USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 66
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 66
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Mr. Mason's grandfather lived in Bloomfield, and he died there at an advanced age. His son, John Mason, went to Norridgewock when a young man, bought a farm of one hundred acres of wild land there, and proceeded to clear and cultivate a portion of it, ten acres in ex- tent. By dint of hard and assiduous labor, and with the help of his wife, whom he mar- ried in the little town of Athens, Me., he made a fair living. John Mason remained at Norridgewock, cultivating his farm there for twenty years; but selling that place in 1846 he moved with his family to Mercer, where he bought another farm of one hundred acres. He remained at Mercer, living the laborious and useful life of a farmer up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1871. John Mason and his wife Cynthia were the parents of nine children : William, who died in 1894; Ripley E., who lives in Vermont; Ansel T., of whose life this is a short sketch; Emma, who lives at Lowell, Mass .; Levi P., who lives at Carthage, Me. ; Alexander, who died in the Civil War; Ella, who lives in Milford. Me. ; Edwin F., who died in extreme infancy ; . another Edwin F., who lives at Farmington, Me.
Ansel T. Mason spent most of his boyhood on his father's farm at Norridgewock, at the
age of eleven going from there to Mercer, where he resumed his interrupted studies at the public schools. At the age of seventeen he went to work in a logging camp about one hundred miles above the town of New Sharon, deep in the wilderness. He remained there for a season, and then returned to Mercer. He worked on the surrounding farms, and later came to New Sharon, where he worked on a farm for two years, chiefly for Mr. John Dyer, a resident of New Sharon. Later still, when he came of age, he returned to New Sharon, and undertook the running of the farm where he now lives, managing it for Oliver Gould on shares. He made a success of it, doing his youth and his ability at once great credit, and continued in this way for five years, when he bought out Mr. Gould's interests and made the farm his own property. Since that time the work has been a labor of love alone, and he has made a beautiful and attractive place of the farm, on which, so to speak, he worked out his apprenticeship. His original purchase was a farm of only one hundred acres in extent ; but he now owns over three hundred, including much valuable timber land.
Mr. Mason's first wife, formerly Lizzie West, of Jay, died in 1863, leaving one child - Addie, born in 1862, who died in 1886. His second wife, Nancy A. Tolman, of New Sharon, died in 1882, and left five children, of whom four are still living, as follows : John T., born February 27, 1869, who was educated at the New Sharon schools, and, being unmarried, lives at home; Ezra W., born April 18, 1871, who was, like his brother, educated at the New Sharon schools, but at the age of twenty left home to go to Baldwinville, Mass., where he works for Mr. Day, of the firm of Day & Smith of that town ; A. Bert, born March 8, 1877, who received his early education at the schools of New Sharon, and in 1893 entered Wilton Academy, where he is still studying, being employed during the summer months in the chair factory of Day & Smith, where his brother Ezra works; Harold, born April 4, 1882, who lives at home in New Sharon, and is still attending school; and Bertha E. Mason, who was born on September 27, 1873, died October 27, 1879. On the 28th of September, 1889, Mr. Mason
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married Florence E. Hamlen, the daughter of Lauriston and Mary A. Hamlen, of New Sharon.
Mr. Mason is and has always been a hard- working man, and has invariably refrained from accepting any town offices. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in his religious belief a Congregationalist. His prosperity can hardly fail to prove his tireless industry and his keen intellect. He is especially fond of live stock, and usually has a great number of animals on his place; but he is just now a little short, although he owns at the present time one hundred and fifty sheep with coarse wool, six handsome Jersey cows, and five horses.
G EORGE W. HOBBS, of Norway, Me., proprietor and manager of the largest variety store in the county, was born here, November 30, 1845, son of J. Welling- ton and Fanny O. (Greenleaf) Hobbs. His great-grandfather, Jeremiah Hobbs, who was born in Hopkinton, Mass., in 1747, settled in Norway a number of years after his marriage, and died January 7, 1814. His wife, Anna Fowler, who was born in 1746, died January 18, 1824, surviving him ten years. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Olive, born in May, 1771; Miriam, born July 17, 1772; Wealthy, born February 10, 1774; Anna, born March 15, 1776; Daniel, born September 17, 1778; William, born in 1780; Sally, born January, 1782; Jeremiah, born January 17, 1785, and Lydia, born in Nor- way, August 20, 1789.
William Hobbs, the next lineal ancestor in this particular branch, settled at Norway Centre, where he followed farming, was one of the first traders, and also owned and oper- ated a saw-mill and grist-mill, engaging in his various callings with a good degree of success. He married Miss Catherine Wether- bee, and their union was blessed by the birth of the following children : Charlotte, born Oc- tober 29, 1808; William W., born March 28, 1810; Jeremiah Wellington, born June 8, 1814; Charles L., born June 10, 1816; Henry H., born March 13, 1820; Milton W., born August 30, 1823; Cornelius W., born January 5, 1826.
In carly manhood J. Wellington Hobbs, second son of William, taught school for some time in Massachusetts. He then came to Norway and built a house, continuing to en- gage in teaching in this and adjoining towns. He died on February 16, 1871. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Democrat. Mrs. Fanny O. Greenleaf Hobbs, his wife, lived to be eighty-four years old. They had three children, namely: Wellington, born December 25, 1844; George W., born Novem - ber 30, 1845; and Catherine S., born May 28, 1847.
After acquiring his education George W. Hobbs, who was the second son of his parents, was employed for two years in the general . store of Frost & Whitcomb, of Norway; one year in New Market, N.H .; one year in Ridgeway, Pa. ; one year in Manhattan, Kan- sas, and Mandeville in Northern Missouri ; two years with M. H. Greenleaf, a manufact- urer, Brighton, Mass. In 1876 he started a variety store where the present one stands. The original store was burned in 1894, and he has since erected a fine new building, forty by sixty feet, the entire front of which is plate glass. The first story is one large store occu- pied entirely by himself, and stocked with a large line of crockery, tinware, wall paper, and fancy goods in great variety. The second story, in which he lives, is thoroughly fitted up in modern style with electric lights, steam heat, and other conveniences. Mr. Hobbs owns a number of building lots, on which he has erected several houses, of which he still has two. He also owns a fine farm of three hundred acres on Pike Hill, which he carried on himself for several years, but now rents it.
Mr. Hobbs and Miss Emma E. Wardwell, daughter of Eben F. and Sarah (Berce) Ward- well, were united in marriage on May 16, 1876. They are the parents of three children, namely: Mary Emma, born September 10, 1879, who died. September 6, 1890; Fanny G., born December 23, 1881 ; and Oscar W., born April 27, 1890.
In political affiliation Mr. Hobbs is a Dem- ocrat. Fraternally, he is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M .; Union Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; and Oxford Council, No. 14, Royal and Select Masters.
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1 SRAEL F. EMMONS, the leading mer- chant of West Paris, Me., was born in Biddeford, York County, this State, on May 8, 1838, son of Jacob and Sarah (Shepherd) Emmons.
Jacob Emmons, his father, was born in Kennebunkport, Me., and was bred to the life of a farmer. Leaving his native place, he set- tled first in Biddeford, and stayed there for some time, carrying on general farming. In 1860 he removed to Greenwood, Oxford County, where he bought land, and engaged in its cultivation during the remaining period of his activity. He lived to be eighty-seven years of age. His wife, Sarah Shepherd, died in her sixty-eighth year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Emmons were members of the Congregational church, and he was in his political affiliation first a Whig and then a Republican. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Joseph F .; Phobe; Israel F., the subject of this sketch; Christanie; Betsy; David; Winfield; and Millard. The departed sisters were named Sarah and Laura.
Israel F. Emmons received his early educa- tion in the town of Biddeford, and grew to manhood there. After arriving at mature age he took to a seafaring life, shipping as a com- mon sailor before the mast. He was soon made mate of a vessel, and followed the sea for eight years. Then he went to Lawrence Massachusetts, and learned the trade of loom harness-maker, at which he worked for the period of three years. After that he engaged in trade - 1867 to 1868. Removing to Greenwood City, he continued in business there until 1886, when he took up his abode in West Paris, where he has remained ever since. He does quite a good mercantile business here, carrying a large line of general goods and sundries.
He was married in December, 1868, to Francina (Bishop) Hayes, of Leeds, Me., the daughter of Joseph and Jemima (Norris) Bishop. Mr. and Mrs. Emmons have one child, a daughter, Bertha A. They are lib- eral in their religious views, and Mr. Emmons is in his political principles a Republican. He is a member of Granite Lodge, No. 182, A. F. & A. M., at West Paris. He also be-
longs to West Paris Lodge, No. 15, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a member of the Rebekah Degree Lodge and of the Order of the Golden Cross. Mr. Emmons carries the best and largest stock of goods in the village, and is the leading merchant of West Paris, where he is well known and as well liked. He has always been a hard-work- ing man, and his good fortune is the result of his own endeavors.
EORGE A. HOWES, a progressive general farmer of New Sharon, Franklin County, Me., was born in the adjoining town of Industry, August 28, 1858, son of Lot and Loretta J. (George) Howes. His grandfather, Alvin Howes, was a native and lifelong resident of Industry. He had a family of six children; namely, George, John, Lot, Betsey, Mary, and Lydia.
Lot Howes, the third son of Alvin, was born at the ancestral homestead in Industry, and there grew to maturity. Learning the carpenter's trade when a young man, he fol- lowed it for some years in Massachusetts. Returning at length to his native State, in 1859 he settled in New Sharon where he bought the farm which is now owned by his son, George A., and he later added a portion of the Simon Greenleaf farm to his property. Industrious and progressive, he was constantly improving and beautifying his homestead, in which he took a great deal of pride; and he re- sided here until his death. In politics he was a Republican, and, being a man in whose ability and integrity the general public had confidence, he was called upon to serve as a member of the Board of Selectmen for three terms, and as School Agent and Road Surveyor for several years. In his religious faith he was a Methodist. Lot Howes died at his home in New Sharon, June 16. 1884, aged sixty-five years. His wife, Loretta J. George, whom he married in Industry, was the mother of five children, namely: George A., the sub- ject of this sketch, and the only son; Fidelia C. ; Sarah L. ; Albra A .; and Lydia M. Of these the three elder were born in Industry, and the others were born in New Sharon.
George A. Howes was educated in the com-
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mon schools of New Sharon, and passed his time when out of school in helping his father in the lighter labors of the farm until strong enough to do a man's work. Upon reaching his majority he became a paid assistant, work- ing upon the farm summers, and during the winter season being employed at the lumber camps in the woods. About a year previous to his father's death he bought the home farm, where he has lived nearly his entire life; and since taking possession he has added more land by purchasing the remainder of the Simon Greenleaf estate, so that he owns at the pres- ent time one hundred and fifty acres of desir- able land. He keeps an average of fifty sheep, eight head of cattle, and two horses; and aside from general farming, he devotes special attention to the raising of fruit, having an orchard of one thousand grafted trees.
On February 20, 1889, Mr. Howes was united in marriage with Mary York, daughter of Samuel York, of East New Sharon. Mrs. Howes is the mother of two children, as fol- lows: Jennie L., who was born December 16, 1889, and is attending school; and Augusta L., who was born September 6, 1892.
Since his earliest recollection Mr. Howes has been engaged in useful labor, and the steady advance in prosperity which has ac- companied his efforts speaks well for his abil- ity and industry. In politics he supports the Republican party, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ZEKIEL MERRILL, one of the most extensive general farmers, fruit growers, and stock raisers of Hebron, and one of the largest tax-payers of this town, was born December 14, 1832, on the pleasant hill farm where he now resides, being the son of Joseph and Sarah (Freeman) Merrill.
One of the first settlers on Greenwood Hill was Ezekiel Merrill, first, a native of Massa- chusetts, who was the great-grandfather ot Ezekiel Merrill, the subject of this sketch, and he died at the home of his son in Hebron. Ezekiel Merrill, second, came here a poor boy, having travelled on foot from his native State, and upon his arrival in Hebron he secured em- ployment from Deacon Barrows of the Hebron
Academy. Being naturally energetic and pos- sessing an upright character, he remained in the Deacon's service some years ; and, after his marriage with one of his employer's daughters, he erected a log house upon a traet of wild land, which he eleared and improved into the farm now occupied by his grandson. He was an energetic pioneer, whose strong constitu- tion made him capable of much physical en- durance and hard work; and at his death, which took place when he was eighty-nine years old, he owned three hundred acres of valuable land. He was one of the most able farmers and a leading resident of the town in his day. He supported the Whig party in politics, and he was a member of the Congrega- tional church. He married Mary Barrows, who lived to reach a good old age, and their eight children were named as follows: Isaac, Mary, Ezekiel, Zilphia, Mitchell, Joseph, Samuel, and Fessenden.
Joseph Merrill, Mr. Merrill's father, was born in Hebron, in 1798. Inheriting fifty acres of his father's property, he later added to his farm, becoming an enterprising agri- culturist; and his active period was one of progress and industry. He died at the homestead December 27, 1875, at the age of seventy-seven years and two months. In the latter part of his life he acted with the Re- publican party in polities, and he was a mem- ber of the Congregational church at Minot. His wife, Sarah Freeman, who was born in Minot, Me., in 1799, became the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Mary, Caroline, and Isaac, who died young; Zilpha A., who was twice mar- ried, died aged fifty-nine years and sixteen days; Sarah, Ezekiel, Joseph, and Henry, who lived to maturity. Of these Ezekiel, the sub- jeet of this sketch, is the only one now living. Mr. Merrill's mother lived to be seventy-four years, one month, and four days old, dying April 21, 1873.
Ezekiel Merrill attended the common schools of his native town in his boyhood, and at an early age began to assist in carrying on the farm. He has always resided at the an- cestral homestead, to whose ownership he eventually succeeded, having taken charge of the property when a young man, caring for his
EZEKIEL MERRILL.
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grandfather and his parents during their de- clining years. He owns three hundred acres of well located land, the tillage portion of which is devoted to general farming, and he has a large apple orchard. For many years he has been engaged in stock raising, making this branch of agriculture a specialty; and he was formerly an extensive breeder of Here- ford cattle, for which he received premiums at the Oxford County Fairs. He has of late, however, given his attention to Jersey stock, keeping from twenty-five to thirty-five head of full-blooded and grade animals, the product of which supplies a dairy upon his premises; and he also raises excellent horses. His progres- sive tendencies are productive of such good results as to cause him to be considered by his fellow-townsmen one of the most able and suc- cessful agriculturists in this locality, and his rating upon the assessor's list seems to cor- roborate the truth of this assertion.
On May 24, 1879, Mr. Merrill was united in marriage with Mrs. Jennie Bonney Merrill, widow of his brother, the late Joseph Merrill. She was born in Sumner, Me., March II, 1843, daughter of Horatio and Frances (Rich- ardson) Bonney. Her father, who was a na- tive of Sumner, removed from that town to West Minot, and later to Hebron, where he died at the age of seventy-four years. Her mother died at sixty-eight. By her first hus- band Mrs. Merrill had four children, namely : Alice, who was born March 27, 1867; Henry, who was born April 19, 1870, and is now en- gaged in a large grain store in Manchester, N.H .; Annie, who died aged twenty years; and Mabel, who was born April 1, 1875, all of whom graduated from the Hebron Acad- emy. Mrs. Merrill has no children by her present union.
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In public affairs Mr. Merrill has rendered his share of service to the community, having served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen for two years, as well as in other offices ; and in politics he is a Republican. His residence is finely situated upon elevated ground, and commands a delightful view of the surrounding country, which abounds in picturesque scenery. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill are Congregationalists in their religious be- lief.
ORDAN STACY, of Kezar Falls Vil- lage, a retired schoolmaster and ex- Sheriff of Oxford County, was born in Porter, January 4, 1830, son of George and Lydia (Durgin) Stacy. The first ances- tor of the family to settle in this county was John Stacy, Mr. Stacy's grandfather, who was a native of Kittery, Me. He came to Porter in the year 1800, and, acquiring a tract of land situated four miles north of Kezar Falls Village, there carried on general farming until his death, which happened in 1837. His wife, having attained the advanced age of ninety-four, died October 16, 1865. Their children were: Oliver, Salome, Jordan, Han- nah, and George.
George Stacy, who was born in Porter, was reared to farm life. The greater part of his active period was passed in tilling the soil. Succeeding to the ownership of the farm, he resided there until within two years of his death. His last days were spent in Kezar Falls Village, where he died in 1876. His wife, Lydia, a native of Freedom, N. H., gave birth to two children, namely: Jordan, the subject of this sketch; and John, born in 1832, who died in 1887. Her death occurred in 1885.
An apt student, Jordan Stacy acquired a good education in the district school and at a private academy. He resided at home, and carried on the farm for twenty-one years. In 1870 he relinquished agricultural pursuits, and took up his residence in Kezar Falls Vil- lage. His early training enabled him to enter the teaching profession, which he afterward followed very successfully in this town and in Massachusetts and New Hampshire until 1892, when he retired. He owns several farms in this locality.
On February 28, 1850, Mr Stacy was united in marriage with Lydia F. Tibbets She was born in Porter, March 15, 1832, daughter of Henry and Anna (Leavitt) Tibbets, now de- ceased, who were prosperous farming people of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Stacy have had six children, as follows: Mary F., who died in infancy; John, born in 1854, who died at the age of nineteen; Annie M., born July 17, 1859, who married R. F. Wormwood, and died May 29, 1893, leaving two children, Bertha
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M. and Florence E., now with their grand- father; Charles Sumner, born January 7, 1862, who died in 1863; Lizzie Emma, born June 10, 1865, who married George Swett, a prominent farmer of Parsonsfield, Me., and has two children - Curtis Moses and Sadie M., born respectively in 1883 and 1886; and Sidney Grant, who was born July 26, 1868, who fitted for college at the Bridgton Acad- emy, graduated from Bowdoin College and Johns Hopkins University, and is now in Ger- many completing his education. In politics Mr. Stacy is a Republican, and has rendered able service in some of the most important town and county offices. He has been a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen, Town Treas- urer, and Collector, was High Sheriff for four years, and a Deputy Sheriff for eight years. He is connected with Kezar Falls Lodge, No. 40, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
EORGE W. RICHARDS, one of the leading residents of Oxford, was born in this town, May 17, 1838, son of Benjamin and Joanna P. (Jenkins) Richards. Mr. Richards's grandfather, Tristram Rich- ards, who served as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, was an early settler in Middle- ton, N. H., where for some years he followed milling and coopering in addition to farming. In 1827 he came to Oxford, and, settling upon a farm, resided here until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-four years old. HIe married Abigail York, a native of Middle- ton, who lived to the advanced age of ninety- one years. She had nine children by him, as follows: David, born March 26, 1786, who died in 1836; Rhoda, born December 20, 1787; Stephen, born June 25, 1791; John, born January 18, 1794; Benjamin, born Oc- tober 23, 1796, who died March 23, 1863 ; Tristram, born June 2, 1798; Joseph, born in the year 1800; Samuel, born June 2, 1805, who died October 10, 1880; and Isaac, born November 22, 1808.
Benjamin Richards, who was a native of Middleton, N.H., in 1818, removed to Ox- ford, and here passed the rest of his life. A stirring farmer and a leading spirit in public affairs, he served as a member of the Board of
Selectmen for a number of years, and in 1848 was elected a Representative to the legislat- ure. Hle cultivated the farm now owned by his son, and died on it in 1863. His wife, Joanna, whom he married in Middleton, June 1, 1818, was a native of that place. She be- came the mother of nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity. Five of the number are now living, namely: Jonathan P., born September 26, 1819, who is now residing in Paris, Me .; Christiana, born May 28, 1826, who is now the widow of James M. Wilson, and resides in Oxford; Mandana, born March 17, 1831, who is the widow of George B. Dwinell, late of Oxford; George W., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Stephen F., born Sep- . tember 22, 1841, who lives in Oregon. The others were: Francis C., born July 31, 1821, who died October 10, 1895; Sarah J., born November 8, 1823, who died October 27, 1862; Benjamin F., born May 27, 1835, who died November 19, 1860; and Alfred W., born June 6, 1843, who died August 31, 1849. The mother lived to the age of ninety years.
George W. Richards acquired his education in the schools of his native town and at the South Paris Academy. At the age of seven- teen he began life for himself as a trackman upon the Grand Trunk Railroad. Later he advanced through the grades of brakeman and fireman to the position of locomotive engineer, and was in the company's employment for six years. Receiving then from the Panama Rail- way Company a good offer for his services, he accepted it. He worked on the Isthmus for about twelve years, running the regular trains as engineer for six years, and having charge of the locomotive department in Panama for the rest of the time. In 1867 he visited Oxford, upon which occasion he bought the old home- stead. He finally returned from Panama in 1875, permanently took up his residence here, and has since been engaged in general farm- ing. The homestead property contains one hundred acres of good land, and has a set of buildings which were erected by Mr. Richards. He also owns other real estate here, amount- ing in all to one hundred and seventy-five acres. In politics he is a Democrat. He served the town for several years as a member of the Board of Selectmen and in other offices,
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and he is affiliated with Norway Grange, No. 45. Both he and Mrs. Richards attend the Congregational church, of which the latter is a member.
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