USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 43
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 43
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with a company engaged in the manufacture of grain and grass harvesting machinery in Chicago. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, bought out the company later, and conducted the business alone until 1880. Then, taking into partnership his two sons, Charles and James, and his nephew, William D. Porter, he had the firm incorporated under the name of William Deering & Co. and later the Deering Harvester Company, who to-day are among the largest manufacturers in the world of their class of goods. He has been twice married. His first marriage was in 1856 with Abby Reed Barbour, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving one son, Charles. His second wife, whose maiden name was Clara H. Hamilton, has borne him two chil- dren - James and Abby M.
Mr. James Deering and his wife celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage in March, 1883. Mrs. Deering, whose health was always excellent throughout her lifetime, died from an accident in 1890, in her nine- tieth year. She was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been one of the first to join the society, and there- after a most liberal supporter. Mr. Deering, who is also a member of the same church, was a heavy contributor to the building fund, built the parsonage, and made a present of it to the society, and has been the main support of the church for many years. Actuated by a most laudable degree of public spirit, he has aided every well-conceived moveinent designed to serve the interests of the town. Now, in his ninety-ninth year, he is remarkably active and entirely free from ache or other indication of ill health; and no man in the county is held in higher esteem by the general public.
ABEZ CURRIER TARBOX, a promi- nent merchant of Farmington, Me., proprietor of the gentlemen's clothing and furnishing establishment known as the "Red Store," which is the largest of its kind in Franklin County, was born in Farm- ington, July 28, 1843, son of William and Mary A. (Currier) Tarbox. Ancestors of the family, which is of Scotch origin, were early settlers in Gloucester, Mass., where Mr. Tar-
box's great-grandfather, Samuel Tarbox, was born May 3, 1731. He removed to New Gloucester, Me., erected a dwelling, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits for the rest of his life. He died July 10, 1809, having been the father of twelve children.
William Tarbox, son of Samuel, was born in New Gloucester, January 30, 1779, and was a lifelong resident of that town. On No- vember 27, 1802, he married Judith Haskell, who was of English descent, and was born in New Gloucester, March 27, 1781. She be- came the mother of eleven children, as fol- lows: Hannah, born in 1803; Joseph, who was born in 1807; Samuel, born in 1809; Deborah, born in 1811; Benjamin, born in 1812; William, born in 1813; John, born in 1814; Stillman, born in 1817; George, born in 1821 ; Plummer, born in 1827; and another child, who died in infancy. Mr. Tarbox's grandparents both lived to be over eighty years old.
William Tarbox, the younger, son of Will- iam, was born February 14, 1813, in New Gloucester, and acquired his education in his native town. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the harness-maker's or saddler's trade, as it was then called, and worked with John Densmore until 1839, when he came to Farmington, and established himself in busi- ness. At first there was little demand for harnesses, as nothing but saddles were used in this section previous to that time; but, as the use of vehicles became more universal, he won a wide reputation, and for many years carried on a large and profitable business, putting out a great deal of piece work, and having several apprentices. He continued in business until 1876, when failing health caused him to withdraw from active pursuits ; and he has since lived in retirement. He was originally a Whig, but later became a Demo- crat, and has been connected with the public affairs of the town and county, having served as jailer for four years, and held various town offices.
His first wife, Mary A. Currier, who was a daughter of Samuel Currier, of Mount Vernon, Me., died at the age of forty-eight years, leav- ing three children, as follows: Jabez C., the subject of this sketch; Samuel O., who was
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born November 16, 1846; and Rosa M., who was born in 1862. Samuel O. Tarbox is one of the most extensive general merchants in this county, dealing largely in groceries, paints, oils, drugs, and other merchandise. He owns a fine residence on Main Street. He married Kate P. Randall, and has had three children, namely: Blanche, who died aged nine years; Mary, who was born April 22, 1874, and died at the age of eighteen ; and Orland S., her twin brother, who is now a drug clerk. William Tarbox wedded for his second wife Julia Hunter, daughter of Thomas Hunter, of Farmington ; and the only child of this union is Helen.
Jabez Currier Tarbox acquired a common- school and academic education, and at the age of seventeen he entered mercantile life as a clerk for H. M. Howes. He later became a partner in the enterprise, which was devoted to the wholesale flour, grocery, and drug trade. The firm of H. M. Howes & Co. re- ceived flour and grain direct from the West, and sold it at wholesale throughout Franklin County, Mr. Tarbox managing this part of the business for two years. They had the largest trade of any firm in this section. At length, selling out his interests in Farmington, Mr. Tarbox went to Portland, where he was for two years and a half in the wholesale flour trade, also in the wholesale drug business nine months. Retiring to Farmington, he and his brother, Samvel O. Tarbox, leased the old stand, a short time later adding another store to their enterprise, each partner taking charge of a separate store. The one occupied by J. C. Tarbox was totally destroyed by fire on October 22, 1886, there being nothing saved but one showcase and a cat. Having ad- justed his business affairs, he in 1889 bought the gentlemen's clothing and furnishing-goods store formerly carried on by L. J. Lyons; and in 1889 he moved his goods into the "Red Store Block," of which he became the pos- sessor. The store is located at the corner of Main Street and Broadway. It is a two- story brick . structure, with two large office rooms on the second floor, the first floor and basement being occupied by Mr. Tarbox. It was built for investment purposes by Hannah Boardman, when she was eighty-three years
old. By careful judgment and a close atten- tion to business a large trade has been de- veloped; and the Red Store under its present able management is an enterprising establish- ment, which is a credit both to its proprietor and the town.
In 1873 Mr. Tarbox wedded Columbia F. Whitney, daughter of George W. Whitney, for niany years one of Farmington's most ac- tive business men. This union was blessed by two children, namely: Belle Violet, now the wife of L. W. Franklin, dealer in boots and shoes at Waltham, Mass .; and Fred- erick Whitney, who died in infancy. In politics Mr .. Tarbox supports the Republi- can party, and he is now a member of the Town Board of Assessors. He has been a Trustee of the Savings Bank for several years, is connected with Maine Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and he attends the Congrega- tional church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor.
ANIEL CLARK, of Farmington, who is the proprietor of one of the best equipped livery stables in Franklin County, was born in Kingston, N.H., September 29, 1819, son of Daniel and Anna (Eastman) Clark. Mr. Clark is a de- scendant of Colonial ancestry. His great- grandfather, Nathaniel Clark, who was a pros- perous farmer of Haverhill, Mass., not only served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, but loaned money to the town for the purpose of furthering the cause in other ways. He married Mary Hardy, and was the father of twelve children, of whom his eldest son. David, was Mr. Clark's grandfather.
David Clark was born in Haverhill, Novem- ber 27, 1755. He settled in Sandown, N. H., where he followed the trade of a clothier. He was in the first New Hampshire regiment that reported for duty in the struggle for in- dependence. Afterward he built carding. saw, and grist mills, becoming one of the most progressive and successful business men in New Hampshire at that time. When forty years old he retired on a competency, and died March 6, 1833. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Woodman. She became the mother
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of eleven children, of whom Daniel, Mr. Clark's father, was the sixth-born.
Daniel Clark (first) was born in Sandown, December 7, 1791. In young manhood he en- gaged in general mercantile pursuits in Kings- ton, N.11. After carrying on a large and suc- cessful business for some time he died in 1822. His wife, Anna, who was born in Kingston, June 5, 1793, daughter of Colonel John and Joanna Eastman, reared with him three children - John E., Daniel, and Mary A. Mr. Clark's mother was seventy-six years old when she died in 1869.
Daniel Clark was sent to the Farmington Academy when he was seventeen years old. After completing his studies here he engaged in trade at Mercer, Me. Five years later he relinquished mercantile pursuits to enter into the stage-coach business upon an extensive scale. For twenty years after he owned and conducted the lines running from Farmington to Phillips, Belgrade station, Chesterville, Fayette, and Readville, employing sixty horses, and covering a distance of three hun- dred miles per day. He had a large and profitable business, until the building of rail- roads ruined it. In 1866 he bought a part of the Cutler farm, upon which he built a resi- dence and a large stable, and has since carried on a flourishing livery business. His stable, which stands at the corner of High and Church Streets, is centrally located, and is equipped with good roadsters and fine driving horses; while his vehicles and other accesso- ries, all of the finest pattern, enable him to furnish as handsome a turnout as can be de- sired.
On January 4, 1843, Mr. Clark wedded Sophia S. Church, who was born in Farming- ton, April 14, 1822, daughter of Samuel and Betsey B. Church. She died August 12, 1873, leaving four children, as follows : Daniel E., a prosperous farmer, born October 10, 1844, who married Ella Harrington, and has three children - Edward H., Anna W., and Charles F .; Sophia E., born June 3, 1847, who is the wife of Lyman Dutton, of Lawrence, Mass., and has one daughter, Mary ; Mary E., an artist, born August 29, 1850; and Samuel E., born November 30, 1855, who is in business with his father. Mr. Clark
subsequently married Mrs. Augusta (Hatha- way) Homer, a daughter of George Hathaway, of Mechanic Falls, Me. A widely known and popular man, it can almost be said that Mr. Clark's friends comprise the community. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity. His religious belief is the Methodist faith. As an instance of his public spirit, it may be mentioned that upon one occasion during the Rebellion he transported to Augusta free of charge one hundred and twenty recruits going to the front, and paid for their dinners out of his own pocket.
HOMAS H. RICHARDSON, whose death in May, 1896, removed from our midst one of Norway's most worthy citizens, had been for many years closely iden - tified with the agricultural interests of this section of Oxford County .. He was born De- cember 3, 1821, in Portland, Me., and was a son of Joshua Richardson, who was born and reared in Salem, Mass.
In his early manhood Joshua Richardson was engaged in the East India trade, which was then in a flourishing condition. After travelling throughout the East Indies he set- tled in Amsterdam, Holland, as a commission merchant. Subsequently, continuing in the same business, he travelled extensively in France and England, returning in 1802 to his native country. He located in the city of Port- land, Me., and for thirty years thereafter was President of the Manufacturers' and Traders' Bank, and was also Treasurer of the Portland Manufacturing Company, which manufactured cotton goods. One of his cherished ambitions in life, however, was to be a farmer. Accord- ingly, he came to Oxford County in search of a favorable location, and in Norway bought the farm until recently occupied by his son, Thomas H. He remained here several years, but finally returned to Portland, where his death occurred in 1862, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. His wife, a widow, Mrs. Ann (Hanford) Jones, before she became Mrs. Richardson, was born in England, a daughter of Sir Thomas Hanford, of London. She died at the comparatively early age of fifty-
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three years. They had seven children, none of whom are now living, namely: Julia; Ann ; Nathaniel Putnam, first; Nathaniel Putnam, second; Thomas H., the special subject of this biographical sketch; William; and Ann Hanford. The latter was twice married, her first husband having been Mr. Mauger, and her second Henry W. Bishop, formerly of Lenox, Mass., but now a resident of Chi- cago, Ill.
Nathaniel Putnam Richardson, the second, was a graduate of the Portland College, and was for many years connected with a foundry in that city. In 1866 he established himself as a commission merchant in New York City; but, not meeting with desired success, he went to Geneva, N. Y., and engaged in the nursery business. He subsequently went to Daven- port, Ia., where for some time he held an official position in the Episcopal College. He died in Florida, whither he had gone in pursuit of health. He married Mary Smith, a native of Overland, Ohio.
Thomas H. Richardson, the fifth-born of the seven children, received his early instruc- tion in private schools in Portland, complet- ing his studies at the North Bridgton Acad- emy. Under his father's judicious training he acquired a practical knowledge of business methods, remaining at home some time after attaining his majority. He then made a trip to Europe, and travelled extensively on the Continent and in Great Britain, being abroad several years. On returning to this country Mr. Richardson landed at New Orleans, La., whence he made a trip up the Mississippi River, coming then to New York City, where he was sojourning when the death of John Quincy Adams occurred, in February, 1848. He subsequently lived for a while in Portland, prosperously engaged in business; and later he removed to the farm now occupied and managed by his son Albert. On March 12, 1849, Mr. Richardson married Miss Hannah, daughter of the late Ephraim and Sally Crockett, well-known members of the farming community of Norway. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, namely : Albert; George Hanford, who was murdered in Norway village, March 5, 1877; Julia Ann, wife of Chester Horne, of Norway village;
Thomas Putnam, a resident of Norway vil- lage; who married Miss Kate Hobson, of North Waterford, this county; and Winnie Maud, wife of William H. Allen, of Coati- cook, Canada. Mrs. Richardson lives with her daughter in Canada.
Albert Richardson, the eldest child, was born December 16, 1849. He has succeeded to the ownership of the ancestral homestead, which contains one hundred and eighty-three acres of land, and is carrying on general farm- ing with gratifying success. He has a fine dairy, composed principally of grade Jerseys ; and he makes a superior quality of butter, which he sells at the highest market price. With the exception of a few years when he kept books for his father in Portland, Mr. Al- bert Richardson has always given his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits.
He married Miss Louisa Lakin, who was born November 12, 1849, at Sebago, Cumber- land County, Me., where her parents, Arthur and Nancy (Irish) Lakin, spent their entire lives. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Richardson have two daughters. The elder, Annie Maude, a graduate of Colby University, was a teacher in the Norway High School. In August, 1896, she became the wife of Professor C. P. Barnes. The other, Ethel May, is a student in the high school. Two children, one unnamed, and Margaret, died in infancy. The mother and her daughters are regular attendants of the Congregational Church of Norway. For the past ten years Mrs. Albert Richardson has thrown open her beautiful house for the ac- commodation of summer guests from the city. her boarders averaging about twelve in number each season.
RTEMAS L. HERSEY, M.D., a skilful and popular physician, one of the most prominent residents of Oxford, Me., was born in Liver- more, Me., March 17, 1826, a son of Isaac L. and Lura (Howard) Hersey. He comes of early Colonial stock, William Hersey, the founder of the family in New England, having settled in Hingham, Mass., in the autumn of 1635.
Samuel Hersey, Dr. Hersey's grandfather.
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who was born in Hingham, Mass., became a settler in Livermore, Me., about the close of last century. He died in that town at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Lendall, died in middle life, having been the mother of seven children that reached maturity; namely, Samuel, Isaac L., Simeon, Harri- son, Mary, Eliza, and Sarah, none of whom are living.
Isaac L. Hersey, father of Dr. Hersey, was born in Livermore in 1802. He grew to man- hood there, and in time became the owner of a valuable piece of agricultural property, which he worked with energy and success dur- ing his active period. He died at the age of seventy-seven. A Whig in politics, he joined the Republican party at its formation, and henceforth adhered to its principles. In re- ligion he was a Methodist, and he was for many years a class leader in that church. His wife, Lura Howard Hersey, who was born in Livermore in 1801, became the mother of six children, as follows: George R., who died at the age of twenty-eight; Elizabeth L., who died in childhood, aged nine years; Russell B., now a . prosperous farmer of East Liver- more; Artemas L., whose name heads this sketch; Lura, now Mrs. John A. Rowell, of Livermore; and Abbie N., wife of Henry A. Tabor, of Vassalboro, Me. Mrs. Lura H. Hersey lived to reach the age of eighty-six years.
Artemas L. Hersey acquired his early edu- cation in the schools of Livermore and at the Oxford Normal School in Paris, Me. When twenty-four years old he began the study of medicine with Dr. Edwin Mayberry, of Ox- ford. Subsequently entering the Maine Med- ical School, Bowdoin College, he was gradu- ated in 1853, and immediately located in Oxford, where he has since resided. A gentleman of scholarly attainments, he has been successful in his profession, and has made many friends in the community. In politics he is a Republican, and has served most capably as superintendent of schools for over thirty years. Though making no public profession of religion, he is an at- tendant and liberal supporter of the Con- gregational church; and his aid and influence
can always be counted upon in behalf of all practical measures having for their ob- ject the moral and material well-being of the community. His tasteful residence near the village is situated amidst picturesque surroundings, commanding delightful lake and mountain scenery.
On January 26, 1854, Dr. Hersey was united in marriage with Heloise Helena Keith, a daughter of the Hon. Jairus S. Keith, formerly a member of the Maine House of Representatives and of the State Senate, and a prominent figure in the political life of Oxford. He was graduated at Brown University, studied law with General Fessen- den, of Portland, and practised law in Oxford. Mrs. Hersey's mother, who was before mar- riage Mary C. Norton, was a daughter of Major Norton, who for many years took a lead- ing part in developing the natural resources of this town. Mrs. Hersey's parents had three children, the others being: Eugenia B., wife of Charles A. Spring, of Chicago, Ill. ; and Herman N., who died at the age of sixty years. Mrs. Hersey is a lady of much intel- lectual ability and many accomplishments, and in her younger days was a successful music teacher.
Dr. and Mrs. Hersey have one daughter, Heloise Edwina Hersey, who was born in Ox- ford, February 22, 1855. She is a graduate of Vassar College, and has devoted her life to educational work, for which she is well quali- fied, both by reason of her superior mental endowments and her thorough training. She is the founder and proprietor of a private school for girls at 25 Chestnut Street, Bos- ton. She occupies a high position in educa- tional circles, being widely known as an able teacher, an interesting and instructive lect- urer, and as a writer of several carefully pre- pared text-books. An admiring student of Robert Browning, Miss Hersey has success- fully essayed the role of interpreter of that great poet, who has written so many things hard to be understood : witness her "Introduc- tory Essay on Browning's Theory concerning Personal Immortality," prefixed to a small volume, entitled "Christmas Eve and Easter Day, and Other Poems," also the accompany- ing Notes.
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EORGE S. BLAKE, a successful farmer and fruit grower of Brown- field, was born here, March 21, 1836, son of Francis and Hannah (Rogers) Blake. Mr. Blake's grandfather, Benjamin Blake, who was a native of Gorham, Me., and had fol- lowed farming in that town for some years, moved to a farm in Brownfield, and resided here for the rest of his life. Francis, Ben- jamin's son, then eight years old, in early manhood settled upon a farm in the southern part of the town. His active period was de- voted to agricultural pursuits, in which he was very successful; and he died April 20, 1885, aged eighty years. His wife, Hannah, who was a native of Parsonsfield, Me., after surviving him about eight years, died January 31, 1893, at the advanced age of ninety years. She was the mother of nine children, namely : Charles M., who married Lucy Brooks, of Porter, Me., and resides in South Brownfield; Mary Ann, now deceased; Albert, who mar- ried Rebecca Quint, and is now a merchant in Brownfield village; Jane, who resides in Brownfield; George S., the subject of this sketch; Caroline, who married Daniel Hill, and lives in Brockton, Mass. ; Fanny, a resi- dent of Lowell, Mass. ; Clara, the wife of Jo- seph Welch, of Lowell; and Horace F., who married Eva Harris, and is a prosperous farmer in Brownfield.
George S. Blake attended the common schools of his native town. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, and then bought a farm in Porter, Me. After residing on it for five years he returned to Brownfield, and settled upon his present farm. He owns two hundred acres of good land, which, with the expenditure of much time and money, he has brought into a first-class condi- tion. He produces large and superior crops of hay, corn, and potatoes; and he raises more apples than any other farmer in this locality. He also breeds some fine cattle and horses. The latter receive special attention from him, and he has a wide reputation as a producer of speedy driving horses.
In March, 1860, Mr. Blake was first united in marriage with Sylvia Storer, who died June 12, 1867. She was born in Brownfield, daughter of Jeremiah and Orpha (Tiny)
Storer, both of whom are also deceased. On March 25, 1869, Mr. Blake contracted a sec- ond marriage with Susan H. Higgins, who was born in Standish, Me., March 30, 1837. Her father, Joseph Blake, also a native of Standish, who was an industrious farmer, died February 25, 1877. Her mother, likewise a native of the same town, is still residing there. In public affairs Mr. Blake has long been a prominent figure. He has served as a member of the Board of Sclectmen, and he was superintendent of schools for several years. He is a member and the clerk of the Baptist church.
LBERT S. HOLMAN, who was born in Dixfield, Me., March 29, 1853, son of Silas L. and Ellen M. (Carlton) Holman, is now successfully en- gaged in farming in Peru. Ebenezer Hol- man, his paternal grandfather, who was a na- tive of Sutton, Mass., settled in Dixfield with the early pioneers of the town, and spent the remainder of his life therc, successfully en- gaged in farming. He married Sarah Knapp, and with her reared a family of nine children, all of whom have passed away. He lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and four years, and was the oldest man in Oxford County at the time of his decease. His son, Silas L., also a native of Dixfield, born in 1820, having acquired a knowledge of farming before leaving home, on starting out for him- self chose for his occupation that of a farmer. All his life time, except three or four years, was spent in Dixfield, where he was a man of influence. He died March 24, 1896, aged seventy-six years. His wife, who was born in Gardiner, Me., and is now living in Dix- field, bore him eight children, respectively named: Frances E., Albert S., Ida M., George C., Eloise, Darwin B., Arthur C., and Mattie.
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