USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 4
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 4
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Walter E. Holmes acquired his elementary education in the public schools of Oxford, fitted for college at Hebron Academy and at the Edward Little Institute in Auburn, Mc., and entering Bowdoin pursued the full course, and was graduated in 1870. For a number of years thereafter he devoted himself to teach- ing. He was at one time for the period of two years an instructor in a business college of Oshkosh, Wis .; and after that he came back to the old home farm in Oxford. Soon he removed to Welchville, and went into trade for a few years. His health, however, began to fail him; and he was obliged to give up such active business and take to something more quiet and less wearing in its effects .. He has served as Selectman for one term, as Town Treasurer for three years, as Collector for four years, as Supervisor of Schools two years; and he is now in his second term as Notary Public.
He was married on May 1, 1881, to Elba A. Potter, who was born in Oxford on January II, 1861, daughter of William and Mary E. (Starbird) Potter, of the same town. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have two children : Mabel J., who was born at Oxford on March 14, 1883 ; and George E. R., who was also born at Ox- ford, January 21, 1888. Mr. Holmes and his wife are earnest and active members of the Congregational church at Oxford village. They are widely known and enjoy the respect and good-will of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, Mr. Holmes being a gentleman of scholarly attainments and an interesting conversationalist. In political affiliation he is a strong Republican, as his father was before him. He is also a member of the
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A. F. & A. M., Paris Lodge, No. 94, at South Paris, Me.
TON. ANDREW S. HAPGOOD, a popular citizen of Waterford, Oxford County, Me., now serving as a Rep- resentative in the State legislature, was born here November 11, 1841, son of Thomas and Jane (McWain) Hapgood. His grandfather, Hezekiah Hapgood, was the first of the family to come to Waterford. They settled on a farm north-east of Waterford Flat and there made his home until on account of advanced years he gave up active work and went to live with one of his sons in Fryeburg, remaining there until his death.
Thomas Hapgood, son of Hezekiah, was born and brought up in Waterford. He be- came a farmer and trader; and after his mar- riage he followed agricultural pursuits in his native town until 1845, when, removing to Gorham, N. H., he there engaged in trading and in farming, and also managed a grist-mill. About three and one-half years later he re- turned to Waterford, and here devoted himself to farming for a like period. He next mi- grated to Brasher Falls, N. Y., where he car- ried on a saw and grist mill for eighteen months, after which he went to Bangor, Franklin County, N. Y., and again engaged in trade for about six months. Going from there to Brandon, in the same county, in northern New York, he resumed his early occupation of farming, to which he gave his attention for two years, and then came back to Waterford and conducted the saw and grist mill business until his death, which occurred in December, 1864. Mrs. Jane McWain Hapgood, his wife, who was born in Putney, Vt., died in 1859. They were the parents of five children - David T., who died in 1883; Laure Jane, who died at five years of age; Lura A., wife of Sylvanus W. Cobb, now residing in Durango, Col. ; Andrew S. ; Charles Henry, whose death occurred in 1866. Those who grew to maturity were given a common-school and academic education.
In 1862, at twenty-one years of age, Andrew S. Hapgood, whose youth had been passed in the different places where his parents had
made their home, went to Mendocino County, California, and engaged in the saw-mill busi- ness, which he followed for two years. He then went to Idaho Territory for a change, and was employed there in mining for a year and a half, after which he returned to Water- ford and tock charge of the old Hapgood Mills, his father having died. Some time after he sold the grist-mill, but still conducts the saw- mill, and is doing a successful business, his attention being chiefly given to his mill, al- though he also owns forty acres of farming land. On May 3, 1861, he was mustered into the United States service; but during the three months that he was out his company was not called into active service, and he took no part in any engagement.
On July 7, 1870, Mr. Hapgood was married to Miss Irene Willard, of Waterford. She was born December 14, 1845, a daughter of Eben M. and Hannah (Barker) Willard, her father having been a native of Waterford, and her mother of Lovell, in the same county. Mr. Willard was successfully engaged in farming here throughout his life. Mrs. Irene W. Hapgood died February 12, 1895 ; and Mr. Hapgood was again married August 9, 1896, to Lavinia G. Willard, of North Newry, Me.
Mr. Hapgood has always voted the Republi- can ticket. He was elected a member of the State legislature in 1894, and is now (1896) serving in his second year. He has been for several years Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in Waterford. Fraternally, Mr. Hapgood is connected with No. 132, A. F. & A. M., of Waterford; Oxford Lodge, No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of North Waterford; Harry Rust Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Norway, Me. ; Oriental R. A. Chapter, of Bridgton, Me. : and Portland Commandery, Knights Tem- plars, No. 2.
ON. ALBION P. BONNEY is a rep- resentative of one of the old and respected families of Buckfield, in the eastern part of Oxford County, Me., that have followed the pursuit of agri- culture for generations. In early manhood he had a number of years' successful experience
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in school teaching, but has since devoted him- self to his hereditary occupation and to the public service. Hle was born on the farm where he now lives, which has been in the family for more than a century, May 22, 1826, a son of James and Bethany (Keen) Bonney.
His great-grandfather was James Bonney, of Pembroke, Plymouth County, Mass. ; and his grandfather, who also bore the name of James Bonney, was born in that town in 1764. This second James Bonney purchased the homestead in Buckfield in 1789. At that time most of the land in this vicinity was unredeemed from the wilderness, was covered with heavy tim ber, and abounded in wild game. Mr. Bon- ney's home was one of the first in the locality. His first claim was one hundred acres, and he afterward added to it until his property em- braced over three hundred acres. He died in Buckfield at the age of seventy-two. His wife, Sally Glover, who was a native of Pem- broke, Mass., also attained a ripe age. Two of their children attained maturity - James, the third of the name; and Sally, who died at the age of thirty-three.
James Bonney, son of James, second, and Sally (Glover) Bonney, succeeded his father as owner of the homestead, and devoted his days to the pursuit of agriculture. He was a man of strong character and good physical development, and held the rank of Colonel in the old State militia. Active in public affairs, he was identified in the latter part of his life with the Republican party; and he served the town in different offices, holding that of Selectman for a number of years. He died at sixty-four years of age, and his wife lived to be sixty-seven. She was a daughter of Lemuel Keen, a Revolutionary soldier. Five children were born to Colonel and Mrs. James Bonney, namely : Albion P. ; Sarah E., widow of Daniel B. Bonney, of Buckfield; and Bet- sey B., Josiah K., and Andrew J., deceased.
Albion P. Bonney, already introduced as the subject of this biographical sketch, ac- quired his education in his native town, com- pleting his course of study in the high school. In early life he taught school some forty terms, at the same time managing the home farm, which eventually became his by inheritance. This farm now covers two hundred acres, and
much of it is devoted to general crops. As a farmer Mr. Bonney has been very successful, his judgment being good, his methods pro- gressive, and his industry unfailing.
lle was married in May, 1848, to Miss Mary A. Irish, who died in 1862, leaving three children, one son and two daughters. Two of these are living, namely : Frank J., a dentist of Auburn, Me., who has one daugh- ter, Ella M. ; and Emma F., wife of Herbert E. Bonney, of Bath, Mc., who has three chil- dren - Mary A., Albion P., and Mildred. The other daughter, Ella F., wife of William S. Thorne, died childless. In 1863 Mr. Bon- ney married Mrs. Ellen T. (Teague) Shaw, widow of Wilson Shaw. By this union he had one child - Nellie L., wife of Fred W. Keen, of Auburn, Me., and mother of one daughter, Hazel B. The second Mrs. Bonney died in March, 1865; and on June 3, 1866, Mr. Bonney contracted a third marriage with Miss Abbie Tuell, a native of Sumner, Me. He has no children by this union.
Mr. Bonney has been a Republican since the formation of the party; and he attended the first Republican convention held in Paris, Oxford County. He has been on the Board of Selectmen many years, and has served as Town Treasurer and in minor offices; and in 1885-86 he represented Buckfield in the State Senate. As an Odd Fellow he is a member of Nezinscott Lodge, No. 104, of Buckfield. In religious matters he is liberal. One of the old citizens of the town, he is a well-known figure in Buckfield, and is one whose opinion is considered valuable in matters of public import.
RANK P. TYLER, an enterprising farmer and live-stock dealer of New Sharon, Franklin County, Me., was born in this town, January 30, 1865, son of Zebulon and Julia (Rigg) Tyler.
Zebulon Tyler, who formerly resided in Chesterville, moved in 1852, with his family, household effects, and live stock, to New Sharon, where he purchased the Isaac Ames place, consisting of one hundred and fifteen acres. He made various improvements upon the farm, set out an orchard of one hundred
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fruit-trees, and was a successful general farmer. As he advanced in prosperity he added fifty acres of land to his original pur- chase ; and he continued actively engaged until his death, which took place, from heart disease, in August, 1892, while he was at work in the field. A highly respected and useful citizen, he supported the Republican party in politics, and was a Methodist in his religious belief. His wife, Julia, whom he married March 8, 1849, was a daughter of S. T. Rigg, a blacksmith of New Sharon. She became the mother of eight children, namely : Lew- ellyn S. ; George H .; Sarah E. ; Addie Min- nette; Eliza A .; Joseph A .; Frank P., the subject of this sketch; and Hattie Z.
Frank P. Tyler was educated in the common schools of New Sharon and Farmington. At the age of twenty-one he became his father's hired assistant upon the home farm. He sub- sequently succeeded to the ownership of the property, and has since conducted it with energy and success. He has also a wide repu- tation as a dealer in live stock, which business is a source of considerable profit to him; and this together with his farni occupies his entire time and attention. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and his religious opin- ions are broad and liberal.
1 SAAC P. BEARCE, one of the largest fruit growers of Hebron, Oxford County, Me., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, March 30, 1844, son of Sylvanus R. and Ann O. (Barrows) Bearce. Gideon Bearce, his paternal grandfather, was an early settler and prosperous farmer of Hebron. He lived to an advanced age, and accumulated considerable property, owning at the time of his death three good farms.
Sylvanus R. Bearce, son of Gideon, was born in Hebron in 1804. Having been reared to agricultural pursuits, he settled upon the farm where his son, Isaac P., now resides ; and for quite a long period he was one of the stirring and successful men of this locality. He died at the homestead in October, 1891, having passed the last years of his life in re- tirement. In politics he was a Republican,
and in his religious faith he was of the liberal type of Christians. His first wife, whose maiden name was Olive Packard, bore him four children; and his second wife, Ann O. Barrows, who was born in this county in 1825, became the mother of six children, making a family of ten. Of these, seven are now living, namely: Caroline, who is the widow of Eliphalet Bray, late of East Oxford; Irene B., wife of Lewis Clark, of Chelsea, Mass. ; Isaac P., the subject of this sketch; Victoria, who is now the widow of Reuel Barrows, and resides in Chelsea, Mass. ; Sylvanus, a pros- perous farmer of Hebron village, who was born in 1849; Alice, wife of Wallace Cushman, of Auburn, Me. ; and W. Scott, who resides with his brother at the homestead. The others were: Olive, who died in 1862, aged twenty- two years; Maria; and Albert W., who died aged twenty-five years. Mrs. Ann O. Barrows Bearce died May 1, 1890.
Isaac P, Bearce, whose personal history is now in order, passed his childhood and later youth as a member of the parental household, obtaining his education in the town schools and the Hebron Academy. He assisted his father in carrying on the farmi until July 16, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Com- pany E, Sixteenth Regiment, Maine Volun- teers; and after the battle of Antietam he was sent to the hospital in Washington, D. C., suffering from the effects of long continued exposure. Being honorably discharged from the service in the succeeding December, he returned home and remained here until 1866, when he went to Black Hawk City, Col., where for a short time he was engaged in mining. Again returning to Hebron, he took charge of the home farm, thenceforward caring for his parents during their declining years, and subsequently continuing his residence here permanently. Since succeeding to the ownership of the property, which originally contained one hundred acres, he has added to it by purchasing an adjoining tract ; and now, owning about one hundred and forty acres, he makes a specialty of raising apples, pears, plums, together with currants, gooseberries, and other small fruits, having twenty acres devoted to this profitable industry.
On January 1, 1873, Mr. Bearce was mar-
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ried to Miss Ella F. Marshall, who was born in Hebron, April 16, 1848, daughter of Will- iam T. and Mary E. (Packard) Marshall. William T. Marshall was formerly a prosper- ons farmer and stone mason of this town, and is now residing in Auburn, Me. His wife died at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Bearce have a family of four daughters, namely : Agnes M., who was born April 9, 1874; Lizzie M., who was born May 19, 1878; Mabel C., who was born July 17, 1880; and Cordelia E., who was born February 11, 1883.
Mr. Bearce is a charter member of Hebron Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, with which his wife also is connected ; and he is a comrade of A. A. Dwinal Post, No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, of Mechanic Falls. Industri- ous and capable, a successful general farmer and horticulturist and a worthy citizen, he is highly esteemed by his fellow-townspeople. In politics he acts with the Republican party ; and both he and Mrs. Bearce attend the Bap- tist church, to the support of which they are generous contributors.
A® LBERT THOMPSON, a partially dis- abled veteran of the Civil War, who is now engaged in the peaceful pur- suit of husbandry in Farmington, Franklin County, Me., was born in Norridge- wock, this State, March 19, 1839, son of Silas and Maria (Hussey) Thompson. His grand- father, Asaph Thompson, M.D., son of Silas Thompson, first, and Sybil Pease Thompson, came from Halifax, N.S., and, settling in Maine, became a noted physician in his day. He had a large and profitable practice, which he attended on horseback, and continued active until his death, which took place at middle age. He married Polly Wood, who died at the age of fifty-five years; and her children were: Adasa, Silas, Mary, Persus, and Asa.
Silas Thompson, the second of the name, son of Dr. Asaph Thompson, inherited the Norridgewock homestead, and was there en- gaged in general farming until his death, which took place at the early age of thirty- four years. He voted with the Democratic party in politics, and he was liberal in his re-
ligious views. His wife, Maria Hussey, a daughter of James Hussey, was born in Water- ville, Me., Angust 17, 1813. She became the mother of two children - Albert and Louise. Mrs. Maria II. Thompson is still living, and resides with her son, whose per- sonal history is here briefly outlined, as fol- lows:
Albert Thompson acquired a practical edu- cation in his early years, and after his father died he remained at the homestead with his mother until they sold the property. Remov- ing to Farmington, they purchased the elder Joe Russell place of one hundred acres, built a new house, rebuilt the barns, and increased the productiveness of the soil. Enlisting as a private in Company L, First Maine Cavalry, on October 17, 1861, Mr. Thompson was mustered into service on November I of the same year; and, re-enlisting on December 28, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Ser- geant. In an engagement fought at St. Mary's Church he received a severe wound in the right shoulder, which has caused him. more or less trouble ever since, preventing him from attempting any very laborious em- ployment. He was honorably discharged and mustered out, after having served three years and nine months, and returned directly to his home in Maine. He now receives a pension from the government.
By his union with his first wife, who was before marriage Ellen Butterfield, and was a daughter of Isaac Butterfield, Mr. Thompson had one son, Frank. His second wife, Ella J. Stevens, daughter of Paul Stevens, of Oak- land, Me., died at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving two children, namely: Arthur, who was born March 18, 1884; and Edna L., who was born August 16, 1891. Politically, Mr. Thompson is inclined to favor the Demo- cratic party. On religious subjects his views are liberal.
'SAAC ROUNDS, M.D., the leading physician, as well as the oldest, in Paris, the shire town of Oxford County, Me., was born in Danville, now the southern part of Auburn, Me., September 11, 1842, son of Nathaniel and Susan A. (Libby)
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N. DAYTON BOLSTER.
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Rounds. His grandfather, Joseph Rounds, probably a native of Buxton, Me., after resid- ing for a time in Gray, Cumberland County, settled in Danville, where he died at an age between sixty-five and sixty-seven years. He was a farmer in good circumstances. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Small, died in 1864, at the age of eighty-eight years. Their children were : Nathaniel, Joseph, Eliza, Leonard, Ora, Margaret, Cushman, and James.
Nathaniel Rounds, who was born in the town of Gray in May, 1803, followed farining as his chief occupation, and also undertook occasional orders for stone work. He eventu- ally removed to Danville, where he purchased land, on which he resided until his death, which took place in March, 1884, at the age of eighty-one years. He was twice married. His first wife, Pauline Perley, of Gray, died in early womanhood, leaving three children - Samuel P., William H., and Charles B. By his second marriage he was united to Susan A. Libby. Her father was Deacon David Libby, a prosperous farmer of Poland, Me., Andro- scoggin County, and the son of James Libby, who served his country as a private in the Revolutionary War. The death of Mrs. Susan A. Libby Rounds occurred in 1853, when she was forty-four years old. She was the mother of seven children; namely, David L., Joseph, Isaac, Pauline P., Huldah E., Alva L., and Cyrus, the last of whom died young.
Isaac Rounds received his early education in the Danville schools, and pursued his aca- demic course at the Edward Little Institute and Maine State Seminary. On July 17, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Seventeenth Reg- iment, Maine Volunteers, for service in the Civil War, and subsequently fought in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, the Wilderness, the winter's siege of Petersburg, and Little Sailor's Creek. In the battle of the Wilder- ness, on May 6, 1864, he received a fracture of the skull; and afterward, April 6, 1865, he was wounded at Little Sailor's Creek. He was the first descendant of his mother's grand- father, James Libby, to shed his blood for his country. On receiving his discharge, June 7, 1865, he returned home and resumed his school work. Later he began reading medicine, and
in 1873 he was graduated from the medical department of Bowdoin College. He com- menced practice in Lewiston; but in the fall of the same year he came to South Paris, where by his professional skill, supplemented by many admirable traits of character, he has since securely established himself in the confi- dence and esteem of the community. Having earned the reputation of a successful practi- tioner, he has built up a practice correspond- ingly large and lucrative. On October 4, 1874, he was united in matrimony with Lydia A. Haskell, daughter of Jasper and Sally F. (Thurston) Haskell, the father a native and a farmer of Danville. Dr. and Mrs. Rounds have two children, namely: Susan L., born August 25, 1875, now an assistant teacher in the Paris High School; and Frank W., born November 23, 1882, still attending school. Dr. Rounds can always be counted on for aid in enterprises designed for the benefit of the town. He helped to build the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Block by purchasing a share of the stock issued for that purpose. He has also materially aided in establishing the Paris Manufacturing Company, which has been of so much advantage to the town. The edu- cational interests of the town have likewise received much attention from him, as he at one time rendered good service as School Agent, and was a member of the School Com- mittee for three years. He is a charter mem- ber of Mount Mica Lodge and Aurora Encamp- ment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, all the chairs of which he has successively filled ; and of the William Kimball Post, No. 148, Grand Army of the Republic, holding at pres- . ent the rank of Past Commander. The family residence, as well as the Doctor's office, is at 2 Main Street, a handsome dwelling, with its beautiful lawn and tasteful carriage house, erected by the Doctor in 1886.
County.
DAYTON BOLSTER, principal of the firm N. D. Bolster & Co. of South Paris, Me., is one of the leading business men of Oxford He was born in Rumford, Me., May 22, 1850, son of Otis C. and Maria (Virgin) Bolster, and is a direct descendant of Isaac
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Bolster, a native of England, who settled in Uxbridge, Mass., in 1732, and was the founder of the family in this country.
Ilis son, also named Isaac, who was born April 28, 1737, served as a private in some of the Colonial wars, and subsequently fought in the Revolution. Ile was one of the minute- men who marched to Concord on April 19, 1775. Later in the contest he was a Lieuten- ant in the company of Captain John Putnam, under command of Colonel E. Learned ; and still later he was commissioned Captain. He was one of the original settlers of the town of Hebron, this county. In 1784 he moved to Paris, where he died in 1825, at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife, Mary Dwin- nell, whom he married July 24, 1761, in Sut- ton, Mass., died August 4, 1814. Their chil- dren were: Hepsibah, Abraham, Isaac, Jr., David, and Solomon. He took for a second wife late in life a Miss Cary, of Turner, Me., but had no children by this union.
Isaac Bolster, Jr., who was born at Sutton, Mass., May 12, 1769, was the grandfather of N. D. Bolster. He settled on a part of a large tract of land taken up by his father, built a house with barns, and started a store, which he carried on until his death in July, 1835, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife, Hannah Cushman Bolster, daughter of Gideon Cushman, born April 16, 1777, bore him ten children; namely, Alvan, Isaac, Gideon, Otis C., William, Hannah, Lyman, Louisa, Levi, and Ruth.
Otis C. Bolster, the fourth son as here named, who was born in Paris, Me., Septem- ber 25, 1801, when fifteen years old went to work for his uncle, Francis Cushman, at Rum- ford, remaining until his majority. Shortly after he opened a store in that town, and con- ducted it successfully until November, 1836, when it was accidentally blown up, his little son, then eight years old, being killed by the explosion. The disaster was supposed to have been caused by his son and another boy, while playing with fire on the top of a keg of gunpowder. Mr. Bolster rebuilt the store, and resumed business. On October 23, 1852, his residence was destroyed by fire. After this he removed to Paris, bought the old brick store on Market Square, and there engaged in
the same business until his death on Novem- ber 9, 1871, at the age of seventy years. He was highly esteemed for his genial traits and strict integrity. He was twice married. His first marriage, on October 28, 1827, united him with Dolly B. Keyes, who was born in 1806, daughter of Francis Keyes. She died in 1840, having borne him four children - Horatio A., Henrietta L., Mellen E., and Freeland K. His second marriage, performed May 14, 1841, was contracted with Maria C. L. Virgin, daughter of Peter C. Virgin, of Rumford. She died May 19, 1887, having borne him five children, namely: William H .; Dolly M .; Norris Dayton, the special subject of this sketch, to be further mentioned in the next paragraph; Sarah V. ; and Mari- etta.
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