USA > Maine > Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the state of Maine > Part 50
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Mr. Pingree was married on December 19, 1855, to Martha Bearee, of Oldtown, daughter
of Samuel R. and Betsy (Lowell) Bearce. She was born on March 9, 1832, and died on June 29. 1900. The following is a brief record of Mr. Pingree's five children: Samuel R. B., born in Lewiston, November 2, 1856, married Sarah Jones, daughter of Jeremiah P. Jones, of George- town, and has five children-Elizabeth, Haroldi. Helen. Mellen, and Arthur; William H. L .. who was born in Lewiston, November 26, 1858, and died January 1, 1891, married Margaret O'Brien. and had five children-Martha L., Clara Bearce. Thomas C., Margaret, and Mary; Mellen A .. born in Lewiston, March 9. 1861, married Jennie Davis, and has three children-Ransom, Annie. and Marion: Ransom C., born in Lewiston. April 1, 1864, died August 8, 1865; Charles D., born in Lewiston, February 13, 1872, died April 5. 1877.
IRNEST JESSE GILMAN, of Mt. Vernon. president of the Kennebec County Agri- cultural Society, was born July 15. 1867, in the adjoining town of Vienna. In 1883, a youth of sixteen, he came to Mt. Vernon with his grandfather, Jesse Gilman, whose name forms a part of his own. Jesse Gilman died in 1896. He was well-known in his day as an old-time Democrat and a successful farmer of Vienna, which was his native place. In Mt. Vernon young Gilman finished his school- ing, and began his active career as an agricult- urist. His farm of two hundred and twenty- five acres is devoted to general farming. dairying. and the raising of Jersey and Hereford cattle. his product in each department giving evidence of scientific knowledge and commanding a good price. Mr. Gilman is now (1903) serving his second term as president of the Kennebec County Agricultural Society, of which he has been a trustee for five years. He is one of the youngest men who have served as president of that society. He is a member of Starling Grange, P. of H., at North Lafayette, and of Minnehonk Lodge, No. 131, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican. He was married January 12, 1895, to Emma Currier, a daughter of Levi P. Currier, of Chesterville, Me. He has no children.
Mr. Gilman's success has been well earned.
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having been due mainly to his own habits of industry and perseverance, backed by an intel- ligent foresight and thorough knowledge of his calling. He is one of those citizens whose character and influence make for the advantage of a community by contributing in marked degree to its prosperity and stability. His pleasing personal characteristics make him very popular with his numerous acquaintances.
C RANK EDWIN ALLEN, of Portland, son of William Allen, is a descendant in the sixth generation of Joseph Allen, who in the latter part of the seventeenth century settled in Gloucester, Mass. The line is Jo- seph,1 Samuel,2 Willian,3 William,' William,5 Frank Edwin.6
Joseph1 Allen, a blacksmith, born in 1653, . was encouraged to settle in Gloucester in 1674 by an immediate grant of land and a common right. He was frequentlyelected a Selectman and chosen on committees, and in 1705 was sent as Representative to the General Court. The title of Captain, often given to him, was probably derived from his command of a mili- tary company. He died October 6, 1724. His first wife, Rachel Griggs, whom he married July 29, 1680, died April 26, 1684. Rose How- ard, his second wife, whom he married Novem- ber 20, 1684, died October 27, 1724.
Samuel2 Allen, son of Joseph and Rose, was born Mareh 9, 1701, always lived in Glouces- ter, and was known as an "honest man," the noblest work of God. He married Rachel Day, January 11, 1726.
William3 Allen, son of Samuel and Rachel, was born in Gloucester in 1744, and died July 25, 1814. He was a sea captain. He married December 23, 1767, Experience Bennett, who was born in 1743, and who died in July, 1829.
William' Allen, born January 23, 1773, died September 6, 1815. He married, first, Mary Kinsman, who died at Gloucester, Mass., Au- gust 27, 1806-7, after bearing him two sons: William, who is next in the line of descent under present consideration; and Nathaniel Kinsman, born in 1804, who died in 1875. By his second marriage, to Mrs. Sarah Foster, William' had two children: Sarah, who died
in 1831; and Nancy D., who married Joseph Clough. Nathaniel Kinsman Allen married Martha Potter, who died in 1855, at the age of forty-nine years. He was the father of four children. Mary Potter Allen, born October 21, 1837, is the only child of Nathaniel K. Allen now living.
William3 Allen, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Gloucester, Mass., October 16, 1801. While a mere boy he went out as drummer in Captain Tucker's company in the War of 1812-1814, his widow, now living. re- ceiving a pension. In March, 1834, he removed to Portland, Me., where he spent his last days. during his active industrial period following there his trade of baker and confectioner. His wife, in maidenhood Harriet Stacy, was a daugh- ter of Samuel and Harriet (Vinton) Stacy. Their children were as follows: Harriet Mel- vin, born October 7, 1828, who died unmarried May 19, 1899; Mary Kinsman, born November 13, 1830, who died April 13, 1901: Williani. born July 26, 1832, who married March 4, 1856. Helen M., daughter of Joseph Paine, of Port- land, and sister to Professor John K. Paine. of Cambridge, Mass., and who has one child living, Alice, wife of Dr. Bowers; Charles Henry. born November 30, 1834, who died unmarried October 8, 1861; Helen Rebecca, born October 28, 1839, who died unmarried September 22. 1861; Frank Edwin, born June 6, 1842, whose name begins this article: and Frederick Eugene. born December 11, 1845, who married Harriet Collins Blanchard, July 30, 1892.
Frank Edwin Allen's cary life after leaving school was passed as a clerk in Portland. He enlisted, October, 1862, in the Twenty-fifth Maine Regiment, and served under Colonel Francis Fessenden for nine months. Sub- sequently he entered into mercantile business for himself, and, on the organization of the Union Safe Deposit and Trust Company in 1894, he became its treasurer, which posi- tion he still holds. He was married October 28, 1868, to Elizabeth Coburn, born December 9, 1845, daughter of John S. and Sarah (Cum- inings) Cushing. Of this union there are three children: John Cushing, born June IS, 1871: Elizabeth Cushing, born June 18, 1874: and Marjorie, who married Harry K. Clarke, of
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Boston, September 16, 1903, born April 18, 1878.
Mrs. Allen is a descendant of Daniel Cushing, of Hingham, who married Lydia Gilman, June 19, 1645 (see History of Hingham, Mass.), the line of descent being as follows: Matthew Cush- ing, son of Daniel, above mentioned, married Jael Jacob, a daughter of Captain John Jacob, December 3, 1684. Samuel, born February 14, 1699, son of Matthew and Jael, married Hannah Tileston. They were the parents of Timothy, born in Cohasset, Mass., who was both a carpenter and farmer, and who married in 1765 Bessie Jenkins. Caleb, born April 2, 1777, son of Timothy, resided in Brunswick, Me .; died April 14, 1838. He married Novem- ber 19, 1801, Mary Dumming, daughter of John Dumming, of Brunswick, Me. Their son, John S. Cushing, father of Mrs. Allen, was born Sep -. tember 12, 18OS; married Sarah Cummings, October 21, 1839; and died at Augusta, Me., Noveniber 6, 1891.
ERMON H. ADAMS, of Belgrade, a member of the Board of County Com- missioners of Kennebec County, is a native of Litchfield, Me. He was born August 25, 1856, son of Dr. Enoch and Mary (Case) Adams. His paternal grandfather, Enoch6 Adams, a native of Andover, Mass., was a lineal descendant in the sixth generation of Robert1 Adains, who came from England in 1635, and settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1640.
Dr. Enoch7 Adams (Enoch,6 5 Henry,4 Captain Abraham,3 Sergeant Abraham,2 Robert1), born in Andover, Oxford County, Me., in 1829, re- moved from that town to Litchfield, where he resided for many years. A graduate of Harvard Medical School in 1851, he practised medicine for. nearly half a century, and was surgeon of the Fourteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, 1861- 64. In 1SS7 he represented his district in the Legislature. His wife, Mary Case, was a native of Lubec, Me., being a daughter of William Case, of that town.
Hermon H. Adams was educated in the public schools and at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, Me. In 1876, coming to Belgrade, he took up his residence for a time on Belgrade
Hill, and four years later he settled ou his present . farm, which he has since carried on successfully. Mr. Adams has taken an active and useful part in public affairs. He was formerly Road Com- missioner of Belgrade, and for a number of years was a member of the School Committee of the town. In 1889 he represented his district in the State Legislature, being elected on the Repub- lican ticket: and in September, 1902, he was elected for a term of six years to his present posi- tion as a County Commissioner, the duties of which he assumed January 1, 1903. He is also a member of the Republican Town Committee of Belgrade. He belongs to Belgrade Grange. P. of H., and to the local lodge of the A. O. C. W.
Mr. Adams was first married, in 1876, to Hattie Taylor, daughter of the late Crowell Taylor, of Belgrade. She bore him one son, Reuel Smith Page, who is now station agent for the Maine Central Railroad at Belgrade. Mrs. Hattie Adams died in 1885, and Mr. Adams married for his second wife, in 1886, Effie M. Philbrick. daughter of the late Jonathan Philbrick, of Mount Vernon. Of this union there have been born five children, four of whom are now living. namely-Enoch H., Frank C., Mellen V., and Helen. Mr. Adams's religious affiliations are with the Society of Friends.
IRAM WYMAN, treasurer and collector of the town of Oakland, Kennebec County, is a native of New Bruns- wiek, having been born at Oak Bay in that province, July 12, 1842. His parents were William and Margaret (Young) Wyman, the father born in what is now Oakland, Me .. and the mother in Oak Bay, N.B. Mr. Wy- man's paternal grandfather, who also was named William, was born in Kennebec County, of which the family were early settlers.
William Wyman, father of Hiram, after coming of age. went to New Brunswick, where he remained for some twenty years, engaged in the lumber industry. There also he met and inarried his wife, Margaret Young, who bore him seven children. Five of them are now living, namely: Rebecca, wife of A. J. Cottrell, of Humboldt County, Cal .: Pamelia, who resides in Portland, Me .; Hiram, whose name appears
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at the head of this sketch; Margaret, who lives in Oakland; and Almeda, who is the wife of G. F. Shaw, of Portland. The two deceased are William W. and George A. William W. Wy- man met his death in the Civil War, being fatally wounded at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and dying a few days later, on June 1. His remains were interred at Baton Rouge, La. William Wyman, the father of the above-named chil- dron, returned in the spring of 1852 from New Brunswick to Oakland, Me., and for a number of years followed here the occupation of mill- wright. His life was prolonged till September, 1898, when he died in his ninety-second year. a venerable and highly respected citizen. He was a Republican in politics, and was a men- ber of the Free Will Baptist church of Oak- land from 1856 until his death. His wife died in January, 1900.
Hiram Wyman was ten years old when he came with his parents to Oakland. His edu- cation was acquired in the public schools. In August, 1863, at the age of nineteen he en- listed in Company B, Twenty-first Maine Vol- unteer Infantry; and, the regiment being or- dered to the Gulf, he participated in the siege of Port Hudson for some forty-eight days. He was discharged in September, 1864, but sub- sequently, in December, 1864, re-enlisted, this time in Company F, Battery B, Maine Artillery, and was assigned to duty at Belfast, Me., where he remained in the barracks till June, 1865. He was then ordered to Augusta, where he was mustered out in July of the same year. For some twenty-five years after the war Mr. Wyman was in the employ of the Dunn Edge Tool Company of Oakland, Me. Elected in 1896 to the offices of town Treasurer and Col- lector of Oakland, he has since been occupied in attending to the duties connected with them, which he has done to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens generally. In politics he is a Republican. For five years he has been trus- ter of the Cascade Savings Bank of Oakland. Ile is a charter member of Oakland Lodge, No. 21, A. O. U. W., and a member of Sergeant Wyman Post, No. 97, G. A. R., of Oakland, of which he has served as Commander. This post was named in honor of his brother, who was killed in the war, the latter having been
Sergeant of Company B, Twenty-first Maine Infantry.
Mr. Wyman was married June 21, 1866, to Ellen A. Frizzell, of Mercer, Me., a daughter of John and Catherine (Nelson) Frizzell. Of this union there is one child, Walter S., who is an electrical engineer in Waterville, Me. Mrs. Wyman is a member of Sergeant Wyman Woman's Relief Corps, and also of Hamilton Lodge, No. 1, of the Degree of Honor at Oak- land. She belongs to the Universalist church. Her maternal grandfather was Jacob Nelson, of Winthrop, Me.
HOMAS UPTON FRENCH, an enter- prising citizen of Mount Vernon, is a native of the Pine Tree State, having been born in Chesterville, Franklin County, April 5, 1839, son of Benjamin S. and Mary (Upton) French. His paternal grandfather, Samuel French, Sr., was an early settler in Chesterville. Samuel French, Jr., son of Sam- uel and brother of Benjamin, held the rank of Colonel in the State militia.
Benjamin S. French was for many years a leading farmer in South Chesterville. He mar- ried in 1838 Mary Upton, daughter of Thomas Upton, of Peterboro, N.H., and his wife, Lydia Snow. Her father was a lineal descendant in the sixth generation of John Upton, who came from England in the early half of the seven- teenth century, joining the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and eventually settled in the northern part of the old town of Reading, where he died in 1699, aged about fourscore years. The children of Benjamin S. French and his wife Mary were: Thomas U., Lydia A., Emily M., Luella B., Ann Mary, and Georgia S.
Thomas Upton French was educated in the public schools of Chesterville and at Farming- ton Academy. He began farming for himself in Chesterville on attaining his majority, and followed that occupation for a time in the town of Vienna. He then returned to Chesterville, whence in 1880 he came to Mount Vernon. Here he engaged in the business of tanning, which he subsequently followed for twenty years, making a specialty of russet sheepskins. Also for a number of years he operated a grist-
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mill and engaged also in lumber business and in general farming. The two last-named occupations he still carries on. His farm at West Mount Vernon, desirably located and well tilled, presents a thriving appearance, that evidences the industry and good management of its proprietor. Mr. French takes the interest of a good citzen in town affairs. He formerly served three years as a Selectman of Chester- ville, for one year being chairman of the board. In 1902 he was elected a Selectman of Mount Vernon. This position he still holds, having fully justified the confidence of his fellow-citi- zens. In politics he is a Republican.
OHN BERNARD KEATING, British Vice- Consul at Portland, Me .. was born at Plum- stead, Kent, England, October 7. 185S, a son of Richard and Sophia Sarah (Ben- nison) Keating. The father, Richard Keating, born in Ireland. a descendant of the Norman branch of the Keating's; at the age of six- teen he joined the Honourable East India Company, and while a member of it served at St. Helena, being one of the guard of honor on the occasion of the removal of Napoleon's body in 1840. He afterwards volunteered into the Royal Artillery and in 1869 retired as captain on half pay. He died in Brighton, England, in 1877, at the age of sixty-four years.
Richard Keating married for his second wife Sophia Sarah Bennison, who was a daughter of Henry Bennison, a civil engineer. Of this union the subject of this sketch is the only child now living. By his first marriage Richard Keating had a son Richard, who leaving home, came to America and landing in New Bedford, Mass., early in the sixties joined the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, with which he went to the front and served through the Civil War. At its close he recrossed the Atlantic and settled in Scotland, where some ten years ago he received a pension from the United States government. He died from sickness contracted in the army. Another child of the first marriage, Marguerite, now resides in Brighton, England, with her step- mother.
John Bernard Keating when a child resided
for five years in Mauritius, thence accompany- ing his parents to the Cape of Good Hope, St. Helena and Gosport, the last-named place being a fortified seaport town of England, near Ports- mouth. His schooling was: finished in the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel, near the adopted home of Victor Hugo. Associated from his earliest years with the military calling, his professional predilections lay all in that direction, and after acquiring under proper instruction a competent knowledge of mili- tary science, especially of the department of engineering, he joined the Royal Engineers, with which corps he served in Canada, Gibraltar, and Bermuda. In 1SS6, on account of im- paired health, he left the army, and in 1888 entered the consular service as clerk at Boston. There after serving in different grades he was appointed Acting Vice-Consul for six months and Pro-Consul for a like period subsequently. Upon the death of Mr. Starr, former British Vice-Consul at Portland, Mr. Keating was nom- inated and appointed to succeed him, notwith- standing the fact that the appointment was zealously sought after by many home applicants of merit. As an incumbent of the office he has made himself extremely popular -- it being uni- versally admitted that he has "proved him- self to be the right man in the right place." His duties are varied, responsible, and arduous. During the year 1898 exports from this port (Portland) to Great Britain increased nearly five hundred per cent., and now Portland boasts of an all the year around trans-Atlantic steam- ship service.
In other ways also Mr. Keating has advanced the interests of Portland, added to its import- ance and the gratification of its citizens. On the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee, through his friendship and influence with British naval authorities, he secured the visit to this port of H. M. S. "Pallas," an action which enabled Portland to take a conspicuous part in the wide- spread festivities upon that occasion, thus sery- ing to emphasize the ties of friendship and con- sanguinity existing between the two great branches of the English-speaking race. The same interests were served again in 1898, when, through Mr. Keating's influence and suggestion, the Fifth Royal Scots of Montreal, one of Can-
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ada's crack regiments, visited Portland as guests of the city, the occasion being one of the most remarkable in its history-the source of gratifica- tion alike to the people of Portland and to the visitors, the latter stating that their entertain- ment there surpassed any event of a similar kind in their previous experience. That every- thing was so well planned and so perfectly carried out on this occasion was largely due to Mr. Keating's timely suggestions and hearty co-operation with the various committees hav- ing the matter in charge. He has also been chiefly instrumental in furnishing and main- taining a home for seamen of all nationalities, it being provided with cheerful recreation and reading rooms. That his efforts in this direction are appreciated by those who follow the arduous calling of a mariner is evidenced by their large attendance at the institute.
The following testimonial is well worthy of preservation in these pages. It is self-explain- ing :-
"STATE OF MAINE, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. "AUGUSTA, September 26, 1902. " MR. JOHN B. KEATING, British Vice Consul, Portland, Me .:
" My dear Mr. Keating,-I believe I voice the sentiment of every citizen of this State who has had occasion to meet you in an official way or socially when I say that you have rep- resented your government in a manner highly creditable to yourself in every way, and have shown yourself at all times worthy of the honor- able and important position which you occupy.
"To my mind you have exemplified the wisdom and rare good judgment which has always char- acterized the selection of the representatives of your government, and I trust that you will continue to hold your present position as long as you are willing to serve in this capacity.
"I feel that your courteous and gentlemanly manner and honest and straightforward man- agement of all matters intrusted to your charge have done much to promote and perpetuate the good feeling which exists here toward your nation.
"Yours very truly, " (Sd) JOHN B. HILL, "Gorernor of Maine."
Mr. Keating is a Free Mason, raised in Broad Arrow Lodge in Bermuda under the Grand Registry of England, one of the founders of the Civil and Military Lodge in Bermuda under the Grand Registry of Scotland, and an honorary life member of the latter lodge. A Royal Arch Mason under the Grand Regis- try of Ireland and an affiliated member in Mount Vernon Chapter at Portland. Became a Knight Templar in St. Alban Commandery at Portland and an honorary member of Sussex Preceptory of Knight Templars of Sherbrooke, province of Quebec.
Mr. Keating is also an honorary member of the British Naval and Military Veterans of Massachusetts and also of the United States Naval Reserves at Portland.
Mr. Keating was married in 1886 to Emily H. A. Hoare, daughter of Dr. John Buckler Hoare of Warminster, Wiltshire, England, she being also a connection of the prominent Buckler family of Baltimore, Md. Mr. and Mrs. Keating are the parents of four children- Percy Firman, Mildred Sophia, Harold John Buckler, and Charlotte Buckler-all born in Massachusetts.
SRAEL SNOW, of Rockland, the county seat of Knox County, Maine, is one of the six surviving sons of the late Captain Israel Larkin Snow of that town, and one of his father's successors in business. The family, of which he is a representative in the ninth generation, is one of the oldest in New England. Its founder, Nicholas1 Snow, came from England in the third forefathers' ship, the "Ann," which arrived at Plymouth in 1623. (The first two were the "Mayflower," 1620, and the "Fortune," 1621.)
Nicholas1 Snow married Constance Hopkins, who came with her father, Stephen Hopkins, and his second wife in the "Mayflower" in 1620. In 1645 Nicholas Snow removed from Plymouth to Nauset, now Eastham, on Cape Cod. John," born about the year 1638, son of Nicholas, married Mary, daughter of John and Ann (Walden) Smalley, of Barnstable. Isaac," born in 1683, the sixth of the nine children of John2 Snow and his wife Mary, served as Select-
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man of Eastham in 1709. His son Isaac+ mar- ried in Truro, Mass., July 3, 1733, Apphia At- wood, and lived in Eastham till after 1736, but spent the greater part of his mature life in Maine, residing successively in Harpswell, Brunswick, and South Thomaston. Mrs. Charles Alden, genealogist, to whom we are indebted for this account of Isaac+ Snow, some tinie of Eastham, identifies him with Deacon Isaac Snow who died at St. George, Knox County, Me., in 1799, aged eighty-five years, and was buried at Wiley's Corner, St. George.
The Rev. Elisha" Snow, born in Brunswick. Me., March 26, 1739 (O. S.), third child of Deacon Isaac,4 married in December, 1759, Betsy Jordan. For many years he was pastor of the Baptist church in South Thomaston. He died there January 30, 1832, in the ninety- third year of his age. Captain Robert" Snow, son of the Rev. Elisha,5 born March 14, 1762, married Susan Mingerson, and settled at St. George, Me. He died February 17, 1803.
Captain Israel Snow, next in the line now being traced, son of Captain Robert and his wife Susan, was born at St. George, May 31, 1801. He married August 7, 1824, Lucy W. Thorndike. She was born on the Island of Metinic, Me., September 11, 1803, daughter of Benjamin" and Priscilla (Woodbury) Thorndike. Her father, born May 4, 1759, was son of Ebenezer and Lydia (Herrick) Thorndike, who resided suc- cessively at Cape Elizabeth, South Thomaston, Metinic Island, and St. George. Ebenezer Thorndike, born July 9, 1719, died February 4, 1819, in his hundredth year, at Thorndike Point, and is buried in the old graveyard at that place. Ebenezer was a descendant in the fifth generation of John1 Thorndike, one of the early settlers of Ipswich, Mass., the line con- tinuing through his son Paul,2 born about 1642; John,3 born in Beverly, Mass., in 1675; and Robert,4 born in Beverly in 1697.
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