USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 29
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 29
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Clinton V. Starbird acquired his education
in the common schools. At the age of twenty- one he went to Erie County, Pennsylvania, and worked in a grist-mill for a year. He then engaged in lumbering, and for the next three years contracted quitc extensively for the cutting of timber. IIe next operated a saw-mill in Freeman, Me., where he contin- ued in business for four years; and then re- moving to Strong he built a mill, and engaged in the manufacturing of lumber. Since locat- ing here his business has developed into large proportions, requiring additions to his plant from time to time, in order to meet the in- creasing demand for his products; and aside from sawing all kinds of building material, including hard-wood flooring and shingles, he makes a specialty of manufacturing packing- cases, which are shipped in large quantities to Portland, Boston, and Providence, R.I. Al- though he has met with serious reverses, hav- ing passed through two disastrous fires, he has recovered the lost ground, and his business, to which he has steadily applied himself, is now in a most flourishing condition. In poli- tics he supports the Republican party. He was elected a Selectman in 1894, and is now Chairman of the Board.
On June 23, 1886, Mr. Starbird was united in marriage with Flora A. Kilkenney, of New Vineyard. She is a daughter of James and Ellen (Brackley) Kilkenney, prosperous farm- ing people of New Vineyard. Mr. and Mrs. Starbird have one son, Raymond A., who was born February 26, 1891.
Mr. Starbird is Treasurer of Davis Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Strong, acts in the same capacity for Marathon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the Order of the Golden Cross. He occupies a prominent place among the business men of Franklin County, and is universally respected and es- teemed. Mrs. Starbird is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
IRAM MILLETT EVERETT, for- merly a well-known and highly es- teemed resident of Hebron, who died at his home in this town in April, 1893, was born in Norway, Me., No- vember 2, 1818, son of Peter and Charlotte
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(Parkhurst) Everett. The late Mr. Everett was of French descent. His grandfather, Peter Everett, a native of France, is said to have accompanied General Lafayette to America for the purpose of assisting the patriots in their struggle for independence; and while serving in the Continental army he lost an arm. Deciding to become a citizen of the Republic which he had so gallantly assisted in founding, he settled in Norway, Me., of which town he was one of the earliest pioneers ; and he died at a good old age. His wife, who was a widow Burns, a lady of much ability and intelligence, is said to have been the first woman teacher in Norway, teaching school in her own house before school-houses were built. She and her husband reared three children, namely : John; Susannah ; and Peter, Jr.
Peter Everett, Jr., Mr. Everett's father, was born in Norway, and became a sturdy, indus- trious man and a worthy citizen. I From Nor- way he moved to Poland, Me., where the last years of his life were passed; and he died there at the age of seventy-four years. He was ex- ceedingly prosperous, his natural ability caus- ing him to be successful in whatever he under- took ; and he provided his large family with a comfortable home and a common-school educa- tion. In politics he was originally a Whig, but in his later years he voted with the Repub- lican party. His wife, Charlotte Parkhurst, became the mother of eleven children, ten sons and one daughter; and of these five are living. Mr. Everett's mother lived to be sixty-three years old. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Hiram Millett Everett passed his boyhood in Norway, and was educated in the district schools. At the age of fourteen he began life for himself by learning the cooper's trade, which he followed during the winter season, working as a farm laborer in the summer; and he continued thus employed until he was twenty-six years old. Being of a prudent and economical turn of mind, he husbanded his earnings, and bought his father's estate in Norway, which, however, he held but a short time. In 1844 he married Cordelia Barrows Marshall, of Hebron. Selling his property in Norway, he bought a farm in East Hebron, and lived thereon for three years. From East
Hebron he moved to Poland, where he resided for the succeeding three years, engaged in farming ; and from Poland he removed to Minot Corner, and while living in that place he learned the shoemaker's trade. A little later he returned to Hebron, where he purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits in con- nection with shoemaking for the rest of his life, which terminated at the age of nearly seventy-five years. He left a widow, one son, and a daughter-in-law. Industrious and an able business man, possessing rare judgment in regard to the value of lands, he succeeded in accumulating a good estate, owning at one time over three hundred acres. In politics he supported the Republican party, by which he was for several years elected to the offices of Constable and Collector; and he attended the Baptist church, of which his wife is a member.
Mrs. Cordelia B. Everett has had four chil- dren, as follows: Anna Delphina, who was born August 27, 1845, and died April 3, 1853; Persian V., who was born July 5, 1847; Jus- tin, who was born February 12, 1854, and died April 17, 1859; and Anna Bethany, who was born March 13, 1862, married Henry K. Stearns, of Paris, Me., and died June 19, 1888, leaving one daughter, Ora B. Persian V. Everett, the only survivor of Mrs. Everett's children, served as a private in the Thirtieth Regiment, Maine Veteran Volunteers, the last year of the Civil War, and is now a prosperous farmer in this town. He married Ella Has- kell, and has three children, namely: Minnie L., who is now Mrs. Fernald, and has one daughter, Marion Faye; Charles H. ; and Mar- garet L. Mrs. Everett has four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She still resides in Hebron, where she is well known and highly respected.
YRUS P. EATON, Superintendent of the Rumford Falls Light and Water Company, was born in Rumford, Oxford County, Me., July 11, 1846. As a son of Osgood, Jr., and Betsy (Putnam) Eaton, it is evident that he is a descendant of early New England colonists, immigrants of the seventeenth century. Different branches of the Eaton family have been flourishing on
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these shores for more than two hundred and fifty years, and the same is true of the Put- nams.
Osgood Eaton, Sr., who was a native of Concord, N. H., settled on what is known as Eaton Hill, and was the first white settler in that locality. He was an officer in the old State militia. Osgood Eaton, Jr., son of the elder Osgood and father of Cyrus P. Eaton, was born on the farm in Rumford which was his son's birthplace, and spent his life there until about fifty years old. Then, though past the age limit for military duty, he enlisted in Company A, Twelfth Maine Regiment, for the defence of the Union, and was enrolled among the musicians as drum-major. He was in Louisiana with General Butler's army, much of the time near New Orleans, and died of swamp fever. He was a stanch Republican, deeply interested in local politics, and was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who also is a native of Rumford, and is now a bright and active lady of fourscore, makes her home with her son, Cyrus P. She, too, is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, deeply interested in religious work.
Cyrus P. Eaton acquired a fair education while still a member of the parental household, attending school and doubtless making himself useful on the farm until he was nineteen years of age. He then left home and went to Lewis- ton, Me., to learn the carpenter's trade, whichi he followed in that city about six years. Re- turning then to his native town, he managed a carpenter and carriage shop until 1890. In that year he entered the employ of the Water Power Company, for whom he worked two years at Rumford Falls, having charge of a number of men who were engaged in building dams and in other constructive operations. The first saw-mill in the place was erected at this time, the lumber for the dams being sawed there, largely under Mr. Eaton's direction. This mill was owned by the Power Company. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Eaton entered the em- ploy of the Light and Water Company, and assisted in building their plant; and since its completion he has acted as superintendent of the works. Fully qualified for his position, he performs his duties quietly and efficiently, and
enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Eaton owns a farm in the township and a residence in the village.
He was married July 13, 1888, to Mary E., daughter of Otis Howe, of Rumford. She was born in this town December 24, 1850, and died July 16, 1893. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and trained her children to belief in its doctrines. She left one son and two daughters, namely : Frederick O., clerk for the Light and Power Company, and Town Clerk of Rumford Falls; and Eva M. and Sadie E., who are still with their father.
Mr. Eaton is a Republican and takes an active part in town matters. He is a member of Blazing Star Lodge, No. 99, A. F. &. A. M., of Rumford Falls; Rumford Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of the same place; Me- talluc Lodge, No. 99, Knights of Pythias, of this town; and Wawanunka Tribe, No. 41, I. O. R. M. Though not a church member, he regularly attends the Methodist Episcopal church and contributes to its support.
INA HYDE GREENWOOD, a well- known citizen of Farmington, was born in Bethel, Oxford County, Me., September 21, 1824, son of Nathan- iel and Huldah (Howe) Greenwood. A car- penter by trade, Mr. Greenwood for a number of years was actively engaged as a contractor and builder. Also at one time he was in the corn-packing business, and more recently he has dealt somewhat in real estate. He is now practically living in retirement.
The family trace their lineage through quite a number of Colonial ancestors to Thomas Greenwood, probably a native of Wales, who was a land-owner in what is now Brookline, Mass., in 1668. In 1665 he was following the trade of a weaver in Boston, where he was made a freeman and united with the church in 1681 ; and he served as Selectman, Town Clerk, and Constable. He married Hannah, daughter of John Ward, a representative of an early Boston family of prominence, and she bore him two sons, namely: Thomas, who was one of the first graduates of Harvard College,
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and became a minister in Rehoboth, Mass. ; and John, who became a leading citizen of Newton, Mass. The next in line was William Greenwood, who was born October 14, 1689. On June 21, 1715, he married Abigail, daugh- ter of John Woodward, of Cambridge, and in 1725 moved to Sherborn, Mass., where he became a land-owner. He was an extensive business man, served as Selectman, Town Clerk, Representative to the General Court, and a Deacon of the church in Sherborn, where he died about the year 1756.
The descent continues through Joseph, his ninth son, who was born in Sherborn, June IO, 1734, and learned both the carpenter's and weaver's trades. After residing in Sherborn and Holden, he moved to Dublin, N. H., where he attained to a high position among the citizens of that town, serving as Selectman, Town Clerk and Treasurer, Justice of the Peace, and as a Representative to the first Pro- vincial Congress of New Hampshire. In 1793 he disposed of his property and business interests in Dublin, and removed to Bethel, Me., where he died December 27, 1825. He married Sarah, daughter of Josiah Greenwood, had three sons, only one of whom reached ma- turity ; namely, Nathaniel, first, who was Z. H. Greenwood's grandfather. The others were : Ebenezer, who was born in 1759; and John, who was born in 1760.
Nathaniel Greenwood, first, was born in 1761 ; and, settling in Bethel in 1793, he re- sided there for many years, finally moving to Farmington, where he died November 7, 1846. On June 24, 1782, he married for his first wife, Mary, daughter of Moses and Lydia (Knapp) Mason. She died in Bethel in 1825; and in 1827 he wedded Mrs. Abigail Irving, of Paris, Me. He was the father of fourteen children, eleven by his first union and three by his second; and his three sons by his first marriage - namely, Ebenezer, Nathaniel, and Thaddeus - settled in Farmington.
Nathaniel Greenwood, son of Nathaniel, first, and father of Z. H. Greenwood, was born in Dublin, N. H., December 27, 1790. His younger days were passed in Bethel with his father. Although his opportunities for obtain- ing an education were limited, he succeeded in familiarizing himself with many branches
of study through his own efforts, and he be- came a thoroughly capable and well-informed business man. While still in the prime of life he settled in Farmington, where he bought the farm which is now owned by L. B. Manter, and, purchasing the saw-mills at Farmington Falls, he carried on logging operations upon an extensive scale, placing large crews of men in the woods during the winter season; and he also engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He was the first to introduce the manufact- ure of hogshead shooks in this locality, a busi- ness which proved exceedingly remunerative ; and his other enterprises were equally success- ful. His business ability was of the highest order, his foresight and judgment being recog- nized among his associates, who often sought his advice in regard to their own affairs; and he was called upon by his fellow-townsmen to serve in various offices of public trust. He retained his customary energy and activity up to the time of his death, which took place April 15, 1867; and his loss was keenly felt by the business men of Farmington, who re- garded him with the highest respect and es- teem.
His wife, Huldah Howe, whom he married May II, 1815, was born in Maine on May 25, 1796, daughter of Jacob and Betty (Foster) Howe. She became the mother of ten chil- dren, as follows: Julia, who was born March 14, 1816; Mason K., who was born July 17, 1818; Albert N., who was born August 14, 1820, and died February 4, 1888; Zina Hyde, the subject of this sketch; Alfred Alanson, who was born February 25, 1827; Marcia A., who was born March 28, 1829; Huldah Jane, who was born June 27, 1831, and died March 28, 1885 ; Alma E., who was born May II, 1833; Charles M., who was born December 31, 1834; and Charles, second, who was born February 17, 1837. Mrs. Huldah H. Green- wood died at the home of her son, Zina H., in 1 892. As an affectionate, self-sacrificing mother and a kind-hearted, sympathetic neigh- bor, her memory is deeply cherished by her loving children and large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Zina H. Greenwood, the fourth in the family group, now to be further mentioned, was edu- cated in the district schools. After completing
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his studies he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade ; and he was subsequently em- ployed as a journeyman in Augusta, Me., until 1854, when he returned to Farmington and opened an office for the transaction of insur- ance business. As his health demanded out- of-door employment, he later bought the Jesse Butterfield farm, upon which he settled. En- gaging as a contractor, he built several large bridges in this county. After that, in com- pany with B. F. Morrill, George H. Stinch- field, and Z. A. Greenwood, he built the Sandy River corn-packing factory, which they carried on successfully until 1892, and did a very extensive business in canning sweet corn, their goods commanding a ready sale in the metropolitan markets. In 1887 Mr. Greenwood bought nine acres of the Stewart farm on High Street, where he erected a hand- some residence and spacious barns. He has subdivided a portion of the land into building lots, some of which he has sold, and he still has some choice sites for sale to the right parties. He has followed his trade to some extent during the past few years, but may be said to have retired permanently from active business pursuits, his easy circumstances per- mitting him to enjoy a life of leisure.
On November 9, 1849, Mr. Greenwood wedded Emily M. Fellows, who was born in Athens, Me., June 11, 1829, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Bradbury) Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood are the parents of six children, as follows: Edward, who was born November 17, 1850, married Emma R. Dutton, and has charge of the Sandy River Railway shops at Phillips, Me. ; Albert Mellen, born February 2, 1853, who married Affie M. Sanborn, and is now a jeweller in Phillips; Orville S., born July 14, 1855, who married Cora L. Prescott, and is now carrying on a hardware and plumb- ing business in Malden, Mass., having three children, namely - Mildred F., Phil P., and Fred A. ; Chester, born December 4, 1858, who married Isabel S. Whittier, and is en- gaged in the manufacture of ear protectors and is also a dealer in mill supplies in Farmington, he and his wife having four children, namely - Lester C., Donald W., Vodisa E., and Clin- ton; Lizzie A., born April 13, 1861, who graduated from the State Normal School here
and is now a teacher in Haverhill, Mass. ; and Emily, born June 28, 1863, who resides in Farmington. The last named young lady is extensively engaged in the cultivation of bed- ding plants, in which she has proved herself an expert. Her greenhouse, seventy-six by sixteen feet, built with the assistance of her father in 1887, is the only one of its kind in town. She is very successful in her business, and has raised as high as eight thousand tomato and five hundred celery plants in a season.
In public affairs Mr. Greenwood has ren- dered his share of service to the town, having been a member of the Board of Selectmen during the years 1865-68, 1876, and 1877, his rare business ability being amply displayed in the discharge of his official duties.
ATHANIEL KNIGHT, formerly a well-known and highly respected resi- dent of Paris, was born August 10, 1801, upon the farm which he car- ried on with prosperity for many years. His parents were Edmund and Dorothy (Haskell) Knight. The father was a native of Fal- mouth, Cumberland County, born May 18, 1767; and the mother was born at New Gloucester in the same county, May 9, 1768.
In the spring of 1799 Edmund Knight came to Paris, where he settled upon a large tract of wild land containing about two hundred acres. By the fall of the same year he had made a clearing and erected a house, which is still standing in a good state of preservation, when he brought his family to reside there. He was a sturdy, hard-working man, was possessed of the pioneer faculty of thriving under the most adverse circumstances, and he succeeded in establishing a comfortable home for himself and family. Besides attending to his farm he made ox carts and sleighs. He continued in active occupation until his death, which took place June 3, 1830, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife had died June 12, 1821. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Dorcas, who was born December II, 1790; Dorothy, who was born September 16, 1792; Hudson, who was born August 22, 1794; Henry, who was born May 30, 1797;
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Hannah, who was born May 19, 1799; Nathan- iel, the subject of this sketch; Andrew, who was born October 3, 1803; and Eliza, who was born November 14, 1806.
Nathaniel Knight grew to manhood upon the farm, which was his home during his entire life. His education was acquired in the dis- trict schools. He was engaged in farming, the cooper's trade, and made violins and drums. The latter articles were sought for and highly prized by the neighboring residents. Temperate in his own habits, he was an ear- nest advocate of total abstinence. His relig- ious belief was that of the Methodist denomi- nation. In politics he was a Republican, having joined that party at its formation. He was nearly seventy-three years old when he died at the Knight homestead, June 16, 1874.
On November 4, 1832, Mr. Knight wedded Martha Houghton, who was born in Waterford, Me., September 4, 1805, daughter of Moses and Martha (Haskell) Houghton, early settlers of Norway, Me. She died July 12, 1891, having borne her husband three children, namely : Hudson, who was born July 31, 1834; Livonia, who was born December 13, 1835; and Horace, who was born May 11, 1838. Hudson, Horace, and Livonia Knight, all of whom are unmarried, occupy the homestead farm, and form a very happy and contented family. The farm of one hundred and sixty acres is conducted by the brothers, who make the best use of its fertile soil by producing large and superior crops. They enjoy the hearty good will of their neighbors, are liberal in their religious views, and in politics act with the Republican party. On September IO, 1862, Hudson Knight enlisted as a private in Company F, Twenty-third Regiment, Maine Volunteers, under Captain Horace Bolster, and served in the Civil War until honorably dis- charged, July 15, 1863. He is a comrade of Harry Rust Post, No. 54, Grand Army of the Republic, of Norway.
IBEON LEWIS PACKARD, who was a veteran of the Civil War and a prominent business man of Hebron in the early years of this decade, was born in Hebron, May 30, 1829, son of Captain
Lewis and Elizabeth (Webster) Packard. The family is of Puritan ancestry. Its founder, who emigrated from England, landed at Plym- outh, Mass., in 1638. Reuben Packard, great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Massachusetts and a Revolu- tionary soldier. He settled as a pioneer in Hebron shortly after the struggle for indepen- dence, and made the first clearing upon the Packard homestead, which has since remained in the family's possession. He died in He- bron at a good old age. His son, Ichabod, Mr. Packard's grandfather, was also an early settler here. At Ichabod's death the property passed into the hands of his son Lewis, the father of Zibeon Lewis.
Captain Lewis Packard was born in Hebron, of which town he was a lifelong resident. Aside from his prominence as a large general farmer, he was active in the public affairs of the town, held various important offices, and was long identified with the early State militia. In politics he supported the Whig party, and in his religious views was a Congre- gationalist. He died at the homestead in
I853. His wife, whose name before marriage was Elizabeth Webster, became the mother of five children - Elizabeth, Zibeon L., George, Hannah, and Charles. Of these the only survivor is George, who resides in Kan- sas. The mother died in 1879.
Zibeon Lewis Packard acquired his educa- tion in the common schools and at the Hebron Academy. After completing his studies he taught school for several terms. During the Civil War he served as a private in the Thir- tieth Regiment, Maine Volunteers. Upon returning to civil life he engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. Succeeding in his turn to the ancestral property, he displayed unusual en- ergy and ability in its cultivation. By paying special attention to its extensive orchards, he became one of the leaders in the fruit-growing industry of Hebron. His capacity for business was of special value to the town in the admin- istration of the public offices he filled. He served for a time successively as a member of the Board of Selectmen and the Supervisor of Schools, and he was Town Collector and Treasurer for fourteen years. He took an active part in securing the erection of the He-
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bron Academy, of which he acted as a Trustee for many years; and in his day was noted for his public spirit. He was connected with the Masonic Lodge of Buckfield; was a member of Hebron Grange, Patrons of Husbandry ; and a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Mechanic Falls. In religious belief he was a Baptist, and politically he acted with the Republican party. He took an earnest in- tcrest in the general welfare of the town and its institutions. His death, which occurred at the old Packard homestcad, August 11, 1893, in his sixty-fifth year, was felt as a severe loss to the community.
On February 10, 1860, Mr. Packard was united in marriage to Ellen A. Bearce, who was born in Hebron, March 27, 1835, daugh- ter of Daniel Bearce, of this town. She died April 14, 1895, leaving four children, as fol- lows: Bertha Lenora Packard, who studied at the Hebron Academy, and has successfully taught school for several terms; Ida Ellen, the wife of Herbert T. Glover, of Hebron ; Edith Lulu, who married Frederick W. Cush- man, and resides at the old homestead; and Jennie Webster Packard, a successful teacher and an accomplished artist, who resides at Hebron villagc.
IDEON KING STAPLES, for many years a prosperous farmer and large land-owner of Temple, now numbered with the silent majority, was born upon the farm near his late residence, July 13, 1813, and lived to pass the eighty-third anniversary of his birth. He was a son of Gideon and Sarah (Oakes) Staples, and grandson of Gid- eon, Sr., and Susannah (Staples) Staples, who removed from Dover, N. H., to North Berwick, Mc., and later to Temple. Gideon Staples, Sr., bought two lots upon what is now known as the Baldwin Hill farm, where his grandson afterward lived.
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