USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 53
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 53
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ESLEY H. GINN, the genial pro- prietor of the Ginn House in Nor- way, Me., was born in Rockland, Knox County, Me., October 5, 1866, a son of Herman Y. and Ada. (Ingraham) Ginn. Jona- than Ginn, grandfather of Wesley H., was born on Penobscot Island, but settled at Ginn's Point, where he engaged in fishing and farm- ing. He married Eliza Young, and they had seven children - Herman Y., Thomas, Alonzo, Lizzie, Jennie, Rebecca, and Anna. Mr. Ginn died when he was about forty years of age, but his wife is still living. Their son, Herman Y., went to sea early in life, and applied him- self so diligently to his calling that he became Master at the age of eighteen. On September I, 1872, while in command of the "Pyroli," owned by Messrs. Cobb, White & Norton, he and his crew were unfortunately lost in a gale, in which, also, many other vessels foundered. He married a daughter of Elanor Ingraham, and they were the parents of two children -- Wesley H. and Ivanalla. Captain Ginn's widow is still living.
Wesley H. Ginn, after obtaining his educa- tion in the schools of his native town, began his commercial career in 1887 by opening a restaurant in Richmond, Me. Three years later he leased the Hathern House, changing its name to the Ginn House. He also con- ducted the Richmond House until 1894, when he leased, remodelled, and refurnished the Hamlin House, again substituting the name Ginn for the old name. The house is located near the Norway Shoe Factory, and contains twenty-four rooms, all of which are occupied. During the short time that Mr. Ginn has resided here he has advanced rapidly in public
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esteem, and his future success seems assured. Ile married Lelia A. Coleman, a daughter of James Coleman, of Richmond, Me., and they have had two children : Earl S., born June 10, 1889; and Ethel May, who died at the early age of six months.
ILLIAM H. STICKNEY, a promi- nent farmer of Brownfield, and an ex-member of the Maine legislature, was born here, June 18, 1836, son of Deacon Samuel and Virene (Rice) Stickney. His grandfather, Major John Stickney, a native of Concord, N.H., was for several years identi- fied with the hotel business in the early days of its development in this region, having been proprietor of a White Mountain tavern. He settled upon a farm in Brownfield about the year 1786, and resided here until his death. Deacon Samuel Stickney was born in Brown- field, January 26, 1799. After his father's death he ran the tavern for a number of years. Besides carrying on the farm, which he also inherited, he was engaged in lumbering. He died September 25, 1881. His wife, Virene, who was born in Sandwich, N.H., September 22, 1808, became the mother of five children, as follows: Mary Ann, born July 2, 1833, who married Calvin D. Palmer, and died in Detroit, Mich., September 29, 1855; Jona- than Evans, born December 12, 1834, who was for twenty-nine years in the live stock business in South America, and died in London, England, July 5, 1893 ; William H., the subject of this sketch; Martha Goss, born April 4, 1841, who died September 25 of the same year; and Samuel Nelson, born October 19, 1842, who died August 12, 1846. The mother died April 19, 1891.
William H. Stickney was educated in the common schools and at the Fryeburg Acad- emy. Upon reaching his majority he went to South America, where he was for six years engaged in the live stock business. After returning home and marrying, he spent another six years in that country. He was successful in raising and dealing in sheep and cattle. After his final return to Brownfield he was en- gaged in the hotel business here for some years, and managed the homestead farm, which
he inherited from his father. In 1892 he re- linquished his other occupations in order to devote all his time and energy to the cultiva- tion of the farm. This property contains one hundred acres. He also owns other real es- tate in this town and in South America.
On June 18, 1863, Mr. Stickney wedded Eliza Ann Gibson, who was born in Brown- field, March 16, 1837. She is a daughter of the Rev. Zachariah and Sally (Boynton) Gibson. Her grandfather, Captain Timothy Gibson, who was born in Stowe, Mass., De- cember 17, 1738, wedded Margaret Whitman, and, settling in Brownfield in 1798, was ex- tensively engaged in farming in this town until his death, which happened January 16, . 1814. His wife died June 29, 1838. His son, Zachariah Gibson, born in Henniker, N. H., September 3, 1781, was seventeen years old when he accompanied his parents to Brownfield. Becoming a Methodist minister, Zachariah entered upon his duties in 1805,' and preached in Northfield, N. H. Returning to Maine he labored in Kennebec County till 1813. Then, on account of feeble health, he retired to a farm in Winthrop, where he re- sided until 1825. Returning then to Brown- field, he passed the rest of his life in this town, and died December 6, 1839. He mar- ried for his first wife, Theodate Bennett, of Hallowell, Me., who became the mother of six children, and died August 17, 1825. His second marriage was contracted with Susan Howard, of Brownfield, who died in 1831-, leaving one child. Sally Boynton, who was born in Brownfield, March 15, 1801, became his third wife, and subsequently the mother of Eliza Ann, Mr. Stickney's wife. Mrs. Stickney's mother died March 7, 1872.
Mr. and Mrs. Stickney have had five chil- dren, as follows: Charles Osgood, who was born March 3, 1868, who on February 29, 1896, married Clarita D. Coxe, of Portland, Me., and is a railway station agent at Inter- vale, N.H .; Whitman Gibson, who was born December 9, 1869; Isabel Hale, who was born January 22, 1874; Samuel, who was born January 13, 1876; and Gibson, who was born June 12, 1877, and died December 18, 1879. The children have attended school at Fryeburg Academy, Kent's Hill Seminary,
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and Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. In politics Mr. Stickney is a Republican. He represented his district in the legislature of 1888-89, doing good service in behalf of the town. He also served as Postmaster in East Brownfield for ten years. He is respected as an able, progressive, and upright business man. Mrs. Stickney is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
RANK LUCE, a well-known manufact- urer of New Vineyard, was born here, November 4, 1842, son of Solomon and Minerva (Pratt) Luce. Solomon Luce, a na- tive of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., after set- tling in New Vineyard, carried on farming, and conducted a lumber and grist mill until his decease. He was four times married. His first wife (in maidenhood Rebecca Eagle) bore him five children. His second marriage was made with Minerva Pratt, a native of New Vineyard, who had seven children - Solomon, Minerva, Rebecca, Justin, David, Samuel, and Frank. Of these, Frank and Samuel, the latter a resident of the village, are the only survivors. Mr. Luce's third matrimonial partner was Sophronia (Knowlton) Luce, who died without issue. Mary Jane Turner be- came his next wife and the mother of two additional children, namely: Edmund R., who died in 1894; and Henry, who lived but two years and a half.
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Frank Luce, like his brothers and sisters, ac- quired a common-school education. For some time after his marriage he and his wife made their home with his father. After his father's death he had charge of the grist-mill until 1874, when he sold out, and started a general merchandise store in this village. In 1888 he started the manufactory he now conducts. Here he employs ten men, making wooden boxes for the use of druggists and chemists, handles and knobs of every description to be enamelled, spindles for furniture, screw-top nailing cases, trimmings for toys, and a variety of general goods. In politics he votes with the Democratic party. Mr. Luce has served for five years as Selectman, besides holding minor offices, though he does not seek political preferment. He is a member of
Farmington Lodge of Masons. Always a hard worker, he has well earned the degree of success he has attained.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. Luce was united in matrimony with Emma Viles, a na- tive of New Portland, Me. Her father, Rufus Viles, was a lumberman of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Luce have now three children --- Ruphelle, Fred C., and Gertrude. Ruphelle is a teacher in New Hampshire. The others are still under the paternal roof. Mr. Luce is a member of the Congregational church in New Vineyard.
OHN Q. MASON, a prominent and successful farmer of Lovell, Oxford County, was born here, February 27, 1848, son of Jonathan and Dorothy (Butters) Mason. His father, who was a na- tive of Porter township, Me., resided there until two years after his marriage, having been engaged in general husbandry. He then removed to a farm in West Lovell, where he lived, engaged in its cultivation, until he was advanced in years. He then sold the place and moved to North Lovell, where his son, the subject of this sketch, now lives. He married Miss Dorothy Butters, a native of Lovell, and their union was blessed in the birth of ten children. These were: Sarah Jane, Ruth C., Lucinda, Abigail, Simon H., Mahitable, Rosanna, Sewell, John Q., and William Curtis, all of whom are now deceased, except John Q. and Simon H. Simon H. married Mary Evans, and resides at Sand Creek, Me. The father passed away at Lovell, March 26, 1870; and the mother's death occurred September 27, 1891.
John Q. Mason attained to man's estate on the old homestead, receiving his education in the common schools of Lovell. On March I, 1865, he enlisted in Company G of the Twelfth Maine Regiment, under Colonel Kimball and Captain Bolster, for service in the Civil War. After performing guard duty at Savannah and Augusta, Ga., he was dis- charged August 5, 1865, at Hilton Head, S.C., on account of disability. He then re- turned home, and worked on the farm until 1874. In that year he took charge of the old
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home farm in North Lovell, and has conducted it since. He has very much improved the es- tate, which now comprises ninety-six acres. He also owns one of a hundred and twenty- five acres, located in Stoneham township. He carries on general farming, and during the winter engages in lumbering. Formerly, for a dozen years, he had quite a business in sheep and cattle.
On December 18, 1874, Mr. Mason wedded Miss Ella M. Evans, a native of Stoneham, and a daughter of Frederick and Mahitable (Paul) Evans, to whom she was born April 16, 1852. Mr. Evans was a native of Gorham, N.H., and Mrs. Evans, of Naples, Me. In early life he moved to West Stoneham, where he was engaged for several years in general husbandry. Removing then to East Stone- ham, he followed the same calling until 1892, when, on account of advancing years and de- clining strength, he and his wife took up their home with Mr. Mason, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have three children, namely: Charlie C., born July 29, 1876, who still lives at the old mansion; Freddie E., born September 8, 1884, also at home; and Bertrand L., who was born April 24, 1892. At one time a Democrat, Mr. Mason is now a Republican. He has served his town in sev- eral positions of public trust. The secret fraternities, of which he is a member, include the Independent Order of Odd Fellows through Crescent Lodge, No. 25, of North Lovell ; and the Free and Accepted Masons through Delta Lodge, No. 55, at Lovell village. He is also a comrade of Parker Post, No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic, of Lovell Centre. In religious faith and fellowship both he and Mrs. Mason are members of the Christian church of Lovell. The enterprise and energy which have been characteristic of Mr. Mason throughout his life are now re- warded with a goodly measure of prosperity.
HARLES A. COOLIDGE, M.D., has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Canton for the past thirty-five years. He was born in this town, December 29, 1830, son of John and Eliza (Bigelow) Coolidge.
Joseph Coolidge, the great-grandfather of Dr. Coolidge, was killed in the battle of Lexing- ton, with which the War of Independence opened. Ilis son Joseph came from Massa- chusetts to Canton as early as 1792, and was the sixth settler of the place. His home dur- ing the first years of his residence here was the usual pioneer dwelling of rough-hewn logs, and it was under its roof that his older children were born. He owned a large tract of land, and was a sturdy, enterprising farmer. His farm, which was then in the cast part of the town of Canton, lies to-day in both Frank- lin and Oxford Counties, and borders on Androscoggin County. He died age eighty- two years. His wife, whose maiden name, was Mary Adams, lived to be ninety-three years old. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom the fourth was John, the father of Dr. Coolidge.
John Coolidge was born in Canton, Decem- ber 12, 1796. He spent the active period of his life engaged in farming, and his last years were passed in Canton village, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, Eliza, who was born in Bridgewater, Mass., December 11; 1800, lived to be ninety- three, the age at which his mother died. He was a Universalist, and she a Methodist. Of their four sons, three are living. John O. died in Illinois. He was graduated from Colby University, and had successfully en- gaged in teaching, his plan being to fit him- self for the practice of law. The others are: Rutellius S. Coolidge, a farmer of Wayne, Me. ; George M., a painter, who lives in" Sharon, Mass .; and Charles A., the subject of this sketch.
Charles A. Coolidge grew to manhood here in Canton, obtaining his preliminary educa- tion in the schools of Canton, Norway, and Paris. He afterward entered Bowdoin Col- lege, where he took up the medical course, and still later attended the Harvard Univer- sity Medical School. While engaged in hos- pital practice he attended lectures in Philadel- phia, and in 1855 he was graduated from the Dartmouth Medical College. With this prep- aration for the work he had chosen, he began practice in the town of Weld, Franklin County, where he remained two and a half
CHARLES A. COOLIDGE.
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years, after which he spent an equal period in North Livermore, Androscoggin County. In the spring of 1861 he came to Canton, and has acquired here a large and lucrative busi- ness, and is highly esteemed. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Whitney Lodge, No. 167, A. F. & A. M., of Canton; and of Androscoggin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
On November 26, 1856, the twenty-fifth birthday of the bride, Dr. Coolidge was mar- ried in Weld, to Miss Sarah N. Foster, who was born in that town, November 26, 1831. She is a daughter of Solomon K. and Adaline (Billington) Foster, the former of whom was born in New Hampshire, and the latter in Wayne, Me. Dr. and Mrs. Coolidge have had three children, of whom Eliza M. died when nine months old. Henry E., born in Liver- more, December 22, 1860, who graduated from Bates College in 1881, is now engaged in the practice of law at Lisbon Falls, Me. He married Josephine O. Dearborn, and has one son, Charles W. Charles M., the third child of Dr. Coolidge, born in Canton, Sep- tember 25, 1865, is a physician, and has a good practice in North Waterford, Me. He married Ida M. Manning, now deceased, and has one daughter, Marion. Dr. Coolidge and his wife differ in their religious views, he being a Universalist and she a Methodist.
ARTHUR PINKHAM, an enter- prising carriage manufacturer of North Chesterville, was born here, No- vember 13, 1859, son of Charles Vaughn and Eliza (Nason) Pinkham. Mr. Pinkham's great-grandfather, who was prob- ably named Lemuel, resided in Durham, Me .; and his son Nicholas, Mr. Pinkham's grand- father, settled upon a large tract of wild land in Gardiner, Kennebec County, situated upon territory then known as Litchfield Neck. Nicholas Pinkham's first dwelling here was a log house. After clearing a farm he erected a large frame house. He became quite prosper- ous, and continued in active occupations until his death, which happened June 8, 1847, at the age of sixty-six years. Like his ancestors he was a member of the Society of Friends.
He married Alice Parker, who died April 8, 1866. Her children by him were: Hannah, Andrew, Lemuel, Israel J., Thomas J., Rachel, Noah, Phebe B., Jeremiah H., and Charles V. Charles Vaughn Pinkham, Mr. Pinkham's father, was born in West Gardiner, June 9, 1832. He was educated at the Friends' School in Providence, R. I., and sub- sequently taught school for a short time. On reaching the age of twenty-one he sold his in- terest in the homestead, and, settling in Chesterville, bought a piece of property lo- cated in the Centre village known as the Lin- scott farm. Selling his farm about eighteen months later and purchasing another, he began dealing in cattle, a business which he fol- lowed successfully for one year. Finally he moved to a farm situated upon the Valley Road, where he died June 25, 1885. The Patrons of Industry found in him an active member. In politics he was first a Whig. and then a Republican. He was a Selectman for thirteen years. He also served in the capacity of Supervisor of Schools, and he rep- resented his district in the legislature in 1874. His wife, Eliza, was a daughter of William and Aurilla (Leach) Nason, both of whom are now over eighty years of age. The children of this union were: Jessie M., born February 3, 1855; and C. Arthur, the subject of this sketch. Jessie M. became the wife of John C. Downs, and died September 26, 1885, leav- ing four children --- Harry A., Emma L .. Ellen M., and Carroll J. The latter died at the age of three months.
C. Arthur Pinkham acquired a good prac- tical education, and resided with his parents until of age. He then came to North Ches- terville, where for one year he worked as an apprentice at the carriage-maker's trade with the late J. K. Lovejoy. After the death of Mr. Lovejoy he bought the factory. and has since carried it on successfully. He turns out only first-class work, and, as a conse- quence, he has increased the business: his output of light wagons, buggies, and sleighs. grows larger each year. At the present time he is one of the best known and most reliable carriage builders in this part of the State.
On September 17, 1885, Mr. Pinkham
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wedded Esther A. Lovejoy, daughter of Jo- seph and Ellen C. (Woodworth) Lovejoy. Her father, now deceased, was engaged in the man- ufacture of carriages herc. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham have three children, as follows: Charles J .. who was born August 15, 1886; Robert A., who was born November 16, 1890; and Jessie, who was born April 18, 1893. In 1887 Mr. Pinkham bought a very desirable lot, containing seven acres, upon which he has erected a fine residence and stable. Mr. Pinkham is a Republican, but, owing to the pressure of business, he does not take an active part in political affairs. His religious views are liberal.
ALTER S. HEATH, Postmaster of Salem, Me., was born in Salem, Sep- tember 5, 1840, son of Benjamin and Mary J. ( Hinckley) Heath. The Heath fam- ily, which is of English origin, came from Massachusetts to the State of Maine. The great-grandfather of Walter S., after leaving Martha's Vineyard at an early date, worked for some time at the blacksmith trade in Farmington, Me .; then came to Salem and built a saw-mill, which he conducted for a few years ; and died at the age of eighty-five, hav- ing previously placed one of his four sons in charge of the saw-mill. Benjamin Heath, Sr., the grandfather, was a blacksmith and farmer. He was one of the early settlers of Salem, and was very prominent in local affairs. He mar- ried a Miss Hinckley, of Martha's Vineyard, and had seven children, namely : Daniel, who bore the rank of Colonel, was the first male child born in Salem, and now resides in West Farmington, Me .; Elizabeth, the widow of Philip Harris, of Lowell, Mass. ; Maria, the wife of George W. Mills, of Salem; Benja- min, the father of Walter S. Heath; Enoch H., who died at the age of fifty-two; Caroline M., who died at the age of fifty-eight; and John C., who died in his fifty-first year.
Benjamin Heath, Jr., was born in Salem in 1810. He followed agriculture as his princi- pal occupation, and for some time owned the saw-mill in Salem. In politics at first a Whig he later became a Democrat. He took an active part in town matters, serving as
Selectman, Town Treasurer, and Collector; and he was an officer in the militia. He died July 8, 1858, aged forty-seven years and eight months. His wife, who was born in Hallo- well, Me., died in 1864. They were the par- ents of five children, all of whom are living. These are: Clinton B., who resides in Boston ; Walter S., the subject of this sketch; Delia E., who is the wife of Lafayette Robbins, of Worcester, Mass. ; Clara L., the wife of Frank Lester, of Creston, Ia. ; and James O., who is in Austin, Nev.
Walter S. Heath acquired his education in Salem and some of the adjoining towns. After leaving school he worked for about four years at farming, and then learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he has followed for much of the time since, building houses in Phillips, Strong, and in Worcester, Mass. He has also been employed as a blacksmith, and done car- riage and car work of various kinds. He was married in 1867 to Martha B. Harris, of Salem, and now has three children. These are: Cora and Clara, twins, who are with their parents; and Olive J., who was the wife of E. B. Dolbier, of Newton, Mass., and died at the age of twenty-six. Mr. Heath votes the Democratic ticket. He served as Selectman of Salem for a number of years; was Town Treasurer, Assessor, and Collector for several terms; is at present a member of the Town Committee; and for a prolonged period has been Supervisor of Schools and a member of the School Committee. As Postmaster he has been in office eleven years. He is a member of Davis Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Strong, Me., and of Mount Saddleback Lodge, No. 92, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Phillips. Both he and his family attend the Universalist church.
ACOB A. THURSTON, Treasurer of the town of Newry, Me., is one of the successful merchants and manufacturers of Oxford County. He was born in Eaton, N. H., November 15, 1843; and his parents, David H. and Mary Jane (Norton) Thurston, were natives of that town.
David H. Thurston spent his early life on a farm in Eaton, and was married there. He
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later moved to Errol, N. H., where he pur- chased three hundred acres of unbroken timber land. The country about Errol was then sparsely inhabited ; there were few roads, and the settler had to undergo all the hardships incident to the life of the pioneer in a new country. Mr. Thurston worked hard to clear his farm and put it under cultivation, and was fairly successful as a farmer. As the town grew he became prominent in its affairs, and was very popular among the political workers, taking his stand with the Democrats. At one time he represented the district in the legisla- ture, and he held all the offices within the gift of the town. Though not a professing church member, he taught Sunday-school for a number of years and sang in the church choir. He died in Errol at the age of sixty-eight. Mrs. Thurston, who is seventy-five years of age, lives with her children.
Of these there were originally ten: Jacob A., the subject of this sketch; Annette C., who died in her thirty-second year; Ernest D., a farmer and lumberman in Errol, N. H. ; Mottier L., a lumberman of Newry; Mary, who died at the age of twenty-nine; Young A., a farmer and lumberman of Rumford, this county ; Remember B., a farmer and lumber- man of Errol, N. H. ; Howard F., engineer and foreman in one of his brother's mills at Newry Corner ; Lillie A., wife of Levi S. Heyward, of Bountiful, Utah; and Guy L., a farmer and lumberman who lives on the homestead in Errol cleared by his father.
Jacob A. Thurston had but a limited school- ing, going to work when he was fourteen years of age. After attaining his majority he worked at logging for monthly wages for about two years, and then began to take contracts for lumbering. He subsequently purchased a farm in Errol, N. H. In 1882 he purchased a store at Newry Corner, which is still under his management, and two years later he built a birch-mill there. In each line of business he was successful, and he eventually erected a second mill at Riley plantation. This was in existence but five years, being destroyed by fire at the end of that time; but Mr. Thurston soon retrieved his loss, erecting his present mill at Swan's Corners in 1893. His mill business aggregates from fifteen thousand to
twenty thousand dollars a year, the output being chiefly spool stock, dowels, and staves. While enlarging his business in trade and manufacturing he has also added to his real estate; and one of his purchases, made in 1892, was a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, on the Androscoggin River in the town of Bethel, this county. Mr. Thurston is an able and sagacious business man, and has the confidence of the community.
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