USA > Maine > Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the state of Maine > Part 63
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and probably of French descent. Of their chil- dren three are now living: Lucy E., widow of the late Charles Jepson, of North Vassalboro. Me .; Edwin W., whose name appears at the head of the sketch; and Daniel L., who resides in China, Me.
Edwin W. Clark attended the public schools of China, Me., until reaching the age of fourteen. He then began an apprenticeship to the shoe- maker's trade at Auburn, Me., where he resided for some ten years, following his trade as a journeyman after finishing his apprenticeship. During the Civil War he enlisted for nine months' service in the United States Navy, his vessel forming a part of the South Atlantic Squadron under Admiral Dahlgren. His term of ser- vice was passed chiefly in Charleston Harbor. Upon his return to his native State, he opened a meat market in Waterville, which he subse- quently carried on for many years, during sex- eral of which he had no competition. In 1895. giving up the meat business, he engaged in ag- riculture in Oakland, which industry he has since continued to follow.
Mr. Clark married May 4, 1861, Helen F. Page, a native of China, Me., and daughter of John O. and Sarah J. (Clark) Page. Her father. also a native of China, Me., was a son of Reuben Page, an early settler of that town. Mrs. Clark's mother was a native of Nantucket, her father, Captain Albert Clark, being a well- known whaling ship captain, the latter years of whose life were spent in Vassalboro, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of three chil- dren: Albert P., now a resident of Alleghany. Pa .; Frederick C., who resides in Madison, Me .: and John Robert, who lives with his parents in Oakland. Mr. Clark is a member of Water- ville Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M .; in politics he is a Republican. He and Mrs. Clark belong to the Methodist Episcopal church in Water- ville, and are among the well-known and re- spected residents of the town.
EORGE OSGOOD CARR, of Norridge- wock, Somerset County Me., has served as Postmaster at this place since October 1, 1901, when he was appointed to the charge of the post-office then known as
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South Norridgewock, whose name on April 1, 1903 (the present year), was changed to Norridgewock. Mr. Carr was born February 12, 1868, in the neighboring town of Mercer. His parents, Mortimer F. and Roxa (Gower) Carr, both natives of the Pine Tree State, now re- side in Norridgewock.
Educated in the public schools of his native town, which he attended through the different grades from primary to high, George O. Carr in his early manhood devoted himself for some time to teaching district schools in Mercer, Me. Later on, and previous to entering the United States postal serivce, he was engaged in mechani- cal and other pursuits, including the clothing manufacture at Norridgewock. He married March 31, 1897, Maud Wing, daughter of Fran- cis H. and Mary (Smith) Wing, of Skowhegan, Me.
Mr. Carr is a member and Past Master of Lebanon Lodge, No. 116, A. F. & A. M., of Nor- ridgewock, and a member of Somerset Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Skowhegan, Me .; he is also a member of Cedar Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, of Norridgewock, and is now (1903) serving as the Worthy Patron thereof. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Repub- lican party. Personally popular and scrupu- lously attentive to the duties of his position, he commands the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
OHN MARTIN ROBBINS, who was for many years president of the Manufact- urers' National Bank of Lewiston, Me., was born in the neighboring town of Greene, eight miles distant, on November 10, 1824, being the eldest child of Reuben and Sarah (Quimby) Robbins. His paternal grand- father was Luther Robbins, who was born in Hanover, formerly a part of Scituate, Mass., in 1757. Luther Robbins was a Revolutionary soldier from Hanover, Mass. He came to Maine after the war, and took up large tracts of land at Greene, where he subsequently re- sided for many years. He was very active in town affairs, and held many public offices, among them that of Representative in the Gen- eral Court. An oration in the handwriting of
Luther Robbins is still in the possession of the family; it is dated Greene, Me., "the 28th day of July, 1804, the 28th year of our Indepen- dence." On "September 16th, 1779," as stated in the records of Hanover, "then Luther Rob- bins and Anne Barker of Hanover were joined together in marriage." Luther was a son of Nathaniel Robbins and his wife Hannah With- erell.
Reuben Robbins, son of Luther and father of John Martin Robbins, was a cabinet-maker, having learned his trade at Winthrop, Me., work- ing with his brother. Subsequently he took up farming, and bought a large traet of land at Greene, Me., which was called Robbins's Hill. After the death of his wife he lived in Bristol for a time, and later went to Canaan, N.H., where he died at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife was Sarah Quimby, of Greene, Me., a daughter of Benjamin Quimby, who was a Revolutionary soldier front New Hampshire. Reuben and Sarah Robbins had five children, one of whom-namely, Calvin C. Robbins, born at Greene in 182S-is still living.
John Martin Robbins was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native town. At about twenty years of age he engaged in business for himself. buying cattle and taking them to Brighton, Mass. Shortly after this he started a general merchandise store at Greene. When the rail- road was put through, he made a contract to furnish piles and wood and carry them to Port- land. Later he went to Portland, and hired himself out to work for John M. Wood of that city. Subsequently he engaged in railroad contracting and carried on a flourishing busi- ness. Among the railroads that he built were the Claremont division of the Boston & Maine Railroad, a distance of about twenty miles; the road from Palestine to Hillsboro, about twenty miles; the road between Old Orchard and Portland; and that from Cohasset to Dux- bury, Mass. He also built highway roads. On August 1, 1872, he settled in Lewiston, Me. In 1876 he built a house on Main Street, into which he moved the following year, and a few years later he built on the opposite side of the street the handsome residence which he occu- pied up to the time of his death.
Mr. Robbins was one of the founders and di-
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rectors of the Manufacturers' National Bank, and was its president for twenty-four years, his term of service beginning at about the time that he retired from the railroad contracting busi- ness. He resigned the bank presidency in 1898. He was a self-made man. At the time of his death on April 25, 1902, he owned a large amount of real estate in Lewiston, and was one of that city's wealthiest citizens. He was a Universalist in religious belief and affiliation, and a Demo- crat in politics. He was the oldest member of the Tranquil Lodge of Masonry of Auburn, Me.
On December 25, 1864, Mr. Robbins was married to Lovisa A. Allen, of Greene, the daugh- ter of Benjamin and Myra A. (Blake) Allen. She was born on February 23, 1836, and died on December 26, 1SSS, in Lewiston. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins had four children, two of whom are still living, namely: Edith Robbins, born on December 26, 1865, who married Henry A. Free, of Lewiston, Me. ; and Mildred Robbins, born on October 19, 1877. Carol Morton Robbins, their second child, born on September 5, 186S, died on April 20, 1869, and Mabel Robbins, born on August 9, 1874, died on August 18, 1874.
EORGE N. FERNALD, Commissioner of Public Works of Greater Portland, belongs to one of the oldest families in Maine. Born in Camden, Knox County, June 2, 1861, son of David Lane and Sarah (Mullen) Fernald, he is a descendant in the ninth genera- tion of Dr. Renald (or Reginald) Fernald, the line being Renald,1 Samuel,2 Nathaniel,3 4 Pe- latiah, Nathaniel," Timothy, David Lane,8 George N.º
Renald1 Fernald, a native of England, emi- grated to the Piscataqua region with Captain John Norcross's company in 1631. According to tradition he had been a surgeon in the Eng- lish navy. In the New Hampshire colony he served as Clerk of Court, Recorder of Deeds, Commissioner and Surveyor, and at the time of his death in 1656 was Town Clerk of Portsmouth. His home was on Doctor's Island (now Peirce's Island). Ilis wife Joanna died in 1660. They had seven children-four sons and three daugli- ters-all born in this country. Six of the chil- (ren married.
Samuel Fernald. born about 1644, was a ship- wright. He married Hannah Spinney, daugh- ter of Thomas1 and Margery Spinney. He had one or two sons and three daughters.
Nathaniel Fernald, the only son of Samuel who grew to maturity, was a farmer and ship- wright at Kittery, Me. He married at Dover, N.H., September 10, 1702, Ann, daughter of Robert and Hannah (White) Allen. They had seven or eight children.
Nathaniel+ Fernald, born in 1707, was a farmer in Kittery. He married in 1734 Mary, daugh- ter of Nicholas, Jr., and Priscilla (Gunnison) Weeks. Of this union were born twelve children.
Pelatial Fernald, born in 1743, married June 4, 1768, Mrs. Abigail Strout Eldridge. They lived in Falmouth (now Portland), and had five children.
Nathaniel" Fernald, born in 1769, who lived on Matinicus Island and at Lincolnville, Me., was a fish packer. He married January 28, 1791, Patience Hall, by whom he had thirteen children. He died an octogenarian in 1856 or 1857. His son Timothy, born at Matinicus in 1795, was a mariner. Timothy Fernald mar- ried at Vinalhaven, September 13, 1824, Mar- garet Lane. He died at Lincolnville, Me., June 1, 1867. He had eleven children.
David Lane® Fernald, born July 19, 1830, at Vinalhaven, Knox County, Me., was for many years a merchant at Camden, Me. He now re- sides in Portland, where he is engaged in the fish packing business. He married January 19, 1854, Miss Sarah Mullin, a native of North Haven, Me. Of their family of eight children five are now living, namely-Hiram V., Frank H. (unmarried), George N. (the direct subject of this sketch), Carrie A .; and Alice G. Hiram V. Fernald married Jennie Skillings, who died, leaving no children. Carrie A. Fernald married Wallace E. Easton, of Portland, Me., and had one child, Linwood. Alice G. Fernald married Charles E. Stoneham, and has one child, a son Eldridge. Mrs. Sarah Mullen Fernald died at the age of seventy years in Portland.
George N. Fernald, the youngest surviving son of David Lane Fernald, obtained his early education in the public schools of Camden and Portland, prepared for college under private instruction, and then entered the office, in Port-
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land, of E. C. Jordan, civil engineer, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and began the study of civil engineering. He was with Mr. Jordan three years, and during two years of that time was engaged in river and harbor work. In the winter of 1879-80 he worked in the office of the city engineer of Port- land. He became an Assistant Engineer by appointment of William A. Goodwin, City En- gineer, in 1SS1, was appointed First Assistant Engineer in 1892, elected City Engineer in 1893; and, being re-elected in 1894, he received also the appointment of chairman of the Commission of Streets and Sewers. In 1895 his present office was created, and he was appointed Com- missioner of Public Works by Mayor James P. Baxter. In 1898 he was reappointed by Mayor C. H. Randall, and in 1901 was reappointed by Mayor F. E. Boothby. He is thus now serving in his ninth year. Among the notable improve- ments that have been carried out according to his plans and under his supervision since he has held his present office may be mentioned Tukey's and Pride's Bridges, the north side intercepting sewer, and the improvement of Back Bay.
Mr. Fernald is a meniber of the Boston So- ciety of Civil Engineers, the American Society for Municipal Improvements, the Portland Club, and Portland Athletic Club. He has resided in Portland since 1873.
He married in 1883 Miss Evelyn E. Hatch, daughter of John and Martha A. (Sawyer) Hatch, of Swampscott, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Fernald have three children, all born in Port- land. They are: Edward D., Gertrude M., and Arthur L.
HARLES H. CLARK, president of the First National Bank of Madison and a leading business man of Somerset County, was born in New Portland, Me., June 8, 1847. His parents were Charles B. and Mary B. (Butler) Clark, and his paternal grandparents Jacob and Catherine (Bean) Clark, of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Charles B. Clark was born in Industry, Frank- lin County, Me., May 15, 1809. In his native ' town he grew to years of maturity, but after attaining manhood he migrated to New Port-
land, in which place he was destined to spend the rest of his days. A man of strong character, he served both as a Selectman of New Port- land and as a Representative in the Legisla- ture. His death occurred October 17, 1592. Of his children there are now five survivors: Mary O., wife of T. M. Manter, of Boston. Mass .: John P., of Skowhegan, Me .; Charles H .. whose name begins this article; George W., who re- sides in New Portland; and Fred L .. who is a resident of Clinton, Mass.
Though reared on a farm, the subject of this sketch was given a much better education than farmers' boys usually receive. On attaining his majority he engaged in mercantile bus- ness, keeping a general store for several vests. At first he carried on the business alone. but was subsequently associated at different times with various partners. His career as a mer- chant lasted over thirty-three years, and dur- ing a portion of this time he was also engaged in the lumber industry and as an extensive dealer in wool. This last mentioned business. which he entered in 1867, he still carries on. being in partnership with Henry B. Merry. of North Anson,. Me. In all these varied cost- pations Mr. Clark has been very successful. and is now numbered among the prospectus and substantial citizens of the town. While a resident of New Portland he held public office for some sixteen years, serving as Selectman and as Town Treasurer. He is a Demarat in politics. He is a member of Euclid Lodge, F. & A. M., at Madison. Mr. Clark was mar- ried July 4, 1869, to Flora A. Dyer, who was born in New Portland, Me., May 26. 1551. a daughter of Warren P. and Betsey P. Clough Dyer. Mrs. Clark's father was a native of New Portland, and her mother of Freeman. Me. Her mother's paternal grandfather. John Clough, was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Clark's paternal grandfather, Elkanah Dver. was an early settler of New Portland. there taking up his abode soon after his marriage to Sarah Hatch. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three children-Warren B., Morrie W., and Wenoza L. The two sons are engaged in mercantile business at North New Portland, under the firm name of C. H. Clark & Sons.
Warren B. Clark has taken the degrees ci
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Knights Templar and Mystic Shrine in Ma- sonry, and belongs also to Lemon Stream Lodge of Odd Fellows. He married December 25, 1891, Cora A. Butts.
Morrie W. Clark is a member of Lemon Stream Lodge of Odd Fellows. He married May 4, 1896, Elsie L. Bartlett. They have one son, Charles B., who was born September 1, 1897.
Wenona L. Clark was graduated from Welles- ley College in 1901. She is now the wife of Bernard Gibbs, a popular young attorney. of Madison, Me.
AMES H. LEIGH, for many years one of the leading dry-goods merchants and business men of Hallowell, of which city he was at one time Mayor, was born here October 2S, 1825, son of Joseph and Eliza (Greeley) Leigh. His father was a native of England and his mother of Hallowell, Me. Their children were-Elizabeth, Robert, Thomas, James, and Mary.
James H. Leigh was reared to man's estate in his native city, then a village, and acquired his education in its public schools. When about sixteen years old he became a clerk in a dry- goods store in Hallowell, where in the course of a few years he gained a good knowledge of the business. After reaching his majority he formed a partnership with William Wilson, and for some time they carried on a dry-goods business in Hallowell, under the style of Wilson & Leigh. The firm was then dissolved, and for nearly fifty years subsequently Mr. Leigh con- ducted the business alone. Toward the end of this period, however, he took as partner Mr. Charles Dinsmore, and the house has since been known under the style of James H. Leigh & Co.
Mr. Leigh died July 22, 1902, his loss being mourned by the community in which he had · spent his active and useful life. He had been very successful, and was a man not only of great business ability, but also of high moral char- acter. For a number of years he served as president of the Northern National Bank, and he was also president of the Hubbard Free Library of Hallowell, and a trustee of the IIal- lowell Savings Institution. Deeply interested in the general welfare of the community, he had
done much to advance the cause of good gov- ernment and improve local conditions, and his services were generally recognized by the citi- zens, who at one time elected him Mayor of the city. In this position his record fully jus- tified the confidence they had placed in him, as he gave the people a clean, practical busi- ness administration. - In politics he was a Re- publican. He attended the Congregational church. He was a member in high standing of the Masonic order. At his death it was uni- versally admitted that Kennebec County had lost one of its best and most progressive citi- zens.
Mr. Leigh married January 12, 1854, Martha E. Athearn, who was born in Bath, Me., daugh- ter of John H. and Alice (Lowell) Athearn. Her father was a native of Martha's Vineyard and her mother of Bath, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Leigh were the parents of two children: Alice E., wife of Charles Dinsmore, of Hallowell; and Grace A., who is unmarried, and resides at home with her mother in the old residence of the Leigh family, No. 19 Academy Street, Hallo- well.
ERBERT E. HALE is a well-known citizen of Norridgewock and a native of the town. He was born March 16, 1846, son of Marshall P. and Emveste ¡ Robey) Hale. His father was a native and lifelong resident of Norridgewock, being a son of Calvin Hale and grandson of Josiah Hale, one of the early settlers of the place in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Marshall P. Hale died in 1891, aged seventy-nine years. He was a painter by trade, a man of much intelli- gence and of strong convictions, influential in his day and generation. In religion he was a Universalist and in politics a Republican. In his early manhood for a number of years he was an active member of the I. O. O. F. In 1858 he served as a member of the House of Repre- sentatives in the Maine Legislature for the dis- trict of which Norridgewock formed a part. He was elected on the Republican ticket under sin- gular circumstances, the opposing candidate being his father, Calvin Hale, who was a Demo- erat of the old school and the nominee of that
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party. The election, with the preceding cam- paign, was, as may readily be imagined, one of unusual interest and excitement, destined to be long remembered by the participants.
Marshall P. Hale is survived by his wife, Emveste Robey, a native of New Hampshire, now residing in Norridgewock, in her seventy- eighth year, and by three children, namely: Helen M., widow of the late Joseph Pierce, of Norridgewock; Jennie R., wife of Henry S. Whiting, of Norridgewock; and Herbert E., the special subject of this sketch.
In the eighteenth year of his age Herbert E. Hale, equipped with a common-school education and fired with patriotic ardor, began active life in the military service of his country. Enlist- ing on December 7, 1863, as a private, in the Seventh Battery, Maine Light Artillery, he fought in the battles of the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and at the siege of Petersburg. The section of the battery to which he belonged was the nearest Federal battery to the famous Burnside mine at Petersburg when it exploded, and was in the fight thereafter. At the time of Lee's surrender the battery was located at Farnville, Va., near Appomattox. Mr. Hale served for some months as Corporal, and was discharged as such on June 26, 1865. After his return to Norridgewock he was employed for a time as stone-mason by the Ware River Railway Company. Subsequently for two years he was engaged as a subcontractor in the construction of the road-bed of the Cayuga Lake Railway in New York State. At a later period he served for two years as Road Com- missioner of Norridgewock. This position he now holds, serving his third year therein, having been elected for the third time in March, 1903.
Since his return to Norridgewock to reside here permanently, lie has served as a Selectman. He belongs to Bates Post, G. A. R., No. 5S, of Norridgewock. He has served two terms as Commander of the Post and for some years as its Quartermaster. He is a member of Quinne- basset Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O. F., and of Leb- anon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 116, both of Norridgewock. In these lodges he has held important offices. He is a Past Master of the Masonic lodge and Past Grand of the Odd Fellow lodge.
Mr. Hale was married in February, 1873. to Miss Helen M. Butler, a daughter of the late Josiah Butler, of Starks, Me. Mrs. Hale died in 1886, leaving two daughters, L. Musette and Jennie A.
ENJAMIN T. FOSTER, one of the leading business men of Clinton. Kennebec County, was born in Liv- ermore, Me., November 16. 1535. His parents were Willis N. and Mary Higgins Foster. His father was a native of Livermore. being the son of an early settler of that town who had come thither from Cape Cod. . His mother was born in Penobscot County, Maine. where his grandfather Higgins was a pioneer settler.
Willis N. Foster was a millwright, and io !- lowed his trade for many years. To him and his wife Mary were born five children. Of these the three survivors are: Martha J., now the wife of Joseph H. Coleman, of Keene, N.H .; Albert M., of Lowell, Mass .; and Benjamin T., of Clinton, Me.
When about six years old, Benjamin T. Foster accompanied his parents to Augusta. Me., in which city he grew to manhood. Iz his fifteenth year he began a two years' ap- prenticeship to the trade of manufacturing sash, doors, and blinds. Afterward he became foreman in a sash, door, and blind factory in Augusta, and later of one .in Winthrop, Me. In 1860 Mr. Foster came to Clinton and engaged in the manufacture of sash, blinds, and doors. in which occupation he continued for several years. He then entered into his present busi- ness as undertaker and dealer in furniture. crockery, and carpets. For many years he was its sole proprietor. In 1877 he opened a job printing-office, and began the publica- tion of the well-known weekly paper, the Clinton Advertiser, which is well managed. and for a country paper enjoys a good cir- culation. In 1886 the firm became B. T. Fos- ter & Co., Mr. Foster's partner being Miss H. Etta Pratt. Mr. Foster is a member of the Maine Undertakers' Association; of Clinton Grange, P. of H .; and of Sebasticook Lodes. F. & A. M., of Clinton, which last he served
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as Master two years, having also held every important office in the lodge. Energetic and enterprising, he has achieved success by hon- orable methods, and is numbered among the prosperous and respected citizens of the town.
Mr. Foster married in 1854 Elvira M. Harding, daughter of Gideon and Sibyl (Mitchel) Hard- ing, of Detroit, Me.
A UGUSTUS HOPKINS, vice-president and director of the Gardiner National Bank, Gardiner, Me., was born in this town, February 18, 1827, the son of Myrick and Mary (Mason) Hopkins. On the paternal side he is a lineal descendant of Stephen Hop- kins, one of the "Mayflower" Pilgrims, the line being: Stephen,1 Giles,2 Stephen,3 Joseph,+ Prince,5 Prince,6 Myrick," born in 1800, Augus- tus.8 Some of Mr. Hopkins's ancestors on Cape Cod, including his grandfather, Prince Hopkins, were prominent in the whaling industry.
Myrick Hopkins, when a child of four years, accompanied his parents to New Sharon, Frank- lin County, Me., they settling on Sandy River. There he remained until reaching the age of nineteen, when he went to Readfield. Coming to Gardiner in 1823, he engaged in the hide, leather, and wool business, at first as a clerk in the employ of Nutting, Cook & Co., and after- ward for himself, carrying it on for over half a century with great success. He took an active interest in public affairs, serving as one of the first Aldermen of Gardiner. His death occurred in April, 1890. He had been twice married. By his first wife, Mary, he had one son, Augustus, whose birth date is given above, and by his second wife he had a daughter, Henrietta, now Mrs. Millard Barnard, a resident of Gardiner.
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