USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 46
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 46
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Seth Curtis, the younger, acquired his edu-
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cation in the common schools of Woodstock, which he attended in his boyhood; and he spent his entire life on the old estate, with his own hands ploughing, planting, and har- vesting. Ile married Matilda Lurvey, daughter of Job Lurvey, of Woodstock. Both he and his wife died in West Paris, he pass- ing away in 1870, and Mrs. Curtis in 1879, having survived him nine years. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are still living, namely : Holland L., who married Miss Eliza Walker, of Paris, and is now a resident of West Paris; Benjamin C., who married Miss Ellen Crawford, of Paris, and is now a widower residing at Snow's Falls, Paris; and Simeon B., of Woodstock.
The farm of Benjamin C. Curtis was greatly injured during the freshet of March 25, 1896, by a phenomenal agency acres of meadow land being swept down and deposited two or three hundred yards from their original position. The earth lifted in this curious fashion covered the tracks of the Grand Trunk Railroad and all of the roads leading into Snow's Falls to a depth of from four to five feet, and days of energetic labor were consumed in clearing the way for public travel.
Simeon B. Curtis, whose birth occurred at the parental homestead, as has been men- tioned, spent his early life on the old farm, attending the public schools of Woodstock. At twenty-one years of age he began to main- tain himself, securing work on the neighboring farms. In the year of his marriage Mr. Curtis purchased the farm upon which he now resides, and which he has improved by new buildings and by the addition of forty acres of pasture land, which he has put under cultivation. His home is beautifully situated, and is one of the most attractive in the vicinity of Bryant's Pond.
Simeon B. Curtis and Miss Betsy Fickett, a daughter of Simon Fickett, of Woodstock, were united in marriage on the 17th of April, 1857. Though no child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, they have reared a ward, who has taken the place of a daughter of the house. Before her marriage she was Miss Lottie H. Lurvey. She is now doubly allied to them, having become in 1893 the wife of their nephew, Solon C. Curtis, a son of Holland L. and
Eliza Curtis. The young couple have one child, a daughter bearing the name Ruth Marion. She was born December 7, 1894. They make their home with Mr. Curtis, whose family circle is happily contented and as yet unbroken.
Simeon B. Curtis is a man of wide and varied interests, and has served the citizens of Woodstock in several capacities. From 1883 to 1885 he was Selectman of the town, and for a number of years Highway Surveyor. He is a member of Franklin Grange, 124, of Bryant's Pond, Patrons of Husbandry, and be- longs to Lodge No. 15, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of West Paris, and to Rebekah Lodge of the same place. Mr. Curtis is a rep- resentative of the best type of Maine farmers - industrious, intelligent, and progressive - the sort of man who makes a trustworthy friend, a good neighbor, and a loyal citizen. In political belief he is a stanch Republican, as was his father before him. His religious views are broad and liberal, untrammelled by narrow dogma or formal creed. In reviewing his life one feels that his success has been well deserved and that the popularity he enjoys is justly his.
INGMAN CHURCHILL, a substantial representative of the farming interests of the town of Paris, Oxford County, Me., was born June 18, 1823, on the home- stead where he now resides.
Mr. Churchill's father, Sprague Churchill, a lifelong resident of Paris, son of Joseph of this town, formerly of Middleboro, Mass., re- deemed his farm from the wilderness, having bought the land while it was yet covered with timber. He worked with the persistent energy of the pioneer in the establishment of a home for his family, in the course of time meeting with a due measure of success. Here he engaged in general husbandry until the time of his death, August 9, 1850. His wife, Harriet Holmes, who was a daughter of Cap- tain Lemuel Holmes, survived him some years, dying in January, 1857. Both were liberal in their religious belief, and in politics the father was an earnest advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. They became the
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parents of six children, of whom five - Will- iam, Asaph, Polly, Clara, and Mrs. Harriet Chase - have passed from earth, Kingman being the only surviving member of the family.
Kingman Churchill grew to manhood on the home farm, obtaining his early knowledge of books in the district school; and with the ex- ception of the few seasons that he worked on neighboring farms has spent his years on the homestead. He has two hundred acres of land, in the care of which he is assisted by his son. A man of strict moral principles and abstem- ious habits, having never used tobacco or stim- ulating drinks, Mr. Churchill occupies an assured position among the respected citizens of his native town, and is well known as one of its most enterprising farmers. Politically, he is a faithful adherent of the Republican party, and religiously he is of the liberal type of believers.
On July 20, 1851, Mr. Churchill married Miss Loretta Andrews, who was born in this town, May 29, 1831, a daughter of David An- drews. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill have five children, the following being their record : Fannie is the wife of Calvin Bisbee, of Bethel Hill, Me. ; Emma married William W. Berry, of Paris; Abbie is the wife of David Dow, of Old Town; Charles Henry lives at home; and Nellie is the wife of William Blood, of South Paris. Charles Henry Churchill, born No- vember 5, 1868, was educated in the public schools of his native town, and since attaining man's estate has continued his residence on the homestead, rendering his father valuable assistance in the management of the farm. He has remained faithful to the political party and the religious belief in which he was reared by his good parents, and is numbered among the rising young men of the community. He is a Trustee of the District Library.
B EZER B. HARVEY, second Select- man of Strong, was born April II, 1837, in New Vineyard, Me., which locality is now included within the limits of the town of Industry. He is a son of Columbus and Esther (Safford) Harvey. Mr. Harvey's father, a native of Leeds, Me.,
when a young man adopted the calling of farmer. He was ever on the alert for oppor- tunities to advance himself. During his active period he cultivated farms at different times in Anson, Industry, New Portland, Strong, and Vienna, Me. Finally he returned to New Portland, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1879. His wife, Esther, who was a native of Greene, Me., became the mother of nine children, as follows: Colum- bus, who is no longer living; Ann, who is married and resides in Nebraska; Bethiah, who died in December, 1842; Mary Jane, who is no longer living; Charles, who resides in Whittier, Cal. ; Bezer B., the subject of this sketch ; Harlow E., a horse dealer of New Portland; John, who is now residing in Min- nesota ; and Ellen, who lives in Whittier, Cal. The mother died in New Vineyard, July 23, 1873.
Bezer B. Harvey was educated in the com- mon schools, and resided at home until he was twenty years old. He then went to Fox- boro, Mass., where he was engaged in teaming, and remained there for two years. From Fox- boro he went to Boston, where he entered the street-car service, in which he was engaged successively as driver and conductor for four years, and then returned to New Portland. After cultivating a farm in that town for two years he moved to Strong, where he was occu- pied in the same way for the same length of time. From Strong he removed to Freeman, and was there engaged as a farmer and cattle dealer for the following ten years. He now relinquished agricultural pursuits, and, once more settling in Strong, has since resided in this village, chiefly occupied as a dealer in cattle, sheep, and horses. He is widely known throughout this section as an excellent judge of horses and a reliable man.
On January 7, 1862, in Boston, Mr. Harvey wedded Julia True, who was born in New Portland, daughter of Zebulon and Sophronia True, prosperous farming people. Her father died March 12, 1870; and her mother, Octo- ber 15, 1865. Ella Esther, the only child of this union, married Frederick N. Beal, of Phillips, Me., and died at the age of thirty years, leaving two children. These are: Her- mia, who was born in 1889; and Ella Esther.
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born in 1893, whose husband is now a railroad official in Phillips, Me. In politics Mr. Har- vey is a Republican. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen in Strong for six- teen years, acting for ten years of the time as Chairman of that body. He has always abstained from the use of stimulants or tobacco, and is looked upon as one of Strong's most upright, conscientious, and useful men.
INTWORTH V. LANDER, of the firm of Lander & Bisbee, hardware dealers of Rumford Falls, is one of the brisk and enterprising young business men of this city. A son of Charles P. and Martha (Berry) Lander, both natives of Kingfield, Franklin County, Me., he was born in that town, June 9, 1867. His parents are still living in Kingfield, Charles P. Lander being a well-to-do farmer.
Wintworth V. Lander was given the advan- tages of a common-school education. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the tinsmith's trade at Bingham, Me., and was employed in that town some six years. He then formed a partnership with Abram Kimball, and was in the hardware business in Jackman, Me., about two years, returning at the end of that time to Kingfield, where he was in business for a sim- ilar term of two years. In October, 1892, he formed a partnership with Charles P. Bryant, and opened a hardware store in Rumford Falls. This connection lasted about six months, Mr. Lander then purchasing his associate's interest. For something over two years he managed an independent business, building up a good trade. In April, 1895, Mr. Bisbee bought a half interest in his store. Their establish- ment is now one of the leading hardware stores in the county, comprising two large rooms and a basement, well stocked with a variety of re- liable goods. Mr. Lander was the first hard- ware merchant in the town, there being but three stores in the place when he opened his establishment ; and his remarkable success is undoubtedly due to his ability and "push." On June 16, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Abbie A. Hackett, of Freeman, Franklin County, Me., and one daughter has blessed their union, Nellie A. Politically,
Mr. Lander favors the Democratic party. He is a member of Davis Lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M., of Strong, Me., and Eureka Lodge, No. 48, Knights of Pythias, of Auburn, Mc., and is very popular in social circles. On re- ligious subjects he holds liberal views.
b ANIEL W. COLLINS, now living in retirement, and whose portrait is here presented, was formerly a car- penter and real estate dealer of Temple. He was born in Belfast, Me., July 7, 1834, son of Barnabas A. and Nabby (Pratt) Collins. Mr. Collins's grandparents, Daniel and Thankful (Ashley) Collins, who were both natives of Massachusetts, moved from that State to Maine, and were the second family to settle in the town of Industry. There Daniel Collins acquired a tract of wild land, built a log house upon it, and began the work of clearing it for farming purposes. For several years after, he went to market and car- ried his grist to the mill over a bridle-path through the wilderness. In time, however, roads were made, and his pioneer abode was replaced by substantial frame buildings. By patient industry he succeeded in extracting a comfortable living from his farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred when he was about eighty-eight years old. His wife died in middle age. Of his children, Barnabas A., Daniel and Thankful attained maturity.
Barnabas A. Collins, Mr. Collins's father, worked at the carpenter's trade in his early manhood. After succeeding to the homestead he sold it, and later bought a farm in New Vineyard, Me., where he lived for a few years. From New Vinyard he moved to Farming- ton, where he bought another farm. This he sold in 1852, and removed to Rangeley, this county, where he owned and cultivated a good farm until his death, which happened in 1879, at the age of eighty-two years. He was a member of the first Board of Selectmen of Rangeley, and also served as a Justice of the Peace for several years. In politics he suc- cessively supported the Whigs and Republi- cans, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Nabby, who was
DANIEL W. COLLINS.
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a daughter of Jesse Pratt, became the mother of ten children, namely : George H., Adeline, George, William W., Daniel W., James L., Henry C., Harrison, John M., and Helen M. She died in her seventy-seventh year.
Daniel W. Collins attended the common schools and resided at home until he was twenty-two years old. For the next eleven years he was employed in the lumber camps, and then engaged in carpenter's work and farming. At first his farming was done on an estate purchased by him in Rangeley, and which he conducted for three years. In 1881, after selling his property, he went to Crystal, Pembina County, N. Dak., where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. Erecting suitable buildings upon this place, he let it for rent, and worked at his trade until 1889. Then failing health caused him to visit Maine, where he rapidly recovered. Returning again to Dakota he was once more engaged in busi- ness, when his health again began to fail. In consequence of this he sold his property in 1895, and returned to his native State with the intention of residing here permanently. While casting about for a suitable residence he came to Temple, and, being favorably im- pressed with the Olin Stephen place, bought it and has since resided here with much advan- tage to his health. The property consists of a pleasantly located dwelling and twenty acres of land. A large part of the latter is covered with fruit trees, the rest being devoted to farming.
On January 15, 1864, Mr. Collins wedded Rhoda Frazier, daughter of Joseph and Rhoda (Butterfield) Frazier, of Wilton, Me. Mrs. Collins's grandparents, Thomas and Abigail (Knight) Frazier, resided in Peru, Oxford County, where they were prosperous farming people. Thomas Frazier lived to be about eighty years old, having survived his wife. Joseph Frazier's father, who was born in Peru, first settled in Wilton. Subsequently, selling his property there he moved to Strong, and afterward to Rangeley, where he resided for the rest of his life. He died at the age of eighty, and his wife lived to be seventy-eight years. Their children were: Abigail, Lucy B., Hannah, Gustavus and Augustus (twins), Rhoda, Thomas, Joseph, and Olive. Mr. and
Mrs. Collins having had no offspring, have rendered much kindly assistance to the chil- dren of others, who were in need of aid. In politics Mr. Collins supports the Democratic party, and in his religious views he is liberal.
ON. PHILIP H. STUBBS, Attor- ney-at-law, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, also Treasurer of the Franklin & Megantic Railroad, and an ex-Senator, was born April 7, 1838, in the village of Strong, Franklin County, Maine, where he now resides. His parents were Judge Philip M. and Julia (Eastman) Stubbs.
The father was a native of Fayette, Me., and came to this county in 1830, settling in this village, where he practised law the rest of his life. He was Judge of Probate, one of the builders of the Leeds & Farmington Railroad, and was also connected with the Androscoggin Railroad Company. While living in Strong he also dealt in real estate. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia Eastman, was a daugh- ter of the Hon. Samuel Eastman and a native of this village. She was the mother of four children - Emma J., Philip H., George E., and John F. Emma J. died in 1860, at the age of twenty-four. Philip H. is the subject of this biography. Dr. George E. Stubbs, the third child, married Miss Annie Bell, of Blair County, Pennsylvania, and they now reside in Philadelphia, where he is a successful medical practitioner. John F., the youngest born, died at the age of three years. Judge Stubbs died August 26, 1876, and his wife November 3, 1887.
Philip H. Stubbs, having attended the com- mon schools and Farmington Academy in his boyhood and youth, entered Bowdoin College, and was graduated in the class of 1860. He began the study of law in his father's office in Strong, was graduated at the Harvard Law School in 1863, and was admitted to the bar in the same year. He then commenced prac- tice in this village, where he has since re- mained. In politics he is actively interested, affiliating with the Republican party. He has served two terms as County Attorney, from 1870-76, and also two terms as State Senator, 1883-86. Since 1884 he has held the office
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of Treasurer of the Franklin & Megantic Rail- road, which runs between Strong and King- field, Me. ; and he is also one of the Directors. Mr. Stubbs was formerly a Director of the Sandy River Railroad, which was built in 1878. Besides having a large law practice, he deals in real estate. Fraternally, he is a member and Master Mason of Blue Mountain Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Phillips, Me.
On June 2, 1868, Mr. Stubbs was united in marriage with Miss Julia Augusta Goff, of Auburn, Me. She was born March 10, 1844, a daughter of Dana and Abby S. (Baker) Goff. Her father has been a railroad man most of his life, but is now retired, residing in Auburn. Her mother died January 6, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs have five children - Emma A., Annie B., Philip D., Richard H., and Robert G. Philip D. Stubbs, a graduate of Bowdoin College, is now studying law with his father. Richard H. will graduate from Bowdoin Col- lege in the class of 1898. Mr. Stubbs and family attend the Congregational church in Strong. Mr. Stubbs is a man of prominence in social, political, and business circles.
RANK R. GLOVER, an enterprising merchant of Hebron, Me., proprietor of the Bellville Hotel and Postmaster, was born in this town, October 15, 1852, son of Robert and Miranda (Marshall) Glover.
Robert Glover was born in Hebron, Septem- ber 2, 1817. When a young man he estab- lished himself in trade here, subsequently be- coming a successful merchant. He died in April, 1869. His wife, Miranda, was a native of Paris, Me., born January 18, 1818. She became the mother of nine children, seven of whom are living. She now resides in Hebron.
Frank R. Glover attended the common schools and was graduated from the Hebron Academy with the class of 1872. He then went to Framingham, Mass., where he was employed as a clerk in a grocery, flour, and grain business for twelve years. Returning to Hebron he bought out the business formerly carried on by E. S. Dunham, and has since conducted a large and flourishing country store, which is well stocked with a varied assortment of general merchandise. He possesses both
the personal temperament and the requisite amount of business ability to succeed in mer- cantile pursuits; and he is very popular with his patrons, which term includes the greater portion of the general public here, his trade being constantly on the increase. In 1890 he erected and opened the Belleville Hotel, which is finely furnished and equipped with all mod- ern improvements and has thirty pleasant and well ventilated rooms.
On October 15, 1877, Mr. Glover married Ellen F. French, a native of Framingham, Mass., and daughter of Captain Leonard French, of Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Glover have two sons: Robert Leonard, born August 9, 1879; and Walter Lewis, born July 4, 1881, . both of whom are now attending the Hebron Academy. Mr. Glover is a Republican in politics, and has been Postmaster since 1888. He is a member of South Paris Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M., and both he and Mrs. Glover attend the Baptist church.
HARLES C. AND SAMUEL S. ROWE, two of the most prominent and successful farmers of Oxford, Me., sons of Nathaniel E. and Esther Lane (Chipman) Rowe, are natives of this town. Charles C. Rowe was born on the 17th of July, 1856; and his brother, Samuel S. Rowe, was born on the 3d of September, 1859.
Nathaniel Rowe was a native of New Gloucester, Me., where he was born on the 19th of January, 1818. He was a farmer, and he also carried on shoemaking to some extent. Early in life he removed to Oxford, and spent the rest of his days here, dying at the age of fifty-six years. His wife, who was formerly Esther Lane Chipman, still lives in her native town of Oxford, where her sons are situated. She is a member of the Congregational church, to which her husband also belonged. In poli- tics he was a stanch Republican. They were the parents of three children, who are all alive to-day ; namely, Charles C., Samuel S., and Allura P. Rowe.
Charles C. Rowe was brought up and edu- cated in Oxford. He is a practical farmer, and devotes himself entirely to agriculture.
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He married first Emma E. Paine, and had three children - Benjamin E., Annie L., and Charles W. Mrs. Emma Paine Rowe died on July 16, 1890; and he married for his second wife, Mrs. Emily A. Cooper, widow of Albert E. Cooper, of Paris, Me. By this union he has one son, Elmer A. Mrs. Rowe has also one child by her first marriage, a daughter, Eva M. Cooper.
Samuel S. Rowe, like his brother, received his early education in the public schools of the town. He then turned his attention to farm- ing, and has continued thus engaged ever since. He married Rose A. Paine, and is the father of four children - Alice E., Eva L., Walter S., and Willie E. He is liberal in his relig- ious views, and in politics is a Democrat.
The Rowe brothers are connected in the business of farming, applying successfully the economic principle of co-operation. They own their land together, in all about four hun- dred acres, of which two hundred and sixty acres compose a fine farm right in the town of Oxford, the rest of the land lying outside. Here they carry on one of the first and largest dairy businesses of the town of Oxford, keep- ing a herd of fine cattle. The Rowe brothers are very energetic and hard-working men, and certainly deserve all the success they have acquired.
LIAS W. GOULD, of Jay, is numbered among the patriotic sons of Maine who honored their State by their gallant defence of the Union during the Rebellion. He was born in Greene, Me., February 26, 1837, son of William and Betsey (Whitney) Gould.
William Gould, first, Mr. Gould's grand- father, who was born in Tyngsboro, Mass., in 1762, settled upon a farm in the southern part of Farmington, Me., in 1782. He served in the War of 1812, and was commissioned Brig- adier-general of the First Brigade, Eighth Division of State militia of Massachusetts on February 7, 1814. He took an active interest in town and county affairs, and was elected by his townsmen to various places of trust. He was the first Representative from Farmington who refused to send out a barrel of rum to
treat the voters on the day of his election, but deposited the price of the rum with the Town Clerk to be used for preaching or schooling as the town should choose. He was in the legis- lature in 1823. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Coburn. She was born in 1766, in Dracut, Mass.
Their son, William, Mr. Elias W. Gould's father, was born in Farmington, January 3, 1796. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his widow many years after received a pen- sion. Like his father he was a strong tem- perance man. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native town until 1836, when he went to Greene, Me., and five years later he came to Jay. From this town he removed to Carthage; and he afterward tilled the soil in Jay and Wilton, where he died September 13, 1876. His wife, Betsey Whitney, who was born in Freeport, September 19, 1796, was a daughter of Timothy and Martha (Wells) Whitney. Her parents were originally resi- dents of New Gloucester, Me., but removed from that town to Chesterville, where their last years were spent upon a farm. William and Betsey (Whitney) Gould had twelve chil- dren, as follows: Etheline, widow of Francis Campbell, late of Utica, Minn. ; Melinda, who died December 25, 1827, aged six years; Se- bastian, who married Mary Hilton, and is now a farmer of Turner, Me. ; Betsey, who died at the age of nineteen years; Martha A., who married Warren Leland, of Jay, and died in 1894; Olive, who was born December 27, 1827, and resides with her brother, Elias W. : Mary Jane, who married for her first husband Henry Clarke, and for her second Clark Hall, and neither is living; William A., who died at the age of three years; William, third, who served in the Twenty-eighth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, was mustered out of his company, but died six weeks after from dis- ease contracted in the service, and is sur- vived by his widow, formerly Martha A. Bean, now residing in Embden, Me. ; Sarah, widow of Dr. J. R. Eaton, late of Wilton ; Elias W. the subject of this sketch ; and John H., who died at the age of nineteen years. Mrs. Bet- sey W. Gould died March 12, 1884.
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