USA > Maine > Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the state of Maine > Part 53
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Charles Lemuel Holbrook was educated in the district school nearest his boyhood's home in Starks, the Skowhegan High School, and Westbrook Seminary, at Deering, near Port- land, Me. On April 26, 1861, under President Lincoln's first call for seventy-five thousand men for three months, he enlisted in the Port- land Light Infantry, First Maine Volunteers. A youth of nineteen. he served his time and received an honorable discharge. For about eighteen winter terms in his early manhood he taught school, mostly in Somerset County. His energies, however, from the time he began active life have been mainly directed to farm- ing and gardening. He owns a farm of two
hundred acres. Besides raising the ordinary field crops and engaging in other agricultural pursuits, for upward of forty years he has made a specialty of strawberry culture, and with good results, his well-tilled plots set apart for the purpose yielding in propitious seasons abundantly, his plants comprising two choice varieties.
Mr. Holbrook, like his father, is a Republi- can in politics. He has served the town of Starks for three years as a Selectman and for a number of years as a member of the school board, and in 1889 he represented Starks, Anson. and New Portland in the lower house of the State Legislature. He is a member of Soner- set Grange, P. of H., of Norridgewock.
He was united in marriage August 6. 1564. with Eliza F. Fowler, daughter of the late Charles Fowler, of Skowhegan, her native place. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook, and four are now living, namely: Linwood M. Holbrook; Emma M., wife of M. J. Haines, of Madison, Me .; Addie J., wife of Hu- bert J. Herrick, of Waterville, Me .; and Enid B., who is at home with her parents.
OHN ABBOTT, whose death occurred in Clinton on March 8, 1891, had resiled in the town for twenty-four years. hay- ing settled here in 1867. He was a well-known agriculturist and prominent citi- zen. Born in Freedom, Waldo County. Me .. May 6, 1826, he was nearly sixty-five years old when he died. His parents were Reuben and Thankful (Glidden) Abbott, of Freedom. in which town the father, Reuben Abbott. settled when a young man.
John Abbott in his boyhood attended school in his native town of Freedom, and on the pa- rental homestead he acquired a knowledge of agricultural work and methods. On August 7, 1854, he married Margaret L. Fish, of Free- dom, a daughter of Eli and Sylvia (Barlow Fish, her father being a native of Jefferson. Me., and her mother, of Freedom. After Li- marriage Mr. Abbott continued for a number of years to reside in Freedom, but subsequently removed to Monroe, Waldo County. Thene- in 1867 he came to Clinton, where he made his
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home for the rest of his life. Successful as an agriculturist and lumberman, he was a man of high personal worth, a good husband and father, and a loyal citizen, whose vote and in- fluence were ever cast in behalf of the right as he saw it. His judgment in business matters was good. Broad-minded and charitable, he was respected by all who knew hint. In politics he was a Republican. Mrs. Abbott, who sur- vives her husband, resides on the homestead in Clinton. She is connected with the Free Will Baptist church, and is an esteemed and honored member of the community. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, namely: Nathan Goodwin Abbott, who resides in Clinton; Sylvia Angie, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Ervina F., wife of Frank McKenney, of Clinton; and Rosa M., wife of Fayette H. Church, of Clinton.
EORGE TYLER BENSON, a repre- sentative Kennebec County agricult- urist, residing in Oakland, was born in Sharon, Mass., April 17, 1841, a son of Russell C. and Abigail S. (Dunbar) Benson. His paternal grandfather was Stephen Benson, of Buckfield, Me. Russell C. Benson, who was born in Poland, Me., came with his family to West Waterville, now Oakland, early in the forties, travelling by rail to Concord, N.H., and thenee by stage to West Waterville. A blacksmith and mechanic, he engaged in car- riage ironing and the manufacture of edge tools, which line of industry he continued to follow here for thirty years. For a number of years he was a Deacon in the Baptist church, and he was universally respected as a substan- tial, loyal citizen of well-regulated life and con- duet. He died in 1886. His wife Abigail was a daughter of Amasa and Nabby (Pond) Dun- bar, of Sharon, Mass. They had eight chil- dren, of whom there are six now living, namely: Adelaide, widow of Ephraim Sawyer, late of Somerville, Mass .; George T., the subject of this sketch: Herbert A., who is a resident of Oakland; Martha W., wife of Frank Sawtelle, of Fryeburg, Me .: Edward C., of Oakland, Me .: Cora L., wife of Charles H. Benjamin, professor of mechanical engineering in the Case
School of Applied Science at Cleveland, Ohio. The two deceased are: Sarah J., who died at the age of twenty-four; and John R., who died at the age of twelve years.
George T. Benson was reared in West Water- ville (now Oakland), acquiring his education in the public schools of the town. When a young man he learned the trade of carriage ironing, which he followed until the breaking out of the Civil War. - About two weeks after the surrender of Fort Sumter, or on April 30. 1861, he enlisted in the Union army as a ; ri- vate in Company G, Third Maine Volunteer Infantry. His regiment, commanded by Colonei (afterward General) Oliver O. Howard. was assigned to the Army of the Potomac: and his active service included participation in the first battle of Bull Run, the battle of Williams- burg, the Seven Days' Fight near Richmond. the battles of Malvern Hill, second Bull Run. and Chantilly, besides other less important engagements. Honorably discharged Decem- ber 7, 1862, owing to physical disability. he returned to West Waterville an invalid, and did not recover his health for the next four years. As soon as he was able to work. he resumned the business of carriage ironing, which he followed for several years. He then en- tered the employ of the Maine Central Rail- road in their shops at Waterville, where he worked for two years. Afterwards removing to West Waterville, he resumed the carriage business in that town. Appointed postmaster of West Waterville by President Garfield. Le held the office for six years, during which tin .- its name, and also that of the town. Was changed to Oakland. On finishing his term of service as postmaster he again engaged in business in Oakland. Subsequently he re- sided for a year in Waterville, and during this time conducted a class in carpentry at "Good Will Farm," East Fairfield, Me. In the spring of 1898 he settled on his present farm in Oak- land, where he has since carried on agriculture successfully.
Mr. Benson was married December 16, 1569. to Susan E. Pollard, who was born in Winslow. Me., a daughter of William and Ora (Spaulding Pollard. Her father was a native of Bloon .- field, Me., and her mother of Winslow. Mr.
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and Mrs. Benson are the parents of two chil- dren: Nellie Shaw, wife of Herbert L. Wilbur, A.M., a teacher of Easton, Mass .; and Louise May, who is a stenographer in New York City. Mrs. Wilbur is the mother of one child, Herbert Hudson, born January 22, 1901.
Mr. Benson is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Messalonskee Lodge, No. 113, F. & A. M., at Oakland, of which he was three times Master, and to Sergeant Wyman Post, G. A. R., No. 97, of Oakland, which he has served as Commander.
OSES M. JONES, formerly a promi- nent resident of Madison, Somer- set County, Me., was born in this town, October 22, 1821, son of James and Sarah (Gray) Jones. Both his par- ents were natives of the Pine Tree State. The father, James Jones, was in his day a well-known citizen of Madison, a farmer, and. proprietor of a blacksmith's shop and public house.
Moses M. Jones grew to manhood in Madison. Though he received but a limited schooling, he in time largely made up for his early lack of book learning by self-application, and was considered to be well informed upon general topics. Influential in town affairs, he served as Selectman for three years. In politics he was a steadfast Republican, having previously belonged to the Whig party. His regular occu- pation was agriculture, to which he gave that thorough attention that brought him success and marked him as one of the able and forceful men of the town. It was said of him by his- fellow-townsmen that his word was as good as his bond. His death, which took place De- cember 7, 1896, deprived Madison of a useful and esteemed citizen, whose loss was univer- sally regretted.
Mr. Jones was married first, November 1, 1849, to Eliza J. Holway, of Madison, Me. She bore him two children: George E., who is now a resident of Madison; and Jennie E., wife of Thomas Patterson, of Madison. After the death of his first wife, which occurred September 10, 1856, Mr. Jones married secondly, October 7, 1857, her sister, Mary Holway, who was born in Madison, June 22, 1830, daughter of Zaccheus
and Azuba (Jones) Holway. Her father was a native of Cape Cod, and her mother of Fair- field, Me. Of this union were born two children, Wallace E. and Lottie M., the latter now de- ceased.
AMES OVERLOCK, a venerable and re- spected citizen of Thomaston, Me., is a native of Waldoboro, having been born in that town, November 16, 1813. dur- ing the second war with England. His parents were Jacob and Jane (Nash) Overlock, both natives of Waldoboro, Me. Jacob Overlock was a son of Henry Overlock, of Waldoboro, who was of German extraction.
When James Overlock was about four years old, he accompanied his parents from Waldo- boro to Nobleboro, Me. Here he was reared to man's estate, acquiring his education in the public schools. At the age of twenty he left the parental roof and returned to Waldoboro, where he learned the trades of ship joiner and house carpenter, serving an apprenticeship of two years and then working at his trades as a journeyman. In 1836 he came to Thomaston, where he has since resided. For several years he followed the trade of house carpenter, after- ward developing into a contractor and builder on his own account, also taking contract work as a ship joiner. He likewise engaged in the lumber business, and became interested in shipping, owning at the present time shares in different vessels. He has had a successful business career, the result of his own energy and persevering enterprise, and is still engaged in the lumber business in Thomaston, being associated therein with his son, Hollis M.
He was married on Christmas Day, 1840, to Phoebe P. Jones, of Warren, Me., who bore him four children. Of these three are deceased, the only one now living being Hollis M., men- tioned above. Hollis M. Overlock was born January 2, 1849. He married, first, Mary A. Watts, by whom he has one son, Fred J. Over- lock. He married, secondly, Flora E. Watts. Mr. Overlock the elder is a member of the Baptist church in Thomaston. In polities he is a Republican. His wife, Mrs. Phobe Jones Overlock, departed this life June 12, 1879.
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ILLIAM PARIS BLAKE, one of the best known and most highly respected among the native resi- dents of Oakland, was born June 13, 1825, a son of William and Martha (Wheeler) Blake. His father was a native of what is now Bel- grade, Me., and his mother of Concord, Mass. His paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Blake, was a soldier of the War of 1812.
of the Maine House of Representatives; C. Jesse, a resident of Oakland; William A., also of Oakland; Martha E., wife of Denerson A. Blaisdell, of Oakland; Glenni P., of Oakland: and Thaddeus L., who resides in South Brain- tree, Mass. Those deceased are Carrie E. and Alice A. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, and. though not rich as wealth is now reckoned, are spending their latter years in a comfortable independence. the result of a life of prudent industry and economy. That they may long continue among the residents of Oakland is the general wish of their fellow-townsmen.
The subject of this sketch, owing to the death of his father, was practically thrown upon his own resources when fifteen years old. For three years he and his brother Albion carried on the parental farm. Then William entered the employ of Hale & Stevens, scythe manufacturers of West Waterville (now Oakland), for whom he worked for one year. AMES E. STEWART, a former well- known citizen of Clinton, Kennebec County, died at his home in this town in 1896. He was born in Clinton, Me., February 6, 1848, son of Aaron and Olive D. (Richardson) Stewart. Both his parents were natives of this town, the father, Aaron Stewart, being a son of Abram Stewart, who settled in Clinton at an early day. Aaron Stewart died November 9, 1882. The name Stewart would argue for the family a Scottish origin, and it is not impossible that the branch to which the subject of this sketch belongs may be an off- shoot of the famous royal family of that name which furnished sovereigns to both the Scottish and English thrones. Afterward he spent a short time in Rhode Island. Later returning to Maine, he took up his residence for a short time in North Wayne, but in 1853 re-entered the employ of Hale & Stevens, of West Waterville, with whom he remained until the early years of the next clecade. He then formed a partnership with John U. Hubbard and others, under the style of the Hubbard-Blake Manufacturing Com- pany, as seythe manufacturers of West Water- ville; and the firm carried on a successful busi- ness until they sold out to the American Axe & Tool Company a few years ago. Mr. Blake is a director in the Messalonskee National Bank of Oakland, which he served as vice- president for some years. For a number of Olive D. Richardson, wife of Aaron Stewart, has long survived her husband, being still a resident of Clinton and now (1903) in her eighty- second year. She is highly respected as one of those few remaining women of advanced years whose presence serves to bind with living links the present days to the days of the old pioneers, now famed in song and story. Her parents were Samuel and Rachel (Fly) Rich- ardson. Her grandfather Richardson, also named Samuel, was a native of Billerica. Mass .. his birth date, as stated in the History of that town, being 1767. He removed to Maine after his marriage, and was living in Clinton in 1815. He was lineally descended from Thomas' Rich- ardson, one of the founders of Woburn, Mass. years also he has been successfully engaged in farming. In politics a Republican, he served as Selectman of Oakland for eight years, during which period he showed him- self a capable and useful town official. He belongs to Messalonskee Lodge, F. & A. M., of Oakland. He was married, July 4, 1850, to Anguilla Hubbard, a daughter of Guy T. and Martha (Hubbard) Hubbard, her parents being natives of Maine. Mrs. Blake's father, Guy T. Hubbard, in early manhood was a sea-captain and resided in West Waterville (Oakland) Me., for a minber of years, his death oceurring here. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have been the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living, namely: Frederick James E. Stewart was brought up and edu- E., now a resident of Sidney, and a member feated in the town of Clinton, attending the
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public schools as opportunity was afforded. Beginning industrial life at an early age, he made agriculture his regular occupation, and gained a place among the prosperous and sub- stantial farmers of Clinton. Active in town affairs, he served on the Board of Selectmen, and was for nine years Master of Clinton Grange, P. of H. His loss was keenly felt in the com- munity of which he had been for so many years a leading citizen.
Mr. Stewart married August 26, 1871, Oc- tavia Farrington, who was born in Burnham, Me., daughter of Jesse and Lucy (Ames) Far- rington. Of this union there were two chil- dren : Ervin F., now a resident of Canaan, Me .: and Lottie M., wife of Marcellus Cain, of Clin- ton, who has a daughter named Olive. Mrs. Stewart resides on the homestead whereon she spent so many happy .years of married life. The farm, which comprises three hundred acres, is one of the best in the town, and was brought to its present high state of productiveness by Mr. Stewart's wise management and long- continued industry. Mr. Stewart was a Demo- crat in politics.
SCAR E. W. HINCKLEY, a native resi- dent of Oldtown, Penobscot County, Me., son of Vespasian and Ruth (Ward- well) Hinckley, was born on April 22, 1843. His father was a native of Blue Hill, Han- cock County. Me., and his mother of Penobseot, Hancock County.
The family to which he belongs was settled in Maine prior to the Revolutionary War. One of its progenitors, a direct ancestor of the sub- ject of this sketch, was a resident of Blue Hill Neck, and died on Long Island in March, 1776. Vespasian Hinckley, coming to Oldtown in 1831, engaged in the lumber business, which he con- tinued until 1846, when he was killed, at the age of forty-seven, while working in the woods, by a falling limb of a tree. His children were: Frances A., now the widow of A. O. Brown, a prominent citizen of Oldtown; Ira W .; Adeline M., widow of Captain S. J. Oakes: Marsharoline, who died in infancy: and Oscar E. W. Mrs. Ruth Hinckley survived her husband until June 7, 1890, when she died at the age of eighty-two years.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Oldtown, and began in- dustrial life as a lumberman, working in the woods and on the river until the breaking out of the Civil War. On April 30, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Maine Infantry, with which he served subsequently until August 15, 1864. He was with his company first at Chain Bridge, Maryland, July 18, 1861. In September follow- ing they were sent to Virginia, and helped to build Fort Ethan Allen, afterward going into winter campat Lewinsville, Va. In March, 1862, they were sent to Bull Run, but the rebels had retreated before their arrival. Ordered next to Fortress Monroe, they arrived there March 25, a day or two too late to witness the fight in Hampton Roads between the "Monitor" and the "Merrimac." In a few days they left for Newport News, and later took part in the siege of Yorktown. On May 5 they participated in the battle of Williamsburg, following the rebels to within four miles of Richmond, then through the Seven Days' Fight, retreating from Rich- mond to Harrison's Landing, where they camped for a month. Then they went to Alexandria, Va., and from there to re-en- force General Pope at the second battle of Bull Run, where they arrived just in time to cover the retreat from that field. Crossing the Potomac River, they went into the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. Here Mr. Hinckley was wounded in the head by a shell, and was sent to Hestonville Hospital, at Phila- delphia, Pa. Receiving a furlough of thirty days, he came home to rest and recuperate. In December, 1862, he rejoined his regiment at Falmouth, Va., and soon after took part in the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg, after which the regiment went into winter camp at Aquia Creek. On May 3, 1863, they charged and aided in capturing the heights of Fredericksburg, and then marched to Salem Church. then retreated. Then they went into camp at White Oak Church, and remained there until they pushed forward to Brandy Station and to Gettysburg, which fight they entered on the 2d of July. On the 5th they pursued the retreating Confederates, following them to Rappahannock Station, where a savage fight took place on the 7th of November. Then they went to Loeust Grove, returning to Brandy
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Station to camp for the winter. In the spring of 1864 they moved forward under Grant. Henceforth there were to be no retreats. At Laurel Hill, near Spottsylvania, after fighting through the Wilderness, Mr. Hinckley was again severely wounded on May 10, and sent to Findley Hospital at Washington, whence he was subse- quently transferred to the hospital at Augusta, Me. On August 15, 1864, he reported at Port- land, Me., and was mustered out with the regi- ment. In December of the same year he was appointed Assistant Forage Master at Camp Distribution, Alexandria, Va., and later was appointed watchman over government stores at Washington, D.C.
In April, 1865, Mr. Hinckley returned to Old- town and engaged in driving logs, in which occu- pation he continued until 1868. He then on- gaged in the teaming and express business. On December 22, 1881, he was appointed railway mail clerk on the run between Bangor and Bos- ton, a position that he held until April. 1SS6. In November, 18SS, he was appointed watchman in the State treasurer's department at Augusta, and on April 5, 1889, was reinstated in the mail service, on the run between Bangor and Vance- boro, Me. (Maine Central Railroad). This po- sition he still retains. In 1898 Mr. Hinckley was hurt in the railroad accident at Orono, being laid up subsequently for one year.
In 1871 he joined an independent military company in Oldtown, which was later merged into the National Guard. With it Mr. Hinckley served successively as private, Sergeant, First Sergeant, First Lieutenant, and Captain of Com- pany K, resigning July 9, 1879. A Republican in politics, he has done good local work for his party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and S. J. Oakes Post, No. 121, G.A. R.
Mr. Hinckley married on April 7, 1867, Sarah C., daughter of Wellnan Bosworth. Her father, who came to Oldtown in 1832, was a prominent contractor and house builder and large land- owner of the town. Five children, namely, Charles O., Grace A., Ira W., Albert B., and Frances A., zhave been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley; and two, Albert B. and Frances A., are now living.
The following is a list of the battles in which Mr. Hinckley took part during the Civil War: Lee's Mills, 1862; Williamsburg, 1862; Garnett's Hill. 1862; Golden Farm, 1862: Savage Station, 1862: White Oak Swamp, 1862: Antietam. 1862: Fredericksburg first, 1862. and second, 1863: Banksford, 1863: Brandy Station, 1863: Gettys- burg. 1863: Funkstown, 1863: Rappahannock Station, 1863: Locust Grove, 1863: Wilderness. 1864: Spottsylvania Court House, 1864.
OHN RENIER, of Madison, Somerset County, is an American citizen of for- eign birth, who has thoroughly iden- tified himself with American ideas and institutions, and who, almost immediately after coming to this country, proved his lovahy to the flag of his adoption on the battlefields of the South in the great Civil War. He was born in Antwerp, Belgium, April 4, 1845, a son of John and Victoria (Vroome) Renier. Both his parents were natives of Belgium. He resided in his native land until 1859, in which year he went to sea, shipping on board a vessel in the American marine service, in which he subse- quently continued for several years, making voyages between American and European ports. In January, 1864, finding himself in Madison, Me., he enlisted in Company H, First Maine Volunteer Cavalry, as a private, and soon after with his regiment joined the Army of the Potomac. Under Sheridan he took part in the Shenandoah campaign, being concerned in vari- ous skirmishes and fighting at Winchester and Five Forks. In the last-named battle he was wounded, a musket ball passing entirely through his body, as the result of which his right leg was permanently paralyzed. He spent the next six or seven months-from April 1 to Oc- tober 21-in different hospitals, on the date last named receiving an honorable discharge from the service. Then returning to Madison, Me., he engaged here in mereantile business, which, with the exception of four years, dur- ing which he served as Postmaster of Madison, he has since carried on, being the head of the well-known firm of John Renier & Son. Ho has not, however, been exclusively occupied in trade, as for a number of years he has carried
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on agriculture and dairying, also having a fine two-hundred-acre farm and an extensive orchard of one thousand fruit trees. Industrious and thrifty, he has had a successful career, and is now numbered among the substantial and prosperous citizens of Madison. In politics Mr. Renier is a Socialist, and was one of the first adherents of that political faith in Som- erset County, as he is now one of its leading exponents, being prominent also in the coun- cils of the party. His business ability, united with his personal integrity and genial disposition, has gained him the confidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen, among whom he is quite popular. He is a member of N. A. Weston Post, G. A. R., No. 81, of Madison, which he has served as Adjutant and Chaplain. His service as Postmaster was during President Cleveland's first administration.
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