USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 25
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 25
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On August 31, 1848, Mr. Whittier wedded Sarah Maddocks, daughter of Richard and Esther (Knowlton) Maddocks. Mr. Maddocks was a native of Chesterville and a son of Richard Maddocks; and his wife was a daugh- ter of Samuel Knowlton, of Farmington. Mr. and Mrs. Whittier have three children, as follows: Emma Vodisa, born March 8, 1851, who married Joel Maddocks, and resides in
Foxboro, Mass. ; Grace, born November 6, 1858, who married Frank H. Rollins, resides upon a part of her father's farm, and has three children - Dean W., Kenneth A., and Ruth ; and Sarah I., born October 13, 1862, who married Chester Greenwood, of Farmington, and has four children - Lester, Donald W., Vodisa, and Clinton. In politics Mr. Whit- tier acts with the Republican party. For a number of years he has served on the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. In his religious views he is liberal. His good health must be largely due to the fact that he has not tasted a drop of intoxicating liquor in his lifetime.
OHN J. PIKE is a prosperous dairy farmer of Fryeburg, Me., where he was born on February 17, 1833, son of Elder John and Hannah (Hubbard) Pike. Mr. Pike's father was a native of Cor- nish, York County, Me. He came to Frye- burg in 1819, and, settling upon the farm where his son now resides, became widely and favorably known as a Free Will Baptist preacher. He was first commissioned a Jus- tice of the Peace in 1821 ; and, being for many years the only resident of the town having the authority to witness and legalize civil acts, he attended to all such matters, and also sol- emnized marriage. Elder Pike died in No- vember, 1877. He and his wife, Hannah Hubbard, a native of Limington, Me., were the parents of six children, as follows: Lydia H., who was born in July, 1822, and died in August, 1823; Lydia H., second, who was born in 1825, and died in Wisconsin in 1893; Hannah T., born in 1827, now the wife of Stephen Gowen, of Biddeford, Me. ; Dollie M., who was born in 1829, and died on April II, 1883; John J., aforementioned; and an- Mrs. Han- other child who died in infancy. nah H. Pike died in 1881.
It was the fifth-born child that was named for the father, and, now well advanced in man- hood's years and achievements, is the direct subject of this biographical notice. John J. Pike in his early years acquired a common- school education, and after finishing his studies he began to work upon his father's
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farm. He took charge of the property previ- ous to his father's death, and eventually suc- ceeded to the ownership of the homestead, which consists of two hundred acres. Mr. Pike is still actively engaged in general farm- ing, his principal products consisting of hay, corn, and potatoes; and he pays special atten- tion to his dairy, keeping thirty cows and mak- ing a fine quality of butter, which finds a ready sale in Boston and Lynn, Mass.
In 1857 Mr. Pike wedded for his first wife Mary J. Wiley, of Fryeburg, daughter of Enoch W. and Miranda Wiley, the former of whom is no longer living, and his wife is re- siding in Fryeburg. By this union there were six children, namely : John W. ; Hannah H., wife of Frank Howe, of Boston, and Miranda J., her twin sister, who married J. G. Sever- ance, of Lowell, Mass .; Enoch W., who is living at home; Minnie M., who resides in Lowell, Mass. ; and Winnie S., her twin brother, who is no longer living. Mr. Pike's first wife died in 1883 ; and he married for his second wife, May 20, 1885, Mrs. Francena B. (Benton) Wiley, widow of Sullivan J. Wiley, late of this town.
In politics Mr. Pike is a Republican, and though not an office-seeker he has ably filled some of the town offices. He takes an active interest in political affairs, and has never missed a national, State, or local election since becoming a voter. He is connected with Fryeburg Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Pequaket Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He enjoys the independent life of a farmer, and is regarded with the highest re- spect by his fellow-townsmen.
,DWIN N. HASKELL, of South Paris, a member of the firm of N. D. Bolster & Co., dealers in general merchan- dise and groceries, who do as large a retail business as any similar firm in Oxford County, was born here on July 25, 1862, son of Ezekiel W. and Harriet (Rideout) Haskell.
Peter Haskell, father of Ezekiel W., was born in New Gloucester, Me., and spent his life in that town. He owned a farm of many acres, and was an industrious and progressive agriculturist. He married for his first wife
Sally Pulsifer, by whom he had two sons and a daughter; namely, Jacob W., Ezekiel W., and Mary P. He married for his second wife Betsey Hawes, by whom he had two sons - Charles P. and Thomas H. The grandparents were communicants of the Congregational church.
Ezekiel W. Haskell, the second son, was born in New Gloucester on July 3, 1831. At twenty-seven years of age, in 1858, he came to South Paris and went to work for the Grand Trunk Railroad. A few years later he pur- chased a wood-sawing machine, with which he prepared fuel for use on the railroad, employ- ing several men; and he carried on this busi- ness very successfully until by the introduc- tion of coal engines the demand for the wood was cut off. He next engaged in teaming and trucking for the Paris flouring-mill, owning several draught-horses. He was carrying on this business at the time of his death, July 5, 1871. His wife, Mrs. Harriet Rideout Has- kell, survived him fourteen years, dying in 1885. Both were earnest, devoted Christians and communicants of the Congregational church. Their home was at 7 Main Street, the residence previously owned by Abijah Hall. A son and two daughters were the fruit of their union, namely : Emma Whitman, born April 18, 1860; Edwin Nelson, born July 25, 1862; and Hattie Lufkin, born December 23, 1 864.
When eighteen years of age Edwin Nelson Haskell left school and went to work as a clerk for N. Dayton Bolster, continuing in that po- sition for fourteen years, during which time he gained a practical and thorough knowledge of the business. He was then, in 1893, received into partnership by Mr. Bolster. They have a large trade, employing several clerks and delivery wagons; and in South Paris the name of N. Dayton Bolster & Co. stands for straight- forward business transactions. Mr. Haskell and his sisters own the old homestead, upon which they have made numerous general im- provements. He is a member of the Congre- gational church, and is connected with the following fraternal organizations : Mount Mica Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Hamlin Lodge, No. 31, Knights of Pythias - both of South Paris.
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ACHARIAHI NORTON, a retired railroad conductor of Farmington, Franklin County, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Phillips, this county, Me., June 20, 1843, son of Zebu- lon and Abigail (Hartford) Norton. Mr. Norton is a descendant of Zachariah Norton, a native of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, who served as a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and settled in Farmington at an early date in the history of the town, where the records show that he was taxed for a house and lot in 1798. Zachariah bought a farm located upon what is now known as Norton Flats, became one of the progressive men of this locality, and contributed generously toward building the Centre Meeting-house in 1803. He was active in public affairs of both the town and county, serving as Town Treasurer in 1805 and as Representative to the legislature in 1807. Later in life he sold his property here, and, moving to Madison, Me., took up a squatter's claim and became one of the leading citizens of that town. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age. Their children were : Dehave, Peter, Zebulon, Abigail, Han- nah, Marshall, Elihu, and Abraham.
Zebulon Norton accompanied his father to Farmington. As it was intended that he should enter the legal profession, he was given a good education. After studying law for a time, he concluded that his chances for success in life lay in another direction; and, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he bought the homestead here. The good judg- ment and industry with which he subsequently managed this property soon placed him among the most prosperous residents of the place. He was one of the number who contributed five thousand dollars for the establishment of the Farmington Academy. He displayed his patriotism by enrolling himself as a private and serving in the War of 1812. After his return to civil life he sold his property and moved to the northern part of the town, then to Industry, and still later to Phillips, this county. The rest of his active period was passed in Phillips, prosperously engaged in farming and extensive lumber operations; and he died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His first wife, whose maiden name was Louisa
Pratt, was cut off in young womanhood, leav- ing four daughters - Louisa, Hannah, Huldah, and Lydia. His second wife, in maidenhood Abigail Hartford, bore him nine children; namely, Daniel L., Joshua HI., Abigail, Charlotte, Ichabod, Zachariah (first, now de- ceased), Mary, Caroline, and Zachariah (the subject of this sketch). She lived to the age of seventy-six years.
Zachariah Norton passed his boyhood in at- tending the town schools of Phillips. After- ward he was for some time engaged in assisting his father. On September 11, 1862, he en- listed as a private in Company D, Twenty- eighth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, for nine months' service, and subsequently took part in the siege and capture of Port Hudson. When discharged he returned home, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, which in- cluded a part of his father's property. This he sold later in order to purchase a farm of two hundred acres in the town of Freeman. After making some improvements he sold the latter property also, and then removed to New Vine- yard, Me. Here he bought another farm of one hundred and fifteen acres, and resided on it for five years. Abandoning agricultural life after this, he went to Lynn, Mass., where he entered the employ of the Eastern Railroad Company as a switchman in their yards. From this position he rapidly rose in the reg- ular line of promotion to that of conductor, which he held until 1880. He then resigned, and once more took up his residence in New Vineyard. In 1890 he moved to Farmington, where he bought the Melvin Tufts place, a handsome residence on Main Street, also a village farm of forty acres, together with two tenement-houses. Although he gives his per- sonal attention to his property, he has practi- cally retired from active business pursuits.
On September 11, 1864, Mr. Norton wedded Orianna, daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Libby) Taylor. Mr. Taylor, who in his early life was a farmer, afterward became a resident of Boston, where he died at the age of forty-eight. Harriet died at the age of thirty- five, having been the mother of four other chil- dren ; namely, Washington L., Philena, Ros- coe, and Charles.
Her surviving husband subsequently con-
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tracted a second marriage with Maryfone Stevens, who bore him one child, True T. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have two sons, as fol- lows: La Forest W., who was born June 4, 1869; and Arthur R., who was born June 24, 1880. Politically, Mr. Norton acts with the Republican party. He is highly esteemed both in business and social circles here, and is popular among the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic. A fact worthy of note, and one which he may look upon with pride, is that representatives of three generations of the Norton family have assisted in the defence of their country in the three principal military struggles fought and won by the United States.
1 RA JOHNSON, a successful lumberman, stock dealer, and general farmer of Nor- way, Oxford County, and one of the most prominent business men of this town, was born at the Johnson homestead in the north-east part of Waterford, where he now resides, December 3, 1838, son of Ira, Sr., and Mary (Towne) Johnson.
The first of the family to settle in Maine was his grandfather, Asa Johnson, a native of Massachusetts, who served three years as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was one of the pioneer farmers of Waterford, whither he came in 1786, and remained a resi- dent for the rest of his life. He married Hannah Horr, a daughter of Philip and Han- nah (Harrington) Horr, and reared a family of nine children, as follows: Clarissa, who is said to have been the first white child born in Waterford; Hannah; Asa, Jr .; Lucy; Ira, Sr. ; Sally; Elijah; Mary; and Leonisia. Of these none are now living, though all grew to maturity, and were married.
Ira Johnson, Sr., second son of Asa John- son, was born in Waterford in 1796, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. When a young man he bought the farm which is now owned by his son Ira, and he cultivated the land with profitable results for many years. He was an able and industrious farmer and a prominent citizen, who gained the respect and good will of his neighbors and fellow-towns- men. He resided at the homestead until his death, which took place December 27, 1878.
His wife, Mary Towne, whom he married November 20, 1828, was born in Albany, Me., February 14, 1809, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Holt) Towne, both of whom were na- tives of Andover, Mass. Samuel Towne set- tled in Albany, this State, among the early pioneers, and became a prosperous farmer and a leading citizen of that place, where he was elected to serve in various town offices.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Johnson, Sr., had a family of eight children, as follows: Augustus, who died at the age of fourteen months; Lydia Merriam, now deceased, who married for her first husband Frederick Fuller, and for her second Samuel Hersey; Amanda, wife of Justin E. McIntire, of Waterford, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in the present vol- ume; Ira, the subject of this sketch; An- toinette, wife of David L. Merrill, of North Bridgton, Me .; Jerome A., who married Fanny M. Bancroft, and is engaged in farming in Waterford; Harriet H., wife of W. S. Merrill, an energetic farmer of Norway; and George Hersey, who married Sarah E. Upton, neither of whom is living. Mr. Johnson's mother, who is now eighty-seven years old, resides with him.
Ira Johnson grew to manhood in Waterford, and at the age of eighteen he engaged in fell- ing trees, working for six weeks; and his wages were used to pay for one half-term of school. He afterward attended the Waterford High School for one term, and then began work for his father at one hundred dollars per year, with which he made the first pay- ment toward the purchase of the homestead property. He continued to improve the farm. which he paid for by his own industry and toil; and he has always resided upon it. Be- sides conducting general farming with energy and success, in company with Justin E. Mc- Intire he engaged in stock dealing, lumber- ing, and the manufacture of pulp wood, in which they carried on a large and profitable business here for several years. Mr. Johnson has now practically retired from active pur- suits, but still devotes considerable attention to his agricultural interests, owning in all about one thousand acres of land.
On December 3, 1859, Mr. Johnson married Melissa J. Merrill, who was born in Norway,
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August 30, 1840. She is a daughter of John and Jane (Dickey) Merrill, the former of whom was born in Andover, Mass .; and his wife also was a native of that State. Coming to Oxford County, Maine, John Merrill first settled on a farm in Norway, afterward remov- ing to Albany ; and he finally took up his resi- dence in Norway village, where his last days were passed. Ile died in April, 1875; and his wife died February 27, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children, as follows: Lillian, who was born May 28, 1864, and is now the wife of Clarence H. Pride, a promi- nent resident of Waterford and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of that town; Virgil Howard, who was born June 29, 1867, married Sophronia B. Kimball, of North Bridgton, Me., and is now residing with his parents; and Eva Mabel, who was born December II, 1870, and is now the wife of Harry L. Hutchins, a successful merchant of North Fryeburg, Me.
As one of the most extensive farmers in this section, upright and straightforward in busi- ness dealings, in manners always courteous and kindly, Mr. Johnson is widely and favorably known. Visitors at the pleasant old home- stead, whether friends and neighbors, or chance acquaintances, receive a cordial welcome.
RANK W. CHICK, a young and enter- prising business man of Madrid, Frank - lin County, was born here, October 8, 1862, son of Isaiah and Louisa (Moores) Chick. The founders of the family, which is of Scotch origin, settled in Maine and New Hampshire. Isaiah Chick, the paternal grandfather of Frank W., was a native of Ossipee, N.H., whence he came to Madrid, where he resided for the rest of his life. In politics he was a Whig. He reared a family of seven children, of whom the only survivors are: Nancy, the wife of M. Philbrick, of Houlton, Me .; and Charles N. Chick, of Cadillac, Mich.
Isaiah Chick was born in Ossipee, March 30, 1820. When a young man he worked upon one of the first railroads built in Amer- ica. At a later date he moved to Madrid, and engaged in lumbering and trading. . He also
kept a store here for more than fifty years, conducted the hotel of Madrid for many years, and for a long time owned and operated a saw- mill, which was destroyed by fire on October 30, 1883. Hc served either as a Selectman or Town Treasurer every year for nearly half a century, was a Justice of the Peace for up- ward of forty-two years, acted as Postmaster for twenty-five years, was County Commis- sioner for six years, and represented this dis- trict in the State legislature for two terms. In all these offices he acquitted himself with distinguished ability. He was an honorable, upright man, and had the highest respect of his townsmen. He was an esteemed member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he was an earnest supporter of the Republican party from the time of its forma- tion, and was one of the very first to uphold its principles in this locality. His death occurred at his home in Madrid, March 3, 1894, when he was nearly seventy-four years old. His wife, Louisa, whom he married November 30, 1851, was a native of Madrid. She became the mother of nine children, three of whom are living, namely: Frank W., the subject of this sketch; Lura M., the wife of William Parlin, of Weld, Me .; and Alice M., who resides at the homestead.
After attending the public school of Madrid for the usual period of time, Frank W. Chick completed his studies with a business course at the Portland Commercial College. He then engaged in business with his father, and has since been identified with trade and the lumbering industry here. He has rebuilt the mill that was burned in 1883, and he is to-day one of the most prominent and active business men in this locality. He is a leading spirit in public affairs. He is the Secretary of the Republican Town Committee, is serving his second term as a member of the Board of Se- lectmen, and he ably discharges the duties of superintendent of schools.
J OHN SMALL, an active member of the farming community of Greenwood township, was born in the town of Lovell, this State, October 13, 1855, a son of Cyrus L. and Eunice Ann (Whit-
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more) Small. His paternal grandfather, also John Small, who was a lifelong resident of Cumberland County, in his earlier life was a farmer in Raymond, and in his latter days was the proprietor of a saw and grist mill in the adjoining town of Casco.
Cyrus L. Small was a native of Raymond, Cumberland County. While still a youth he went West, and spent three years in Madison, Wis. Returning then to his native State, he learned the blacksmith's trade, and worked at it afterward in Casco and Lovell for a year or two. He then bought a farm in Greenwood township, where for five years he carried on mixed husbandry, besides running a smithy. Disposing of that property, he bought the homestead now owned and occupied by his son John, and here devoted himself to general farming until his death, which occurred Sep- tember 14, 1883. His wife, who survived him ten years, died August 4, 1893, leaving five children, of whom the following is re- corded : Evangeline, born November 26, 1854, lives with her brothers on the old home farm ; John is the subject of this sketch; Charlotte L., born August 6, 1864, is the wife of Fred- erick H. Webster, living in Farmington, Me. ; Cyrus Franklin, born May 5, 1857, is a car- penter, and resides at Minneapolis, Minn. ; and Charles W., born October 19, 1872, lives on the old homestead.
John Small, until he was twenty years old, remained with his parents, attending the dis- trict school and helping about the farm. He then worked at farming in West Paris three months, after which he studied medicine with Dr. Yates, of that place, for fifteen months. Instead of continuing his medical studies, however, Mr. Small worked in a number of factories during the next few years. For six months each he was employed in a box factory in Norway village and in a rifle shop at Me- chanic Falls, Androscoggin County. From the latter place he went to Paris Hill, this county, to work in a sled factory. A few months after he removed to Jackson's Cross- ing, accepting a position in a pulp-mill, where he remained three and a half years. The suc- ceeding year he was employed in tin-plating at Paris Hill, when his father's death obliged him to return to the old homestead in Green-
wood, where he has since resided. He has one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he successfully manages, carrying on the various branches of general agriculture with good financial results.
Mr. Small married Miss Fannie A. Ayer, daughter of A. J. and Harriet M. Ayer, who are now living on their farm near Locke's Mills, this township. Mrs. Small is a native of Bethel, her birth having occurred here, June 29, 1860. Mr. Small is a stanch adher- ent of the Republican party, and has served acceptably in several of the smaller town offices. He belongs to the Mount Mica Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of South Paris, and to the Golden Cross Lodge. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they are active and valued workers.
JLISHA S. BISBEE, a large land-owner of Sumner, Oxford County, is a repre- sentative member of one of the oldest and best-known families in this vicinity. He was born on his present farm in Sumner, April 15, 1830, and is a son of Elisha and Fanny (Bryant) Bisbee. His grandfather, Elisha Bisbee, who was born in Massachu- setts, and served in the Revolution, after the close of the war settled in Sumner, where he cleared a farm. (For further particulars see sketch of Captain Lewis Bisbee. ) Elisha Bisbee was a blacksmith, mason, farmer - in fact, a man who could turn his hand to almost anything. He lived to be quite old, owned a good farm in the southern part of the town, and ranked among the leading agriculturists of the time. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Pettingill.
Elisha Bisbee, the father of Elisha S., was born and reared in Sumner. In early life he followed the shoemaker's trade. Later he settled on the farm now occupied by his son, and achieved marked success in the pursuit of agriculture. He gave his political support to the Republicans, and served acceptably as Selectman, Town Treasurer, and in other official capacities. He was a Baptist in relig- ious belief, and died at the age of eighty- nine. He was twice married. His first wife,
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Joanna (Sturtevant) Bisbee, bore him three children, who have all passed away. His second wife, in maidenhood Fanny Bryant, was born in Plympton, Mass., and died in Sumner. She was the mother of nine chil- dren, six of whom are living, namely: Sabra WV., the wife of Orville Robinson, of Peru, Me .; Sophia G., now residing in Sumner; Jane T., the widow of James W. McDonald, late of Peru, Me .; Levi B., a resident of East Sumner; Elisha S., the subject of this sketch; and Hopestill R., now of Auburn, Me.
Elisha S. Bisbee, who is a lifelong resident of Sumner, has been very successfully en- gaged in general farming since his early years. His property, including the home- stead formerly occupied by his father, com- prises over two hundred acres of land. The present residence, which was erected by him- self, is one of the handsomest in the locality. Mr. Bisbee was married January 4, 1857, to Miss Martha J. Parsons, of Hartford, Me. She died April 1, 1867, leaving three children - Lietta J., now the wife of William H. Barrows, of Paris, Me., and the mother of three children - Eva, Hattie, and Wilbur; Hattie E., the wife of Fremont Hollis, of Paris, and the mother of one son, Halley; and Hiram S., a resident of Sumner, who married Miss Anna L. Holmes.
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