USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 67
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 67
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On November 7, 1867, Mr. Richards wedded Ellen E. Brett, who was born in Paris, May 27, 1842, daughter of Luther and Clarissa (Daniels) Brett. Luther Brett was a prosper- ous farmer and life-long resident of Paris. He lived to the age of eighty-two. His wife was cut off in her thirty-third year. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have had three children, as follows: Clarence A., who was born in Oxford, July 25, 1876; Nettie M., born here June 30, 1878; and Walter, who died at the age of three years and eight months. Clarence and Nettie reside at home. Mr. Richards has worked his way to his present easy position in life, and has every reason to look upon his success with satisfaction.
BENEZER E. CHAPMAN, a well-to-do farmer of Gilead, is a typical Maine man. He was born in Bethel, Ox- ford County, January 19, 1850, son of Albion P. and Sophronia (Eames) Chapman, both na- tives of the county. His grandfather, George W. Chapman, who was also born in Bethel, came among the first settlers to Gilead, and, purchasing a tract of land, he subsequently converted it into a good farm. Albion P. Chapman was born and reared in Gilead, ac- quiring his education in the common schools. When about twenty-one years of age he went to Newry, this county, and, after engaging for some time in farm work there, purchased a farm in Bethel, which he has since made his home. Mr. Chapman is now seventy-eight years old, and is practically retired from ac- tive work. In politics he is a Republican, in religious belief a Methodist. His wife, who was a native of Bethel and a member of the Congregational church, died at the age of forty-two.
Ebenezer E. Chapman was reared to farm life, receiving his early education in the com- mon schools. At the age of nineteen he went to work as a farm hand in the growing season for monthly wages. With the purpose of edu- cating himself still further, he attended Gould
Academy at Bethel for three winter terms. paying for his board and tuition by sawing wood for the institution. When his studies were finished, equipped with a strong constitu- tion and a good education, hc set about making a home for himself. In 1879, with the money saved from his earnings, he purchased the farm on which he now resides. The estate covers three hundred and sixty acres, part lying along the Androscoggin River. Here he has a home that any one might be proud to possess. A progressive and energetic farmer, he ranks among the leading men of this sec- tion. Mr. Chapman is a member of the Grange at Bethel.
Mr. Chapman was married January 18, 1879, to Ida, daughter of Leander Swan, of South Paris. She died January 16, 1889, having been the mother of three children, of whom one passed away in infancy. The others are: Melville K. and Perry A., both at home with their father. On September 29, 1891, Mr. Chapman formed a second marriage with Susie E. Stowe, daughter of Melvin and Frances C. Stowc, of Newry. Born of this union he has one child, Francis Stow Chap- man. Mr. Chapman is a loyal Republican, and takes an active interest in politics. He has been Tax Collector of the town for four years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In religious work he is as zealous as in other pursuits. At present he is the efficient superintendent of the Sunday-school.
RANK L. WILDER, the proprietor of a large and well-stocked general store at Fairbanks Mills, in the town of Farm- ington, in Franklin County, Me., was born in Temple, this county, April 15, 1867, son of Eli and Hester (Pratt) Wilder. His paternal grandparents, Elias and Rebecca (Cowdry) Wilder, came to Maine from Lancaster, Mass .. and grandfather Wilder cleared and improved the well-known Wilder Hill farm in Temple.
Eli Wilder, son of Elias, succeeded to the ownership of his father's farm, and carried it on for a time, then renting the property he re- moved to Kennebunkport, where for about five years he was engaged in ship-building. The
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remainder of his life was passed in Temple. Ile died at the age of sixty-three years. In politics he supported the Republican party, and in his religious views he favored the Con- gregational form of worship. His first wife, whose maiden name was Mary Worth, died in young womanhood, leaving one daughter, Julia A., and his second wife, Hester Pratt, who was a daughter of John Pratt, became the mother of nine children; namely, Mary E., Wesley E., Eugenia A., Katie F., Frank L., Hester G., Ulysses S. G., Willis S., and Stella S.
Frank L. Wilder, the second son, who is the special subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools, and at the age of eigh- teen began life for himself. After working as a farm assistant for three years, he bought the Ballard property in Temple, where he tilled the soil for two years; and, selling this farm in 1892, he purchased of George W. Ranger the large two-story building at Fairbanks Mills, which had formerly been used for mercantile business, and at that time was occupied as the post-office. Putting in a large stock of gro- ceries, flour, feed, dry goods, ready-made clothing, boots, shoes, and in fact everything usually kept in a first-class general store, he has, by his correct business methods and hon- orable dealing, become firmly established in trade. As a young and enterprising business man, who possesses the spirit of progress, he is very popular in the community, where his ability is known and appreciated; and he has been elected an Assessor by the Republican party, of which he is an earnest supporter.
On October 9, 1895, Mr. Wilder was united in marriage with Alice E. Reed, daughter of Levi and Melissa (Ellsworth) Reed, the former of whom is a prosperous farmer of Salem, Me. Mr. Wilder attends the Baptist church. He is a member of Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 154, A. F. & A. M .; and Frank- lin Lodge, No. 54, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
RANK T. PIKE, a prosperous farmer, stock raiser, and dairyman, of Norway township, Oxford County, was born here March 22, 1838. His grandfather, John
Pike, who was an carly settler of Norway, came here from New Hampshire when a young man, and spent the remainder of his life en- gaged in agricultural pursuits.
Luther F. Pike, the father of Frank T., born in 1804, was reared in this town, living with his parents until twenty-one years of age. Going then to Watertown, Mass., he worked out for ten or eleven years, a part of the time being employed in the ice business. At the end of that period he returned to Norway and bought a farm, which he managed successfully for several years. He then sold it and pur- chased another in the same vicinity. On this he was engaged in mixed husbandry until 1872, when he retired from active pursuits .. He has since taken up his residence in the village. He married Adeline A. Millett, a native of Norway, who died here in 1887. They had four children, as follows: Frank T., the subject of this sketch; S. Barnard, who died in California, at the age of forty-five years; Addie Augusta, who is the wife of Wallace W. Andrews, of Otisfield township, Cumberland County; and Albert L. F., who married Ellen R. Andrews. The last named
died in 1889.
Frank T. Pike lived on the home farm dur- ing his early life, attending the common schools and assisting his parents. After his twenty-first year he worked on the home farm in the summer, and engaged in teaming during the winter. He continued employed in this way until his marriage, when he bought his present farm, which was formerly owned by his father-in-law, Jonathan Whitehouse. It contains one hundred and nine acres, a large part of which is well improved and in a good state of cultivation. He carries on general farming, raises some stock, and devotes a por- tion of time to dairying, selling the cream. Mr. Pike is identified with the Democratic party, but has never sought public office. He is a member of the Oxford County Agricult- ural Society, of which he has been a Trustee; and of Norway Lodge, No. 16, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Norway. Relig- iously, both he and his wife attend the Uni- versalist church.
On November 22, 1866, Mr. Pike married Miss Sarah M. Whitehouse, daughter of Jona-
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than and Harriet (Herring) Whitehouse. She was born in this town, July 5, 1842, on the farm where she now lives. Her father is liv- ing retired from active life in the village of Norway, but her mother has passed away. Mrs. Pike has borne her husband three chil- dren, namely: S. Bion, who assists his father on the farm; Kate M., wife of Philip K. Bradbury, of Norway village; and Clarence B., who is in business with Mark P. Smith, at Bridgton, this State.
HARLES YOUNG, late resident of South Waterford village, Me., was for some years of his active life one of the leading merchants of this part of Oxford County. He was born in South Waterford, October 14, 1833, the son of Moses and Sarah (Plummer) Young.
His parents were both natives of Waterford, the father a farmer. They had five children, Charles, who died May 18, 1888, being the eldest of the family. Maria, the next oldest, is now living in Greenwood, Mass., with her fourth husband, John Hook. Her first hus- band was Ichabod Hayes, her second, Henry Olcott, the third, Frank Colby. Henry, the third child, is a farmer of Waterford. He married Miss Ella Abbott, of Harrison, Me. Marion A. is the wife of Stephen Caswell, a fish dealer of Greenwood, Mass. Abbie F., the youngest, is the wife of Henry Savage, a prominent citizen of Greenwood, Mass., who is in the real estate business. All were well educated in childhood and youth, attending the common schools near their home and the high school at Norway, Me.
Charles Young grew to manhood in Water- ford, remaining with his parents until he at- tained his majority. He was then employed in a book-store in Boston for a short time, and was subsequently in the meat business for three years. Returning to his home, he en- gaged in the carriage trade for a while, and eventually opened a general store in Water- ford. His father's health being impaired, he managed the farm for him, and at the same time conducted a prosperous trade in cattle. Mr. Charles Young was a man of remarkable energy and large resources, and at one time
managed three stores, one in North Norway, one in South Waterford, and one in Harri- son. After years of steady application to business his health began to fail, and he sought change of scene and climate, living in different parts of Massachusetts and in Port- land, Me .; and he was for four years engaged as Pullman car conductor. He finally re- turned to his home in South Waterford, where he died as above mentioned, a little more than eight years ago.
A stanch Democrat, he was a zealous worker for his party, and won the respect and confidence of his fellow-partisans, who elected him to a number of offices of trust. He was Postmaster at South Waterford for several years, also was Town Treasurer, and held many other important offices; and he was always ready to aid any public enterprise for the common good. In religious belief he was a Universalist. His ambitious energy, which recognized no obstacle, won admiration and respect, while his social qualities drew to him many friends; and his death was. a source of universal regret in the many places where he was known.
Mr. Young was married February 4, 1855, to Miss Harriet J. Kilgore, who was born in Harrison, Me., March 13, 1834, the daughter of Liberty and Jane (Edwards) Kilgore. Mrs. Young is now living at her home in South Waterford. Her father was a native of Fryeburg, Me., and her mother was born in Otisfield, this State. Mr. Kilgore divided his time between teaching school and culti- vating a farm. He died in Waterford on April 27, 1881. Mrs. Kilgore died March 19, 1885. They were the parents of three children - Harriet J., Mrs. Young; George L., a regular physician, now living in retire- ment in Greenwood, Mass., who was twice married, his first wife being Eliza Welch, his second, Vira Barker, of Athens, Me .; and Mary E., who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Young had seven children, namely: Charles A. ; Lizzie F., born September 20, 1860, who died young; George L. : Linnie Velmar; Sadie W. ; and Hattie L. and Harry L., who both died in infancy.
Charles A. Young, born November 9. 1856, became one of the leading men of South
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Waterford, being a successful merchant and Postmaster here for some time. He died March 13, 1892, survived by his wife, a native of Waterford, formerly Augusta E. Plummer, who now manages the store and post-office, and three children: Dora M., Emma J., and Blanche. George L. Young, who was born May 30, 1864, carries on a large chair manu- facturing business in South Waterford. He married Lillian G. Yeaton, and has two chil- dren --- Gordon C. and Grace V. Linnie Vel- mar, who is the wife of Horace C. Smith, lives with her mother. She has two children - Charles Albert and Hattie J. Sadie W. is the wife of Charles A. Scribner, a merchant of Bridgton, Me., and has one child, Margery. The children who attained maturity were edu- cated in Hebron Academy, Portland, Me., and in Wakefield, Mass. Mrs. Young and family are members of the Universalist church.
EORGE F. BRIGGS, superintendent of the Russell Brothers' Mills in Salem, Me., was born in this Frank- lin County town, July 18, 1846, son of Dudley B. and Sarah (Thompson) Briggs. The fam- ily is of English origin, and Mr. Briggs's great-grandfather, its founder in America, was a sea captain who settled in Massachusetts, and was the father of two sons. One of these sons - Ebenezer, Mr. Briggs's grandfather - who was born in Massachusetts, settled in Farmington, Me., when he was about twenty- two years old. He resided there some twelve years, and then came to Salem, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which took place in 1873, at the age of seventy-five years. He reared a family of eight children, of whom the only survivor is Mary Ann, widow of Benjamin Huse, late of Farmington. Ebenezer Briggs was a Demo- crat in politics.
Dudley B. Briggs, son of Ebenezer, was a native and a lifelong resident of Salem. He industriously tilled the soil of a good farm, and he was prominent in public affairs. In politics he acted with the Democratic party. He served with ability as Treasurer and Col- lector for several terms, and held other town offices. He died at the age of forty-seven
years in June, 1866. Hle and his wife, Sarah Thompson, who was a native of Leeds, Mc., were the parents of eight children.
George F. Briggs, the subject of this sketch, is the only one of the family now liv- ing. In his early years he acquired his edu- cation in the common and high schools of Salem and Strong. After completing his studies he was employed in a store for a year, and he then went to California, where he worked for a lumber company, and had charge of a lumber railroad for two years. Returning to Salem he was engaged in farming here until 1893. For the past three years he has acted as superintendent for the Russell Brothers' mills, and he is also engaged in buying sup- plies and speculating in wool and cattle.
In 1876 Mr. Briggs was united in marriage with Affie T. Richards, his first wife. She was born in Saleni, daughter of Fred and Mary Richards, and she died June 11, 1892, aged thirty years, five months, and nine days, leav- ing two daughters, namely: Addie M., aged ten ; and Lelia E., aged seven years. In Oc- tober, 1893, he wedded his present wife, a na- tive of Salem, who was before marriage Esther Lovejoy. By this union there are no chil- dren.
Politically, Mr. Briggs is a Democrat. He has ably served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for three years, two years of which he was Chairman of that body, and he was Tax Collector for two terms. He is a member of Davis Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Strong; and of Saddleback Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Phillips.
EZEKIAH B. KEITH, of Hartford, Me., is a self-made man, his valuable farm and handsome home being monuments to years of persevering He was born in Livermore, Me., industry. June 26, 1837, a son of Martin and Polly (Bryant) Keith. His grandfather, Isaiah Keith, who was from Bridgewater, Mass., was one of the hard-working pioneers of Livermore, Me. He lived to be over fourscore years of age.
Martin Keith, son of Isaiah, was a native and lifelong resident of Livermore. An ener-
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getic and progressive farmer, he was one of the leaders in the locality, and owned some four hundred acres of land. He was a liberal- minded man, in religious belief a Universal- ist. He died at the age of eighty-two. Mr. Martin Keith was twice married. His first wife, Polly Bryant, who was a native of Turner, Me., died at the age of twenty-seven, leaving one child, Hezekiah B., of Hartford, Me, above named. His second wife, Mary A. Edgecomb, of Livermore, bore him two -. children - Lizzie, who died at the age of four- teen ; and Marcus M., who is living on the homestead in Livermore.
Hezekiah B. Keith, eldest son of Martin Keith, was reared and educated in Livermore. He started for himself when he was twenty- three years old, hiring out as a farm hand for fourteen dollars a month. Carefully husband- ing his earnings, in course of time he had enough to make a purchase of land; he ac- cordingly bought a farm in Andover, Me., where he made his home for twenty-three years. He then disposed of that property, and resided in Livermore for a while, remov- ing to Hartford in 1894 and purchasing his present homestead. On this estate he has made many improvements, and it is now one of the best farms in the locality, equipped with substantial and well-kept buildings, the resi- dence being one of the handsomest in this sec- tion.
Mr. Keith was married in 1861 to Miss Elvina Bryant, a native of Livermore, daugh- ter of Thomas Bryant, and has two children, both born in Andover, Me. The elder, Ida, is the wife of Edmund Gibbs, a farmer of Livermore, and has one child, John. The younger, Marcus E., is his father's assistant in the management of the farm. Mr. Keith votes the Democratic ticket. In religious matters he and his wife are liberal, believing in the fundamental principles of Christianity without the prejudices of sect.
Robbins.
LBERT W. ROBBINS, a well-known farmer of Roxbury, where he was born December 21, 1861, is a son of Charles H. and Elsie M. (Taylor) Charles H. Robbins was a native
of Union, and there spent his early life. For a few years he was engaged in the lumber business in Atlanta, Ga. In 1860 he came to Roxbury, where he bought a farm and resided until his death in May, 1869, at the age of thirty-nine years. He enlisted in the army September 10, 1862, and was discharged July 15, 1863. His wife, Elsie, was born in this town, April 15, 1840, being a daughter of Na- thaniel and Sarah (Judkins) Taylor. Her grandfather, Simeon Taylor, was a native of Concord, N.H., coming to this county in ISIO. His son Nathaniel was born in Bel- fast, but when quite young came with his parents to this town, where he has since re- sided. He is still active, though he has at- tained the advanced age of eighty-five years. He is a Republican in politics. His wife, Sarah, who was born in the town of Byron, is also living, being now eighty-one years old.
Albert W. Robbins resided with his grand- father until attaining his majority. His edu- cation was acquired in the common and high schools of Dixfield. When he was a young man he bought a good farm on Swift River, which he still owns and has since continu- ously occupied. The place is well improved, Mr. Robbins being one of the best of farmers. A stanch Republican politically, he has offi- ciated as Town Clerk since attaining his ma- jority, and is also serving as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and Supervisor of Schools. In 1884 Mr. Robbins was united in marriage with Miss Effie M. Worthley, of the town of Mexico. They have three children -- Ada E., Albert L., and Marcia S., all of whom are young, being still members of the happy home circle.
J AMES H. PORTER, the owner of a fine farm picturesquely situated on the east bank of Norway Lake, in the town of Norway, is a native of Oxford County, Me., his birth having occurred in Paris township, August 16. 1867. His pater- nal great-grandfather, a pioneer of Cumberland County, lived for many years in Yarmouth. Me., where John Porter, the next in line of descent, was born. John Porter was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native town
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until 1816, when he removed to Oxford County. Buying a tract of wild land in Paris, not far from the village, he labored persever- ingly to clear a farm, and in course of time succeeded in transforming a considerable sec- tion of timber land into well-cultivated fields. llaving previously learned the carpenter's trade, he worked at it to some extent in Paris, where he built the meeting-house and the town hall. His wife, a lady of Yarmouth, whose maiden name was Eunice Hicks, bore him six children, as follows: Sylvanus, who is a farmer in Paris township; Ezekiel, who died in Colorado; John B., the father of James H .; Harriet, the wife of Solomon I. Millett, of Norway village; Joseph, who lives at Osh- kosh, Wis .; and Franklin, who owns and oc- cupies the old homestead in Paris. The father died in 1856, aged sixty-three years, and the mother in 1886, at the venerable age of ninety- six years.
John B. Porter was born August 12, 1821, on the home farm, and there grew to man's estate. In his youth he attended the district school and assisted on the farm to the extent of his ability. After his marriage he was employed as foreman on the Grand Trunk Railway, being stationed for five or six years at West Milan, N.H. He superintended the building of the road in that locality, having thirty-five men under him. On finishing that work he returned to the homestead in Paris, where he was occupied in general farming on half of the farm until the spring of 1896. In that year he came with his son, James H., to Norway, where he has since made his home. In politics he is a loyal Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Paris Lodge, No. 94, of South Paris. On November 9, 1853, he married Maria B. Home, a native of Saco, Me., born August 12, 1837. Four children were born to them, as follows: Harriet, who married J. F. King, of Paris township, and died June 24, 1887; Annie, who is the wife of Clarence H. Flood, a farmer in East Oxford; Eunice, who married Oscar Barrows, a farmer in the town of Paris; and James H., the subject of this sketch. The mother is a member of the Baptist church at Paris Hill.
James H. Porter was reared and educated.in
the place of his nativity, living with his par- ents until twenty years of age. Going then to Boston, he worked as a fireman on the Boston & Maine Railroad for three and one-half years, and was afterward an employee of the New York Automatic Weighing Machine Company for six months. Subsequently re- suming his first occupation, Mr. Porter became a fireman on the Fitchburg Railroad, on which he was ere long appointed engineer. This re- sponsible position he filled until April 31, 1896, when he came with his father to Nor- way. Here he bought the property known as the old Bennett farm, which contains one hun- dred and fifty acres of land, and is charmingly located. He is now engaged in general farm- ing and fruit growing, and he raises stock on a limited scale. It is his intention to make dairying his principal industry in the future.
Mr. Porter was married January 1, 1896, to Mrs. Marion A. D. Tenney, of Boston. Mrs. Porter was born October 6, 1868, in Atlanta, Ga., daughter of the Rev. George H. Randall. Mr. Porter is actively identified with the Re- . publican party. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Granite Lodge, No. 182, of West Paris; and he is a member of Bramhall Lodge, No. 3, Knights of Pythias, of Portland, Me.
JOHN R. TOOTHAKER, a prominent farmer and an extensive lumberman of Rangeley, Franklin County, was born in this town, June 8, 1839, son of Abner and Phebe (Wilbur) Toothaker. Mr. Toothaker is of English descent. His grand- father, John Toothaker, who was born in Bowdoinham, Me., settled in New Portland when a young man; but after remaining there for a short time he removed to Rangeley, where he owned a good farm, which he culti- vated successfully. He was for many years a church member, and in politics he acted with the Whig party. He died in 1841, aged over sixty years, and of his large family of children none are now living.
Abner Toothaker, Mr. Toothaker's father, was born in 1815 in Bowdoinham, and accom- panied his parents to Rangeley. He began life as a farmer, and later engaged in lumber- ing. Owning extensive tracts of woodland, for
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many years he carried on the largest lumber business in the county. He was prominent in public affairs, and served with ability as County Commissioner two terms, and as a Representative in the legislature one term. Politically, he supported the Republican party, and he was a member of the Baptist church. He died in March, 1880, aged sixty five years. He and his wife, Phebe Wilbur, who was a na- tive of Phillips, were the parents of five chil- dren, three of whom are living, namely: John R., the subject of this sketch; Julia, wife of Nathan Hinckley, of Phillips; and Clara L., wife of N. P. Noble, of Phillips.
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