USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 54
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 54
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He was married January 1, 1879, to Miss Flora Dinsmore, of Colebrook, N. H., and has three children - Maude L., Ruby M., and Paul C. In politics he is a stanch gold Dem- ocrat. He does not take an active part in po- litical matters, but has been elected to office and has served efficiently for a number of years as Town Treasurer and as a member of the School Board. Though not an active church member he is in sympathy with Christian enterprise, to which he liberally contributes.
EWELL RUSSELL KNOWLTON, an artist and photographer of Farmington, was born here April 30, 1856, son of Sylvanus and Rebecca F. (Col- burn) Knowlton. Mr. Knowlton is a de- scendant of the family of Knowltons who settled at Ipswich, Mass., in 1640. His great-grandfather, Samuel Knowlton, a shoe- maker by trade, was born in that town in 1764. This ancestor in 1786 settled on the west side of Farmington, when it was a wilderness, and there cleared a good farm. He set out the first orchard here, and later, after the trees began to bear, shared the fruit with his neigh- bors. By industriously applying himself to farming and shoemaking he became prosper- ous, and he died in 1844. He married Jane Lincott, who, having reached the age of ninety-three years, died in 1857. Her chil- dren by him were: Samuel, John, Betsey, Joseph, Ebenezer, Esther, Joshua, Jane, Ben- jamin, Martha, Sally, and Dean.
Joshua Knowlton, Mr. Knowlton's grand- father, was born in Farmington, September S. 1797. He learned the harness-maker's trade, and followed it for many years. He bought a farm adjoining his father's property, and carried it on successfully, residing here until
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his death, which happened April 15, 1873. llis first wife, Lydia, a daughter of John Lowell, died in 1843, aged forty years, having been the mother of three children . - Joshua I., Russell L., and Sylvanus. He contracted a second marriage with Belinda Pillsbury. Of his children the only survivor is Sylvanus Knowlton, who was born in Farmington, March 17, 1827. Sylvanus remained at home, assisting his father on the farm, and taking charge of it during the latter's declining years. Succeeding to it subsequently, he carried it on until 1882. He then abandoned agriculture, and leased the Blue Mountain House. After the house was destroyed in the conflagration of 1886, he bought the land and erected upon the site of the old building a modern three- story hotel containing thirty rooms. This he has prosperously conducted since. His wife, in maidenhood Rebecca F. Colburn, was born in Needham, Mass., June 23, 1831, daughter of Newell Colburn, who became a resident of this town. She reared four children, as fol- lows: Emma L., born May 5, 1854, who is the wife of Elbridge N. Allen, and has one daughter, Lillian; Newell R., the subject of this sketch; Sylvanus R., born June 15, 1859, who is clerk at the Exchange Hotel, married Jennie S. Nason, December 25, 1881, and has had one son - Irving S., now deceased ; Fred- erick Lewis, born November 2, 1864, married Lizzie S. Whittier, December 22, 1885, and has had two children -- Florentine Mae, now nine years old; and Carroll, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Knowlton's mother died at the age of fifty-six years.
Newell Russell Knowlton obtained his edu- cation in the district schools of Farmington and in the Lewiston High School. While attending the latter institution he conceived a fancy for carriage painting, and subsequently applied himself to learn it. Possessing much artistic taste he was soon able to compete with the more experienced in that line of work. After a time he erected a shop, and there en- gaged in the carriage-painting business for fif- teen years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Farmington, and, buying out the journal of the Greenback party, then con- ducted by Fred Whiting, he published it for a short time. From journalism he went into
the insurance business as agent of the New England Insurance Company of Boston. Afterward he purchased the photograph studio in the Brown and Butterfield Block, formerly conducted by E. Starbird, and has since de- voted his principal attention to that business, acquiring a high reputation as an artist. Ile makes a specialty of copying and crayon work. This year he opened a branch studio in which he is doing a large and satisfactory business. He is also interested in the hotel property. In politics he acts with the Republican party, and for the past eight years he has served as Corporation Assessor. Mr. Knowlton is an Odd Fellow of high standing, being Past Grand of Franklin Lodge, and Past Chief Patriarch of the Encampment. He is also a member of the Golden Cross, and belongs to Keystone Lodge, No. 64, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Maine Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M., of Farmington.
ALEB CUSHMAN, JR., who, in pioneer days, contributed his full share toward. the development of Oxford County, was horn June 9, 1784, in Turner, Androscoggin County, son of Caleb Cushman, Sr., and Hepzibah (Bolster) Cushman. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin and Sylvia (Sampson) Cushman, who reared a family of children. Benjamin's son, Caleb, was born January 24, 1750. He lived for some time after his marriage in Turner. In 1788 he came to Oxford County, and, taking up a tract of unimproved land in Paris, cleared a homestead, and lived on it until his death, which happened March 16, 1833. He was first married June 19, 1783, to Hepzibah Bolster, who was born in the town of Sutton, Mass., November 4, 1761. She died October 3, 1795, leaving four chil- dren : Caleb Cushman, Jr., Alvin, William, and Polly. On August 12, 1796, he entered a second marriage, contracted with Lucy Sin- clair, whose children by him were : Benjamin, Sally, Elias, Chandler, Eliza, and Eunice.
Caleb Cushman, Jr., was but four years of age when his parents settled in Paris. He was there educated in the district school, and from his youth up was engaged in clearing and
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tilling the land. All phases of pioneer life were familiar to him ; and he well remembered when wild game, now considered a luxury, was plentiful, and was relied on for a part of their subsistence by the settlers. He labored industriously in clearing a homestead for him- self and family, and before his death, which occurred February 7, 1863, had a well- appointed farm. Boy and man his sterling traits of character and correct moral principles caused him to be respected by the community. He was liberal in his religious beliefs, and in politics was a steadfast Democrat.
On December 26, 1808, Mr. Cushman mar- ried Thankful Spaulding, who was born in Buckfield, this county, August 16, 1787. They had three children - Henry H., Cynthia E., and Clementine A. Henry H., born Au- gust 23, 1813, married Sarah J. Bateman, and they are now living in Flora, Ill. Cynthia E., born June 6, 1819, who was married May 4, 1843, to the late Charles F. Cummings, died February 7, 1893. Clementine A., born June 20, 1827, still occupies the old home- stead on Paris Hill, where she, her brother, and her sister were born and reared. A woman of estimable character, inheriting in a large degree the many fine traits that dis- tinguished her parents, she is a worthy rep- resentative of the family from which she has sprung. She is liberal in her religious principles, and progressive in her views on the leading questions of the time.
ERRITT WELCH, of Norway, one of the largest dry-goods dealers in Oxford County, was born in Au- gusta, Me., December 1, 1864, son of Colonel James W. and Margaret (Mer- ritt) Welch. His father, a native of Bath, Me., was a well-known manufacturer of paints and colors, and a ship-painting contractor. . Colonel Welch served his country in the Civil WVar, to which he went as Captain of a com- pany in the Nineteenth Maine Regiment. By the time the conflict closed he had been pro- moted to the rank of Colonel of a regiment. He married Margaret Merritt, and they had twelve children, seven of whom are living. These are - Ada, Lizzie, Nettie, Hattie, Mer-
ritt, Thaddeus, and Alice. Colonel Welch died in 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow, now sixty-four, is still living.
After completing his school education Mer- ritt Welch began his business carcer as clerk in a clothing store, in which he served three years. Later he entered into business with Mr. L. H. Soper, opening a dry-goods store in Waterville, which they successfully conducted for two years, and then sold to advantage. In 1892 Mr. Welch came to Norway and bought a dry-goods and shoe store in the Opera House Block of the Smiley Brothers. A cloak de- partment has since been located in the base- ment. Goods of the latest styles are tastefully arranged in its large windows. The courteous proprietor, who is a man of fine presence, takes great pains to please his numerous patrons, and his four assistants follow his example. He carries a very large stock of first-class goods, and does a flourishing trade. In politics Mr. Welch affiliates with the Republican party, and he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Norway.
On March 15, 1894, Mr. Welch was united in marriage with Miss Cora Schwart, a daugh- ter of Albert Schwart of this town. They have two children - Donald S. and Margaret Welch. Mr. Welch is popular in both social and commercial circles.
HARLES G. DUMMER, Selectman of Weld and a leading merchant of the town, was born here, July 10, 1842. son of Nathaniel and Elvira (Mas- terman) Dummer. The family, which is one of the oldest in the town, is of English origin. It was founded by Richard Dummer. who emigrated from England with his father, and settled at Newbury, Mass., in 1633. He had six children, of whom his son Nathaniel. the next in line, was born in Newbury, and died there, February 27, 1767, aged eighty- three years. Richard, son of Nathaniel, was a lifelong resident of Newbury, and died in March, 1803.
Nathaniel Dummer, Charles G. Dummer's great- grandfather, was born in Newbury, March 9, 1755. Having acquired a good edu- cation, he obtained an appointment as a Com-
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missary of the Continental army, and was stationed in Providence, R.I. After the Rev- olutionary War he settled in Hallowell, Me., where he was engaged in mercantile business until his death, which happened September 15, 1815, at the age of sixty-one ycars. A man of superior intelligence, he took a lead- ing part in public affairs. He was a member of the State Senate when Kennebec County was set off, and he was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Postmaster of Hallowell. In his religious belief he was a Congrega- tionalist. He married Mrs. Mary Kilton, widow of John Kilton and daughter of Captain Joseph Owen, of Providence, and reared four children, none of whom are living. Joseph Owen Dummer, Mr. Dummer's grandfather, a native of Providence, born March 5, 1780, was reared in Hallowell. He was engaged in trade there for many years, and then went South, where he carried on business for some time. Subsequently his property, of which he had acquired a considerable amount, was swept away by a disastrous fire; and, after passing his last days at the homestead upon the Weld Road, he died February 1, 1844. His religious belief was that of the Congrega- tional church, and he was a member of the local society of that denomination. He mar- ried Judith G. Dummer, of Hallowell, and reared three children. Of these, the only sur- vivor is Nathaniel, Mr. Dummer's father.
Nathaniel Dummer, second, was born in Hallowell, December 29, 1816. After finish- ing his studies at the Hallowell Academy, he was a clerk in a store of that town for four years. He then came to Weld, where he served in the same capacity with James Brown for about a year. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in business on his own ac- count, and carried on a general store here for a time. He now owns the Pleasant Point Hotel, besides other property in this locality. In politics he is a Republican. For a num . ber of years he was a member of the Board of Selectmen, serving as Chairman a part of the time. He also efficiently served in the office of Postmaster for ten years. His wife, Elvira, whom he wedded June 21, 1840, is a daughter of Benjamin Masterman. She has had six children by him, namely: Charles G., the
subject of this sketch; Joseph O., a resident of Weld; Helen and Louisa, who arc residing at the homestead; Richard G., who lives in Weld; and Eva M., who died June 19, 1891. The family attend the Congregational church.
Charles G. Dummer was educated in Weld. After leaving school he was employed as clerk in a store for a time. Then he became a partner in the firm of B. R. Rollins & Co., which carried on business here for about two years. His next venture was a varicty storc, which he opened independently, and conducted some five years. At the end of that time he purchased the business of Oliver Gould, and has since carried it on very successfully at the same stand. He owns and cultivates a farm of ninety acres, from which he cuts an average of sixty tons of hay. Also, with his brother, R. G. Dummer, he is engaged in raising fruit and vegetables, and runs a canning establish- ment, employing fifty hands. They have three large orchards, containing nine hundred trees in all, including some choice varieties of apples and plums.
In politics Mr. Dummer is a Republican. He is now a member of the Board of Select- men, and he represented this district in the last legislature. In the latter capacity he served on the Committee on Fish and Game, and he secured appropriations for improv- ing the road from Weld to Wilton, and for schools in this county. He was Postmaster here for twenty years, and could have held the office longer, but declined to serve. He is a member of Mystic Lodge, No. 154, A. F. & A. M., of Weld.
OHN COOLIDGE, one of the leading farmers of Dixfield, Me., his native town, was born May 24, 1821, son of Moses and Lydia (Peterson) Coolidge. Mr. Coolidge's father was a native of Jay, Me. He was engaged in general farming and teaming for the greater part of his active period, and he resided upon a good farm in Dixfield. He lived to reach the advanced age of ninety years, his last days being passed in retirement at the home of his son. In poli- tics he was a Democrat. His wife, Lydia, who was a native of Canton, Me., became the
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mother of seven children, as follows: Louisa Ann and Lucy Ann, who are no longer living ; Abigail; Charles; Cyrus; Moses F .; and John, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Lydia Peterson Coolidge lived to be nearly eighty- four years old. Both parents were members of the Free .Will Baptist church.
John Coolidge attended the common schools of Dixfield, and at an early age began farming upon his own account. He has been exceed- ingly prosperous, owning at the present time his homestead farm of one hundred and eighty- five acres, besides other land in this vicinity, and he ranks among the leading, well-to-do agriculturists of the town.
At the age of twenty-six years Mr. Coolidge was united in marriage with Harriet Swett, his first wife, who was a daughter of Abram T. Swett, of Errol, N.H. Of this union were born three children, namely: Clinton E., a prosperous farmer of Dixfield; Nelson A., who resides upon a farm in Canton; and Alice, deceased. Mr. Coolidge's first wife having died, he married for his second wife, Bethiah Campbell, and became the father of three more children, namely: two, who suc- cessively bore the name Eddie, both early taken from the earthly home; and Moses, now living with his parents.
Mr. Coolidge is an intelligent and energetic farmer, whose prosperity is the result of per- severance and good management, and he is still smart and active. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a liberal Christian, attending the Universalist church.
IMOTHY S. DOTEN is one of the largest fruit growers of the town of Hartford, Oxford County, Me., where he is also successfully engaged in general farming. He was born here, March 17, 1823, a son of Paul and Elizabeth (Cobb) Doten, the former of whom was born in Carver, Mass., and the latter in Middleboro, Mass., both Plymouth County towns. Thomas Doten, the father of Paul, was a farmer, and spent his life in Massachusetts.
Paul Doten grew to sturdy manhood in his native State, and there remained a resident till some time after his marriage. He was
one of the first to settle in the town of Hart- ford, coming here with his wife and one child, the journey from Portland being made on horseback through a region where the route was indicated by spotted trees. On his ar- rival, having secured his land, he first made a small clearing, in which he built a log house, and then set about the task of bringing a por- tion of his wooded acres under cultivation, the
result being that in course of time he had a productive farm. He lived here until his death, which occurred when he was seventy- seven years old. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Cobb Doten, who at- tained the age of ninety-two. In religious belief both were Congregationalists; and in politics he was a Whig. They had five chil- dren, but only Timothy S., the youngest, is living. The deceased were named Paul, Deborah, Hannah, and Alvin C.
Timothy S. Doten stayed at home with his parents during his minority, receiving his ed- ucation in the schools of Hartford. He after- ward lived in Newton, Mass., for seven years : but aside from that he has always resided in Hartford. In 1853 he purchased his present farm, which contains about one hundred and forty acres, a large part of which is devoted to fruit culture, his orchards containing altogether about one thousand trees. He also keeps a dairy of choice Durham and Jersey cows, and the well-kept buildings and carefully tilled fields all bear witness to the painstaking care and generous labor which he has bestowed upon them.
When twenty-six years of age Mr. Doten married Miss Avis A. Robinson, who was born in Sumner in 1823, a daughter of Esquire Zury Robinson, of East Sumner. Eleven children have been born to them, the six now living being as follows: Lizzie C., the widow of George V. Rose, of Hartford; Zury R. Doten, a leading farmer of Lewiston, Me. ; Bertha, the wife of George Bonney, living in Mexico: Nellie, wife of Carroll C. Fernald. living in Weymouth, Mass. ; Scott Doten, who married Addie Whittier, and lives at the parental home; and James L. Doten, who is married and lives in Weymouth. Mass. The deceased are: Deborah, who married Thomas Allen; Abbie, the wife of Llewellyn Wood-
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cock; Edna, the wife of Fred Mitchell; and two that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Doten are members of the Advent church. In politics he is a Democrat; and, fraternally, he is a member of the grange of Patrons of Hus- bandry at Canton.
RANCIS S. PACKARD, M.D., of Waterford Village, Me., is one of the influential citizens of Waterford, prom- inent as a physician, a business man, and a politician. He was born in Parkman, Me., February 18, 1861, son of Levi A. and Re- becca C. (Harris) Packard, both natives of the State of Maine.
Levi A. Packard, who lived in Parkman until a few years ago engaged in farming, is now residing in Exeter, Me., practically re- tired from active work. His wife died some time since. She was the mother of six chil- dren, namely: Lovisa, now the wife of Z. G. Manter, a farmer and stock man of Parkman, Me. ; Benjamin F., who died at the age of twenty-three; Edmund L., now in Auburn, Me. ; Mabel, wife of Mr. Hudson, a merchant of Guilford, Me. ; Nettie, who lived but nine years; and Francis S., the subject of this sketch.
Francis S. Packard, in his early youth laud- ably ambitious to obtain a liberal education, attended the common schools of Parkman and the academy at Foxcroft, Me., applying him- self closely to study in school hours, and to work between terms, in order to secure the necessary funds for his professional training. At the age of sixteen he went to work in a hotel; and thence onward, until his studies were finished, he was employed in different ways, at one time trying his skill at manual labor in an organ factory at Foxcroft, Me. He received his diploma from the medical de- partment of Bowdoin College in 1887. He was in Gardiner, Me., two years, that being his first field of practice. Dr. Packard re- moved to Waterford in April, 1892. Though in this town but a comparatively short time, he has a large and growing practice, and has won the confidence of all who know him. In 1895 he opened a drug store in Waterford Vil- lage, fitting it with all modern appliances, in-
cluding a handsome soda fountain, which in the summer season is well patronized.
Dr. Francis S. Packard was married Decem- ber 27, 1888, to Hattie C. Sawyer, a native of Gardiner, Me., born October 21, 1867, the daughter of Henry R. and Philena H. C. (Hathorn) Sawyer. Mr. Sawyer, who is now a resident of Gardiner, is engaged in farming, trading, and dealing in real estate. The winter following his marriage the Doctor spent in Florida and Georgia. Dr. and Mrs. Packard have one child, Francis S., born Sep- tember 29, 1893. They attend the Congrega- tional church.
Dr. Packard is a member of the Maine Med- ical Association, Vice-President of the Oxford County Medical Association, and a member of the State Board of Pension Examiners. He is President and Treasurer of the Waterford Manufacturing Company of South Waterford, which established in 1894 a plant for making chairs, bedsteads, chair frames, and other articles of wood. He is also Chairman of the Democratic Committee, and a member of the town School Board. As a Mason he belongs to Mount Tire'm Lodge, No. 132, of Water- ford, and as an Odd Fellow he is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 30, of North Waterford.
G EORGE H. BASS, an enterprising shoe manufacturer of Wilton, Me., and a prominent resident of this town, which is his native place, was born on July 22, 1843, son of Seth and Nancy (Rus- sell) Bass.
The family is of early Colonial origin, - the original ancestors in America, Samuel and Anne Bass, having settled at Roxbury, Mass., in 1630. They later moved to Braintree, where Samuel died in 1694, aged ninety-four ; and his wife died in 1693, aged ninety-three years. Before his death Samuel Bass was the father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of one hundred and sixty-two children. The line of descent is traced directly from Samuel and Anne Bass through Samuel, second, and Mary (Howard) Bass, Samuel, third, and Rebecca (Faxon) Bass, Seth and Eunice (Allen) Bass, Samuel and Alice (Spear) Bass, Jeriah and Lucretia (Saville) Bass, to Seth
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and Nancy (Russell) Bass, parents of Mr. George H. Bass.
Seth Bass, second, was born in Wilton, where his father, Samuel Bass, fourth, had settled, and when a young man he learned the hatters' trade of his brothers, who carried on a hat manufactory in this town. For some time he travelled all over the State with a team, selling a fine quality of fur hats. He later engaged in mercantile business in Wil- ton, also becoming interested in a starch fac- tory, which was located here. Retiring from business toward the latter part of his life, he continued to reside here until his death, which took place when he was seventy-nine years old ; and his wife died a year later at the age of seventy-two. An upright, conscientious busi- ness man and a respected citizen, he labored diligently for the best interests of the com- munity ; and he served the town faithfully as Treasurer for twenty-three years. In politics he acted, originally, with the Whig party, later uniting with the Republicans; and he was a member of the Congregational church. Seth and Nancy (Russell) Bass were the parents of six children, namely: Mary Ann; Emily A. ; Emmons; George H., the subject of this sketch; Ella S. ; and Clara L.
George H. Bass was educated at the common and high schools of his native town and at a private school. At the age of seventeen he taught school for a short time, but relinquished that occupation in order to learn the tanner's trade; and after serving an apprenticeship of two years he worked as a journeyman in Mass- achusetts until he was twenty-two years old. From that time until 1880 he owned and con- ducted the tannery in Wilton, which is now carried on by J. O. Ashton ; and, having pre- viously bought an interest in the shoe manu- facturing business formerly carried on by E. P. Packard & Co., he one year later became sole proprietor of the enterprise. He contin- ued to occupy the old quarters until 1887, when he bought the Eaton carriage shop, which he fitted up with new and improved ma- chinery, introducing water-power; and he is now conducting a thriving business, employing a force of about twenty-five workmen. In 1886 he bought a lot on Prospect Street, where he erected a handsome residence and
stable. He has laid out lawns and otherwise beautified the grounds, upon which he has located an artificial pond to supply his factory with water for fire protection. It is a well- known fact that he has always given his undi- vided interest to whatever he has undertaken, striving earnestly and industriously to make a success of his business ventures, and the result has been most satisfactory in every particular.
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