USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 81
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 81
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years. In September, 1852, Mr. Horne came to Norway, and bought the Mark Smith tannery of fifteen pits, built by Mr. Smith in 1841. He afterward so improved the concern that it became one of the most thoroughly equipped establishments in the State. Mr. Horne continued the business here alone until 1877, when his son, Herman L., was given an interest. The firm name became J. L. Horne & Son. In 1885 they were succeeded by the Norway Tanning Company, of which Mr. Horne was the superintendent and general business manager, until the place was burned in 1893. Another enterprise of his was the purchase of a large tract of land adjoining the tannery. This property he divided into about ninety building lots, upon some of which he erected twenty houses, that afterward sold advantageously. It was largely through his influence that B. F. Spinney & Co., of Lynn, Mass., established their shoe factory here in 1873. This has proved a great boon to Nor- way, as it has increased the population and business, and brought in expert workmen. To Mr. Horne also Norway is principally in- debted for the Branch Railroad from here to South Paris. He was Chairman and stock - holder at the time the Norway water-works were put in. He was also a promoter and stockholder of the National Bank, subse- quently becoming one of the Directors; and he has been for many years Treasurer of sev- eral of our leading institutions. In politics Mr. Horne is a Republican. He has been identified with Masonic orders since 1864, being now a member of Oxford Lodge, Norway Chapter, and Portland Commandery. He is also an Odd Fellow of Norway Lodge, and a Past Grand Master of the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Horne has been married three times. The first occasion was in 1857, when he wedded Hannah K. Wallace, a daughter of Linsley Wallace, of North Berwick, Me. She died at the age of forty, leaving six children - Chester, Herman, Rosalia M., John, George, and Charles. Anna Wrizley, who became his second wife, lived eight years after her marriage, and had one child, Myra, who died in early life. Mr. Horne's third marriage was contracted with Mrs. Abbie L. Ham, the widow of Phineas Ham, of New-
field, Me. Mr. Ham died at the age of thirty- six, leaving her with two children -- Elizabeth. and George. Mrs. Horne was a daughter of Phineas and Elizabeth (Shara) Howe, of New- field. Her father, who was a stone cutter, was burned to death. His children were : Sarah, Reuben, Abel, Elizabeth, and Abbie. Mrs. Horne's grandfather, Phineas Howe, served in the Revolutionary War. She died at the age of fifty-six. Mr. Horne formerly lived on Cottage Street, but afterward moved to 40 Main Street, which he has since so im- proved that it is now one of the finest dwell- ings in Norway. He has been a very active member of the Congregational church, donat- ing liberally to three edifices, which have been successively burned down.
AMES M. LAMBERT, a native of the town of Strong, Me., who owns and oc- cupies a productive farm situated west of the village, was born on January 21, 1849, son of John and Susannah (Borden) Lambert. Mr. Lambert's father was a native of Edgecomb, Me., and his mother was born in Freeman.
John Lambert came to Strong when he was ten years old. Later he learned the carpen- ter's trade, and followed that occupation in connection with farming for the greater part of his active life. He was one of the leading men of the town in his day. He was the father of nine children, as follows: Simeon W., who married Nancy Davenport, and was a prosperous farmer until his death, which took place in 1892; Rosetta, wife of N. B. Rowe, a farmer and shoemaker of Beans Corner; Louisa, wife of Riyal Whitney, who is now a merchant in Texas; Lucinda, wife of Charles Kimball, a boot and shoe maker of Lynn, Mass. ; Washington W., who died in 1851, aged four years ; James M., above named, who lives on the homestead; Dora E., who died in 1866; Philanda, wife of Charles Boynton, who is now a farmer in Massachusetts; and Clara A., who died in 1873, aged sixteen years.
James M. Lambert, the special subject of this sketch, attended the common schools in his boyhood, and at an early age began to as-
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sist upon the home farm, where he has always resided. He took charge of the place previous to reaching his majority, and he now has a splendid farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, which is well located and well taken care of. Aside from general farming and dairying, he has acquired a wide reputation as a manufacturer of pure cider vinegar, and he also deals quite extensively in implements and fertilizers. He is regarded as one of the most successful farmers and progressive citi- zens of Strong.
On October 5, 1870, Mr. Lambert married Augusta E. Wilbur. She was born in Phillips, daughter of John L. and Asenath (Robbins) Wilbur, both of whom are natives of that town, her father being a prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert have one daughter, Mertie A., who was born June 27, 1881.
In politics Mr. Lambert is independent, preferring to vote for the candidates whom he considers the most worthy and capable; and, although he himself has held some of the minor town offices, he has no aspirations for political honors. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and with Marathon Lodge, No. 96, Knights of Pythias.
A FOREST W. NORTON, one of the most enterprising and successful young business men of Farmington, was born in Strong, Me., June 4, 1869, son of Zachariah and Orianna (Taylor) Norton. Mr. Norton is a descendant of Zacha- riah Norton, a native of Martha's Vineyard, who about six years before the close of the last century came with his family to this town, where he became one of the sturdy pioneers and progressive citizens. He had previously served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was Town Treasurer in 1805, and repre- sented Farmington in the Massachusetts legis- lature in 1807. He later removed to Madi- son, Somerset County, Me., where he tilled the soil for the rest of his life.
Zebulon Norton, son of Zachariah, was engaged in farming for a time in North Farmington, and afterward in Industry and Phillips. His declining years were spent in
the last-named town, where he lived to reach the advanced age of ninety-six. He served in the War of 1812, and was elected to various town offices. His first wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Pratt, died in young woman- hood, leaving four daughters - Louisa, Han- nah, Huldah, and Lydia. For his second wife he wedded Abigail Hartford, and of this union there were born nine children, as fol- lows: Daniel L. ; Joshua H .; Abigail; Char- lotte; Ichabod; Zachariah, first, who died young; Mary; Caroline; and Zachariah, sec- ond. Mr. Norton's grandmother lived to be seventy-six year old.
Zachariah Norton, son of Zebulon, was born in Phillips, June 20, 1843. He grew to man- hood upon his father's farm, and in 1862 en- listed as a private in Company D, Twenty- eighth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, for nine months' service in the Civil War, during which time he participated in the siege and capture of Port Hudson. Returning home, after completing his term of service, he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, owning succes- sively and residing upon farms in Phillips, Freeman, and New Vineyard. He finally be- came an employee of the Eastern Railroad Company in Lynn, Mass. He worked his way forward from a switchman in the yards through the various positions to that of con- ductor of a train, and continued in that ca- pacity until 1880, when he resigned his posi- tion. For the succeeding ten years he resided in New Vineyard, Me., and in 1890 removed from there to Farmington, where he has since lived in retirement. He is one of the well-to- do residents of this prosperous town, owning a productive village farm of forty acres, a fine residence, and two tenement houses. In poli- tics he is a Republican. His wife, Orianna Taylor, whom he married September 11, 1864, is a daughter of the late Thomas and Harriett (Libby) Taylor, of Boston, Mass., and she is the mother of two children, namely : La Forest W., the subject of this sketch; and Arthur R., who was born June 24, 1880.
La Forest W. Norton was educated in Lynn, Mass., and acccompanied his parents to this town, where he has since resided. Having a natural inclination toward mercan- tile pursuits, he in 1895 bought the business
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formerly carried on by J. H. Pelham & Son, and now conducts a very profitable grocery and provision trade in the Drummond Block on Broadway. Being a young man of excel- lent business capacity, upright and progres- sive, he is very popular, and he is now well advanced upon the road to prosperity. Politi- cally, Mr. Norton acts with the Republican party, and in his religious views is a Congre- gationalist.
OBERT C. THOMAS, a much-re- spected resident of Oxford, was born February 10, 1843, son of George W. and Margaret (Blankenburg) Thomas. Holmes Thomas, the father of George W., and the grandfather of Robert C., was a Massachusetts man by birth. He came to Maine, and became one of the first settlers of the town of Oxford, where he was for some time a prominent farmer, and discharged the duties of Justice of the Peace and some minor town offices. Moving subsequently from here, he spent the most of his after life in the towns of Hebron and Dixfield, and died at the age of eighty-three years. His wife, Susanna, died at about the same age. Their seven children were: Michael, John, Spencer, Susan, Mary, Keziah, and George W.
George W. Thomas, a native of Dixfield, like his father was principally occupied with farming. He resided for the most part in the town of Oxford, where he was a leading man, and owned a farm of one hundred and fifty acres of fine farming land. His religious be- lief was the Baptist creed. In political belief he was a Republican from the foundation of the party, having been previously a stanch Whig. He married Margaret Blankenburg, a native of New Brunswick, who bore him ten children, all of whom are still living. They are: George W., Simeon P., Cyrus K., Will- iam N., Helen M., Mary C., Robert C., John F., Adalaine, and Lenora. George W., who is now a farmer in the town of Oxford, was for a time a ship caulker in Boston, Mass .; Sim- eon P., who lives in Wrentham, Mass., is also a ship caulker and a farmer; Cyrus K., who is a Sergeant on the Boston police force, served in the late war with Company K, First Massa-
chusetts Regiment; William .N., who also served in the war, being a member of Com- pany I, Twenty-third Maine Regiment, is a physician of the town of Yarmouth; Helen M. is the wife of Frank L. Foss, of the United States Hotel at Portland, Me .; Mary C., the twin sister of Robert C., is the wife of S. R. Parian, of Paris, Me .; John F. is a farmer of Mechanic Falls, Me .; Adalaine is the wife of William W. Ripley, of Revere, Mass. ; Lenora is the widow of Stephen Parsons, late of Pasadena, Cal., where she still resides. George W. Thomas, Jr., is a prominent farmer of Oxford. The father died at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother several years later, at the age of seventy-nine.
Robert C. Thomas grew to manhood in Ox- ford, receiving his education in the public schools. For a while he worked on the farm of his father, but later, in 1866, he purchased the farm of one hundred and twenty acres, where he now resides. On February 10, 1867, he married Celia Ann Walker, who was born in Sacarappa, Me., November 17, 1845. They have three children, namely: Bertha M., born January 3, 1869, who is the wife of George H. McKeen, a farmer of Paris; Will- iam H., born September 4, 1871, who is now a farmer; and Rosa P. Thomas, born Novem- ber 13, 1881, who lives at home. Both par- ents are liberal in their religious views. In his political belief Mr. Thomas is a strong Republican. He has been school agent for the town, and has always been greatly inter- ested in matters pertaining to education.
He belongs to the Paris Grange.
Mr. Thomas is a clever and successful farmer. He makes a specialty of fruit grow- ing, in which he is very expert. During the last two years he has planted one hundred and sixty-five fine young apple-trees.
RANK P. STONE, the proprietor of a large drug store located in the Hatha- way Block, Norway, Me., was born in the town of Jay, Franklin County, June 4, 1853, son of Moses and Harriet (Parker) Stone. He is a direct descendant of an early New England settler, Deacon Simon Stone, who embarked from England, April 15. 1635,
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in the ship "Increase," bound for Massachu- setts, and on his arrival settled on the banks of the Charles River, his homestead being a part of the land now within the present limits of Cambridge and Mount Auburn. He was Deacon in the First Church.
From him the descent is traced as follows : Simon Stone, Jr. ; Jonathan Stone; Colonel Moses Stone; Captain Moses Stone, who served in the war for independence, enlisting in 1775, when he was made Corporal. At the Battle of Bunker Hill he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and during that engagement acted as Captain of his company, taking sev- eral prisoners. Being broken down in health on account of the exposure of army life, he was obliged to leave the army. Although ed- ucated for the medical profession, the care of his large estate occupied his time to the exclu- sion of his practice. He gave his children the best educational advantages afforded by the schools of the time.
Moses Stone, son of Captain Moses Stone, and the grandfather of Frank P. Stone of this sketch, was born in Watertown, Mass., Au- gust 10, 1777. He was among the pioneers of Jay, Franklin County, Me., purchasing a large tract of new land in the Androscoggin Valley, clearing it and becoming a prominent citizen. He was a member of the State mi- litia, and served as Major in the War of 1812. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as a Representative in the Massachusetts General Court in 1812 and State legislature, holding also a number of town offices. He married Elizabeth Brown, of Watertown, and both lived past the age of eighty years. Three sons and three daughters were the fruit of their union ; namely, Eliza, Rhoda, Emily,' Moses, Aaron, and Cornelius.
Moses Stone, the eldest son, born October 4, 1808, was educated in the district school and at Kent Hill Seminary. His portion of the grant of land left by his father was about two hundred acres. Like his father he was an enterprising and prosperous citizen, and very active in public affairs, holding among other offices those of Justice of the Peace, Sur- veyor, Selectman, and member of the School Committee. He was a Whig until the forma- tion of the Republican party, which he after-
ward supported. His death occurred at the age of eighty-two years. Harriet Parker Stone, his wife, who was a daughter of Scar- borough l'arker, was born in 1810, and died in 1891. Her paternal grandfather, Jonathan Parker, resided in Roxbury at the time of the Revolutionary War. He was an ardent Whig, and was not afraid to manifest his indignation at measures of the British Parliament against the American colonies. He was one of the men disguised as Indians, who threw overboard the shipload of tea in Boston Harbor, De- cember 16, 1773. Moses and Harriet P. Stone were the parents of ten children, namely: Cyrus; Harriet, who died in child- hood; a child that died in infancy; Moses C .; Asaph; Etta C .; Emma A .; George W .; Abbie M. ; and Frank I.
After attending the district schools, Frank P. Stone became a student at Kent Hill Seminary, and later of the Maine State Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1877. He then taught school, following that occupa- tion for five years, after which he spent four years canvassing for nursery stock. He next entered a drug store at Lewiston, Me., where he remained three years, or up to 1888, when he came to Norway, and purchased the stock and trade of Samuel Crockett in the Hatha- way Block. He increased the stock, adding a variety of stationery and toilet articles, and is conducting a large and remunerative business.
On November 25, 1885, Mr. Stone was joined in marriage with Miss Minnie A. French, a daughter of Dr. Albert G. French, of Lewiston. Three children have blessed their union: Albert F., born November 19, 1886, died at three months old; Carl E., born April 15, 1888; and Beatrice, born October II, 1895. Their house on Pike's Hill was erected for them, and is a model of beauty and convenience, being fitted up with modern im- provements, including hot and cold water, electric lights, and hot water heating appar- atus. There is a fine stable, and the lawn is well kept and graded, making it altogether one of the most desirable domiciles in the town or county.
In political affiliation Mr. Stone is a Re- publican. While a resident of Jay he served as superintendent of schools, and since living
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here has taken much interest in the progress and improvement of Norway. The family at- tend the Methodist Episcopal church.
R UFUS C. STONE, who for the past five years has ably filled the position of Town Clerk in Jay, is a native of this town, and was born October 4, 1859. His parents, the Rev. Cornelius and Frances C. (Sylvester) Stone, were na- tives of Jay. Mr. Stone's paternal grand- father was the Rev. Moses Stone, who came from Watertown, Mass., about the year 1800, and settled on the farm which is now occupied by his grandson. He represented his district in the legislature, and resided in Jay until his death.
The late Rev. Cornelius Stone was a Meth- odist preacher; and during eighteen years of activity as a pastor, he presided over churches in Richmond, Brunswick, Kent's Hill, Wil- ton, New Sharon, and Strong, Me. His last years were passed at the homestead in Jay. He took a prominent · part in public affairs, being for some time a member of the School Committee of the town, for four years a Rep- resentative to the legislature, and serving also as a member of the State Senate. He and his wife, formerly Frances C. Sylvester, were the parents of two children - Mary E., who is now residing at the homestead; and Rufus C., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Stone, left a widow by the death of her first husband, was again married to C. K. Haskell, of Jay, by whom she had no children.
Rufus C. Stone was educated in the com- mon schools and high school and at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. At the age of twenty years he took charge of the homestead property, where he has always re- sided, and he also owned another farm in this town. At the present time he owns one hun- dred and twenty acres of excellent tillage land, which contains a large orchard, and hay, corn, potatoes, and apples are his principal products.
On June 17, 1896, Mr. Stone married Lizzie Garcelon Pettingill. She is a daughter of Joseph and Amanda (Garcelon) Pettingill, and was born in East Livermore, where her father
is a prosperous farmer and well-known land surveyor.
In politics Mr. Stone has always favored and supported the principles of the Republican party. His services to the community are not limited to the duties of his office as Town Clerk, as he is also an active and valuable member of the School Board. He is a practi- cal and successful farmer, who applies the resources at his command to the best advan- tage, and the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen is well placed and amply deserved. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
B ENJAMIN K. KILGORE is one of the prosperous farmers of Waterford, owning some two hundred acres of good land. He was born here, Oc- tober 27, 1830, son of Benjamin and Emma (Kimball) Kilgore. His grandfather, also named Benjamin, a Massachusetts man, was the first of the family to locate in Waterford. The second Benjamin Kilgore lived for a few years in Massachusetts, but the greater part of his life was spent on a farm near Waterford. He died July 7, 1874; and his wife, who was a native of Bethel, Me., breathed her last April 5, 1863. Their nine children were: William, deceased; Olive, now in Lynn, Mass., the widow of George Waterhouse; Jo- seph and Emma, deceased; Benjamin K., the subject of this sketch; Thirza, the wife of Israel Dudley, of Waterford; Abbie, the wife of Louis Brown, of Franklin Park, Mass. ; Charlotte, a resident of Massachusetts; and Zella, the widow of Stephen Petty, and now residing in Bridgton, Me.
Benjamin K. Kilgore obtained his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty he went to Massachusetts, where he worked at shoemaking for five years. Then, returning to Maine, he settled near his present farm, and devoted himself to agriculture. His estate, on which he has made many improvements, is one of the best farms in the locality. He now leaves its management almost entirely to his son Clarence. Mr. Kilgore was married April 16, 1857, to Betsey, daughter of Hiram and Betsey (Hazelton) Abbott. She was born
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in Harrison, Me., December 13, 1833. Her parents, who belonged to Newfield, Me., set- tled in early life in Harrison, where Mr. Abbott was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore have five children, namely: Clarence, born May 26, 1860, who lives with his parents, and bears most of the responsibility of the farm manage- ment; Jennie, born February 12, 1862, now the wife of Frank Gilman, of Bangor, Me .; Eugene, born November 17, 1863, who mar- ried Gertrude Adams, of this town, has one child, Beulah, and resides in Waterford; Charles W., born April 25, 1867, residing in Harrison village; and Fred J., born March 27, 1869, living in East Saugus, Mass. Mr. Kilgore is prominent among the Democrats of Waterford, and has held several public offices. He is a member of the South Waterford Grange. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in South Waterford. He has many friends in Water- ford, and is a worthy representative of the farming community of this place.
AMUEL SEWELL GORDON, a respected resident of New Sharon, Franklin County, was born there on the IIth of June, 1833, son of Jonathan and Susan (Clarke) Gordon. Mr. Gordon's grandfather, Jonathan Gordon, Sr., took up a tract of one hundred acres of wild land, in or near Readfield, Kennebec County. Here the grandfather built a log cabin, clear- ing a portion of his property, and reared a family of five sons and two daughters. His wife's name in maidenhood was Miss Savage. When he was about seventy-five years old he came to New Sharon, where he died at the age of eighty-five years.
Jonathan Gordon, Jr., was born in Readfield on the 22d of September, 1796, and there re- ceived his early education. When about twenty years of age he came to New Sharon, and bought a farm about half a mile below the place where his son, Samuel S., makes his home. It was a piece of wild land containing about one hundred acres. Just previous to this more important purchase, he had invested in sixty or seventy acres of land at about the
same distance from the present homestead of the family, but in a little different direction. He was married on the 2d of April, 1823, and subsequently became the father of six chil- dren. These were: Charles M., Jason C., Emily N. and Samuel S. (twins), Harriette B., and Lizzie S. He carried on general farming. A hobby of his was a liking for a good yoke of matched steers, of which he was an excellent judge. His opinion of oxen was sought after from all quarters by those who had cattle to sell or to buy, and his decision was almost invariably adhered to. In politi- cal belief he was at first a Whig, and then a Republican. His religious belief was that of the Free Will Baptist church. He died in 1869 at the homestead purchased by him from John Clarke, his brother-in-law, in 1856. His wife's death occurred in 1887, at the age of eighty-three years.
Samuel Sewell Gordon spent his youth on the second farm purchased by his father, re- ceiving his education at the district school and high school of New Sharon. At the age of twenty-one he went out to Iowa to engage in farming. Subsequently he learned the plasterer's trade in Nevada and Iowa. After remaining in the West for a period of seven years, he returned in 1861 to the old home- stead at New Sharon. At his father's death he inherited the farm on which the sad event occurred, and he has since resided there. Since coming into its possession he has en- larged it so that it now contains two hundred and fifty acres. He also owns a farm of forty- five acres in Benton County, Ia. He taught school in Iowa for six terms, and in this dis- trict for thirty winters.
Mr. Gordon was married January 30, 1858, to Julianne Schoonover, a daughter of David Schoonover, a farmer of Big Grove Township, Ia. She was born in Mexico, Ohio, while her parents were en route to Canton in the same State. When she was about seventeen years old her parents moved to Wisconsin, and about two years later to Big Grove, where she first met Mr. Gordon. They have one daugh- ter, Etta B., who was born April 7, 1859. She received her education at the Farmington Normal School and at the Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, Me. She has taught in more
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