USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 61
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 61
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As a boy, Frank H. Noyes attended the common schools of Norway. When fourteen years of age he entered the drug store of his brother, A. Oscar Noyes, for whom he worked five years. The constant indoor confinement having proved injurious to his health, he took a vacation, spending much of his time in the open air, and in a few months had so far re- covered that he was able to accept a position in a grocery store at Mechanics Falls, and later on he held a similar position at Paris. In 1876 he started a grocery store on the old bakery stand in Norway, remaining there a year, then removing to the old Shackley stand at the head of Main Street, where he carried on his business for three years. Having erected a new store, the one now occupied by Henry Bangs, he moved into it, and remained until 1886, when failing health compelled him to again take a season of rest. His con-
dition was such that he had little hope of liv- ing beyond a few weeks at the most, and he accordingly put his affairs in order; but re- lease from business cares and outdoor exercise again wrought a cure so that in a compara- tively short time he was once more able to re- sume business, and in company with P. W. Judkins he opened a gentlemen's clothing store.
Some time after, he purchased his partner's interest, and carried on the business alone up to 1892, when he formed a co-partnership with L. B. Andrews, and started a dry-goods store in the Beals Block. They soon found they had not sufficient room for their business, and moved into the Noyes Block. In January, 1894, they purchased the T. L. Weeks Blue Store, and added a large line of gentlemen's furnishings, including ready-made clothing, hats and caps; also adding a custom depart- ment. They to-day carry the largest line of clothing and gentlemen's furnishings in the county, and their dry-goods department also is quite extensive, employing from five to eight clerks. In addition to his mercantile business Mr. Noyes has dealt to a considerable extent in real estate, and invested in such enterprises as have helped in the progress of the commu- nity, owning stock in the shoe factory and water works, and being a Trustee of the Sav- ings Bank.
On January 14, 1877, Mr. Noyes was mar- ried to Miss Ella A. Bennett, a daughter of James C. Bennett, of this town. They reside on Crescent Street in a substantial and attrac- tive house which Mr. Noyes owns. In politi- cal affiliation Mr. Noyes is a Republican. He has served as Selectman and Corporation Assessor. Fraternally, he is a member of Norway Lodge, No. 16, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Wiley Encampment, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows; and Wellington Hobbs Camp, Sons of Veterans.
R. EPHRAIM CALVIN WALKER, a noted veterinary surgeon of the town of Norway, Oxford County, has a wide reputation as an expert practitioner, thoroughly acquainted with the different branches of his profession. He was
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born September 26, 1847, in Denmark, Me., son of Daniel Walker, and is a grandson of Ephraim Walker, an carly settler of Albany, N. H.
Ephraim Walker and his wife, Mary Wood- man, were both natives of Wolfeboro, N. H., where they lived until after their marriage. They then removed to Albany in that State, there engaging in farming for a time, after which they came to Maine, locating in the town of Denmark, where the grandfather cleared and improved a homestead. Both lived to a ripe old age, he dying in his eighty-fifth year, and she in her eighty- seventh. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, as follows: Eli, Daniel, and Orin, now deceased; Lorenzo, a farmer in Fryeburg, who first married Judith Charles, and after her death married Caroline Sands; Charles, who died while in the army; Richard, in Pennsyl- vania; Sarah, widow of the late Ephraim San- born, living with her children in Denmark, Me .; Benjamin, a minister of the gospel, who is preaching near Johnstown, Pa. ; and George, who died in 1895.
Daniel Walker, the second son, lived for many years of his earlier life in Albany. N. H., where he ran a saw-mill. He subse- quently engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of Denmark, this State, living there until 1854, when he removed to Stoneham, another Oxford County town, a few miles north, and there continued in the same occu- pation nine years. Going thence to North Lovell, bordering on the town of Stoneham, he carried on farming six years, with the ex- ception of the months from March, 1864, until the close of the War of the Rebellion, when he was in the Federal army. Subsequently buying land in Norway Centre, he carried on general farming until his death, January 29, 1885. He married Julia Ann Walker, a daughter of Robert and Sallie (Martin) Walker, the latter of whom was born in the town of Denmark, Me., and the former in Kennebunk, where he spent his life in agri- cultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Walker , had a family of seven children, namely: Mary Ellen; Malora Edward, who died at the age of two years; Ephraim Cal- vin; Jennie I .; Daniel; Laura; and Austin,
who died at nineteen. Mary Ellen first mar- ried William Etter, who died in the army, and she is now the wife of William Nelson, formerly of Nova Scotia, but now of Lynn, Mass; Jennie I. is the wife of Levi L. Pierce, a tanner by trade, but now engaged in farming at Rockland, Mass .; Daniel, who lives in South Paris with his children, married the late , Melissa Judkins; Laura has been five times married. Her first husband was Ros- well Sylvester; her second, Henry Sawyer; her third, Charles Smith; the fourth, Ed Copeland. Her present husband is the pro- prietor of a wholesale and retail store in. Lynn, Mass. Dr. Walker's mother died in August, 1882, and his father afterward mar- ried Mrs. Jane M. Williams.
Ephraim C. Walker acquired his general education in the common schools, and some time afterward obtained his professional equipment at the Veterinary College of Lynn, Mass., where he pursued a thorough course of study, and was graduated March 5, 1875. After receiving his diploma, Dr. Walker located in Norway Centre, and during his resi- dence there he built up a good practice. Being burned out in 1886, he then removed to Noble's Corner, and, buying a farm, erected a house, and made other substantial improve- ments. In 1889 Dr. Walker purchased his present property, known as the Highland Blueberry Farm, containing seventy acres of land, on which he has since resided, carrying on general farming in addition to attending to his professional duties. He is the only veterinary surgeon in this part of Oxford County, and has a very extensive business, which takes him to all parts of the State. He has had a varied experience as a practi- tioner, and is considered eminent authority on all diseases of cattle and horses, having been very successful in his treatment of the case's to which he has been called, especially in per- forming delicate and difficult operations. The Doctor compounds his own medicines, such as Walker's Blistering Ointment for ringbone and bone spavin, Walker's Liniment for sprains and lameness, and Walker's Condi- tion Powders, in the sale of which he has a large business, their merits being recognized by the public generally.
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Dr. Walker was married to Mrs. Hannah J. (Reed) Brown, widow of John Brown, of Norton, Mass. Mrs. Walker was born in Norton, a daughter of Lorenzo and Jane M. Reed. Her father died when she was an infant; and her mother subsequently married first Bradish Williams, who died January 28, 1869; and second, Daniel Walker, the Doctor's father. Since the death of her third husband Mrs. Jane M. Walker has lived in Stoneham, Me., with her brother. Dr. and Mrs. Walker have three children, namely : Dellbert C., born August 19, 1882; Guy L., born February 24, 1884; and Richard A., born May 21, 1888.
IVERETT FOSTER, engineer on the Maine Central Railroad, and a well- known and highly respected resident of West Farmington, Me., was born on the 20th of November, 1837, in the town of Leeds, Me., the son of Timothy and Nancy (Morse) Foster.
Mr. Foster is a grandson of Stephen Foster, who was born in Winthrop, this State, and who was among the early settlers of the town of Leeds, where he bought a tract of land, and, clearing a portion of it, erected some stanch farm buildings. Leeds, at that period of its existence, was little more than a wilder- ness, and it was no small thing to become a pioneer in such a place in those days. Stephen Foster was very industrious and capable, and naturally became a very well-to-do man. He died on his own farm at an advanced age.
Timothy Foster, son of Stephen, early in life learned the trade of a shoemaker, but cir- cumstances prevented him from giving much of his time to it, as he was greatly needed at home, where he took care of his parents in their declining years, besides carrying on the farm, and doing a large business in shingles, manufacturing them himself on the place. Inheriting the homestead on the death of his parents, he made many improvements, remod- elling and repairing the buildings, and gener- ally enriching the farm and increasing its value.
He died in 1867, at the age of seventy- nine years and seven months; and his wife
died in 1874, at the age of eighty-six years and nine months. They had twelve children, as follows: Alonzo Foster, born July 21, 1808; Aurelia, born July 14, 1810; William H., March 20, 1812; Leonard, July 2, 1814; Lydia, June 9, 1816; Hannah A., September 2, 1821; Ward L., January 17, 1823: Charles R., February 14, 1825; Mary Ann, Novem- ber 14, 1826; Martha I .. , June 4, 1828; Eme- line, July 21, 1832; Everett, November 20, 1837.
Everett Foster, who was the youngest born of the twelve children, was educated at the district schools of his native town and at the Lewiston High School, afterward going onto the farm, and helping his father in agricult- ural labors. He was thus employed until he had arrived at the age of twenty-eight years when he came to West Farmington, and went into the machine shop of the Maine Central Railroad. Here he spent three years learning the trade of a machinist and engineer; and in 1867 he was given charge of an engine run- ning from Farrington to Lewiston, drawing a freight train. The position was a more or less responsible one, and Mr. Foster filled it faithfully for ten years. In 1879 he was promoted to the management of the engine of an express and passenger train from Farming- ton to Lewiston, Me., and later running from Farmington to Portland. This position he has filled ever since that time with the utmost satisfaction to his employers. It is moreover worthy of note that, in all the years that he has passed in the employ of the Maine Central Railroad, he has never received a single repri- mand, or been reproved for the least negli- gence. He has never had any accident that was at all serious, or in any way due to his lack of vigilance and care.
Mr. Foster married Miss Myrtie A. Morse. the daughter of J. Lewis and Anna J. (Lyford) Morse, of Livermore Falls, Me. In 1866 he bought land of Thomas Davis on Water Street. - in the town of West Farmington, and built a substantial set of buildings on the same. Here he has lived ever since 1866, and has made many friends and acquaintances in the neighborhood.
Mr. Foster is a constant attendant of the Free Will Baptist church, and has been one of
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the Trustees of that institution for three years. Ilis wife is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Both are well known, and are justly popular and prominent members of society in the town in which they live. After the death of his father, Mr. Foster's mother lived with him, till she, too, passed away.
ORATIO CHANDLER, a prosperous general farmer and real estate owner of Sumner, Me., is a native of this town. He was born July 7, 1835, son of Stephen and Lovina (Gray) Chandler. His paternal grandfather, Elijah Chandler, who was a native of Massachusetts, settled among the pioneers of the town of Minot, An- droscoggin County. A hardworking and suc- cessful farmer, he died here at a good old age. His wife also lived a long and useful life. Both were members of the Baptist church. They reared a family of four children - Allen; Betsey; another daughter, who became Mrs. Record; and Stephen, who was the father of the subject of this sketch.
Stephen Chandler was born in Minot, Au- gust 16, 1793. He was reared to farm life and labors, and settling in Sumner he bought the farming property now owned by George G. Whitman. Here he was actively engaged in tilling the soil until his death, which took place January 8, 1863. He was one of the stirring men of his locality. Honest and up- right, through toil and industry he acquired a good estate, and was held in high regard by his neighbors and fellow-townsmen. Relig- iously, he was a Baptist, and, politically, a Democrat. His wife, Lovina Gray, who was born in Paris, Me., November 21, 1794, be- came the mother of six children, as follows : Vesta Walker, born June 2, 1820, who died May 10, 1857; Augusta, who was born Au- gust 28, 1821, and is now Mrs. Bates, of West Sumner; Sanford, born October 31, 1823, now residing in California; Horatio, first, born May 4, 1827, who died March 29, 1832; Han- nibal, born May 7, 1830, who died in Septem- ber, 1852; and Horatio, second, the subject of this sketch.
Horatio Chandler was educated in the dis-
trict schools, and, after completing his stud- ies, he began to assist in carrying on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he acquired an interest in the paternal homestead, which eventually fell to his possession; and, selling it after his father's death, he bought his pres- ent home farm of one hundred and fifty acres. He has made good use of his means and op- portunities, managing his affairs judiciously, and has bought other lands in this town, his holdings in all amounting to two hundred and twenty-five acres.
On December 4, 1857, Mr. Chandler was united in marriage with Emily Dunham, who was born in North Paris, April 9, 1837, daughter of Sylvanus and Esther Dunham. . Mrs. Chandler is the mother of eight children, as follows: Ella A., born May 17, 1858, now the wife of Rodney Chandler, of South Paris; Elsie G., born June 15, 1861, who married G. Horace Barrows, of Sumner, and has two chil- dren living, - namely, Nellie C., and Charlie A .; Jennie E., born February 4, 1864, who is now the wife of C. M. Thomas, of Sumner, and has one child, Arthur M. ; Herbert H., born February 16, 1866, now foreman of the shoe shops at the Massachusetts State Prison; Frank L., who was born May 12, 1868, and is now a shoemaker in Haverhill, Mass .; James E., born. November 12, 1871, now engaged in teaching and farming in Sumner; Fred M., born July 4, 1875, who also is a farmer of this town; Alice M., born March 31, 1880, resid- ing at home. Mr. Chandler is considered as one of the leading representative farmers and progressive citizens of Sumner. He is a member of the South Paris Grange, No. 44, Patrons of Husbandry. He acts with the Democratic party in politics, and both he and Mrs. Chandler are liberal in their religious views.
RANK L. WARREN, a representative farmer of Hartford, Oxford County, Me., son of David and Phœbe (Libby) Warren, was born February 4, 1849, on the farm where he now lives. His father was born in Buckfield, Me., and his mother in Saco, York County.
His paternal grandfather, David Warren,
SAMUEL W. DUNHAM.
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Sr., was one of the pioneers of Buckfield, but in 1805 or 1806 he came to Hartford and settled on the farm which his grandson owns and which was then practically unimproved. He died here at a good age. For eleven terms he served as a Representative to the General Court in Boston, and he also held the office of Justice of the Peace. David Warren, son of David, Sr., spent his life on this farm. He died at sixty-two years of age, and Phœbe, his wife, at eighty-four. Both were members of the Free Will Baptist church, and in politics he was a Republican. They were the parents of one son and three daughters, but only the son, Frank L., is living. The daughters were : Mary, Emily, and Lucy.
Frank L. Warren, who is the direct subject of the present sketch, was a mere boy when deprived of his father's care. He was edu- cated in the district schools of Hartford and East Sumner. Since then he has given his attention to general farming, cultivating the soil and keeping stock. He also deals in grain and fertilizers. He owns about three hundred acres of land.
On September 1, 1889, Mr. Warren married Louella J. Hersey, the daughter of Henry B. Hersey. Three children live to bless their union ; namely, Mary A., Hersey, and George L. Mrs. Warren is a member of the Congre- gational church, and Mr. Warren is of the lib- eral faith in religion. In political affiliation he is a Republican, and for seven years has served his town as Selectman, being the pres- ent Chairman of the Board. He was also a member of the House of Representatives in the year 1893. He is a member of Neginscot Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Buckfield.
AMUEL W. DUNHAM, a retired merchant living at West Paris, was born in Woodstock, this county, Feb- ruary 8, 1828, son of Sylvanus and Esther (Benson) Dunham. His grandfather, Asa Dunham, was one of the early settlers of Norway. Asa was a farmer by occupation, served in the War of 1812, and died in Bur- lington, Vt. Lydia (Cobb) Dunham, his wife, was between ninety-seven and ninety-eight
years of age when she died. Their family consisted of eleven children, all of whom grew up, but none survive.
Sylvanus Dunham, born in Norway, Me., July 9, 1795, who grew to manhood in Nor- way and Paris, in early life turned his atten- tion to general farming. When only twenty- two or twenty-three years of age he moved into the woods of Woodstock, took up a tract of wild land, cleared a ten-acre lot, and built a log house, in which he lived for several years. He subsequently removed to the town of Paris, purchased land, and carried on gen- eral farming until his death, which occurred May 4, 1879. He was a hard-working man, and, being a good manager, his labors brought him good returns. From the formation of the Republican party he was one of its stanch sup- porters; and he was a member of the Baptist church. His wife, who was a native of Paris, born November 18, 1800, bore him eleven children, of whom five have passed away, namely: Lydia and Polly, who died young ; William ; Jackson ; and Augusta, who lived to be twenty-two years old. The living are : Laura, widow of John Reed, of West Paris; Samuel W., the subject of this sketch ; Joseph HI., living in North Paris; Emily, the wife of Horatio Chandler, of Sumner, Me. ; Welling- ton W., residing in North Paris; and Anna, the widow of James Rowell, late of North Paris.
Samuel W. Dunham spent the early years of his life in North Paris, and was educated in the district schools of that town. At the age of twenty-one he started for himself. A year later he bought the old homestead, and there- after carried on general farming for several years. He then sold it and purchased other land. Later in life he conducted a general store in North Paris for about twenty-two years, and a milling business in West and North Paris for several years. Selling out in 1884 to James Bird he came to West Paris, where he is now living in retirement. He was Postmaster of North Paris for sixteen years.
On March 1, 1849, Mr. Dunham was mar- ried to Miss Rachel E. Andrews, who was born in Woodstock, this county, December 18, 1829, daughter of the Rev. Ziba and Thankful (Washburn) Andrews. Her father, who was a Calvinistic Baptist preacher, was born in
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Paris, October 24, 1806, and died May 10, 1888. Her mother was born in Hebron, Me., September 10, 1805, and died Novem- ber 29, 1876. They had twelve children, of whom six, besides Mrs. Dunham, are living, namely : Isaac W. Andrews, of Wood- stock; Anna F. Ellingwood, of West Paris; the Rev. John C. Andrews, a Baptist minister located in Utah; Lizzie Carlton, M.D., of Brookline, Mass. ; Lottie D. Benson, of South Weymouth, Mass. ; and Charles A. Andrews, of Buckfield, Me. Those who have passed away are: Cyrena, born May 22, 1826, who died June 23, 1828; Alvesa, born January 22, 1828, who died September 24, 1852; Morton C., born April 22, 1834, who died October 23, 1853; Ziba, born November 9, 1847, who died February 13, 1871 ; and Cynthia, born October 22, 1850, who died November 5, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham have had ten children. These were: Hiram W., born October 27, 1850, merchant and the Postmaster of North Paris; Cynthia E. Curtis, born September 13, 1852, who died July 15, 1885; Lineas M., born October 4, 1855, who died December 7, 1864; Charles W., born July 1, 1857, a whole- sale and retail boot and shoe dealer of Brattle- boro, Vt. ; George L., born June 15, 1859, who is in business with his brother; Horatio R., born January 16, 1861, who is a clothier of Waterville, Me. ; Lizzie A., born June 29, 1864, who died May 26, 1867; Lilly A., born March 8, 1866, who died April 28, 1866; Lyndon L., born July 7, 1868, who lives at Bellows Falls, Vt., and is a member of the boot and shoe firm of Dunham Brothers; and Fannie F., born January 10, 1872, unmarried, who is living at West Paris. The father casts his vote with the Republican party. He is a member of Granite Lodge, No. 182, A. F. & A. M., at West Paris; of West Paris Lodge, No. 15, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at West Paris; and of the Rebecca Lodge. In religious belief he is a Universalist.
.
EWELL GOFF, a first-class farmer of the town of Mexico, Oxford County, Me., was the first child born within the present city limits of Auburn, the date of his birth being January
15, 1824. His parents were James, Jr., and Rachel (Brown) Goff; and his grandfather was James Goff, Sr., who served as a patriot soldier during the Revolutionary War, becoming Ser- geant at the early age of sixteen, and after the war settled in Yarmouth, but finally went to West Minot on a farm.
His son, James Goff, Jr., a native of Minot, lived on the farm, and was a merchant for a short time in Stephen's Mills. He was prom- inently identified with the history of Auburn, where he was engaged in business for a great many years, opening the first store, and doing much to promote the growth of the city. Mr. Goff owned most of the land on the present site, but at an early date he sold the greater part of it for building lots. The returns from this sale made him wealthy. James and Goff Streets were named for him. He was the largest contributor to the building of the Uni- versalist church, being a member of that so- ciety. Mr. James Goff enlisted in the latter part of the War of 1812, but was not in active service. He lived to be seventy-six years of age. The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Brown. She was a native of North Yarmouth, Me., and a respected member of the Universalist church. Her earthly course was ended at the age of fifty-eight years.
Sewell Goff spent his early manhood work- ing on the farm with his father; but in 1857 removed to Williamsburg, Me., where he was engaged in farming for six years. Returning to Auburn he devoted his energies to the stone business for six years more, subsequently buy- ing a fine agricultural estate of six hundred acres on Swift River, where he now lives. This is one of the most desirable farms in the town of Mexico, and Mr. Goff is one of the largest tax payers.
In politics he is a stanch Republican, being at present (1896) Chairman of the Republican Committee in this town. He has also offi- ciated for a great number of years as Select- man. Having led a good life, Mr. Goff grows old gracefully, being well preserved and active at the age of seventy-two. On March 4, 1845, on the day of James K. Polk's inauguration at Washington, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ham, of Lewiston, Me. Their union has been blessed by the following
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children : Marcia, who died at the age of twenty-six; Wallace, who passed away at the age of seventeen; Sewell, who did not outlive his infancy; Albion, a farmer in this town; Julia, who married R. L. Taylor, also a resi- dent of this place; Rachel, who married F. R. Reed, civil engineer of this county, residing at Rumford Falls; and Sadie, wife of John Rced, a farmer and mill owner of Oxford County.
AMES M. DAY, a well-known native resident of Bryant's Pond, Woodstock township, ex-Deputy Sheriff of Oxford County, was born on the 31st of July, 1852, the son of Elijah and Mahala F. (Jack- son) Day.
The first of the name in Woodstock was his grandfather, Alexander Day, who came to this place from Kennebunk. His wife, Mercy Dacey Day, came from Poland. They settled about a mile below where the present home- stead is located. Their son, Elijah Day, was born on the 3d of September, 1820. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools of Woodstock, and spent his entire life following the occupation of a farmer. He was married on the 12th of September, 1848, to Mahala F. Jackson, the daughter of Benjamin Jackson, a general farmer of Wood- stock. From this union were born four chil- dren - Belinda, who is now the wife of Gaveston Cole, who is a resident of Green- wood; James M., about whom this biograph- ical notice is written; Emogene C., the wife of James H. Farnum, of Woodstock; and Ben - jamin Franklin, who died at the age of eleven months.
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