USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 33
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 33
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
Until he was nineteen years of age El- bridge G. Wheeler lived with his parents on the home farm, attending the district school for the usual period. On leaving home, he went to Abington, Mass., where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and subsequently worked at it for about seven years. He then returned to Bethel, and purchased the
farm that he now owns. Here he built a shoe shop, and thereafter, for about thirty years, both worked at his trade and carried on his farm. He has added to the original farm by the purchase of adjoining land, so that he now has about one hundred and sixty acres. The property is conveniently located, being but a mile from West Bethel. Some years ago he abandoned shoemaking, and has since devoted his attention exclusively to agri- culture.
Mr. Wheeler has been twice married. The first time was in 1851, when he was united to Miss Melissa Grover, of Bethel. She died in 1852, leaving one child, Ella M., now the wife of Ralph W. Bean, a resident of Little- ton, Col. The second mariage was contracted in 1858 with Miss Mehitable J. Grover, of Mason, Me. Born of this union were a son and two daughters, namely: Minnie E., a high- school teacher in Edgartown, Mass; Flora Jane, a high-school teacher in Jefferson, N.H. ; and Edward E., who died at the age of twenty-two years, when a student of Bates College. Mr. Wheeler, who is a Republican partisan, takes quite an active part in local political matters. He has served as Select- man for five or six years, on the School Com- mittee for two years, and he has been Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years. He is a member of Bethel Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M .; and of Pleasant Valley Grange at West Bethel.
ION H. PIKE, a prosperous farmer and lumberman of Waterford, and a native of this town, was born March 18, 1858, son of John C. and Eliza A. (Willard) Pike, both also natives of Waterford. His paternal grandparents, John and Esther (Richardson) Pike, born in Oxford County, were farming people of high repute. His maternal grandparents, Lewis and Mary (Plaisted) Willard, were born respectively in Harvard, Mass., and Gorham, Me.
John C. Pike spent the greater part of his life in Waterford, engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1841 he went to California, and worked for about a year at mining, in which he was very successful; but he was
245
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
obliged to return East on account of his health, and never fully recovered his former vigor. He died December 6, 1891, aged sixty-three years. In politics he was always a firin Republican, and took much interest in town affairs. He was a member of the grange and an active worker in its interests. The three children born to him and his wife are all living. They are: Sarah M., Bion H., and Ernest L. Sarah M., born July 7, 1855, is the wife of Henry Wentworth, a mill man living in Waterford, and has five children - John, Carrie, Fred, Ernest, and Emma. Ernest L., born November 24, 1859, an enter- prising young farmer, carries on the old Pike homestead, is engaged in lumbering with his brother, and conducts a manufacturing busi- ness in Waterford.
Bion H. Pike was educated in the common schools and at Bridgton Academy. On ac- count of his father's health he remained at home, helping on the farm until March, 1890. He then came to his present place, which is known as the Daniel Green farm. Besides attending to his farm work, for the past eight years, in company with his brother, he has carried on lumbering quite extensively in the northern part of Oxford County. Being a hard worker, and having a good deal of prac- tical sense, his undertakings have usually terminated successfully.
On September 22, 1889, Mr. Pike was mar- ried to Miss Edith Nevers, who was born March 30, 1865, daughter of Marshall and Mary E. (Sanders) Nevers. Mr. Nevers was born in Sweden, Me., June 14, 1825. His wife, also a native of Sweden, died in Norway, in 1879. He was farming in Sweden until 1885, when, with his son, William H., he re- moved to Brown County, Nebraska. He re- turned some time ago, and is now living with Mr. Pike. On September 18, 1861, he en- listed at Sweden in Company B, Twenty-third Maine Volunteers, for a term of nine months, at the end of which he returned home. His health has since been greatly impaired by rheumatism, brought on by exposure while in the army. His other children were: Mary and Clara, deceased; William H., who mar- ried Miss Nellie M. Frye, and is now engaged in farming in Brown County, Nebraska; and
Araminta, also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pike have six children, all living, namely: Clay- ton, born December 13, 1890; Marion, born in 1891; Ardell, born June 3, 1892 ; Augusta, born August 30, 1893; Nellie, born October 3, 1894; and John Marshall, born December 10, 1895. In politics Mr. Pike is a loyal Re- publican. He is an esteemed member of Ox- ford Lodge, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of North Waterford.
HOMAS CROSWELL, a former mer- chant of Farmington Falls, now living in retirement, was born in his present home, November 23, 1825. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Gower) Croswell and a grandson of Andrew and Sarah Croswell. His great-grandfather, the Rev. Andrew Cros- well, who graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1728, was a noted Congrega- tional minister.
Thomas Croswell, Sr., was a native of Plymouth, Mass., born April 8, 1791. Upon the death of his father, being then about fif- teen years of age, he went to live with his brother Samuel in Paris, Oxford County. Afterward he lived in Mercer, Me., where his brother Andrew was practising as a physician ; and there, after the close of the War of 1812.
he opened a store. In 1816 he sold his stock in trade; and, renting a building in Farming- ton Falls, he conducted a successful mercan- tile business for two years. At the end of that time he purchased the Squire Morrill stand, where he had commenced business, and erected a store. Without the facilities which make things so easy for the merchant of to- day, and obliged to bring his goods from Au- gusta and Hallowell by wagon, he yet estab- lished a very large trade. Leaving an un- blemished reputation for probity, he died in 1879, aged eighty-eight years. His wife, who was a daughter of James Gower, of Industry, was about the same age at her death. They were the parents of nine children - Mary G., Sarah P., Thomas, Andrew C .. Susan G .. James H. G., Micah S., Elizabeth B., and Hannah F.
Thomas Croswell received his book learning in the public schools near his home and at
2.46
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Farmington Academy. At the same time he was acquiring a knowledge of business in his father's store, where he began to make himself useful when very young. He spent his vaca- tions in the store, and after he reached twenty-one he did most of the buying. In 1866, with his brother Andrew C., he bought his father's interest. Under the new manage- ment the business went on increasing until it reached mammoth proportions. In 1888 Thomas Croswell sold his share to his brother, and retired from trade. His other interests, however, give him ample occupation for his time. He owns a valuable farm and a num- ber of tenement-houses, and has dealt to some extent in lumber.
On October 22, 1861, he was married to Harriet J. Taylor, who was born September 10, 1830, in Danvers, Mass., daughter of John Taylor, of Farmington. Mr. Croswell has no children. He is active in politics as a Re- publican, and he occupied a seat in the legis- lature in 1872 and 1873. Both Mr. and Mrs. Croswell are active in the Congregational church at Farmington Falls, and contribute generously toward its support.
T RA JUSTIN WARRINER, a young and enterprising merchant of Fryeburg, Me., was born in this town, March 27, 1864, son of Chauncey and Abbie Clement (Towle) Warriner. Justin Warriner, Mr. Warriner's grandfather, was a prosperous farmer of Fryeburg in his day.
Chauncey Warriner, Mr. Warriner's father, was born in Vershire, Vt. In young manhood he learned the trade of watchmaker and jew- eller. He carried on business in Washington, D.C., and in Philadelphia until, in 1862, he came to Fryeburg, where he resided for the rest of his life. He died February 6, 1884. His wife, formerly Abbie C. Towle, who sur- vives him, was born in Fryeburg, and is a daughter of Dr. Ira and Sarah Clement Towle. Dr. Towle, a native of Newfield, Me., was a well-known physician of Fryeburg for nearly half a century. His wife was a native of this town. Mrs. Chauncey Warriner now resides with her son, Ira J. She is the mother of three children, as follows: Mary, wife of
Charles F. Lord, a jeweller in Windham, Me. ; Edson, who is a jeweller by trade, but is now teaching music in Seattle, Wash. ; and Ira J., the subject of this sketch.
Ira J. Warriner was educated in the common schools and at the Fryeburg Academy. With the exception of a year spent in Portland he has always made his home in Fryeburg. In April, 1895, he formed a partnership with Frank A. Hill for the purpose of carrying on the grocery business and the manufacture of clothing. This firm continued in business until February, 1896, when it was dissolved. Retaining possession of the store, Mr. Warri- ner has since conducted it alone. He occupies spacious and centrally located quarters, which are well stocked with a full line of staple goods, including groceries, provisions, and agricultural implements; and he has a large and constantly increasing patronage.
In politics he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to public office. He is a member of Lodge No. 34, Knights of Pythias, and is con- nected with the Pilgrim Insurance Company. Mr. Warriner's mother is a member of the New Jerusalem church, whose cheerful system of religious faith is based on the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg.
ON. DANIEL BROWN, who has been Town Treasurer of Waterford, Me., for over twenty years, was born in this town, January 1, 1826,
the son of Thaddeus, Jr., and Asenath (Nourse) Brown.
His grandfather, who also was named Thad- deus Brown, was born in Harvard, Mass. He moved to Waterford, Me., in 1786, and, set- tling on a farm about a mile east of Waterford Flat, engaged in farming and lumbering, be- coming in course of time one of the most ex- tensive dealers in land and lumber in that sec- tion. He married Mary Pollard, and a family of nine children grew up about him; namely, Daniel, Malbory, Jabez, Susan, Levi, Thad- deus, Jr., Mary, Mercy, and Sarah.
Thaddeus Brown, Jr., the father above named, was a native and lifelong resident of Waterford; and his wife also passed her days from birth to death in that town. They, too,
2 47
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
had nine children. Theodore, the eldest, who was born in 1824, and died in Waterford in 1861, was a Captain in the State militia. He married Clara Bryant. Daniel, the second son, is the subject of this article. Mercy, born March 29, 1828, is the wife of Scribner Chadbourne, a farmer, formerly of Waterford, now of Vandalia, Ill. The third son, named John, died young. Mary is the widow of Charles H. Hale, late of Augusta, Wis., who died in February, 1896, leaving one son, Charles. Waldo T. Brown is a prominent farmer of Waterford, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Ellen M. is the wife of El- bridge Stone, a blacksmith and farmer of Waterford. Myra A. is the wife of W. H. Bailey, a clothing manufacturer now living in Harrison village, Me., and has two children. Angenette, who is unmarried, lives with her sister, Mrs. Mary Hale, in Augusta, Wis.
Daniel Brown attended the common schools of his native town, laying up a store of knowl- edge which served as a foundation for the superstructure of experience. He began to do farm chores when a boy, and as he grew older assumed heavier and more responsible duties: In 1851 he came to his present home in Waterford Flat, which was then owned by his Uncle Daniel, a retired trader. Mr. Brown has achieved marked success as a farmer. He now owns about two hundred acres of land in Waterford, which is available for tillage and pasturage; and his sleek and well-kept cows produce a rich cream, for which he finds a ready market.
Mr. Brown was married October 15, 1850, to Miss Mary Stone, who was born in Water- ford, December 3.1, 1830, the daughter of Alonzo and Sally (Watson) Stone. Her par- ents also were natives of Waterford. Her father, who was a farmer, died about 1869, and her mother in October, 1890. Six chil- dren were born to this couple, namely: Henry P., who died in 1871 ; Leander, a carpenter of Waterford Flat, who married Jane Warren; Mary, Mrs. Brown; Harriet, wife of James Sullivan, a machinist of Dorchester, Mass .; Charlotte M., living in Somerville, Mass .; and Lewis F., a baker in Somerville, who married Miss Sarah Chase.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children.
The elder, Florence Agnes, who was born January 31, 1852, is the widow of the Rev. Orlando A. Rounds, a clergyman of the Uni- versalist church, to whom she was married June 30, 1875. Mr. Rounds was born in New York State, June 13, 1849. He preached in Bridgton, Me., two years, in Potsdam, N. Y., five years, and in Utica, N.Y., five years. He died at the age of thirty-eight, December 27, 1887, leaving three children - Lawrence Rexford, born December 8, 1876, a graduate of Bridgton (Me. ) Academy; Mary Florence, born October 25, 1878, who is attending Douglas Seminary at Waterford Flat, Me. ; and Marguerite, born June 15, 1887, who died April 27, 1890. Mr. Brown's second daugh- ter, Helen May, who was born January 6, 1873, is a graduate of Douglas Seminary, Waterford, in the class of 1892, and has taught school several terms in Norway and Waterford.
Mr. Brown has voted the Democratic ticket ever since attaining his majority. He is a Justice of the Peace, and has held many town offices, including that of Selectman, to which he was elected several times, and of Town Treasurer, in which capacity he has served for over twenty years. He was a member of the State legislature in 1886. His daughter, Mrs. Rounds, is Postmistress at Waterford. Mr. Brown is also prominent in local frater- nities, belonging to Lodge No. 132, A. F. & A. M., of Waterford; Keoka Chapter, No. 12. of the Eastern Star. He and his family at- tend the Universalist church.
ENRY HERBERT RICE. senior member of the firm Rice & Paine, and a prominent dry-goods merchant of Farmington, was born in Strong. Me., September 4, 1851, son of Richard S. and Susan (Lockhart) Rice. Richard Rice. the grandfather of Henry Herbert, was a na- tive of Scarboro, Me. He came to Farming- ton among the early settlers, bought two hun- dred acres of new land, situated in the eastern part of the town, and besides clearing it brought it to a good state of cultivation. He died in his prime at the age of thirty-six years, and his farm is now owned by J. Par-
215
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ham. He married Hannah Bates, a native of St. John, N. B., whose only child was Rich- ard S.
Richard S. Rice was educated in the dis- trict schools and at the Farmington Academy, and after completing his studies he was for a time engaged in teaching school. He served an apprenticeship to the tailor's trade; and, after carrying on business in Greene, New Portland, and Strong, he established himself in Farmington, where he remained for four years. Removing then to Wilton, he was in business there for three years. At the end of that time he returned to this town, and, pur- chasing a residence on High Street, resided here until his death, which occurred when he was thirty-six years old. He was a very ca- pable business man, and possessed a great amount of natural ability. For a time he served as Town Clerk, to which office he was elected by the Republican party. He was a Mason, being a member of Maine Lodge of Farmington. His wife, Susan, who survives him, residing with her son in this town, is a daughter of William Lockhart, a native of Stuart town, County Tyrone, Ireland. She reared two children, namely: Abbie, who is the wife of J. H. Clifford, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and has two children - Charlotte S. and Hilda R. ; and Henry H., the subject of this sketch.
Henry Herbert Rice acquired his education in the district schools, Kent's Hill Seminary, and in the Normal School at Farmington. After finishing his studies he entered mercan- tile pursuits as a clerk in H. Ramsdell's dry- goods store, where he remained until 1870. In that year he went to Florida, where he re- mained for some six months, occupied in school-teaching and the lumber business. Re- turning home in 1871, he bought a half-inter- est in the business carried on by Mr. Rams- dell, his former employer. This connection had lasted ten years when he sold his interest to his partner, and started on a visit to the Western States with a view of settling in one of them. He was not favorably impressed with the country, so he returned here, and opened a dry goods stock in the William Tar- box store, Main Street. Under his able direc- tion the business so increased that more space
was soon needed. He now occupies the Dol- bier & Waugh Block, and the establishment is the largest of its kind in Franklin County. Besides dealing extensively in dry and fancy goods, he has a millinery and cloak department heavily stocked with seasonable articles and garments, which are exceedingly attractive to lady shoppers. He also conducts a large branch store in Madison, Mc., where he em- ploys four clerks, and does a flourishing busi- ness. In January, 1894, he admitted Fred G. Paine to partnership with him in the Farming- ton store. The firm not only maintains its acquired prestige, but is constantly increasing its popularity and expanding its enterprise.
On September 4, 1882, Mr. Rice wedded Ida M. Porter, daughter of William B. Porter, a mechanic of Elgin, Minn. Mrs. Rice is the mother of one daughter, Bertha M., who was born in 1884. Mr. Rice takes an active in- terest in the general progress of the town. He has been one of the principal promoters of the Farmington water works. In politics he is a Republican, and he served four years as a member of the School Board. He occupies a handsome residence on Main Street. Some time ago he bought the H. Stewart house on High Street, which he has since remodelled and enlarged.
ILLIAM B. LEBARON, a prosper- ous and widely-known farmer of Lovell township, was born in Lovell, April 21, 1829. His parents were William and Joan (Jordan) LeBaron. His father was a lineal descendant, in the fifth generation, of Dr. Francis LeBaron, a highly educated young Frenchman who was wrecked off the coast of Massachusetts in 1694, and who settled in Plymouth, where in the follow- ing year he married Mary, daughter of Ed- ward Wilder. Doctor LeBaron died in 1704, at the age of thirty-six years, having won a high reputation as a physician and surgeon of unusual skill. He left three sons - James, Lazarus, and Francis.
William LeBaron was born in South Paris, Me., and lived for a while in Albany, this State. He moved to Lovell when the place was a wilderness, and was the first settler on
249
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the west side of Kezar Pond. Travel then was extremely difficult, for several years the set- tlers being obliged to swim their horses across the pond in order to reach the other side. Mr. William LeBaron was engaged in farming in Lovell up to the time of his death, which oc- curred on August 10, 1863, when he was sixty- seven years of age. He was twice married. His first wife, Joan, the mother of his son William B., was the daughter of a Revolution- ary soldier, who was in the Continental army seven years. She was born in Gray, Me., and reared in Albany, whither her father moved when she was a child. Mrs. Joan J. LeBaron died September 15, 1856, aged fifty- five years. She was the mother of twelve chil- dren, namely : Lyman, James, and William, deceased ; Temperance, widow of Levi Parker, living in South Waterboro village, York County; William B., the subject of this sketch; James, James (second), Ruth, Orrin B., and .Henrietta, deceased; Harriet, wife of John M. Marr, of Lewiston, Me. ; and Wales, deceased. The father's second wife was Mrs. Phebe Jordan Rand, his first wife's sister, and widow of Nathaniel Rand. She, too, has passed away.
William B. LeBaron was educated in the common schools of his native town. He re- mained on the home farm with his father and mother until 1856, when he went to Pennsyl- vania; and for two years and a half he was en- gaged in lumbering in Cambria County. Re- turning then to Lovell he resumed his old place, and when his parents died succeeded to ownership of the homestead, where he now lives. Engaging in general husbandry he raised some stock, and kept a dairy, selling cream, and in the course of time made many improvements on the farm. He has worked hard to attain his present prosperity, shirking no task, however difficult, and is now enjoying the fruit of his industry, having recently dis- posed of his land to his son, Mandel A.
Mr. LeBaron was married July 21, 1855, to Miss Melissa Fox, a native of Porter, this county, daughter of John and Clarinda (Stan- ley) Fox. Mr. Fox was born in Gilmanton, N. H., December 7, 1795. He settled in Lovell in 1848, and was engaged here in farm- ing up to the time of his death, May 6, 1859.
His wife was born in Shapleigh, Me., February 4, 1809, and died in Lovell, January 29, 1873. Nine children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. LeBaron: Charles Fremont, born December 15, 1856, died in infancy ; Roscoe A., born September 7, 1858, married Miss Lucy B. McAllister, and lives near his father ; Herbert A., born May 23, 1860, married Miss Mabel Foss, of Turner, Me., and now resides at Rumford Falls, this State; Lincoln, born July 29, 1863, met his death by drowning in the State of Oregon, July 9, 1886; Mandel A., born February 19, 1865, is with his parents ; John F., born March 26, 1870, married Miss Carrie B. Grogan, of Pennsylvania, and is now living in Rumford Falls; Roy, born Septem- ber 12, 1875, is attending school in Rumford Falls, this State. Two younger children died in infancy. Mr. LeBaron has voted the Re- publican ticket since he was first qualified to exercise the right of suffrage. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church at Lovell Centre.
IDNEY T. BROWN, M. D., a graduate of the Medical School of Maine, class of 1874, is a well- known physician of Denmark, Ox- ford County, where he holds the office of Town Clerk. He was born in Sebago, Me., August 19, 1841, son of William S. and Ada (Storer) Brown. Dr. Brown's grandfather, John B. Brown, who was a native of Baldwin, Me., settled upon a farm in Sebago, where he be- came prosperous as an agriculturist ; and he died there in 1847.
William S. Brown, Dr. Brown's father, was born in Sebago. When a young man he adopted the occupation of a miller; but after following that business in his native town for a number of years he moved to Gorham, Me .. where he engaged in tilling the soil, and re- sided there until his death. His wife, Ada Storer, who was a native of Sebago, became the mother of seven children, as follows: Sid- ney T., the subject of this sketch ; Harley G .. who is married and lives in Mount Holly, N. J. ; Silas, who married Ellen Rand, of Brownfield, and is carrying on a butchering business in connection with farming in West
250
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Gorham, Me. ; Irving O., who died in 1887; John, who is no longer living; and Othello and Lewellyn, who are carrying on the undertaking business in Gorham, Me. Mrs. Ada Storer Brown is now residing with her son in Gorham.
Sidney T. Brown grew to manhood in Se- bago, acquiring his early education in the common schools. On September 29, 1862, he enlisted as a musician in Company K, Twenty- fifth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, under Colo- nel Francis Fessenden and Captain Asa C. Palmer, for service in the Civil War. Nine months later, on July 1, 1863, he received his discharge; and on September 20, 1864, he re- enlisted in the same capacity in Company C, Ninth Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war, being mustercd out at Raleigh, N.C., June 30, 1865. His profes- sional studies were begun at Denmark Corner, and continued at the medical school connected with Bowdoin College, where he was gradu- ated with the class of 1874. Since settling in Denmark in 1875, Dr. Brown has acquired a wide reputation as a skilful and reliable physi- cian, having built up an extensive and lucrative practice, which he still maintains in this and the adjoining towns.
In 1877 Dr. Sidney T. Brown was united in marriage with Augusta Harriman, of Lovell, Me., daughter of Moses and Mary (Gile) Har- riman, late of that town. Politically, the Doctor is a Republican, and has ably filled the office of Town Clerk for the past eleven years. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being at the present time Master of Mount Mo- riah Lodge, No. 56, of Denmark; and he is also a member of Denmark Lodge, No. 50, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both professionally and socially he occupies a prom- inent position among the leading residents of Denmark, and is spoken of by his fellow- townsmen with the highest regard. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Congregational church.
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.