USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 68
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 68
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John R. Toothaker acquired his education in the common schools of Rangeley and Phillips and at the Lewiston Seminary. Since young manhood he has been engaged in farm- ing and lumbering, having carried on the last - named business with energy and success, and he is to-day the owner of large tracts of tim- ber land. His logging operations amount to several million feet annually. He inherited the homestead farm, and three years since he purchased his present residence in Rangeley village. His village property contains twenty acres, and is all under cultivation. The homestead farm contains eight hundred acres. He raises some fine Holstein and Durham cattle, keeping eighty head of cattle, fifteen horses, and about two hundred sheep. His farm is one of the most productive pieces of agricultural property in this locality, one year's harvest including fifteen hundred bushels of grain and two hundred tons of hay. His residence and other buildings are new and substantial.
On November 29, 1860, Mr. Toothaker was united in marriage with Esther M. Hoar. Of the seven children born to this union, five are living, namely: Ermon L., who resides in Rangeley; Lincoln A., who resides at the homestead; Archie R., who lives in this town; Minnie, wife of George R. Pillsbury, of Rangeley; and Rolla V., who is at home with his parents.
In politics Mr. Toothaker is a Republican. For twenty years he has been a member of the Board of Selectmen, twelve years of which he acted as Chairman. He was County Commis- sioner six years, and while serving as High-
way Commissioner he built the road leading from Rangeley to Dead River Station. He is connected with Saddleback Lodge, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, of Phillips, and is Deputy Commander of the Golden Cross, No. 408, of Rangeley. The family attend the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Toothaker is a member.
OLON A. COFFIN, one of the town fathers of Gilead, Oxford County, was born November 3, 1836, on the farm where he is now living, son of E. W. and Sarah J. (Green) Coffin. His grandfather, Peter Coffin, entered the Revolutionary army when only fourteen years of age, and was at first employed as errand boy for General Washington. Pcter served in the army for seven years, and was cventually promoted to the rank of Corporal.
E. W. Coffin was born in Conway, N. H., and was there reared and educated. He was a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in early manhood located in Gilead, going there first to preach. Having ex- pounded the gospel in many places, he was well known throughout the State. He event- ually purchased the farm now occupied by his son, there spent his last days, and died in his eighty-third year. Mr. Coffin was an es- teemed member of the Republican party, and served in nearly all the offices within the gift of the town. His wife, a native of Otisfield, Me., was a daughter of Benjamin Green, who served under Washington in the Continental army for six years, receiving three serious wounds. A member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and a sympathetic and intelli- gent helpmeet to her husband, she survived him cight years, though her life was nearly the same length as his, having been about eighty-two years. Their children were: Ben- jamin S., Sarah Jane, Rose, Francis M .. a child who died in infancy, Carlotia, Eliza- beth, and Solon A. Benjamin S., Sarah Jane. Carlotia, and Elizabeth are deceased. Eliza- beth's death occurred when she was twelve years old. Carlotia was the wife of Thomas Green, of this county. Rose is the wife of D. L. Austin, a farmer of Gilead, now retired.
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Francis M., after actively following agricult- ure for a number of years, is now living in re- tirement in Gilead.
Solon A. Coffin was cducated in the com- mon schools of Gilead and at Gould's Acad- emy in Bethel, this county. He has lived on this farm since his birth, with the exception of four years spent in Old Orchard, Me., and Northboro, Mass., during which time he let the farm, aiding his father during the latter's life- time, and inheriting the place when the elder man passed away. Besides this farm, which covers one hundred and seventy-five acres, he also owns another farm in Bethel. He carried on mixed husbandry for a number of years, and was likewise engaged in the lumber business on a small scale. He is now living in retirement. Mr. Coffin is a member of the Grange at West Bethel. Mr. Coffin was mar- ried November 24, 1863, to Celicia C. Fare- well, of West Bethel, who died May 6, 1895. She bore him four children, namely: Ella J., now the wife of D. R. Hastings, Postmaster of Gilead; Herbert E., a business man of Bos- ton; Cora, who died at the age of twelve; and Fred M., the State Inspector of butter and milk at Boston. The father favors the Re- publican side in politics. He served the town as Selcctman for fifteen years, and he filled every other office in turn, except that of Town Clerk. He is prominent in Mount Abram Lodge, No. 36, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Bethel. He has been a member of the Methodist church since he was twenty- onc years of age, has been steward of the so- ciety for many years, and now has charge of the church funds.
J OHN MOLAND CUMMINGS, of Nor- way, the proprietor of the largest liv- ery business in Maine, was born here, October 16, 1840, son of Stephen and Fanny (Whitney) Cummings, and grandson of Dr. Stephen and Fanny (Bradley) Cummings. William Cummings, the father of Dr. Stephen Cummings, was a native of Massachusetts. He followed the profession of physician, and was an early settler of Portland, where he ac- quired a very successful practice. He lived to be seventy years of age, and so did his
wife, Harriett. Stephen Cummings, Sr., was born in Portland. Early in life he entered the medical profession, and practised in Port- land and in Waterford, this county. He was about sixty-nine years of age when he died. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. His wife, Fanny (Bradley) Cummings, also lived to a good age. Five children were born to them; namely, Harriet, Stephen, Fanny, John, and Sumner.
Stephen Cummings, the father of John Mo- land, was also born in Portland; and he re- ceived his education in the schools of that city. On attaining his majority his father bought him one hundred and fifty acres of land in the north part of Norway, and took up his residence upon it. After spending a number of years in clearing and cultivating the estate, he sold it, and bought a farm in the town of Bethel, where he lived for the following quarter-century. Selling out again at the end of that time, he purchased a home in Norway village, and resided here until his death by apoplexy in 1872, aged fifty-five years. Fanny (Whitney) Cummings, his wife, who was a daughter of William C. Whitney, lived sixty- nine years. They were the parents of seven children - William C. W., Sumner, Frances E., Stephen H., Charles B., John M., and Harriett.
John Moland Cummings, the youngest son of his parents' children, was educated in the schools of Bethel and Norway. He remained at home until twenty-two years of agc. The following three years he drove a hack between South Paris and Norway. Then he opened a small livery stable on what is known as the Carpenter place, Norway. This proved a successful venture; and a year later he re- moved to Rumford, and opened a sales stable. A few years later he went to South Paris, and bought the J. Bicknell stand. Shortly after, yielding to the increased demands of his busi- ness, he rented the Andrews House stables, and put in more horses and carriages. Still later he opened the Bridgham stable. In 1880 he purchased the Beals House stable, to which he has since made an addition of one hundred and seventy feet, making the present length of the stable and carriage-room two hundred and ninety feet. The second floor is
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finished for boarding, with twenty-five rooms. He keeps forty-five horses in this stable, and fifteen in each of the two South Paris stables, one of which is opposite the Grand Trunk Railroad station, and the other connected with the Andrews House, making, with those in the Elm House stable, Norway, about one hundred horses all together. He also has a large variety of pleasure wagons and carriages, including two large barges known as the "Ox- ford Bear" and the "Telephone," enabling him at short notice to fill almost every sort of order in good style. He has also a black- smith shop for his own use, and owns a fine river farm, which yields annually between sixty-five and seventy tons of hay.
The admirable management of all the stables reflects great credit upon their owner. One of the things, and perhaps the chief thing, that have helped to make the business so suc- cessful is Mr. Cummings's sound judgment regarding horses and his rule of disposing of a horse as soon as it is found to be unsafe or not an agreeable roadster. His patrons have learned by experience that, when they order a turnout from his stables, they are assured of a safe ride. He has many warm friends among the travelling public, as well as in the vil- lages of Norway and South Paris. Mr. Cum- mings married Mrs. Elvia Calwell, a daughter of Mr. Murch, of Baldwin, Me. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics.
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IRAM OLDHAM, 2D, a blacksmith in business with his son at Rumford Falls, was born December 24, 1828, in Sumner, Oxford County, son of Daniel and Priscilla (Keen) Oldham, natives respectively of Pembroke and Hanson, Mass. John Oldham, the father of Daniel, came from his Massachusetts home to Sumner, and settled in the southern part of the town, next to the Buckfield line, on an unimproved farm. Here he dwelt for the remainder of his life in a log cabin erected by his own hands, making a good living by his farm. When between fifty- five and sixty years of age he was accidentally killed in Buckfield by a cart-wheel running over him. His eldest son, Daniel, spent his life in the towns of Sumner and Peru. Daniel
went to Peru in 1831, locating near Worthly Pond, on one of the best farms in the vicinity. He died here at the age of eighty-six years, and his wife's death occurred in her eighty- fifth year. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Anna, Daniel, Miranda, and Jonathan have passed away. Those living are: Axel, Peleg, Hiram, and Columbus. In religious faith the parents were Universalists.
Hiram Oldham, 2d, received his educa- tion in the district schools of Peru, of which place he became a resident in his early child- hood. Since starting out in life for himself he has followed the various occupations of farmer, blacksmith, and carpenter. He lived in Peru sixty-six years, and still owns in that town an excellent farm of two hundred and sixty acres, to which he expects to return at some future day. He came to Rumford Falls in 1893, and since that time has carried on a good general blacksmithing and horseshoeing business in partnership with his son.
When twenty years old Mr. Oldham married Miss Eleanor Irish, who was born in Buck- field, Me., daughter of Freeman Irish. She died September 11, 1893. Of their children four have passed away; namely, Freeman I., Addie C., Lillian, and Mary E., wife of Free- lon Starbird. The living are: Edwin R .; Hiram R .; Francis A .; Cora, wife of E. B. Hutchins; Charles L .; Annie, the wife of Sidney G. Wheelwright, and Benjamin F. Mr. Oldham casts his vote with the Repub- lican party. He adheres to the Universalist faith, in which he was reared.
AMES E. THOMPSON, a retired mer- chant and an esteemed resident of Phillips, was born in Avon, Me .. April 3, 1820, a son of James and Mehitabel (Burnham) Thompson, natives re- spectively of Bristol and Damariscotta, Me. A tradition has it that the founder of the family settled in New Market, N. H., after coming to this country from England with three brothers. Ebenezer Thompson, the father of James, served in the Revolutionary War. He was born in New Hampshire. May 15, 1741, and was married July 9, 1767, to Miss Elizabeth Sally, whose birth occurred
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in the same State on September 13, 1743. Ebenezer was one of the first settlers of Avon, Me., where he purchased a large tract of land, which has since been divided into two of the largest farms in that town. His active period was spent in farming; and he died June 11, 1822, aged eighty-one years. His wife's death followed on May 18, 1831, after she had attained the age of eighty-five. Their chil- dren were: Isaac, born June 10, 1768; Mary, born March 10, 1770; James, born July 5, 1772; Elizabeth, born April 15, 1775; Su- sanna, born October 5, 1777; Ebenezer, Jr., born May 11, 1780; Samuel, born October 5, 1782; John, born March 10, 1786; and Will- iam, born August 17, 1790.
James Thompson, the third child and second son of his parents, lived in Bristol until four- teen years old. Then, in 1786, he moved to Avon, Me., where the remainder of his active life was spent. Both he and his wife passed their last days in the home of their son, James E., in Phillips. He held for a time the office of Selectman in Avon. His wife, Mehitabel, bore him nine children, namely: Daniel, of whom no special information is given; Mary, who married Oliver Soper; Lavina, the wife of J. Purley ; Enos H., who was a physician ; Mahala, unmarried; Clarissa, who married Eben Day; Elizabeth K., who died unmar- ried at the age of twenty-two; Silas D. ; and James E., the subject of this sketch. Eight of them were school teachers. The only sur- vivor now is James E. In political affiliation the father was a Democrat, and in religion he was a Methodist. He died in September, 1863, aged ninety-one years.
James E. Thompson received his education in the elementary schools of Avon and the high schools of Strong and Bridgton, after which he was engaged teaching school in win- ter and farming in summer. He also worked on the survey of the Cochituate water works. Mr. Thompson taught school a number of terms, ranging from 1838 to 1850, in Bridg- ton, Strong, Avon, and Phillips. In 1849 he came to Phillips, and entered the general merchandise store of Gould & Gammon, Co- lumbus Smith & Seward Dill, as a clerk, and was employed in that capacity for about three years. He was then engaged in a general
mercantile business with Darius Howard, under the firm name of Howard & Thompson, for three years more. At the end of that time Mr. Howard sold out to N. B. Beal, and the style of the firm was changed to Thomp- son & Beal. This connection continued up to 1859, when the firm was dissolved. After several years, during which, on account of ill health, Mr. Thompson was obliged to avoid any confining business, he purchased the A. D. Goodwin farm, which he carried on for four years. He was then appointed to the office of Deputy Sheriff, in which he served six years, and afterward elected to that of County Commissioner, serving one term of three years. After selling his farm, in 1896 hc purchased a house in the village, and has since resided here. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Union National Bank, which received its charter in 1875, being a Director and its Cashier during the first eighteen years. When the Phillips Savings Bank was organ- ized, he was one of the leaders and the first signer for its charter. He declined to accept the position of President, which was tendered to him, but was on the Board of Trustees a number of years. On June 6, 1852, Mr. Thompson married Miss Elizabeth S. Cush- man, a daughter of James Cushman, of Phil- lips. She bore him three children - Florrie, Minnie M., and Georgiana C. He was bereft of this wife December 7, 1887. Their chil- dren are also deceased. Mr. Thompson has since married Hilda Sprague, the widow of John Goodwin, of Phillips. When twenty years old Mr. Thompson was elected Captain of a company of light infantry raised at large, and held the command for three years. In 1850, when the town of Phillips raised an artillery company, he was elected as Captain, and served for an equal period of time. Be- fore the formation of the Republican party he was a Democrat. He has since been a Republican adherent. He has served as Se- lectman both in Avon and Phillips, being Chairman of the Board several years. Both he and Mrs. Thompson are attendants and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1885 he presented the church with a valuable bell, weighing one thousand pounds.
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A NSON BENNETT, of Fryeburg, who is widely and favorably known as a re- liable carpenter and a prosperous farmer, was born in Lovell, Me., June 12, 1847, son of Nathaniel W. and Sarah W. (Charles) Bennett. His father, who was a native of East Fryeburg, where he grew to manhood, having learned the cooper's trade, followed it for a number of years in Lovell after his marriage. From Lovell, Nathaniel went to Virginia, where he was employed for some time. After his return North he again settled in North Fryeburg. Some years later he did some work at the carpenter's trade in Boston, but again returned to Fryeburg. In 1873 he moved to the Simeon Charles farm in Fryeburg, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 6, 1891. His wife, Sarah, who was a native of Fryeburg, was the mother of two children, namely: Anson, the subject of this sketch; and Myra, who resides at the homestead. The mother died in Janu- ary, 1890.
Anson Bennett obtained his education in the common schools and at the Fryeburg Academy. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, and subsequently worked at it for a long period in Fryeburg and Lovell, Boston, Newton, Waltham, and Salem, Mass., Portland, Me., and North Conway, N. H. After the death of his father he settled at the homestead in Fryeburg, where he has since been engaged in farming and working at his trade, as the opportunity offers. He owns in all two hundred and fifteen acres of land, sixty-five of which comprise the home farm. He has already improved the property to a considerable extent, and obtains good crops from it every year.
On January 28, 1873, Mr. Bennett wedded Jennie E. English, who was born in Halifax,- N.S., daughter of William English, a carpen- ter by trade. Her mother died when Mrs. Bennett was very young. Mr. and Mrs. Ben- nett have two children, namely: Van Irvine, who was born July 24, 1880; and Erlon Lamont, who was born March 24, 1894. Mr. Bennett's political principles are Republican, and he has supported the party since reaching his majority. Although his natural ability makes him eligible to public office, he is not
at all desirous of notoriety in this direction, prefering to employ his whole time in attend- ing to his private affairs. He is highly spoken of by his townsmen, whose esteem and good will he entirely commands.
ARMON D. HARNDEN, a promi- nent farmer of Fryeburg, Me., was born in this town, September 4, 1856, son of Calvin and Rosanna
(Dennett) Harnden. His grandfather, El- bridge Harnden, was an early resident here. Calvin Harnden was born in Fryeburg, De- cember 16, 1820. He was for a time em- ployed in a tannery in Bridgton, but always resided in his native town, and he cleared the farm which his son, Harmon D., owns. He was a man of considerable prominence in his day, and one who had the respect and esteem of the general community. He continued to follow general farming until his death, which took place on August 16, 1880. His wife, Rosanna Dennett Harnden, who was born in Bridgton, September 4, 1826, became the mother of three children, as follows: Mary F., born September 8, 1853, is now the wife of William Douglass, of East Fryeburg; Harmon D., the subject of this sketch, whose nativity is given above; and Sarah J., who was born November 22, 1859, and is now the wife of C. H. Warren, a prosperous farmer of Den- mark, Me. Mrs. Calvin Harnden died Sep- tember 20, 1884.
Harmon D. Harnden began his education in the common schools, and subsequently studied for two terms at the Bridgton Academy. He resided at the homestead after leaving school, assisting his father in carrying on the farm. Having succeeded to its possession, he has made various improvements thereon. He owns about two hundred acres of well-located land, the tillage portion of which is extremely fertile, and he devotes his attention prin- cipally to the cultivation of sweet corn, which he supplies to the canning factories. In I891 he, in company with his brother-in-law. C. H. Warren, erected a factory in Denmark for the purpose of engaging in the corn-packing busi- ness, a short time afterward leasing it to the Bridgton Canning Company. On November
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13, 1880, Mr. Harnden was united in marriage with Lizzie A. Abbott, who was born in Frye- burg, May 1, 1859, daughter of Dean and Aphia (Frye) Abbott, both of whom are na- tives of this town, and are now living in East Fryeburg. Mr. and Mrs. Harnden have two children - Evelyn Lee, born June 19, 1882; and Calvin Archer, born April 13, 1884.
In politics Mr. Harnden supports the Dem- ocratic party, and, while not desirous of tak- ing a prominent part in public affairs, he has served capably in some of the town offices. Since reaching manhood he has labored dili- gently in striving to advance himself on the road to success, and his efforts have been awarded. His well directed industry and broad comprehension of local needs are a benefit to the community.
RANK PACKARD is one of the active and progressive farmers of Hebron, Me., owner of over two hundred acres of good land. He was born in Buckfield, this State, March 14, 1859, a son of Jeremiah P. and Rebecca (Fuller) Packard, and is of the third generation of Packards in the town of Buckfield - his grandfather, Moses Packard, having settled there at an early date. Moses Packard was a farmer. He died in Melrose, Mass., at an advanced age. Jeremiah P. Packard, who was born in Buckfield, was also an industrious farmer. He owned one hun- dred and seventy-five acres of land, a great part of which was under cultivation. Mr. Packard voted the Democratic ticket. On re- ligious subjects he held liberal views. He died at the age of sixty-four. His wife, who was born in the town of Hebron, is now living on the homestead with her son, the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Packard lost two children, John H. and Adrianna, and have three living, Lucillous, Fred, and Frank.
Frank Packard was educated in the schools of Hebron. Since early boyhood he has been interested in agricultural pursuits, and as a general farmer he has achieved marked suc- cess. He has a well-cultivated farm, good buildings, and some live stock, and ranks among the prominent and well-to-do citizens of the town.
Mr. Packard was married November 11, 1888, to Miss L. Emma Lowell, a native of Buckfield, and has one son, Ernest L., who was born in Hebron, July 27, 1890. Actively interested in town matters, he favors the Dem- ocratic side in politics, but has the good will of members of both parties, and is at present serving on the Board of Selectmen. He be- longs to one social organization, East Hebron Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Packard is liberal in religious matters, while his wife is a member of the Free Will Baptist church.
DELBERT DELANO, a leading man of Canton, Oxford County, who fought in the Civil War, was born January 31, 1850, in Dixfield, son of Caleb and Sarah (Bennett) Delano. Mr. Delano's grandfather, Caleb Delano (first), who was a native of Massachusetts, came to Dixfield among the early settlers, and there passed the rest of his life prosperously engaged in farm- ing. Caleb Delano, a native of Sidney, Me., became a successful agriculturist of Dixfield. He was one of the representative men of that town in his day, and served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for sixteen years. Responding to the urgent call for troops to suppress the Rebellion, he joined Company D, Twelfth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, with which he served until he was killed in the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864. In politics he supported the Republican party, and in his religious views he was a Universal- ist. His wife, Sarah, who was a native of Canton, became the mother of two children, namely: Mary, now the wife of Leroy Hall, of Dixfield; and Adelbert, the subject of this sketch. She lived to be seventy-eight years old.
Adelbert Delano received a good education in the public schools. In December, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. Since that time he has given his attention to general farming. He has been a tax-payer on real estate since he was seventeen years old; and at the present time he owns a splendid farm of three hundred acres, which he bought in 1887. Other land of his elsewhere brings
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the total amount to five hundred acres. He makes a specialty of raising hay, oats, and sweet corn, producing large and superior crops; and he keeps some fine graded Jersey stock for dairy purposes. The farm property occupies a desirable location in the Andros- coggin valley, and his buildings are sub- stantial and kept in good repair. He is also interested in the Bridge Company, of which he is Treasurer.
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