USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 73
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
52 1
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
1802, followed the trade of a stone cutter in connection with farming, passing the greater part of his life in Canton, where he died Octo- ber 10, 1883. He served as a Selectman and Tax Collector for a number of years, and was highly respected by all who knew him. In politics he was originally a Whig, but later joined the Democratic party. His wife, Lou- isa, whom he wedded April 8, 1829, was born in Jay, Me., May 28, 1809. She reared an- other daughter, Lucy F., who, born February 20, 1831, married Charles A. Waite, and died February 9, 1860. Mrs. Waite's mother died February 19, 1880. Both her parents were Methodists.
Mr. and Mrs. Waite have four children, namely : Osmond S., a merchant of North Jay, who, born March 18, 1860, married Gertrude M. Foster, and has one son, Roland O .; Mil- ford A., a provision merchant and stock dealer, of Canton, who, born December 5, 1864, mar- ried Clara Brackett, and has one daughter, Gladys L. ; Ella M., born October 27, 1868, who is now the wife of Dr. H. M. Nickerson, of Portland ; and William T., born March 17, 1873, who is now a clerk in a wholesale store in Portland. In politics Mr. Waite is a Dem- ocrat. As a member of the Board of Select- men for eight years he rendered valuable ser- vices to the town. He is a Mason, having affiliation with Oriental Star Lodge, No. 31, of Livermore Falls; and is a member of Whit- ney Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of Canton, and of Canton Grange, No. IIO, Patrons of Husbandry. Both he and Mrs. Waite attend the Universalist church.
ILLARD B. WIGHT, a popular resident and a successful farmer of Newry, was born here October 29, 1846, on the farm where he now lives, son of Charles and Hannah W. (Morse) Wight. He is a descendant of one Thomas Wight, who came from England and settled in Dedham, Mass., in 1620. Charles Wight, who is a native of Bethel, Me., came here when a boy with his parents. He chose the calling of a farmer, and, as long as health and strength permitted, was engaged in carrying on his farm. In 1895, when eighty-four years old,
he was stricken with paralysis, which has ren- dered him very feeble both in mind and body. His wife, whose maiden nanie was Hannah W. Morse, died at the age of eighty-six years. Both were esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He votes the Republican ticket, but he has never taken especial interest in politics. His children were: Olive E., who died when sixteen years of age; Lydia D., who is the wife of Solomon Rose, of North Greene, Androscoggin County ; Willard B., the subject of this sketch; and Abbie J., the wife of S. A. Wheeler, of Waltham, Mass.
Being the only son Willard B. Wight has always remained at home. He received a good, practical education in the common school. Soon after attaining his majority he purchased a farm adjoining his father's, and for a number of years has had charge of both. That of his father contains about one hundred acres, and his own about one hundred and seventy-five acres in all. He also owns, in the town of Grafton, about two hundred and fifty acres of wild land, the lumber of which he sells. Although the joint care of his own and his father's property keeps him somewhat closely confined, he still finds time for the fulfillment of his duties as a citizen. For ten years he has served very acceptably on the Board of Selectmen, and he has been Justice of the Peace for a like period. He is, like his father, a stanch Republican ; and he is a mem- ber of Mount Abram Lodge, No. 31, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, of Bethel.
On March 1, 1869, Mr. Wight was married to Miss Sarah A. King, a daughter of Isaac and Mary King, of Bethel. Five children have blessed the union; namely, George K., Arthur C., Lon E., Carrie M., and Fred W. George K. is now residing in Lancaster, Mass. The others are still at home. Mrs. Wight is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ILLIAM H. KEEN, a farmer of Waterford, and a veteran of the late war, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, June 2, 1840, son of John and Eliza- beth (Wiggin) Keen. His father was a native of Leeds, where he was engaged in farming until 1841. Mr. Keen's mother was born in
522
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Bristol, and moved to Leeds with her parents when quite young. Convinced by the state- ments of two daughters who lived in Lowell, Mass., that there were better opportunities of improving his circumstances in the United States, John Keen sailed with his wife and children for this country in 1841. After arriving he made a short stay in Boston, Mass. lIe then went to Vermont, and, purchasing a farm in Norwich, lived there about three years. At the end of that time he sold the Norwich farm and bought another in Charles- town, Sullivan County, N. H. Here he spent the rest of his life, which closed December II, 1872. His wife breathed her last August 28, 1865. They had six children - Mary A., Sarah, Lizzie, Susan, William H., and Jennie. William H. is the only survivor of the family.
After receiving a practical education in the district school William H. Keen learned the painter's trade, and worked at that and at farming until he was twenty-one years old. Then, on October 2, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Third Regiment, Vermont Infan- try, under Colonel Brooks and Captain L. D. Allen. In a skirmish at Camp Griffin he faced the enemy's fire for the first time. Discharged at Philadelphia, Pa., in June, 1862, he re- turned home. Shortly after he re-enlisted under Colonel Thompson and Captain Robbins in the First New Hampshire Cavalry, becom- ing corporal of Troop L, which at the end of the war was commanded by Lieutenant Jones. After taking part in many of the subsequent engagements he received his final discharge at Concord, N. H., in July, 1865, and returned to his father's farm, remaining there until his father's death. He then moved to Waterford, and settled on a farm near his present place of residence. In 1881 he was burned out, and moved to his present farm, which he purchased at that time. His property now comprises about one hundred acres of arable and pasture land. He raises general crops and keeps a choice dairy.
On May 2, 1866, Mr. Keen was united in marriage with Melissa Brown, a native of Port- land, Me. She was born August 9, 1843, daughter of William L. and Sarah L. (Berry) Brown, who were natives respectively of Eaton, N. H., and Scarboro, Me. Mr. Brown,
who was a ship carpenter, and devoted the last years of his active life' to farming, lived for some time in Biddeford, and afterward in different parts of the State. He has now retired from active work, and resides with his son, Loren D. Brown, on a farm about a mile and a half south-east of the village of Oxford, Me. His wife died in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Keen have had the following children: John W., born January 22, 1868, now in Harrison, Me. ; Edgar S., born March 7, 1871, residing with his parents; George H., born March 24, 1873, who married Miss Lizzie C. Young, and is now living with her father in Waterford ; Myron W., born June 6, 1876, still at home; Lewis L., born May 15, 1883, also with his parents; and Ella May, born October 17, 1889, who died in September, 1890. Mr. Keen now leaves the management of the farm to his sons. He has voted the Democratic ticket since his majority. A Mason in good standing, he is a member of Mount Tire'm Lodge, No. 132, of Waterford. He and Mrs. Keen attend the Congregational church near their home.
AMES W. WITHEE, the well-known proprietor of Hotel Rumford in Rum- ford Falls, Oxford County, was born November 23, 1838, in the town of Winslow, Kennebec County, son of Laureston and Vista (Reynolds) Withee, both natives of Maine. When nineteen years old he went to Wisconsin, where he spent two years in the lumber business. Returning to his native town, he was occupied in the same way, in connection with jobbing, for two or three years more. In the mean time he began dealing in cattle and horses, the former of which he bought and shipped to Brighton, Mass., con- tinuing his operations for fourteen years. His horse deals extended over a period of several years, and he shipped the animals to Boston and New York. He owned several trotting horses and roadsters, and made racing cam- paigns through the State for a number of years.
Until 1877 Mr. Withee resided in Wins- low, where he was the proprietor of Hotel Halifax. Removing from there to Water- ville, he carried on a livery stable for five
523
BIOGRAPHICAL, REVIEW
years. His next venture was to open and as- sume the proprietorship of the Stoddard House in Farmington, Franklin County, at which place he still bought and sold horses. Eight years later he sold this hotel to take charge of another in Isleboro, Waldo County, on Penob- scot Bay. Mr. Withee also sold this plant two years afterward, in order to undertake the Woodcliff Hotel, a summer boarding-house on the same bay. After conducting the latter for one season, he kept Hotel Atwood in Lewiston, Me., for one year. In 1892 he rented the hotel in Rumford Falls that he now manages. In 1894 he took Mr. C. F. Smith into partnership. In addition to the hotel Mr. Withee carries on one of the best livery stables in this city, of which he is the sole owner and manager.
Mr. Withee, who is a Republican, takes an active interest in politics, was Selectman of his native town for a number of years, and in 1875 represented its interests in the legislat- ure. Of fine physique, his genial disposition admirably qualifies him for the rôle of host. The returns from his successful catering have enabled him to acquire considerable city prop- erty.
Mr. Withee has been twice married. His first marriage was contracted in 1860 with Miss Hannah S. Guptill, of Winslow. She died in 1874, leaving two children - Roland L., the manager of a livery stable in Farming- ton ; and Myra V., who lives with her brother. The second matrimonial alliance was made with Georgia A. Pitman, of Penobscot County.
HOMAS O. SPRING, who for over thirty years was connected with the meat packing business in Chicago, and is now living in retirement at East Hiram, was born in the town of Hiram, Me., Oxford County, February 6, 1818, son of John and Johanna (Hancock) Spring. The first ances- tor of the family to settle in Hiram was Thomas Spring, Mr. Spring's grandfather, who for many years was a tavern keeper, and who also owned and cultivated a farm. The old tavern which he built near the village in 1796, and in which he continued to entertain travellers until his death, is still standing.
John Spring, Mr. Spring's father, was born in Bartlett, N.H., and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Spring, to Hiram. He settled upon a farm, which he carried on with prosperity during the active period of his life, and he was one of the stirring men of his day. His wife, who was before marriage Johanna Hancock, and was a native of Buxton, Me., became the mother of five children, as follows: Thomas O., the subject of this sketch; John H., a resident of Hiram; Marshall W., who married a Miss Seavey, and is now living in this town; Ebenezer H., who is engaged in farming in Massachusetts; and Jane, who died young.
Thomas O. Spring in his early years at- tended the common schools of Hiram, and he continued to reside at home, assisting his father upon the farm until he was twenty years old. He then started in life as a butcher, learning the business in Westbrook, Me., and going from that town to Portland, where he worked for several years. The great demand for experienced butchers at the large slaugh- ter houses in Chicago induced him to locate in that city, where he found ready employment in the stock yards; and, as he was a reliable man and an expert in his calling, he advanced steadily, until he became foreman of a large meat packing establishment. Resigning his position in 1886, after over thirty years of close application to business in Chicago, he returned to Maine, and is now enjoying a well-earned rest at his home in East Hiram, where he owns one of the handsomest resi- dences in the village.
In 1849, while residing in Chicago, Mr. Spring married Eliza B. Gower, a native of New Gloucester, Me., daughter of Joshua Gower, who was formerly a well-known farmer of that town. Mrs. Spring died April 29, 1896. Mr. Spring has an adopted daughter, Addie, wife of Albert Tyler, who is in the glass business in Chicago.
Although not interested to any extent in politics, Mr. Spring is quite active in local affairs, having served with ability as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen for one term. He was Town Treasurer two years, and has held other offices. He is not a supporter of any party, but prefers to vote for candidates
534
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
whom he considers the most capable of hold- ing office. He is a member of Home Lodge, No. 508, A. F. & A. M., of Chicago, and his social relations here are of a most cordial nature.
HARLES E. WILLIAMS, a rising young farmer of New Vineyard, Franklin County, Me., was born in Embden, Mc., July 9, 1861, son of Hamden T., and Caroline B. (Peabody) Will- iams.
Mr. Williams's father is a native of Somer- set County, Maine, where he spent his boy- hood and youth, and he acquired a good prac- tical education. When a young man he went to the Far West, and was for six years engaged in mining and school teaching. Upon his re- turn East he took up his residence in Law- rence, Mass. Eight years later he went to Pasadena, Cal., where he still resides, but at the present time, 1896, he is visiting his son in New Vineyard. By his first wife, Caroline B. Peabody, who was a native of New Vine- yard, he became the father of three children, namely: Louise, wife of Christopher Hoyt, who is in the grocery business at New Port- land; Charlie, who died at the age of three years; and Charles E., the subject of this sketch. The mother died in March, 1884, and for his second wife he wedded Mrs. Rox- anna Trull, of Lawrence, Mass.
Charles E. Williams attended the common schools, and resided at home until he was six- teen years old. He then worked as a farm as- sistant for a time, and for four years was em- ployed as a clerk in a store, being also en- gaged in the ice business. He then came to New Vineyard for the purpose of taking charge of his grandmother's farm, and has since managed the property with success. The farm consists of one hundred and forty acres of desirable land, capable of producing abundant crops; and he raises hay, corn, and potatoes, in large quantities. He has im- proved the farm to a considerable extent, and is regarded as one of the most active and pro- gressive young men of New Vineyard.
On January 1, 1890, Mr. Williams married Ella Barker, who was born in New Vineyard,
October 26, 1862, a daughter of George and Phidelia (Luce) Barker. Her father was a na- tive of Strong, and her mother of Freeman, Mc. Mr. Barker was for some years engaged in farming at Strong, but removed from that town to New Vincyard, where he tilled the soil until his death, which occurred in March, 1884. His wife, Mrs. Williams's mother, died August 12, 1882. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams -- Addnudd, who was born October 10, 1890; and Herbert E., who was born February 10, 1895, and dicd January 29, 1896.
Mr. Williams is a member of Clements Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of New Portland; and of Northern Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Anson. Both he and Mrs. Williams are members of the Congregational church. In politics he takes but little inter- est, beyond casting his vote.
J AMES S. DUDLEY, a very enterpris- ing and successful young farmer of Paris, Me., was born February 15, 1862, on the homestead where he now resides. He is a son of the late Smith Dud- ley, who also was a native of Oxford County.
Smith Dudley was born in Woodstock, Me., in June, 1828, but was reared and educated in the town of Paris, his parents having settled here when he was but one year old. He made farming his life occupation, carrying it on with good success until his death, February 22, 1883. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia H. Stearns, was born in Paris, Me., June 2, 1835, a daughter of William and Jo- anna (Porter) Stearns. (Further ancestral his- tory will be found in connection with the sketch of the late Jairus Keith Hammond on another page of this volume.) After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Dudley remar- ried, and is now the widow of the above-men- tioned Jairus K. Hammond. Of her union with Mr. Dudley were born four children, namely: Charles S., of Paris; James S., the special subject of this sketch; Ella L., the first wife of Henry D. Hammond, of whom a short sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and Emily Gertrude, the present wife of Mr. Hammond,
525
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
James S. Dudley obtained his education in his native town, and, having inherited the paternal homestead, has devoted his time to the pursuit of agriculture. Being largely en- dowed with those traits of industry, thrift, and progressive energy, that mark the true-born New Englander, Mr. Dudley has been pros- pered in a noteworthy manner. He has made various and excellent improvements on the place, to which he has added by purchase, his farm now containing one hundred and ninety- five acres. He carries on general farming, and, in addition to the usual crops of hay, grain, and vegetables, he raises a large quan- tity of fruit, having a fine orchard of fifteen acres.
On November 17, 1890, Mr. Dudley mar- ried Mrs. Jessie Deering Smith, daughter of James A. and Sarah (Cordwell) Deering, and the widow of Edward Smith. Her first hus- band died leaving her with one child, Wini- fred L. Smith, who was born February 3, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have one child, Leander B., born October 29, 1894. Politi- cally, Mr. Dudley is a stanch Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of West Paris Grange, No. 228, Patrons of Husbandry. Re- ligiously, both he and his wife are of the Bap- tist faith, and regularly attend the church of that denomination.
RTHUR E. GEORGE is one of the rising young men of Hebron, Me., a prosperous fruit grower and dairy- man. He was born in Hebron, March 13, 1860, a son of Charles H. and Ruth Ann (Gurney) George. A sketch of his father may be found on another page of this volume. Arthur E. George grew to manhood in Hebron, acquiring a good education in the common schools and the academy. When the time came for him to choose his life pursuit, he turned to agriculture, and for some years now he has been engaged in general farming, giving particular attention to fruit culture and dairying. He owns a good farm of one hun- dred acres, including tillage, pasturage, and orchard land, and is developing its best re- sources.
Mr. George was married December 24,
1885, to Miss Bertha Sturtevant, who was born in Minot, Me., May 1I, 1865. Her par- ents, Bradford F. and Eurydice (Merrill) Sturtevant, are now residing in Hebron, where Mr. Sturtevant is engaged in agricultural labors. Mr. and Mrs. George have two chil- dren -- Edna R., born July 26, 1891; and Esther F., born September 29, 1894. In pol- itics Mr. George favors the Republican side. Popular with both parties, he has been elected to public office, and for three years has served as Constable and Collector. His genial dis- position, pleasant manners, and honest deal- ings, have won for him a host of friends; and Hebron Grange, No. 43, Patrons of Hus- bandry, to which he and his wife belong, has no more popular member than Arthur George. He is a communicant of the Baptist church.
AVID M. HAMILTON, of Chester- ville, a veteran of the harvest fields, now in his eightieth year, is still actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, though wisely limiting himself these twelve years past to the care of the twenty- acre farm which he bought in 1884. He was born in East Wilton, Franklin County, Me., August II, 1817, son of Asa and Comfort (Yeaton) Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton's father, Asa Hamilton, was a native of North Yarmouth, Me. When a young man he settled in Farmington among the pioneers of that town, later bought a tract of land in Wilton, cleared a good farm and erected a frame house; and he resided there until his death, which took place January 25, 1872, at the age of eighty-four years. He reported for duty at Hallowell during the War of 1812, and was not called into active service, but received from the government a warrant of one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a Congregationalist in his religious faith, and he supported the Whig party in politics. He married for his first wife, Comfort Yeaton, who was born in 1792, and died November 20, 1821 ; and his second wife was Mary Yeaton, who was born in 1794, died March 11, 1859. By his first union he had three children, as follows : John, who was born January 29, ISI5,
526
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
and died in 1890; David M., whose birth date has been mentioned; and Mary F., who was born March 20, 1821, and died May 6, 1836.
David M. Hamilton was born upon the farm which his father, Asa Hamilton, cleared from the wilderness, and in his youth he assisted in improving the property. After his marriage he resided in Temple four years, and he then bought the farm in Chesterville, which is now owned and occupied by his son Charles. His family were all reared upon this farm, and he carried it on with ability and success until 1884, when he sold the property to his son and bought for himself a small farm of twenty acres situated one-quarter of a mile from the homestead. In politics he was originally a Whig, later uniting with the Republican party. He attends the Free Will Baptist church, of
which he is a member. David M. Hamilton was married November 4, 1849, to Miss Ma- tilda F. Ireland, a daughter of Zadock and Rebecca (Francis) Ireland, natives respec- tively of Skowhegan and Canton, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are the parents of five chil- dren, as follows: Olive F., wife of L. L. Warren, of Benton; Mary E., wife of B. R. Keyes, of this town; Charles A. ; Ella M., wife of Nathan Webb, of Jackson; and David E., who married Emma Potter, and now re- sides in Colorado.
HARLES A. HAMILTON, a pros- perous dairy farmer and fruit-grower of Chesterville, elder son of David M. and Matilda F. (Ireland) Hamilton, was born in this town, January 3, 1856. He . acquired his knowledge of the primary branches of learning in the town schools of Chesterville, advanced by attendance at the Wilton Acad- emy, and completed his course of study at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. When twenty-one years old he went to Enfield, N. H., where he was engaged in farming for one and a half years, and then returning to Chesterville he assisted in carrying on the home farm until 1883. The following year he bought the property of his father, and since taking possession has not only conducted it with immediate success, but has introduced a spirit of enterprise which has laid the founda-
tion for future progress. He devotes his prin- cipal attention to his dairy, keeping eight fine- bred Jersey cows, has an orchard of grafted fruit, a large barn with a capacity for holding ninety-five tons of hay, besides stable room for his cattle and horses, all his buildings being in excellent repair. His farm, which occupies a pleasant location, contains seventy-five acres ; and he also owns forty acres of outlying wood- land and pasture.
On May 3, 1883, Mr. Charles A. Hamilton was married to Angie M. Allen, daughter of the Rev. David and Amanda M. (Sevary) Allen, of Chesterville. The Rev. David Allen was born in Jay, Me., December 27, 1821, and died July 11, 1885 .. His wife, who is still living, was born January 10, 1825. They were the parents of five children : John B., who died in infancy; John B., second ; Mary; Mercy A. ; and Angie M., who is now Mrs. Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have two children, namely: Reuel A., who was born December 6, 1884; and Howard A., who was born August 9, 1887.
Politically, Mr. Charles Hamilton is a Re- publican, and in 1886 he served the town faithfully as Tax Collector. He enjoys the hearty good will of his neighbors and a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Both he and Mrs. Hamilton attend the Baptist church.
FORGE B. CROCKETT, Secretary of the Paris Manufacturing Company of South Paris, Me., was born March 29, 1847, in Buckfield, Oxford County, Me., son of Martin and Prudence (Bates) Crockett. He is a grandson of John Crockett, who served in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Grandfather Crockett set- tled in Sumner, Oxford County, and was engaged in farming during a long and useful life of ninety years - his wife, Sally Hall Crockett, having died much younger. They had five sons and a daughter; namely, Martin, Sally, Sumner, Justus, John, and Enoch.
Martin Crockett, the eldest son, born De- cember 6, 1801, chose as his life work the occupation to which he was reared, and pur- chased a farm in Buckfield that he carried on until 1856, when he exchanged for a larger
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.