USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 52
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 52
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Mr. Andrews retains the energy and activity of a much younger man, and, though his busy life has been a successful one, he still prefers to spend his time in some useful employment. His social connections are of the most cordial nature, both he and his wife having a large circle of intimate friends and acquaintances ; and, fraternally, he belongs to Paris Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M. In politics he sup- ports the Republican party, and he is a mem- ber of the Christian church in Lovell. He has served three years as Assessor of Paris, and is present incumbent of that office, which is one requiring the exercise of sound judgment and impartiality.
OHN P. RACKLIFFE, a manufacturer of all kinds of lumber and boxes at Allen's Mills, was born in Anson, Me., March 2, 1827, son of William and Elizabeth (Perkins) Rackliffe.
Mr. Rackliffe's parents were natives of Wool- wich, Me. William Rackliffe, who was a boat-builder and a shoemaker, in 1824 moved to Anson, where he followed farming and shoemaking until 1837. He then removed to Starks, Me., and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1860. His first wife. Eliz- abeth, became the mother of seven children. as follows: a child that died in infancy; Ezekiel, also deceased: William Henry. who died in Wisconsin; Rufus, who has been
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twice married, and is now residing in Madi- son, Me .; John P., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth Mary, who became Mrs. M. Green- leaf, and resides in Starks; and Isora Jane, who married Barker Skinner, and died some time ago. The mother died in 1839. The father contracted a second marriage with HInldah Stover, of New Sharon, Me., who has since died.
John P. Rackliffe acquired his education in the common school, and resided at home until he reached the age of nineteen. He then went to East Stoughton, Mass., where he was engaged in driving a team between that town and Boston for four years. From Massa- chusetts he went to La Crosse, Wis., and was there employed in a hotel for a year. Return- ing again to the East, he conducted a mercan- tile business in Starks for two years, after which he managed a farm in that town for some time. He was later employed in a car- riage shop, where he remained until 1866, and then for the next four years operated a saw and grist mill. After selling out the last business he engaged in the manufacture of hubs, which he has since followed. In 1875 he bought his present place at Allen's Mills, began to make long and short lumber, packing- cases, hubs, etc., and has since carried on a large and profitable business. He owns a farm consisting of about three hundred acres of desirable land, which he successfully works by hired assistants.
On June 20, 1861, Mr. Rackliffe married Susan Jane Griffin. She was born in Pas- sadumkeag, Me., January 4, 1842, daughter of Daniel W. and Fanny (Winslow) Griffin, na- tives respectively of Levant and Portland, Me. Mrs. Rackliffe's father, soon after his marriage, went to Du Page County, Illinois; then, after two years, to Cook County, Illi- nois; from which place, seven years later, he returned to Maine. Subsequently, after being engaged in trade in Starks for a time, he moved to a farm in Jay, and died in Vienna, Me., February 28, 1888. His wife's death happened in Jay, March 16, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Rackliffe have had five children. Their first-born died in infancy in 1862. Their next child, Bert Andrew, who was born November 2, 1864, died December 28, 1877.
Fanny I.,
born June 1, 1866; died February 11, 1896. Lillian M., who was born February 16, 1868, married Fred A. Allen, and died September 28, 1890, leaving one son, Ralph A., now living with his father in New Sharon. The fifth child, Winifred S., was born November 1, 1881. In politics Mr. Rackliffe is an ac- tive supporter of the Republican party, and he has held the office of Town Treasurer, both in Starks and Industry. His prosperity is the result of his personal energy and ability, which, with other commendable traits, have gained for him the good will of the business men of Franklin County.
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SAAC F. TITCOMB, a prosperous agri- culturist of Norway, Oxford County, was born in this town, January 3, 1840, son of Rodney and Sarah (Smith) Titcomb. His grandparents, Isaac and Azubah (Drink- water) Titcomb, were natives of Yarmouth, Cumberland County, where the grandmother spent her entire life. The grandfather was a seafaring man, who spent much of his time en- gaged in nautical pursuits. After retiring from active life he came to Norway, where he spent his last days with his son Rodney, and died in 1860. Of the four children born to him and his wife, none are now living. Rodney was the eldest child, the others being : Dorcas, Alexander, and a child that died at the age of two years.
Rodney Titcomb was born in Yarmouth, where he worked as a farm laborer for some years. He subsequently came to Oxford County, settling first in the town of Paris, where he was engaged in agriculture for fif - teen years. Moving then to Norway, he bought a farm in the western part of the town, and there engaged in tilling the soil until quite an old man, when he retired from active occupation. At this time he took up his resi- dence in the village of South Paris, this county, where he died June 7, 1888, aged eighty-one years. He was twice married. His first marriage was contracted with Sarah Smith, a native of Paris, who died at the age of sixty-seven years. She bore him three children, namely: George S., now a resident of Paris, Me., who married Lelia Durfee;
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Isaac F., the subject of this sketch; and Cynthia, who died some time ago. By his second marriage he was united to Mrs. Eliza- beth (Payne) Dyer, the widow of the late Oliver Dyer, now living in Paris. Of his second union one child was born, Charles L. Titcomb, who married Miss Effie Pratt, and is a resident of the village of South Paris, where he is engaged in the upholstering business.
Isaac F. Titcomb attended the district school, and assisted on the home farm until he was twenty years of age. He then went to Portland, where he was employed in the city hotel for a year. On December 29, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Fifth Maine Volun- teer Infantry, under command of Captain Harris and Colonel Jackson, for service in the Civil War. He took part in several of the more important engagements of the war, in- cluding that of the second Bull Run, the battles of Fair Oaks and Malvern Hill, and the Seven Days' fight before Richmond. At the battle of Malvern Hill he was seriously injured in the skull by being run over by an artillery wagon, while on the retreat, and at Richmond he received a buckshot wound in the ankle. He also suffered imprisonment in Belle Isle for six weeks before he was ex- changed. After the latter event he rejoined his regiment at Fairfax Court House, and con- tinued in the service until July 21, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. On re- turning to Norway Mr. Titcomb engaged in agriculture, settling on the farm where he has since lived. He has one hundred and seventy acres of valuable land, a part of which is in a high state of cultivation. He carries on the various branches of general farming with suc- cess, raises some stock, and keeps a small dairy.
On March 20, 1872, Mr. Titcomb married Miss Lydia A. Parsons, who was born January 24, 1850, in Norway township. Her father, Moses Parsons, was a lifelong resident of this town, where he carried on general farming, worked at the carpenter's trade, and died Jan- uary 18, 1892, aged seventy-nine years. He married Sallie Brooks, a native of North Yar- mouth, whose death occurred in Norway, No- vember 17, 1893, when she was eighty-three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Titcomb have three
children, namely: Addie E., who is now teaching in Norway; Emma P. and Louisa F., who are attending school. In politics the father is a stanch Republican. He is a mem- ber of Norway Grange. He also belongs to the Fifth Maine Regiment Association, which has a Memorial Building on Peaks Island, Portland Harbor, where he and his wife spend a few weeks every summer. Both he and Mrs. Titcomb are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
SCAR E. BARROWS, one of the rising farmers and leading young men of Paris, was born in this town, Feb- ruary 27,' 1861, son of John S. and Lucy A. (Hall) Barrows. His grandfather, Cornelius Barrows, was a native of Hebron, Me., where, during the active period of his life, he followed farming. His last days were passed in the society of his children.
John S. Barrows, father of Oscar E., was born in Monson, Me., December 20, 1825. Learning the shoemaker's trade when a young man, he followed it for some time, finally set- tling in Paris upon a farm which is now owned and carried on by his son. He was a practical farmer, and a very hardworking man. Intelligent and self-respecting, he kept up with the times, and was generally well in- formed upon current events. He retained his customary activity until his death, which took place September 9, 1893. He stood high in the community as an upright man and a worthy citizen. He adhered to the principles of the Republican party, and was a member of the Congregational church. His wife, Lucy. who was born in South Paris, October 4, 1828, became the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters, as follows: Oscar E., the direct subject of this sketch; Edgar F., who was born in Paris, December 1, 1867. is mar- ried, and is now a prosperous farmer in this town; Cora Emma; and Anna L. The two last named died at the age of twenty-one years. Mrs. John S. Barrows is still living. and resides in South Paris village.
Oscar E. Barrows was educated in the schools of Paris. At an early age he began to assist his father upon the farm, and when
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but eighteen he rendered valuable aid in lift- ing from it a mortgage of twelve hundred dollars. This task he accomplished in an un- usually short time. Receiving a deed of a half-interest in the farm upon attaining his majority, he purchased the remaining portion after his father's death. He now owns two hundred acres of well-located land, which he devotes to general farming. He raises a con- siderable amount of fruit, keeps about fifteen graded Jersey cows, and has a good paying sugar bush. Since taking full possession of the property he has made extensive improve- ments, having at the present time a fine set of buildings, and his position among the well-to- do agriculturists and leading residents of this town is already assured.
On February 24, 1886, Mr. Barrows wedded Eunice Porter, who was born in Paris, August 31, 1864, daughter of John B. and Maria B. (Horne) Porter. Her father was a successful merchant, but is now retired, and resides in Norway, Me. He and his wife attend the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Barrows have two children - Blanche A., born April 22, 1887; and Irving O., born March 13, 1892. In politics Mr. Barrows supports the Republi- can party. He is connected with Paris Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and is inde- pendent. in his religious views.
LVIN W. McKEEN, a prominent citi- zen of Fryeburg, Oxford County, Me., holding the office of Second Select- man of this town, of which he is a native, resides upon a farm near North Frye- burg. Ile was born February 28, 1849, son of Alvin and Livonia (Weeks) McKeen.
The McKeens were originally from Scot- land. Mr. Alvin W. McKeen's great-grand- father, Samuel McKeen, was born February 14, 1763, in Londonderry, N. H., being a de- scendant of early settlers of that town, who came there from the north of Ireland. Set- tling in Fryeburg, Samuel McKeen resided here for the rest of his life. His son, James, was a prosperous farmer of this town.
Alvin McKeen, son of James McKeen, and father of the leading subject of this sketch, was born in Fryeburg, and reared to agricult-
ural pursuits. His maternal grandfather, John McDaniel, who was a native of Scotland, is said to have served in the Revolutionary War on the British side. More than one of the MeKeens, who were stanch patriots, fought for the independence of the Colonies. Alvin McKeen worked at farming on his own ac- count in Fryeburg when a young man, but later removed to Porter, where lie resided for one year. Returning to his native place he bought a farm in the northern part of the town- ship, and here he was engaged in tilling the soil during the rest of his active period. He died December 7, 1895. His wife, Livonia Weeks, who was a native of Porter, died May 4, 1892. She had reared but one child - Alvin W., the subject of this sketch.
Alvin W. McKeen was educated in the com- mon Schools and at the Fryeburg Academy, and was for some time engaged in teaching school. He began at an early age to assist in carrying on the farm upon which he has resided since he was seven years old, and, having succeeded to its ownership, has made various improvements in the property. The homestead consists of forty acres of desirably located land, which is devoted to the raising of hay, sweet corn, and potatoes; and he also owns some wild land.
On November 17, 1872, Mr. McKeen was married to Vesta Emerson. She is a native of Stowe, Me., daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Charles) Emerson. Joseph Emerson was a farmer, a cattle dealer, and a lumberman. He removed from Stowe to Fryeburg, where he resided for the rest of his life; and his wife passed her last days in this town. Mr. and Mrs. McKeeu have two children, namely : Byron W., who was born July 26, 1874; and Leslie E., who was born August 17, 1887.
Mr. McKeen has served with ability as Sec- ond Selectman of this town for the past three years. Although he believes in the principles of the Democratic party, he considers it for the interest of the general community to sup- port the candidates who are the best qualified to hold public office. He is connected with Pythagorean Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Frye- burg; Fryeburg Lodge, No. 49, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Fryeburg Centre ; and is also a member of the Patrons of Hus-
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bandry. He enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the county, and is highly respected as an industrious and useful citizen.
EVI L. LINCOLN, one of the repre- sentative men of Rumford Falls, and for many years connected with the railroads in this State, was born in Bath, December 4, 1827, son of Abram O. Lincoln and Hannah S. (Wales) Lincoln. Having received his education in the public schools of Bath he learned the baker's trade in his native city. After following his trade for some time he decided that railroad work would suit him better, and entered the employ of the Kennebec & Portland Railroad Company in the winter of 1849-50. For two years he was engaged as brakeman and baggage-master, and during the ten years ensuing he was conductor on freight and passenger trains. He was brakeman on the first train to Gardiner and Augusta, when the road was opened to both places ; and he was conductor on the first train to Fairfield Junction and thence to Skowhegan, when that road was completed. In 1869 he was appointed General Freight Agent and Superintendent of the Portland & Kennebec Railroad, and held that position until after the consolidation of the road with the Maine Cen- tral in 1875, when it went under new manage- ment, being controlled by the Eastern Rail- road. In 1879 he leased the Bucksport & Bangor Railroad, and formed the syndicate that purchased the same, and secured a charter to Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. This road was reorganized as the Eastern Maine Railway, and Mr. Lincoln was manager and part owner for about four years. The road then being leased to the Maine Central, Mr. Lincoln took charge of the Rumford Falls & Buckfield Railroad as Superintendent. Under his management the road was extended to Rumford Falls, and from Mechanic Falls to Poland Springs Junction. In 1896 he resigned his position, and is now retired from active business. He is familiar with the entire railway system in Maine, has made many friends during the busy term of his life, and has the respect of all who know him.
Mr. Lincoln was married August 22, 1853,
to Rachel A. Noble, of Brunswick, who died in 1861, leaving two children - Frank L. and Mary A. Lincoln. These are both in the em- ploy of the Portland & Rumford Falls Rail- way, Frank L. as travelling advertising agent, and Mary A. as cashier in the treasurer's office. On June 14, 1864, Mr. Lincoln was again married, Miss Lydia N. Bates, of Bos- ton, becoming his wife. She died in Febru- ary, 1896, leaving two sons. The elder of these, Howard A., who is a graduate of Hebron Academy and Amherst College, is employed in the general freight office of the Portland & Rumford Falls Railway. The younger, Levi B., attended the public schools of Bucksport and Deering, and graduated from Hebron Academy. He then obtained a posi- tion as assistant in the engineer corps engaged on the survey of the Rumford Falls & Range- ley Lakes Railroad, and is now at the Univer- sity of Vermont in Burlington. He is a very able and talented young man.
Mr. Lincoln voted with the Republicans until 1884, since which time he has been a a Prohibitionist. While he is not a profess- ing member of any religious society himself, his children are all church members.
EORGE R. MACOMBER, one of Jay's well-to-do farmers, and an ex- member of the Board of Selectmen, was born here May 7, 1827, son of Winchester and Polly (Stearns) Macomber. Mr. Ma- comber's father was a native of Bridgewater, Mass., and his mother was born in Watertown. They came from Massachusetts to Jay in 1793, and settled upon the farm now owned and occupied by their son, George R. In his younger days Winchester Macomber was a nail-maker by trade, as was also his father; but the greater part of his life was passed in farming, at which he was quite prosperous. He died in 1850, and his wife in 1868. They had eleven children, as follows: Tilson, Ed- ward, Stearns, Samuel, and Albert, who are no longer living; George R., the subject of this sketch; Charles. A., who married Eliza- beth Parker, and is now living in retirement in Southern California; Saphrona, Sarah, Mary, and Sarah H., who have also passed away.
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George R. Macomber began his education in the common schools, and completed his studies at the Wilton Academy. He has always resided upon the home farm, which he has managed since he was twenty-one years old. Thanks to his energy and good judgment he has been very prosperous. He now owns four hundred acres of land. Hay, corn, pota- toes, and apples are his principal crops. In his prime he was capable of much physical endurance. He has now practically retired, and the farm is carried on by his son, Arthur C.
Mr. Macomber has been three times married. On March 17, 1850, he wedded for his first wife Mary H. Manwell, daughter of John Manwell, a farmer of Canton, Me. She died December 18, 1871 ; and on January 5, 1874, he was again married to Lydia Humphrey, who died in December, 1875. She was a daughter of Israel Humphrey, a shoemaker of Jay. His third marriage was contracted Feb- ruary 6, 1877, with Lucy Townsend, a native of Dixfield. She was born May 21, 1841, daughter of Jacob and Sally (Wright) Town- send. Her father was a native of Freeport, Me., who settled in Dixfield, where he died June 30, 1857. Her mother, who was born in Jay, died April 30, 1876. By his first union Mr. Macomber had six children, as follows : Aldana, born September 18, 1851, who is now the wife of Henry W. Fuller, of Jay; George Herbert, born April 6, 1853, who successively married Ada W. Rollins, of Wilton, and Henrietta Lconard, and is now a gardener in Chicopee, Mass. ; Marcella M., born in 1858, who died in September, 1876; Eugene W., born in 1860, who married Lucy E. Humphrey, and is now a prosperous farmer in Auburn, Me. ; Edward R., born in 1863, who is now a nurseryman in Chicopee; and Arthur C., born in 1871, who now conducts the home farm. His present wife has increased Mr. Macomber's offspring by two children. These are : Harry L., who was born in 1878; and Chester C., who was born in 1880. Both reside with their parents.
In politics Mr. Macomber was originally a Whig; but for many years past he has favored the Democratic party. He has served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen,
and has held other town offices. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry in Jay. Both he and Mrs. Macomber attend the Uni- versalist church.
ULIUS F. FULLER, a prominent resi- dent of Oxford, Me., was born in this town on the 22d of November, 1842, the son of Sullivan and Abigail (Trott) Fuller. His grandfather, Nathaniel Fuller, was the son of Nathaniel, for further partic- ulars of whom and family see sketch of C. P. Fuller.
Sullivan Fuller, son of the second Nathan- iel, was a farmer, and spent all his life in Oxford. He was always a prominent man in municipal affairs, and served for several years as Selectman of the town; also as Collector, and filled at different times several minor offices. In religion he was a Universalist, and in political belief and action a Democrat. He died at Oxford on the 24th of December, 1892, his wife, Abigail Trott, having died in November, 1881. They were the parents of four children, namely : Emily J. (Mrs. Stet- son) and Eugene F., both now deceased; Ju- lius F., whose personal history is here briefly given ; and Alphonso S., who is a stone-mason and lives in the town of Oxford.
Julius F. Fuller grew to manhood in his native town, acquiring his education in Oxford and in Hebron Academy. In 1862, when but nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Com- pany I, Twenty-third Maine Regiment, and went to the front, where he served the full term of his enlistment. He received an honorable discharge from the service in 1863, and, re- turning home, went into business as a stone- mason. For some time he has operated a quarry in the town, and at present he has the largest business in this line in Oxford.
He was married on the 13th of May, 1874, to Miss Annie Clark Holmes, daughter of J. S. Holmes. They are now the parents of two children: Edward S. Fuller, born on the 27th of April, 1875; and Agnes H. Fuller, born on the 19th of June, 1882.
Mrs. Fuller's father, John S. Holmes, son of James and Jerusha (Rawson) Holmes, was born in Oxford on the 2d of February, 1806.
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He received his education in his native town and in the Hebron and Paris Hill Academies. In his early manhood he devoted his energies for a number of years to mercantile business ; and after that he spent some time in farming, having located in 1841 on the ancestral estate now occupied by his family. In 1852 he went to California and engaged in mining, remaining there until 1856, when he came back to Maine and again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on the old Holmes farm in Oxford. When he first came into possession of the property it consisted of only one hundred acres of land, but he raised the total amount up to three hundred acres. All the more modern improvements were made by himself.
It was while Mr. Holmes was in Bangor in the lumber business that he met and married Sarah A. Clark, daughter of Major Royal Clark, who was a Deacon in the Baptist church.
Four children were born of this union, namely : John C .; Mary Freeland; `Annie Clark, Mrs. Fuller; and Frances C. John C. Holmes, who died at the age of thirty-one years, was a farmer. His widow, Mrs. Lena T. Holbrook Holmes, lives in Otisfield. Mary Freeland Holmes is a graduate of the Bangor High School, and has been a teacher in some Boston private schools, where she has demonstrated great proficiency in her profes- sion, in which she is still engaged. In the mean time she and her sister, Frances C., who is the widow of Frederick H. Morse, carry on the old home farm. Mrs. Morse has one son, Arthur Morse, who is rapidly following up his father's line of work, Mr. Morse having been a scientific machinist, and an able writer of magazine articles on the subject of machinery.
Mr. John S. Holmes was always interested and active in municipal improvements in the town of Oxford, and did all he could to further any scheme for their advancement. He was liberal in religious views, and a Republican in politics. He died at his home on the 29th of April, 1883, mourned by all who knew him. Mrs. Holmes followed her husband within a few months, departing this life on the Ist of July of the same year.
Mr. Fuller is a Republican, and has been Chairman of the Town Committee for fourteen years, Selectman for one year, and Town Agent for three years. He is a member of Thomas Roberts Post, No. 49, Grand Army of the Republic at Oxford. Mr. Fuller has always been an active man in town politics, and has made himself popular through his efforts to help the town, as well as by his strong and kindly character and genial nature. He owns a farm of thirty acres in Oxford.
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