USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 50
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 50
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ENRY R. DASCOMB, who conducts a flourishing general mercantile busi- ness in Wilton, and has one of the. best appointed stores in this section, was born in Wilton, November 26, 1848, son of Henry A. and Cynthia (Perry) Dascomb. Mr. Dascomb is of French origin. His great- grandfather, Thomas Dascomb, when a young man moved from Needham, Mass., to the town of Jay in this county, carrying with him such articles of domestic and agricultural utility as he could conveniently take. Making his way by the aid of marked trees to his destination, Thomas bought a large tract of wild land. Upon this he built a log cabin, and in due time had cleared sufficient ground for the planting of his first crop. At this early date Hallo- well, which was several days' journey away, had the nearest mill. In spite of this, and other inconveniences incident to pioneer life in this region, he became prosperous, and was able to erect frame buildings. The farm so laboriously acquired is now owned by George H. Dascomb. Thomas Dascomb reared a large family of children. His sons were: Thomas. Alexander, John, Timothy, and Elbridge.
Alexander Dascomb, Mr. Dascomb's grand- father, is believed to have been the first male child born in Jay. In young manhood he
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settled in the town of Wilton, where he re- sided for the rest of his life. He was one of the most prosperous farmers and progressive citizens of his day. His last years were spent in retirement, and he died May 20, 1873, aged eighty-three years. In politics he acted with the Democratic party, and in his religious creed he was a Baptist. He married Susan Pike, who died February 14, 1877, when eighty-six years old. Her children were: Miranda, Sarah, Ellison, Hannah, Lovica, and Henry A. Henry A. Dascomb remained at home with his parents, and during his father's declining years took charge of the homestead farm of one hundred and fifty acres. He car- ried it on industriously until his death from heart disease, which happened April 22, 1872, at the age of forty-nine years. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Cyn- thia, who survives him, is a daughter of Joseph Perry, of Temple. She was the mother of four children - Henry R., Leander A., Will- iam M., and Effie C.
Henry R. Dascomb was educated in the public schools and at the Wilton Academy. After teaching school and working upon the farm for two years he became a clerk in the store of R. B. Fuller. In 1874 he bought an interest in the business, and was associated with Mr. Fuller for seventeen years. At the end of that time C. J. Richards bought Mr. Fuller's interest, and two years later sold it to Mr. Dascomb, who has since been the sole proprietor. After the lapse of some time his increasing trade obliged him to erect his pres- ent three-story building. Sixty-three by thirty feet, it is not only one of the most spa- cious stores in this part of the county, but is handsomely finished and conveniently furnished throughout. The basement is used for paints, oils, rubber goods, etc. ; the first floor is devoted to drugs, boots, shoes, and gentlemen's furnishings; the second floor accommodates the custom and ready-made clothing depart- ment; while the top story is set apart for storage purposes. He carries a large and varied stock of a superior quality. He makes it a point to have always on hand a full line in each department, so as to be able to supply his customers at all times with just what they
want. By so doing he maintains his estab- lished trade while securing new patrons daily. Able, energetic, and popular, his future pros- perity is assured.
On January 19, 1875, Mr. Dascomb was united in marriage to Martha P. Keyes. She was born in Jay, January 3, 1857, daughter of Lorenzo and Lucy (Powers) Keyes. Her pa- ternal grandparents were Ebenezer and Je- mimah Keyes, who came from Massachusetts to this county among the early pioneers. Mrs. Dascomb's mother belonged to one of the old- est families here, being a descendant of Henry Powers, who came to America in . 1720, and settled at Harvard, Mass. Mrs. Dascomb died March 15, 1894, leaving three children, as fol+ lows : Edna F., born March 6, 1876, who is now attending Colby University; Colin H., born August 3, 1878, who is a student at the same university ; and Otho Lee, born October 5, 1880, who is still at home. Mr. Dascomb is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican, and he has filled with ability the important position of Superintendent of Schools. He is a Past Master of Wilton Lodge, No. 156, A. F. &. A. M., and a member of Franklin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. Some years ago he bought the John Bass homestead on Main Street, which he has since greatly improved, and occupies as a residence.
EORGE A. ALLEN, M.D., a prom- inent physician and surgeon of Frye- burg, making a specialty of difficult surgical operations, is a native of East Stone- ham, this county, born November 21, 1857. His parents were George F. and Lucy Ann (Stewart) Allen, natives respectively of Nor- way, Me., and Freedom, N. H. George F. Allen accompanied his parents to the town of East Stoneham when a mere boy. From his youth until he came of age he was engaged in hunting, which he found very profitable. He subsequently worked for some time at stone-cutting. Finally he settled upon a farm in East Stoneham, which he carried on pros- perously for the rest of his active period, and died November 22, 1881. His wife, who sur- vives him, and resides at the old homestead in
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Stoneham, became the mother of eleven chil- dren, as follows: Edwin, who died in 1861 ; Josephine, who married Henry A. Bickford, and lives in East Stoneham; Charlotte, who is the wife of W. S. Butters, and conducts a restaurant in Rumford Falls, Me. ; Ida May, the wife of A. C. Holt, of Lynchville, this county ; George A., the subject of this sketch ; Emma J., who married J. F. Hawkins, and resides in Minnesota; Leon, who is now en- gaged in the shoe business in Keene, N. H. ; John S., who is carrying on a meat market in Newry, Me. ; Lizzie Maria, who died July 31, 1879; Melvin E., a resident of East Stoneham ; and Ernest C., who resides with his mother at the homestead.
George A. Allen acquired his early educa- tion in the common schools and in the North Bridgton Academy. He then entered the Medical Department of the University of Ver- mont, from which he graduated July 14, 1890. Shortly after he began practice in Acton, York County, where he remained two and a half years. Subsequently, he spent a little more than two years at Milton Mills, N. H., made a short stay at Conway, N. H., and came to Fryeburg in September, 1895. In the brief time that has since elapsed he has acquired a high reputation as a surgeon, in consequence of which he has already a practice embracing a wide circuit in this part of the county. He occupies a pleasant residence situated on Main Street, near the post-office, a most favorable location for his office; and he owns two large farms in the town of Stoneham, which his pro- fessional duties leave him no time to cultivate.
On February 10, 1882, Dr. Allen was united in marriage with Linnie A. McKeen. She was born in Pittsfield, N. H., May 10, 1862, daughter of Frank W. and Martha (Saunders) McKeen. Her parents moved to Lovell, Me., when Mrs. Allen was a young girl, and there Mr. McKeen followed the corn- age making business; there also both parents died. Dr. and Mrs. Allen have one daughter - Linnie Marguerite, who was born May 9, 1892. In politics Dr. Allen is a Republi- can; and while residing in Acton he was prominent in public affairs, having served as Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Health. He is connected with Mount Tire'm
Lodge, No. 132, A. F. & A. M., of Water- ford, and with Hiawatha Lodge, No. 49, Knights of Pythias of East Stoneham. He and Mrs. Allen attend the Congregational church, and are very popular in social circles. A portrait of the doctor illustrates this brief sketch of his career.
AMES M. SHAW, a representative farmer of Waterford, Oxford County, where he has lived since his birth on October 20, 1817, is a son of the Hon. Josiah and Betsy (Haskell) Shaw. The father, who was born in Standish, Me., October 3, 1773, and lived there until his marriage, came to Waterford about the year 1800, and settled on land a mile and a half south of his son's present farm, near the village of South Water- ford. After residing there a few years he bought the farm now owned by his son, and lived on it until his death, January 1, 1842. He was a cooper by trade and a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church of Water- ford. He served as Justice of the Peace, was a delegate to the first State convention of Maine held in Portland, and often rendered good service to the town. He was twice mar- ried, on the first occasion to Miss Sarah Poore, of Brownfield, this county. She was born January 21, 1777, and died November 23, 1813. Of this union there were seven chil- dren, as follows: Polly, born January 3, 1796, who died June 15, 1833; Josiah, born Novem- ber 25, 1797, who died August 9, 1842; John, born February 12, 1800, who was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and died August 20, 1825 ; Sallie, born July 28, 1801, who died September 30, 1828; Ann, also deceased, born May 15, 1804; Joseph, born August 12, 1807, who died aged fifty-six years; and Rachel, also deceased, born July 21, 1810. The father's second union was contracted with Miss Betsy Haskell, who has borne him one son, James M.
James M. Shaw, who was very studious in his boyhood, made the most of his oppor- tunities for acquiring an education, although unable to pursue his studies beyond the com- mon schools. After his marriage he contin- ued to live with his parents, working on the
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old farm. At their death he succeeded to the property, and has since conducted it with good judgment. It contains about one hundred and twenty acres, in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Shaw carries on general farming, raises some stock, and keeps a small dairy. He was injured in a runaway accident January 2, 1896, and is now about to retire. He was a cooper by trade, and in his younger days taught school in the winter season. He has a collection of about fifteen hundred minerals and shells, the larger part of which he has collected by himself, and which he values at several hun- dred dollars.
Mr. Shaw has been thrice married. The first time was October 22, 1839, when he was united to Elvira Noble, of Norway. She died July 17, 1847, leaving two daughters, both living with their father. They are: Ophelia M., born September 5, 1840; and Louella Amanda, born December 5, 1841, now the widow of David F. Flint, of Norway, who died May 26, 1890. Mr. Shaw's second mar- riage was contracted in March, 1848, with Esther Hall, of Norway, who died some time after, leaving no children. On December 14, 1870, he married Miss Harriet U. Stone, of Waterford, who died October 26, 1889. The only child born of this union died in infancy. In political affiliation Mr. Shaw is now a Re- publican. For eight years he was Superin- tendent of Schools in Waterford. He is a charter member and Past Master of the Water- ford Grange. Both he and his younger daugh- ter, Mrs. Flint, are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church; while Ophelia M. is a member of the Baptist church.
EANDER P. ROWE, carriage manu- facturer and repairer, Waterford, Me., was born in Bethel, this State, De- cember 25, 1833. His parents were Caleb and Abigail (Plummer) Rowe; and his grandparents, Ephraim and Martha Twitch- ell Rowe, the former a farmer of Bethel, the latter the daughter of one of the pioneer set- tlers of that place.
Caleb Rowe died in 1878. His wife, who was a daughter of Josiah P. Plummer, of Waterford, died in 1891. Their children
were eleven in number, namely : Irene, de- ceased; Francena, living in Boston, Mass. ; Harriet I., widow of Sheldon Walker, residing in Brownfield, Me. ; Leander P. ; Almon T., dealer in wines and teas, Boston, Mass., who married Miss Carrie Noyes of that city ; Cey- lon, who married Miss Malvina Grover, of Bethel, Me., where he is a prosperous mer- chant; Octavia, who died in childhood ; Abbie, who also died young; Octavia, wife of Dana Bartlett, living on the old Rowe home- stead. in Bethel, Me. ; Edwin and Calvin E., twins. Edwin Rowe, who is an extensive trader in Bethel, Me., married Miss Ella Godwin. Calvin E. died at the age of sixteen. All of these children who attained years of discretion were well educated, attending Gould's Academy at Bethel.
Leander P. Rowe, the fourth child in the group, is the direct subject of this biographical notice. He remained at home until the winter of his majority, when he entered on a two years' apprenticeship to the trade of carriage -. making at Bethel. At the close of his term of service he removed to South Waterford and opened a shop, and since that time he has made all kinds of carriages, wagons, and sleighs. At present he makes vehicles to order, but his principal work is repairing and painting. He owns some land and raises crops for his own use; and, being interested in farming matters, he is a member of the Waterford Grange. He has been very suc- cessful in his business, and is widely known and esteemed.
On December 16, 1861, he was married in Bethel, Me., to Maria A., daughter of Ichabod and Sarah (Legro) Hayes. Mrs. Rowe was born in Waterford, August 29, 1840. Her father, Ichabod Hayes, was born September 12, 1803, in Farmington, N. H. He was a carriage-maker, and worked at his trade in South Waterford for some time, dying there October 26, 1857. His wife, who was born in Lebanon, Me., in 1842, passed away Sep- tember 3, 1881. This couple reared three children, Maria A., Mrs. Rowe, being the third. The eldest, Ichabod, was born August 12, 1830, and died December 3, 1891. The second, Martha A., born October 21, 1833, was twice married. By her first husband,
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William Hamlin, of Sweden, Me., she had three children, namely : Ella M., born July 26, 1855, now wife of Samuel Le Broke, of Waterford, who was born January 28, 1855, the son of Daniel and Nancy (Cole) Le Broke ; Annie F. (deceased), born in May, 1857; and John Henry, born May 29, 1860, a grocer in Norway village, Me., who married Miss Carrie Bennett, and has one child. The second hus- band of Martha A. Hayes was David P. Bis- bee. By him she had one son, Scott, a mill man, who married Miss Ida Andrew.
Mrs. Rowe is the mother of four children : Bertie A., born June 22, 1862, who died June 12, 1870; Annie F., born August 28, 1871, who died December 27, 1872; Harry L., born March 10, 1874, a graduate of Bridgton Acad- emy in the class of 1892, now a conductor on the electric road in Boston, Mass. ; and Sadie M., born January 25, 1884, who still brightens her parents' home and is attending school in Waterford. Mr. Rowe is a strong believer in the temperance cause, and an active worker for its advancement.
MERY PARSONS, a well-to-do farmer and influential citizen of Hartford, Ox- ford County, was born January 3, 1837, on the farm where he now lives, his parents being Daniel and Harriet (Emery) Parsons. His father's birth occurred in Hart- ford in 1795, and his mother's in Gorham, Me., in 1804.
Davis Parsons, the father of Daniel, was the second or third settler of Hartford, locating in the south part of the town on the farm now occupied by Ezra Keen. He was industrious and enterprising, winning the respect of all in the community in which he lived. At the time of his death he was eighty-seven years old. He was thrice married, and by the three wives had seven children that grew to maturity. Of these may be named - Annie, Daniel, William, Henry, Olive, and Mary.
Daniel Parsons, the eldest son, like his father engaged in general farming, at which he was very successful. He settled in the northern part of the town, where he cleared a good farm and brought it under cultivation. He served in the War of 1812, and he was
known in after years as Colonel Parsons, hav- ing been promoted to that rank. He died on the farm where his son resides, May 20, 1876. Harriet, his wife, died June 15, 1885. In his younger days Colonel Daniel Parsons was a Democrat ; but he was afterward identified with the Republican party, of which he was one of the early and stanch supporters. He served a number of terms in the offices of Selectman and Town Treasurer. He was a religious man, and was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He was married three times, and by the different unions had fourteen children altogether; namely, Cyrus, Almeda, Merritt, Betsey, William, Daniel, Addison, Lydia, Emery, Martha, Harriet, Henry, Syl- via, and Julia. The six now living are: Mer- ritt Parsons, of Buckfield; Betsey, the wife of Isaac Pulsifer, of Poland, Me. ; Addison B., of Rumford Falls; Emery; Harriet, wife of G. H. Fuller, of Lewiston; and Henry, who lives in Buckfield, Me.
It is now, November, 1896, very nearly sixty full years since the birth of Emery Parsons, which took place in Hartford, as above noted, about the beginning of January, 1837. Grow- ing to manhood in his native town he acquired his education in the public schools, and then took up the hereditary occupation of farming, in which he has been very successful. He has thriven through his own efforts, and is to-day the owner of over two hundred acres of land, besides other property, being one of the largest tax-payers of the town.
On January 15, 1870, Mr. Parsons was joined in marriage with Miss Abbie Mitchell, who was born in Waterford, Me., May 19, 1846, a daughter of Zenas and Eliza (Bard) Mitchell. Her maternal great-grandfather, William Bard, was the first white settler in the town of Hartford. Zenas Mitchell, her father, was a farmer of Hartford, where he was born and spent the greater part of his life. He died here aged eighty-three years; and his widow, who is a member of the Free Will Baptist church, now makes her home with her children. She is the mother of seven, of whom five are living, namely: William Mitchell, of Hartford; Abbie, Mrs. Parsons; Wallace, residing in Auburn, Me .; Lois Mitchell, who lives in North Weymouth,
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Mass. ; and Robert, of Ilartford. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have lost two children : Bertha E., who died December 17, 1891, aged twenty-one, and an infant who died July 28, 1878, aged seven months; and have three living, - namely, Edith M., Addie L., and Ilarold E., all at home. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Hartford. In politics Mr. Parsons is a Re- publican. Fraternally, he is connected with Anasagunticook Lodge, No. 32, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Canton; also with the Patrons of Husbandry, No. IIO, of Canton.
J OSEPH B. DOW, one of Farmington's most prominent citizens, now retired from active business, was born in Vienna, Me., on the 18th of April, 1825, the son of Daniel L. and Sophronia (Eaton) Dow.
His grandfather was Benjamin Dow, who was born in Concord, N. H., and came to Maine, settling in Clinton, Kennebec County. He married a Miss Robbinson, of Cornville, Me., and they had seven children, of whom two died very young. The five who attained the age of maturity were: Joseph R., Daniel L., Rice, Mrs. Smart, and Mrs. Sarah Currier. Benjamin Dow died at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife at sixty-eight years. He was a Free Will Baptist in religion and a Democrat in his political principles.
Daniel L. Dow, son of Benjamin, started in life as a farmer, like his father, and did very little else all his life. For some time he had charge of the Langdon Hill estate. After his marriage he took charge of the farm pre- viously conducted by his wife's father, at the same time taking care of the old folks. He did a large lumbering business here. Some time later, after his parents were dead, he sold the old homestead, and bought a new farm near Clinton, on the Kennebec River, a farm consisting of about one hundred and fifty acres of land.
He married Miss Sophronia Eaton, the daughter of Deacon Daniel Eaton. They had eight children, who were: Langdon H., Jo- seph B., Blake T., Rice, Daniel E., Martha J., Adrith, and Catherine. Daniel L. Dow
was in early days a Whig in his political affil- iations, and when that party went out of existence he naturally became a Republican. He was a Deacon of the Free Will Baptist church. He died at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife died at the age of eighty- four.
Joseph B., the second son of Daniel L. and Sophronia Dow, is the special subject of this sketch. In carly life he applied himself to learning the trade of a cabinet-maker and later that of a house carpenter, going to Boston and working at these trades for a period of three years. Then he became a con- tractor. One of his first pieces of work was a block for the medical college, which he erected at a cost of twenty-three thousand dollars; and, this proving a great success, he then went to Lawrence, Mass., where he worked on some of the famous mills. He was also employed on the locomotive works in Lowell.
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In 1841 he came to Farmington, Me., where he met and married Mary B. Craig, the daughter of Moses and Lois (Thomas) Craig. She was born on the 31st of July, 1822; and she died on the 21st of March, 1882, at the age of sixty years, having been the mother of four children, namely: Mary L .; Lizzie D., who married Captain E. H. Marwick and has three children - Edward E., Lillian M., and Dwight D .; Melvin, who died at the age of three years; and Charles, who died when five years old. Mary L. is married to Nelson Gould, son of David and Hannah (French) Gould. He is a resident of Farmington, is a farmer and a real estate owner of some promi- nence, and is a large manufacturer of potash. He has also served as Deputy Sheriff. They have one child, Wallace J., born on the 16th of October, 1884.
After his marriage Mr. Dow went to Lewis- ton, where he purchased twelve lots of land on College Street, and built a house with the intention of living there. His wife, however, became so homesick that Mr. Dow, in defer- ence to her wishes, moved back to Farming- ton, buying a farm, on which he lived for four years. Selling that place, he then bought the Bailey estate, and built a new house. This was in 1860. Two years later, when it be-
JOSEPH B. DOW.
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came evident that the war was going to be very serious, and that more men were needed, he enlisted in his country's service, was ap- pointed to the responsible office of hospital steward to the Sixteenth Maine Regiment, and went down South, where he remained until the end of the war in 1865. He then went to Louisiana with J. Baldwin, engaged in sugar refining for three years. Later he went to St. Paul, and engaged in the tiling busi- ness, laying tilings for walks and floors for a period of two years; and from St. Paul he moved to Kansas City, where he erected a building in which he carried on the same business for some three years more. At the end of this time he rented his business there, and returned home to Farmington, retiring from active life entirely, although he man- ages his own property.
Mr. Dow is a Republican in politics and a member of the Congregational church, and is also a member of Franklin Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of this town. He is much respected and deeply admired among all his friends and acquaintances for his energy, probity, and success.
ENJAMIN F. MAKEPEACE, M. D., a rising young physician of New Sharon, Franklin County, Me., was born in Carthage, in the same State, on the 8th of February, 1860, the son of Alanson and Mercy Jane (Gilson) Make- peace.
His father, Alanson Makepeace, was born in Norton, Bristol County, Mass., in 1808. He came to Maine in 1859, bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Carthage, cleared a part of it, and improved the old buildings that stood upon it. He had been married in Norton, Mass. He was the father of eleven children - Jane J., deceased; Sarah E., who married Uriah Moss, and lives in Chesterville; Martha M., deceased; Charles O., who is also married, and who lives in Chesterville; Silas A. and Leander E., both deceased; Josephine; Laura A., deceased ; Josiah, who died young; another son of the same name, who died also; and Benjamin F., of whose life this is a slight sketch.
Benjamin F. Makepeace received his early education at the common schools of Chester- ville; and later he attended Wilton Academy, a college preparatory school, paying his own way. Mr. Makepeace was twenty-four years old when he went into the employ of the Bos- ton & Lowell Railroad, gradually working himself into the position of station master at Bleachery station, even though Mr. Charles E. Page, the superintendent, told him he was not wanted, and that he would by no means draw any pay for his offered services. He, never- theless, remained at his self-appointed post, and at the end of the month, presenting him- self at headquarters, found that he had been on the pay-roll all the time. After winning his position in this extraordinary manner, he held it for a year and a half, until he was forced to return home, much to the regret of his employers, who had come to admire him for his pluck and determination, in order to take care of his mother, who was far from well.
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