USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 83
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 83
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reared a large family of children, all now de- ceased. Of the latter, three died young. The others were: Jeptha, Manley, Absalom, Thaddeus H., Abi, Hosea, and Darius.
Manley Coburn was born in Dunstable, Jan- uary 18, 1794. The greater part of his life was passed in his native town. At the age of eighteen he joined the United States Army, and served for six months at Bath, Me. Upon his discharge he received a warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land. This he sold to his brother, Thaddeus H., after which he went West, and settled in Illinois. Besides working at the carpenter's trade he was also engaged in farming. He was a prosperous and highly respected citizen. He supported the Democratic party in politics, and in his relig- ious belief was a Universalist. His wife, Sally, whom he married in 1816, was born May 7, 1790. She bore him four children - William, Asa, Eliza Ann, and Oliver B.
William Coburn, the sole survivor of his parents' children, obtained his education in the common schools and at the free high school of New Sharon. He afterward assisted upon the home farm until 1851, when he bought a part of the property, containing one hundred acres, and there was successfully en- gaged in agriculture for some years. In the summer of 1865 the buildings were destroyed by fire. He replaced them by new ones. In 1896 he sold to a good advantage the home- stead, which had been his residence for forty- five years and that of the family for one hun- dred and two years, and has since lived in retirement.
On January 3, 1851, Mr. Coburn was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bailey, a daughter of Cummings and Hannah (Parker) Bailey, of Farmington, Me. She became the mother of two children - Sarah E. and Annie G. Sarah E. was born March 20, 1852, and is now the wife of John B. Smelledge; Annie G., born March 26, 1865, married Ezra L. Part- ridge, of Massachusetts, who died in 1890, leaving one son, Clarence E. On January 3, 1896, she entered a second marriage, con- tracted with Marshall Saunders, of West Farmington. Mr. Coburn's political princi- ples are conservative. He taught the district school for two years, and served for several
years as Highway Surveyor. He has been a tireless worker, has accumulated quite an es- tate by his industry, and is now passing his declining years with his son-in-law. His re- ligious faith is that of a Free Will Baptist.
AMES CURTIS, a former employee of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, who is now living in retirement in South Paris, Oxford County, Me., was born in Woodstock, Me., October 8, 1819, son of Charles and Jane (Deering) Curtis. Mr. Curtis's grandfather, Noah Curtis, was a native of Pembroke, Plymouth County, Mass. ; and his boyhood and youth were spent in the old Bay State. He married Deborah Luce, of Wareham, Mass., and in early manhood settled in Woodstock, Me., as a pioneer of that town, where he became a prosperous farmer and one of the stirring men of his day.
Charles Curtis, son of Noah, was reared to farm life; and in early manhood he bought a farm in Woodstock, which he carried on with profitable results for some years. Eventually selling that property, he removed to Mechanic Falls, where he died at the age of seventy years, having spent the latter part of his life in retirement from active toil. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but later acted with the Republican party; and in his relig- ious views he was a Universalist. His wife, who was before marriage Jane Deering, be- came the mother of eight children; namely, Evelyn, James, John D., Charles, Mary J., Noah, Mark, and Eunice. Mrs. Jane D. Cur- tis lived to reach the age of eighty-six years.
James Curtis, the subject of this sketch, having acquired his education in the public schools, at the age of twenty-one went to Hal- lowell, Me., and for nine years was employed in an oil-cloth factory. On account of failing health he was then obliged to seek outdoor employment ; and, as his wife's aged father owned a small farm in South Paris, he pur- chased the property and settled here as a farmer. He improved the place by enlarging and remodelling the buildings, brought the land up to a high state of cultivation, and made good progress as an agriculturist. Soon after his settlement here he was appointed
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overseer of the section of the Grand Trunk Railway passing through this town, a position which he filled with such ability as to win the confidence of the company ; and three years later he was placed in charge of their engine- house here. During his long period of service he proved himself of great value to the com- pany as a capable and faithful employee; and he continued in charge of the engine-house until 1893, when he resigned his position. He has since lived in retirement.
In 1844 Mr. Curtis was united in marriage with Lucretia Bridgeham, daughter of George Bridgeham, a prosperous farmer and well- known hotel-keeper of South Paris. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had eight children, as fol- lows : Mary E., who was born February 22, 1846, married G. A. Haskell, and died at the age of twenty-one; William W., who died at the age of one year; Louise A., who was born November 19, 1850, married G. F. Lewis, and resides in Bethel, Vt .; Ellen F., who was born February 21, 1852, married George E. Wilson, and now resides in Fairfield, Me., having one daughter, Eva; Willard J., who was born June 8, 1854, and is now engaged in the corn-canning business at West Paris; Anna L., who was born November 4, 1857, and is now the wife of R. J. Everett, of Po- land, Me., having one son, Philip; Carroll G., who was born October 9, 1859, and is now filling his father's old position at the engine- house ; and Hattie G., who was born May 10, 1861, and is now the wife of E. D. Selden, of Portland, Me. All are well situated in life. Carroll G. Curtis is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Order of Red Men.
In politics Mr. Curtis supports the Repub- lican party, and has served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen. He and his wife enjoy cordial social relations with a large circle of friends and acquaintances. They attend the Universalist church.
AVID R. HASTINGS, the Post- master of Gilead, was born in Bethel, this county, January 24, 1857, son of Major G. A. Hastings, of Bethel, who was born February 18, 1821. Major Hastings in early manhood learned the
blacksmith trade, and subsequently followed it until he was thirty years old. He then en- gaged in the lumber business, and up to the present time has followed lumbering and farm- ing continuously, excluding two years spent on a Georgia cotton plantation, and some time in the army. Enlisting August 8, 1861, as a private in Company A, Twelfth Regiment of Mainc Volunteers, he was commissioned Cap- tain on the 15th of October, and on July 31, 1862, he was commissioned Major. He was in many hard-fought battles, and during his term of service he won the regard of the men under his command.
David R. Hastings is a graduate of Gould's Academy at Bethel. From 1874 to 1876 he was with a surveying party in the White Mountains; and he has devoted considerable time to teaching school. He presided over a district school in Bethel for three terms, and taught mathematics and English at Gould's Academy four terms. He then engaged in the lumber business, logging first in the town of Riley, this county. Selling his interest there he purchased a half interest in the town- ship of Batchelor's Grant, this county, com- prising twenty thousand acres of timber land. Since making the purchase he has been en- gaged in felling timber on this land, and saw- ing pulp wood, spruce lumber, and spool stock. He has been a resident of Gilead for some time, and has taken an active part in local politics, as a sound money Democrat. For three years he presided as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and he was Super- visor of the Board of Education two years. It is now his purpose to move to Auburn, Me., as soon as his resignation of the office of Postmaster is accepted.
On May 19, 1879, Mr. Hastings was mar- ried to Josephine A., daughter of Marshall Sanderson, of Bethel. She died June 5, 1883, leaving one son, Marshall R., who was born August 29, 1882. Mr. Hastings was married again November 2, 1886, to Ella J. Crawford, of Gilead. By this union he has one daughter, Flossie O., born June 2, 1888. It is in order to give his children better edu- cational opportunities that Mr. Hastings in- tends to move to Auburn. In moving he will sever many pleasant associations, business and
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social. He is a member of Bethel Lodge, No. 97, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to the Order of the Golden Cross in Gilead.
AVID C. AVERILL, who owns a desirable farm in the town of Wil- ton, and is favorably known by the numerous fishermen who visit this locality, was born in Temple, this county, December 18, 1839, son of Moses and Lu- cinda (Dowin) Averill. Mr. Averill's grand- father, Moses Averill, Sr., who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War in 1807, came to East Wilton from New Hampshire with the early settlers, and acquired a tract of land covered with heavy timber. He felled and burned the timber, and succeeded in mak- ing as good a farm as any in the neighbor- hood. This property is now owned and occu- pied by Henry Webster. Grandfather Averill for many years received a pension for his ser- vices in the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he lived to be ninety years old. His wife also enjoyed a long life. Their children were: Luther, Moses, Virtue, Lucy, Hannah, Lucinda, and Alice.
Moses Averill succeeded to the homestead. He continued the improvements, added to its acreage by purchasing some adjoining land, and resided there for some time. Then sell- ing the property, he bought a tract of unim- proved land in the town of Temple, where he began as a pioneer, living in a log house, which, after clearing a farm, he replaced by frame buildings. Not being content with the result of his labor, he sold this property, and bought back the homestead, where the rest of his life was passed. In politics he was suc- cessively a Whig and a Republican, and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Epis- copal denomination. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Dowin, became the mother of eleven children; namely, James, Eben, Washington, Wesley, Louis, Fanny, Mary, David C., Lizzie, Charles, and Hannibal.
David C. Averill acquired the principal part of his education in the schools of Wilton. He remained at home assisting his father until he was twenty-eight years old. He then
bought the Blanchard farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Later he purchased the S. Perry place of one hundred and ten acres, on which he has since resided. He has made various improvements on both the buildings and the land. The estate is in an excellent location and the land is very fertile. As a general farmer Mr. Averill ranks among the best in this section. He has made many warm friends among gentlemen who come here from the large cities on fishing excur- sions. He can always be 'depended upon to supply parties with boats, bait, and trustworthy guides to conduct them to the best angling grounds among the lakes and streams of the district.
On August 1, 1857, Mr. Averill wedded Rhoda A. Farmer, of Temple. She is a daughter of Jacob and Martha (Ladd) Farmer, and grand-daughter of Moses Farmer. The latter moved from Greenfield, N. H., to Temple at an early date in the town's history, and cleared a farm upon the north side of the pond. The father, who was born in Green- field, became a prosperous agriculturist of this locality, and died here in 1856, aged forty- nine years. The mother, who was born July 21, 1816, is still living, and enjoys good health. Mrs. Averill's maternal grandfather reared twenty-four sons, all of whom acquired a college education and became professional men. Her parents reared three other chil- dren besides herself - Emily J., Pamelia, and Plumer. She has had eight children, as fol- lows: Martha Ella, who died at the age of five years; Myra Adela, who died in infancy; Ida Eliza, born August 7, 1863, who became a teacher, married Herbert Knapp, of North Chesterville, and has two children - Frankie N. and Merton E .; Minnie Belle, a teacher, who was born January 25, 1867, and is now the wife of Sherman Bean; Edgar Adelbert, who is now a machinist; Plumer Morrell, who was born in July, 1869, and is now engaged in agricultural pursuits; Myrtle V., who was born May 7, 1874; and Mattie L., who was born November 18, 1879. In politics Mr. Averill is a Republican. Though frequently solicited by his fellow-townsmen to accept office, he has always declined. In his relig- ious belief he is a Free Will Baptist.
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OHN ATHERTON, a veteran of the late war and a prominent farmer of Waterford, was born here, March 1, 1829, son of Oliver and Mary (Wil- lard Atherton, both natives of this town. His grandfather, John Atherton, who was a Revo- lutionary soldier, came from Acton, N.H., to Waterford at an carly date, settling on the farm now occupied by the present John. Oliver Atherton spent his life on this farm, deriving from its cultivation an ample income for the needs of his family. He died March 3, 1872. His wife, Mary, made him the father of three children, who were: John, the subject of this sketch; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Jennie Maria, who was the wife of William F. Cilley. Mr. and Mrs. Cilley have both passed away.
John Atherton received a practical common- school education. He left home at the age of twenty, and worked at lumbering near Ridg- way, Elk County, Pa., for two years. Re- turning then to the farm in Waterford, he has lived there since for the greater part of the time. For a year or two he was employed in bakeries at Bangor and Waterville, Me., and was farming for two years and a half in Elk County, Kansas. He enlisted September 15, 1862, in Company K, Twenty-third Maine Regiment, under Colonel William W. Virgin and Captain Moses N. Stanley. The regi- ment was stationed during the most of his time on the Potomac River, between Washing- ton and Harper's Ferry. It arrived at Gettys- burg just too late to take part in the battle. Mr. Atherton received his discharge at Port- land, Me., July 15, 1863. He is totally deaf in one ear, the result of a shot fired close to his head; and he suffers from chronic rheu- matism, contracted in the army. On account of these ailments he receives a pension. He has made many improvements on his property, which covers one hundred and sixty acres. He is extensively engaged in general farming, stock raising, and dairying, making a specialty of cream.
On December 6, 1854, Mr. Atherton was united in marriage with Margaret M., daugh- ter of Artemus and Mary (Alden) Brown. She was born in Waterford, March 19, 1836. Her father, also a native of Waterford, Me.,
was a carpenter, and worked at his trade in that place up to the time of his death, in 1871. Mrs. Brown, who was born in Au- burn, Me., died in 1872. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Atherton are: Mary F., Jennie M., Addie B., Orra E., Annie G., and Maud B. Mary F. married Abbott Craig, of Farmington, Mc .; Jennie M. married Rob- bins Plummer, a farmer of Waterford; Addie B. married James B. Hamlin, both of whom reside with her parents; Orra E. married Ward Munroe, a machinist of Jersey City, N.J .; Annie G. and Maud B. also live with their parents. Mr. Atherton is active among the Republicans of Waterford, and has held a number of offices. He is not a club man, but he attends the meetings of the grange at Waterford. Mrs. Atherton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at South Waterford.
LBERT L. HOLMES, one of the most able agriculturists of Paris, was born in Hartford, Oxford County, Octo- ber 18, 1856, son of Sullivan R. and Joanna (Parsons) Holmes. His grand- father, Jonathan Holmes, who was a native of that part of Hebron now included within the town of Oxford, spent the greater part of his active period in Hartford, Me., where he was a prosperous farmer. The grandfather's last days were passed in Paris, and he died at the venerable age of ninety-five years. In his later life he supported the Republican party, and he attended the Free Will Baptist church. He married Mahalia Reed, a native of Hart- ford, who died at the age of sixty-eight years.
Sullivan R. Holmes was born in Hartford, June 17, 1818. His early life was passed in his native town, where he followed agricult- ural pursuits until 1867. Then he came to Paris, and settled upon the farm now occupied by his family. On this property, which con- tains one hundred and twenty-five acres of ex- cellent land, he carried on general farming, residing there until his death on April 26, 1888. He was an energetic and industrious farmer, and a good, useful citizen; and in pol- itics he acted with the Republican party. His wife, Joanna, who was born in Hartford,
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October 25, 1836, had two children, namely : Franklin F., who was born September 15, 1857, and now resides in Norway, Me. ; and Albert L., the subject of this sketch. She resides at the homestead in Paris.
Albert L. Holmes grew to manhood in Paris, and his education was acquired in the schools of this town. The home farm, which became his by inheritance upon his father's death, has received his entire attention since young manhood. He has improved it by erecting a new set of buildings, thereby greatly enhancing its value. His crops are chiefly hay, grain, and fruit. On March 17, 1880, Mr. Holmes wedded Emma C. King, who was born in Paris, April 11, 1856, daugh- ter of William O. and Mary Clifford King. William King Holmes, the only child of this union, was born November 1, 1881. Mr. Holmes is a member of the Patrons of Hus- bandry, and in politics is a Republican. Both he and his wife are liberal in their relig- ious opinions.
The King family was founded in America by John King, who emigrated from England in 1636. Philip, a son of John, in 1680 set- tled in Raynham, Mass., where he resided for the rest of his life. From him the line of descent was continued by his son John, and John's son, Benjamin, to George King, who was Mrs. Holmes's great-grandfather. Cap- tain Samuel King, Mrs. Holmes's grand- father, was born in Raynham, May 18, 1771. In 1791 he came with his brother George to Paris, and in 1797 settled upon the farm which has since remained in possession of the fam- ily, and is now owned by J. F. King. A clearing had been previously made upon the property, and, from a partially primitive state, he improved it into a productive farm, upon which he resided until his death, April 29, 1856. In politics he was originally a Demo- crat or Whig, and he united with the Repub- lican party at its formation. He married Sally Hall, who was born in Hopkinton, Mass., March 2, 1779. She became the mother of eleven children, of whom the sur- vivors are the Hon. Horatio King and Cyrus S. King. The Hon. Horatio King was Post- master-general during the administration of James Buchanan, and now resides in Washing-
ton, D.C. The others were: Samuel, Alonzo, Sally H., Polly, Joseph H., Betsey S., Maria, Jairus K., and William O. The mother, who was a member of the Baptist church, died De- cember 9, 1862.
William O. King was born at the home- stead in Paris, August 6, 1820. He culti- vated the farm industriously from early man- hood until his death, which happened May 21, 1892. He voted with the Republican party, was connected with the Odd Fellows and the Patrons of Husbandry, and attended the Uni- versalist church. His wife, Mary, who was born in Paris, August 10, 1824, bore him eight children, of whom two others, Jairus F. and Josephine F., are living. Those who died were: William H., Cyrus E., Frances E., Mary A., and Lucy M. Mrs. William O. King, who survives her husband, is residing with her daughter, Mrs. Holmes.
AMES R. TUCKER, the urbane pro- prietor of Hotel Ridlon in Mexico, Oxford County, was born August 3, 1838, in West Sumner, Me., son of Amasa and Ruth (Buck) Tucker.
He attended the common schools for the usual period. When he was eighteen years of age he went to Massachusetts, where he was employed for two years. On August 3, 1861, the twenty-third anniversary of his birth, he enlisted in Company B, Second Massachusetts Battery, for three years. He subsequently served for three years and one month, partici- pating in the engagement at Mansfield's Cross Roads, where his horse was shot from under him; in that of Pleasant Hill; in the siege of Port Hudson; in the first encounter at Vicksburg ; and in a great many skirmishes. Some time after his return from the war he went to Ridgeway, Ohio, where he was en- gaged in lumbering for a year. The year fol- lowing was spent in a shoe factory at Wey- mouth Landing, Mass., from which place he went to Shawmut, Pa., to serve as conductor of freight on the Shawmut & Ridgeway Rail- road. Here he continued for four and a half years, being fireman and engineer for a part of the time. He next went to Boston, where he bought an express wagon and drove it until
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1889. Then he sold out in order to engage in the hotel business at West Paris, Me. In the fall of 1895 he came to Mexico, assuming the proprietorship of Hotel Ridlon, which he has since successfully conducted.
On August 11, 1865, Mr. Tucker married Miss Adelia Benson, of North Paris, and has now five children, namely : Clara E., who died at the age of twenty years; George H., now a first-class wood-engraver, living in Portland ; Ruth, who still lives at home; Annie, who died in infancy ; and Eva, who also lives at home.
In politics he is a zealous Republican, and he has been Deputy Sheriff for six years. He is an esteemed member of the Masonic Lodge, of West Paris.
J ONATHAN R. LONGLEY, who has spent the greater part of his life in Waterford, working at the trade of a stone-cutter, was born here October 4, 1825, son of Jonathan and Lydia (Robbins) Longley. The first of the Longley family to come to Waterford was Jonathan, a native of Stowe, Mass., born September 7, 1761, who was engaged in farming. He fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War, and died here October 4, 1833.
Jonathan Longley, the father of Jonathan R., was also a native of Waterford, born March 12, 1794. He spent his life here, chiefly occupied in farming and stone-cutting, and died March 10, 1857, on the farm now owned by his son. His wife, Lydia (Robbins) Longley, born in Waterford, March 19, 1799, died March 24, 1843, leaving three children - James O., Jonathan R., and Nancy G. James O., born September 25, 1822, married Miss Ann Elizabeth Fogg, who died in June, 1888. He is now engaged in trade in South Waterford village. Nancy G., born February 17, 1841, married Robert Burnham, who now lives in Naples, Cumberland County. She died in August, 1869. After the mother's death the father formed a second union Janu- ary 2, 1844, with Miss Sophia T. Brown, of Waterford. She was born in 1804, and died in 1876. Louis Jewell, the only child of this union, was born May 8, 1845, and died April
28, 1864. The four children were educated in the common schools of Waterford.
In his younger days Jonathan R. Longley worked at the stone-cutter's trade. During the year following that of his majority he worked out on farms. Then he returned home to assist his father on the homestead farm and to work at his trade. Since his marriage he has made his home on his farm in South Waterford. Here he has about sixty-three acres of well-improved land, where general farming is carried on. Until recent years, however, he gave his attention chiefly to his trade of stone-cutter. He has now practically retired; while his son conducts the farm, keeping a small dairy and raising some stock. A hard-working man throughout his life, Mr. Longley has also been very successful.
On October 21, 1847, Mr. Longley was joined in marriage with Miss Martha Elizabeth Munroe, who was born in Waterford, March 3, 1824, daughter of William and Betsy (Ather- ton) Munroe. Her father came to Waterford when a young man, and was there engaged in farming until his death on November 18, 1894, aged ninety-five years, one month, and twelve days. Mr. and Mrs. Longley have two children : Eugene, born July 14, 1851, who is in charge of the home farm; and Lizzie Ada, born June 7, 1855, now the wife of George W. Harrington, who is engaged in the wholesale iron and steel business in Boston, Mass. In politics Mr. Longley is a Democrat, and has served acceptably in minor town offices. His son votes independently of party. Mrs. Long- ley is a communicant of the Methodist Episco- pal church of South Waterford.
EARBORN L. AUSTIN, Selectman of Gilead, was born in Shelburne, N. H., January 15, 1820, son of James S. and Sarah (Long) Austin. James S. Austin was a native of Fryeburg, this county, and his father also was born in that town. His parents removed to Shel- burne, N. H., when he was four years old; and there he spent the rest of his life, engaged principally in farming, though for a number of years he was in the lumber business. He was a loyal member of the Republican party,
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