USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 60
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 60
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REELAND HOWE, a representative real estate and insurance man, who for many years has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Norway, Me., is a native of Sumner, Me., born Decem- ber 5, 1833, son of Jacob F. and Polly B. (Howe) Howe. Following up the ancestral line, the lineal representatives of this branch, so far as traced, beginning with the grandpar- ents of Freeland Howe, are: Jesse and Lydia (Dunham) Howe; Jacob, third, and Betty (Foster) Howe; Jacob, second, and Lydia (Davidson) Howe; and Jacob and Lidea (Davis) Howe, of Rowley, Mass.
Jacob Howe, second, who was born in Rowley, Mass., February 9, 1724, was a pa-
triot soldier of the Revolutionary War. His son, Jacob Howe, third, born in Rowley, July 9, 1760, married Miss Betty Foster. After serving for a time in the Revolutionary War, in 1782 he settled in Baldwin, Me., but subsc- quently removed to Bridgton. He was the first mail carrier from the latter place to Port- land; and, being a man of great physical en- durance, he followed this occupation until Ox- ford County was settled, when he was made the first mail carrier between Oxford and Port- land. In both cases the trips were made on horseback, there being for a part of the dis- tance only a bridle path. He finally settled in Paris, where he died on June 30, 1830. His wife survived him until 1853, reaching the venerable age of ninety-four years. Eleven children were the fruit of their union ; namely, Fanny, Jesse, Salome, Jacob J., Betsey, Jere- miah, Huldah, Lydia, Roxanna, Polly, and Miranda.
Jesse Howe, the eldest son, born February 16, 1786, in Sumner, Me., where his parents resided a while, was married on March 23, 1809, to Lydia, daughter of Asa Dunham, of Norway. Jesse Howe and his wife continued to live in his native town, where he became the owner of five hundred acres of land, a large part of which he cleared and put into shape for pasturage and tillage. He died March 2, 1870, and his wife on December 20, 1871. Nine children were born to them; namely, Henry, Jacob F., Jeremiah, Jesse, Jr., Eli, Cyrus H., Benjamin F., Edwin W., and William R.
Jacob F. Howe, the father of Freeland, was born November 30, 1811. On starting out in the battle of life he chose the occupation of a farmer, and purchased two hundred acres of land at West Sumner, on which were a saw- mill and grist-mill. He at once proceeded to the task of clearing his timbered land, a part of which he afterward sold to adjoining farmers, also carrying on both lines of the mill business with success. Several years after he built a large house and store, and car- ried on a general mercantile business until his death, which occurred May 31, 1865. He was a Democrat in politics, and for several years served as Postmaster of West Sumner. The temperance cause had in him an ardent advo-
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cate. Polly Howe, his wife, was a daughter of Jeremiah and Sylvia (Benson) Howe. Her father was engaged in mercantile business at Sumner, and was Captain of a company of State militia. Mrs. Polly Howe is still liv- ing and enjoying good health. She bore her husband three sons, namely : Freeland; Lester M., who died in infancy ; and Frank W.
Freeland Howe received his early education in the district school ; and, being an ambitious scholar, he fitted for college, and was a student of Colby University one year, leaving at the end of that time, then about twenty years old, to engage in teaching. Among the places in which he taught are: Kent's Hill, Sumner, Bryant's Pond, West Paris, and Fairfield, Va., and Stillwater Academy in New York State, teaching for eighteen years in Maine, New York, and Virginia. For thirty-three terms he taught penmanship in different places, during nine of which he was Professor of Penmanship in Westbrook Seminary. For two years, beginning with 1857, he travelled and sold maps and books, after which he be- came an adjuster of fire insurance, and as time went by interested himself more and more in that business until he now represents a large majority of the leading fire and life insurance companies of the country. He came to Norway to live in 1863; and the year following he es- tablished the Oxford County Insurance Agency, which he still conducts with credit and honor. His handsome residence at 100 Main Street, formerly known as the Jeremiah Howe home, was built in 1847, but has since been greatly altered and improved. At 104 Main Street, in the business centre of the town, is the building in which he has his office. Mr. Howe has dealt quite largely in real estate, buying and selling, and laying out house lots. When others had failed, it was through his in- strumentality that the First National Bank charter was secured; and he was for many years one of the bank Directors. He was also for some years a Trustee of the savings-bank. In the organization and establishment of the shoe factory Mr. Howe, together with I. A. Denison, rendered very material service; and, when the railroad was proposed, he went him- self with the paper, and solicited the support of the people. He was a charter member of
the water works company, and was a charter member and stockholder of the street electric railway company, of which he is now Presi- dent. In fact, all worthy enterprises tending toward the development of the town have met with his hearty co-operation; and he is justly held in the highest esteem by his townsmen.
On December 5, 1857, Mr. Howe was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Fields, daughter of George and Mary (Taylor) Fields. Her father, who was a carpenter by trade, at his death left five children - George; John; Mary L., now Mrs. Howe; Annie T .; and .Lucy. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have three chil- dren, namely: George R., born August 4, 1860, a mineralogist and insurance agent, who married Miss Emma J. Boardman, by whom he has a daughter, Marjorie May; Fannie R., born November 15, 1868, now the wife of Arthur E. Morrison, of Rumford Falls, Me., and mother of two children - Robley H. and Freeland J. ; and Freeland Jr., born May 30, 1870, who holds the position of cashier in the World office, New York City.
Mr. Howe has always been a stanch Repub- lican. In religious views he is a Universal- ist. Fraternally, he is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., in which he is Past Master; Union Chapter, No. 36, Royal Arch Masons; Oxford Council, No. 14, Royal and Select Masters; Portland Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templars; Norway Lodge, No. 16, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Grand Encampment of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, State of Maine.
ILBRIDGE H. RACKLIFFE, a pros- perous general merchant of Allen's Mills, in the town of Industry, Franklin County, Me., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Industry, October 20, 1827, son of Henry B. and Elizabeth (Oliver) Rackliffe. Mr. Rackliffe's parents were na- tives of Georgetown, Me. His father, who was in his younger days a seafaring man, and also a shoemaker, moved to Industry in 1823, and bought a farm. He was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits successfully for the rest of his life, and died in Jay, Me., August 8, 1886, at the advanced age of ninety-two years.
ELBRIDGE H. RACKLIFFE.
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His first wife, Elizabeth Oliver, died August 29, 1877; and he was again married to the Widow Bean. By his first union there were five children, as follows: John Sumner, a teacher and afterward a farmer, who was born January 2, 1823, married Mary Cordis, of Bridgton, and died in Kansas, leaving a widow and two children; Emeline, who was born March 6, 1826, married Samuel A. Walker, of Embden, by whom she had seven children, and died January 18, 1878; Elbridge H., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who was born July 16, 1829, and died December 16, 1836; and Sarah E., who was born July 15, 18-, and married first Lucius W. Hall, of Westbrook, Me. Mr. Hall died a prisoner in the Civil War, December 4, 1864. He left one daughter, Addie, who was born Sep- tember 16, 1863, married Charles H. Brann, and died March 18, 1886, leaving one son. Mrs. Hall wedded for her second husband John E. Johnson.
Elbridge H. Rackliffe acquired a common- school education in his early years; and at the age of fifteen he went to Anson, Me., where he served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade. He later worked at his trade in Wil- ton, Bethel, and Bridgton; and during his residence of two and one-half years in the last-named town he was a member of the firm of W. J. Hayden & Co., dealers in stoves, tinware, and general merchandise. After his withdrawal from this firm he worked in differ- ent places in Connecticut and Massachusetts; and in 1852 he went to Saco, Me., where he followed his trade for some time, being mar- ried while residing in that town. From Saco he went to Bridgton, from there to Fryeburg, and thence to Denmark, in the latter place following his trade in connection with farm- ing for about two years. Returning to the homestead in Industry in 1859, he resided there for a year; and then he went to West Mills, where for nearly four years he followed his trade, and held the office of Postmaster. On September 26, 1864, he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company B, Eighth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, under Captain A. Walton. His service in the Civil War extended through its most decisive period, and his regiment participated in a series of engagements which
culminated in the defeat of the Confederate forces. He was present at the battles of Chapin Farm, Bermuda Hundred, Fair Oaks, Deep Bottom, the siege of Petersburg, and several other battles of note; and he was dis- charged June 12, , 1865. He made out the voting list for the Regiment when the soldiers voted in the Presidential election. He was afterwards offered promotion, but declined on account of poor health. Upon his return from the army he bought the Rackliffe home- stead in Industry; and, after carrying on the farm for two years, on account of failing health he moved to Lewiston, where for the next ten years he was engaged at his trade. Returning once more to his farm, he tilled- the soil steadily until 1889, when he en- gaged in trade at Allen's Mills. His store is well stocked with groceries and general merchandise, including tinware; and, aside from doing a very profitable business in that line, he still continues to work at the tin- ner's trade, which he seems unwilling to relinquish.
On August 29, 1852, Mr. Rackliffe was united with Oraville S. Potter, a daughter of John and Huldah (Simons) Potter, prominent and esteemed residents of Sebago, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Rackliffe became the parents of four children, namely: Frank D. and Joseph Henry, twins, who were born July 18, 1856; Charles S., who was born November 5, 1857; and William Luther, who was born March 8, 1859. Joseph H. Rackliffe wedded for his first wife Nellie Mary Brackett, who died in 1876, leaving one daughter, Lillian M. R. By his union with his present wife, who was before marriage Ida Hardenbrook Lewis, and is a native of Auburn, Me., there are four children, namely: Lena D., who was born Oc- tober 31, 1879; Garfield E., who was born September 8, 1881 ; Mildred E. and Millard L., twins, who were born August 20, 1883. Frank D. Rackliffe wedded Emma Rogers, and has five children; namely, Eugene E., Maude, Orrie, Verna Mabel, and Estella. Charles S. Rackliffe married Annie E. Wheeler, and has five children - Bert W .. Charles Guy, Minnie M., Hattie, and Sybil. William Luther Rackliffe married Hattie M. Niles, of Auburn, Me., and has one daughter,
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Dora E., who was born September 28, 1882. Mrs. Oraville S. Rackliffe died July 11, 1895.
In politics Mr. Rackliffe is a firm supporter of Republican principles. He was Postmaster at Allen's Mills for several years; but, having no desire for political honors, he has never taken an interest in public affairs beyond cast- ing his vote. He was formerly connected with several fraternal orders. He and his family attend the Congregational church.
G EORGE I. BURNHAM, a prosperous and successful farmer of Gilead, is a member of one of the old and re- spected families of the town. He was born in Gilead, June 18, 1853, on the farm cleared by his grandfather about a century ago, and of which his own farm is a part. His parents, George and Flora (Burbank) Burnham, are also living on this farm, where the father was born February 2, 1816. The latter, who is now very feeble, was a successful farmer, and a prominent and influential man. A member of the Republican party he filled a number of local offices. He was in the State legislature in 1864, serving as chairman of a committee, and working successfully for the erection of the suspension bridge across the Androscoggin at Gilead. His wife, who is a daughter of James and Susan (Ingalls) Burbank, was born in Gilead, October 23, 1823. Now, at the age of seventy-three, she is an active and in- telligent lady, attends to her household duties, and cares for her ailing husband.
George I. Burnham has had the advantage of a good education received in the common schools of Gilead and Gould Academy at Bethel. After remaining with his parents until about thirty years of age he purchased a part of the homestead farm and erected on it his present residence. His land lies along the Androscoggin River and is beautifully situ- ated. He is engaged in mixed husbandry and keeps some live stock. He was married Au- gust 24, 1881, to Stella L. Willis, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of John W. and Stella J. (Felton) Willis. Mr. Willis was born at Paris Hill, this county, in 1811. He followed the business of miller for many years, and is now living retired in his native town,
His wife, who was a native of Massachusetts, died at the age of seventy-nine. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Burnham is a skilled musician, and has quite a number of piano pupils. Mr. Burn- ham, who is a Republican, has served as Se- lcctman of Gilead four years in succession, and has been on the School Board two years. Though he is not a regular church member he contributes to religious work. He sings in the choir of the Union Church, in which Mrs. Burnham has been organist about fifteen years.
ERGEANT WILLIAM WARREN DURGIN, of Stoneham, a veteran of the Civil War, was in Wash- ington at the time of President Lin- coln's assassination, and took an active part in the events that followed. He was born in Stoneham, December 18, 1839, son of Levi and Sarah (Parker) Durgin. His father was born in Limerick, York County, and his mother in Lovell, this county. His grand- father, Ephraim Durgin, was a lifelong resi- dent of York County.
Levi Durgin, who was a native of Limerick, York County, moved to Oxford County when a young man. He was a blacksmith, and he worked at his trade for a while, Afterward he settled on a farm in the part of Stoneham now called Durgin Hill. An active and ath- letic man, he worked at his trade, tilled his farm in summer, and worked at lumbering in winter, and won fame as a hunter, killing many bears in Stoneham. In town affairs also he took a prominent part, and served in sundry public offices. He died October 23, 1865. His wife, to whom he was united in Stoneham, was a native of the town of Lovell. She died October 9, 1865. Eleven children blessed the marriage of this couple, namely : Martha, the widow of Philip Barrows, now living with her children in Stowe, this county; Hannah, the widow of Barber B. Barker, of Bridgton, Me., residing in Stone- ham; Nancy, deceased, who was the wife of Captain George J. Thestrup, master of a ves- sel, yet following the sea; Angeline, who died October 20, 1865; Benjamin, a police ser- geant, who has been one of Boston's "finest "
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for the past thirty years; Joseph P., who died at the age of sixty; Elias, who died in in- fancy; Phoebe P., the wife of Samuel Davis, of Bridgton, Me., and the mother of eight children ; William Warren, the subject of this sketch; Ellen S., deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Whitehouse, also deceased; and Barber B., now in Lynn, Mass., who married Miss Lillian Thompson, of Gorham, Me. It is further stated of Barber B. that he served in the late war with the Twelfth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, having enlisted at the age of sixteen, and that he is now a comrade of Post 5, Grand Army of the Republic.
William Warren Durgin was given a good practical education in the common schools. He went to work at farming and lumbering when seventeen years of age, and was steadily employed thereat until his twenty-second year, when he responded to the call of his country for men to defend the Union. He en- listed April 25, 1861, in Company G, First Maine Infantry, under Captain George L. Beal, of Norway, and Colonel N. J. Jackson. After serving three months he returned home and re-enlisted in Company K, Ninth Maine Infantry. This company participated in the capture of Port Royal, S.C .; of Fernandina, Fla. ; of St. Mary's, Ga., of Talbert Island, Fla. ; and of Yellow Bluff on the St. John's River. In July, 1863, Mr. Durgin was trans- ferred from the Ninth Maine Infantry to the Tenth Regiment of Veteran Reserves, being assigned to Company F. In the spring of 1864 he re-enlisted, joining the same company and regiment. He was promoted to the rank of Orderly Sergeant while in Company K, and retained his rank when transferred to Company F. He has to-day a more forcible reminder of his term of military service than his commission, for he was wounded in the ankle, and suffers yet from the hurt. When President Lincoln was assassinated Sergeant Durgin, then in the veteran reserve force, was immediately called into action. He was one of the military bearers who escorted the body of the President to the rotunda of the Capitol, and was one of the guard of honor that accompanied the remains to Springfield, Ill. He is the proud possessor of a medal presented to him on that occasion, one of
twenty-nine in the whole United States, and the only one in Maine. He was one of the guards who surrounded Mrs. Surratt's house, the alleged place of rendezvous for the conspir- ators. He also retains a vivid recollection of the excitement caused by the news that Booth had been shot by Sergeant Corbett on Garrett's farm, near Port Royal on the Rap- pahannock.
After serving in all four years and seven months, Sergeant Durgin received his dis- charge in November, 1865, and returned to Stoneham. Settling in North Stoneham, he remained there four years, working at farming and lumbering. He was subsequently engaged in turning spools in a mill in Stowe, this county, where he remained one year, and for nine months working in a clothespin factory in Chatham, N.H. Then for eighteen or nineteen years he was engaged in turning spools at North Lovell. At the end of that time he settled on the farm where he now lives, and has since given his attention chiefly to agriculture, except one year spent at Al- bany, N.H., turning spools. He has forty- five acres of farming land, and he owns timber land in different parts of the county. He has been very successful as a farmer and stock raiser; but he is unable to do much active work, on account of his ankle, and is now re- ceiving a pension from the government. A stanch Republican, Sergeant Durgin takes an active interest in politics. He is now serv- ing his eighth term as Noble Grand in Cres- cent Lodge, No. 25, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of North Lovell; and he is a comrade of Parker Post, No. 151, Grand Army of the Republic, at Lovell Centre.
J OSIAH G. ADAMS, who owns and conducts one of the most productive farms in East Wilton, was born in the neighborhood of his present residence, August 3, 1833, son of Jephthah H. and Han- nah (Green) Adams. His paternal grand- parents were Moses and Martha (Kinney) Adams. Jephthah H. Adams was born in Bowdoinham, Sagadahoc County, in 1796. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812 while still a youth, and his wife received a
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pension from the government after his death. l laving acquired a good district school educa- tion he was quite noted as a schoolmaster in his day. After residing for a few years upon a farm in the western part of this town he bought in March, 1823, the farm now owned by Mr. Newman. The buildings upon this estate were erected by him. He owned in all some one hundred and seventy-five acres . of land. Originally a Whig in politics he subse- quently joined the Republican party, and held various town offices, but declined most of the nominations tendered him. Jephthah Adams died in 1872, regretted as a model farmer and a progressive citizen. He married Hannah Green, who was born in Wilton in 1799, daughter of Josiah Green, a native of Dun- stable, Mass. (A more extended account of Mr. Adams's maternal ancestors will be found in the sketch of Charles L. Green. ) Mrs. Jephthah Adams was the mother of twelve children; namely, Alexis, Lydia B., Hannah, Jefferson J., Albion K. P., Nathaniel R., Betsey D., Dorcas, Josiah G., Flavilla S., Jonas G., and William D. Jefferson, Albion, Nathaniel, and Jonas G. served as soldiers in the Civil War. The mother died in 1886.
Josiah G. Adams attended the district schools and resided at home until he was twenty years old. He then went to Ashland, Mass., where he was employed at A. Tilton's shoe factory for three years, during which time he operated the first waxed-thread machine introduced in the United States. From Ash- land he went to Minnesota upon a prospecting trip, and while there was engaged to some extent in the lumbering business. Not having been favorably impressed with the people he returned to the East. Settling in Dixfield, Oxford County, he bought a farm, which he subsequently sold after carrying it on for eight years. He then came to Wilton and pur- chased the Prescott farm of seventy acres. This farm is a part of the property originally owned by his father, and was later occupied by Mr. Adams's brother, who erected the present buildings. These latter he has remodelled and enlarged, besides making other improve- ments. He keeps twelve head of fine Jersey stock, carries on the butchering business, both wholesale and retail, and rears a number of
horses. He also handles an agricultural de- vice known as a horse fork, one hundred and fifty of which he has sold in this and adjoining towns.
On April 5, 1860, Mr. Adams wedded Ellen R. Staples, who was born November 18, 1836, daughter of Ansel and Rebecca Staples, of Dixfield. Mrs. Adams's father was a pioneer settler and a prominent resident of Dixfield. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had four children. Their eldest child, Amy E., born June 7, 1861, who commenced teaching when she was fourteen years old, has been engaged in that occupation for thirty-six terms; Wellen died at the age of eighteen months; Albion L., who was born May 16, 1868, is now employed by H. C. Baxter & Brother of Brunswick, Me. ; and Harry H., who was born August 10, 1876, graduated from the Shaw Business Col- lege, and is now engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Politically, Mr. Adams acts with the Republican party. His natural ability joined to his personal characteristics has gained the sincere good-will and esteem of the entire community. He and Mrs. Adams attend the Universalist church.
RANK H. NOYES, of the firm of Noyes & Andrews, Norway, Me., large dealers in dry goods and clothing, was born in this town, January 17, 1856, son of Amos F. and Lydia F. (Hobbs) Noyes.
Ward Noyes, the father of Amos F., settled in Norway in 1800. He was a carpenter by trade, and a large number of the houses and barns of that day were erected by him or under his supervision. He was born in An- dover, Mass., in 1772, and died in Norway in 1822. He married Miss Clarissa Wood, also a native of Andover, who was born in 1776, and died in 1840. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom four sons and four daughters grew to maturity; namely, Alice B., Ward, Sophia, Harriet N., Clarissa, Amos F., David F., and George.
Amos F. Noyes was born in Norway, De- cember 14, 1812. He became the owner of a fine farm in this town, and spent the greater part of his working period of life profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits. Shortly
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after the beginning of the Civil War, although then past the age when military service was required, he responded to the call of Presi- dent Lincoln for troops to defend the Union. He was made First Lieutenant of Company G, Fourteenth Maine Regiment on December 12, 1861, and resigned his commission on June 14, 1862. After a few months, on Oc- tober 17, 1862, he again entered service as Captain of Company H, and was discharged with the regiment on July 15, 1863. He be- came the Captain of Company B of the Thirty- second Maine Regiment on March IO, 1864, was wounded May 18, and, on account of the consolidation of the regiments, was honorably discharged on December 1, 1864. Having sold his farm and purchased a residence in Norway, he is now living quietly, enjoying good health and the society of a large circle of acquaintances. He is a Republican in pol- itics, and has served six years as Selectman. He is an honored member of the Masonic order, also of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. His wife, Mrs. Lydia F. Hobbs Noyes, who was born June 27, 1814, died February 9, 1895. She was a daughter of Jeremiah Hobbs, Jr. Captain and Mrs. Noyes had three sons and seven daughters; namely, Amos Oscar, Lorenzo H., Georgianna, Marcia, Elizabeth E., Catherine H., Clara A., Lydia E., Frank H., and Wealthy H.
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