USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 58
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 58
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Clinton P. Hubbard began his education in the common schools of Hiram, and subse- quently took a two years' course at the Lim- ington Academy. At the age of twenty-one he located in Hiram village, where he worked in a saw-mill for a time, and was also employed in the manufacture of axe handles. When
thirty-two years old he commenced the study of medicine, and in 1884 was graduated from the medical department of Bowdoin College. Returning to Hiram, he practised his profes- sion for one year: On September 15, 1885, he moved to Lovell, where the only resident physician at that time was an aged Dr. Isaac Chandler, who had been settled there about forty years, and who died three years later. Purchasing the property formerly owned by Dr. French, Dr. Hubbard thus began practice in this town under the most favorable circum- stances. He has acquired and retained a large and profitable practice, which is distributed over a wide circuit, and his professional career has been successful from the start.
On July 6, 1870, Dr. Hubbard was united in marriage with Esther J. Wentworth, who was born in Hiram, February 12, 1851, daugh- ter of William and Lavinia (Cram) Went- worth. Her father, who was a native of Hiram, is no longer living. Her mother, who was born in Baldwin, Me., still survives, and resides in her native town. Dr. and Mrs. Hubbard have three children, namely: Fanny L., born April 9, 1871 ; Carrie, E., born Feb- ruary 12, 1877; and Elwin T., born December 16, 1879, all of whom are residing at home. Politically, Dr. Hubbard is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Board of Health, but is not an aspirant for public office in gen- eral, as he believes that he can be of the great- est benefit to the community by giving his undivided attention to his professional duties. He is a member of Delta Lodge, No. 153, A. F. & A. M., of Lovell; Keazar Valley Lodge, No. 66, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and he was connected with the lodge of Knights of Pythias, which formerly existed in Lovell. He is widely and favorably known throughout this part of the county.
ATHAN W. MILLETT, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of the town of Norway, Oxford County, was born December 5, 1834, on the farm where he now lives. He is of pioneer ances- try, his grandfather, John Millett, who was born in 1767, having settled in the southern part of this town when a young man, here tak-
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ing up a timbered tract, which he cleared and improved.
Nathan Millett, son of John and father of Nathan W., was one of a family of eleven children born to his parents. After his mar- riage he removed from the home farm to the northern part of Norway, where he purchased a tract of wild land, from which he redeemed a good farm. Having placed a portion of it under cultivation, he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in March, 1890. His wife, whose maiden name was Mercy Sampson, was born in Massachu- setts, but was reared to womanhood in the village of Norway, whither her father, a cooper by trade, came when she was an infant. She died December 3, 1863, leaving five chil- dren, of whom the following is a brief record: Harriet R., the widow of Benjamin Bird, lives in the town of Paris, Oxford County; Maria Louisa is the wife of C. N. Porter, of South Paris; Nathan W., afore mentioned, lives in Norway; Martha M. is the wife of Franklin Porter, of Paris, Me .; and Julia E. lives with her sister, Mrs. Bird.
Nathan W. Millett was educated in the schools of Oxford County, and from his earli- est youth has worked on the old Millett home- stead, which he now owns and occupies. Early choosing farming as his life work, he has labored diligently to add to the improve- ments begun by his parents, and has now a valuable farm of three hundred and seventy acres, much of his land being in a good state of cultivation. He keeps for dairy purposes a fine herd of Durham cattle, and sells the rich cream in the village of West Paris.
Mr. Millett was married May II, 1866, to Miss E. Augusta Noyes, who was born in Norway, February 28, 1844, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Southern) Noyes, both natives of the city of Portland. Mr. Noyes was a book-binder, and worked at his trade in his native city until 1843, when he removed to this town, where he continued actively en- gaged in his vocation until his death, March 16, 1888, having outlived his wife but a month and two days. Mr. and Mrs. Millett have five children, all at present devoted to educational work. They are: Robert N., who is now teaching in West Rockport, Me. ;
Mercie E., a teacher in the town of Norway ; Susie L., teaching in the village; and Ger- trude A. and Hattie W., who are both attend- ing school.
Politically, Mr. Millett is a strong Repub- lican, and a prominent man of his native town, in which he has held the office of Selectman, besides serving in various minor official posi- tions. He is Past Master of the Norway Grange, and an active member of Pomona Grange, of Norway, of which he has been Chaplain the past five years. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
ENRY WEBSTER, who owns and occupies one of the most productive farms in East Wilton, situated about one-quarter of a mile from the vil- lage, was born in the northern part of this town, January 9, 1837, son of Thomas E. and
Lois (Scales) Webster. Mr. Webster's grand- father, Abel Webster, was a prosperous farmer of Weare, N. H., and his father was born in that town and State, February 25, 1806. At the age of twenty-one Thomas E. Webster settled upon a farm in the northern part of Wilton, where he resided until 1852. He then bought a ninety-acre wood-lot covered with a second growth of timber, and converted it into the farm now occupied by his son Henry. The proceeds of the timber, which he sold to the woollen factory in East Wilton, paid for the erection of as fine a set of farm buildings as can be found in this section to-day. By setting out maple trees for shade, and other- wise beautifying the grounds surrounding the residence, he has made of the property a handsome estate. The same careful attention paid to the rest of the property enabled him to realize his desire of possessing a model farm. He passed his last days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor, and died in 1870. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. In politics he supported the Democratic party, and served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen for four years. A worthy upright man he gained the sincere respect of the community. His wife, Lois (Scales) Webster, whom he married October 3, 1830, was born in Wilton, May 29, 1810. They had
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six children, as follows: Susan B., who was born June 29, 1831 ; Anna M., who was born February 22, 1833; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Volina M., who was born July 18, 1841 ; Vanander, who was born July 8, 1846; and Octavia C., who was born January 21, 1858. The mother died January 2, 1864. = Henry Webster acquired his education in the public schools of Wilton. He assisted his father in carrying on the farm. Having cared for his parents during their declining years he succeeded to the homestead. Con- tinuing to make improvements he keeps well advanced in the line of progress. Besides re- pairing the buildings he has added more land to the estate. He keeps a herd of excellent stock, a flock of one hundred and thirty-five sheep, and pays careful attention to a fine orchard.
Mr. Webster has been twice married. On November 6, 1876, he wedded for his first wife Laura Russell, daughter of Isaac Russell. She died young, leaving no children. His present wife, in maidenhood Achsa J. Weeks, was born March 6, 1849, daughter of Abel H. Weeks. By this union there are three chil- dren, namely : Celia L., who was born Septem- ber 2, 1879; Glenn H., who was born Septem- ber 19, 1882; and Addie O., who was born October 16, 1886.
Mr. Webster is a Democrat in politics, and has most acceptably rendered his share of ser- vice to the community. In his religious belief he is a Free Will Baptist; while Mrs. Web- ster favors the Methodist Episcopal church.
HARLES N. TUBBS, senior member of the firm of C. N. Tubbs & Co., of Norway, was born here August 27, 1837, son of James and Hannah J. (Wentworth) Tubbs, and is descended from one of the pioneer families of Norway, his great-grandfather, Jacob Tubbs, a native of Bingham, having been the first to settle on Lee's grant, coming from Hebron to this town about the year 1795, and receiving a deed of land direct from Mr. Lee. His wife, whose maiden name was Jemima Churchill, bore him four sons and two daughters, namely: Jacob, Jr .; Angier; Hannah; Charles; Sally; and
Samuel. Angier Tubbs, the grandfather of Charles N., was born in Hebron, January 18, 1785, and was therefore about ten years old when, with his parents, he came to Norway. He became a farmer, and cleared up a good- sized farm. He married Miss Philena Pack- ard, and they had nine children: James ; Eunice; Charles; Jacob; Philena ; Mary Ann, who died when less than two years of age; Orrin; Mary Ann; and Nathan N.
James Tubbs was born here in Norway, Jan- uary 5, 1809. He taught school for a time, but in early manhood purchased a tract of heavily timbered land at the head of the lake. After clearing it up and bringing a large part of it into a state of cultivation he sold it and purchased another large farm, selling this also a few years later and removing to Gorham, N. H., where he engaged in the meat, provi- sion, and grocery business, taking into partner- ship a little later his son, Charles N. Tubbs. They carried on the business there up to 1873, when they sold out and returned to Norway, establishing the present firm of C. N. Tubbs & Co., with which the father was associated until his death, October 26, 1884. He was a Democrat in politics, and while in Gorham served on the Board of Selectmen. A liberal in religious views he was always a free giver to the Congregational and Methodist Episcopal churches. He married Hannah J. Wentworth, who was born April 1, 1811, and is still re- markably active. A kind and loving mother and a wise counsellor in her husband's busi- ness affairs, she has led a life of noble deeds and thoughtfulness for others. Her father, Samuel F. Wentworth, was a successful farmer of Gloucester, Me.
Charles Newell Tubbs, the only child, re- ceived his education here in Norway. As a young man, during the quiet winter months passed in his parental home, he took up the. work of building carriages, at which he en- gaged until he entered into partnership with his father in the meat and provision business at Gorham, N. H. He subsequently sold his interest and went into the dry-goods business at Gorham with his uncle, Orrin Tubbs, with whom he continued five and a half years, with- drawing at that time on account of impaired health. After a season of rest, on March 26,
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1873, he returned to Norway, and with his father bought a lot and erected a building in which they started a general store. After the death of his father, Mr. Tubbs conducted the business alone up to 1890, when he entered into partnership with C. S. Akers. This asso- ciation continued till 1893. Purchasing his partner's interest Mr. Tubbs was again alone in business for a year, and then he took as partners Orrin and G. E. Tubbs, the name of the firm being C. N. Tubbs & Co., as above mentioned. They have enlarged the store, and to-day are among the leading dealers in general merchan- dise in the county. Mr. Tubbs has built sev- eral houses, two of which were destroyed in the fire of 1893. He now owns two double tenement-houses, a block of tenements and store; and is closely identified with the busi- ness interests of the town in other ways, being a stockholder and Director of the shoe factory and railroad company, President and Director of the National Bank, and one of the trustees of the Savings Bank.
Mr. Tubbs has twice married. His first matrimonial union was with Miss Abbie J. Crockett, a daughter of Ephraim Crockett. She was the mother of four children : Inez M., born July 14, 1875 ; James M., born September 8, 1880; Idonia C., born March 30, 1882; and Oscar J., born March 8, 1886. Mr. Tubbs mar- ried for his second wife Mrs. Leona G. Kilgore, a daughter of Lewis Brackett, of Harrison, Me.
In politics Mr. Tubbs is a Democrat. He is a member of the Congregational church, of Norway Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Union Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
ON. ECKLEY T. STEARNS, of Lovell Centre, Me., is one of the best known and most highly re- spected citizens of Oxford County. lle was born in Lovell township, August 30, 1843, a son of Caleb and Eliza W. (Russell) Stearns, both natives of Lovell. His grand- father, David Stearns, who was originally from the vicinity of Boston, Mass., settled in Lovell at an early date.
Caleb Stearns, who was born in 1810, son of David, settled after his marriage in the vil-
lage of Lovell Centre, and lived here for some time. He then moved to a farm at some dis- tance, and was actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture until 1866. Retiring in that year he returned to the Centre, where he was residing at the time of his death, April 1, 1881. His wife, who was born March 1, 1820, and is now seventy-six years of age, is living with her son Eckley T. The home of Mr: and Mrs. Caleb Stearns was brightened by the birth of seven children - Marcellus L., Augustus W., Timothy S., Eckley T., Ren- salier C., Frank C., and. Georgiana. Mar- cellus L., who was born April 29, 1839, en- tered Waterville College in 1859, enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Regiment, Maine Vol- unteers, as a private, was promoted to First Lieutenant and Brevet Major for meritorious service, and lost his right arm in the battle of Winchester. He was a man of character and ability, and was Governor of Florida four years. His death occurred in 1891. Gover- nor Stearns married Miss Ellen Walker, who is now living in Baltimore, Md. Augustus W., born September 5, 1840, died July 20, 1860. Timothy S., born March 30, 1842, also served in the late war, in Company E, Twelfth Regi- ment, Maine Volunteers, and, being incarcer- ated five months in a rebel prison, suffered much injury to his health. He died January IO, 1895. His wife, who was Miss Serena E. Stearns, has also passed away. Eckley T. is the subject of this sketch. Rensalier C .- who was born July 26, 1845, also served in the late war in Company E, Twelfth Regiment, Maine Volunteers - is engaged in the sale of general merchandise in Quincy, Fla. He mar- ried Miss Ida Jones. Frank C., born Novem- ber 23, 1852, who is in the hardware business at Hot Springs, Ark., married Miss Maggie Smith. Georgiana, born October 18, 1859, died November 19, 1864.
Eckley T. Stearns enjoyed good educational advantages in his youth, attending the acade- mies at North Bridgton and Fryeburg. He helped his father about the farm until after the war broke out; and in September, 1862, he enlisted for nine months as a private in Com- pany H, Twenty-third Regiment of Maine Volunteers, under Captain Noyes. He was more fortunate than his brothers, for he was
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neither wounded nor taken prisoner, but, re- ceiving his discharge near Alexandria, Va., in January, 1863, returned to Lovell unhurt. He then resumed his studies, attending school until 1866; and in that year started a general merchandise business in Lovell Centre. In 1883 he sold his stock in trade and went to Hot Springs, Ark., where he remained six years, being four years of that time in the hardware business with his brother. In 1893. he returned to Lovell and settled on the old Stearns farm. He owns a fine estate of three hundred acres, and also other land in the town- ship, and is actively engaged in general farm- ing. His dwelling on Main Street, Lovell Centre, is one of the handsomest residences in the locality.
On September 22, 1872, Mr. Stearns was united in marriage with Anna L., daughter of Henry and Lucy A. (Stearns) Russell, of Lovell. Mr. Russell, who was a carpenter, died in February, 1893. His wife resides in Lovell Centre. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have three children : Marcellus W., born September 12, 1873; Alice A., born September 30, 1882 ; and Edward T., born July 5, 1886.
Mr. Stearns is one of the prominent Repub- licans of the State of Maine. He was in the State Senate in 1882 and 1883, and in his native town he has served as Selectman for a number of years and presided as Chairman of the Board four years, besides filling a number of minor offices. He belongs to Pythagorean Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. II, of Fryeburg, Me. ; to Oriental Lodge of the same order in Bridgton; and to St. Albans Commandery, Knights Templars, of Portland. As an Odd Fellow he belongs to Kezar Valley Lodge, No. 66, of Lovell; and as a Grand Army man he is a member of Parker Post, No. 151, of Lovell Centre. He and his wife and family are members of the Congregational church at the Centre, and are actively inter- ested in church work.
ESLIE E. McINTIRE and his brother, BERTRAND G. McINTIRE, well- known cattle dealers of Waterford, Me., are among the largest buyers and shippers of live stock in this section of
the State. They are the sons of Justin E. and Amanda (Johnson) McIntire, the former of whom is a retired cattle dealer and lumberman and a prominent resident of Waterford, a sketch of whose career, together with an ac- count of the family ancestry, will be found elsewhere in this work. Like their father the McIntire Brothers are industrious, energetic business men, who devote their entire attention to their enterprise, which includes the buying and shipping of cattle, sheep, lambs, and hogs, the stock finding a ready market in Port- land, Me., and in Massachusetts. They have rapidly advanced to a firm business footing, and have established a high reputation for practical ability, good judgment, and honora- ble methods.
Leslie E. McIntire was born in Norway, Oxford County, September 5, 1858. He ac- quired a good practical education in the schools of his native town, and resided at home assist- ing his father until reaching his majority, when he engaged in business for himself with the above mentioned result. On February I, 1880, he was united in marriage with Edith R. Sawin, who was born in Waterford, January 31, 1861, daughter of Thomas H. and Chloe E. (Sampson) Sawin, both natives of Waterford. Thomas H. Sawin was for many years engaged in farming in this town; but in 1880 he en- tered mecrantile pursuits at North Waterford, where he carried on a profitable trade until 1895, when he retired. He is now living in Norway village. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie E. Mc- Intire have two children : Clayton S., who was born July 21, 1882; and Lulu G., who was born March 28, 1884.
Bertrand G. McIntire was born in Norway, Me., October 27, 1866. After completing his studies he also, until becoming of age, was engaged in helping his father. He then en- tered into partnership with his brother in the live stock business, with which he has since been identified, and has developed an energy and ability which are of great value.
On June 2, 1890, he married Alice Sawin, who was born in Waterford, June 25, 1867, and is a sister of his brother's wife.
The McIntire brothers are both members of Oxford Lodge, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of North Waterford. In politics
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they are active supporters of the Democratic party, and Leslie E. McIntire has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for three years.
IRAM GATCHELL, one of the fore- most citizens of Brownfield, Me., an admirable specimen of the thrifty and prosperous New Englander, was born in South Monmouth, Kennebec County, Me., August 28, 1829, son of Benjamin and Judith (Jackson) Gatchell.
His father, Benjamin Gatchell, who was a native of Brunswick, Me., was brought up to agricultural work, and in early manhood settled upon a farm in South Monmouth. Later in life he moved to Winthrop, in this State, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1854. He was twice married. By his first wife, a Miss Hall before mar- riage, he had six children, named respectively Priscilla, Rebecca, Catherine, Josiah, Debo- rah, and Rachel. Catherine and Josiah were twins, as were also Deborah and Rachel. The first five are no longer living. Rachel Gatchell married James Burke, a native of Litchfield, Me., and is now a resident of Lee, Penobscot County, Me.
His first wife dying, Mr. Benjamin Gatchell married for his second wife Mrs. Judith Jack- son Small, widow of Isaac Small, a native of Limington, Me. She was the mother of three children by Mr. Small, namely: Samuel ; Zana, who became the wife of Eben Sawyer, of Baldwin, Me. ; and Luther, who died soon after the close of the Civil War, in which he served in the Union forces with the rank of Lieutenant. By her union with Mr. Gatchell she had six children - Isaac, Mary A., Alex- ander, Hiram, Maria L., and Lucy. Isaac Gatchell was twice married, first to a Miss Folsom, and after her death to a Miss Farnum, of Winthrop. He is now a prosperous farmer in Monmouth. Mary A. Gatchell married Darius Blake, of Cambridge, Mass., and both have departed this life. Alexander is also a successful farmer of Monmouth. He married Annette Strout, who is now deceased. Maria L. is the widow of Silas Strout, and resides with her children in Minneapolis. Lucy, now
deceased, married Lemuel Snow, of Somer- ville, Mass. Mrs. Judith J. Gatchell, the mother of these children, died in 1860. The father was a veteran of the War of 1812-14.
Hiram Gatchell, the youngest son, and the special subject of this sketch, received his ele- nientary education in the common schools and pursued more advanced studies at a private school. At the age of nineteen he engaged in manufacturing shoes with his brother in Wales, Me., and remained in that business for six years. He then went to Racine, Wis., where for a year and a half he was occupied in farm- ing. Returning to Maine and settling in Baldwin, for about thirty years he carried on farming and lumbering in that locality; but . in 1887 he removed to a farm located near East Brownfield village, and four years later to his present residence. He owns several thousand acres of wild land, and is still exten- sively engaged in lumbering.
Although a very busy man during his long active career Mr. Gatchell has found time to render his share of official service to the com- munity. While a resident of Cumberland County he was a Justice of the Peace, and he represented the towns of Baldwin and Standish in the legislature. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen in Brownfield in 1892, and is now Chairman of the Board of Health and Surveyor of Lumber. His first Presidential vote was cast for Franklin Pierce in 1852, but he has been affiliated with the Republican party since its formation. He is connected with Ossipee Valley Lodge, No. 54, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, of Cornish, Me., and with the order of Good Templars. His business ability and long experience have been of great service in assisting to develop the natural resources of this region ; and as a lead- ing representative of an important industry he occupies a prominent position among the resi- dents of Brownfield.
On November 1, 1852, Mr. Gatchell was united in marriage with Mary S. Given, who was born in Corinna, Me., June 24, 1833, a daughter of John and Hannah (Small) Given. Her parents were natives of Wales, Me., whence in middle life they removed to Co- rinna, where they ended their days. Mr. and Mrs. Gatchell have had nine children, namely :
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Willis L. ; Carrie L. ; Marion F. ; Mary S. ; Cora and Flora, twins; Helen S. ; Hannah C. and Georgie F., twins. Willis L. Gatch- ell is now a practising physician of this town. Carrie L. is the wife of Joseph H. Bacheldor, of Sebago, and has one child, Arthur Willis. Marion F. married Z. O. Wentworth, a meat dealer of Fryeburg, and has one son, Herbert Hiram. Mary S. married M. C. Dow, and resides in Lodi, Cal. She has two children - Eva May and Clarence Gatchell. Helen S. died February 20, 1889. The children were all educated at the Fryeburg Academy, and the four daughters residing at home are teachers in the public schools of Brownfield.
ERGEANT WILLIAM R. KNEE- LAND, a prosperous farmer of Lovell, Oxford County, is one of our war-scarred veterans. He was born November 14, 1840, in the town of Sweden, this county, and is a son of William H. and Mary (Giles) Kneeland. His grand- father, David Kneeland, settled on a farm in Sweden township when his son, William H., was one year old, and there passed the rest of his life. William H. Kneeland, born in Bridgton, Me., was reared in Sweden, and there spent the greater part of his life en- gaged in agriculture. His wife, who was a native of Shapleigh, Me., died in 1879. After this event he went to live with a daughter in Lynn, Mass., at whose home he died in May, 1883, being then over eighty years of age. His children were: Mary, de- ceased, who was the wife of William E. Delano; Dorcas, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Trull, also deceased; Elizabeth D., the wife of Hiram R. Swain, of Rumford Centre, Me .; Sarah G., the widow of Joseph Barrett, living in Stoneham, Mass .; Cordelia, the wife of F. G. Lorendo, of Lynn, Mass .; William R., the subject of this sketch; Flora P., the wife of David Walker, of Lynn, Mass. ; and a child who died in infancy.
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