USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 5
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 5
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N. Dayton Bolster, having received his ele- mentary education in the primary and gram- mar schools of his native town, subsequently completed the course of the Paris High, School, where he was graduated. Thereupon he entered his father's store as clerk, and con- tinued to serve in that capacity until his father's death. Succeeding then to the pro- prietorship of the store, he conducted it with success for five years, when he sold the build- ing to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. After this he took charge of the grange store, subsequently buying the stock and building, and carrying on the business on his own ac- count, in company with C. A. Robertson. At the end of two years he bought Mr. Robert- son's interest, and thereafter for thirteen In years he managed the business alone. 1893 he took E. N. Haskell into a partner- ship, which has lasted since. The establish- ment has been much altered since it first came into Mr. Bolster's possession, and it is now the largest general store in the county. It is, however, none too large for the business trans- acted there, which has grown to dimensions unsurpassed in any other part of the county. Two floors and a basement are entirely occu- pied. Everything in general demand is kept in stock. Besides the usual goods compre- hended under the head of groceries, there are sold crockery, paints and oils, hardware, boots and shoes, carpets, and other things too nu- merous to mention. Only a man possessed
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of a genius for business can conduct such a place.
Mr. Bolster was married to Miss Ada May Morton, daughter of John J. and Hannah (Morse) Morton, of South Paris, on October 25, 1883, and has become the father of four children, namely: Elsie M., born December 1, 1886; Morton V., born July 4, 1888; Ruth M., born April 18, 1893; and Philip C., born April 17, 1895. Mr. Bolster has always shown himself warmly interested in the wel- fare of the town, generally taking a prominent part in most enterprises designed to advance it, and holding considerable stock in the man- ufacturing firms of Paris. He and his wife are attendants of the Congregational church in Paris, where he is serving as clerk. He was Town Treasurer from 1877 to 1894, and he is Past Grand and Noble Grand of Mount Mica Lodge, No. 17, and Aurora Encampment, No. 23, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family occupy the residence, 2 High Street, which has been Mr. Bolster's property for some time.
OHN D. JENNINGS, a prosperous farmer and real estate owner of New Sharon, in the southern part of Frank- lin County, Maine, was born in the ad- joining town of Farmington, April 12, 1827, son of Asa and Betsey (Rotch) Jennings. His grandfather was Eliphalet Jennings, an Englishman who enlisted in the Continental army in 1775, and served seven years in the Revolutionary War. Receiving a land war- rant for one hundred and sixty acres, he set- tled in Farmington soon after the close of hostilities, and, clearing a good farm, resided there for the rest of his life. His wife's name was Betsey, and she reared a family of five children, as follows: Rufus; Asa; Eliph- alet ; David; and Reuben, who served as Captain of a company in a regiment of infantry during the Civil War.
Asa Jennings, the second son of Eliphalet, was born and reared to manhood at the home- stead in Farmington. In 1828, the year after the birth of his son, the subject of the present sketch, he moved to a farm of seventy-five acres at Week's Mills, New Sharon, where he
was engaged in tilling the soil for the rest of his life. He died here in 1843. His wife, Betsey Rotch, became the mother of eight children ; namely, William R., George W., Frank S., John D., Lydia, Adeline, Mary, and Olive.
John D. Jennings was one of the four sons born to his parents. He passed his boyhood in attending the common schools of Week's Mills and learning to work on the home farm, also enjoying, no doubt, the various healthful sports and pastimes dear to the heart and strengthening to the muscles of the country- bred youth. From the time he was old enough to take up the work of life in good earnest until he was twenty-six years old he was employed on neighboring farms. He then joined the general rush for the gold fields of California which began in 1849. Staking off a claim in Matalon Gulch, he engaged for a time in mining on his own account, later working for a mining company; and, after staying on the Pacific Coast for four years, he came back to New Sharon. The following year he again set out for California; but, changing his mind on reaching New York City, he once more returned to New Sharon, where he has since remained. Resuming his former occupation of tilling the soil and rais- ing stock, he applied himself energetically to business, and by steadily pursuing a policy of thrift and progress has accumulated a good estate, owning besides his homestead an ad- joining farm of one hundred and sixty acres, two other farms in this town, and some prop- erty in Chesterville. He keeps a flock of two hundred and twenty-five sheep, seven standard - bred cows, and has an orchard of five hundred grafted fruit-trees.
On January 1, 1859, Mr. Jennings married for his first wife, Hannah M. C. Thomas, who died April 25, 1862; and on July 22, 1863, he was united in marriage with Ellen F. Cut - ler, daughter of Josiah Cutler, of Strong, Me. By this union there are seven children, as fol- lows: Alice, who was born January 7, 1864: Nellie, who was born January 24, 1865; George H., who was born December 10, 1866: John William, who was born March 21, 1869; Asa A., who was born January 6, 1871 : Bessie, who was born September 28, 1873; and
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Mary E., who was born July 30, 1878. Polit- ically, Mr. Jennings is a Democrat ; and he attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
R ICHMOND BROTHERS, Edward F. and Henry L., who carry on large saw and grist mills in Oxford vil- lage, Me., are enterprising and alert young business men ; and their energetic ef- torts to maintain and still further develop the industrial resources of this town are greatly appreciated by the general community. Since the establishment of their business enterprise in 1890 they have remodelled and enlarged the mills, putting in new machinery, and now have a full and complete equipment for both the grain milling department and the manu- facture of lumber and building materials of every description.
Edward F. and Henry L. Richmond are the sons of Albion K. and Harriet (Whitney) Richmond. The father was born in Jay, Franklin County, Me., in 1834. Having learned the mason's trade when a young man, Mr. Albion K. Richmond has for many years been a well-known and reliable contractor and builder, and aside from his regular calling has gained a wide reputation as a manufacturer of Richmond's patent derricks. He has been a stirring and successful business man of South Boston, Mass., where he still resides, when not occupying his summer home in Oxford, and still retains his customary energy and activity. In politics he acts with the Republican party, and he is liberal in his religious views. He and his wife, Ilarriet Whitney, who was born in Charlestown, Mass., in 1838, have five sons, as follows: Warren A., who was born in Oxford, Me., in 1859; Henry L. and Ed- ward F., the subjects of this sketch; I. Tracy, who was born in South Boston in 1873; and Carl D., who was born in South Boston in 1881.
Henry L. Richmond, one of the proprietors of the aforesaid mills, was born in Oxford, Me., in 1861. He acquired a good practical education, and in young manhood exhibited a natural aptitude for business pursuits, which was the foundation of the sterling ability he has displayed in placing the firm of Richmond
Brothers upon its present secure footing, giv- ing them a deserved prominence in business circles here. He is connected with a lodge of Odd Fellows in South Boston.
Edward F. Richmond was born in Oxford, August 20, 1864. Having acquired his cdu- cation in the public schools of South Boston, he learned the mason's trade under his father's direction, and followed it steadily for a num- ber of years. In 1890, as already noted, he engaged in business with his brother, Henry L. Richmond, establishing in Oxford the firm which has since conducted a large and profit- able business, and to whose success he has in a great measure contributed. In politics he is a Republican; and in religion he belongs to the liberal type of Christians, he and his wife attending the Universalist church.
He was married on September 14, 1895, to Louisa Robinson, daughter of the late Joseph and Frances A. (Lewis) Robinson. Her father, who was the founder and President of the Robinson Manufacturing Company of Ox- ford, Me., was born in Yorkshire, England, May 9, 1812, son of James and Mary (Aspin) Robinson. He was one of a family of six children, the others being: James; George; Elizabeth; Rachel; and Mary, now Mrs. Wood, of Lawrence, Mass., who is the only survivor. Joseph Robinson learned the dyer's trade of his father, and after becoming an ex- pert in his calling and filling a responsible position in a large concern in England until 1849 he emigrated to the United States. First settling at Ballardvale, Mass., he had charge of dye works there for several years, later filling positions in the same capacity at Rochester, Wolfboro, and Milton Mills, N. H.
Coming to Oxford in 1858, he, in company with John Hall, engaged in manufacturing. A short time later he bought his partner's interest ; and in 1862, associating himself with H. J. and F. O. Libby, he established and in- corporated the Robinson Manufacturing Com- pany. From a small beginning the concern advanced steadily through his business ability and careful management to its present large proportions and excellent business standing. The entire plant and equipment was erected and supplied under his supervision. The main building, which is a four-story brick
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structure, contains sixty-seven looms, employ- ing an average of one hundred and fifty men the year round. Their output, which consists of dress goods, suitings, and repellents, is sold all over the United States.
The great amount of energy Mr. Robinson displayed as president of the corporation, to- gether with the deep interest he took in all matters relating to the improvement of the village and the general welfare of the commu- nity, gained for him the sincere respect and genuine admiration of his fellow-townsmen ; and his death, which took place March 6, 1895, was regretted by all. In politics he supported the Republican party. In his relig- ious views he was a Congregationalist, and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
In 1833, while still residing in England, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Fran- ces A. Lewis, who was born in Yorkshire, No- vember 16, 1814. She became the mother of six children, as follows : Mrs. Mary Parrott, of Oxford; Mrs. Frances Andrews, of Port- land; Louisa, Mrs. Richmond; Mrs. Salina Carr, John B., and Albert E. Robinson, all of Oxford. Mrs. Frances A. Robinson died November 9, 1890.
The Robinson Manufacturing Company is still doing an extensive business upon the lines so admirably mapped out and adhered to by its founder. Its present official force con- sists of J. B. Robinson, President ; F. A. Libby, Treasurer; and A. E. Robinson, Agent.
ZRA MARSHALL, of Hebron, Me., a self-made man, starting in the world with five dollars, has accumulated a valuable property and won the respect that honest success always brings. He was born in Hebron, September 24, 1828. His parents were Aaron and Bethany (Bumpus) Marshall, the former also a native of Hebron.
His paternal grandfather, David Marshall, was one of the pioneer settlers of Oxford County. He served for some time in the Revolutionary War, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill; and it is supposed that he located in Bethel, Me., about 1781. His first wife lived but a short time after marriage.
His second wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Mason, accompanied him in his quest for a home in the wilderness, meeting the vicissi- tudes of pioneer life with courage and endur- ance. With a young family the couple trav- elled to Bethel, the wife making her way on snowshoes with a child in her arms, the hus- band also carrying a child and at the same time drawing a small hand-sled on which were the cooking utensils. He had purchased four hundred acres of land in Bethel, and there he built a log house and toiled late and early clearing his farm; while his wife was no less busy than he, performing the manifold duties of a country housekeeper and family mother in those pioneer days.
At the time of the famous Bethel raid, about 1782, when the Indians descended on the little settlement, David Marshall and his family spent the night in the woods, hidden by a large log. In the morning, as soon as he was sure that the savages were gone, he returned to the house, packed up what loose things he could carry, and started for New Gloucester, where he expected to find a place of security. Mrs. Marshall was not well; and the horrors of the Indian raid had affected her so that she was taken seriously ill, and they were obliged to stop on the way, finding refuge in a settler's house, she being the first white woman that ever visited the town of Paris, Me. As soon as she was able to proceed, they resumed their journey. At New Gloucester they made a short stay; and then Mr. Marshall purchased a piece of land in Minot, where they lived for a while. His next move was to a farm near Mechanic Falls, which he thought was State land ; but it belonged to the Little family, and a lawsuit followed, in which Mr. Marshall was beaten. Once more compelled to move, he settled near where his grandson, Moses Marshall, is now living; and there his days were ended in peace and prosperity. He owned in Hebron one hundred acres of land and the mill privilege; and, building a grist- mill, he conducted a thriving business.
Mr. David Marshall was a man of unusual energy and determination, as will have been seen, and allowed no difficulties to turn him aside from the way to success. He died on his Hebron farm at the age of seventy-seven.
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His wife, notwithstanding all the hardships and anxieties of her life, lived to be seventy- two. They had a family of eleven children : David; Asahel; Lucy ; Walter; John; Moses; Aaron; Nathan; Miriam; Theresa, who died young; and a child who died in infancy.
Aaron Marshall, the seventh-born, spent his life in Hebron, on the farm now owned by his son Ezra. He was an industrious and ener- getic man, and as a farmer was very success- ful. In politics he was originally a Whig and later a Republican. Ile died at the age of seventy-three, his wife having been called to rest in her fifty-ninth year. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Marshall were members of the Baptist church. Seven children were born to them, as follows: Silas S., who died at the age of twenty-one years; Sarah H. (deceased), wife of Charles Cobb, Esq., of Poland, Me. ; Will- iam T., a stone cutter, now retired, residing in Auburn, Me. ; Alden B., a retired carpen- ter in Newton, Mass .; Cordelia B., wife of Hiram Everett, of Hebron Corners; Ezra, of Hebron; and Horace B., a Baptist clergyman in Amherst, N. H.
Ezra Marshall, the subject of this sketch, acquired his education in the common schools of Hebron. At the age of eighteen, with scarcely five dollars in his pocket, he started to make his own way in the world, going to Massachusetts, where he worked for three years as a farm hand. He then returned to his native town, and at the age of twenty-five he took charge of the family homestead. With characteristic perseverance and industry he developed the home farm, materially in- creasing its value, and in course of time bought more land, so that now the homestead covers three hundred acres, besides which he owns other real estate. He is one of the most extensive farmers in Hebron, and in fruit cult- ure especially he has achieved marked suc- cess. Though Baldwins are his staple orchard product, he has thirty different kinds of apples and a variety of small fruit. His buildings also rank among the best in the town.
On October 2, 1856, Mr. Marshall was united in marriage with Eliza M., daughter of Joseph and Miriam (Marshall) Irish. She was born in Hebron, March 2, 1827. Five
children have brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall - Persis, who died April 29, 1890, wife of Sherman Merrill and mother of four children - Alice M., Grace, Alma M., and Fred S. ; Alma H., who did not live to be four years old; Charles A., born October 28, 1861, a farmer, unmarried, who lives with his parents; Adelaide I., born January 9, 1864, who is the wife of Llewellyn Keene, a farmer of Hebron, and is the mother of four children - Della M., Mary I., Nellie M., and Ezra M. ; and Fred H., born July 24, 1867, who married Miss Abbie L. B. Hibbs, and is a farmer, living with his father.
Mr. Marshall votes the Republican ticket. He is a member of Evening Star Lodge, No. 147, A. F. & A. M., of Buckfield. In religious matters both he and his wife are liberal.
ON. JARVIS C. MARBLE, who is . now spending the closing years of a long and busy life in retirement at his beautiful home in Paris Hill, Oxford County, was a conspicuous factor of the mercantile and manufacturing circles of this locality for more than half a century. A son of Nathan and Mehitable (Freeland) Marble, he was born on Bethel Hill, in the town of Bethel, Me., May 24, 1821.
His father was born June 29, 1778, in Sut- ton, Mass., that town being also the native place of his mother, whose birth occurred September 10, 1780. Nathan Marble and his wife settled in the town of Bethel soon after their marriage; and there the former was em- ployed as a farmer, harness-maker, and saddler until his death, which occurred at a compara- tively early age, November 6, 1826. He stood in a foremost position among the stirring and progressive citizens of the county, and for- many years was Captain of a company of the State militia. Of his union with Miss Free- land eleven children were born, the following being their names and respective dates of birth : James P., November 25, 1800; Ste- phen M., December 25, 1802; Palmer M., November 12, 1805; Nathan M., March 5, 1808; Mehitable M., May 9, 1810; Freeland, November 12, 1812; Elizabeth B., July 24,
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1815; Franklin, October 27, 1818; Jarvis C., May 24, 1821; Nancy J., August 22, 1824; James R., May 8, 1827. After the death of her husband the mother, who lived until April 25, 1874, became the wife of Elijah Burbank. She was a member of the Congregational church, of which the father, who was liberal in his religious belief, was a regular attend- ant. In politics he was a stanch Democrat.
Jarvis C., the ninth child, whose career is here to be traced, attended the common schools of Bethel until eleven years of age, when he was obliged to give up his studies and com- mence life for himself. He first worked for a year as a clerk in the store of L. C. Crocker, of Buckfield, receiving for his services his board and clothing. Going thence to Portland, he worked a while for a Mr. Capen, who, in addition to his board and clothing, paid him a small compensation in money. Mr. Marble subsequently became a clerk in the establish- ment of L. C. Carter, of New York City, who received him as a member of his family, giving him board and clothes, and supplying him with a liberal amount of money for other expenses. Here he acquired a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business as it was conducted in those days, his initiatory experi- ence with Mr. Carter being of inestimable value to him in after years. Early in 1842, a few months prior to his marriage, Mr. Marble came to Oxford County, locating first in the village of Paris, where he and his wife subse- quently lived three years before coming to their present estate, which at his advent was in its original wildness.
Mr. Marble began clearing and improving his land, in the work succeeding so well that he has now one of the finest and most attrac- tive homesteads in this section of the State. The first two years of his residence in Paris he worked as a clerk for Hiram Hubbard, whom he subsequently bought out; and for a few years thereafter he was engaged in mercantile business on his own account. In addition to his store in Paris he put in a stock of general merchandise at North Buckfield, and for some time conducted the two stores, having a lucra- tive trade. With sagacious foresight Mr. Marble at length bought out Sweat & Co.'s powder factory, which he managed in connec-
tion with his other business. Disposing of his stores, he afterward confined his attention to the manufacture of powder, erecting a second mill at Platteville, Wis., and another at Camden, Me. ; and during the war he sup- plied the government with a large amount of high grades and other powder. After the close of the great conflict he moved his powder works to Canada, where he received the con- tract for supplying the Canadian government and the Hudson Bay Company with powder. In his manufacturing business he was very suc- cessful, running for a time four factories, in which he employed a large force of men.
In 1885 he disposed of his powder, confin- ing his attention to the bark business which he had previously established; and since giving that up he has lived retired. He has accumulated a good property, and besides his own handsome dwelling has erected two fine residences for his children, who live near him. Politically, Mr. Marble is an earnest and loyal member of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in town and county affairs. He was a member of the State legislature in 1860, and for three subsequent years; and for two years he was County Treasurer. Religiously, both he and his wife are strong Universalists, being among the leading members of that church, and contributing liberally toward its support.
On October 24, 1842, Mr. Marble was mar- ried to Mary R. Hubbard, who was born at Paris Hill, Me., November 25, 1821, a daugh- ter of Russell and Eunice (Stowell) Hubbard. Her grandfather, General Levi Hubbard, was born, reared, and married in Worcester, Mass. He and his bride, Mary Hemenway, then but fourteen years of age, came directly to Paris, and here began housekeeping in a log cabin, which was situated in a small clearing made in the dense wilderness. Over their heavily timbered land bears, deer, and wolves roamed at will; and the Indians were in strong evi- dence. General Hubbard cleared and im- proved a good homestead, and became one of the foremost men of this vicinity, serving in various town offices, and in the years from 1812 until 1814 inclusive as a member of Con- gress. He was liberal in his religious belief and a valued member of the Universalist
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church. His wife made during her married life five trips on horseback to Worcester, her early home. They had two children, namely : Oliver, who was killed when a young man by the falling of a tree; and Russell, Mrs. Marble's father. General Hubbard died in 1836, and his wife in 1844.
Russell Hubbard was born in Paris, Me., and here spent his life, dying February 15, 1836. His wife was also a lifelong resident of this town. She bore him five children, as follows: Columbia, born November 18, 1809; Hiram, born September 28, 1811; Oliver, born November 19, 1813; Daniel S., born October 17, 1816; and Mary R., now Mrs. Marble, the latter and her brother Hiram being the only ones living. Mr. and Mrs. Marble have had four children, the following being their record: Mary H., born February 10, 1844, married Dr. A. S. Thayer, of Port- land, and died December 5, 1875 ; Elmer H., who was born November 9, 1846, and died November 8, 1893, married Ella Smith, and was for some time connected with his father in the powder business; Lizzie H., born March 23, 1849, is the wife of Orlando A. Thayer, of Paris; and Fannie F., born Febru- ary 3, 1854, is the wife of John Pierce, a jeweller in South Paris, but living with Mr. and Mrs. Marble. Mr. and Mrs. Marble have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
DWIN B. HATCH, a retired farmer of Chesterville, Me., and a veteran of the Civil War, who is now serving as Postmaster, was born in Wilton, Franklin County, Me., September 19, 1838, son of Joseph and Zoa (Keyes) Hatch. His paternal grandfather was Cyrus Hatch, a native of Martha's Vineyard, who, when a young man, settled in Wilton as a pioneer. He bought one hundred acres of wild land, a portion of which he cleared for agricultural purposes ; and he resided there for the rest of his life. He married, and reared a family of four children; namely, Cyrus, Joseph, John, and Zoa, each of whom lived to be eighty years old and over.
Joseph Hatch, the second son, was born in Wilton, and was a lifelong resident of that
town. Ile was an honest, hard-working farmer and a worthy citizen, who gained the respect and esteem of his neighbors and fel- low-townsmen. He died October 16, 1888, aged eighty-four years and ten months. In politics he was a Republican and in his relig- ious views a Methodist. His wife, who was before marriage Zoa Keyes, was a native of Wilton. She became the mother of five chil- dren, three of whom are living, namely : Charles B., who is residing at the homestead; B. Frank; and Edwin B., the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest son. The others were: Hiram M. and Mary E. Mrs. Zoa K. Hatch passed away from earth at the age of fifty-two years and nine months.
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