He spent the last few years of his life in retirement at Paris Hill, and died there aged seventy-eight years. He mar- ried Charity Kyle, who was born and reared in the adjacent town of Peru. She survived him, and is now occupying their Paris Hill home. They had nine children, of whom two, Charles and Albert, have joined the silent majority. Those living are - Luella, Rowena, Herbert, Frederick, William E., Charles, and Della. In politics the father was an unswerving Dem- ocrat and in religion a faithful Universalist.
William E. Cooper grew to manhood on the old homestead, obtaining his education in the district schools, and assisting in the care of the farm. The homestead is now his property. It is one of the best cared for farms in this part of the county. It contains one hundred acres of
land, which yield abundant crops of hay, corn, potatoes, and grain. Inheriting those traits of character that distinguished his ancestors, Mr. Cooper has won the regard of the com- munity. In politics he is a thorough Demo- crat. On December 26, 1885, Mr. Cooper married Miss Cora E. Tucker, who was born October 2, 1862, in Buckfield, Me., daughter of Isaac and the late Esther Tucker. Her father, a farmer by occupation, still resides in Buckfield.
HINEAS WHITTIER, a prominent resident of Chesterville, extensively engaged in fruit growing, was born December 1, 1823, at the old Whit- tier homestead in this town, son of Peter and Deborah (Gordon) Whittier. Mr. Whittier's great-grandfather, Thomas Whittier, whose father was also named Thomas, resided in New Hampshire. Phineas Whittier, the grand- father, who was a native of that State, came to Chesterville among the very earliest set- tlers, and acquired a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. He lived in a log house until he had cleared and improved his farm. Then he erected a frame dwelling, which he occupied until his death in 1828, at the age of fifty years. His wife, in maiden- hood Mehitable French, who survived him some forty years, died at the age of eighty. Her children were: Josiah, Enoch, Peter, Mehitable, and Lucretia.
Peter Whittier was born at the homestead in Chesterville about the year 1800. He passed his boyhood assisting upon the farm and at- tending the common school. Succeeding to the property after his father's death, he suc- cessfully carried on general farming during the rest of his life. The old house built by his father was destroyed by fire in 1845, and in the following year he erected a new resi- dence. All of his seventy years of life was passed upon the homestead. His wife, Deb- orah, whom he married in 1822, became the mother of the following children, namely : Phineas, the subject of this sketch; Newell G., who married Harriet Tilton; Charles, who died during the Civil War; Daniel, who mar- ried Caroline Dyke; Josiah, who died in in-
18.4
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
fancy; Eleanor G., who married W. H. Man- ning ; Waty E., who became Mrs. Butterfield, and died in 1884; and Hattie, now deceased, who became the wife of David Thompson. Mr. Whittier's mother died in 1867. Mrs. David Thompson inherited the homestead; and it is now owned by her son, Charles H. Thompson.
Phineas Whittier obtained his education in the town schools of Chesterville and at the Farmington Academy. At the age of twenty - one he bought ninety acres of pasture land, now a part of his present farm. On this he erected a frame house, which is still standing, and began life for himself. Here he was steadily engaged in general farming until 1854, when he went to Foxboro, Mass. After spending about three years in that town, em- ployed at Carpenter's bonnet factory, he re- turned to the farm, which he has since carried on with unusual success. His estate now con- tains about three hundred and fifteen acres, including tillage, orchard, pasture, and wood land. His orchard, covering an area of eighty acres, has six thousand trees, which annually yield two thousand barrels of apples, chiefly Baldwins. For the past twenty years he has shipped all of his number one fruit to Hall & Cole, Faneuil Hall Market, Boston. He dis- poses of surplus fruit by evaporating and can- ning, for which he has ample facilities upon his premises. His evaporator has a capacity of forty bushels per day. Any further surplus- age is utilized to make vinegar. Mr. Whit- tier has a large storehouse, whose lower floor has space for three thousand barrels, while the upper floor will hold five thousand empty bar- rels. Upon the site of the old barn built by him in 1848 he has erected a large modern structure, having storage for seventy-five tons of hay and stabling for five horses, six cows, and one hundred and fifty sheep.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.