USA > Maine > Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the state of Maine > Part 48
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Of seven sons who constituted the male portion of Ruel Wright's family, Dr. Wright , was the youngest-born, and is the only one now living. After studying preliminarily in the public schools, he attended the Hartland
and Corinna Academies, thus fitting himself for educational work; and for much of the time during the succeeding five years he was engaged in teaching school. His professional preparations, begun under Dr. John Robbins. of Norridgewock, Me., as preceptor, were con- tinued in the medical department of Bowdoin College, and completed at the Harvard Univer- sity Medical School, from which he was gradu- ated in March, 1862. His college expenses were defrayed with funds he had saved from: his earnings as a teacher.
From Mercer, Me., where he located himself immediately after graduation, he removel to Readfield in July, 1862; and, entering into the practice of his profession with the energy and enthusiasm of one fully determined to succeed! in his chosen field of usefulness, he soon made himself an indispensable addition to a some- what widely-distributed community, of which Readfield is the central point. For more than forty years Dr. Wright has practised continu- ously, giving his attention to both medicine and surgery, not only in Readfield, but driv- ing to far distant points, even in the face of severe storms and extreme cold weather. to attend the sick and the wounded. In spite of this continual exposure, which makes the life of a country practitioner a constant battle with the elements, he is still vigorous and active. attending with regularity to a large and luiera- tive practice. In 1876 he devoted some time to post-graduate study at the Harvard Medical School, obtaining much valuable knowledge from observations in the Boston hospitals. In these later years he continues to avail him- self of all the new ideas and methods in the line of scientific advancement.
Although his father, the late Ruel Wright. was an old-line Democrat, the seven sons all espoused the principles of the Republicans. and the Doctor has thus far seen no adequate resson to sever his affiliations with the party which he has supported from its infancy. In con- sequence of his arduous professional duties his active participation in political affairs has been restricted to matters relative to public education, and he is serving with ability as a member of the School Committee. He is. However, earnestly interested in all matters
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bearing upon public improvements and the business development of Readfield, acts as a notary public, ably performed the duties of local United States census enumerator in 1890, and in numerous other ways outside of his profession has made himself useful to the general community. Besides being a member and local medical examiner of Readfield Lodge, No. 30, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also of Nawoc Lodge, United Order of the Golden Cross, he is a Master Mason, belonging to Lafayette Lodge, Readfield. He is par- ticularly interested in Sunday-school work, and for a number of years has officiated as superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the Methodist Episcopal church.
On October 21, 1865, Dr. Wright married Miss Mary J. Goodwin, daughter of B. C. and Martha (Rice) Goodwin, of Conway, N.H. She became the mother of six children, three of whom are living, namely: Willis H., who completed his education at the Maine Wes- leyan Seminary, Kent's .Hill; Arthur G., a graduate of Colby University: and Charles W., M.D., a graduate of the Baltimore (Md.) Med- ical College. Willis H. Wright is now the Maine Central Railway freight agent at Oldtown, Me. Arthur G. Wright is now principal of the Mount Vernon (Me.) High School. . Charles W. Wright M.D., is identified in a professional capacity with the State Industrial School at Lancaster, Mass. Mrs. Mary Goodwin Wright died De- cember 19, 1899. Dr. Wright married Novem- ber 26, 1902, Nellie D. Fogg, of Readfield, daughter of Samuel G. and Maria (Prescott) Fogg.
To HOMAS S. GOLDER, a well-known resident of Rome, Kennebec County, for several years one of the Selectmen of the town, is a native of Augusta. His parents were David and Elizabeth R. (Stone) Golder, his father born in Lewiston, Me., and his mother in Bridgton, Me. His paternal grandfather was William Golder, of Lewiston.
David Golder for a number of years in his early manhood was engaged in the lumber industry on the Kennebec River, having his home and his business headquarters in the
eity of Augusta. At a later period he en- gaged in the manufacture of wooden spools for cotton thread at the place then known as Belgrade Mills, Me., now called Belgrade Lakes. There he took up his abode with his family, and there he continued to dwell till his death, which occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy- two years. He was an able and successful man of business, a Republican in polities: and he served acceptably for a number of years as one of the Selectmen of Belgrade. For years he was an Elder in the Methodist Epis- copal church, and took a prominent part in church affairs. The Methodist Episcopal house of worship at Belgrade Lakes was built by him, and by him given to the society. David Golder and his wife Elizabeth had four chil- dren-Lydia S., Thomas S., Henry W., and Lydia (not living).
Thomas Stone Golder, born June 18, 1838, was educated in the public schools of Augusta and Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Kent's Hill, which he attended for a time. After leaving school he was employed for several years in the spool manufacture conducted by the Golders at Belgrade Mills. About the year 1870 he engaged in the manufacturing business for him- self, operating a mill whose product, made of wood, was the stuffing or packing material known as "excelsior." The burning of his mill in 1871 put an end to that enterprise. Some months later he went West, and carried on the manufacture of excelsior at Liberty Centre, Ohio. Returning to Maine in 1876, he settled in Rome, where he remains to this day, a useful and esteemed citizen.
He served the town several years as Select- man, during part of the time being chairman of the board, and in 18SO he represented the towns of Rome, Belgrade, and Sidney in the lower branch of the Maine Legislature. He is independent in politics, preferring to vote as his own judgment dictates, and not blindly to follow a party. He served for some years as Postmaster of Belgrade Mills.
He has been married twice, and is now liv- ing with his second wife. By his first wife, Jane C. Pray, of Rome, Me., who died in 1863. he had three children. Of these the two now living are Harry W. Golder and Mrs. Edith
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J. Burbank, both residing in Augusta, Me. Mr. Golder married in April, 1866, Mrs. Clara Washburn, widow of Martin B. Washburn, formerly of Canton, Me. Of the second mar- riage was born one child, a son, Fred O., who lives in Lewiston, Me., and is engaged in the grocery and provision business.
AMES WARREN LAWRENCE, who died at his residence in South Gardiner, his native place, May 28, 1901, was a son of James and Susan (Leighton) Law- rence, and belonged to one of South Gardiner's oldest families. His father, who was a life-long resident of that place, lived to an advanced age. His mother was a native of Mount Vernon, Me.
Born in November, 1833, James Warren Law- rence was educated in the public schools of South Gardiner and the Litchfield (Maine) Acad- emy, which he attended for some time. Hay- ing made good use of his opportunities for study, he determined to seek his fortune in the outside world. Leaving home he proceeded directly to the Pacific Coast, and, arriving in California at an early period in the excitement over the discovery of gold, worked for a while in the mines. He subsequently engaged in mercan- tile pursuits, and visited the British North-west Territory, Australia, and New Zealand. After a varied business experience of twenty years in different parts of the world, he returned to South Gardiner, where for a time he was em- ployed in the lumber manufacturing industry by the Lawrence Brothers, and later on engaged in the manufacture of slats upon his own account. He at length resumed mercantile pursuits in his native place and was a successful merchant for a number of years, or until failing health compelled him to retire from business. His business life was characterized by in- tegrity and an earnest desire to deal fairly and impartially, and in his death Soutlı Gardi- ner was called upon to mourn the loss of an upright, charitable, and public-spirited citi- zen. He at one time participated quite actively in local public affairs, serving in both branches of the city government; and his interest in the welfare of the municipality was emphatically demonstrated whenever an occasion presented
itself. He was a member of the Masonic order, and his religious affiliations were with the Con- gregational church.
On December 21, 1871, Mr. Lawrence married Miss Ellen Z. Miller, who survives him. Her father, the late Enoch Miller, who went from Greene, Me., his native town, to South Gardiner when a boy, became a prominent citizen of the place, serving with ability in the city govern- ment. Mrs. Lawrence has had two sons, namely : Howard M., who is no longer living; and George W. Lawrence, now a resident of Schenectady, N.Y. She is highly esteemed in social circles, and is a member of the Congregational church.
AMES C. ATKINS, president of the Gardiner National Bank of Gardiner, Kennebec County, was born in this town, July 19, 1825, son of Joseph C. and Lucy (Newell) Atkins. His parents were also natives of this locality, his father's birth- place being in Gardiner and his mother's in West Gardiner. The immigrant ancestor of the family, Mr. Atkins's great-grandfather, settled here on coming from England four generations ago.
Mr. Atkins in his boyhood attended the public schools of South Gardiner. While yet a youth he acquired a practical knowledge of farming and lumbering, the industries in which his father was engaged, and for several years after leaving school he was employed at lumbering on the Kennebec River. When he had arrived at the age of twenty-five he engaged in the lumber business for himself at Gardiner, subsequently carrying it on suc- cessfully for a period of over forty years. In 1851, however, he temporarily gave up the personal supervision of his business in order to go to California, which he did by way of the Isthmus of Panama, landing in San Fran- cisco. From this point he went to the mines in northern California, where he spent nearly two years in gold seeking. Though meeting with fair success, he found it not so easy to acquire a rapid fortune as most people in the East had been led to believe. A few made lucky finds, but the great majority of those engaged in the fascinating but precarious
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occupation of gold seeking did little more than clear expenses, the cost of living being several times what it was in the East. Accordingly, at the end of the period mentioned he returned home, making the journey this time by the Nicaragua route.
He has since been identified with the busi- ness interests of Gardiner, his residence being in the town of Farmingdale, which he served for two years as Selectman. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Atkins is actively interested in the welfare and progress of the community in which he lives, and in which he is universally respected as a progressive and useful citizen. Previous to holding his present position as president of the Gardiner National Bank, he served for some time as vice-president; and for a number of years he has been also a trustee of the Gardiner Savings Institution.
Mr. Atkins was married to Esther A. At- kinson, who was born in Saco, Me., daughter of Rufus and Elizabeth Atkinson. He has had four children-Lewis, Carrie, Frederick, and Robert, all of whom are now deceased. Carrie was the wife of Dr. F. M. Putnam, and at her death she left a daughter, Eleanor B. Putnam.
ISBEE B. MERRILL, druggist, of Brewer, former Mayor of the city, is now serving his third year as County Commissioner of Penobscot County, having been elected in 1900. His birthplace was the town of Dexter, in the ex- treme western part of the county of Penobscot ;. but most of his life previous to his removal to Brewer was spent in Foxcroft, Piscataquis County, about fourteen miles north of Dexter and fifty miles from Brewer.
His father, Russell L. Merrill, a native of Harmony, Me., born August 22. 1821, was a dentist, proficient in his profession, and prac- tised in Foxcroft many years of the nineteenth century, his death occurring March 26, 1884. Socially and as a citizen, he was much respected. Politically, he was a Republican.
Russell L. was the youngest of a large fani- ily of children born to his parents, John and Betsey (Dorr) Merrill. The only survivor of
his father's household is Martha, widow of Joshua Jordan. John Merrill came from New Hampshire, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Harmony, Somerset County, Me., where he cleared a farm. He also owned and operated a saw-mill.
Dr. Russell L. Merrill married November 15, 1843, Lydia Smith Hatch. She was born in Ripley, Me., April 12, 1822. daughter of Nehemiah and Rebecca (Bisbce) Hatch. Ten children were the fruit of this union, and five of them are now living, namely: Rebecca L., wife of Mellen G. Prentiss, a biographical sketch of whom appears in another page of this volume; Bisbee B., of Brewer, born Feb- ruary 11, 1850; Mary H., born in Dexter, May 26, 1852; Charles A., also born in Dexter, No- vember 29, 1855: and William H., born in Foxcroft July 19, 1868. Mary H. Merrill mar- ried, May 15, 1875, F. E. Bailey, of Dover, Me., and has one child, Carl, born July 20, 1881. in Foxcroft. Charles A. Merrill married, first, Cora Ewer. He married, secondly, Abbie Dur- ham. He has one child by his first wife- namely, Walter Russell, born November 15. 1SS1. William H. Merrill married December 24, 1891, Carrie Stone, of Brewer, and has two children: Alice S., born in Brewer. November 20, 1892; and Emily, born in Brewer, Novem- ber 2, 1899. An elder brother, Leonard R. Merrill, born March 5, 1846, enlisted during the Civil War as a private in the Thirty-first Maine Regiment, Company A, very much against his father's wishes, he being then under age, and, going to the front, was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864. His body was left on the field, with a slight cover- ing of earth; and long years after, when the field was being ploughed for planting, it was found, and identified by a New Testament in his pocket given him by his father, containing his name and home address. The owner of the land, who had the remains buried, commu- nicated with the family through the postmaster of Brewer; and, the father being dead, Bisbee Merrill, the subject of this sketch, wrote to him. A slab now marks the grave.
Bisbee B. Merrill, after completing his course of study in Foxcroft Academy, entered a drug store in Foxcroft as a clerk, and applied him-
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self to learn the business. At lengthi, desiring a change, he went to Brewer, and for four years was in the United States government employ as a clerk in the railway mail service. He resigned his position when Cleveland became President, and in 1SS6 established himself in the drug business in Brewer, opening a store in the same street where he is now, but on the opposite side. He removed to his present stand in 1900. He was a member of the first city government of Brewer, and was Mayor of that city in 1894 and 1895. He is a Re- publican in politics. In September, 1899, he was elected County Commissioner for Penob- scot County for six years, beginning January 1, 1900.
In St. Andrews Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a member, he has held various chairs. He was eligible to that of Master, but declined the nomination. He is likewise a member of Wilday Lodge, No. 103, L. O. O. F., of Brewer. Mr. Merrill and his family attend the Congregational church of Brewer. He married April 10, 1870, Elizabeth Woodbury Wyman, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Woodbury) Wyman, and a native of Fox- croft. Her maternal grandfather, James Woodbury, married Rebecca Sydleman, daugh- ter of Captain John and Esther (Stickney) Sydleman. James Woodbury, born in 1793, was son of Ebenezer Woodbury, a Revolu- tionary soldier. Captain John Sydlenian com- manded a vessel making West India voyages.
James Woodbury had six children born in Durham, Me. In 1825 he removed with his family to Dover, Me., and there two more chil- dren were born, making eight. Two of these are now living, George S. and James, Jr. George S. Woodbury married Jane Wyman, daughter of David Wyman, who was a brother of Daniel Wyman, Mrs. Merrill's father. Six children born of this union are living, namely- Webster, Sarah, Delia, Herbert, Elizabeth, and Emma.
James Woodbury, Jr., married Alice Ani Walker, a native of Garland, Me. She was a daughter of Jolin Walker, of Exeter, Me., and his wife Abigail, who was of another family of Walker. James Woodbury, Jr., and his wife, Alice A., have four children-Abbie, Frank
A., Fred Sumner, and Alice G. Abbie married E. H. Gerrish (now deceased), and has two children, Bessie W. and Christina L. Alice G. married William L. Miller, of Bangor, and has no children.
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have three children: Maud L., born in Foxcroft, March, 1872; Ralph W., born in Foxcroft, July 6, 1874; and Blanche W., born in Foxcroft, March 5, 1876. Maud L. married Fred W. Barker, son of Nelson Barker, of Brewer. Ralph W. married Josephine Hook. Blanche W. married Wilmer W. Sproul, of Bangor, Me., and has one child, Merrill F., born November 25, 1897, in Brewer.
OHN MASON, of Bangor, was born in County Down, Ireland, May 14, 1839, and was named for his father, John Mason, Sr., who lived and died in Ire- land. His paternal grandfather, William Ma- son, was born in England. For many years he was commander of a coasting vessel, and, while away on his last voyage, he and his brother, who accompanied him, were lost at sea, his vessel being wrecked. His wife, whose Christian name was Ellen, bore him three chil- dren, John being the only son and the only child to rear a family.
John Mason, Sr., was born in Ireland, and he spent the greater part of his life in County Down, attaining the age of seventy-four years. He was a trader, and dealt principally in agricult- ural products, buying directly from the farmers and selling in the home markets or shipping away. He married Nancy Kelley, a native of County Down, who lived to be eighty-three years old. They had seven children, six of whom grew to years of maturity, and four are now living, namely-Ann, John, Thomas, and Jane. Ann, residing in Ireland, married Thomas Bell, and has four living children- Nancy, Elizabeth, James, and John. Thomas, who has never left his native country, married Vida Small, and has three children-Patrick, William, and another, whose name is unknown to the writer. Jane is unmarried, and lives in Ireland.
John Mason was educated in Ireland. Emi- grating at the age of eighteen, landing in Boston
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on June 3, 1857, he came directly to Bangor, Me., the home of his uncle, Andrew Kelley. He first secured employment in a livery stable; but, not content with his position, he gave it up in a short time, and, serving an apprentice- ship with Thomas Whiton, learned the trade of a blacksmith and carriage maker. In 1875 he embarked in business for himself as a car- riage manufacturer and repairer, his establish- ment being on the corner of Franklin and York Streets. He met with signal success from the first, and continued alone until 1899, when he formed a copartnership with his son, William Samuel Mason, who now manages the business. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Mason has been connected with the fire department of Bangor. For nine years he served as captain of the Union Hose Company, and for eight years was assistant engineer. In 1894 he was ap- pointed chief engineer of the department, and, with the exception of one year, he has since held the position. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the A. O. U. W.
Mr. Mason married in 1861 Ellen Coleman, who was born in 1839 in County Derry, Ire- land, a daughter of George and Ann (McClaire) Coleman. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living, namely-William Samuel, Thomas Francis, Frank H., and Carrie Jane, all of whom were born in Bangor. William S. married Addie McGreery, and they have three children-Will- iam Francis, Annie A., and Edward. Thomas Francis married Henrietta Nealley. They have no children. Frank H. married Bertha Wiley. Carrie Jane is the wife of Frederick W. Bean. In 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Mason returned to the scenes of their childhood, visiting the north of Ireland, where many of their kinsfolk reside. They had a very pleasant trip, being away about two months.
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HARLES B. STURTEVANT, agri- culturist of Oakland, Me., was born in that town, August 12, 1842, the place then being known as West Waterville and a little later becoming a part of Waterville. (An account of his parents, Reward and Ann L. (Hesketh) Sturtevant, and of his
paternal grandfather, Lot Sturtevant, may be found in the sketch of his brother, Francis M. Sturtevant, which appears on another page of this volume.) He was reared and educated in his native town. Brought up to farming, he has since followed that occupation success- fully on his own account, being now numbered among the prosperous and substantial citizens of this part of Kennebec County. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Sturtevant married December 12, 1877, Sarah E. Nelson, who was born in Oakland, a daughter of Josiah and Mary R. (Hitchings) Nelson. Mrs. Sturtevant's father was a na- tive of Oakland. Her paternal grandfather, Jonathan Nelson, who was a native of Lexing- ton, Mass., settled in Oakland, Me., about 1807. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Hitch- ings, also born in Massachusetts, settled in Oakland at an early day, and became one of the leading citizens of the town, serving as a Selectman, and as Representative in the Maine Legislature. He also lived for some time in Waterville, and while there commanded a company in the Maine militia, whence he de- rived the title of Captain. He served in the War of 1812.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant are the parents of two children, Gertrude A. and Joseph N.
HARLES HORACE REYNOLDS, ma- chinist and inventor, was a native and lifelong resident of Lewiston. Born November 6, 182S, son of Nathan and Betsey (Briggs) Reynolds, he came of pioneer stock, being a grandson of William Reynolds, an early settler of Auburn, Me.
The birthplace of William Reynolds was North Bridgewater, Mass. He was the eldest child of Philip and Hannah (Packard) Rey- nolds and a descendant in the seventh gener- ation of Robert1 Reynolds, the immigrant progenitor of this branch of the Reynolds family in New England.
Robert Reynolds arrived in Boston with his brother John about the year 1634, and afterward settled in Watertown. His son Nathaniel,2 known as Captain Reynolds, mar-
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ried Sarah, daughter of John Dwight, of Ded- ham, and lived in Chelmsford, Mass.
Nathaniel3 Reynolds, born in 1662, son of Nathaniel? and Sarah, lived in Boston, occupy- ing the Reynolds homestead, opposite the Old South Meeting-house. Nathaniel,+ his son by his wife Ruth, married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Harris) Snell, of Bridge- water. Nathaniel and his brother Thomas,5 sons of Nathaniel' and his wife, Mary Snell, settled in Bridgewater, Mass. Philip,6 born in 1740, son of Nathaniel5 Reynolds and his first wife, Hannah Hartwell, married in 1765 Hannah Packard, daughter of William' Pack- ard, a lineal descendant of Samuel' Packard, who was one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater.
William7 Reynolds, son of Philip6 and grand- father of the late Charles Horace" Reynolds, married in. 1791, as stated in Mitchell's History of Bridgewater, Martha, daughter of Captain Zebedee+ Snell and his wife, Martha Howard.
The Snell ancestry is of special interest, going back to the "Mayflower" by different lines. Captain Zebedee' Snell was son of Deacon Zachariah3 and Abigail (Hayward) Snell and grandson of Josiah2 and Anna (Alden) Snell. Josiah2 was son of Thomas Snell, of Bridgewater, above mentioned, who was a nephew of Deacon Samuel1 Edson, one of the earliest settlers of Bridgewater.
Abigail, wife of Zachariah3 Snell, was born in 1702, being a daughter of Deacon Joseph Hay- ward by his third wife, Hannah, daughter of Experience Mitchell, who came to Plymouth in the "Ann," the third forefather ship, and inarried Jane Cook, daughter of Francis Cook, one of the "Mayflower" Pilgrims. Anna, wife of Josiah Snell, was a daughter of Zachariah? Alden, of Duxbury, and grand-daughter of John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden. (See "Gen- ealogy of Runnels and Reynolds Families," 1873; Report of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Reynolds Association, 1900; and New England Historical and Genealogical Regis- ter, vols. li. and lii.)
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