USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 26
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 26
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IRAM THAYER CUMMINGS, a successful and well-known farmer of the town of Paris, Oxford County, Me., was born April 30, 1818, in Gray, Cumberland County, a son of Joseph, Jr., and Ruth (Thayer) Cummings. He is of Scottish descent, his great-grandfather having been born and reared in Scotland.
Joseph Cummings, Sr., the grandfather of Hiram Thayer, was one of the very early set- tlers of Gray, having made his way there at a time when bears, deer, wolves, and other wild animals alone disputed the rights of the Indians to the larger part of the territory. He cleared a tract of land, improving a com- fortable homestead, but spent his closing years in Greenwood, this county, dying at the home of one of his sons at the ripe old age of ninety-six years. He served in the Revo-
lutionary War, was a Federalist in politics, and in religion was a Congregationalist. To him and his wife, Patty Sargent, seven chil- dren were born; namely, William, Lucy, John, Benjamin, Mary, Isaac, and Joseph, Jr., all of whom have passed from earth.
Joseph Cummings, Jr., was born in the town of Gray, where he was prosperously en- gaged in farming during the first half of his busy life. In 1836 he removed to the village of Paris, establishing himself in the mercan- tile business, which he carried on several years, having an extensive trade. Selling out his store, he resumed his former occupation in the town of Greenwood, living there to an ad- vanced age. He was a Republican in politics, and was a Universalist in his religious belief, but not a church member. His wife, whose maiden name was Ruth Thayer, was born in Oxford, Me., in 1799, and died in Greenwood in 1885. They had a family of eleven chil- dren; namely, Hiram Thayer, Tuckerbury, Nelson, Harriet, Christiana, Joseph, Roxanna, Orrie, Woodbury, Wellington, and Ruth. Of these, five are living -- Hiram T., Rox- anna, Ruth, Joseph, and Woodbury.
Hiram Thayer, the eldest-born, who is the special subject of this sketch, received his ed- ucation in the district schools of Gray and at Kent's Hill, where he pursued his studies two years. At the age of eighteen he came with his parents to Paris, and for a year thereafter worked at anything he could find to do, having no permanent employment. During the next few years he worked in woollen-mills in differ- ent places and in various capacities, being employed in South Paris, Locke's Mills, Ox- ford, and again in South Paris, the last time having charge of the finishing department. In 1851 Mr. Cummings severed his connection with the mills, and, after spending a year in travelling, secured a situation on the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad, now the Grand Trunk, on which he was an engineer until 1865. Locating then in Shelburne, N. H., he was there engaged in farming for about four- teen years. While a resident of Shelburne he was elected a delegate to the State Consti- tutional Convention in 1872, and he served in that capacity. In 1879 he removed to Paris, and settled on the farm he now occupies.
JOHN WHITMAN.
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Being a man of good judgment and practical ability, Mr. Cummings has his farm well im- proved, and his tillage land in a good state of cultivation. In politics he has been a Repub- lican since the formation of the party. In religion he is a Methodist, and has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. While in Shelburne he was active in town affairs, and for some years was Selectman. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to Lodge No. 94 of South Paris; and both he and his wife are members of the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
Mr. Cummings on April 30, 1840, married Eliza A. Cloutman, who was born in Paris, September 29, 1821, and died in this town, March II, 1881. Six children were the fruit of this union, the following being their rec- ord: Georgiana, born in South Paris, Novem- ber 22, 1841, is the wife of William E. Kelley, of Boston; Wellington, born in South Paris in March, 1844, died in July, 1893; Hannibal, born in Greenwood, April 20, 1846, is a railway engineer in Pennsylvania; Eliza M., born in South Paris, September 2, 1849, died November 9, 1853; Mary I., born in South Paris in November, 1852, died Febru- ary 3, 1873; and Charles S., born in Gorham, N.H., September 25, 1856, is pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Augusta, Me.
On September 29, 1881, Mr. Cummings married Mrs. Mary A. Potter Ripley, widow of Orrison Ripley. She was born May 21, 1836, in Lee, Me., a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Ware) Potter. Mr. Potter, a suc- cessful farmer of Lee, was a native of Bow- doin, and lived to the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, a native of Topsham, this State, lived to the advanced age of eighty-three years. They had a family of eight chil- dren, five of whom have passed to the life im- mortal; namely, Betsey, Jane, Adaline A., John W., and James T. The three living are: Alexander, a resident of Belmont, N.Y .; Charles A., of Lee, Me .; and Mary A., now Mrs. Cummings.
The nuptials of Mary A. Potter and Orrison Ripley were solemnized May 31, 1857. Mr. Ripley, a prosperous farmer during his active life, was born March 15, 1832. He enlisted in 1863 in Company K, Seventeenth Maine
Volunteer Infantry, and with his comrades ac- tively participated in many of the important engagements of the war of the Rebellion, and at the battle of the Wilderness lost an arm. He died June 17, 1872, leaving a widow, now Mrs. Cummings, and one son, Wilson A., born September 21, 1858, who lives in Au- burn, Me. Another son, William B. Ripley, born November 24, 1868, died March 21, 1870.
OHN WHITMAN, formerly a farmer and real estate dealer of South Paris, Oxford County, Me., now living in re- tirement, was born in Hebron, this county, December 22, 1816, son of Calvin and Sally (Record) Whitman. With an ancestry extending back to the early days of the Colo- nial period, the family is entitled to be ranked among the oldest in New England. From Mitchell's "History of Bridgewater, Mass.," we learn that John Whitman, the immigrant progenitor, was the first Deacon of the church in Weymouth, Mass., where he was made a freeman in 1638, and where he died in 1692, at the age of ninety years. He was the father of four sons - Thonias, John, Abiah, and Zechariah - and five daughters. Thomas and John Whitman were among the early proprie- tors of Bridgewater; but Thomas is said to have been the only son of John Whitman, Sr., who settled in that town. Abiah Whitman, brother of Thomas, was the father of John Whitman, third, who lived one hundred and five years, and is alleged to have been a very strong and active man at the age of one hun- dred years.
His son, Jacob, who was grandfather of the present John Whitman, was born in Easton, Aroostook County, Me., November 28, 1753. The mother of Jacob was his father's third wife, and at the date of his birth his father was aged fourscore years. Grandfather Whit- man fought for independence in the Revolu- tionary War. In 1780 he became a resident of Buckfield, this county, locating close to the line of the town of Hebron. As yet the district had but few settlers, and the land was still in the condition of a wilderness. In consequence much of his labor was directed
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toward clearing a farm, and in due time he had two hundred acres under cultivation. A simple but eloquent memorial of his work is a large block of granite, which would need a derrick to put in place to-day, still to be seen in the remains of an old building. Assisted by his brothers, he placed it in the position it occupies, remarking that it would be there for several generations. He was much esteemed by his neighbors, was a Deacon of the Con- gregational church, served the community in sundry public capacities, and died December 29, 1842, in the ninetieth year of his age. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Packard, and who was born in 1756, died in 1837. Of their children, eight reached ma- turity; namely, Luther, Jacob, Joseph, Calvin, Joshua, Rebecca, Abigail, and Win- chester.
Calvin Whitman, the fourth son, was a na- tive of Buckfield, born May 5, 1785. Reared on his father's farm, he made farming the oc- cupation of his life. After his marriage he bought one hundred acres of land in Hebron, took up his residence upon it, and spent the rest of his days in clearing and cultivating the soil. His religious belief was that of the Universalist church. In politics he followed the fortunes of the Democratic party. At his death he was nearly eighty-two years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Sally Record, lived to the age of ninety-six years. They had seven children ; namely, Hannah, C. Winchester, John, Remember, Jonathan, Jacob S., and Augustus.
John Whitman remained under the parental roof-tree for the first twenty years of his life, acquiring the knowledge and practical experi- ence of agricultural operations that subse- quently enabled him to become an expert farmer. In 1837 he commenced to work for the farmers of the district at the wages of eleven dollars per month. At the time of his marriage he bought the old homestead, and there carried on farming until 1856. He then sold the property, and purchased the Penley farm in the town of Paris, containing three hundred acres. Here, after erecting a new set of buildings, all of a first-class char- acter, he kept a large dairy of choice cows for several years. In 1885 he disposed of this
farm, and purchased the Hersey house, at the same time removing to South Paris. There- after he dealt considerably in real estate. Since his dwelling was remodelled and re- ceived the addition of a barn, his place has been one of the finest in the town. He also owns some desirable land adjoining the lot on which his residence stands, and keeps a few select cows.
In November, 1844, Mr. Whitman was united in matrimony with Miss Sarah De Albra Bumpus, daughter of Alden Bumpus, of Hebron. Their children are: Edwin J., born January 24, 1850, who married Miss Lizzie Green, and is in the wholesale commission business in Boston; E. Melvina, born June 22, 1855, now the wife of Joseph Jones, a commercial traveller of South Paris, and mother of two children - Edwin S. and Philip Jones; Mary C., born April 13, 1857, who married J. H. Stuart, a publisher of maps and atlases in South Paris, and is the mother of four children - Herman H., William E., Grace M., and Leona D .; and Laurin A., born August 12, 1864, who married Miss Mabel Murch, and is associated with his father. Mrs. Whitman died in 1895, at the age of seventy-one years. In religion Mr. Whitman professes the Baptist faith, while in politics he is a Republican. Although now in his eightieth year he enjoys remarkably good health.
EV. ABIJAH R. CRANE, D.D., pastor of the Baptist church in He- bron, Oxford County, and Professor of Literature at the Hebron Acad- emy, was born in Wayne, Kennebec County, Me., and is now about sixty years of age. Abijah Crane (first), Dr. Crane's grandfather, who was a native of Dedham, Mass., joined the Continental army at the age of fourteen, and served all through the Revolutionary War. He settled in Fayette, Me., when twenty-one years old, becoming one of the pioneers and progressive farmers of that town, and resided there for the rest of his life. He was a Whig, very prominent in the community, and served with ability in various town offices. He was one of the founders of the Baptist church in
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Fayette, and acted as its Deacon for many years, and was warmly esteemed by his neigh- bors for his manly adherence to high prin- ciples. He reared a family of seven children, none of whom are living.
Abijah Crane (second), Dr. Crane's father, was born in Fayette in 1792. When a young man he enlisted in the army for service in the War of 1812. Upon his return to civil life he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and con- ducted a good farm in Fayette for the rest of his active period. Originally a Whig, he later acted with the Republican party, and was a leading spirit in his locality. For many years he was identified with the town government. He served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for several terms, and he represented his district in the State legis- lature for one term. Like his father, he was Deacon of the Baptist church for a long period. At his death, which occurred in his ninety-second year, he was mourned as a worthy, upright citizen and a Christian gentleman. He married Harriet Fifield, who was born in Fayette in 1801. She became the mother of nine children, six of whom are living ; and she died in her ninety-third year.
Abijah R. Crane acquired his early educa- tion in the schools of Fayette, and prepared for his collegiate course at the Waterville Academy, now the Coburn Classical Insti- tute. After graduating from Colby Univer- sity with the class of 1856, he was for a time engaged as a teacher at the East Corinth Academy. At the same time he was studying law with the Hon. George Evans, with the result that he was admitted to the bar in 1858. However, giving up the idea of entering the legal profession, he turned his attention to theology, and spent three years at the Newton (Mass.) Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1861. His first pastorate was in Hallowell, Me., where he occupied the pulpit of the Baptist church for thirteen years. Upon his retirement therefrom he became financial secretary of Colby University, which important position he held for two years. While so engaged, he raised the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, which was given for educational work to the Coburn Classical Insti- tute and the Hebron and Ricker Academies.
He was subsequently called to the pastorate of the Baptist church in East Winthrop, Me., where he labored for twelve years, at the same time having charge of the public schools there. In 1890 he accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church here, in which capacity he has since labored diligently and successfully. His influence among his congregation, and, indeed, outside of it, is becoming stronger every day. He is also Professor of Literature at the Hebron Academy, in which he is deeply interested.
On November 3, 1862, Dr. Crane was united in marriage to Frances M. Herrick, of Waterville, Me. He has one daughter, Fanny, who is now the wife of Professor A. H. Brainard, of Augusta, Me. In politics he is a Republican, and he exercises a whole- some influence in public affairs. He was a member of the State legislature during the years 1879 and 1880. For the past twenty- five years he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Colby University, which in 1882 conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
IDWIN B. LUFKIN, of Weld, Franklin County, Me., Justice of the Peace, land surveyor and retired farmer, is a well-known veteran of the Civil War, having served as a private in the Federal ranks during the greater part of the conflict, and since its close having written a history of his regiment, the Thirteenth Maine Volunteers. He was born in the house where he now resides, Sep- tember 26, 1841, son of George W. and La- vinia H. (Sweet) Lufkin.
The family is of English origin; and its founder in America was Thomas Lovekin, who settled in Gloucester, Mass., in 1673. His son Benjamin was the father of Zebulon, Mr. Lufkin's great-grandfather. Zebulon Lufkin was born in Gloucester, and was a seafaring man. He resided there until the beginning of the Revolutionary War ; and he then moved to Durham, Me., where he lived until 1785. His last days were passed in Freeport, Me. His children were: Zebulon, Jr. ; Sarah, who married T. Wharf, of New Gloucester, Me. ; Jonathan ; Ruth, who married Andrew Adams,
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of Durham; Aaron; Ebenezer; Joseph; Abi- gail, who married B. Richardson, of Pownal ; Benjamin ; Samuel; and Judith, who married T. Woodman, of Minot. Zebulon Lufkin died October 31, 1813, aged ninety-one years.
Samuel Lufkin, Mr. Lufkin's grandfather, was born in Gloucester, Mass., and became a sea captain. He settled in Freeport, Me., in 1790, and made foreign voyages until 1812, when he engaged in the coasting trade. He continued to follow the sea until disabled by age. He died May 14, 1834, aged seventy years. His children were: Experience, who died in infancy; Samuel; Joshua; William P .; Benjamin; Charles; Elmira; George W. ; Eliza G. ; and John.
George W. Lufkin, Mr. Lufkin's father, was born in Freeport, Me. In early life he was a fisherman ; and after learning the blacksmith's trade he at the age of twenty-four settled in Weld, and followed that calling here until 1859. He died December 23, 1884, at the age of seventy-five years. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but soon became a Free Soiler. He joined the Republican party at its organization.
Mr. George W. Lufkin first married Mary J. Nichols, of Durham, who had two sons, namely : George W., now residing in Lake Valley, N. M. ; and Samuel, a resident of Auburn, Me. His second wife, Lavinia H. Sweet, who was a native of Strong in this county, became the mother of three children, and of these two are living, namely: Edwin B., the subject of this sketch ; and his sister, Abbie F., who resides with him in Weld.
Edwin B. Lufkin was educated in the com- mon schools of Weld and at the Wilton High School. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company E, Thirteenth Maine Regiment, under Captain Isaac F. Quinby, of Westbrook. He was in several engagements during the Red River campaign, including Sabine Cross- roads, Pleasant Hill, and Cane River, and was mustered out January 6, 1865. He then engaged in farming at the homestead in Weld; but about five years later he changed his occu- pation, becoming an operator in the spool factory, in which he worked four years. Once more returning to agricultural pursuits, he continued to till the soil until 1888, when
failing health caused him to relinquish hard labor ; and he has since lived in retirement.
In politics Mr. Lufkin acts with the Repub- lican party. He has filled the office of Town Treasurer four years, and has served upon the School Board for three years. He is a man of literary tastes and abilities, and has contrib- uted numerous interesting articles to the Lew- iston Journal and the National Tribune. He is a great reader, and has quite a large library of choice books, which enables him to pass his leisure hours both pleasantly and profitably. Mr. Lufkin has devoted much time to writing a history of his regiment, which is now in the hands of the publisher. He has been Com- mander of a Grand Army Post, also Master of a Masonic Lodge, and is a Knight Templar.
LBRO R. JENNESS, of Fryeburg, Oxford County, the Secretary, Treas- urer, and Superintendent of the Fryeburg Water Company, is one of the most prominent business men in the county. He is a native of Barton, Vt., born February 13, 1836, son of John and Susan (Twombly) Jenness, both also natives as well as lifelong residents of Barton. John Jenness, who was a prosperous farmer and a leading man in that place, died in 1849. His wife, having survived him nearly thirty years, died in 1878. Their children were: Albro R., the subject of this sketch; Emeline, who is no longer living ; Austin T., now teaming in Bos- ton, who served all through the Civil War, first in the Twelfth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and later as Master of Wagons for the Fifth Army Corps; Adeline, who is now the widow of John Tripp, and lives at Barton Landing, Vt. ; Martha C., who is now the widow of Cheney Green, and resides in Cam- bridge, Mass. ; Richard H., who is engaged in teaming in Boston ; and John, who is no longer living.
Albro R. Jenness acquired a limited educa- tion in the common schools of Barton. At the age of fifteen he went to Boston, Mass., where he was employed in the store of S. D. Warren & Co. for four years. Subsequently he gained a footing in the teaming business, which in those days was a very profitable occupation.
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During the Civil War he had a contract with the United States government, employing a crew of twenty men and thirty horses at the Charlestown navy yard, by which he earned sixty thousand dollars yearly for himself and his men. At this time he was a leading hose- man in the Boston Fire Department, with which he was connected four years. He con- tinued to carry on a large and successful team- ing business in Boston until 1875, when, influ- enced by the favorable reports of its business possibilities, he came to Fryeburg, where he has since resided. His business enterprises consisted principally of transactions in lumber and real estate, which were exceedingly profit- able to him, at the same time that they were beneficial to the town. These and his farm- ing were conducted with unusual ability until some years ago, when he withdrew from them. In 1882 he constructed the water works, and he is now actively connected with that enter- prise in the capacities already mentioned. He is also Treasurer and a Trustee of the well- known Fryeburg Academy.
Mr. Jenness has been twice married, and now is a widower. He attends the New Jeru- salem Church. In politics he gives active support to the Republican party, and he is a firm believer in protection and sound money. He is well advanced in Masonry, and is a member of De Molay Commandery, Knights Templars, Boston; and he is connected with Pickwauket Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Fryeburg. Although forced to start at the lowest round of the ladder, he has reached a secure footing in life, and is to-day one of the substantial men of Fryeburg.
ETER N. HASKELL, a member of an old Maine family and one of the largest real estate owners in Oxford County, is extensively engaged in lumbering in the town of Waterford. He was born in Otisfield, Me., December 1, 1822, the son of Captain Joseph and Jerusha (Moores) Haskell. His father was a native of Gorham, Me., his mother of Otisfield.
Joseph Haskell was a son of John Haskell, a Revolutionary soldier, who was wounded three times while in the service. John Has-
kell removed from Gorham, Me., to Knox, Me., where he died. Joseph Haskell went to Otisfield from Gorham, Me., in 1801, or near that date, being then about ten years old. He rode on horseback behind his uncle, Oliver Pierce, and brought with him among other belongings a tin box containing five dollars in silver. The hox being not quite full, the coins rattled about, making so much noise that his uncle made him dismount and fill the va- cant space with leaves. He resided in Otis- field about seventy years, engaged, after reach- ing manhood, in farming and trading in cattle and horses. He was a Captain of the State militia, and he was often chosen Constable and Collector. Captain Haskell died in the vil- lage of Norway, May 2, 1876. His wife, Jerusha Moores Haskell, died there two years later, May 8, 1878. Her father, Major Jona- than Moores, the grandfather of Peter N. Has- kell, was a soldier of the Revolution. He subsequently removed from Groton, Mass., to Otisfield, Me., being one of the first settlers of the town. His wife, Relief Nutting Moores, made three trips from Otisfield to Groton on horseback. On the first trip she carried her one-year-old son, who would have been the first white child born in Otisfield had she not been taken with an ox team to Gray to stay during her confinement, owing to the lack of a woman to nurse her at home. Captain and Mrs. Joseph Haskell were the parents of six children - Rhoda, Jane, Susan, and Cyrus, all deceased; Mary Ann, widow of Eben An- drews, residing in Concord, Mass. ; and Peter N., of Waterford, aforenamed.
Peter N. Haskell's early educational advan- tages were limited to the common schools. He remained at home until twenty years of age, starting then for himself in the lumber business near Bangor, Me. Three years later he returned to the home farm; and about 1846 he went to South Waterford, where he lived on a farm some nine years. He then removed to another farm in Waterford, which was his home for twenty years; and while attending to its cultivation he was also engaged in jobbing, such as doing stone work and moving build- ings, being an expert in the latter business. His next removal was to his present home in East Waterford village. ‘ Here he purchased
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in 1870 the saw-mill then known as the old Upton Mill, which under his management is the centre of a large business. His property comprises some eight hundred acres of land, some of which is under cultivation; but on ac- count of his advancing age he is not now ac- tively engaged in farming.
Mr. Haskell was married August 5, 1846, to Mary Green, who was born in South Paris, Me., March 15, 1826, the daughter of Nathan- iel W. and Polly (Willis) Green. Mr. Green belonged in Leicester, Mass., Mrs. Green in Paris, Me. He was a currier, tanner, and shoemaker; and he and his brother, Josiah Green, made the first sale boot in the State of Massachusetts, now so widely noted for its shoe trade. Mr. Green was for a number of years in the boot business. He and his wife died in Norway, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell have twelve children: the eldest child, George A., died in the army; the next two children died in infancy ; the third, Rose, is the wife of Sewell F. Millett, of Lisbon, Me. ; the fifth, Susan, lived but one year; and the sixth, Frank, died in 1880. Joseph B., born September 23, 1858, resides with his father, and is engaged in business. He is an experienced mill man, having had charge of mills in Newry and Rumford, Me. Clemen- tine D. is the wife of H. O. Rolfe, of Rum- ford, this county; Mary Etta is the wife of George Towne, of Oxford, Me .; Georgia is the wife of E. H. Haggart, of South Paris, this county. The eleventh child died in infancy. The twelfth, Andrew Johnson, resides in East Waterford village, where he is Postmaster, manages a general store, and is engaged in the cider business. He married Miss Della Flint.
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