USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 7
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 7
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was before marriage Rebecca Ingalls, became the mother of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, as follows: Rebecca, who mar- ried Jonathan Whitney; Nathaniel; Reuben I. ; John; Benjamin; Charles W .; Samuel; and Marshall - of whom the only survivor is Charles W., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Rebecca Ingalls Flint died in June, 1870.
Charles W. Flint received a common-school education in his boyhood, and had the addi- tional advantage of one term at the high school. He resided at home assisting his father upon the farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he married and settled upon a piece of agricultural property in the south- east part of this town. Six years later he re- turned to the homestead; and, after caring for his parents during the rest of their lives, he inherited the estate. Mr. Flint's life, how- ever, has not all been spent in the peaceful pursuits of husbandry. Responding to Presi- dent Lincoln's call for troops to defend the imperilled Union, on September 29, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Twenty- third Maine Volunteer Infantry. The regi- ment was commanded by Colonel Virgin ; and Company B, which was originally commanded by Captain Little, was afterward led by Cap- tain Winthrop C. Hall. They were assigned to do general duty in the vicinity of the Po- tomac River, where Mr. Flint's health became permanently injured through long-continued exposure ; and after his discharge in Portland, July 5, 1863, he returned to Sweden, where he resumed farming. He has improved the farm by clearing off considerable woodland, thus adding to its tillage area ; and in connec- tion with general farming he has conducted lumbering operations during the winter sea- sons. He now owns, besides the home farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, a tract of fifty acres, situated in another part of the town, together with considerable wild land. Since his retirement from active labor the farm has been managed by his son.
Mr. Flint has been twice married. His first wife, whom he wedded February 3, 1848, was before marriage Sarah F. Stearns. She was born in Lovell, Me., May 2, 1826, daugh- ter of General Solomon and Sarah (Heald) Stearns, the former of whom was a prosperous
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farmer of that town. She died July 2, 1853, leaving three children, namely : Charles F., who was born January 9, 1849, married Jennie Harmon, of Bridgton, and now lives in West Sterling, Mass .; Solomon S., who was born August 13, 1850, married Emma Hubbard, of Worcester, Mass., and now resides in that city ; and Benjamin W., who was born Decem- ber 14, 1851, married Mrs. Abby Weeks, and is now residing in Chatham, N. H.
On May 20, 1855, Mr. Flint married his present wife, whose maiden name was Jane M. Bennett. She was born in Freedom, N. H., March 24, 1836, daughter of William and Charlotte (Bennett) Bennett. Her father, who was a native of Bridgton, was a house carpenter, and followed his trade in Freedom, Sweden, and Bridgton. He died in his native town. His wife, who was born in Freedom, N. H., spent her last days in Massachusetts. To Mr. and Mrs. Flint have been born thir- teen children, of whom a brief record may here be given, as follows: Nathaniel F. was born May 8, 1857, and died December 15, 1858; Sarah J. was born October 5, 1858, and is the wife of J. Frank Bryant, of West Bridgton ; William M. was born June 7, 1860, married Nellie Pike, and resides in Sweden ; John B. was born February 19, 1862, is a prominent young man of the town, and has always resided at the homestead; George A. was born July 14, 1864, married Ada Dawes, and now lives in Harrison, Me. ; Marshall I. was born November 12, 1865, and died Sep- tember 29, 1872; Eben I. was born June 23, 1867, and is now living at home; Lilly M. was born September 6, 1869, and is the wife of Wilbur D. Moulton, of this town; Joseph was born April 30, 1871, and died October 8, 1875; Eliza A. was born December 3, 1873, and is living at home; Royal N. was born June 12, 1877; Alfonzo F. and Alonzo J., twins, who were born September 12, 1878, are residing at home.
In politics Mr. Flint is a Republican. Be- sides holding some of the minor town offices, he has ably served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for several terms, was Super- visor for a number of years, and has been a member of the School Board. He is con- nected with Cumberland Lodge, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of Bridgton, and was formerly connected with the grange in this town. Mr. and Mrs. Flint are members of the Free Baptist church.
MADISON LUDDEN, one of Can- ton's successful farmers, and well known throughout this section as a skilful musician, was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, November 20, 1845, son of Jacob and Jane C. (Wilson) Ludden.
Mr. Ludden's grandfather, Jacob Ludden, first, was an early settler in Turner; but in 1817 he moved from that town to Canton, where he settled upon a small farm located near the Dixfield line. He worked at black- smithing and farming here for many years, and also took a prominent part in public af- fairs, serving in the House of Representatives when the Maine legislature met in Portland. He died in 1837, aged sixty years. In poli- tics Grandfather Ludden was a Democrat, and in his religious views he was a Universalist. His wife, Lydia Soule, lived to reach a good old age. She was the mother of eleven chil- dren, namely : John ; Temperance; Aaron, who died at the age of fourteen years; Lydia; Jacob; Daniel; Luther ; Flora; Phoebe; Pere- grine; and Manderville T.
Jacob Ludden, second, the fifth child, was born in Turner, January 14, 1814. In young manhood he learned the blacksmith's trade, which was his principal occupation through life; and after his marriage he settled upon the old Wilson farm in Canton. A man of con- siderable energy and ability, he took a deep interest in educational affairs. He died June 20, 1886. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a believer in the doctrine of universal salvation. His wife, Jane C. Wil- son, whom he married in 1834, was born upon the farm where her son now resides, August 10, 1820, daughter of Goin and Sally (Cool- idge) Wilson. Goin Wilson was a native of Poland, and was a Democrat in politics. Settling in this town, he cleared from the wil- derness what has since been known as the Goin Wilson homestead. Both he and his wife, Sally Coolidge, who was born in Canton,
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lived to reach the age of eighty years. Mrs. Jane C. Wilson Ludden survives her husband, and resides at the homestead with her son, J. Madison, the subject of this sketch, who is the only one of her children living. The others were: Gowen W., who died December 28, 1868; Sarah J., who became the wife of W. J. Nalley, and died November 27, 1891 ; and Linus C., who died August 17, 1863.
J. Madison Ludden was educated in the town schools and grew to manhood upon his present farm in Canton. He has given his attention to various occupations, but chiefly to general farming and blacksmithing. His property, which he inherited from his mother, consists of about one hundred and twenty-five acres of fertile land. For the past twenty-five years he has been a member of Towle's Or- chestra, in which he plays the clarionet; and his musical ability has been not only a source of pleasure, but very profitable to him.
By his first wife, Flora L. Kidder, whom he . wedded on July 4, 1869, Mr. Ludden had one daughter - Electa L., who died at the age of nearly three years. Mrs. Flora L. Ludden died June 7, 1886; and on August 29, 1887, Mr. Ludden married for his second wife Mrs. Nellie A. Caswell, who was born in Liver- more, August 16, 1850, daughter of Amasa Phillips. There are no children by this mar- riage. By her union with her first husband, Albert Caswell, Mrs. Ludden has two daugh- ters : Mabel R., wife of Fred C. Berry; and Nellie A. Mr. Ludden's nephew, Charles L. Small, resides with him. A worthy rep- resentative of one of the early settlers here, Mr. Ludden enjoys the esteem and good will of all. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as a Selectman and in other town offices. He is a member of Canton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; and he and Mrs. Lud- den attend the Universalist church.
ESSE V. SIMMONS, a prosperous farmer and commission butcher of Farmington, Franklin County, was born in Kingfield, this county, Decem- ber 16, 1839. He is a son of Daniel and Beulah (Winter) Simmons, and a grandson of Moses and Betsey Simmons. Moses Simmons,
who was a hard-working farmer, settled at an carly date on a farm in Kingfield, and there reared a family in comparative comfort. IIc lived about seventy years, and his wife lived seventy-five.
Daniel Simmons was born April 8, 1812. Having inherited one-half of the home farm in Kingfield, he erected on it a set of build- ings, and afterwards lived there until 1854. In that year he sold the property and moved to New Portland, Me., purchasing there one hun- dred and forty acres of land. On this property he has made many improvements. He subse- quently purchased other land in the north part of the town. In the winter of 1896 he sawed and chopped for the stove sixteen cords of wood, finishing on his eighty-fourth birthday. At this writing he has a patch of corn planted, to which he is giving especial care. He has been a Republican since the formation of the party, and he served as Selectmen of New Portland for a number of years .. In religious belief he is a Universalist. His wife died in 1886, at the age of sixty-eight. Their chil- dren were - Betsey W., born April 16, 1838; Jesse V., the subject of this sketch; Moses, born December 29, 1843; John W., born April 21, 1846; Elmer W., born October 31, 1849; Lettice, who lived but three years; Or- lando, born December 24, 1853; Orrin W., born September 12, 1856; and Alice E., born March 14, 1861.
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Jesse V. Simmons acquired his education in the public schools. While yet a mere. lad he began to earn his living as a clerk in a gro- cery and provision store in Lewiston, Mc. After some years he had saved enough from his wages to purchase the homestead in New Portland. After carrying on general farming here for ten years, he sold the place and once more engaged as clerk. Some time after, he purchased the place of J. Landers in Farming- ton, and in 1888 he erected a slaughter-house. He has been employed occasionally in Farm- ington also as clerk; but his principal occupa- tion is butchering stock and sending to the city markets for the farmers. He has a good farm, where he raises some general crops.
On July 5, 1875, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage with Lydia M., daughter of Wins- low and Mary (Small) Small. Her father
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was a son of David Small, a farmer of Au- burn, Me., who settled in Gray, this county, where he died at the age of seventy. David Small's wife lived to be about fourscore, and her children were- Winslow, Charlotte, Cyn- thia, Nancy, and Margaret. Winslow Small was born in the town of Gray, and reared to agricultural pursuits. In his early manhood he was engaged in teaming, but he eventually bought the homestead. After managing this for some time, he sold it and purchased a large farm in the town of Rennford, Oxford County, which was his home in his last years. He died July 1, 1885, aged seventy-nine years, and his wife passed away in her seventy-sixth year. Their children were - Nathaniel, Eras- tus, Andrew, John, David, Hannah, Lorena, Thomas, Lydia, Mary, and Royal. In politics Mr. Simmons is a Republican; in religious belief, a Universalist. Mrs. Simmons is a member of the Free Will Baptist church.
ARON O. CORBETT, who is success- fully tilling the soil of a productive farm in Paris, Oxford County, was born in Farmington, Me., August 26, 1856, son of Moses and Eunice (Tarbox) Corbett.
Moses Corbett, who was born in Strong, Franklin County, Me., was a farmer and a useful citizen of his town. Strong and ener- getic, he was well adapted to his calling, which he followed until his death, which took place when he was sixty-seven years old. His wife, Eunice, who was a native of Limington, Me., became the mother of three children --- Aaron O. ; Georgietta, wife of William Foster, of Paris; and Bertha J., wife of Lester M. Turner, of Buckfield, Me. Mrs. Moses Cor- bett still survives, and resides with her daugh- ter in Buckfield.
Aaron C Corbett grew to manhood in Farmington and Hebron, Me. ; and his educa- tion was acquired in the district schools. When a young man he engaged in shoemaking, which occupation he followed in Auburn, Me., for eight years. He then bought a farm of sixty acres in Hebron, which he carried on for a time; but in 1878 he sold it, and, com- ing to Paris, purchased his present farm of
two hundred acres. He is one of the rising and progressive agriculturists of this section, having been successful from the start. He devotes his attention to general farming and dairying, besides raising a large annual crop of hay. November 29, 1875, Mr. Corbett married Nancy D. Verrill, of Minot, Me., daughter of George and Nancy (Davis) Ver- rill. Mrs. Corbett's parents were natives of Minot, where her father was a prosperous farmer. Neither is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Corbett have had seven children, as fol- lows: Julia M., Fred H., Isabella M., Grace E., Howard E., Millard L., and George W. The last named died at the age of five years. Mr. Corbett is independent in politics and liberal in his religious views. Mrs. Corbett attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
AVID G. PRIDE, of Waterford township, is a good representative of the sturdy, thriving agricult- urists of Oxford County. He was born November 23, 1824, on the farm where he now resides, son of Josiah and Sophia (Fairbanks) Pride. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Pride, was a pioneer of Waterford, whither he came, accompanied by his son Nathaniel, from Cumberland County. On his arrival here, Benjamin bought some land, and on it established the first saw-mills seen in this vicinity. From that time until his death, in 1832, he was engaged in farming and manufacturing lumber.
Josiah Pride, born in Falmouth, Me., was reared in this town. After his marriage with Miss Sophia Fairbanks, a native of Berlin, Mass., he settled on the homestead now owned and occupied by his son, David G., and in its improvement was busily engaged until his demise, January 3, 1860. His wife, who died March 27, 1858, bore him five children, of whom the following is recorded: Edwin F., formerly a mason at Naples, Me., was born August 18, 1820, and died October 14, 1889; Charles F., born June 14, 1822, died Septem- ber 3, 1822; David. G. is the subject of this sketch; Sophia A., born July 2, 1832, married Leander G. Stone, and lived in Waterford until her death, March 12, 1872; and William
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W., born June 7, 1837, married Rachel Hall, and now lives in Norway, this county.
David G. Pride received his early education in the district schools. Beginning while still very young, he assisted his father in clearing and improving the home farm. Including the ancestral homestead to which he succeeded, he is now the owner of three hundred acres of land. He has managed his property with ability, carrying on general farming, dairy- ing, and stock raising. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he is one of the most highly esteemed residents of the county. He served as Selectman of Waterford in 1883 and 1884.
On May 19, 1852, Mr. Pride married Miss Martha Marston, who was born May 28, 1833, in the adjoining town of Norway. She is a daughter of Brackett and Sarah (Hall) Mars- ton, natives of Falmouth, Me., who became residents of Norway, where they owned a farm. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Pride arc: Charles A., born May 30, 1853, who married Rose A. Marston, of Albany, this county, and is now a farmer of Norway village; Clarence H., born July 9, 1857, who married Lillian Johnson, assists his father in the management of the farm, and has been Chairman of the Waterford Board of Selectmen for the past five years; Lizzie B., born November 1, 1860, who is the wife of Horace Mixer, of Norway village; Grace M., born June 15, 1865, who lives with her parents; Frank D., born July 24, 1871, who died March 12, 1872; and D. Loring, born May 10, 1874, who also lives at home.
6 ORACE L. STANLEY, who owns and cultivates one of the best farms in Chesterville, Franklin County, was born in this town, March 14, 1857. He is a son of George W. and Mary D. (Jewell) Stanley, and is a descendant of an early settler of Winthrop, Me., his great- grandfather, Aden Stanley, who fought for American Independence at Lexington, Bunker Hill, and elsewhere, having been one of the first to locate in that town. Aden Stanley was a carriage-maker by trade, as were all of his sons. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-
two years. His son, Lemuel, the next in line to the subject of this sketch, was both a native and a lifelong resident of Winthrop. Besides carriage-making he was engaged in farming. He was an upright, conscientious man, thrifty and industrious, and was a promi- nent figure in the community in which he lived. In his religious opinions he was a Congregationalist. Ile married Mehitable Gilman, a native of Norridgewock, Mc.
George W. Stanley, father of Horace L., was born in Winthrop, October 28, 1815. In early manhood he learned the carriage-maker's trade. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Norridgewock, where he conducted business for ten years; and then, in 1852, he came to Chesterville. Purchasing a lot in the village he built a large shop, and, engaging in the manufacturing of carriages, did a flourishing business until 1865, when he retired from that enterprise and bought the farm of one hundred acres which is now owned by his son. In 1876 he erected a new residence, fashioned somewhat after the Queen Anne style, and subsequently used the old house for a shop. He carried on general farming very success- fully until his death, which took place August 9, 1890. He was a man of good business abil- ity and of great personal worth. "He took a lively interest in public affairs, and as one of the leading citizens of the town he was highly respected. Originally a Whig, he entered the ranks of the Republican party at its formation. In his religious affiliations he was a Free Will Baptist. His wife, Mary D., whom he mar- ried May 4, 1842, was a daughter of Robert and Nicy (Grover) Jewell. Her father was a native of Fox Island, Me., and a son of James Jewell, who came from England. Robert Jewell, who was twice married, became the father of twelve children, and Mr. Stanley's mother was the second daughter by his second union. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Stanley be- came the parents of ten children, as follows : Cyrus A., born in 1843; Allen F., born in 1844, died in 1863, while serving in the army ; Mary F., born in 1846; Sarah E., born in 1848; Annette, born in 1850, died in infancy, all the foregoing being born in Norridgewock ; George E., born in 1852; Addie J., born in 1854; Horace L., whose nativity is elsewhere
GEORGE W. STANLEY.
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given; Lizzie S., born in 1859; and Edward R., born in 1862, the last five being natives of Chesterville. A portrait of the father of this worthy family is presented in connection with this article.
Horace L. Stanley acquired the elementary branches of his education in the common schools, and completed his studies at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kents Hill. At the age of nineteen he began his independent career, finding work as a farm assistant, and was thus employed until attaining his major- ity. From that time until he was twenty-five he assisted in carrying on the home farm. He then went to Boston, where he remained six months, at the end of which time he was called home on account of serious injuries sustained by his father as the result of being thrown from his carriage. He has since resided here, taking charge of the homestead and having cared for his father during his last days. In 1893 he received from his mother a full title to the property, including the stock, imple- ments, and machinery. This farm not only occupies a beautiful location, but is one of the most fertile and productive in this section. It includes a fine orchard of grafted fruit trees, and is fully supplied with all modern improve- ments. At present there are upon the place five splendid Jersey cows and three fine horses. As an energetic and thoroughly practical farmer Mr. Stanley is a distinct success. Having advanced rapidly to a position of prom- inence among his fellow-townsmen he is re- garded by them with respect and esteem. In politics he acts with the Republican party, and his religious opinions are broad and liberal.
RANK L. WATSON, a successful farmer and prominent resident of Hiram, Oxford County, Me., was born upon the farm he now owns and cultivates, in this town, March 28, 1837, son of Walter F. and Ruth (Hubbard) Watson. Mr. Watson's farm was cleared from the wilderness by his great-grandfather, who came to Hiram in 1779. John Watson, Mr. Watson's grand- father, son of the pioneer, was born here in 1780, and died here in 1863, having resided upon the homestead property during his entire
life. His wife, whose maiden name was Abi- gail Foss, died in Hiram in 1870. She was the mother of sixteen children, of whom the only survivor is Seviah, the youngest, now the wife of Chauncy R. Berry, of Deering, Me.
Walter F. Watson, son of John Watson, was born at the homestead in Hiram; and, with the exception of five years spent in the mining districts of California, he resided here and tilled the soil throughout the active period of his life. He died July 4, 1880. His wife, formerly Ruth Hubbard, a native of Berwick, Me., was the mother of four children, as fol- lows: Francis, who died at the age of two years; Frank L., the subject of this sketch ; Zilpha, wife of Charles W. Deering, a pros- perous farmer of Gorham, Me. ; and Arabella, wife of Edwin Woodman, a machinist of Bid- deford, Me. Mrs. Ruth H. Watson, surviving her husband but a short time, died in October, 1880.
Frank L. Watson acquired his elementary education in the common schools, and pursued a more advanced course of study at the Lim- ington Academy. At the age of sixteen he left home and went to Biddeford, Me., where he was employed upon a farm for two years ; and he then returned to Hiram. He took charge of the home farm during the last three years of his father's absence in California, and has since continued to manage the property. He owns one hundred acres of desirable land, which is well adapted to the raising of staple products, such as hay, corn, and potatoes; and he ships a great deal of milk to Portland. He also does quite a large business as a dealer in mowing machines and agricultural implements.
In May, 1856, Mr. Watson married Char- lotte Evans, a native of this town. Her par- ents, Oliver and Mary (Locke) Evans, who were prosperous farming people of Hiram, are no longer living. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have had six children, namely : Cora, who was born September 16, 1857, married George R. Clem- ens, of Hiram, and died at the age of thirty- seven years; Mary E., whose birthday was the Fourth of July, a year or two later, and who is now the wife of Charles F. Wakefield, a farmer in California; Charles W., who was born February 26, 1865, and died October 9 of the same year; Charles Walter, who was
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born October 1, 1867, and died in July, 1884; John F., who was born September 25, 1869, and is assisting his father in carrying on the farm; and Eunice B., who was born October 23, 1871, and died February 21, 1892.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Watson has been prominently active in local public affairs, having served as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Town Treasurer, and Col- lector for several years. He was made a Mason in 1865 in Mount Moriah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Denmark, Me. As a citizen of worth and ability, he is highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen.
ORHAM BAKER, a prosperous farmer of New Sharon, was born in this town, October 13, 1815, son of Elisha and Lydia (Winslow) Baker. Mr. Baker's grandfather, Prince Baker, who was born in 1742, moved with his father from Damariscotta, Lincoln County, to New Sharon when he was a young man. With three others Prince Baker bought the township, which, when sold, realized but twelve cents per acre. He died in Mercer, Somerset .County, in 1829, at the age of eighty-seven years.
Elisha Baker, Mr. Baker's father, was born in Damariscotta, January 31, 1777. His boy- hood was passed upon his father's farm, and he acquired his education in the common schools of New Sharon. When a young man he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, situated on the Sandy River Road, and con- ducted it for several years. He finally traded it to his father for the present homestead, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred in 1861, at the age of eighty-five years. In politics he was a Republican, and in his religious belief he was a Free Will Baptist. During the War of 1812 he reported for ser- vice at Hallowell, where he was detained but a short time. He afterward received from the government a warrant for one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. His wife, Lydia Winslow, who spent her childhood on the coast of Maine, near Boothbay Harbor, at a later date came to Industry with her father. She had ten children : namely, Ex- perience, Nicholas W., Betsey, Sumner, Abel,
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