USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 88
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 88
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
Nathan A. Fuller, Mr. Fuller's grandfather, was born in 1790, and when a young man he learned the trade of a tanner. The products of his tannery in the town of North Jay, where he established himself in business, acquired a high reputation for their excellent quality and durability, and were much sought for in the leather market. He owned a fine residence in North Jay, and was a prominent citizen there for many years. Later he removed to East Dixfield, and continued in business. He died here in 1875. His wife, formerly Mi- nerva Eustis Cutler, lived to reach the age of seventy years. Their children were: Cyrus ; John; Henry; Nathan; Darius; Elizabeth ;
611
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Rosalina; and Charles H., the father of the special subject of this sketch.
Charles H. Fuller was born in Jay, April 30, 1836. At the age of seventeen he began to teach school, and a year later he went to Boston, where he was employed as clerk in a grocery store. From Boston he went to Cali- fornia, remaining upon the Pacific Coast seven years, during which time he was engaged in teaching school and surveying lumber; and after his return to Maine he engaged in mer- cantile business at East Dixfield in company with John Reed. This firm carried on what was known as the "White Store" for a year, when Mr. Reed sold his interest in the busi- ness to his partner's brother, and a short time later Charles H. Fuller became the sole pro- prietor. He continued to conduct a first-class country store, carrying a large stock of staple merchandise; and, having been appointed Postmaster in 1885, he served in that capacity until his death, which took place in 1888. He was a conscientious, upright, and exceed- ingly prosperous business man, who possessed the hearty good-will of his neighbors and fellow-townsmen. He was a charter member of Wilton Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is sur- vived by his wife, Mrs. Mary A. Stone Fuller, who is a daughter of Thomas B. Stone, of Dixfield, and Maurice G. Fuller, the subject of this sketch, who is her only child.
Maurice G. Fuller began his education in the public schools, and completed his course of study at the Wilton Academy. When very young he commenced to assist his father, and, having succeeded to the business, is now con- ducting one of the largest general stores in this vicinity. In 1881 Charles H. Fuller pur- chased a farm in Dixfield, which he converted into a fruit farm, setting out four thousand apple trees of several varieties; and this farm is at the present time under the supervision of his son, Maurice G. He makes a specialty of raising fine grafted fruit, of which he sold one hundred and seventy barrels in 1894; and he expects this years' crop (1896) will amount to three hundred barrels.
On September 30, 1891, Mr. Fuller married Jeannette M. Ellis, daughter of Isaac A. Ellis, of Canton, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have had one child, who died in infancy. Mr.
Fuller is now serving as Postmaster at East Dixfield. As an energetic and progressive young man, he is very popular in business and social circles. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, being connected with the Blue Lodge in Wilton; and in politics he is a Democrat.
ANIEL GREEN, who was a highly respected citizen of Norway village, was born June 19, 1820, in South Paris, Me., son of Nathaniel W. and Polly (Willis) Green. Nathaniel W. Green, a native of Oxford County, was a shoe- maker and tanner. The latter part of his life was spent in Otisfield and Paris engaged in farming. His wife was a daughter of John and Patience (Jackson) Willis. Mr. Willis was a preacher of Plymouth, Mass., and one of the first settlers of Paris. Nathaniel W. Green and his wife reared three children - Edwin W., Daniel, and Charles. Edwin W. became a regular physician, receiving his de- gree from Bowdoin College, and practiced in Milan, N. H., and in the towns of Woodstock and Sumner of this State. His death occurred in Otisfield, Me., in 1890. He married Par- melia Campbell, of Milan, who is now living in Otisfield, and reared four sons - Parker C., Daniel, Edward G., and Nathaniel W. Charles Green, who was a farmer, married Marinda Perkins, of Paris, and died in Norway. His wife also breathed her last in this town.
Daniel Green received but a limited school- ing, education being considered of less impor- tance then, by a great majority of people, than it is now. He remained with his parents till the year of his majority, when he purchased fifty-two acres of improved farming land in the western part of Norway. There he made his home for the ensuing thirteen years. Then, selling the property, he purchased a farm in Otisfield, and conducted it until the fall of 1895, when he came to the village of Norway. Here he spent his last days in retirement, and died September 15, 1896. Mr. Green won the measure of prosperity that cheered his old age by hard work. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. Both he and his wife joined the Fred Roby Grange, No. 307, of Otisfield.
612
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Mr. Green was married in his twenty-first year to Miss Susan P. Haskell, a native of Otisfield, Me., and a daughter of Captain Joseph Haskell. She died January 1, 1872, and Mr. Green contracted a second marriage October 26, 1872, with Miss Anna P. Knightly, a native of Ireland, who died in Portland, Me., in 1890. By a third marriage, performed February 24, 1894, he was united with Mrs. Edwin Day, who was born in Bethel, Me., April 17, 1868. Her parents, Samuel and Katie (Hapgood) Grove, both natives of Bethel and respectable farming people, are now living in Stoneham, this State. Mrs. Green's grandfather on the pater- nal side was John Grove, a farmer of Albany, Me. Her mother's parents, William and Re- becca (Mason) Hapgood, died in Stratford, Me. Her sister, Mary E., is the wife of William J. Culbert, a fireman in a mill of North Stafford, Me., and the mother of two children - Percy W. and Maggie. The other children of Mrs. Green's parents were : Will- iam, John, Charles, Arthur, Frank, Albert, Clarence, and Alton.
ILBUR L. FARRAR, the present Postmaster of South Paris, was born in Paris, Me., on February 24, 1858, son of Bela W. and Mary Ann (Mayhew) Farrar. His father was born in Paris, Me., May 30, 1834; and his mother was born on April 24, 1837, and died May 9, 1895. Bela Farrar, father of Bela W., was born in Buck- field, Me., December 27, 1797; and the birth of Lydia Thayer Farrar, his wife, occurred July 3, 1799. The parents of Bela Farrar were David Farrar and his wife Judith.
In 1880 Wilbur L. Farrar, then twenty-two years of age, began at Paris the manufacture of picture frames, in which he was there engaged for three years. Then, in company with F. L. Miller, he came to South Paris and carried on the same line of business for another year. Selling out to his partner at the end of that period, Mr. Farrar purchased an interest with G. A. Briggs in the meat and provision busi- ness and the shipping of stock to the Brighton market. Seven years later, during which time they had carried on an extensive business,
he sold his interest to his brother, W. W. Farrar. Wilbur L. Farrar received his ap- pointment as Postmaster at South Paris in January, 1894, and by his uniform courtesy and the faithful performance of all the duties connected therewith he has proved himself a very capable official.
On May 1, 1881, Mr. Farrar was joined in marriage with Miss Lizzie M. Double, a daughter of James F. and Sophronia (Heath) Double. Two sons have been born to them : Clyde, who only lived a year and a half ; and Guy W., whose birth was on October 21, 1888. The family reside at 4 Iligh Street,
in what is known as the Lombard house, which he has remodelled and enlarged. In politics he is a Democrat. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Mount Mica Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Rebekah Lodge; also Paris Lodge, No. 194, A. F. & A. M., and the United Order of the Golden Cross.
ALVIN HAMLIN, a highly esteemed resident of Waterford, was born here May 18, 1816, son of Luther and Hannah (Kimball) Hamlin, both also natives of Waterford. His grandfather, America Hamlin, who came from Massachu- setts, was the first of the family in this sec- tion. The grandfather settled on a farm in South Waterford, and devoted his life to the pursuit of agriculture. Luther Hamlin was a farmer likewise. Having resided all his lifetime in Waterford, he died in 1854. His wife had passed away a few years before. Their children were: George, Calvin, Luther, Mary, and Prescott. Mary lived but four years. The subject of this sketch is the only one living to-day.
Calvin Hamlin received a common-school education, giving much of his time when a boy to farm work. Until 1857 he conducted a farm situated about a half mile from his present place, which he then purchased. This farm has been his home now for nearly forty years. His property in all comprises some two hundred acres of valuable tillage and pas- ture land. He is extensively engaged in gen- eral farming, in which he has been very suc-
OCTAVIUS K. YATES.
615
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
cessful; has a choice dairy, averaging about twenty head of cattle; and he furnishes cream to the South Waterford Creamery. The greater part of Mr. Hamlin's long life has been devoted to hard and persevering labor, and he has well earned the prosperity he now enjoys.
He was married in 1855 to Nancy Maria Brown, who was born in Waterford, daughter of Malberry and Nancy (Scripter) Brown. Both
her parents were natives of Waterford. While Mr. Brown was a blacksmith by trade, he devoted most of his time to agricultural pur- suits. Both are now deceased, and are buried
in Waterford. Mrs. Hamlin passed away Oc- tober 29, 1876. She was the mother of three children, of whom two were twins, who died in infancy. Her son, Charles S., who lives with
his father and attends to the management of the farm, is a prominent member of the Grange at Waterford. He was married May 17, 1877, to Ella A., daughter of Oliver and Frances (Barker) Kneeland, who was born in Water- ford, May 6, 1857. Her father, a native of Harrison, Me., spent the most of his life in Waterford. Both he and his wife are now
deceased. Charles Hamlin and wife have been blessed with six children - Annie M., Luther (deceased), Helen F., Mary M., Carl S., and Dana Calvin. Mr. Hamlin and his son Charles are actively interested in politics, voting the Republican ticket. The whole family attend the Congregational church at Waterford. Father and son are well known in the vicinity and have many friends.
CTAVIUS K. YATES, M.D., a well-known physician and surgeon of Oxford County, and one of the oldest medical practitioners in West Paris, Me., was born in Greenwood, Me., September 25, 1833, son of James and Emma (Cole) Yates. The family is of Scotch origin, and was founded in America by William Yates, grandfather of the generation of which the Doctor is a representative.
William Yates emigrated from Scotland, landing at Plymouth, Mass .; and some time after his arrival he penetrated the then wilder- ness of Maine, becoming one of the pioneer
settlers of Greenwood. His first residence was a log house, which, after he had cleared up a good farm, was replaced by a suitable frame building. As the settlers increased in numbers he officiated as the local Methodist preacher. He was a man of strong character, possessing the faculty of being able to adapt himself to any situation which might arise. As an example of his ability to mete out jus- tice to offenders, it is related of him that upon one occasion, while preaching in the local school-house, mischievous boys placed some prickly burrs beneath his saddle. Con- sequently, when Parson Yates mounted his usually quiet horse, the animal reared and plunged, finally throwing its rider, and galloped off homeward, leaving him to return as best he could. The Parson made no stir about the matter; but, quietly ascertaining for a certainty who the culprits were, after preach- ing as usual the following Sunday, he singled them out, and to each of them he administered a sound flogging; then took them into the meeting-house and prayed for them. On an- other occasion he went to preach in one of the rural districts of Norway, where the people had been for several weeks excited over cer- tain slanderous reports, etc. Mr. Yates took as his text "Damnable Heresay," and gave his audience an able and earnest sermon on that subject. At the close of the meeting a good brother approached the speaker and said : "Brother Yates, your Scripture text was mis- quoted ; it reads damnable heresy." "Well, well, Brother B., it applied, did it not? " was
the answer. Needless to say the whole trouble was investigated and satisfactorily settled before the veteran preacher left the neighborhood. In those days they preached without pecuniary reward. In his absence from home Mr. Yates left his wife and small children in their log-cabin home, their only door being made from hewn or split lumber and held together by wooden pins. It was not an uncommon thing in those days for them to see bears and other wild animals come into their clearing and even into the yard surrounding their cabin. He was strong and active, both physically and mentally, retaining control of his faculties until the last, having been known to walk two miles to attend a
616
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
funeral when he was ninety-seven years old ; and he lived to attain the unusually advanced age of ninety-nine. He married Martha Morgan, a native of Gloucester, Me., also of Scotch an- cestry, who lived to be nearly as old as her husband, her death occurring at the age of ninety-eight. Of their children, the only sur- vivor is Sylvester Yates, a resident of Green- wood.
James Yates, Dr. Yates's father, was born in Greenwood, August 1, 1799. The greater part of his life was spent in his native town, where he owned a small piece of land, which he farmed, besides operating a mill. In his later years he voted with the Republican party, and in his religious views was a Meth- odist. His last years were passed at the home of his son, where he died at the age of nearly eighty. His wife, Emma Cole, who was born in Greenwood, August 25, 1801, became the mother of four children, of whom Octavius K., the subject of this sketch, is the only one who lived to grow up, the others having died in infancy. Mrs. Emma C. Yates lived to be eighty-seven years old. She attended the Methodist church.
Octavius K. Yates attended the various schools in Greenwood and vicinity, and was graduated from the Bethel High School. While pursuing his studies in Bethel, he for a time was obliged to walk the distance of five miles to and from the school; but later he went to board with Dr. John Grover at Bethel Hill. He at this time conceived an inclination for the medical profession, which, owing to his limited means, he could not gratify until later; and, after completing his elementary studies, he worked at different me- chanical employments, being for a time en- gaged in a furniture and bedstead factory. While in the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway Company as a section hand, he found the pay inadequate for the amount of labor de- manded, and by drawing up and presenting a petition to the officials he succeeded in procur- ing an advance of wages for the entire force. Prior to the late Civil War he was engaged for several years in trade in Auburn, Me. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was the second man to enlist in the Auburn Artillery, in answer to the first call of Abraham Lincoln
for seventy-five thousand of three months' volunteers. Later the Auburn Artillery was changed to an infantry company, and was one of the companies that joined and went to the front with the First Regiment of Maine Vol- unteers. Our subject, however, did not join the new organization, but was soon after ap- pointed a recruiting officer and detective, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. While on duty in Washington he was present at Ford's Theatre on that memo- rable night of April 14, 1865, at the assassi- nation of President Lincoln, and was an eye witness of that sad tragedy. At the close of the war he engaged in the oil business in that wild section of country known as Bothwell and Petroia of Canada West, where he remained several years. He was also engaged in sell- ing real estate and oil shares for some three years; and being compelled, in order to do business, to become a subject of Great Brit- ain, he was elected to various offices in Both- well. Having accumulated sufficient means to realize his ambition to enter the medical profession, he closed up his business affairs in Canada, and, returning to the United States, began the study of medicine with Dr. S. H. Tewkesbury, of Portland, Me. Graduating from the Maine Medical School at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., with the class of 1870, he, on October I of that year, located for professional work in West Paris, where he has since resided. He has built up an extensive practice, which covers a wide circuit in this region, and is now not only one of the oldest but also one of the most successful physicians and surgeons here.
On July 25, 1852, Dr. Yates was united in marriage with Elizabeth D. Felt, who was born in Greenwood, January 24, 1835, daugh- ter of Artemas and Desire (Stevens) Felt. Artemas Felt was born in Woodstock, Me., August 25, 1800; and the active period of his life was passed as an industrious tiller of the soil in his native town and in Greenwood, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. In politics he supported the Republican party, and in his religious faith was a Methodist. He married Desire Stevens, who was born in Plymouth, Mass., January 23, 1798, and of the eight children born to this union, five are
617
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
living, namely: Desire; Jesse S. ; Lucy S., who is now Mrs. Libby; Elizabeth D., now Mrs. Yates; and Samuel S. The others were : Albina, who became Mrs. Welch; Eliza, Mrs. Stevens; and Artemas, Jr. Mrs. Yates's mother lived to reach the age of seventy-one years. Dr. and Mrs. Yates have had four children, as follows: Myrtle D., who was born July 29, 1875, and is now the wife of the Rev. Fred E. Wheeler, pastor of the First Universalist Church at Mechanic Falls, Me .; James L., who died at the age of twenty-three; Alton J., who died aged nearly two years; and Edgar L., who died in infancy.
Exceedingly strong and able, Dr. Yates is one of the most stirring and active men to be found in any locality. He has always main- tained regular and temperate habits, and has never been addicted to the use of stimulants or tobacco. He still responds promptly to all calls for his professional services, no matter from what distance; and in 1891 he was ap- pointed division surgeon for the Grand Trunk Railway. He is a member of the Maine Medical Society, is connected with Granite Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of West Paris, and in politics is a Democrat. He is liberal in his religious views, and Mrs. Yates is a Uni- versalist.
HARLES L. HATHAWAY, one of Norway's most enterprising business men, being a wholesale and retail dealer in building materials, was born here, September 6, 1839, son of Lorenzo and Lydia F. (Jones) Hathaway, and grandson of Lazarus Hathaway, Jr., and Lucy (Cole)
Hathaway. His great-grandfather, Lazarus Hathaway, who was born in Halifax, in 1774 married Miss Olive Pratt. Not long after, they removed to Bridgewater, Mass., and thence in 1802 to Paris, Me., settling in that part of the town known as the Swift neighbor- hood, where he purchased land and cleared a good farm. He served as a private in the Revolutionary War. He was progressive and enterprising, and both he and his wife lived to a good age. They had ten children - Patty, Elsie, Polly, John, Lazarus, Nathan, Olive, Lovice, Susan, and Rachel. Lazarus
Hathaway, Jr., was born in Bridgewater. Coming to Paris with his parents, he soon after purchased a farm on the south bank of the river, about two and a half miles from South Paris. He acquired a good property, and was frequently chosen for town office, serving at one time as a Representative to the State legislature. In religious belief he was a Universalist. His wife, Lucy, was a daughter of Eleazer Cole, one of the early settlers of the town of Paris. Five sons and five daughters were born to them; namely, Milo, Lorenzo, Hannah, Mahala, John, Lucy, Nathan, Almena, John, and Mary.
Lorenzo Hathaway, who was born in Paris, May 29, 1808, learned the trade of a carpen- ter, and became a contractor. In 1838 he came to Norway, and purchased a large build- ing on Main Street, in which he made exten- sive alterations, and which has since been known as the Hathaway Block. On the sec- ond floor is the first public hall used in Nor- way. Later on he purchased a loft, and built the house now owned by C. W. Horne. In politics he was a Republican; in religion be was a Congregationalist. His wife, Lydia, was a daughter of Charles M. and Deborah (Foster) Jones. Her father served as a pri- vate in the Revolutionary War. She died in 1846, leaving two children - Charles L. and Julia E. The latter was born February II, 1844. Their father afterward successively married Miss Alvice Jones and Mrs. Matilda Lindsay.
Charles L. Hathaway attended the schools of Norway until fifteen years of age. He then went to work with his father at carpentry. which he followed up to 1862, when he en- listed in Company H, Twenty-third Maine Regiment, and served nine months in the Civil War. Returning home at the end of that time, he soon after went to New Haven. where for two years he worked at his trade. After his marriage he came to Norway, and took up contract work, building several houses, and remodelling the Hathaway Block, a part of which he raised to three stories. He next went into the lumber business, and fitted up a yard for it on Whitman Street. After the railroad was built he purchased land, and erected on it a large building.
.
618
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
where he keeps constantly on hand a large line of all kinds of building timber, sashes, doors, paints, and oils, in a word, all kinds of supplies for building purposes. He was a stockholder and director of the branch rail- road to Norway; a stockholder in the water- works and shoe factory; a member of the Opera House Building Committee, and its manager since; and he was one of the prin- cipal supporters of the movement that led to the establishment of the banks. He is the owner of a fine residence on Maine Street - what was formerly known as the Denison house, but which has since been greatly altered and improved. He also owns a tene- ment house on Pleasant Street.
On March 5, 1864, Mr. Hathaway was joined in marriage with Miss Clara H. Dun- ham, who was born August 28, 1838, daughter of Bartimeus and Matilda (Briggs) Dunham, and a grand-daughter of James and Mary (Ransom) Dunham, of Hebron. Mrs. Hatha- way has one brother, James P. Dunham. The fraternal organizations of which Mr. Hatha- way is a member are: Oxford Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M. ; Union Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Oxford Council, Royal and Select Masters; Portland Commandery, Knights Templars; Lewiston Kora Temple, Mystic Shrine; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias, in which he is Past Chancellor ; and Harry Rust Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
LBERT _ WITHAM, a well-known farmer of the town of Oxford, Oxford County, was born May 2, 1843, in New Gloucester, Cumberland County, son of Parsons and Abigail Witham. His father, who was a miller of that town, died when Albert was five years old. His mother married again while he was still a mere boy. Some time after, owing to troubles with his stepfather, he left home and went to live with his father's brother, John Witham. He remained with his uncle, and was treated with great kindness, receiving a good education at the district schools until he reached the age of nineteen, when he began to work for his living. This was soon after his uncle had
moved to the town of Paris. He engaged in various employments, often changing his resi- dence in the search for them. Having saved his earnings for a long time, he was at last able to buy some property in the town of Paris. About the year 1871 he purchased a farm in the town of Oxford, where he has since resided. The estate contains about one hundred and twenty-five acres of good farming land. Excepting the residence, the buildings and outhouses, which are all modern, were erected by Mr. Witham. Here he carries on general farming with remarkable success.
Mr. Witham was married June 24, 1871, to Hattie (Thomas) De Coster, the widow of Mr. De Coster, and the sister of William Newell Thomas, a well-known and successful fariner and land-owner of Oxford. Mr. Witham has one son - Albert Chester, who was born Feb- ruary 2, 1874. He is liberal in his religious views. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He has fully earned the measure of prosperity he now enjoys and the warm esteem and good will of his neighbors.
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.