Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine, Part 57

Author: Biographical review publishing company
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Boston, Biographical review publishing company
Number of Pages: 644

USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 57
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 57

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IVERETT F. DYKE, one of Chester- ville's most extensive farmers and fruit-growers, was born at the home- stead where he now resides on August 23, 1854, son of Fuller and Abigail (Pierce) Dyke. He is a grandson of Fuller Dyke, Sr., who was a native of Bridgewater, Mass., and

came to Maine when a young man and settled upon one hundred and sixty acres of new land in the town of Buckfield.

Fuller Dyke, Sr., erected his log house, cleared up a good farm, and resided there until 1813. He then sold, and, removing to Canton, Me., bought a farm there, which he cultivated with energy until 1850, when he sold his prop- erty and removed to New Sharon. Having pur- chased a residence and fifty acres of land in the last named town, he remained there until his wife died. He then sold his homestead and passed the rest of his days with his son Will- iam in Chesterville, where he died October 29, 1863, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, six months, and twenty-five days. He married Jerusha Harlow, and had a family of fifteen children, as follows: Salmon; Fuller; Dru- silla; Verrin; Cyrus, first; Cornelia; Will- iam; Betsey; Laodasea; Almeda ; Cyrus, sec- ond; Lucinda ; Lavonia ; Sidney ; and Samuel. Mrs. Jerusha H. Dyke died August 25, 1858, aged seventy-two years and two months.

Fuller Dyke, the younger, second son of Fuller, Sr., was born in Buckfield, January 28, 1811. When two years old he went with his parents to Canton, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, residing there until be- coming of age. He then went to Newton, Mass., and was employed by Deacon Fuller as a farm assistant for three years, and at the Newton Chemical Works for the same length of time. Returning to Canton he assisted his brother Cyrus in carrying on the home farm for one year. From this time forward he cul- tivated his own land. First purchasing a farm of one hundred acres in Livermore he lived on it fourteen years, and then selling this to Mr. Gill be purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Chesterville, which consists of a part of the homestead now owned by his son, Everett F. Later he added one hundred and thirty acres to the estate. He labored diligently to improve his circumstances and provide amply for his family, and by hard work he succeeded in grat- ifying his ambition in this respect. The en- tire active period of his life was one of useful- ness; and he died at the homestead in this town, May 8, 1896, aged eighty-five years.

He served the town faithfully as Tax Col- lector during the years 1866, 1867, and 1868,

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was a Democrat in politics, and attended the Calvinist Baptist church. His wife, Abigail Pierce, whom he married June 12, 1838, was a daughter of Jonas Pierce, of East Jaffrey, N. H. She became the mother of six children, as follows: Caroline A. ; Abbie F. ; Elbridge F. ; Emily A. ; Everett F. ; and an infant, who lived only eleven days. Abbie F. Dyke married Samuel F. Hodgkins, of Tamworth, N. H., and died March 4, 1878, aged thirty- four years, leaving two children, namely : Leona M., who was born August 22, 1867, married George H. Stinchfield, of Farmington Falls, and has one son, Benjamin; and T. Frank, who was born March 29, 1874, married Edith Carter, and resides in Conway, N. H. Elbridge F. Dyke was born August 23, 1846, and died in infancy ; and Emily A. was born February 14, 1849, and died September 26, 1863. Mrs. Abigail P. Dyke lived to reach the age of eighty-one years, and died January 21, 1896.

· Everett F. Dyke began his education in the town schools of Chesterville, advanced in learning by attending a school at Farmington Falls, and then pursued a course of study at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. His father gave him at the age of eighteen a deed of half the homestead, and a deed of the other half when he was twenty-one, making a full title to the property. Mr. Dyke has since devoted his time and energy to the cultivation and improvement of the ancestal acres. He has an orchard of thirty acres, containing over one thousand trees, mostly grafted fruit; and he cans and ships annually four hundred bar- rels of apples, which are sold in the markets of Boston and other cities. In connection with farming and fruit-raising he also deals quite extensively in live stock, which has netted him a good profit. He has made addi- tions to his estate, and now owns four hundred acres of valuable land.

On June 18, 1875, Mr. Dyke married Lydia L. Crowell, daughter of Nathan and Hannah (Cousins) Crowell. Her father was a native of New Sharon, and her mother was born in Dover, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Dyke have six children, as follows: Ernest E., who was born March II, 1876, and is residing at home ; Loren H., who was born January 25, 1878;

Ada L., who was born April 20, 1882; Leona M., who was born September 17, 1884; Leroy F., who was born February 22, 1887; and Edith I .. , who was born January 13, 1894.

As an able and successful farmer, a man of good judgment, and a progressive citizen, Mr. Dyke is highly respected by his fellow-towns- people. His ability in public affairs has been displayed to good advantage in forwarding the best interests of the town during his long term of service as a member of the Board of Select- men, to which body he has been elected by acclamation for nine consecutive years ; and he has been Tax Collector since 1894. He is a Democrat in politics, and he attends the Free Will Baptist church.

AL ALTER K. HAMLIN, proprietor of the Waterford Creamery, is one of the most enterprising citizens of Oxford County, Maine, actively interested in agriculture, trade, and manufacturing. He was born in Waterford, October 27, 1854, the son of Albert and Sarah K. (Woodsum) Hamlin.

The first of his immediate kinsfolk in this vicinity was his great-grandfather, America Hamlin, who came to Waterford from Har- vard, Mass. He was married twice, and had ten children. America Hamlin, Jr., one of the ten, married Huldah Keyes, and had seven children. He settled on a ridge of land in South Waterford and cleared up a farm. Dy- ing at the age of forty-eight years he left his son Albert, his first-born, to manage the home- stead and provide for the family.

Albert Hamlin was at that time only nine- teen years old, having been born on November 20, 1816. He spent his life on the homestead in Waterford, following the pursuit of agricult- ure. He died May 22, 1875. His wife, who was born in Harrison, Me., December 21, 1819, survived him nearly nineteen years, dying in Waterford, January 27, 1894. They were the parents of seven children. The

eldest, Hattie, born September 13, 1846, is the wife of George W. Morgan, of Auburn, Me. Samantha, a year and a half younger, born April 4, 1848, is living in Bridgton, Me., with her second husband, J. F. Bennett. Her

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first husband was T. C. Bell. The third child, Annie M., born February 3, 1850, was married July 8, 1874, to Oscar G. Fish, and is living in Lowell, Mass. The fourth, Mary, born May 28, 1852, was married March 27, 1873, to R. P. Bean, and lives in Acequa, Col. The next in order is Walter K., whose birth date has been mentioned. The sixth, James B., born March 14, 1857, was married March 12, 1884, to Miss Addie Atherton, and lives in South Waterford. The youngest, Cora J., born December 4, 1859, was married May 14, 1879, to W. F. Bell, who is now farming in Egan, Dak.

Walter K. Hamlin was given good educa- tional advantages, finishing his studies at the high school. When he attained his majority he started in life for himself, going to New Haven, Conn., where he worked some five years and a half in the wheel department of the carriage shop of Henry Hook & Co. When he left their employ he received from them a high recommendation. Returning then to Waterford he took charge of the family home- stead and devoted his attention wholly to farm- ing. In 1882 he bought an adjoining farm, and in 1883 he became interested in the wheel manufactory of Waterford. Establishing the firm of W. K. Hamlin & Co. he inaugurated a prosperous business, at the same time attend- ing to his farm. In 1887 he added to his property the wool carding mill in South Waterford village, which now, under his direc- tion, has an extensive business ; and on May I, 1889, he in company with others, started a creamery in the village. Having purchased his partner's interest in May, 1893, he is now sole proprietor of the creamery, which has a capacity of one thousand pounds of butter a day, and is in a flourishing condition, supply- ing markets in the neighboring towns and in Boston. Mr. Hamlin also deals extensively in grain and flour. He owns a good farm of two hundred and fifty acres, much of which is under cultivation ; and he has a beautiful resi- dence in South Waterford village.

Mr. Hamlin was married September 9, 1878, to Clara J. Bell, who was born in Water- ford, September 19, 1854, the daughter of Eben F. and Jane M. (Willard) Bell. Mr. Bell is a native of Albany, this county. He

has devoted his life to farming in Albany and Waterford, and is now living in the latter place. His wife, who was born in Waterford, has passed to the world beyond. Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin have five children, namely : Alice M., born September 30, 1879, who is now away from home attending the academy; Jennie, born June 30, 1881 ; Flora G., born June 28, 1884; Carrie A., born April 30, 1886; and Albert W., born November 9, 1890.

For one who has had to make his own way in the world the success in business which Mr. Hamlin has already achieved is remarkable. Such industrial leaders are very helpful to the community in which they live. While not an active politician, Mr. Hamlin regularly votes the Republican ticket. He is a charter mem- ber of South Waterford Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and a member of Mount Tire'um Lodge, No. 132, A. F. & A. M., of Water- ford, both he and his wife being connected with the order of the Eastern Star.

ILLIAM S. PIERCE, an extensive farmer and dairyman of Norway, was born on his present homestead July 23, 1853, son of William C. and Aurelia (Upton) Pierce. His paternal grandfather, William Pierce, was born in New Gloucester, Cumberland County, September 27, 1787. The grandfather grew to maturity in the town of his birth. In 1812 he came to Norway. locating on land now the farm of his grand- son, William S. He cleared a portion of the tract, which was heavily timbered, placing it in a fair state of cultivation. On June 23, 1825, he was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Wells, was born August 23, '1790, and died August 21, 1875. They had

six children, as follows: Simeon W., born January 24, 1813, who died April 9, 1877: William C., born February 15, 1815 ; Martha, born March 6, 1817, who died April 20, 1889: Arrie, born June 6, 1821, who died September 6, 1880; John W., born May 1, 1823, who died September 21, 1842; and Betsey, born January 24, 1827, who is the wife of M. O. French, of Norway.

William C. Pierce was a lifelong resident of

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the home in which he was born. Although but a lad when his father was killed, he and Simeon, his eldest brother, took charge of the home farm, and, until his death, September 9, 1878, was there engaged in general farming. He was a man of prominence in the town, and was everywhere respected for his sterling integrity. His wife, in maidenhood Aurelia Upton, who was a native of Norway, died in this village, August 12, 1885, at an advanced age. The following is recorded of their ten children : Lucetta H., born May 8, 1843, died November 3, 1850; Roscoe W., born April 19, 1845, died September 16, 1847; Ashley F., born July 1, 1847, died November II, 1850; Mary E., born May 18, 1849, died May 11, 1876; Harriet A., born May 28, 1851, died November 30, 1852; William S. is the subject of this sketch; Charles A., born December 15, 1854, died May 1, 1880; Abbie L., born December 2, 1857, married Walter Griswold, the manager of the gas works at Los Gatos, Cal., and died in November, 1895; Wesley C., born June 28, 1859, is a photog- rapher in British Columbia; and Rose N., born October 23, 1861, married the late Arthur French, and died September 13, 1885.

William S. Pierce acquired a practical edu- cation in the common schools, and was well trained in agriculture on the homestead. On reaching man's estate he gave up farming for shook binding, at which he was employed until the death of his father. He and his brother jointly managed the farm for the following three years. At the end of that time William S. bought his brother's interest in the estate, and has since managed it most successfully. He carries on general agriculture and dairying, and makes a specialty of fruit-growing. His orchard is one of the largest and most prolific of any in Oxford County. Its yield of apples for one season was six hundred barrels. Polit- ically, he is a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party, and he has acceptably served his townsmen in several town offices. He belongs to the Norway Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Both he and Mrs. Pierce are members of the Advent church.

On November 24, 1881, Mr. Pierce married Lucy Etta Brown, who was born November 18, 1859, in Norway, daughter of David Brown.

Mr. Brown was born in Pownal, Me., October 19, 18II. He married Sarah G. Hill, who was born in Yarmouth, this State, October 27, 1816. They had seven other children, namely : P. Ellen, born August 12, 1839, who died in April, 1882; Orin S., born September 19, 1841, who died October 7, 1847; Harland I'., born November 1, 1843; Orin, born Septem- ber 22, 1846; Alvin, born June 25, 1850; Mary L., born May 1, 1854; and Lizzetta, born October 3, 1856, who died April 5, 1863. Mr. Brown died November 26, 1866. His widow resides with her son Orin in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have had two children of their own, and have an adopted daughter. Their first child, Earl B., born October 8, . 1884, died April 15, 1885. Their adopted daughter, Edith May, was born March 8, 1884. Their other child, Leoni Maud, a bright and interesting girl, was born Novem- ber 5, 1888.

OHN H. ROBINSON, a prominent and influential citizen of Sumner, Me., was born here, March 25, 1838, a son of Leonard and Sophia (Sampson) Robin- son. His grandfather, Joseph Robinson, who was born April 4, 1762, served in the Revolu- tionary War. Grandfather Robinson and his comrade, Meshach Keen, related many anec- dotes of that famous struggle. To our Revo- lutionary heroes, who were none too well fed, the loss of a meal was generally a serious matter. One day Joseph was threatened with this disaster by a larger man, who had capt- ured the dinner kettle, when Keen came to the rescue, and put the hungry raider to rout. Joseph served for a part of the time on a privateer, and was taken prisoner in an action off Halifax, N.S. After the close of the war he settled in Sumner, cleared a farm, and there worked industriously for the rest of his life. He died February 24, 1826. His wife, whose maiden name was Patty Spaulding, was born September 14, 1765, and died September 24, 1830. Of her nine children, the eldest, Rebecca, whose birth occurred March 18, 1785, was the first female white child born in Sumner. Rebecca died March 17, 1871. The other children were: Joseph, born May 26,

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1787; Lydia, born October 16, 1789; Loammi, born January 16, 1792; Stephen R., born June 8, 1794; Patty, born July 10, 1796; Leonard, the father of John H. ; Serene, born July 9, 1802; and Spaulding, born March 6, 1805.

Leonard Robinson, born in Sumner, May 10, 1800, was a lifelong resident of this town. He established a home for himself on a part of the old Robinson farm, and was successfully engaged in agriculture during his life. His first vote was cast in favor of the Whig party, and in the latter part of his life he was a stanch Republican. In religious belief he was a Universalist. He died in Sumner, July 7, 1871. His wife, Sophia, was born in Middleboro, Mass., January 27, 1799, and died in Sumner, May 21, 1865. They were the parents of four children - Sophia H., born November 6, 1823, now deceased; Mari- etta T., born April 28, 1825, who died Janu- ary 25, 1838; Leonard S., born May 5, 1829, who died July 16, 1861; and John H., the subject of this sketch.

John H. Robinson acquired his education in the district schools of his native town. He then learned the mason's trade, at which he has worked up to the present time. He has also followed agriculture since early man- hood, and has a good farm of ninety acres, on which he has made many improvements. His present prosperity has been well earned by hard work. Mr. Robinson was married July 24, 1859, to Sabrina R. Bryant, who was born April 2, 1838, daughter of Levi and Sabrina (Robinson) Bryant. Their children are: Henry M., born December 16, 1860, now re- siding in Buckfield, Me .; Sophia H., born August 31, 1866, the wife of Frank E. Foster, a farmer of Hartford, Me .; Lennie C., born April 27, 1873, a resident of Sumner; and J. Perley, born October 13, 1879, also residing in Sumner.

Mr. Robinson, who is a Republican, has served on the Board of Selectmen for nine years, five of them consecutively. He is a prominent member of Nezinscot Lodge, No. 104, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Buckfield; and of Union Grange, No. 80, Patrons of Husbandry, of East Sumner. Both he and Mrs. Robinson attend the Universalist church.

HE DYER BROTHERS, FRANK L. AND CHARLES E., the former of whom is railroad station agent in Strong, and the latter, an enterprising drug- gist of this town, are sons of Albion and Minerva (Luce) Dyer. Their grandfather, O. Israel Dyer, resided upon a farm in Strong for many years, and passed his last days in Free- port, Me. Grandfather Dyer successively married Mary Richards and Jeanette Pennell. The second wife, who was born January 30, 1808, died August 13, 1896, aged eighty-eight years. Albion Dyer, who was born in Strong, became a prominent merchant of this town, where he remained in business until 1888. He then moved to Topeka, Kan., and is now a clerk in a dry-goods store of that city. His wife, Minerva, who was born in New - Vine- yard, Me., is a daughter of Solomon Luce, a

millwright of that town. She became the mother of four children, as follows: Fred A., born in 1852, who married a Miss Huntzinger, has three children, and is now a merchant in Golden, Col .: George, deceased; and Frank L. and Charles E., the subjects of this sketch.

Frank L. Dyer was born in New Vineyard, February 26, 1854. He acquired a common- school education, and at the age of eighteen he went to Lewiston, Me., to serve an appren- ticeship at the tailor's trade with Richards & Merrill. A year and a half later he returned to Strong, and was thereafter a clerk in his father's store until 1880. He was then ap- pointed station agent, in Strong, of the Sandy River Railroad Company. In 1884 he re- ceived a similar appointment from the Frank- lin & Megantic Railroad Company, whose line passes through Strong. He also acts as ex- press and telegraph agent. He first wedded Marcia A. Dyer, daughter of William H. Dyer, a machinist of this town. She died January 18, 1890. On December 15, 1893, he contracted a second marriage with Cora E. Gates, daughter of Decatur and Maria Gates. of Lincoln, Me.

Charles E. Dyer was born in Strong, July IO, 1863. After attending the common schools in Strong he became a student at Washburn College, and then took a course at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. For

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twelve years he was employed in the drug store of J. K. Jones, in Topeka, Kan., after which he returned to Strong for the purpose of recuperating his health. He was next em- ployed by Shoemaker & Miller, druggists of Wichita, Kan., where he remained for a short time. Once more returning to his native town, he in 1894 bought out Richardson & Sherman, put into the store a full line of drugs, chemicals, confectionery, cigars, wall papers, etc., and has since done a profitable business. In addition to being a first-class druggist and apothecary, Mr. Dyer possesses business ability.

Both brothers are Republicans in politics, and members of Marathon Lodge, No. 96, Knights of Pythias. Frank L. Dyer is a member of the Congregationalist church.

2) EORGE A. BRIGGS, of the firm Briggs & Farrar, meat dealers of South Paris, was born in the town of Paris, Oxford County, May 13, 1852, son of Samuel and Mehitable R. (Smith) Briggs. His grandfather, Jesse Briggs, served in the Revolutionary War, having enlisted, accord- ing to the record, on June 10, 1780, being then twenty-one years old. Jessie came from Wareham, Mass., and settled on the centre lot of the township of Paris. Selecting the site near a good spring of fresh water, he built a log house and a barn, and thereafter devoted his attention to clearing and cultivating his land. At that time the settlers were few and far be- tween, the district was practically a part of the wilderness still, and wild animals were numerous and aggressive. To protect his stock from raids by the latter, Grandfather Briggs had to build a high log pen. Yet, the story is told that, on one night, a bear man- aged to get into the pen. Bruin was in the act of killing a yearling heifer, when Jesse, who had been awakened from sleep by the riot in the pen, scantily dressed as he was, at- tacked the brute with a sled stake, and fought for the heifer until morning A man of power- ful physique weighing over two hundred and twenty-five pounds, he killed the bear and saved his heifer, but at the expense of several wounds and much loss of blood. Laborious

and full of hardships though his life was, it did not terminate until he reached an advanced age. His wife, Naomia, who was a daughter of Robert Bailey, of New Gloucester, Cumber- land County, made him the father of twelve children. These were: Polly, Simcon, Jessie, Alanson, Thankful, Lucinda, Martha, Joseph, Sally, Celia, Samuel, and Emeline.

Samuel Briggs, who was born in 1806, carly in life began dealing in cattle. When the railroad was building he did a large business by butchering meat, and supplying it to the men engaged on the work. He also owned and successfully carried on a farm of two hun- dred acres. His sterling character earned for him the high esteem of the community. He. was a member of the Baptist Church at Paris Hill, and in politics he was a Democrat. While bathing June 16, 1872, he was drowned, having reached the age of sixty-six years. His wife, who was a daughter of Archibald and Lydia (Hammond) Smith, survived him until 1895, when she died, aged eighty-six years. They had nine children; namely, John, Naoma, Samuel F., Abbie W., Hiram H., Jane M., Lucinda A., Angeline A., and George A.

After finishing his education, being then of age, George A. Briggs engaged in the meat business in the employment of his brother, Samuel F. After some time, having acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade, he entered into a partnership with his brothers, Samuel F. and Hiram H., with whom, under the firm name of Briggs Brothers, he carried on a pros- perous business until 1884. In this year he bought out the interests of his brothers, and was sole proprietor for the ensuing two years. He then disposed of a half-interest to W. W. Farrar. His new partner had held his inter- est but a short time when he sold it to W. L. Farrar. However, in 1893, W. W. Farrar repurchased it, and since then the personnel of the firm has remained unchanged. Messrs. Briggs & Farrar are the leading meat dealers in the town. They also are profitably engaged in shipping stock to Boston and Portland. The market on Western Avenue was built by Mr. Briggs on a lot that he had previously purchased. In 1885 he bought the Robert Skillings farm near the court-house, and in

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the following year he erected upon it a house and barn, with other buildings.

On April 22, 1876, Mr. Briggs was united in matrimony with Miss Cora Skillings, daughter of Frank H. and Ellen (Dunn) Skil- lings. He is now the father of two children, namely : Cassie Gladden, born April 26, 1879, now a member of this year's graduating class of the Paris Academy; and Carl Skillings, born March 1, 1886. In political contests Mr. Briggs votes in favor of the Democratic candidates. He is a member of Paris Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M. Formerly he had affiliation with Mount Micah Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.

LINTON P. HUBBARD, M.D., a well-known physician of Lovell, Me., who has a large practice throughout the western part of Oxford County, was born in Hiram, this county, April 9, 1849, son of Thomas L. and Mary Jane (Mason) Hubbard. Thomas L. Hubbard was a native of Hiram, and --- with the exception of a short period spent in East Fryeburg, Me., and about four years which he spent in Cali- fornia engaged in mining, going there in 1852 - his entire life was passed in that town. His regular occupation, however, was farming. A worthy, upright man, and a useful citizen, he was one who gained the good will of all with whom he came in contact. He married Mary Jane Mason, a native of Porter, and they reared a family of three children, namely : Clinton P., the subject of this sketch; Elwin T., who married Nellie Churchill, of Madi- son, N.H., was for ten years physician in Rochester, N.H., where he had a large prac- tice, and died in December, 1894; Lansing H., who married Iza Fessenden, and is now following the painter's trade in Hiram, Me. Thomas L. Hubbard died in Hiram, October 18, 1871, and his wife, September 2, 1877.

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Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine, Part 57

Author: Biographical review publishing company Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Boston, Biographical review publishing company Number of Pages: 644

Author: Biographical review publishing company
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Boston, Biographical review publishing company
Number of Pages: 644