USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 71
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 71
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Seminary at Kent's Hill. In May, 1887, he was married to Miss Lena B. Cole, of Port- land. They have two little daughters. In July, 1890, he removed to Berlin, N.H., and a year later went to Groveton, N. H., where he opened a job printing office and instituted the Groveton Enterprise, a local weekly paper. A good business was established, but, preferring a different locality, Mr. Ellingwood sold the plant to J. D. Bridge, editor of the Democrat, Lancaster, N. H., and came to Bethel in April, 1895. Renting the large room in the Cole Block formerly used as a gymnasium, he opened a job printing office, and the first week in the following June commenced the publica- tion of the Bethel News, the second paper published in Bethel, the first having been the Bethel Courier, edited by Dr. N. T. True back in the fifties. Every one predicted failure for the new enterprise, considering the county already overstocked with local papers; but a flattering amount of success has rewarded the effort expended, and to-day the Bethel Nezes stands on a level with its contemporaries, with a rapidly increasing subscription list. It is a bright, clean little paper, well printed, full of original matter, with local news, items from neighboring towns, State news, an interesting children's column, and many articles of inter- est. Increasing business demanded increased facilities, and now two large rooms in the Cole Block are occupied, and a good trade es- tablished in stationery, pens, etc.
In September of the present year (1896), a half-interest in the entire business was sold to Mr. E. C. Bowler, and business is now trans- acted under the firm name of the News Pub- lishing Company.
9 JDWARD PAYSON TURNER, M.D., a prominent physician and practitioner, located at 30 State Street, New York City, was born in New Vineyard, Franklin County, Me., on November 16, 1854. His parents were David, Jr., and Lydia B. Turner. His great-grandfather, Captain David Turner, came from Martha's Vineyard, Mass., and was one of the first settlers in the township. He, like most of the early settlers, selected and cleared a mountain farm, the idea being that
the high lands were the best for wheat, corn, and potatoes, giving a longer season by escap- ing the early frosts of the valleys. He lived and died on the farm he had made, respected, and with that measure of success usual to the farmers of the time.
His son David, the Doctor's grandfather, was born here, and as a young man became in- terested in religion, and finally became a clergyman. He established the Congrega- tional church at New Vineyard, and officiated as its pastor for thirty years. The Rev. David Turner died in 1858.
David, Jr., the father, also a native of the town and a farmer, always lived here. He married Lydia B. Bray, of Anson, and they had two children - Edward Payson, the sub- ject of this sketch; and Mary Jane, who died in infancy. The father died in 1861, when his son was in his seventh year. The mother remained at the homestead, rearing and edu- cating her son as best she could. She lived until August 30, 1894. She therefore had the satisfaction of seeing her son reach the age of manhood, and become a successful and prosperous doctor of medicine. She also was enabled to enjoy for a number of years the fruits of her labors, as the old house was com- pletely remodelled and furnished, making one of the pleasantest country homes in Maine. Mrs. Turner also spent considerable time in the city with her son.
Edward P. Turner, after acquiring such ed- ucation as the schools of New Vineyard afforded, entered Westbrook Seminary, and graduated from there in 1878. For a time thereafter he was a teacher in the Maine State Reform School. He then began the study of medicine, under the direction of Dr. C. W. Bray, and later entered the office of Drs. Tewkesbury and Bray, Portland, Me .. remain- ing with them one year, subsequently going to the Long Island College Hospital in New York, where he was graduated in 1882, and was President of his class. Dr. Turner at once located in New York City, where he has been successful in building up a large and lu- crative practice, remaining in the same local- ity where he at first started.
The Doctor, however, has never abandoned his native town. He completely renovated,
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rebuilt, and newly furnished the old dwelling house, which is now a three-story Queen Anne cottage, and one of the pretty country homcs of Mainc. He has also a large farm well stocked and equipped for general farming; but the special feature is the apple orchard of over three thousand trecs, covering about cighty acres. He believes that apple-growing in Maine will prove morc profitable than orange- growing in Florida, and advises the young men to stay at home, and go into the business, giving it proper care and attention, making it a specialty. Hc also has financial interests in some of the paper industries of Maine, and is a property owner in New York City. Since he first exercised the elective franchise he has affiliated with the Democratic party, with the exception of a vote cast for Mckinley. Offi- cially, he is now a School Inspector for the First District in New York City, being ap- pointed by the mayor. Fraternally, he is a member of the American Legion of Honor, of Preble Council, Portland, Me.
The Doctor says that, whatever success he has had, has been due to the encouragement of his mother and hard work all the time. The Doctor is a bachelor. Believing in the proper care of the body, both during life and after- ward, he has arranged a family burying-place, that is probably not excelled in beauty and fitness of design in the State. The ideas of the entire work originated with the Doctor, and it is a credit to his artistic tastes.
A UGUSTUS F. THURLOW, who has resided upon his present farm in Paris, Oxford County, since 1877, was born in Raymond, Me., October 6, 1842, son of Hiram and Ann C. (Davis) Thurlow.
Hiram Thurlow was a native and lifelong resident of Raymond, and one of the stirring and industrious farmers of that town. He lived to reach the age of seventy-four years. His wife, Ann, who was a native of Casco, Me., became the mother of six children, two of whom are living, namely: Emeline D., who is now Mrs. Frank, and lives in Yar- mouthville, Me. ; and Augustus F., the sub- ject of this sketch. The others were: So-
phronia J., Freeland, Cyrus, and Charles HI. Mrs. Hiram Thurlow died at the age of forty- seven years.
Augustus F. Thurlow was educated in the schools of Raymond, and was reared to the life of a farmer. When old enough he began to work as a farm laborer, receiving twelve dollars per month, and continued thus em- ployed for twelve years. He enlisted for scr- vicc in the Civil War, but saw no active duty. He bought his first real estate in Vincland, N. J., where he was engaged five years as farmer, carpenter, and mill-man. From Vine- land, N.J., he moved to West Nebraska, where he resided for a short time. Returning East as far as the oil region of Pennsylvania, he was for some time employed there in doing carpenter work, and also as an operative in a saw-mill. Again moving eastward, he stopped at Berlin Falls, N. H., where hc resided five years. Coming to Paris in 1877, he bought the farm which he has since carried on with so much ability and success.
In 1872 Mr. Thurlow wedded Mary C. Stevens, who was born in Minot, Me., in 1853, and she has borne him five children - Hiram E., Arthur C., Gertrude M., Josiah A., and Irving G. In politics Mr. Thurlow acts with the Republican party, and he is highly respected in this town as a useful and progressive citizen.
REDERICK NATHANIEL FRYE, of Fryeburg, Me., better known among his neighbors and a large number of friends and acquaintances in this county as Nat Frye, the owner of the Frye homestead, was born in this town, February 23, 1824. Mr. Frye's parents were Frederick and Mary Ann (Chandler) Frye.
The first ancestor of the family to settle in Maine was his great-grandfather, General Jo- seph Frye, a native of Andover, Essex County, Mass., and a Revolutionary soldier, in whose honor the town of Fryeburg was named. Mr. Frye's grandfather, Lieutenant Nathaniel Frye, son of General Frye, accompanied his parents to this township, and during the rest of his active period devoted himself to tilling the soil of the estate founded by his father.
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He died in this town on the 17th of April, 1833. His wife, Dorothy Swan, a native of Fryeburg, died April 27, 1840.
Their son Frederick, Mr. Frye's father, was born in Fryeburg, June 6, 1796. After marrying, he continued to reside at the home- stead engaged in farming. He possessed an energy and ability which gave promise of future success in business; but he was not permitted to display these sterling character- istics to any extent, as his life was cut short in the very prime of his young manhood, his death occurring November 23, 1823. His wife, who was before marriage Mary Ann Chandler, was a native of Fryeburg. Three children were the fruit of their union, as fol- lows: Martha, who was born December 6, 1819, and died February 18, 1862; Caleb, who was born October 29, 1821, became a prominent farmer and lumber dealer of this town, and died December 7, 1882; and Fred- erick N., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Mary A. Frye died May 9, 1880, aged eighty- one years, five months, and twenty-three days.
Frederick Nathaniel Frye, who was named for his father and grandfather, attended the common schools for a while in his childhood, but as he was obliged to begin work upon the farm at an early age, on account of his father's untimely death, his opportunities for obtain- ing an education were necessarily limited. In company with his brother Caleb he carried on the farm for many years, managing the property in the interest of his mother until the estate was divided, and since the settle- ment of affairs he has been extensively en- gaged in farming and lumbering. He now owns three hundred and sixty-nine acres of land, with dwelling-house and other build- ings, has a sugar orchard of fourteen acres, and also possesses large tracts of timber land lo- cated in Fryeburg and Stow, Me., and in Conway, N.H. He raises large crops of staple products, and has devoted his time ex- clusively to his local business interests, his only absence from home being the occasion of his visit to Washington, D.C., to consult with his uncle in regard to settling the estate.
On July 3, 1879, Mr. Frye was united in matrimony with Martha Day, who was born in Fryeburg, April 9, 1848, a daughter of Enos
and Johanna (Abbott) Day, both natives of this town. Mr. Day was identified with the early agricultural development of Fryeburg. He died in August, 1878, and Mrs. Day, who is now eighty-three years old, is residing with her daughter.
Politically, a Republican, Mr. Frye, though frequently solicited to accept the nomination for public office, has always declined. He is highly respected as thoroughly honorable and upright, his ability, both as a farmer and a business man, being well known throughout the county. He is a member of Pythagorean Lodge, No. 1I, A. F. & A. M., of Fryeburg.
EORGE N. COBURN, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Weld, Me., is a native of this town, where he is prosperously engaged in farming. He was born December 28, 1836, son of Jacob and Hannah (Lawrence) Coburn. The family is of English origin, and its founder in America is said to have emigrated from the County of Kent, England, accompanied by six brothers.
George Coburn, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was a farmer in New Hampshire throughout the active period of his life. His son, Jacob Coburn, Sr., the next in this line, was born in Temple, N. H. He settled in Weld, where he tilled the soil of a good farm for many years, and died in this town in 1847, aged sixty-six years. He served as Tax Collector for some years, and was a member of the Congrega- tional church. He was the father of six chil- dren, two of whom are living, namely: Mary, wife of I. Richardson, of Mars Hill, Aroo- stook County, Me; and Harriet, wife of Jo- seph Lawrence, of West Boylston, Mass.
Jacob Coburn, Mr. Coburn's father, was born in Weld, and in young manhood he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He main- tained a comfortable prosperity, but did not live to grow old, his death occurring at the age of forty-nine years, October 17, 1857. In politics he was originally a Whig, but joined the Republican party at its formation : and he was a Congregationalist in his religious views. His wife, Hannah Lawrence, whose ancestors
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were Revolutionary patriots, and resided in Concord, Mass., became the mother of six children, five of whom are living, and are as follows: Charles F., a resident of Temple; Ellen, wife of H. S. Coburn, of Malden, Mass. ; Mary M., who married J. T. Wilkins, and lives in Wilton, Me .; Emma J., wife of C. B. Rollins, of Farmington; and George N., the subject of this sketch.
George N. Coburn was educated in his na- tive town, and after leaving school he turned his attention to farming. He was thus em- ployed about four years, and at the end of that time he went to California, where he worked in the mines for some length of time. He was fairly successful in the diggings, and upon his return home he settled upon the farm where he now resides, and has since devoted his attention to general farming. He has under cultivation about thirty acres producing excellent crops, and he keeps some standard- bred cattle.
Mr. Coburn has been twice married. On June 24, 1865, he wedded for his first wife Olive R. Wheeler, of Royalton, Vermont, and by this union he has two sons, namely : Hiram A., who resides in Weld; and Henry W., who is a graduate of Bowdoin College, and is now teaching in this State. Mr. Co- burn and his second wife, formerly Amelia A. Masterman, of Weld, have no children.
In politics Mr. Coburn is a Republican. He has served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for eighteen terms, is Chairman of that body, and was County Commissioner for six years. He was made a Free Mason in 1865, and was the first Secretary of Mystic Lodge, No. 154, A. F. & A. M., of which he is still a member. He is an energetic and progressive farmer, as well as an estimable citizen, and his long and honorable connection with local public affairs is forcible testimony as to the confidence in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen. The family attend the Con- gregational church.
ALTER B. BLAKE, an influential and much respected citizen of Den- mark, Oxford County, Me., who is both a veteran of the Civil War and the son of
a veteran, was born in the neighboring town of Brownfield, this county, May 14, 1844. His parents were John T. and Rhoda (Harn- den) Blake.
The father was a native of Gorham, Me., but settled in Brownfield after his marriage, and he later moved to Sebago, Me., where he resided until 1852. He then came to Den- mark, and carried on general farming in con- nection with the butchering business for the rest of his life, excepting when he was in the army, as he served in the Twenty-third Maine Volunteer in the Civil War. His death oc- curred in 1890. His wife, Rhoda Harnden, a native of Denmark, became the mother of six children, as follows: Horace P., who also served in the Civil War in the First Maine Cavalry, resides in Jackson, N. H., and is en- gaged in farming and teaming; Walter B., of Denmark, aforenamed; Louisa, who is the wife of Austin Wentworth, and lives at Den- mark Corner; Hannah, who became the wife of John C. Hodge, both now deceased; Olive Jane, who married Augustin Ingalls, the present Postmaster at Denmark Corner, and is no longer living; and Mary Ellen, who died from an accident when only eight years of age. Mrs. Rhoda H. Blake died April 2, 1892.
Walter B., the second son, and the leading subject of the present sketch, acquired a com- mon-school education, and resided at the pa- rental home until he was eighteen years old. On August 7, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Eighth Regiment, Maine Vol- unteers, for service in the Civil War, under Colonel John D. Rust and Captain William M. McArthur, and with his regiment took part in the sieges of Jacksonville and Charles- ton, the battles of Drury's Bluff, Fair Oaks, and Petersburg, also participating in the operations which forced the surrender of Gen- eral Lee at Appomattox. In the battle of Drury's Bluff his ribs were broken by a frag- ment of a tree, splintered off by a shell, which, bursting near his head, caused deaf- ness. For these disabilities he now receives a pension from the government. After his discharge at Richmond, Va., June 25, 1865, he returned home, and remained with his parents until he was married. The first six months of
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his wedded life were passed at Denmark Cor- ner. From that place he removed to his pres- ent farm, where he has since carried on gen- eral farming, with results that speak well for his industry and ability. He now owns one hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, which by good management is made to pro- duce large crops of hay, oats, corn, and pota- toes, the whole property having been greatly improved since coming into his possession.
On May 31, 1876, Mr. Blake wedded Mrs. Sarah E. Harnden, a widow, whose former husband, Elbridge Harnden, died November 18, 1874. She was born April 13, 1848, daughter of William and Mary Ann (Potter) Lord, the former of whom was a farmer of Lovell, but is now living with another daugh- ter, whose husband is station agent at Perley's Mills, his wife having died December 19, 1891. By her first union Mrs. Blake had two children, as follows: Annie Evelyn, wife of Charles H. Purinton, of Tamworth, N. H. ; and Elmira Estelle, who married Charles H. Quincy, and resides in Bakersfield, Kern County, Cal. Mrs. Blake has by her second marriage two children - Ellis F. and Leonard T., both of whom are residing at home with their parents. In politics Mr. Blake acts with the Republican party, and he has served as Highway Surveyor and School Agent for sev- eral years. He is a comrade of Grover Post, No. 126, Grand Army of the Republic, of Fryeburg, Me.
A LDEN Z. CATES, the leading drug- gist of Rumford Falls, Oxford County, Me., was born in Washington, this State, on July 23, 1851. His par- ents were Robert and Abigail Cates, natives of Maine.
Alden Z. Cates attended school during his early years. While yet a boy he made three sea voyages, on one of them going to England. He advanced rapidly in his studies, and at the age of seventeen went to Blooming- ton, Minn., to engage in teaching. At the expiration of three terms in the district school he returned to Washington County, Maine, following the same profession in the surrounding towns for three years. At the
same time he studied medicine with Doctors Baker and Davis. The practice of medicine, however, not being suited to his tastes, he gave up the study, and entered the drug busi- ness, becoming a clerk in a drug store in Rochester, N. Y., where he remained three years, going thence to Lawrence, Mass. After a year's clerkship in the latter city he travelled for three years in Maine, Massachu- setts, and Connecticut, effecting sales of med- icines. He then spent six years in the drug business in California, and for five years there- after he was in the employ of the United States Marine Service at Portland. He next went to Freeport, Me., where he opened a drug store, which was burned a year later. In the spring of 1892 Mr. Cates came to Rum- ford Falls, bought land, and erected thereon a good frame building facing the falls, it being located on the corner of Congress and Bridge Streets. Three years later that place was vacated for one of the largest and finest brick buildings in the village. This edifice, erected by Mr. Cates at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars, contains four stories and a basement. The upper floors are rented for offices and lodge rooms.
On New Year's Day, 1868, Mr. Cates mar- ried Julia A. Wentworth, of Gouldsboro, Me. By this union he had five children, three of whom survive, namely: Nellie H., the wife of William F. Abbott, of Boston; Hattie H. and A. Bernice, also of Boston. Mr. Cates was again married to Ada A. Wilson, and be- came the father of another daughter, Ada, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cates attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cates has shown a remarkable adaptation to the busi- ness, which yields him excellent returns. His success is entirely due to his individual efforts. In politics he is liberal, voting for the man rather than the party. As a Mason, he be- longs to Lookout Lodge, No. 131, A. F. & A. M., of Cutler.
FORGE H. WALKER, one of the progressive farmers of Fryeburg, Ox- ford County, was born upon the farm he now cultivates, October 26, 1858, son of Henry and Caroline (Frye) Walker. Mr.
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Walker's great-grandparents on the father's side were Timothy and Eunice (Brewster) Walker, of Duxbury, Mass. His grandpar- ents, James and Anna (Harnden) Walker, of Wilmington, Mass., settled in Fryeburg at an carly date of the town's history.
Henry Walker was born in Fryeburg, July 30, 1816. He was reared a farmer, and after his marriage settled at the family homestead, which he brought to its present excellent con- dition, and where he still resides. He con- ducted general farming with success until his retirement from active labor. A stirring man, he has always displayed a warm inter- est in the development of the town. In his younger days he supported the Whig party, casting his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. On November 5, 1846, he married Caroline Frye, who was born in Frye- burg, October 10, 1818. She is the mother of eight children, as follows: Caroline Fran- ces, who is the wife of Henry M. Eames, a coal dealer of Woburn, Mass., and has one daughter, Stella Walker; Charles H., who married Sarah Jennie Hubbard, and is in the coal business in Stoneham, Mass .; Adelia S., the wife of T. L. Eastman; Mary J., who be- came the wife of A. L. Willey, now in Cali- fornia, and died in 1880, leaving one son, Ralph W .; Edna, who died in 1879; George H., the subject of this sketch; Frederick Arthur, who married Faith Oberg, and is in the lumber business in Boston; and Helen Brewster, who is the wife of Alfred Carter, also a coal dealer of Woburn, and has one son, Arthur Alfred. Both parents are members of the Congregational church.
George H. Walker did not acquire a col- lege education, but preferred agricultural pur- suits to any other occupation in life. He has accordingly devoted his energies to tilling the soil of the homestead farm. In company with his father he owns three hundred acres of land, and since the retirement of the former he has managed the property with excellent re- sults. On August 1, 1887, Mr. Walker wedded Nellie A. Bennett, who was born in Denmark, this county, January 21, 1868, daughter of Moses and Martha (Kenney) Ben- nett. Moses Bennett was a native of Sanford, Me., born in September, 1821; and his wife,
of Pittston, Me., born in October, 1825. They were married in Lowell, Mass., and they settled in Denmark in 1849. Mr. Bennett died in June, 1889. His wife is still living in Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have two children, namely: Lewis Albert, who was born November 12, 1888; and Jessie Helen, who was born January 14, 1891. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Congregational church of Fryeburg. Mr. Walker is connected with Pythagorean Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., Pequaket Lodge, No 34, Knights of Pythias of Fryeburg.
BRAM ROSS, one of the leading farmers of Rangeley, Franklin County, Me., and an ex-member of the State legislature, was born in this town, January 31, 1838, son of Abram and Abigail (Sedgley) Ross. Mr. Ross's paternal grand- father, Eben Ross, was for many years a resi- dent of Phillips, Me., where he diligently and successfully tilled the soil of a good farm. He reared a large family of children.
Abram Ross, son of Eben, resided for some time in Bowdoinham, whence he removed to Rangeley, where he engaged in farming for the rest of his life. His wife, who was before marriage Abigail Sedgley, became the mother of eight children, four of whom are living, namely : Samuel A., who resides in Rangeley ; Daniel, a resident of Madrid, Me .; Leonard, who lives in this town; and Abram, the sub- ject of this sketch. The father died May 7, 1840, at the age of forty-two years.
Abram Ross, son of Abram, was educated in the schools of his native town, and at an early age began to assist in carrying on the home farm. He remained there until he was twenty-four years of age, when he bought a farm located in the western part of this town, and lived there until 1875. He then moved to his present farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, which is one of the most de- sirable pieces of agricultural property in Rangeley. He devotes his attention to gen- eral farming, in which he has made excellent progress; and he raises some fine Holstein, Durham, and Hereford stock for his own use.
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