USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 42
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 42
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eral farming with good results until his death, which took place March 13, 1873. His wife, Sally Scales, whom he married in 1823, was born in New Hampshire, November 27, 1802. They became the parents of seven children, namely: Ebenezer S .; Andrew J .; Gilbert, the subject of this sketch; Seth; Sarah; John ; and Anna C. Mr. Allen's father was in his later years a Republican in politics and a member of the Free Will Baptist church. His mother, who is also a member of that church, still survives, and is now ninety-four years old.
Gilbert Allen was educated in the public schools; and after finishing his studies he went to Wayne, Me., where he served an ap- prenticeship, and worked as a journeyman in the scythe factory for twenty years. He then returned to the homestead in order to take charge of the farm during his father's declin- ing years, and succeeding to the ownership of the property, consisting of one hundred acres, has since resided here. He has added ninety acres of pasture land, raised and enlarged the barn, remodelled the house, and otherwise im- proved the farm into its present excellent con- dition. Diligent and enterprising, he takes every available opportunity to advance his prosperity.
On September 14, 1851, Mr. Allen was married to Marian Morse, daughter of Waldron and Charlotte (Seavery) Morse, late of Jay. Mrs. Allen's father followed the trade of a carpenter in connection with farming until his death, at the age of seventy-six; but her mother lived to be eighty-seven. Their chil- dren were: Lucy; Marian, who became Mrs. Allen; Lizzie; S. Curtis; Laura; Philo; and Abbie C. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have had nine children, as follows: Fred W., James, Emory E., William F., Lucy, Emma J., Fila M., Eben, and Henry. Fred W. Allen, who was born May 16, 1853, married Ella Sampson, and lives at East Wilton, having three chil- dren - Gilbert L., Percy, and one not named. James Allen, a scythe-maker and a farmer, was born April 20, 1855. Emory E., who was born September 6, 1856, married Jennie Cary, and is a member of the police force in Brookline, Mass. They have two children - Eugene E. and Grace M. William F., who
was born November 7, 1858, is assisting his father in carrying on the farm. Lucy, who was born July 30, 1860, married C. D. Lyford, and died February 19, 1884. Emma J., who was born August 17, 1862, is now engaged in teaching. Fila Mabel was born April 7, 1864, and died May 26, 1887. Eben, who was born September 1, 1865, married Fanny G. Bean, and is living in Brookline, Mass., having one daughter, Olive. Henry, who was born' September 3, 1870, married Nellie F. Coombs, and is a carpenter at Orr's Island.
Being a natural mechanic and an expert blacksmith, Mr. Allen has a well-equipped workshop upon his premises, where, when not otherwise occupied, he makes and repairs wagons and farm implements used upon his place. He is a charter member and Past Master of Wilton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which his sons are members; and in politics he acts with the Republican party.
EORGE OLIVER ROBINSON, a retired lawyer and wealthy real estate owner, who resides in Oxford during the summer season, was born March 13, 1821, in that part of Oxford which was then in- cluded within the town of Hebron. He is a son of George and Hannah (March) Robinson. His paternal grandfather, Captain Samuel Robinson, came from Massachusetts to this part of Maine among the early pioneers, settling in Hebron, where he became a pros- perous farmer and large land-owner, and was one of the most prominent citizens of his locality. He married Sally Rawson, who died at an advanced age in 1835, one year before her husband. They reared three sons, namely: Prescott, who was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and became an officer in the regular army; George and Samuel, who were success- ful agriculturists of Oxford.
George Robinson, father of George O., was born in Hebron (now Oxford), May 28, 1797. In early manhood he engaged in tilling the soil, which occupation he followed energeti- cally during the active period of his life; and in company with others he built the first saw and grist mill in Welchville. Enterprising .
GEORGE O. ROBINSON.
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and progressive, his influence and example were exceedingly beneficial to the growth and development of this locality. His last days were passed at the homestead in Oxford, where he died at the venerable age of nearly ninety- three years. He was a man of much natural ability and personal worth, and was for many years a prominent figure in local public affairs, serving as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as Constable and Collector. He was besides closely identified with the State militia. In politics he was originally a Whig, but, with the majority of his col- leagues, joined the Republican party at its formation. He held an honorable position in the community as an able and faithful official, and was pre-eminently a public-spirited citi- zen. His wife, Hannah March Robinson, who was born in Sutton, Mass., January 31, 1789, became the mother of six children, as follows: George O., the direct subject of this sketch, who is the only one now living; Mil- ton, who died at the age of fifty-three; Eve- lina Prudentia, who died August 1, 1893; Julia, who died April 9, 1832; Sally R., who died February 8, 1836; and Stephen M., who died in infancy, May 28, 1822. Mrs. Hannah M. Robinson lived to the age of eighty-seven years.
George O. Robinson began his education in the district school, subsequently attending Hebron Academy, and still later continuing his studies at the Lewiston Falls and North Yarmouth Academies. He then entered Bow- doin College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1849. The year after his graduation he taught in Topsham Academy, and during the two years following he was principal of the classical department of the North Yarmouth Academy. He then began the study of law with Willis & Fessenden of Portland. After completing his legal studies he was admitted in 1854 to the Cumberland County bar, and, immediately starting for the West, settled in Bloomington, Ill., where he was admitted to practice in the courts of that State. He was also admitted to practice in the United States courts at Springfield.
At the time of his advent in Bloomington the political atmosphere was charged heavily with tremendous and conflicting forces. Al-
ready the air reverberated with the mutterings of the advancing war clouds, forerunners of the great tempest to come. The passage in the spring of 1854 of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1 820, had brought nearer the inevitable strife, and drawn sharper and more distinct the lines separating the pro-slavery and anti-slavery elements. The time was at hand for the birth of a new party. In several States meetings had been held and initiatory steps taken looking toward the formation of a party that should unite under one banner all those op- posed unalterably to the further extension of slavery; and in Bloomington, Ill., at a State convention held May 29, 1856, the organization of the great Republican party was effected. It was here that Abraham Lincoln made the speech which definitely severed his relations with the Whigs, and identified him at once as one of the foremost members of the new or- ganization. The words he spoke on that occa- sion were long referred to as "Lincoln's Lost Speech," from the fact that all the reporters present were so carried away by his eloquence that they forgot to take notes, and could give no reports to their papers: One man in the audience, however, a young lawyer and a personal friend of Mr. Lincoln's, kept his head sufficiently to obtain a fairly accurate report of the speech; and it has been pub- lished for the first time in McClure's Magasine for September, 1896. Mr. Robinson was one of those present at the thrilling scene when Lincoln, erect, tall, and majestic in appear- ance, hurled thunderbolts at the foes of free- dom, while the great convention roared its indorsement.
For over thirty years Mr. Robinson prac- tised his profession in Illinois. building up and maintaining an extensive general law practice, and becoming well known as one of the most successful attorneys in the State. In politics a stanch and unswerving Republi- can, he was interested in perfecting the first party organization in the immediate vicinity of Abraham Lincoln's home; and, besides rendering valuable political aid, he was deeply interested in educational matters, serv- ing for several years as examiner of teachers for the public schools of Bloomington.
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On August 23, 1854, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Marianne Greene, of Topsham, Me., daughter of Gardner Greene, a prosperous merchant and highly respected citizen of that town. He and his wife are the parents of one child, a daughter, Florence N. Mr. Robinson may fairly be considered as one of the most successful of the many bright and intelligent sons of the Pine Tree State who have won fame and fortune in the West; and the people of his native town have good reason to look upon his career with pride, and point to it as an example for the younger generation. His pleasant and kindly disposition makes him very popular in Oxford, where his summers are passed amid the scenes of his boyhood days; and he is actively inter- ested in all matters relative to the town of his nativity. Since 1885 he has been a resi- cent of Cambridge, Mass., having a pleasant home at No. 16 Forest Street. In his relig- ious opinions he is an Orthodox Congrega- tionalist.
HARLES F. BROWN, a progressive farmer and esteemed citizen of Mason, Oxford County, is a native of the town of Albany, this county, born November 2, 1857. His father, George H. Brown, was also a native of Albany, and was reared to farm life. Soon after his marriage he came to Mason, and purchased the farm now owned by his son, Charles F. Besides carrying on the farm he conducted a small store for a short time, and also taught about forty terms of school. In 1855 or 1856 he was elected Representative to the lower house of the State legislature on the Republican ticket, and thus far has been the only citizen of this town thus honored, with the exception of J. H. Bean, who was elected in 1892. Mr. Brown served as Justice of the Peace for twenty years, was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen several years, and, in fact, held at various times nearly all the town offices. He was the most prominent member of his party in the town of Mason. During the Civil War he enlisted successively in Companies B and G, Tenth Maine Regiment, and had been out about one year when he was injured by a fall.
After that he served as field nurse for a time. He died in Mason when seventy-one years old. His wife's maiden name was Lavina J. Shaw. She was born in Dalton, N.H., and is still living, making her home with her son, the subject of this sketch. She became the mother of four children, namely: Edgar S., a lawyer and prominent citizen of Mendota, Ill., who has served two terms as Representative; Sarah J., wife of Jonas Swan, of Norway, Me .; Fannie O., wife of Ebenezer Barber, of Marseilles, Ill .; and Charles F.
Charles F. Brown was the youngest son of his parents. He received a common-school education. With the exception of two years spent in Massachusetts, he has always lived on the old homestead, a farm of about two hundred acres, at first assisting his father in carrying it on, and eventually becoming the owner and conducting it for himself. Follow- ing his father's lead, he has supported the Re- publican party, and has been influential in town affairs. He is now serving his third term as First Selectman, and has served on the Board almost continuously since attaining his majority. He has also been a member of the School Committee, and was Road Commis- sioner three terms. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Pleasant Valley Grange of West Bethel. Mr. Brown was married November 24, 1878, to Miss Ida L. Mains. They are the parents of five children - Christabel, Trenna E., Albert M., Frances B., and one that died in infancy.
AMES BROWN, one of the prominent manufacturers of Waterford, Me., pro- prietor of a large lumber-mill, was born in the bordering town of Albany, in the same county of Oxford, March 14, 1846, the son of Samuel and Mary Jane (Esthers) Brown. Samuel Brown was a na- tive and lifelong resident of Albany, being there engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1863. His wife, who was a native of Bethel, this county, died in February, 1861. They were the parents of eleven children, only two of whom are living, namely: Alice, resid- ing in Lewiston, Me., widow of William
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Tuttle; and James, the subject of this sketch. The departed are: Myra, Sarah, three who died in infancy, Isadore, Amanda and Miranda (twins), and Helen.
James Brown was educated in the common schools of Albany, his native town. A1- though but a boy in his teens when the South- ern Rebellion broke out, in October, 1861, he was enrolled as a private in Company A, Twelfth Maine Infantry, under command of Captain (afterward Major) Hastings and Colonel Shepler. After reaching the seat of war he experienced the varied hardships of a soldier's life; and, had it not been for his strong constitution, his military experience would have ended his career. He partici- pated in the battles of Port Hudson, Irish Bend, La., Winchester, Cedar Creek, and a number of skirmishes, suffered the fatigue of forced marches under the burning summer sun of the South and through the heavy mud and snow and rain of the winter season, and finally was taken ill with the measles and small-pox. He received his discharge at Albany, N. Y., July 25, 1866. He has since been granted a pension by the government in requital for his sufferings.
After returning from the South he worked in different saw-mills some eight years, one year in Lewiston, Me., one year in Bethel, this county, and the rest of the time in differ- ent mills in North Waterford. In 1877 he started a water-mill on Crooked River, Al- bany, and, in company with William Plummer and J. B. Rand, of North Waterford, engaged in milling, remaining there three years. Selling his interest at the end of that time, he was employed for seven years in different mills near Waterford; and the four years en- suing he was engaged in farming near Water- ford village. He then erected his present mill, which is commonly called the "James Brown mill," in what is now known as Lynch- ville in Albany. Here he has built up a prosperous business, manufacturing a variety of boxes, which he ships to Fryeburg, Water- ford, and Bethel; clapboards, with which he supplies the building trade; and shook, which he ships to Portland. He employs a number of men, to whom he gives few vacations, the demand for his goods being almost constant.
Mr. Brown has worked very hard during his active years, and has attained success in the face of many difficulties.
In October, 1871, he was married to Elvira C. Proctor, of Waterford, the daughter of Thomas Proctor, a carpenter and carriage manufacturer of that town. Mr. Proctor died some time prior to his daughter's marriage. Mrs. Elvira C. Brown passed away in 1881. She was the mother of three children, namely : Harry, who married Miss Edna Hutchinson, of Albany, Me., and is employed in his father's mill; Delbert, who died in infancy; and Alice, who lives with her father. Mr. Brown was again married in August, 1882, Miss Henrietta Brown, of Albany, Me., be- coming his second wife. She was the daugh- ter of Walter M. Brown, a farmer of Bethel, and his wife, Elizabeth, who has passed to the world beyond. Mrs. Henrietta Brown died in March, 1893. By his second union Mr. Brown had four children - James Albert, Florence, and Carlton, who are with him; and Thursa, who lived but one year.
Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics, and has served on the Waterford Board of Select- men. He is a member of Leppen Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Stoneham, Me .; and belongs to Mount Tire'm Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Waterford; and Oxford Lodge, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of North Waterford. Widely known in social and business circles, he has the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances.
of BEN H, WHITNEY, a retired resident Farmington, was born in Weld, Franklin County, February 28, 1832, son of Jacob A. and. Rhoda D. (Hutchinson) Whitney. The family was founded by an Englishman, whose son became a tanner in Greene, Me. ; and his son, Jeremiah, who was a native of that town, was Mr. Whitney's grandfather. In 1806 Jeremiah Whitney set- tled in the town of Weld, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of new land, cleared and improved it, and erected upon it a good set of buildings. His industrious life terminated at the age of eighty, and his wife died at the age of fifty-five years. Her chil-
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dren by him were: Jeremiah, John, Jacob A., Susan, Rhoda, Lydia, and Benjamin.
Jacob A. Whitney, Mr. Whitney's father, was born in Greene in 1802. When a young man he bought a new farm, upon which he set- tled. After clearing a considerable portion of it and erecting buildings, he sold it, and re- turned to the homestead to care for his aged parents. Upon the death of his parents he succeeded to his father's property. This he afterward sold, and bought a large piece of property in Weld, where he became a progres- sive farmer and a prominent resident. In politics he supported the Democratic party, and in his religious belief he was a Baptist. He died of typhoid fever at the age of fifty years. His wife, Rhoda, was a daughter of Ebenezer Hutchinson, a native of Wilton, N. H., who became a successful farmer in Weld. Her children were: Emily, Eben H., Jacob, Lucy, and Amasa. Amasa died at the age of four years. She married a second hus- band, Nathan Judkins, and lived to be eighty- four years old.
Eben H. Whitney attended the district schools. At the age of twenty, owing to the death of his father, he was called upon to man- age the farm and assist his mother in bring- ing up the rest of her family. He subse- quently bought the homestead, where he continued to reside for a time. Later, after making various improvements, he sold it, and purchased another farm in Weld, which he carried on for a short time. He then spent a season in the ice business at Lewiston, Me., after which he returned to Weld, bought the Andrew Dunning farm, and conducted it for some ten years. From Weld he moved to Car- thage, where he continued to till the soil for fifteen years. Then, with a view to settling there, he visited a tract of land in Eaton, Ohio, belonging to his wife, but was unfavor- ably impressed, and returned. For some time after he resided in West Farmington. Later he moved to the village, where he bought the S. Lake place at 7 North Street; and, retiring from active labor, he is now enjoying a life of leisure.
For his first wife Mr. Whitney married Irene Judkins, daughter of Philip Judkins, of Carthage. She died at the age of twenty-four
years, leaving two children - Albion and Oscar. Albion, who died at the age of thirty- eight, married Marilla R. Hutchins, and had five children, namely: Artell; Minnie, who died aged twelve years; Otto; Algie; and Nettie. Oscar married Eliza Barrett, and is a farmer in Carthage. Mr. Whitney's second marriage was contracted with Cordelia Sweet, a daughter of Benjamin Sweet, of Weld. She died at the age of forty-two years, having been the mother of five children, as follows: Ella, who became Mrs. Magee, and died aged twenty-two, leaving two children; Emma, who is the wife of Harry Rand, and has two chil- dren - Harold and Robert; Warren M., who married a Miss Kennister; Eben, who married . Florence Ranger; and Ina M., who resides at home. The father was by a third marriage wedded to Annette Marsh, of Dixfield, a daughter of David and Asenath (Park) Marsh, both natives of Dixfield. Mrs. Whitney's grandparents were Andrew and Rebecca (Stone) Marsh, natives of Massachusetts, who settled in Dixfield upon a new farm which An- drew cleared from the wilderness. He died at the age of ninety years, and his wife reached nearly the same age. Their children were: David, John, Lewiston, Andrew, Nancy, and Susan. The homestead fell to the possession of David Marsh, who added to it by purchasing an adjoining farm; and he became a wealthy and prominent citizen, and died aged seventy-seven years. In politics he was a Republican, and in his religious belief a Universalist. His wife, Asenath, who was a woman of remarkable physical de- velopment, lived to be eighty-seven years old, and was a believer in the Adventists' doctrine. Her children were: Andrew, Caleb, Leonora, Paulina, David M., Albion P., Jerome, Ma- tilda, Alvina, Annette, Justina, and Mattie L. In politics Mr. Whitney acts with the Repub- Ician party, while in religious belief he is an Adventist.
AMES DEERING, a retired manufact - urer of South Paris, Me., was born November 2, 1798, son of Joseph and Hannah (Jameson) Deering, and grand- son of John and Eunice (Spinney) Deering.
JAMES DEERING.
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His grandfather Deering was son of John and Mary (Carpenter) Deering. John was son of Thomas and Elizabeth Deering. Thomas was son of Roger and grandson of George Deering, a native of England, who was one of the first settlers of Scarboro, Me., and owned a planta- tion at Blue Point as early as the year 1640. George Deering was a shipwright by trade, a calling afterward followed by many of his de- scendants. His wife, Elizabeth, who sur- vived him, subsequently married Jonas Baily, the agent of Trelawney.
John Deering, son of John and Mary (Car- penter) Deering, was the father of six chil- dren by his wife, Eunice. His fourth child, Joseph, the father of James Deering, was born October 6, 1754. A good workman and a man of much intelligence, he was in prosper- ous circumstances, and occupied a prominent position in the community of Old Orchard, Me., where he resided. In March, 1779, he was united in matrimony with Hannah Jame- son, a daughter of William Jameson, of Old Orchard, and he became the father of eleven children; namely, Jane, Eunice, Joseph, Sam- uel, William, Martin, Noah, Enoch, James, Hannah, and Elizabeth. He died September 25, 1834, at an age wanting but a few days of fourscore years. His wife's death occurred May 20, 1841.
James Deering was one of the younger chil- dren of his father's family. In his early man- hood he completed an apprenticeship in furni- ture-making, with a thorough knowledge of the trade. This he did in a factory at Saco, Me. Shortly after, when passing through South Paris on his way to visit a brother who lived in Oxford County, he took note of the fact that the locality was remarkably favored with water-power and space, the main requi- sites for the establishment of such a factory as he had worked in at Saco. Of course, to him, whose only capital was his skill at his trade, the idea was as a dream. But, of an eminently practical turn of mind, he saw profit in making a beginning there, however humble. Accordingly, on the west side of the river, with the most makeshift appliances, he began to manufacture chairs, cutting his timber in the woods, kiln-drying it for use, splitting it by hand, and operating but one
small turning lathe, which he ran, with a primitive yet ingenious arrangement, by water- power. Some of the chairs made in this way are still to be found in the town, and are re- garded as interesting memorials of an indus- try that has largely aided in developing the locality, and of a man whose energy and per- sistence reflect credit on the people of the entire county. Mr. Deering's venture proved signally successful. As business increased, he enlarged and improved his shops and ma- chinery, until at length the dream of his youth was more than realized. When his business was established on a secure founda- tion he began to invest in real estate. At different times he has owned the land on all sides of the village, as well as the lots located along its streets. Included in this property were several farms, which he conducted with hired help. He built eight dwellings, thor- oughly repaired many more, and cleared a great deal of wild land. The large house that has since been his residence was erected by him in 1856. In 1876 he withdrew from active participation in business, and has since lived in retirement.
In 1823, March 24, he was married to Eliza Moore, daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth (Morse) Moore, of this town. They have had three children, namely: Elizabeth H., born March 22, 1824; William, born April 25, 1826; and Mary E., born September 3. 1846. Elizabeth is the wife of the Hon. William R. Porter. They have five children - William Deering, Eliza Deering, Fanny R., Abby Barbour, and James Deering, Mary makes her home with her aged father. Mr. Deer- ing's only son, William, is one of the leading business men of Chicago. After finishing his education he entered the employment of the South Paris Manufacturing Company as clerk, subsequently becoming one of that firm's agents. Beginning in 1850 he was engaged in business on his own account in South Paris for eleven years. In 1865 he became the senior partner of the well-known firm. Deering, Milliken & Co., of Portland, com- mission merchants, who owned several woollen- mills, and had a branch house in New York. Withdrawing from this firm after some time on account of impaired health, he invested
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