USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 9
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 9
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
He was married to Miss Lucy Spaulding, of Norridgewock, on March 25, 1821, and in the ensuing nineteen years they became the parents of eight children, namcly: Lucy S., born January 19, 1822, and now the widow of Cephas C. Buck, of Strong, and residing in New Sharon; Sarah W., born November 18,
1823, who died June 15, 1875; Asenath B., born September 26, 1825, living at the old homestead in New Sharon; Annette B., born May 17, 1828, who died August 24, 1873; Sophia, born March 28, 1830, who died May 16, 1855; Frances M., born September 4, 1838, who died September 23, 1861; and George, born March 23, 1840, who married Miss Lida Hill, of Charlestown, W. Va., and is now a resident of Allegheny City, Pa.
The father's namesake, Asa W. Dutton, spent his boyhood on the home farm, and was educated in the common and high schools of New Sharon. At twenty years of age he found employment on the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad, now known as the Grand Trunk Line. For a season hc reniained in its employment as a section hand, returning then to New Sharon, and securing work dur- ing the winter in the harness shop of Josiah Flint. In the following spring he went to Cape Elizabeth, where he worked in the steam saw-mills of the Speare Brothers until the autumn, when he again returned to his home, going to Mercer some time later. In Mercer he plied his old trade of harness-making, re- maining there until spring, when he removed to Haverhill, Mass., and was employed by Bodfish & Dickey in a steam saw-mill. In the fall he went back to New Sharon, where he formed a partnership with Horace N. Plummer in the harness-making business. In the following year his connection was dis- solved, Mr. Dutton being subsequently em- ployed by Mr. Plummer for a year.
He now took up a branch of his trade, that of carriage trimming, of which he made an immediate success. So well did he do his work that he soon had the largest trade in this line in this section of the State of Maine. For a quarter of a century he carried on this lucrative business, increasing his finances each year. In 1866 Mr. Dutton bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, to which he moved. He lived there only two years, however, as he sold the property at an ad- vance, the investment having been a wise one. In the fall of 1868 he purchased his present residence at the "Four Corners," as it is called.
He was united in marriage with Miss Mary
ASA W. DUTTON.
69
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
J. Lancaster, a daughter of Thomas Lancaster, of New Sharon, on the 21st of December, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton have one child, a daughter, Winnie F., born March 6, 1863, in New Sharon. Miss Dutton was graduated from Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College in 1883, with the degree of Bach- elors of Arts, having taken a full college course, and three years later she received the degree of Master of Arts. Since the comple- tion of her education she has spent most of her time at home with her parents, though for several terms she has taught in the district schools.
Mr. Dutton now holds the office of Justice of the Peace, and does a general law business, mostly in the Probate Courts. He was Town Treasurer one year, and was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in 1890 and 1892. He is a Congregationalist in religious belief, and is a strong Republican in political convictions. He has won for himself the esteem and respect of all who know him and his measure of wordly success is due to his industry and ability.
RANCIS H. HOLDEN, who, after a number of years' experience in Western farming, is now extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Farm- ington, Franklin County, Me., was born in Lunenburg, Mass., March 26, 1826, son of William Warren and Sophia (Adams) Holden. Mr. Holden's father was a native of Shirley, Mass. He was born December 9, 1797, and learned the carpenter's trade in young man- hood. Later removing with his family to Weld, Franklin County, Me., he bought a farm, and carried it on in connection with his trade until his death, which took place April II, 1862. He was an able mechanic, a suc- cessful farmer, and a useful citizen. In his last years he acted with the Republican party in politics, and in his religious views he was a Methodist. His wife, formerly Sophia Adams, who was born in Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 23, 1798, became the mother of four children, as follows: Elbridge P., who was born November 3, 1821; Francis H., the sub- ject of this sketch; William Milo, who was born March 3, 1834; and Sophia E., who was
born April 22, 1842. Mrs. Sophia Adams Holden died February 22, 1868.
Francis H. Holden was the second-born son of his parents. He acquired in his youth a common-school education, and for some time in early manhood he followed the sea, engaged in the coasting trade. He was also employed in the factories of Massachusetts, and worked at the carpenter's trade with his father, always being able to earn a good living at whatever he undertook, and giving perfect satisfaction to his employers. He accompanied his par- ents to Weld, and, buying a farm of eighty acres in that town, occupied himself with its management for five years, at the expiration of which time he sold the property, and, re- moving to Temple, continued to till the soil there for the same length of time. He then migrated to Kossuth County, Iowa, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, and carried on general farming with good re- sults until the present year, 1896, when he returned East. Shortly after the arrival of the family in Maine, Mrs. Holden purchased the Almon Dyer farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres, which is one of the best lo- cated and most desirable estates in the town of Farmington, and here they are already en- gaged in conducting various branches of farm- ing industry with their accustomed energy and success.
Mr. Holden and Rebecca Eades, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Staples) Eades, were married on November 15, 1854. Her father was born in Stoddard, N. H., September 10, 1783, and her mother was born in Durham, N. H., March 28, 1786. Joseph Eades was one of the early setters and progressive farmers of Temple. He and his wife reared a family of seven children, as follows: Hannah B., who was born June 27, 1813; Joseph J .; who was born June 23, 1815; Gideon, who was born October 22, 1818, and died August 31, 1819; Elizabeth, who was born August 22, 1820; Mary, who was born November 26, 1822; Catherine, who was born February 1, 1825; and Rebecca, now Mrs. Holden, who was born August 28, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Holden have four children, namely: Charles H., who was born January 28, 1856, and Matilda F., who was born April 9, 1858, both of whom are
70
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
living at home; Joseph E., who was born De- cember 30, 1861, and also resides with his parents ; and Elizabeth S., who was born Oc- tober 21, 1865, and is now the wife of Frank Rizner, a prosperous agriculturist of Farm- ington.
In politics Mr. Ilolden is a Republican, and in his religious views favors the Free Will Baptist church. Mrs. Holden is a Congrega- tionalist.
AMES L. CHASE, of Paris, a good representative of the younger genera- tion of agriculturists in the county, was born in Portland, this State, June II, 1861, son of William and Ellen (Eaton) Chase. Timothy Chase, his paternal grand- father, who was a native of Falmouth, Me., became a pioneer settler of Oxford County. He came here from Yarmouth, and, after working at the mason's trade for several years, returned to Portland. Thirty years after, he. again came to Paris, where he subsequently died at the age of seventy-five. His first wife, Lucy (Porter) Chase, who was born in Falmouth, died in Portland, at the age of fifty years. His second marriage was contracted with Lucy Chase Doble. He reared the fol- lowing children, all by his first wife: Sewall, Mary Ann, Susan N., Hannah, Edward, Will- iam, Anna P., and Granville N. Susan N. and Edward are living, the latter a resident of Portland.
William Chase was born in Paris, Novem- ber 1, 1820. He was reared and educated in Portland, and was afterward one of its most substantial business men. He was an exten- sive importer of sugar and molasses for thirty years. In 1870, retiring from commercial life, he returned to Paris, and here purchased the old Hanibal estate. Here he lived until his death, March 12, 1876, caused by an acci- dent, in which he was run over by cars, and lost both his legs. He was held in high esti- mation as an honorable, straightforward busi- ness man and a loyal citizen. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of the Congregational church, toward the support of which he was a generous contributor. His connection with fraternal organizations was
limited to membership in the Order of Odd Fellows. His wife, Ellen, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Trowbridge) Eaton, was born July 1, 1820, in Portland, where the marriage was performed November 2, 1843. They became the parents of ten children, two of whom are now living, namely: Edwin A., born in Portland, now a real estate dealer in Dedham, Mass. ; and James L., the subject of this sketch.
James L. Chase was educated in the schools of Portland and Paris Hill. Since his early manhood he has devoted his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. In addition to other prop- erty he has a fine farm of sixty acres, beauti- fully located, and commanding an excellent view of the White Mountains. He carries on general farming, hay and apples being his principal crops, and is somewhat engaged in dairying, keeping from ten to twelve head of full-blooded Jerseys. His house is a popular resort for boarders from the city during the summer season. Each year the applications to him for rooms far exceed the number of guests that he can accommodate. He enter- tains his boarders in a most genial and gener- ous manner, making the house so pleasant for them that all are glad to come again. One family has spent fifteen consecutive summers with him.
Mr. Chase was married January 17, 1883, to Anna P. Rawson, a daughter of Job H. and the late Mary E. (Garland) Rawson. Mr. Rawson, born in Paris, September 30, 1833, was for thirty years the proprietor of the stage line running to South Paris, and was for many years in a mercantile business. He is now living in the village of Paris, where he is ac- tively engaged as a veterinary surgeon, and in preparing the medicines, ointments, etc., used in connection with his business. Mrs. Rawson, who died in Paris, January 5, 1887, was born April 8, 1829, in Byron, this county. They had five other children; namely, Samuel H., Fanny, Nellie H., Charles, and Hiram J. After the death of his first wife Mr. Rawson married Mrs. Martha Weeks, of Paris. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion a Universalist. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have three children - William H., born March 20, 1887; Louisa E., born December 11, 1889; and
71
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Susie T., born August 7, 1890. Three others are deceased, namely : Mary E .; and two that died in infancy. Mr. Chase is an earnest supporter of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are liberal in their religious beliefs.
OHN Y. WOOD, a wealthy farmer and fruit grower in the town of Buckfield, was born August 16, 1842, in Hart- ford, this county, son of Charles and Sarah (Thurlow) Wood, respectively natives of Gorham and Hartford. His grandfather, Charles Wood, Sr., was one of the early set- tlers of Gorham, whence he afterward re- moved to Hartford, dying in the latter place at a good age. Four of Grandfather Wood's children grew to maturity, but all have now passed away. Charles Wood, Jr., the young- est son, was a good, practical farmer, and spent the active years of his life in Hartford. He died at the home of his son in Buckfield, aged eighty-six years; and his wife died aged about fifty years. They were members of the Free Will Baptist church at Federal Corners. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. They had a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. The daughters and one son are living, namely : Mary, the widow of Nathan Sampson, and now a resident of Aroostook County ; Ruth T., who married William Woodbury, and resides in Turner, Me. ; Amanda M., the widow of John S. Drake, of Auburn, Me .; and John Y., the subject of this sketch. The deceased chil- dren were: Albion, Charles V., and George H. George H. served as a soldier in the Civil War, and was accidentally killed while on his way home.
John Y. Wood, the youngest child, grew to manhood in Hartford, receiving his education in the common schools of that town. In 1864 he enlisted in the Thirty-second Maine Regi- ment, Company E, under Captain Keyes, and was in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. He served until the close of the war, receiving an lionorable discharge in July, 1865. He then returned to his native town, and up to 1879 was engaged in carrying on the old homestead
farm. On leaving there, he moved to his present farm in Buckfield, containing two hun- dred and sixty-two acres, where he is engaged in general farming, fruit growing, and dairy- ing. He has about ten acres planted with fruit, including apples, plums, and cherries ; and in his dairy he keeps from thirty to thirty- five head of full-blooded and grade Jerseys. The rich meadow lands, well filled barns and storehouses, together with the neatly kept buildings and surroundings, all give evidence of intelligent management and unstinted labor.
In October, 1865, Mr. Wood married Al- mira S. Young, who was born in Hartford, daughter of Joseph Young. Three children were born to them, as follows: George V., Herbert H., and one who died in infancy. By his second marriage, contracted with Mary Phillips, there came four children - Edwin J., Forrest P., Mary B., and May. May died at the age of eight years. In his religious views Mr. Wood is liberal. He is a Republican in politics, and has membership in Nezinscott Lodge, No. 104, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Buckfield; and in Turner Grange, of Turner, Me.
OSCOE F. STAPLES, Secretary and Treasurer of the S. E. King Com- pany, Town Treasurer and Post- master of Oxford, was born in this town, January 19, 1859, son of John G. and Sophia (Woodsum) Staples. His father, who was born in Oxford in 1818, during his active life was an energetic and industrious farmer. His mother, a native of Falmouth, Me., born in 1822, died at the age of fifty-three years. Of her nine children, Roscoe F., the subject of this sketch, is the only one living.
Roscoe F. Staples acquired his education in the district schools and at the Oxford High School. Having completed his studies in 1873, he entered the store of Silas E. King as an employee. For nearly twenty-five years he was in Mr. King's employ, rising to the post of confidential clerk, and gaining the confidence of his employer by his business ability and integrity. When the S. E. King Company was formed in 1896, he was ap-
72
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
pointed the Secretary and Treasurer of the corporation, Mr. King being made President and George L. Wilder Vice-President. The S. E. King Company, which includes among its stockholders several wholesale merchants of Auburn and Portland, conducts a large general store. Mr. Staples's long connection with the business enables him to fill his re- sponsible position with ability. The com- pany deals in merchandise of nearly every de- scription, having ample facilities for supply- ing promptly such articles as are not in their stock. The establishment is divided into de- partments, which include groceries, hardware, dry goods, farming implements, flour, grain, and feed. The purpose of the management is to supply every article necessary for domestic, agricultural, and mechanical use.
On January 27, 1879, Mr. Staples was . united in marriage to Mattie L. Everett, who was born November 30, 1858, in Casco, Me., daughter of Henry R. and Sarah E. Everett. He has one son, Everett C., who was born March 29, 1880. In public affairs Mr. Staples is very prominent. He was for one year a member of the Board of Selectmen. He is serving his fourth term as Town Clerk, his third year as Town Treasurer, and he has been Postmaster and Justice of the Peace for the past seven years. His political princi- ples are Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with the Blue Lodge at Mechanic Falls. He has also affiliation with Golden Rule Lodge, No. 73, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Lewis- ton ; Pennesseewassee Lodge, No. 18, Knights of Pythias, of Norway, Me .; and Maple Lodge, No. 180, New England Order of Pro- tection, at Welchville. In their religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Staples are Baptists.
ILLIAM I. SARGENT, a prosper- ous farmer of Madrid, Franklin County, Me., and a descendant of one of the pioneer settlers, was born in this town, June 6, 1839, son of Isaac and Hannah (Davenport) Sargent. Mr. Sargent is of Eng- lish descent. His grandfather, John Sargent, who was a native of New Hampshire, came to Maine when a young man, and lived upon the
coast for some time before coming to Madrid, where he was one of the first to take up land. He cleared a farm, and resided here until his death, which took place when he was seventy- three years old. He reared a family of four children, none of whom are living.
Isaac Sargent was a son of John Sargent. He was born in Damariscotta, Me., and came to Madrid with his parents at the age of four years. Having grown to maturity, he followed agricultural pursuits during the ac- tive period of his life, and was well and favor- ably known as an able, industrious farmer, and a worthy, upright man. He lived to be seventy-four years old. In politics he was a Democrat, but never interested himself in public affairs, beyond casting his vote. His wife, who was before marriage Hannah Daven-" port, became the mother of four children, all of whom are living in Madrid, namely: Jo- seph D .; John; William I., the subject of this sketch; and Sybil A.
William I. Sargent was educated in Madrid, and at an early age began to assist in carrying on the home farm. Eventually succeeding to its ownership, he has given his attention to the cultivation of general farm produce, in- cluding wheat and herd's grass seed, and the raising of excellent cattle and sheep. His property, which consists of one hundred and forty-three acres, is regarded as one of the best located and most productive farms in Madrid.
Mr. Sargent and his wife, Vesta Lufkin, of this town, with whom he was united in mar- riage on March 2, 1862, have reared a family of nine children, as follows: George E., born December 28, 1863, who is married and lives in Madrid; Herman O., also of Madrid, who on November 29, 1894, married Ora B. Will- iams; Charles A., who married Grace E. Davis on January 16, 1895, and resides in Fitchburg, Mass. ; Samuel J., who on Novem- ber 13, 1892, was united in marriage with Gertrude E. Monroe; Ada, wife of S. Gross, of Jay, Me. ; and Mary E., William I., Anna B., and Nettie A., all living at the parental home. In politics Mr. Sargent is a Demo- crat ; and he has rendered able service to the town as Highway Surveyor. The family at- tend the Free Will Baptist church,
73
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
George E. Sargent, oldest son of William I. Sargent, was born in Madrid, December 28, 1863. He attended school in Madrid, Phillips, and Rangeley, and, since completing his studies, has given his attention to agri- cultural pursuits at the homestead. On Sep- tember 19, 1887, he was married to Dora B. Welts, of Madrid, who has become the mother of two children, namely: Carl E., aged nine; and Harold E., aged five years. In politics he votes with the Democratic party. He has served upon the School Board four years and upon the Board of Health for three terms. He is an active and progressive farmer and one of the leading young men of Madrid.
AMUEL A. BUMPUS, an es- teemed resident and farmer of the town of Paris, was born in this place, May 2, 1828, a son of Na- thaniel and Elizabeth (Warren) Bumpus. His paternal grandfather, Morris Bumpus, was born and reared to man's estate in Taunton, Mass. After the close of the Revolution, in which Morris Bumpus was an active partici- pant, he settled in the town of Hebron, this county, becoming thereby one of its earliest pioneers. The district was then in its origi- nal wildness. Game of all kinds was abund- ant, and the Indians far outnumbered the white settlers. The nearest market and mill were thirty miles distant. In going to the latter, the round trip was made on foot by a trail marked by blazed trees; and the grist was carried on the back. Grandfather Bumpus cleared a good farm from the wilderness, and lived here until his death, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, Huldah, attained the same venerable age. They had nine chil- dren, seven of whom reached maturity ; namely - Morris, Nathaniel, Samuel, Jesse, Daniel, Martha, and Eliza.
Nathaniel Bumpus was the second son born to his parents. He learned the blacksmith's trade when a young man, and afterward fo]- lowed it in conjunction with farming. Re- moving from Hebron, the place of his nativ- ity, to Paris, he settled in the south-eastern part of the town, and purchased a farm, which he managed successfully for many years.
Here both he and his wife died, in the eighty- sixth year of their respective ages. He was a Democrat in politics and in religion a sin- cere Universalist. His wife, who was a na- tive of Buckfield, Me., bore him nine chil- dren, of whom six are dead; namely, Morris, Axel, Ethel W., N. Greenleaf, John, and Jane. The survivors are: Phoebe, the widow of Orra Hall, of South Paris; Huldah, the wife of Erastus Cummings, of West Paris; and Samuel A., the subject of this sketch.
Samuel A. Bumpus was educated in the common schools of Paris and at the Hebron Academy. At the age of twenty years he went to Massachusetts, where he spent the succeeding five years in a woollen-mill. During the next six years he was engaged in the same occupation at South Paris. In all he was employed eleven years in the mills, having served for eight years of the time in the capacity of foreman. By economical man- agement he saved much of his earnings, and in 1859 he bought the farm where he now resides. His first purchase of one hundred and forty acres of land has been increased to two hundred acres, and has been much en- hanced in value by improvements. He pays especial attention to fruit growing. his vines and orchards yielding a large supply of fruits that grow in this northern climate. His taste for this branch of industry may have been inherited from his grandfather, who planted on his wild land in Hebron the first orchard seen in that town. Mr. Bumpus is a member of the Paris Lodge, No. 44, Patrons of Husbandry. In politics he is not a party man, but votes for the best men and measures. Both he and his wife are Universalists.
Mr. Bumpus was married November 16, 1854, to Julia A. Harriman, who was born January 18, 1834, in Litchfield, Me Her father, Levi Harriman, after spending his entire life in Litchfield on the farm where he was born, died January 21, 1855, aged sixty- one years. He was one of the most respected farmers of the place and an active member of the Whig party. His wife, in maidenhood Mary Hale, who was born in Richmond, Saga- dahoc County, in 1807, and died June 16. 1882, had eight children, three of whom are now living. These are: Julia A., now Mrs.
74
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Bumpus; Mrs. Luella M. Googin, of Litch- field ; and George W. Harriman, of Brighton, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Bumpus have three chil- dren, namely : Ella E., born August 21, 1856, who is now the widow of Edgar A. Tapley, and with her two children -- Herbert W. and Edgar A. - lives at Quincy, Mass. ; George F., born February 11, 1858, who was married December 29, 1885, to Georgia Stewart, and now lives in Brighton, Mass. ; and Carrie L., born March 25, 1867, who lives with her parents.
EORGE BERRY, who has spent his long and useful life of nearly four- score years in the town of Paris, has been actively identified with the agricultural interests of Oxford County, and has materially assisted in maintaining its reputation as a superior farming region. He was born May 25, 1818, in the town where he now resides, son of William and Deborah (Drake) Berry.
William Berry was born April 16, 1783, and, when a young man, settled in Paris, Me., coming here when the country was new, find- ing his way by means of marked trees. With the energy and vigor of the true pioneer he felled the trees from a portion of the timbered land that he bought, uprooted the sod, and was thereafter successfully employed in till- ing the soil, living here until his death, March 1, 1848. Deborah Drake was born January 30, 1786, and died in Paris, Decem- ber 6, 1857. Both she and her husband were Baptists in religion; and in politics he was at first a Democrat, but in his later years he affiliated with the Republicans. They had the following children : Stillman, Harvey, Mary, George, Sarah, William, Olive, Elveci, and Zeri. Mary, George, and Zeri are the only ones now living.
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.