USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 47
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
Elias W. Gould obtained a common-school education in his boyhood and youth, and when
344
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
eighteen years old he began life for himself as a farm laborer. Two years later he went to Island Falls, Me., where he settled on wild land and commenced clearing and building. He lived there three years. When the Rebell- ion began he let his place to enter the army ; but not having an opportunity to go from there he came to Jay ; and on September 7, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Eighth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry. He participated in several decisive battles, and at the expiration of his first term of service he re-enlisted in the same company. On May 23, 1864, he was wounded in the thigh by an accidental discharge of a gun, and in conse- quence was confined in the hospital four months, after which he returned to his regi- ment. He continued in active service until the close of the war, and was discharged and mustered out at Augusta, January 26, 1866. He subsequently bought his present farm in Jay, and has since been engaged in general farming, making a specialty of fruit culture, and also raising some excellent stock.
Mr. Gould is unmarried, and his household is presided over by his sister, Miss Olive Gould. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party ; and he is a comrade of Post E. W. Woodman, No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic, of East Wilton.
ANSOM COLE is prominently identi- fied with the agricultural and indus- trial interests of Oxford County, having a large farm and a saw-mill in Greenwood, where he is carrying on an extensive business. He was born in this town, January 12, 1842, a son of Elbridge and Ara- belle (Cole) Cole. His paternal grandfather, Calvin Cole, a native of Maine, was the first member of the family to locate in this part of the county. He bought a tract of wild land near the present home of his grandson Ran- som, and was thereafter engaged in tilling the soil.
Elbridge Cole was a lifelong resident of Greenwood, the date of his birth being Janu- ary II, 1813, and his death occurring in Au- gust, 1869. He continued engaged in the hereditary occupation to which he was reared,
laboring on the land with unwearied industry throughout his years of activity. He married Miss Arabelle Cole, a native of Worcester, Mass., where she was born in 1814. She out- lived him a few months, dying in April, 1870. They had eleven children, as follows: Kings bury, deceased; Mary, born June 9, 1836, who is the wife of Adoniram C. Swan of this town ; Emma, born July 20, 1834, who married Charles Judkins, of Greenwood, Me. ; Calvin, who was born October 20, 1840, married Ophelia Cornel, and is a resident of this town- ship; Ransom, the direct subject of this sketch; Sarah, born July 22, 1846, who first married Joseph Stearns, and after his death became the wife of Ephraim Pennel, of West- brook, Me. ; Esther, born May 22, 1847, who is the wife of David Morgan, of Greenwood ; Sylvester, also residing in his native town, who married Jennie Tucker; Lorenzo, de- ceased, who was born in 1851, and married Jennie Swan, who is now living at Manches- ter, N. H. ; Lucinda, deceased; and Wesley, born in 1855, who married Betsey Cummings and lives in Greenwood.
Ransom Cole acquired his education in the common schools of his native town, and on the home farm became thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of agriculture, his early experi- ences in this industry being of practical bene- fit to him in after years. At the age of twenty years he began work on his own account in the adjacent town of Woodstock, where he was en- gaged in farm labor for two and one-half years. Returning to Greenwood Mr. Cole bought a farm near his present home, where he engaged in his chosen occupation for seventeen years. He subsequently bought the large farm of nine hundred acres on which he has since been prosperously engaged in dairying, stock-rais- ing, sheep-raising, and other branches of agri- culture, etc. He also owns a large saw-mill, and manufactures lumber of all kinds, doing a very large and profitable business, in which he is ably assisted by his sons.
Mr. Cole was married in 1863 to Miss Al- vira J. Cole, who was born in Greenwood, May 12, 1836, a daughter of the late Daniel and Diana Cole, her father having been a lifelong farmer of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are the parents of seven children, namely : Mary,
345
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the wife of Frank Bennett, of Boston, Mass. ; Alma K. ; Alfonso; Daniel, also living at home, who married Bertha A. Swan; Stanton ; Nellie; and Lucretia.
Mr. Cole is a liberal-minded, public- spirited citizen, ever ready to forward the interests of his native town and county ; and has held various town offices, having been liquor agent, and, since 1892, a member of the Board of Selectmen. He is independent in politics, voting for the candidates he deems most worthy and capable. He belongs to various social organizations of Bryant Pond, being a member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M. ; of Golden Cross Lodge; and of the Grange.
ARRISON G. O. PERKINS, an en- terprising general farmer of Oxford, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in this town, April 26, 1838, son of Harrison G. and Hannah (Megquier)
Perkins. His grandfather, Oliver Perkins, settled in this part of Maine when it was a wilderness, and, becoming the owner of a large tract of land, was one of the prosperous farmers of those early days. After a long life of industry and toil, during which he wit- nessed and aided in the development of Oxford County, Oliver died in Poland, Androscoggin County, at the age of eighty-nine years. He reared a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom' Harrison G., Mr. Perkins's father, was the second in the order of birth.
Harrison G. Perkins, who was a native of Oxford, born in 1809, succeeding to his father's farm, made many improvements in the prop- erty, and prospered with the progress of the town. He was chiefly occupied in farming during his period of activity, and he died July IO, 1888. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Originally a Whig in poli- tics, he later joined the Republican party. His wife, Hannah, a native of Poland, had five children, as follows : Sarah Jane and Julia E., who have departed- this life; Augustus M., who lives in Cambridgeport, Mass. ; Charles F., who occupies the old homestead; and Harrison G. O., the subject of this sketch,
who is the youngest. The mother is still living, and resides at the homestead.
Harrison G. O. Perkins was educated in the schools of his native town. From early man- hood, farming has been his chief occupation. On April 26, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fifth Regiment, Maine Volun- teers, and served in the Civil War until its close. He was present at the first battle of Bull Run, and shared in the actions of the Peninsula campaign, including the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam, South Mountain, and Gettysburg. In the Shenandoah Valley under General Sheridan he took part with his regiment in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Fisher Hill, and was wounded in front of Petersburg in March, 1865. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged and duly mustered out of service. Upon his return home he resumed farming, in which he has since continued with increasing prosperity. At the present time he owns two hundred and fifty acres of fertile land. He is one of the most able and industrious general farmers in Oxford.
In 1868 Mr. Perkins wedded Georgia A. Keene, a native of Poland. She died in 1883, leaving six children ; namely, Lena G., Annie E., Wilfred, Edith L., Mearl M., and Ida F. Ida F. died in April, 1893. In politics Mr. Perkins supports the Republican party. His religious principles are broadly liberal. He is connected with the Patrons of Husbandry in West Poland, and is a comrade of T. A. Rob- erts Post, No. 49, Grand Army of the Repub- lic of Oxford.
EORGE W. MILLS, a veteran of the Civil War, who owns one of the best farms in the town of Salem, was born in Kingfield, Me., January 22, 1830, son of Moses and Elizabeth (Norton) Mills. The family is of English origin. Mr. Mills's grandfather, although but sixteen years old, joined the patriots of the Revolution, and served through the War for Independence. After working for a long time at his trade of weaver in Peru, Oxford County, he spent his last days in Pennsylvania. His grandson, George W., once visited the house in which he
346
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
lived, and saw his old loom standing as he had left it. He reared a family of seven children, no one of whom is living.
Moses Mills was born in Livermore, Me., in the year 1800. He became prominent in local affairs, served as Town Treasurer and in other offices, and died in 1877. He was a member of the Baptist church, and in politics he supported the Republican party. His wife, Elizabeth, a native of Martha's Vineyard, was a descendant of Tristram Norton, the founder of the family in America, who settled in Mar- tha's Vineyard in early days, and erected sev- eral houses, which are still standing there. She bore her husband three children, two of whom are living, namely: George W., the subject of this sketch; and Sarah N., who is now Mrs. Wentworth, of Sanford Me.,
George W. Mills was educated in the schools of Kingfield and New Portland, Me. After finishing his studies he settled upon his pres- ent farm in Salem; and there since he has tilled the soil with success. In 1861 he en- listed as a private in Company G, Twelfth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, first under Colonel Shepleigh and later under Colonel Kimball and Captain Robson of Port- land. He served in the late war on the lower Mississippi under General Butler, participat- ing in the capture of New Orleans; was on duty in that city, in Carollton, and in Baton Rouge, and was wounded at New Orleans in September, 1862. After being confined in the hospital for a time he was discharged. He owns about three hundred acres of land, of which one hundred and twenty-five lie within the limits of the village, and one-third is under cultivation. In July, 1877, he had the misfortune of losing his buildings by fire; but he rebuilt, and now has one of the finest resi- dences in Salem. He raises some fine stock for dairy purposes, and as a general farmer he takes rank with the leading agriculturists of this section.
In 1855, November 17, Mr. Mills wedded Mariah Heath, of Salem, who made him the father of five children, four of whom are living. These are: Fred G., Ardell, Lizzie A., and Clara B. Fred G., resides in Worces- ter, Mass. ; Lizzie A. is the wife of M. Waltz of Worcester; and Clara B. resides at home.
Mr. Mills is a member of the Free Will Bap- tist church, and shares in the work of the Good Templars. In politics he is a Republican. He was Postmaster in Salem from 1866 to 1888; and he filled the office of Town Treas- urer for two terms.
ARLAND SAMUEL FLINT, an energetic and enterprising agricult- urist of Norway, Oxford County, was born here, November 14, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Elijah Flint, was one of the earlier settlers of this part of the county, coming here from Manchester, Mass., where he was born and reared. The grand- father bought a tract of land in its primeval wildness, and from it cleared the homestead now owned and occupied by his grandson, Harland S. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Dolly Pingree, four children were born; namely, Elijah, Dolly, Ruth, and Samuel, all now deceased.
Samuel Flint, the father of Harland S., when old enough, assisted in clearing the land on which his parents had settled, and at their death succeeded to the property. Here he carried on general farming during his life, and died there in August, 1878. He was twice married. His first wife, Hannah (Frost) Flint, was born in Norway, and died on the Flint homestead in 1865. She bore her hus- band nine children, as follows: Susan Ellen, deceased ; David, deceased, who married Ella Shaw; Mary Ann, deceased; Adelia Louesa, deceased, who married Matthew Collins; Han- nah, the wife of F. F. Stearns, of Milan, N. H. ; Hattie, the wife of Appleton Blake, also residing in Milan; Gustavus, deceased ; Harland S., the subject of this sketch; and Joshua Frost, a resident of Andover, Mass. After the death of his first wife the father mar- ried Emily Nichols, of Saco, Me., who died in August, 1893.
Harland Samuel Flint remained with his parents until he attained his majority, attend- ing the district schools and rendering such assistance as he was able on the farm. The following two years he spent away from home, employed in a soap factory at Lawrence, Mass., during the first year, and working in
347
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Albany, Me., the following year. He then returned to the old homestead, where he has since been industriously and prosperously engaged in agriculture. After his marriage he purchased the entire property of one hun- dred and twelve acres. He carries on general farming, dairying, and stock-raising, meeting with remarkable success. He has made sub- stantial improvements on the place, which, as the result of his management, compares favor- ably with any of the honiestead farms of this locality. Mr. Flint has been actively inter- ested in many enterprises conducive to the welfare of the town. Besides serving as Selectman in 1891 and 1892, he has at differ- ent times filled various minor offices most acceptably. His political principles are those of a sound Republican.
On July 23, 1871, Mr. Flint married Mary Ella Pingree, who was born July 2, 1854, in Norway, which was also the birthplace of her parents, William S. and Laurana (Poole) Pin- gree. Mr. Pingree worked at brick-making in Massachusetts for several years, but was afterward engaged in shipbuilding, mason work, and carpentry. He is now living in Norway, having retired to some extent from active pursuits. Mrs. Pingree died October 28, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Flint have seven children, namely : Hannah Belle, who died at the age of two years; Della May, who is the wife of Johnson Haskell, of East Waterford, this county ; Leslie Harland ; Asa Poole; Guy Irving; Katherina Laurana; and Elyn Lois.
Mrs. Flint is a member of the First Congre- gational church at Norway Centre.
ILLIAM GREEN, a well-to-do farmer and a highly respected citizen of Waterford, was born here, December 24, 1820, son of Joseph and Catherine (Will- iard) Green. His grandfather, Thomas Green, who was born in Boston, Mass., served in the French War, and was a Lieutenant in the Rev- olutionary War. At the close of the latter conflict Thomas removed to Rowley, Essex County, Mass., where he lived until 1789. Coming then to Waterford, he settled on a farm near that now owned and occupied by his grandson. He cleared the land and lived here
until his death, which occurred about the year 1825. His son Joseph, whose birth occurred in Rowley, Mass., carried on farming success- fully until his death in 1828, when he was killed by the fall of a tree upon him. His wife, Catherine, who was a native of Harvard, Mass., died about the year 1860. They were the parents of ten children, namely : Samuel Warren and Sophia, both deceased; Sarah, living in Waterford; Dolla, who died when four years of age; William, the subject of this sketch; Cyrus, residing in Manchester, Ill. ; Joseph, a resident of Bedford, Mass. ; Daniel, also deceased; and two who died in infancy.
At the early age of seven years William Green went to live with a neighboring farmer. Thereafter he worked out on farms until thirty- one years old, receiving in the mean time a practical common-school education. After his marriage he located near his present home, living there from 1852 to 1888. He then came to what is known as the Hale homestead, on which he now lives. It contains about one hundred and twenty-five acres of fertile land. He also owns one hundred acres in the old homestead, besides other land in the county. He carries on general farming, conducts a. small dairy business, and raises some stock. Mr. Green is known throughout Oxford County as an unostentatious man, attentive to his home duties, and a successful man of affairs. Like his father, who was alleged to have been the strongest man in the township, he had quite a reputation for physical strength, having made a record at weight lifting.
On June 22, 1852, Mr. Green was married to Miss Mary Carter, who was born in Bridg- ton, Me., May 10, 1825, daughter of Henry and Hannah (Cochran) Carter, both natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Carter and his wife lived for many years in Bridgton, where he was profitably engaged in farming until his death in 1875. Mrs. Carter died October 22, 1884. Besides Mary, they had sixteen other children, as follows : Henry, Jr., born January 25, 1823, now deceased; Samuel, born February 12. 1824, also deceased; James, born December 20, 1826; Charles, born March 20, 1828, deceased ; John, born September 20, 1829; Abigail, born April 20, 1831; Emily, born September 13, 1832; Nancy, born May 21,
348
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
1834; Margaret, born October 27, 1836; Henry W., born January 9, 1838, deceased ; Wesley, born July 7, 1839; Austin F., born February 23, 1841; Edwin, born August 15, 1842, deceased; Elizabeth M., born March 30, 1844; William S., born January 24, 1846; and Horatio L., born June 30, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Green have four children, namely : Sarah, born March 15, 1853, who, with her husband, G. I. Hamlin, is residing with her father on the old homestead; Mary I., born January 6, 1855, who died in 1892; Henry W., born September 15, 1858, who married Ella Whitcomb, and resides on a farm near by ; and Charles E., born January 15, 1862, who married Hattie Merrill, and is a blacksmith at North Bridgton, Me.
Mr. Green has always been a supporter and a strong advocate of the principles of the Dem- ocratic party. Although not a seeker for official honors, he has served in several of the minor offices of the town. He is one of the charter members of the Waterford Grange Society. He was drafted for service in the expected war with Great Britain over the north-east boundary in 1839, being out four weeks; and also during the Civil War in 1864.
A LVIN F. HARDY, a skilful farmer of West Farmington, Franklin County, is one of the few Northern soldiers who survived the horrors of Libby Prison. He was born in Wilton, Me., July 6, 1839, the son of Simeon and Damaris (Howe) Hardy. His grandparents were William and Cynthia (Flanders) Hardy. William Hardy, a native of Dublin, N. H., was one of the most successful farmers in the town of Wilton, and died there at the age of sixty-four. His wife attained the advanced age of eighty-eight. This couple reared five children - John, Sim- eon, Lucinda, Sarah, and David.
Simeon Hardy was born in Wilton, and there spent his life. He was one of the most progressive farmers of his day, and was a shrewd and successful dealer in real estate. Starting in life with a small farm he gradually added to his property until he owned two hun- dred and forty acres of good land. In the course of his life he bought and sold several
farms, being always ready for a bargain, and seldom making a mistake. He died at the age of sixty-two. In politics he was a Republican, in religious belief a Baptist. His wife lived to be seventy-six years of age. Their children were : Martha L., Adeliza, Alvin F., Cynthia, John O., William, and Charles K.
Alvin F. Hardy received his education in the public schools of Wilton. He assisted his father about the farm until 1861, when, with the purpose of fighting for the Union, he en- listed in Company A, Eighth Maine Regiment, and started for the seat of war. At the battle of Petersburg, April 2, 1864, he was struck in the leg by a minie ball, making a wound that made it necessary to amputate the limb above the knee. On May 16, following, he was taken by the Confederates and cast into Libby Prison, where he was obliged to care for his wounded limb himself. His sufferings dur- ing the three months of his incarceration are indescribable. Out of the eighty-four men among whom he was captured, but one other lived to see home again. Mr. Hardy was finally released on parole, and at the close of the war returned home. As soon as he was able to work a little he learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed for five years. Finding the work unsuitable, he then turned his attention to agriculture. In this occupation, though laboring under great physi- cal disadvantages, he has been very successful. He first bought the Mrs. Trask and later the John Lowell farm in West Farmington, mak- ing an estate of sixty acres, and managed the two. Failing health subsequently compelled him to dispose of one. He still retains the other, on which he has remodelled and re- paired the buildings, set out a fine orchard, and converted rough pastures into valuable meadow land. He raises general crops and fruit, and has a choice dairy, which adds materially to his income.
Mr. Hardy married Miss Julia C. P'ease, daughter of Captain Jeremiah and Julia (Chaney) Pease, of Wilton, Me. Captain Pease, who was a wealthy farmer, died at the age of seventy-eight. His wife passed away in her forty-fourth year. They had five other children - Sarah P., Benjamin F., Daniel, John, and Emily. Four children have blessed
349
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, namely : Frank, born February 18, 1869, now a me- chanic; Mabel J., born March 3, 1872, the wife of F. S. Newell, of Wilton; Maynard A., born June 27, 1874, a farmer and mechanic ; and Daisy E., born May 30, 1877. Mr. Hardy votes the Republican ticket. He belongs to one organization, the E. W. Woodman Post, No. IS, Grand Army of the Republic, of East Wilton. On religious subjects he holds lib- eral views.
ENRY F. MORTON, of South Paris, Me., superintendent and agent of the Paris Manufacturing Company, was born in Corinna, Penobscot County, Me., December 5, 1839, and is a great-grand- son of Thomas Morton, who came from Eng- land and settled in Plymouth, Mass.
William Morton, his grandfather, was born in Portland, Me. Choosing the occupation of a farmer he settled in Gorham, Me., wherc, on March 27, 1812, William S. Morton was born. On leaving home this son settled in Belmont, whence he afterward removed to Corinna, Me., - and purchased a farm that he carried on until his death, May 3, 1842. He was a Deacon in the Free Will Baptist church. Prudence S. Bates Morton, his wife, bore him three chil- dren, namely : Helen J., born July 29, 1838, married Dr. A. E. Bessey; Henry F. ; and Benjamin R., born December 16, 1841, who
died on October 15, 1864, from wounds re- ceived at Alexandria, Va., while performing his duties as Sergeant of Company D, Twenti - eth Maine Regiment. He left a widow, Lucy Chase Morton. Mrs. Prudence S. B. Morton married a second time, becoming the wife of Martin Crockett. She lived to be seventy years old.
When four years of age, Henry F. Morton went to live with an uncle at Auburn. H was educated at Hebron Academy and Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. He engaged in teaching at eighteen years of age, and fitted for Harvard College, but, on account of failure of eyes, caused by overwork, he was unable to continue his studies. As soon as his eyes were strong enough to resume work, and after his marriage, he settled at North
Paris and began on a small scale the manufact- ure of children's sleds, using the basement of the house in which he lived and employing a little help. His goods were favorably received on the market, and he soon removed to West Sumner, where he obtained water-power and erccted a factory, adding to the manufacture of sleds that of baby carriages and childrens' carts. The firm was then known as Morton & Bates, and still later as Morton, Forbes & Crockett.
In 1870 the citizens of Paris Hill induced them to move thither. They purchased a steam-engine, and in 1871 erected a factory ; and after a time a stock company was formed, known as the Paris Hill Manufacturing Com- pany, which has become well known through- out the United States, Mr. Morton acting as superintendent and agent. The distance from the railroad proved a great disadvantage, as well as an added expense; and, the citizens of South Paris offering substantial inducements, the stock was bought up and the plant moved to this place in 1884, and a large and well- equipped building erected. Two years later the entire plant was destroyed by fire; but it was soon rebuilt, and to-day the factory covers an area of thirty-nine thousand square feet besides large storehouses in the village near the depot. They now manufacture sleds, carts, children's carriages and wagons, step ladders, tables and school furniture, and the firm has a reputation for finely finished goods of superior quality. They employ about two hundred hands. In 1889 Mr. Morton held the position of superintendent and agent with the Winton Manufacturing Company of Bingham- ton, N. Y., but returned here in 1892, and accepted his present position of superintendent. agent, and manager.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.