USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 78
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 78
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On May 1, 1887, Mr. Hardy was united in marriage to Nellie E. Andrews, who was born in Buckfield, Me., January 3, 1861. She is a
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daughter of the Rev. Otis and Betsey An- drews. Her mother is now deceased. Mr. Andrews is a Free Will Baptist preacher of New Sharon, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy have one daughter, Effie, who was born January 15, 1891. In politics Mr. Hardy acts with the Republican party. He is connected with Mount Mica Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of South Paris. In his religious sentiments he has no particular preference for any denomination.
ILLIAM F. YORK, a thriving farmer of Porter, Oxford County, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Sebago, Me., February 28, 1836, son of Samuel and Sarah (Meserve) York. His grandfather, Isaac York, was a native of Standish, Me., where he was reared upon a farm; and he was a lifelong resident of that town.
Mr. York's father was born in Standish, Me., July 4, 1802. He was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits during the active period of his life, which was passed mostly in his native town; and he died June 14, 1883. His wife, Sarah, who was a native of Morrill, Me., be- came the mother of nine children, three of whom are living, namely: Sarah, who is the wife of Madison Brown, and lives in Liming- ton; William F., the subject of this sketch ; and Maria L., who married Charles French, a prosperous farmer of Porter. The others were: Mary; Eliza; Aurelia; Charles; Susan; and George W., who died during the Civil War. Mrs. Samuel York died January 24, 1863.
William F. York was educated in the com- mon schools of his native town, and resided at home until he was twenty-six years old. On August 25, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Forty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Foster and Captain Griswold, and served in the Civil War for nearly one year. He participated in the battle of Whitehall and several minor skirmishes; and after receiving his discharge at Readville, Mass., June 16, 1863, he re- turned to Standish. He remained at the homestead, assisting in carrying on the farm
until 1866, when he came to Porter, and, set- tling upon the farm where he now resides, has since tilled the soil with unusual cnergy and success. His property consists of one hun- dred and fifty acres of excellent tillage land, the fertility of which is equal to any in this locality. Besides raising large crops of hay, oats, and potatoes, he pays some attention to the dairying business.
On January 13, 1866, Mr. York married Julia Libby, who was born in Porter, April 3, 1835, daughter of Levi and Eliza (Boothby) Libby. Her father, who is no longer living, was a prominent farmer of this town. Mr. and Mrs. York have had four children, namely : Charlie W., born July 12, 1871, died January 6, 1882; Eliza Jane, born December 15, 1872, is the wife of Charlie A. Roberts, a prosper- ous farmer of Porter; Mary E., born June 7, 1875, married William F. Rounds, and they reside with her father at the homestead. Mr. York's first child died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. York is a Democrat, and has held several town offices. Ile has through his industry and ability achieved success in his chosen calling, and possesses the esteem and good will of his neighbors. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
EORGE B. PERKINS, who carries. on a dairy farm in Hebron, was born upon the farm he now owns and oc- cupies, February 27, 1834, son of Elias and Polly (Davee) Perkins. The Perkins home- stead was settled upon and cleared from the wilderness soon after the Revolutionary War. by George B. Perkins's grandfather, Ebenezer Perkins, who was a native of Massachusetts, and served as a surgeon throughout the na- tional struggle for independence. Hc was a sturdy and industrious pioneer, owned one hundred acres of land, and resided here until his death on December 17, 1840, at the age of eighty-three. He married Sarah Weston, who died March 5, 1851, nearly eighty-five years old. She reared a family of seven children, each of whom lived to be over seventy years of age. Their names were: Ebenezer, Sally, Fanny, Josiah, Zachariah, Silence, and Elias.
Elias Perkins was born at the homestead,
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December 25, 1805. His whole life was spent upon the farm, which he cultivated in- dustriously and with success during his long period of activity ; and he died here March 25, 1891. He was a Universalist in his religious belief, and in politics he supported the Demo- cratic party. His wife, who was born in Hebron, May 5, 1807, became the mother of three sons and five daughters. Three of the children are living, namely: George B., the subject of this sketch; Isabella, who is the widow of Philip Davee, and resides in Minot, Androscoggin County; and Dora, who is the widow of William Poole, and lives in Stone- ham, Mass. The others were: Harrison, Zenas, Mary, Clara, and Abbie. The mother, who still survives, resides with one of her daughters.
George B. Perkins acquired his education in the common schools of Hebron. When a young man, he learned the shoemaker's trade, which, together with farming, he afterward followed for some twenty-five years. He then relinquished his trade in order to devote his entire attention to the homestead property, which came to his possession. The farm con- sists of the original one hundred acres bought and owned by his grandfather. He makes a specialty of dairying, for which he, keeps an average of fifteen full-blooded and graded Jersey cows ; and he is quite extensively en- gaged in raising fruit. On October 7, 1860, Mr. Perkins wedded Caroline L. Lowell, who was born in Minot, July 21, 1838, daughter of William and Atosa (Greenwood) Lowell. Mr. Lowell, who was born in Buckfield, Me., October 30, 1803, died September 5, 1889; and his wife, born in Hebron, March 5, 1805, died August 4, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have had four children, namely : Atosa G., who died at the age of ten years; Laura W., born May 30, 1867, who married C. H. Bridgham, and resides in Auburn, Me .; Charles L., born November 24, 1868, who died October 20, 1896; and Elmer F., born February 6, 1871, who resides at home.
Mr. Perkins has been quite prosperous in his farming. He takes a lively interest in all matters relative to the general welfare of the community. In politics he is a Republi- can. Both he and Mrs. Perkins are members
of the West Minot Grange, No. 42, Patrons of Ilusbandry. In religious belief they are Uni- versalists.
TIS H. MELINDY, manager of the Lagrow Lumber Mills, Wilton, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Lyndeboro, N. H., November 11, 1837, son of Joseph and Susan (Manter) Melindy. The family is of English origin. The grand- father of Otis H., Joseph Melindy, who was a native of Brookline, N. H., settled in Wilton, N. H., where he was successfully engaged in farming, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years. He married Betsey Brady, who died in middle age. Her children by him were : Joseph, Rebecca, Abigail, and Mary.
Joseph Melindy, the father of Otis H., was reared a farmer. Inheriting the homestead, he carried on the farming successfully for many years. In the latter part of his life he sold the property, and, retiring from active labor, bought a home in the village, where he passed the rest of his days. In politics he supported the Republican party, and he was a member of the Congregational church. He died of heart disease, at the age of sixty-eight years. Joseph Melindy was twice married. His first wife, Susan (Manter) Melindy, who was a daughter of William Manter, died at the age of thirty-eight. She bore him nine children, two of whom died in infancy. The others were : Jane, Manter, Albert, Sarah, Otis H., Betsey, and Rosetta. His second marriage was contracted with Abigail Burton, whose only child by him was Abbie J.
Otis H. Melindy, after leaving school, assisted his father upon the farm until he was seventeen years old. He then began work in the bobbin shop, where he remained five years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, for service in the Civil War. He was made a Corporal, and served in the Red River expedi- tion under General Banks. Taken prisoner at Sabine Cross Roads in April, 1863, he re- mained a captive within the stockade at Tyler, Tex., until the close of the war. After re- ceiving his discharge, October 23, 1865, he returned North, and settled in Wilton, Me.
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Here he bought the Chandler farm, which he carried on for a year. Then, selling that prop- erty, he purchased land, built a new house, and for the next seven years was employed in the box factory. Moving to Weld, Me., after this, he resided there for six years, during which time he followed the carpenter's trade, and worked in the spool factory. From Weld he came back to Wilton, and in 1888 assisted in building the Lagrow Mills. Since the completion of these mills he has acted as fore- man of the employees. The business consists of the manufacture of long and short lumber, shingles, and other building materials, and the execution of all kinds of sawing and planing. Some time ago Mr. Melindy bought the F. Robbins property here, and has since occu- pied it as a residence.
Mr. Melindy wedded Harriet Augusta Chandler, daughter of Luke Chandler, of Wil- ton, and now has had three children. These are: Edward, now the foreman of the crimp room of a shoe factory in New Hampshire, who married Belle Underhill, and has twin sons, Harvey and Harlow; Riley, who died in infancy ; and Ezra, a stenographer in the office of the Provident Life and Trust Company of Boston. Both in business and social circles Mr. Melindy is a general favorite. He is con- nected with Wilton Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In politics he actively supports. the Republi- can party. Both he and Mrs. Melindy are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
LVIN F. PERKINS, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Brownfield, Me., was born in Eaton, N. H., No- vember 4, 1847. He is the only son of John W. and Caroline (Nason) Perkins, for- merly of Eaton, but now of this town. His paternal grandparents, Stephen and Philomela (Perkins) Perkins, were both natives of Wells, Me. ; and in 1813 they settled upon a farm in Eaton, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Stephen Perkins, who was an in- dustrious farmer and a prominent citizen, served as a Selectman for eighteen years. He also represented his district in the legis- lature, acting first with the Whig and later with the Republican parties in politics.
John W. Perkins, son of Stephen, was born June 7, 1813, in Eaton, N. H., and for many years was one of the prosperous and represent- ative farmers of that locality. He continued to reside in his native town until 1875, when he moved to Brownfield; and he is now living here in retirement from active labor. His wife, Caroline Nason, who was born in Eaton, May 22, 1824, is a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Wolcott) Nason. Her father was a native of Gorham, Me. ; and her mother was born in Holderness, N. H., and was a relative of the family of Roger Wolcott, the present governor of Massachusetts. Ephraim Nason was an intelligent and prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Perkins are the parents of three children, as follows: Maria H., who was born May 16, 1842, and is now the wife of Edwin Snow, a prominent merchant and lumber dealer of Snowville and an ex-member of the New Hampshire Senate; Alvin F., the subject of this sketch; and Clara A., who was born September 25, 1853, and is the wife of David P. Cutting, an undertaker of Free- dom, N. H.
Alvin F. Perkins was educated in the com- mon schools, and resided at the parental home until he was twenty-one years old. He was employed for several years as clerk in general stores in different localities, and came to Brownfield in 1874. He has been engaged alternately in mercantile business and farm- ing, having resorted to the last-named occupa- tion for the purpose of recovering his health, which was somewhat impaired by close con- finement.
Mr. Perkins was first married September 30, 1875, to Clara J. Giles, daughter of Thomas R. and Jane M. Giles, the former of whom was a merchant and farmer of Eaton, and both were natives of that town. Mrs. Clara Giles Perkins died September 3, 1877; and on Jan- uary 1, 1884, Mr. Perkins wedded Amanda R. Lowell, his present wife. She was born in Hiram, Me., daughter of Mial and Rachel M. Lowell, prosperous farming people of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have one daugh- ter - Beatrice A., who was born October 4, 1885.
In politics Mr. Perkins is a Republican. While residing in Eaton he served as a Select-
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man and Town Treasurer. He was Superin- tendent of Schools here in 1888, and was elected Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in 1895. The ability he displayed in the admin- istration of public affairs is highly appreciated by his fellow-townsmen. He and Mrs. Per- kins are members of the Congregational church, and take an active interest in religious work.
ORATIO R. GODWIN is a thrifty and prosperous farmer, who has a fine homestead with broad acres of fer- tile land in Bethel, Oxford County, Me. He was born June 29, 1835, in the town of Upton, this county, and is a son of the late James and Apphia (Segar) Godwin. James Godwin was a native and lifelong resi- dent of Oxford County. He was a well-to-do farmer, a prominent citizen of the town where he lived, an active Republican in politics, and in religious belief he was a Congregationalist. He died at the age of sixty-nine. Mrs. God- win was born in Hanover, which lies north- east of Bethel. Her father, Nathaniel Segar, was a native of Newton, Mass., and lived there till 1774, when he removed to Sudbury, Can- ada, as it was called, now Bethel. In one of the incursions of the Indians upon the settle- ment he was taken prisoner in August, 1781, and carried to Canada, where he spent several months in captivity, being released in Novem- ber, 1782. Mrs. Godwin died at the age of sixty-seven.
Horatio R. Godwin received a common- school education in his native town. He re- mained on his father's farm until of age, and then, hiring himself out as a farm hand for monthly wages, worked in that way for some time. After establishing a home of his own, he opened his house to summer boarders; and a gay company brightened the farm-house every season, bringing to the place new life and ready cash - the latter accessory less poetic, perhaps, but very essential. In 1877 Mr. Godwin purchased the farm in Bethel on which he now makes his home. This is an estate of two hundred acres, beautifully situated on the Sunday River, about four miles from the village of Bethel. It is a homestead of which
any man might well be proud, and represents Mr. Godwin's own carnings.
Mr. Godwin's first wife, formerly Miss Mary E. Chandler, of Bethel, died in 1883, leaving three children - Ernest W., Wirt HI .; and Chandler, all living with their father. In 1884 Mr. Godwin contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Ida M. Maybery, of Bethel. By a former husband she had one daughter, Minnie G. Maybery. In politics Mr. Godwin is a stanch Republican. He is well known in the locality, and may be regarded as a representa- tive citizen of Bethel.
ILLIS L. GATCHELL, M.D., an experienced physician residing in East Brownfield, Me., now retired from general practice and devoting himself to special work, was born in Wales, Me., August 14, 1854, son of Hiram and Mary S. (Given) Gatchell.
Dr. Gatchell's father, who is a native of Monmouth, Me., spent the earlier years of his life in Kennebec County. For the past thirty years he has been engaged in lumbering upon quite an extensive scale, and he is now residing in Brownfield. His wife, who was before marriage Mary S. Given, and is a native of Newport, Me., is the mother of nine children, namely: Willis L., the subject of this sketch; Carrie L. ; Marion F. ; Mary R. ; Cora and Flora, twins; Helen; Hannah C .; and Georgie F.
Willis L. Gatchell acquired his early edu- cation at the academies of Fryeburg and South Paris, and he taught penmanship to earn money for the purpose of defraying his ex- penses while pursuing his classical and pro- fessional studies. After attending the Boston University, he entered the Maine Medical School at Brunswick, where he was graduated with the class of 1882. He located first for practice in Baldwin, Me., remaining there for one year. He then settled in Brownfield vil- lage, where he continued to practise success- fully until the spring of 1896, when he sold out, and removed to his present home in East Brownfield. As a specialist, he now gives his principal attention to diseases of the ear and eye, supplying properly adjusted spectacles to
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persons with impaired vision. . He owns about two hundred acres of land in this town and vicinity.
In February, 1877, Dr. Gatchell was united in marriage to Ella F. Twitchell, who was born in Paris, Me. Her father, Frank Twitchell, formerly a prosperous farmer of that town, is no longer living. Dr. and Mrs. Gatchell have one daughter-Florence, who was born in 1887. Mrs. Gatchell is a gradu- ate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Boston, Mass. She is now residing in Chico, Cal., for the benefit of her health.
In politics Dr. Gatchell is a Republican, and for some time he served upon the Board of United States Pension Examiners. He has advanced in Masonry to the Royal Arch de- gree, and is a member of Greenleaf Lodge, of Cornish, Me.
PPLETON F. MASON, a prosperous general merchant of North Buckfield, and the Postmaster of the town since 1875, was born in Buckfield, August 3, 1841, son of Naphtali and Arvilla S. (Waterman) Mason. Mr. Mason's grand- father, Philip C. Mason, was an early settler of Paris, this county, where he followed the trades of a blacksmith and mason, being at the same time engaged in farming. He afterward moved to Buckfield, and there resided until his death, which occurred February 7, 1856, when he was about sixty-five years old. He possessed more than ordinary ability. His various employments enabled him to obtain a comfortable living at all times. In politics he supported the Democratic party, and he was a member of the Baptist church. For his first wife he married Betsey Coburn, who died March 26, 1826. He subsequently married Lucy Coburn, whose death occurred at an advanced age. Of the twelve children reared by him - six born of each union - seven are now living.
Naphtali Mason, the eldest of his father's surviving children, was born in Paris, Decem- ber 16, 1817. When a young man, he engaged in farming in Buckfield for several years. After that he was in the livery stable business in South Paris, where he resided for twenty-
five years, or until his retirement from active labor. Since that time he has made his home with his children. He is a Democrat in pol- itics and a liberal in his religious views. He has been twice married. His first wife, Arvilla S. (Waterman) Mason, born in Buckfield, April 14, 1812, died October 16, 1869, leaving three children. These were : Appleton F., the subject of this sketch ; Oriza A., born January 9, 1845, who is now the widow of N. C. Marston, and resides in Au- burn, Me. ; and Nancy N., born January 27, 1852, who is now the wife of Charles H. Hig- gins, of Auburn. The mother's parents were James and Keziah (Smith) Waterman, respec- tively natives of Massachusetts and Maine. When he was a young man, James Waterman penetrated the wilderness of Maine, and, set- tling upon a tract of land in West Buckfield, erected a log house and cleared a good farm. He was one of the successful farmers of his day, and, after enjoying a long life of ninety-six years and nine months, died July 23, 1861. He was a stalwart man, and no resident in his section was better or more favorably known. In his last years he voted with the Republican party. His wife was a lady of considerable mental vigor, who devoted much time to the study of the Bible, and was a member of the Baptist church. She died August 4, 1858, aged eighty six years, ten months, and thir- teen days.
Appleton F. Mason acquired a practical .common-school education in Buckfield. . In 1864, after having taught school for several terms, he engaged in mercantile pursuits in North Buckfield. Since 1875 he has occupicd his present place of business, in which he car- ries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, all first-class goods, which he sells at moderate prices. He displays much business capacity, and has steadily held the patronage of a large portion of the community in this section. On March 1, 1868, Mr. Mason wedded Emma Adelaide Monk. She was born in North Buckfield, September 14. 1847, daughter of Elias and Eliza (Turner) Monk, the former of whom was a stirring and industrious carriage maker here. Neither of Mrs. Mason's parents is now living.
Mr. Mason holds liberal religious views.
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In politics he is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the Board of Selectmen and Superintendent of Schools for several years, and has held the office of Postmaster for over twenty years. He is a member of Evening Star Lodge, No. 147, A. F. & A. M., of Buckfield.
A LBERT E. KNOWLES, a carriage manufacturer of North Chesterville, Farmington, was born June 2, 1849. in Jay, this county, son of the Rev. Ephraim and Florinda (Young) Knowles, His grandfather, Samuel Knowles, was born in Chesterville, and inherited a homestead in this town, containing one hundred and fifty acres of good farming land. Samuel was an industrious and successful farmer, a man of strong character and high moral worth, and an ardent advocate of the temperance cause. He was twice married. His first wife, in maiden- hood Anna Wilson, bore him three children - Martha, Ephraim, and Lucinda. His second wife, whose maiden name was Sally Adams, had five children by him; namely, Clarissa, Samuel L., Julia, Jedediah, and Sidney.
The Rev. Ephraim Knowles made the most of the educational advantages offered by the public schools. In early manhood he bought a farm of two hundred acres in the town of Jay, and from that time until the closc of his life was active and successful in agricultural pursuits. When quite young, he became a member of the Free Will Baptist church. Giftcd with natural eloquence, he began to preach at the age of twenty-five. In time he became so popular that he was in almost con- stant demand, acting as pulpit supply in his own and the surrounding towns. Eventually, he founded a church in Rome, Me. He was active both as a preacher and farmer to the very end of his life. At the age of seventy- four he erected a set of good buildings on his homestead, the original buildings having been destroyed by fire. He died January 5, 1885, aged seventy-five years. His wife, who is favored with a remarkably strong constitution, celebrated her eightieth birthday March 2, 1896. Five children were born to this couple - Elliott, Albert E., Flora E., Sumner, and Frank H. Sumner died young.
Albert E. Knowles received a practical public-school education. He began to learn the trade of carriage-making when twenty years of age, under the instruction of John . Knowlton. He subsequently worked as a journeyman in Mr. Knowlton's employment for one year, and in that of S. D. Knowlton for the ensuing ten years. At the end of that time he started in business for himself, hiring a shop in North Chesterville. Shortly after he purchased the establishment of Ebenczer Knowlton, by the bridge. Fortune seemed to favor him here. His business so increased that he was soon obliged to build an addition. Making a specialty of high-grade work, he turns out a number of wagons and some sleighs annually. He still has charge of the family homestead. For his home he pur- . chased the E. Knowlton place at the corner, on which he has made many improvements, including a fine stable adjoining the house.
Mr. Knowles was married December 23, 1890, to Lucy E. Dorsett, a daughter of Asel and Arvilla S. (Lane) Dorsctt, of Standish, Me. Mr. Dorsett, who was a prominent farmer of Standish, died in 1890, aged seventy-four. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany Y, Nineteenth Regiment, Maine Volun- teers, as a drummer, took part in many of the principal battles of the Civil War, and was discharged in 1865. His wife passed away in 1879, in her fifty-ninth year. They had but one other child, Sarah E. Mr. Knowles is a member of the Democratic party. In relig- ious belicf he is a Universalist.
OSCOE G. TRUE, proprietor of- one of the best improved and most pro- ductive farms in the town of Hiram, Oxford County, was born in Den- mark, Me., January 9, 1832, son of Joseph and Phebe (Alexander) True. Obadiah True, Mr. True's grandfather, was a native of Sanford. He served in the Revolutionary War, and later settled in Denmark, Me., where hc passed the closing years of his life.
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