USA > Maine > Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the state of Maine > Part 55
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He was married June S, 1853, to Miss Julia Augusta Lambard Smith, daughter of the Hon. Jacob Smith and his wife, Julia A. Lambard. She was born in China, Me. Her father, born in Hallowell, Me., May 15, 1806, was a son of Jacob, Sr., and Deborah (French) Smith. Her mother, a native of Bath, Me., and daughter of Luke Lambard and his wife, Julia (Smart) Lambard, died March 28, 1840, aged thirty-five years. The mother of Mrs. Deborah French Smith (Mrs. Jameson's paternal grandmother) was before marriage Dorothy Whittier, of Boston. Her family was near kin to that of the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. The common ancestor, Thomas Whittier, came to New England in the ship "Confidence" in 1638, and in 1647 settled in Haverhill, Mass.
Mrs. Jameson and her brother, Joseph S., are the two survivors of a family of six children born to her parents. General Joseph S. Smith, born in Wiscasset, Me., November 27, 1836, married in 1866 Agnes E. Clark, of Bath, daughter of Freeman Clark and his wife, Nancy Elizabeth Stevens. They had three children, Joseph S., Jr., Hortense Louise, and Freeman Clark, born September, 1867, died 1869, aged two years.
General Jameson is survived by his wife and two sons: Charles Davis, born in Bangor, July 2; 1855; and William Smith, born there July 8, 185S. A daughter, Julia, born in Bangor in June, 1854, died on the 2d of August following. After her husband's death Mrs. Jameson removed to Bangor, where she still resides.
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Charles Davis Jameson, second, her elder son,
a graduate of Bowdoin College, class of 1576. is a civil engineer, and for eight years was a pro- fessor in Iowa State University. Since 1595 he has been engaged in railroad work in China. He married June 23, 1886, Florence Miller, born in Memphis, Tenn., daughter of Wylie B. and Louisa (Pope) Miller. They have one chill. Wylie Miller Jameson, born June 23. 1557.
William Smith Jameson, the younger son. was educated in the public schools of Bangor ant a: the University of Maine. While a youth in his teens he went to the Sandwich Islands. and. re- maining there three years. acquired a knowledge of sugar making. He then went to Mexico. where he is now engaged in introducing the latest machinery for sugar refining. He mar- ried June 28, 1882, Elodia Yzquierda. a native of Leon, Mexico. Their first child. Julia Elo. a. died at the age of five years; the second. May. at nine months: and twin daughters, born some years later, lived but a few days. They have three children now living, namely: William, born in 1SSS; Charles, born in 1890; and Elodia. in 1897.
ALVIN GRAY, for many years one of the representative agriculturists of Somerset County, was born in the town of Starks, that county. March 7, 1817. He was a son of George and Marga- ret (Dinsmore) Gray, and a brother of the late Hon. Joshua Gray, a former State Senator from: Kennebec County. His father's family. the Grays, were early settlers of Starks, and his father was a Captain of the local militia. His mother was a daughter of David Dinsmore and grand-daughter of Arthur and Margaret (Fulton) Dinsmore, the Dinsmores being of Scottish descent.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man's estate in his native town, acquiring a limited education in the district schools. In later years by reading he became a well-informed man on general topies. Brought up to farm- ing, he made that his chief occupation in life. continuing it successfully for a long period of years. He died May 17, 1896. In his death the town of Madison lost a worthy citizen. a man who was ever ready to perform a neigh-
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borly act or support with his vote and influ- ence any well-considered plan for the public good, and who in his domestic relations proved himself a kind husband and wise father. In politics he was a Republican.
His marriage, which occurred April S, 1845, united him with Julia A. Williams, who was born May 19, 1825, in Solon, Me., a daughter of Daniel and Annie (Hobart) Williams. Mrs. Gray's father, a native of Jay, Me., was an early settler of Solon, Me. Her maternal grandfather. Caleb Hobart, was also among the first settlers of Solon, his dwelling-house being used as a meeting-house, school-house, and town hall. He had gone there in 179S from Pepperell, Mass., formerly a part of Groton. A hale and sturdy man, he lived to reach his ninety-fourth year, having long been one of the leading citizens of the town. The Hobarts of Groton and Pepperell, it may be mentioned, were descendants of the Rev. Peter Hobart, the first minister of Hingham, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Gray had four children, all sons, namely: Danville L., who now resides in Fairfield, Me .; George E., who lives in Madi- son; Elvet C., who is deceased; and Mahlon S., who is a resident of North Chesterville, Me. Mrs. Gray survives her husband, with whom for over fifty-one years she had shared the joys and sorrows of wedded life. She is well known and highly esteemed in the com- munity, many of whose members she counts as her personal friends. A consistent Chris- tian, she is connected by membership with the Methodist Episcopal church in Madison.
RANK H. JORDAN, cashier of the Thom- aston National Bank, is a native of the town, having been born here, January 13, 1853, son of Oliver W. and Margaret R. (Robinson) Jordan. His paternal grandfather was Captain Oliver Jordan, a shipmaster and vessel owner, who sailed many years from Thomaston, settling here as a resident after giving up seafaring. He had large shipping interests, and was one of the prominent eiti- zens of the town. He was a director in the former Thomaston Bank and subsequently in the Thomaston National Bank. He resided
here until his death, which took place when he had reached the advanced age of ninety years.
Oliver W. Jordan, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Thomaston, and when a young man engaged in business here as a general merchant, in which occupation he con- tinued for a number of years very successfully. He died in February, 1865, when forty-four or forty-five years of age. He was for some time a Selectman of the town. His wife, Margaret R. Robinson, was born in Thomaston. She was a daughter of Captain Richard Robinson. master mariner, who was a native of Wales. Great Britain. Of their children two now sur- vive: Clara M., who is a resident of Thomaston: and Frank H., whose name begins this article.
Frank H. Jordan was educated in the public schools of Thomaston, including the high school. subsequently graduating from Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College in Boston, Mass. He afterward worked as clerk in different stores. thus acquiring a practical knowledge of busi- ness methods. In 1878 he was elected to his present position as cashier of the Thomaston National Bank, which he has since retained. He attends the Congregational church in Thom- aston, and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Jordan married in December, 1879. Miss Jeannie W. Henderson, who was born in Thom- aston, Me., a daughter of James and Sarah J. Henderson. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have had two children, Margaret H. and Mary L.
LLIS HINDS TOBEY, of Norridgewock. son of the late Edward W. Tobey. is a native of the town and a representa- tive of the third generation of his family in this locality, his paternal grandfather, Eliakim Tobey, having removed hither from Massachu- setts. The Tobey family is said to be of Eng- lish origin. Its history in America dates back more than two and a half centuries, the records showing that Thomas Tobey, immigrant, was married at Sandwich, Cape Cod, to Martha Knott in 1650. Eliakim Tobey, early settler of Norridgewock, was probably of the fourth or fifth generation of the Tobeys of Cape Cod.
Edward Warren Tobey was born in Norridge- wock in 1821, and was a lifelong resident of
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the town. A Republican in polities from the time of the formation of the party and a staneh patriot, he served in defence of the Union for upward of three years during the Civil War, being a member of the Thirteenth Maine Vol- unteer Infantry. This regiment was mostly engaged in garrison duty, but took part in the Red River campaign under General Banks. After his discharge from the army Edward Tobey resumed his former occupation, farming, in Norridgewock. He enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and was repeatedly elected to town office, serving for several years on the Board of Selectmen. He was popular among his comrades of the Grand Army, and served for one year as Commander of Bates Post, No. 58, of Norridgewock. He died October 14, 1897. His wife, whose maiden name was Emeline Holway, and who was a native of Norridgewock, died August 4, 18S7. Two of their children survive, namely, Ellis Hinds and Fred H., both of Norridgewock. The Hol- ways also, it may be added, are an old Cape Cod family.
Ellis Hinds Tobey, born May 22, 1852, was named for Ellis Tobey Hinds. He received his education in his native town, attending the public schools and the famous . "Eaton School," now the high school of Norridgewock. Brought up to habits of industry, and carly learning in his soldier father's absence to make himself useful at home, he chose agriculture with its varied interests-tilling the soil, stock- raising, dairying, and so forth-as his life work, and, bringing to it the requisite energy, application, and practical sagacity and skill, has made a success. His farm contains over two hundred acres of land, some of which he bought in 1878 and the remainder in 1896.
Mr. Tobey was married in July, 1877, to Mary L. Gilbert, a native of Somerset County and daughter of William L. Gilbert, late of New Portland, Me. Of the four children born of this union one died in infancy, and three are now living, namely: C. Addie, wife of Albert L. Merrifield, of Fairfield, Me .; Hiram F .; and Inez M. Mrs. Mary L. G. Tobey died July 24, 1901, leaving besides her family many friends to mourn her loss. She was a member of Som- erset Grange, l'. of H.
Mr. Tobey is an adherent of the Republican party, and is well known in Norridgewoe's as a public-spirited and progressive citizen. For four years, 1899 to 1903, he served as Select- man. He is now (September. 1903 serving his sixth term as Master of Somerset Units -. of Norridgewock, and his fourth term as sec- retary of County Pomona Grange. He is a member of Lebanon Lodge, A. F. & A. M .. and of Echo Lodge, K. of P .. both of Nor- ridgewock.
OSHUA BURNS. a prominent agrisar- urist of Madison, Me .. was borz in this town, May 29, 1823. son of John and Mary (Gray) Burns. His family on the paternal side is of Scotch origin. His grandfather, Robert Burns, was born in Bed- ford, N.H., and was a Revolutionary soffer. John Burns, son of Robert and father of the subject of this sketch, came to Madison from his native State of New Hampshire. A zin of great force of character, he became one of the prominent citizens of the town. serinz as justice of the peace. Captain in the mEttia. for two terms as a member of the Legislature. and in other capacities. He was one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died July 3, 1867. His wife Mary, who was a native of Wiscasset, Me., died Septemt == IS. 185S. She was a daughter of Captain John Gray, a mariner, who became a shirzster at the age of eighteen years, and who after many years in the merchant marine service. trading to European ports. settled with his family, consisting of his wife and twelve chil- dren, in Embden, Me. His twelve chi. ien. settling along the valley of the Kennebee River. had for the most part large families. so that during his lifetime he had one hundred and twenty grandchildren. Of these but six are now known to be living. Of the chillsz of John and Mary (Gray) Burns two now survive: Joshua, whose name begins this sketch: and Samuel, of Madison.
Joshua Burns was educated in the district schools of Madison and at Bloomfield Academy. Skowhegan, Me. Brought up from his bov- hood to farm life and work, he took naturally
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ATWOOD LEVENSALER.
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to agriculture as his life occupation, and by wise management and long-continued industry has achieved a marked success. At one time he was an extensive breeder of Durham cattle and later of Holsteins, but after some years he gave up that branch of his business, and now devotes himself to general farming. His estate of two hundred and fifty acres is one of the best pieces of agricultural property in this vicinity. In politics Mr. Burns is a Democrat with independent proclivities. Though not a member of any church, he contributes to the cause of religion on suitable occasions, and is one of the foremost citizens of Madison in the support of well-considered measures for the improvement and advancement of the town.
Mr. Burns was married May 10, 1854, to Pamelia F. Adams, who was born March 11, 1833, in what is now the town of Skowhegan, being a daughter of Jonathan and Electa B. (Parkman) Adams. Both her parents were natives of Skowhegan. Her paternal grand- father was Abraham Adams, an early settler of Skowhegan, who came from Abington, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Burns have had five children, of whom three now survive: Sarah B., wife of Charles H. Whittier, of Beachmont, Mass .; Lizzie, who is with her parents; and George H., who resides in Boston, Mass.
TWOOD LEVENSALER, of Thomas- ton, was born in Thomaston, March 3, 1841, son of the Hon. Atwood and Nancy (Coombs) Levensaler. His paternal grandparents were Adam and Mary (Turner) Levensaler. As stated in Eaton's History of Thomaston, "Adam Levensaler, of German descent, came from Waldoboro to Thomaston before 1798, married Mary Turner, of Waldoboro (published May 2, 1798), and died June 16, 1849. Mary, his wife, a supposed descendant of one of the 'Mayflower' Pilgrims, died September 21, 1853, aged seventy- nine years and ten months."
That John Turner, remote ancestor, as we are told, of Mrs. Mary Turner Levensaler, was not the person of that name who canie over in the "Mayflower" in 1620, is evident from the fact that the pilgrim Turner and his two
sons, who came with him, "all died," as tes- tified by Governor Bradford, "in the first sick- ness." Twenty-five years later was recorded in Plymouth the marriage, November 12, 1645, of John Turner and Mary Brewster, the former the oldest son of Humphrey Turner, of Scituate, Mass. (who had also a "young son John"), and the latter a grand-daughter of Elder Will- iam Brewster, who had been called the "chief of the Pilgrims."
The Hon. Atwood Levensaler, born in 1799, son of Adam Lovensaler and his wife Mary, served as Councillor in 1842 and 1843. He married in January, 1831, Nancy Coombs, daughter of Captain Archibald G. Coonibs. Nine children were born of this union, Atwood, whose name heads the present sketch, and whose personal history is outlined below, being the sixth.
After acquiring his education in the public schools and the Thomaston Academy, Mr. Levensaler taught three winter terms of school in the town of St. George, Me. In 1869 he engaged in business, in company with J. O. Cushing, in the manufacture of lime and in ship-building. The firm of J. O. Cushing & Co., lime manufacturers, is still in existence. For over a quarter of a century Mr. Levensaler served as moderator of town meetings in. Thomaston. A Democrat in politics, he has been influential in the councils of his party in this section, and in 1876 was a candidate for the Maine Senate from his senatorial district. In 1894 he was the candidate for the national Ilouse of Representatives from the second Congressional district, but was defeated by the late Hon. Nelson Dingley.
He was married August 14, 1869, to Nettie P. Cushing, a daughter of James O. Cushing, of Thomaston. Her paternal grandfather, Isaiah Cushing, a physician, was a classmate of the Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing at Harvard College, where they were graduated in 1798. Dr. Cushing was a descendant in the sixth generation of Matthew Cushing, who with his wife, Nazareth Pitcher, and five children, came from England in 1638 and set- tled in Hingham, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Levensaler have three children: James Atwood, a graduate of Bowdoin College,
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class of 1894; Eliza K., a graduate of Smith College, class of 1897; and Alfred Watts, who was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1900 and from the Harvard Law School in 1903, and is now engaged in the practice of law in Boston, Mass.
James Atwood Levensaler resides in Thom- aston. He served one termi a few years since as a member of the Maine House of Represent- atives. He married November 29, 1900, Anne A. Lash, of Thomaston, daughter of Aleander and Mary (Burns) Laslı.
OHN KNOWLTON, one of the best known public men of Somerset County, now (1903) representing the towns of New Portland, Anson, Starks, and Nor- ridgewock in the Maine Legislature, was born in New Portland, Me., October 2, 1854, son of John and Caroline (Churchill) Knowlton. New Portland was his mother's native town. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Knowlton, who was a farmer of Embden, Me., came to that town from Massachusetts, his native State. The Knowlton family is of English origin. John Knowlton was born in Freeman, Me. He died in June, 1902. His wife Caroline was a daughter of Tobias Churchill, who resided in New Portland for many years, or to the close of his life. Three of the children of John and Caroline Knowlton are now living, namely: Juliette, now Mrs. Edwards, of Madison, Me .; John, the subject of this sketch; and Jennie, wife of C. O. Small, of Madison.
John Knowlton acquired his education in the public schools of New Portland, including the high school at North New Portland. He taught school for nine winter terms. , His regular occupation since boyhood has been farming, which he carries on in a thorough and scientific manner, and in which he has achieved a marked success. First elected a number of years ago to the office of Select- man, he has since been repeatedly re-elected, and has filled it in a very acceptable manner, being now chairman of the board. His elec- tion as Representative to the Legislature oe- curred in September, 1902, he being the can- didate on the Republican ticket. He is also
a member of the Republican Legislative Dis- triet Committee of his district. He belongs to Lemon Stream Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., at New Portland. His fine farm of two hundred acres in New Portland is supplied with a com- modious residence and other substantial build- ings.
Mr. Knowlton was married December 28, 1884, to Ellie Cutts, daughter of William Cutts, late of Anson, Me.
ZRA McINTIRE FLETCHER, a leading business man and citizen of Madison, Somerset County, Me., was born Jan- uary 2, 1853, in this town, which was also the birthplace of his mother, Susan Sawyer. His father, Parrit Fletcher, who was born in Nor- ridgewock, Me., was a son of Captain Asa Fletcher, of Moscow, Me., whose title of Captain was derived from the State militia. Parrit Fletcher died in 1877. He was a resident of Madison from the time he was twenty-one years old until his death. His ocupation was that of a farmer and dealer in live stock, and he was also a large dealer in real estate. He was widely known and respected. Of his children six are now living, namely: Thomas .P., who resides in Oklahoma Territory; Seth H., who lives in Mon- tana ; James H., of San Rafael, Cal .; Almon S., a resident of the State of Washington; Ezra M., the only one of the surviving brothers who remains amid the scenes of his childhood; and Lydia M., who is the wife of C. C. Wasson, of Madison, Me. Another brother, Asa, who is now deceased, was formerly Sheriff of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.
Ezra M. Fletcher was reared and educated in his native town of Madison. At the age of twenty-three years he began farming for him- self, and he has since continued in that occupa- tion, having united with it the sale of agricult- ural implements and machinery. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to Euclid Lodge, F. & A. M., to Old Point Lodge, I. O. O. F., and to the Lodge of A. O. U. W., all of Madison. He is superintendent of the Madison Water Com- pany and chairman of the Board of Selectmen, which latter position he has held for nine years in succession. His capacity in business affairs
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is widely recognized, and he stands in the van of those who strive for the continued prosperity and advancement of the town.
Mr. Fletcher was first married May 25, 1876, to Abbie L. Town, daughter of Ezra C. Town, of Madison, Me. Mrs. Fletcher died August 30, 18SS; and he married secondly, January 14, 1890, Julia L. Gray, daughter of Selden and Mary (Pike) Gray, of Mercer, Me. Of this latter . union there have been two children: Cecil G., born May 20, 1892; and Roland E., born March 9, 1894.
LTON RICHARDSON, a well-known and respected citizen of Clinton, is a native of this town, having been born here, June 5, 1828, a son of Israel and Sarah (Wells) Richardson.
Israel Richardson, who was born in Benton, Kennebec County, resided there for many years, occupied chiefly as an . agriculturist and sur- veyor of lumber. He served in the American army in the War of 1812-15. His death oc- curred in 1839. He was a lineal descendant in the sixth generation of Thomas Richardson, one of the pioneer settlers of Woburn, Mass., the line being: Thomas,1 Thomas,2 Nathaniel,3 William,4 Andrew.5 Israel.6
Alton Richardson, the subject of this sketch, was but eleven years of age at the time of his father's death. He did such work as he could in his boyhood, and as soon as he was old enough found employment in the lumber industry, driving logs on the Penobscot River and cutting timber in the woods. These occupations he continued for seven years. In 1851 Mr. Rich- ardson went West to California, making the journey via the Isthmus of Panama. There he spent nearly two years in gold mining, meet- ing with very fair success. He returned home in 1853 by the Nicaraguan route, and settled in Clinton, Me., where he engaged in farming and the breeding of cattle, sheep, and horses. In this occupation he continued for some forty years, not only breeding stock, but dealing in it as buyer and seller, finding his market at Brighton, Mass. In 1901 Mr. Richardson re- tired from business, and has since done little active work. He was one of the promoters
and president of the Clinton Dairving Asso- ciation, which, however, is now out of business. A Democrat in politics, he takes a lively inter- est in town affairs, and, though not an office holder or office seeker, can always be depended upon to perform his part as a good citizen.
Mr. Richardson married April 24. 1858, Jane B. Spencer, of Benton, Me. She died May 28, 1874. Six children were the fruit of their union, namely: Florence E. (now do- ceased) ; Alice A., wife of Alphous J. Hunter, of Clinton; Arthur W., also a resident of Clinton; Clara J., wife of F. J. Martin, a lawyer of Bangor: Martha G., wife of C. C. Hayes, of Clinton; and Alton, Jr.
Mr. Richardson married, second, October 17, 1874, Mrs. Olive E. Webber, widow of Henry A. Webber, of Clinton. She was born in that town, June 5, 1839, daughter of Henry and Lydia (Quigg) Eastman, her parents being natives of Maine and residents of Clinton, where they died. Mrs. Richardson's paternal grand- father was Timothy Eastman, a soldier of the War of 1812-15.
ON. SAMUEL FREEMAN HERSEY, member of Congress from the fourth district of Maine from March 4, 1873, until his death on February 3, 1875, was a native of the Pine Tree State, and during the greater part of his mature life had been a resident of Penobscot County, his home for thirty years being in Bangor. Born in the town of Sumner, Oxford County, April 22, 1812, son of James and Olive (Freeman) Hersey, he was of early Massachusetts colonial stock, of English origin. His immigrant progenitor in the direct male line was William Hersey, who came from England in 1635, and in the autumn of that year settled in Hingham, Massachusetts Bay Colony.
As shown by the Hersey Genealogical Chart (a tree) prepared by Francis C. Hersey, of South Boston, Mass., and published in 1895, the late Samuel F. Hersey was of the eighth generation of his family in America. His an- cestors having but three names among them, the line is thus briefly represented: William,12 Joseph,' James,5 6 7 Samuel,5
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William1 Hersey served for three years as Selectman of Hingham, and in 1652 joined the Military Company of Massachusetts, now the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- pany.
William,2 probably born in England, died in Hingham, Mass., in 1691. He was Constable one year and Selectman three years. His first wife, Rebecca, daughter of Thomas' and Alice Chubbuck, died in 1686. His will mentions his wife Ruhamah and four sons. William,3 born in 1657, eldest son of William,2 was a soldier in Captain Johnson's Company in 1675, in King Philip's War. He served as Repre- sentative in the General Court in 1698 and 1699. At a later period, having removed to Abington, Mass., he served as Moderator of the first town meeting held in that place, Marclı, 1713, and as Selectman 1713-14. He mar- ried for his second wife Sarah, widow of Jona- than May, and daughter of John and Sarah (Gill) Langlee.
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