USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 56
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 56
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New York. The captain, finding him pleas- ant, faithful, and capable, soon advanced him to the position of common seaman. He re- ceived eight dollars per month for his services, and during the two years in which he was thus engaged he made the trip to Buenos Ayres, and back to New York.
On November, 1871, the brig struck a sand- bar on the Irish coast, and was almost lost. While in the rigging trying to save the sails, young Grantzow was struck in the face by a stick of wood blown by the wind, and suffered the loss of two teeth. He remained with the wreck for three weeks before it was gotten off the bar. So severe were the brig's injuries that she sank just as she was entering dry dock, but was raised again and repaired. She was loaded at Cardiff with coal, and started on her next voyage, which was to Havana.
Upon reaching that port, our hero, worn out with exposure and fatigue, was stricken down with yellow fever, but he rallied under the care and nursing of Captain White, and re- covered on the return voyage to New York, where he left the ship in order to regain his strength. He found some work on shore in the Singer Sewing Machine Factory, where he labored for the salary of four dollars and a half per week, paying at the same time five dollars per week for board and lodging. After a short time, wishing to be more out of doors, he went to New Jersey, where he started in as a farmer, working on shares; but, soon de- ciding that he was not adapted to that pur- suit, he left for New York to try the sea once more.
Going on board a ship lying at a wharf. which proved to be the "Lizzie M. Jackson, ' of Portland, he asked the Captain, whose name was E. A. Marwick, if a boy was wanted. He received the rather discouraging answer that boys were "more bother than they were worth," and had already turned away. when the Captain called to him to come around in the morning and he would see. When the next morning came, he arose early and hurried down to the ship. Finding no one about, and seeing that the decks were covered with snow that had fallen in the night, he began shovelling it off. Soon the Captain came on deck, and asked him who had
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told him to clean the decks, to which he re- plied that no one had told him to, but, seeing that it was necessary, he thought he had better do it. This answer pleased Captain E. A. Marwick, and he immediately gave him five dollars to go and buy some rubber boots, articles that the lad stood very much in need of.
So faithful, capable, and uniformly respect- ful and attentive, did Captain Marwick find him on the voyage to Havana and back that, on the ship's arrival at New York, he offered to adopt him as his own son, having no chil- dren of his own. On the acceptance of the offer, Judge Virgin, of Portland, made out the necessary papers, and the identity of Ernest H. Grantzow, the son of the German Lieuten- ant, was merged in that of Ernest H. Mar- wick, son of an American sea captain. The new-made American received a fine outfit, and was sent to school. Later he came to Farm- ington, where he attended the Little Blue School, a preparatory school for business and college.
While here Ernest H. Marwick met and loved Miss Lizzie E. Dow, the daughter of J. B. Dow, of Farmington, and was married to her on the 28th of September, 1874. After a short wedding trip, he went to sea as first officer under his father, Captain Marwick, and remained with him five years. He then left Captain Marwick, and shipped as first officer on the "Fanny P. Tucker," a ship bound from St. Johns, N.B., to Gloucester, England, and Cuba. After making this voyage he sailed with the same rank on board the "Edward L. Maybury," on which he made the voyage from Portland, by way of Boston, to Australia and Callao (Peru) to Liverpool. He was absent twenty-three months, and on his return home found a little daughter a year old awaiting him. Remaining at home but two weeks, he then went to New York, and on arriving there he found two chances awaiting him, with such equal inducements that he was obliged to de- cide the question of preference by tossing up a coin. Fate was propitious, for the vessel decided against was wrecked, and all on board lost. Subsequently to his Cuba voyage he sailed in the " Ada Gray," Captain Plummer.
On leaving Captain Plummer he went with
his father on board a new and handsome ship, called the " Rose lines," which Captain Mar- wick had built at Bath, Me. Here also the younger Marwick served as first officer. After a period of three years, old Captain Marwick, wishing to retire and to give his son a chance, left the ship at Valparaiso, Chile, and, telling the young commander that if he lost the ship he would lose twenty-seven thousand dollars, he made over the vessel to him. In this fine ship'our new Captain Marwick made several voyages across the ocean, and around Cape Horn. He also established a new record be- tween Hampton Roads, Va., and New York, making the trip in eighty-one hours, whereas one hundred hours was considered a quick pas- sage. He then took his little family on their first trip, touching at Callao (Peru), and at Liverpool, where his father met him and took charge of the vessel. Captain E. H. Mar- wick thereupon returned to New York, and then came home to Farmington with his fam- ily. Soon after he established himself in trade with H. P. White, opening a stationery store, but he sold out his interest in a year and a half to his partner, and bought L. M. McDean's hardware store in West Farming- ton. At this time he received a telegram from James Cebello, a ship-owner, asking him to take charge of his vessel, the " Mary Fink," for one hundred dollars a month, an offer which Captain Marwick accepted; and, upon assuming command, he set sail for Spanish and other foreign ports, sailing the ship for three years. On one of these trips his crew deserted him, and he was obliged to take the vessel home, with a crew of but four men, a feat which he accomplished in twenty-nine days.
Later he again took command of his father's old ship; and at one time, while on a voyage around Cape Horn, came up with a disabled vessel, and with much difficulty rescued her crew of twenty-one men. She turned out to be the ship "Glencover " from Liverpool, and her owners subsequently offered Captain Mar- wick a handsome reward for his humanity, which he refused, on the score that he had done no more than his duty. But at Boston he was presented by the English government with a fine set of marine glasses in a handsome
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rosewood case with a silver plate, on which was inscribed, "Presented to Captain E. H. Marwick, of American Bark 'Rose Iines,' for his Kindness and Humanity in rescuing the Crew of the 'Glencover,' which was abandoned at Sea off Cape Horn, December 21, 1893." Captain E. A. Marwick finally sold the " Rose Iines," and, buying a smaller vessel, named the " Screamer," presented it to his son, Cap- tain E. H. Marwick, who sailed her for a while on different voyages, until, on a voyage two days out from Turk's Island, the brig sprang aleak. Captain Marwick put his crew into a boat, and, taking six gallons of water and what provisions he could, they watched the " Screamer " go down, and then set out for the land, which was eighty-five miles distant. They were in an open boat for two days and nights, finally bringing up at Turk's Island ; but, not being able to land there, they rowed to Salt Key Island, where they were cared for by the American Consul for three weeks, and at last sent home to New York, four weeks after the ship had foundered.
Captain Marwick there became very sick, chiefly from the results of his exposure; and after his recovery, upon the urgent request of his father and his wife, he decided to abandon the calling of a sailor, and remain on land for the rest of his days. He entered into partner- ship with W. S. Dillingham, doing a business in furniture and undertaking at Farmington, buying out his partner later, and continuing in the business alone. He has now one of the finest and most attractive furniture stores in the county.
Old Captain E. A. Marwick died in his de- voted adopted son's arms in Portland in the year 1893, and in testimony of his affection he willed to the young Captain and family about ten thousand dollars. Captain E. H. Marwick and his wife have three children - Eddie E., born June 23, 1875; Lillian M., born De- cember 12, 1879; and Dwight D., born September 8, 1883.
Although Captain Marwick has given up the sea at a comparatively early age, he has travelled on more voyages than many an old seafarer. He has crossed the Equator forty- four times, has been around Cape Horn thirty- two times, around the Cape of Good Hope
four times, and has cruised up and down this coast very often in all sorts of weather. He is a strong Republican in politics. He is Vice-Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Farmington, and Secretary of the encampment. He is also a life mem- ber of the Portland Marine Society. Captain Marwick is one of the best known and most liked men in the town of Farmington, and fully deserves the universal respect which is accorded him. After thirty-two years of sea life the Captain has settled down for good on land. This record will show what a poor boy can come to if he has a will to push ahead. Very few boys at the age of fourteen years old will leave their home and country, and come out into the world, as did Captain E. H. Marwick.
J OHN F. DE COSTA, M.D., of Rum- ford Falls, is one of the best physi- cians and surgeons in Oxford County. He was born in Hebron, this county, September 9, 1858, son of Thomas and Almeda (Whitman) De Costa. Thomas De Costa, who was born and reared in Hebron, spent his mature years in the pursuit of agriculture in that town. In politics he was a Democrat, in religious belief a Universalist. He died at the age of seventy-five. His wife, a native of Buckfield, this county, lived to be seventy- seven years old.
John F. De Costa attended the common schools of his native town until he was eleven years old. Subsequently he attended Hebron Academy for three years, walking back and forth each day three and a half miles, the dis- tance between it and his home, and paying for his tuition by taking care of the building. He graduated from the academy at the age of fourteen, and at the age of fifteen entered Colby University. While studying there he taught school for two winters. As soon as his preliminary training was finished he took up the study of medicine, attending lectures at the Maine Medical School, and finally grad- uated from the Medical University of New York City in the spring of 1885. Immedi- ately after receiving his degree he was ap- pointed Assistant Surgeon at Bellevue Hos-
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pital, New York, and for a year he walked the wards of that famous institution, observing and treating critical cases. Then, fully qual- ified for his lifework, he opened an office in Buckfield, Me. He has been here since Sep- tember 1, 1895. Although but a few months over a year has elapsed, he has already won the confidence of the community and pos- sesses quite a large practice. The energy and persistence that conquered all obstacles when he was struggling for an education enables him to surmount the difficulties of his professional career. Gifted by, nature with fine social qualities, he is very popular. He is a member of the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Academy of Medicine, the Oxford County Medical Association, and the American Medi- cal Association.
Dr. De Costa married Mrs. Nellie (Abbott) Record, a native of Rumford, who was reared in Buckfield, and has one child, Thomas A. Ile has been affiliated with the Republican party since the year of his majority. In Buck- field he was a member of the School Board and Supervisor of Schools until the fall of 1895, when he resigned. He has taken several de- grees in Masonry, and belongs to Evening Star Lodge, No. 147, of Buckfield, and to Rum- ford Chapter, of Rumford Falls. He has also affiliation with the Odd Fellows through Nezinscott Lodge, No. 104, of Buckfield. Both he and Mrs. De Costa are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
LDEN B. SEVERY, formerly a well- known and universally respected citi- zen of East Dixfield, who died at his residence in this town, April 16, 1883, was born in Dixfield, Oxford County, Me., December 3, 1823, son of Aaron and Hannah (Morse) Severy.
The late Mr. Severy's father, who was a native of Sutton, Mass., came to Dixfield in young manhood, and is said to have been one of the first three settlers in the township. He became a very prosperous farmer, clearing and improving a large farm, upon which he later erected a handsome brick residence, and in after years he was known as the father of the town. He held many offices of public trust,
the duties of which he discharged ably and faithfully; and, aside from possessing a noble upright character, he was very active in relig- ious matters, for a long period being a pillar of the Free Baptist church. He lived to reach the advanced age of ninety-one years. By his union with Phebe Tucker, his first wife, there were seven children - Phebe, Aaron, Silas, Rufus, John, Charlotte, and Polly. His second wife, Hannah Morse, became the mother of four children, namely: Charles; Clarinda; Alden B., the subject of this sketch; and Cyrus. Mrs. Hannah M. Severy died at the age of sixty-six years.
Alden B. Severy acquired his education in common schools and academies; and, when a . young man, he went to Lowell, Mass., where he served as Deputy Marshal for six years. Returning to Dixfield, he bought a small farm, which he occupied for a short time. After that he succeeded to the possession of the homestead by purchasing the interests of the other heirs, and there carried on general farming with energy and success until his death, which took place, as above stated, at the age of nearly sixty years. He was elected a Representative to the State legislature in 1863. He was a progressive, high-minded, and exceedingly intelligent man, generous and sympathetic by nature, with a noble desire to assist others who were less fortunate than himself; and his removal from the midst of his fellow-townsmen was the cause of sincere regret.
Mr. Severy married Miss Rosella Rich- mond, who was born in Dixfield, May 13, 1822, daughter of Israel and Sarah (Bramhall) Richmond. Israel Richmond, who was a thrifty and successful agriculturist, was a na- tive of Hebron, Me. He died in middle age. In politics he supported first the Whig and later the Republican party, and in his relig- ious views was a Baptist. By his union with his first wife, whose maiden name was Chloe Crocker, he had two children; namely, Chloe and Israel; and by his second wife, Sarah Bramhall, who was born in Plymouth, Mass., he was the father of eleven children, as fol- lows : Sarah; Hannah; Martha; Lydia; Nancy; Simeon ; Reuben; Nathan; Rosanna ; Ruth; and Rosella, who is now the widow of
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Alden B. Severy. Mrs. Sarah B. Richmond lived to be eighty-one years old.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Severy, namely : Ella, who died at the age of two years; and Charles, who grew to man- hood, and died at the age of twenty-three. Bereft of their own daughter, they adopted Ella R. Hall, a little girl of six years, whom they carefully reared and educated; and as a reward for her kindness and generosity Mrs. Severy now has a pleasant home with her foster-child, who is the wife of F. W. Morri- son, a prominent and well-to-do farmer of this town, and has one son, Vivian. Mrs. Severy has also assisted in caring for other children who needed help, and her motherly interest and charitable disposition have found ample scope to do a great deal of good in this direc- tion. She has been a member of the Baptist church ever since she united with it at the age of eighteen. Some time ago Mrs. Severy ex- changed her farm for village property, and this she is now renting to good advantage.
HOMAS J. ALLEN, a prosperous agri- culturist of Hartford, Oxford County, one who owes his success to his own enterprise and industry, was born here, May IO, 1831, a son of Thomas and Nancy (Cole) Allen - the father a native of Hartford, Me., and the mother of Plymouth, Mass.
Thomas Allen, first, his grandfather, was born in England, whence he came to America when a young man. The one-hundred-and- thirty-acre farm, on which the immigrant set- tled, is now owned by his grandson. It was then practically wild land, but its owner was a man of foresight and untiring diligence, and effected numerous improvements. To him belongs the credit of having set out the first fruit orchard in the town. He lived to a good age. In religious faith he was a Baptist, and in political affiliation a Whig. His eight children all grew to maturity, but none sur- vive.
Thomas, his namesake, the father of the special subject of this sketch, also engaged in farming in Hartford for many years. He died in Livermore, Me., at the advanced age of eighty-seven, Nancy Cole Allen, his wife, [
having lived to be but fifty-three years of age. Both were members of the Baptist church. In politics he was a Republican. They had ten children, four sons and six daughters, and six are now living; namely, Elizabeth, Nancy, Abigail, Sarah, Jane, and Thomas J. The deceased are: John C .; Betsy; Lucius, who was in the Third Maine Band, and died in ser- vice; and Emerson.
Thomas J. Allen, the youngest of the six surviving members of his father's family, grew to manhood in Hartford and Livermore, and was educated in the district schools of these towns. Since he was a boy of fifteen he has followed the trade of a carpenter. He also owns and carries on the farm that belonged to his Grandfather Allen.
In 1853 Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Mary Walker, who died in Septem- ber 20, 1868, leaving four sons; namely, Lucius F., Arthur B., Charles T., and Floyd F. Mr. Allen subsequently married Miss Deborah S. Doten, who was born in Hartford, a daughter of Timothy S Doten. Three chil- dren were the fruit of this marriage, namely : Pearley and Myrton (deceased) ; and Lillian. Their mother died January 11, 1883, aged thirty-one years.
The Republican party has in Mr. Allen a stanch supporter. He belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Whitney Lodge, No. 167, at Canton, and is an esteemed mem- ber of the Free Will Baptist church at Canton.
ESSE D. RUSSELL, an old and hon- ored resident of Hanover village, was born here July 19, 1829, son of Elijah and Almira (Bean) Russell. His father, who was also a native of this town, after a well-spent life, the active years of which were devoted to farming, died here at the age of eighty-three. In politics Elijah Russell was a Republican ; in religion a Meth- odist, having membership in the local society here. His wife, a native and a lifelong resi- dent of Hanover died in her seventy-eighth year.
Jesse D. Russell remained with his parents during his minority. Having acquired in the
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district school a thorough knowledge of the ordinary branches of study, was able to teach school himself for several years in the fall and winter. On coming of age he rented his father's farm for a time. In 1863 or 1864 he and his brother, William B. Russell, came to llanover village and built a small tannery, in which he still owns a half-interest. Their specialty is the tanning of harness, boot, and strap leather. Mr. Russell also owns a small farm in Rumford, this county.
In September, 1869, Mr. Russell was joined in marriage with Miss Elsie Jordan, of Newry, this county. She died at the age of twenty- three years, leaving a daughter, Mary E., four months old. The latter is now the wife of Osmond Twitchell, a merchant of Hanover village. In June, 1875, Mr. Russell formed a second matrimonial alliance with Miss Betsey Wheeler, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Burbank) Wheeler. Her father, who was born in Gilead, Me., when a young man re- moved to New Hampshire, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming, and died aged seventy-six. Her mother, a native of Shelburne, N. H., lived but thirty-nine years. This second union of Mr. Russell's has been blessed by the birth of one son - Burchard J., who lives at home. In politics Mr. Russell is a stanch Republican, and takes much inter- est in local affairs. He has served in all the town offices. For the past twenty-five years he has been a member of the mutual insurance organization known as the Pilgrim Fathers.
EACON EZRA B. HERSEY, a well-known and much respected resident of
Waterford, Oxford County, Me., is a native of Man- chester, N. H. He was born on the 26th of October, 1848, son of Asa J. and Sarah (Brown) Hersey. His father was a native of Waterford, and his mother of Boylston, Mass.
Asa J. Hersey learned the mason's trade at Ellsworth, Me., and worked at it all through this county. After his marriage he lived for a while in Manchester, N. H., working there as a mason; then he moved to Boylston, Mass., where he remained for some time. Finally, returning to Waterford, he took a
farm and devoted himself to agricultural pur- suits summers and taught school winters. He was a noted and veteran teacher, having taught over thirty schools. Mr. Asa J. Hersey was a great mathematician in his time, and could solve problems in his head that other teachers tried in vain with slate and pencil. This gift he transmitted in great measure to his chil- dren and grandchildren. He died on the 16th of May, 1893. His widow is now residing ·with her second son in this town.
Asa J. Hersey had three children : Ezra B., above named; William A. ; and Charles F. William A. Hersey, who was born in Water- ford, married Marilla Lamb, of Charlestown, Mass., and lives in the southern part of the. town, where he is a farmer. William A. Hersey and his wife have at the present time four children: Wilfred A., who was born April 4, 1880; George L., born August 23, 1881; Roxy L., born July 28, 1883, who is a sample of Maine girls, having tipped the beam at twelve years of age at the figures one hun- dred and forty, avoirdupois; and Sarah A., born September 20, 1888. Mr. William A. Hersey and wife are members of the Water- ford Congregational church, of which he is Deacon. They are also members of the Bear Mountain Grange at South Waterford, of which he has been Master for the past two years, having the esteem of all connected with the church and grange. His younger brother, the Rev. Charles F. Hersey, born in Waterford, married Sarah Weeks, of Wakefield, N. H., and is now living in New Bedford, Mass., where he is city missionary.
Ezra B. Hersey, the elder of the three brothers, received his early education at the public schools of his native town, and then attended the High School at Norway. He re- mained on the home farm with his parents until his marriage, which took place on the Ist of November, 1875. Miss Mary L. Brown, of Norway, who on that date became Mrs. Hersey, was born on the Ist of May, 1853, the daughter of David and Sarah (Hill) Brown. Mr. Brown was a farmer of Norway, and his wife now lives with her son in Norway.
Deacon Hersey and his wife have had four children : Charles A., who was born on the 20th of August, 1878, and who works on the
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farm with his father; Clara H., who was born on the 27th of June, 1880; Ida May, born on the 3d of December, 1889, who died on June II, 1891; and Fannie L., born on the 13th of September, 1891.
After his marriage Deacon Hersey remained on his father's old farm until April 25, 1883, when he moved to the place which he now occupies, and where he and his family have lived ever since. This farm lies in North Waterford, and consists of about two hundred and sixty acres of fine land. Here he carries on practical agriculture, including stock-rais- ing, dairying, and some lumbering in the sea- son. He also does an exensive business in poultry raising, being the owner of a large and well stocked hennery, and has shown that he possesses as much enterprise as ability in suc- cessfully conducting these various interests. Mr. Hersey is a Republican in politics, having always voted with that party. For three years he was Superintendent of the School Commit- tee of his town, whose educational interests he has always in view. The pursuit of husbandry having claimed so much of his time, it is natural that he should be connected with the order instituted in its behalf, and that he should be, as he is, a Granger, belonging to the Grange of Norway, Me.
Mr. and Mrs. Hersey are allied in religious faith, both being members of the Congrega- tional church of North Waterford, in which the former is a Deacon. Few are more generally esteemed as citizens and neighbors: Deacon Hersey's paternal grandmother was the first female child born in Waterford, his great- grandmother having been the first white woman brave enough to remain in the new settlement during the rigorous winter, trans- mitting to her descendants the heritage of courage and endurance which has come down to the present generation of Herseys.
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