USA > Maine > Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the state of Maine > Part 64
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Augustus Hopkins was reared to man's estate in his native town of Gardiner, acquiring his education in the public schools. After leaving the high school he entered his father's employ, and thus remained until 1880. Purchasing the business of his father in that year, he subse- quently conducted it as sole proprietor till 1892, when he retired. Elected a director of the Gardi- ner National Bank in 1SS5, he has held that position continuously up to the present time and since 1891 that of vice-president also. A
Republican in politics, Mr. Hopkins is endowed with an ample share of public spirit, and is not slow to throw the weight of his influence on the side of the material progress and moral eleva- tion of the community when these issues are involved in local affairs. One of the important local enterprises with which he has been closely connected is the Gardiner Savings Bank, he being one of the incorporators thereof.
Mr. Hopkins was married September 30, 1851, to Mary Patten, daugliter of the late Freeman Patten, of Gardiner, Me., and his wife, Mary Stone.
FC OWARD WINSLOW DODGE, of the well-known firm of Dodge & Cain, general merchants of Clinton, Ken- nebec County, was born in Benton, in the same county, February 16, 1838. His parents were John P. and Rosanna (Richard- son) Dodge, the mother being a native of Clin- ton. Mr. Dodge's maternal grandfather, William Richardson, a lineal descendant in the sixth gen- eration of Thomas Richardson, one of the earliest settlers of Woburn, Mass., was an Ensign in the American army in the War of 1812-15. John P. Dodge, who was born in Bridgton, Me., came with his parents, at the age of ten years, to Burnham, Waldo County, Me., where he grew to man's estate. He later removed to what is now Benton and engaged in farming and lumbering, being an early settler of that place. His death took place in Benton in 1878.
Howard W. Dodge passed his boyhood years in Benton, acquiring his education in the public schools and at the former Sebasticook Acad- emy in that town. As a young man he was employed for several years in the lumber indus- try; and afterward he was engaged in the lumber business on his own account, sometimes alone and at other times having one or more partners. He spent some time as a sheep drover, buying sheep in Canada and selling them at Brighton, Mass. Coming to Clinton in 1871, he engaged here in mercantile business, for two years being sole proprietor of his store, and later having for a partner Mr. Zimri Hunter, the style of the firm being Hunter & Dodge. After this con- nection had lasted some time, Mr. Hunter sold
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his interest to Nathaniel Jaquith, the firm name then becoming Dodge & Jaquith. The concern as thus conducted had an existence of nearly twenty years. Since the retirement of Mr. Jaquith in 1897, Mr. Dodge has had as partner Mr. Albert Cain, the style of the firm being Dodge & Cain.
Mr. Dodge was one of the promoters of the Clinton Loan and Building Association, and has served as its president since its organiza- tion. He is a trustee and the present treasurer of the Brown Memorial Library at Clinton, a trustee of the Waterville Trust Company and of the Nobleboro Camp Meeting Association. Mr. Dodge's career as a merchant and business man has been one of marked success, and no less by his integrity than his ability and enter- prise has he won the confidence of his fellow- citizens. He is a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clinton. He also belongs to Sebasticook Blue Lodge, F. & A. M .; Dunlap Chapter, R. A. M., of China, Me .; and St. Omar Commandery, K. T., of Waterville. He is a member of the Civic League of Maine, and is a stanch advocate of prohi- bition. He belongs to the State Democratic Club, with which as a body he attended Presi- dent Cleveland's first inauguration. Before leav- ing Washington the club called on President Cleveland and had a very cordial reception. During the existence of the Clinton Board of Trade Mr. Dodge was its vice-president, having been formerly for two years vice-president of the State Board of Trade. He has also served his town as Town Clerk and Treasurer, and eight years as Selectman.
He was married December 5, 1SS4, to Cora A. Jaquith, of Clinton, daughter of Charles and Olive (Berry) Jaquith. They have three chil- dren, namely: Charles Everett, who is now attending the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, at Kent's Hill; Lottie Myra; and Alice Olive.
UDOR GARDNER JENNINGS, of Wayne, a well-known commercial trav- eller and one of the most extensive fruit-growers in Kennebec County, was born in Wayne, Me., September 24, 1842, son of Captain Joseph F. and Mary S. (Waitt) Jen-
nings. His great-grandfather, John Jennings. who was born in Boston, Mass., settled as a pioneer in Wayne at an early date in the his- tory of that town. His grandfather, Nathaniel Jennings, was a lifelong resident of the place, as was also his father, Captain Joseph F. Jen- nings, whose death occurred there July 18. 1570. The latter was chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was also well and favorably known throughout the country from his long connection with military affairs. He was an officer in the early State militia. His wife. Mary S. Waitt Jennings, was a native of Gardiner, Maine.
The boyhood and youth of Tudor G. Jen- nings were spent in attending school and assisting his father upon the home farm. Farming has been his principal occupation, but. in order to derive the most profitable results from his property, he has turned his attention largely to the scientific cultivation of fruits. He owns three hundred acres of land, one hun- dred and sixty being included in the home- stead property, which includes commodious buildings, together with the most approved modern facilities for general farming and fruit- growing. Of three thousand apple-trees which he has set out in his extensive orchards. one thousand are bearing fruit of a superior quality. He also raises pears and plums in considerable quantities. In 1890 he was induced to enter the employ of M. E. Wheeler & Co., the well- known manufacturers of Rutland, Vt., as a travelling salesman, and what time he could conveniently spare from his farm during the past thirteen years has been profitably spent in their interests. His farm in Wayne is re- garded as one of the best pieces of agricult- ural property in Kennebec County, and as an orchardist his reputation extends far beyond the limits of his own State.
In politics Mr. Jennings is a Republican. and he is now a member of the town committee. For a period of three years he served as col- lector of taxes, and his interest in the general growth and prosperity of the town has in various other ways been emphatically demon- strated.
Mr. Jennings married July 18, 1902. the widow of his brother, Hiram Jennings, whose
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maiden name was Emma Frances Palmer. She had by her first husband one son, Loton Drew Jennings, who is now an attorney in Boston.
EORGE L. ARMSTRONG, of Read- field, Kennebec County, was born in the town of Litchfield, this county, January 17, 1839, son of Lewis and Sarah Ann (Jackson) Armstrong. His father was a native of Readfield and his mother of Pittston, Me. On the paternal side his ancestry extends back three generations in this country to Captain William Armstrong, who came from England and settled in 1775 on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch. The Captain, who gained his title in the State militia, was the father of William Armstrong, second, who in turn carried on the farm. From the latter it descended to Lewis Armstrong, who conducted it for a while and continued to own it, though he resided for a number of years in Litchfield. Lewis Armstrong died in 1883. His children by wife Sarah were: George Lewis, William, Sarah Augusta, and Emma Francis.
George L. Armstrong was reared on the home farm, acquiring his education in the public schools of Readfield. July 16, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Ninth Maine Volunteer In- fantry, which later was merged into and be- came a part of Company E of that regiment. Joining the Tenth Army Corps, the regiment saw plenty of active service, Mr. Armstrong taking part with it in a number of noted bat- tles as well as numerous skirmishes, including the sieges of Morris Island, Black Island, Charles- ton, and Petersburg. At the last named Mr. Armstrong was under fire for forty-two con- secutive days and nights. Receiving an hon- orable discharge July 26, 1865, he returned to Readfield, Me., of which town he has been a resident since with the exception of six years spent in Hallowell.
Mr. Armstrong was married June 20, 1871, to Mary Lakeman Ewers, who was born in Hallowell, daughter of John Adams and Abbie Calvert (Lakeman) Ewers, her father being a native of Richmond, Me., and her mother of Hallowell. Of this union there has been
one child, a daughter, Cora Gertrude. On his well-cultivated farm of one hundred acres Mr. Armstrong carries on general farming and dairying, his stock consisting of Jersey cattle. His thorough knowledge of agricultural methods, backed by intelligent industry. have placed him in a position of prosperous inde- pendence, and he is among the substantial and respected citizens of the town. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and his vote and influ- ence are always cast on the side of good gov- ernment and the betterment of the community. He belongs to Readfield Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Both he and Mrs. Arm- strong are popular in Readfield Society.
OAH M. PRESCOTT, a representative Kennebec County citizen residing in Clinton, came to this town in the spring of 1868. He was born in Troy. Waldo County, Me., February 19, 1832. being one of the children of Charles and Phoebe (Mil- ler) Prescott. He is a grandson of Noah Pres- cott, who settled many years ago in Lincoln- ville, Me., and who was one of the pioneers of that town. Charles Prescott, son of Noah and father of Noah M., was born in Lincolnville. Me., as was also his wife, Phoebe Miller. Her father, Noah Miller, served in the American army in the War of 1812-15.
Noah M. Prescott grew to manhood in his native town of Troy, receiving the usual amount of schooling for a farmer's son who had to be- come self-supporting at an early age. Whatever educational advantages he may have lacked in early life, so far as classical training or instruc- tion in the higher branches of knowledge is concerned, have been well compensated for by his own natural ability, application in the direction of self-improvement, and experience in the affairs of life. These qualities, together with that of strict moral integrity, have dis- tinguished him among his fellow-citizens, in whose regard he has long held a high place. Interested in town matters, he could hardly fail to be called on at some time or another to fill the office of Selectman, which he accord- ingly did for three years, making a good record. He was also appointed Deputy Sheriff in Aroos-
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took County. Appointed by President Clove- land under both his administrations to the office of Deputy United States Marshal, he served for six years in that capacity, his duties, which confined him principally to the St. John River, Maine, being to guard against smuggling and the illegal sale of liquor. He is now engaged chiefly in agriculture, his farin of eighty-five acres presenting a well-kept and thriving appearance, indicative of the owner's character. Me is a member of Clinton Grange, P. of H.
Mr. Prescott married February 19, 1855, Urania Moody, who was born in Thorndike, Me., a daughter of Caleb and Eunice (Whitney) Moody, both his parents being natives of this State. Though having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Prescott have an adopted daughter, Esther A., who is a graduate of Gray's Commercial College, Portland, and who also took a course of lessons in art work in Boston. Mrs. and Miss Prescott are artists of more than ordinary ability, both having gained a wide reputation for the excellence of their work in oil and crayon. For over thirty years Mrs. Prescott has been one of the foremost art teachers in this section, which occupation has been followed for several years also by Miss Prescott with great success. Their friends delight to view the latest products of their brush, which on occasions of public exhibition elicit favorable comment from competent critics, as from the public generally.
HARLES W. TILDEN, brevetted Brig- adier-general United States Volunteers for gallant services in the Civil War, is a well-known citizen of Kennebec County, Maine, being treasurer of the Hallowell Granite Works. He has been a resident of Hallowell since 1879, when he came to this city from his native place, Castine, Hancock County, Me. He was born May 7, 1833, son of Charles Kirk and Mary (Reed) Tilden and the youngest of a family of three children-George F., Mary G., and Charles W.
His father was born in Digby, N.S. He died in Castine in 1860. His mother was a daughter of the HIon. Nathan Reed, of Belfast, Me. (Har-
vard College, 1781), who was a member of Congress from Essex County, Massachusetts, in 1801, and in 1809, having removed to Maine, was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Hancock. His father, Major Reuben Reed, was an officer of the Revolution. (History of Belfast, Me.)
General Tilden's paternal grandfather was Charles Tilden, a native of Boston, Mass., born, says the history of Castine, in 176S. He died in Belfast, Me., in 1851, aged eighty-two.
Charles K. Tilden for many years was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in Castine, his sons in the latter part of the time being asso- ciated with him as partners.
Charles W. Tilden was educated in the pub- lic schools of Castine and in the North Mon- mouth Academy. In May, 1861, he enlisted to defend the Union in the war of the Rebellion, and was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company B, Second Maine Regiment Volun- teers, which became a part of the Army of the Potomac. He had previously held that rank in the local militia company, known as the Castine Light Infantry. The following is his war record in brief: Appointed Lieutenant Colonel, Sixteenth Maine, July 9, 1862. Pro- moted Colonel. Taken prisoner July 1, 1863. Escaped from Libby Prison through a tunnel, February 10, 1864. Taken prisoner August 18, 1864. Escaped again. Brevetted Brig- adier-general United States Volunteers. Mus- tered out July 16, 1865. Also from the Report of the Adjutant-general of Maine, 1864-65: "During his connection with the Sixteenth his military history was thoroughly identified with that of his regiment, an abstract of which may be found under its appropriate heading in this volume. Should that fail to do adequate credit to his superior efficiency as an officer, it is sufficient to know that his unwritten record accords him a high place, not only in the esteem of his comrades, but also upon the roll of honor." Among the battles in which he took part were the first Bull Run, Hanover Court House, Mal- vern Ifill, the Seven Days' Fight in front of Richmond, the first battle at Fredericksburg. Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Weldon Railroad. He was with the army at the time of the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. He
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had his horse shot from under him in the first day's fight at Gettysburg, and also at Hatcher's Run, where he himself was slightly wounded twice. He was also wounded at Hanover Court House.
After the close of the war and his discharge from the army, in June, 1865, as noted above, he returned to Castine. For the next fourteen years, or until his removal to Hallowell, he engaged in mercantile business and various enterprises. In 1867 he was one of the Castine Brick Company. For a number of years after removing to Hallowell he was secretary of the Hallowell Granite Company. His present posi- tion of treasurer of the Hallowell Granite Works he has held continuously since 1890. He is also (1902) the present secretary and treasurer of the North Wayne Tool Company.
He is a member of the Loyal Legion of the United States; of Hancock Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Castine; and of the Maine Commandery, Knights Templar. In politics he is a Repub- lican. It is needless to say that he commands the confidence of his business associates and is highly esteemed as a citizen.
He married, first, Juliet Maria Osborn, a native of Belfast. He married for his second wife L. Emma Osborn. He has two children, Charles K. and William R. Tilden, both of whom were born of his first marriage.
SAAC WALTER HANSON, of Auburn. is a descendant of Thomas Hanson, who came to this country from England, settling in Dover, N.H., where he was taxed as Thomas Hanson, Sr., as early as 1654, dying in 1666, the year of Charles II.'s reign made memorable by the great fire of London. The names of Thomas's children, so far as they are preserved in existing records, were Tobias, Thomas, Isaac, and Timothy. The widow of Thomas, Sr., was killed in the Indian massacre of 1689. The pure American Imeage of that branch of the family under im- mediate consideration begins with Thomas's son, Tobias,' who is therefore placed by gene- alogists at the head of this line. Tobias's wife Elizabeth was captured by Indians in 1689, and he was killed May 10, 1693.
His son, Tobias,2 married first Lydia Canne, by whom he had Benjamin and Elizabeth; and, second, Ann Lord, of Berwick, whose children were: Mercy, Tobias, Judith, Joseph, Nathaniel, Isaac, Samuel, and Aaron.
Isaac3 Hanson married Susannah Canne, and had children-Lydia, Susan, Rose, and Isaac.
Isaac+ Hanson, born at Dover, N.H., July 3, 1758, never saw his father, the latter dying before his birth. When two years old he was completely orphaned by the death of his mother, and was received into the household of his sister, Lydia Watson, who brought him up. On June 5, 1779, during the Revolutionary War, he enlisted as a marine on the ship "Ranger," Captain Thomas Simpson, which went on a successful six months' cruise, tak- ing several prizes. On returning he joined at Boston Commodore Whipple's squadron, which he accompanied to Charleston, S.C., serving continuously on the ship "Saratoga" and the frigate "Trumbull." He made his home in Dover, N.H., till 1796, in which year he removed to Farmington, N.H.
September 6, 1798, he was married by the Rev. Joseph Hayden, of Rochester, N.H., to Mary Jones, then a resident of Farming- ton. A native of Dover, N.H., born January 15, 1768, she died February 10. 186S. His death occurred January 5, 18-47. The children of Isaac and Mary Jones Hanson were as fol- lows: Susannah Canne, born February 26, 1801, who died August 8, 18S4; Joseph Jones, born May 2, 1803, who died at Farmington, No- vember 27, 1882; Lewis, born February 26, 1805, who died February 9, 1886: Mary Jane, born March 1, 1811, who died December 16, 1882; and Annis, born September 24, 1808, died August 3, 18SO.
Joseph Jones" Hanson resided all his life on the farm, engaged in tilling the soil. He was a man who took life earnestly, striving to do his full duty in all things, and in his own sphere of action to make the world brighter and better. A member of the Baptist church, he was strictly temperate, abstaining from intoxicants at a time when their use was general among all classes; and he took an active and beneficial part in town affairs. He married August 31,
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1831, Hannah Hayes Twombly, a daughter of John Twombly. She was born at Farmington; January 22, 1813, and died December 25, 1894. They had four children, namely: Lewis Edwin, born August 6, 1832, who married Sarah Torr, of Rochester, and died June 28, 1857; Josephi Horace, born June 14, 1835, who married Saralı Henderson, had two children, and died November 2, 1868; Annie M., born September 28, 1837, who married William D. Merrick, and lives in Somersworth, N.H .; and Isaac Walter, whose name begins this sketch. The children of Josephi Horace Hanson were Etta A. and Hattie F. Etta married Ed- ward O. Quiniby, by whom she has two chil- dren, Annie and . Robert. Hattie married Wells C. Smith, and resides in Haverhill, Mass. The children of Annie M. Hanson, who married William D. Herrick, were: Nellie, born in 1857, who resides with her parents; and Willie Lewis, born in 1861, who is now an overseer in a Methuen mill.
Isaac Walter Hanson was educated in Nich- ols's Latin School in Lewiston and at Bates Col- lege, where he was graduated in 1870. In 1872, after a two years' course in law, he was ad- mitted to the Androscoggin bar. Com- mencing practice at Mechanic Falls in the town of Poland, he remained there for a short time, and was elected Town Clerk and Treas- urer. After entering college he taught school in the towns of Farmington, Rochester, N.H., and Poland, Me. In September, 1878, he was eleeted Clerk of Courts for Androscoggin County, and during his term of twenty-four years in this office he introduced several desirable inno- vations, the most important of which was the printed docket, which has proved of great value to the legal fraternity. A member of the Masonic order, he belongs to the Blue Lodge at Mechanic Falls, and also to the I. O. O. F. lodge at that place. On May 18, 1892, he was elected a member of the Honorary Reserves of Burnside Post, No. 47, G. A. R., of Auburn, Me. He also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution.
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Mr. Hanson was married November 29, 1871, at Poland, Me., to Alice Perkins. He has had four children: Blanche P., born December 7, 1872, who died September 3, 1873; Edith M.,
born September 8, 1874, who is now living in Auburn; Annie J., born March 19, 1877, who died April 1, 1SS4; and Luther Walter, born February 12, 1SS0. The last named is now a resident of Boston, Mass. Mrs. Alice P. Hanson died April 18, 1897.
MOS HOLT, a prosperous and well- known citizen of Norridgewock, Som- erset County, was born in Bingham, in the same eounty, October 29, 1848. His parents were Hiram and Rachel (Jones) Holt, both natives of Bingham. They removed in the spring of 1859 to Norridgewock, where Hiram Holt followed the occupation of earpenter and builder for many years. He died in Norridgewock in 1SS1. He was a Democrat. His wife, Rachel Jones, was a daughter of Jonas Jones, an early settler of Bingham, Me. Hiram was a son of James Holt, also a native or early settler of Bingham. The children of Hiram and Rachel (Jones) Holt were: Flavilla, Amos, Hellen, Daniel, Lincoln, Frank, Merritt, Orrin, and Juliett. Of these the two last named are no longer living.
Amos Holt was a ten-year-old boy when he aeeompanied his parents to Norridgewock. He attended the publie school of his distriet, and further advanced his education as a pupil at the then famous Eaton's private sehool in Norridgewock. At the age of nineteen, under his father's supervision, he began to learn the trade of carpenter and builder, which he has since followed more or less in addition to farming. He owns and carries on a two-hundred-acre farın, known as "Riverside Farm," the flourish- ing condition of which attests both his industry and thorough knowledge of agriculture. He is now engaged in building for himself a modern cottage house, and making other improvements on and about his buildings. When these are completed, he will have as fine a view of the Kennebee River as any one might wish to see. This, with his fine level meadow of sixty acres and herd of Jersey cows, is attracting a good deal of attention on the part of those interested in agriculture. In politics he is a Democrat. His religious opinions affiliate him with the Seventh Day Adventists' church in Norridge-
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wock. In town affairs he supports useful measures, whether originated by those of his own political faith or otherwise, but casts his vote for every eligible candidate of his own party.
He married January 1, 1873, Etta M. Choate, who was born in Whitefield, Me., being a daugh- ter of Isaac C. and Fannie (Tibbetts) Choate. When a little girl, she accompanied her par- ents to Fairfield, Me., where she grew up and was married. Her mother died July 24, 1SS4, and her father died November 18, 18S6, in Nor- ridgewock.
Of twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holt, ten are now living, namely-Chauncey I., Arlton H., Altie R., Amos C., George W. A., Henry C., Ralph J., Jesse J., Madge F., and Ellery C. They have also an adopted daugh- ter, Ruby A. The two children deceased are Charles E. and Hortense M.
RANKLIN ROBINSON, born in Port- land, Me., December 5, 1832, died in that city, August 14, 1902. He was a lineal descendant in the seventh generation of Abraham Robinson, of Gloucester, Mass., the line being: Abraham,1 2 3 John,4 Samuel,5 Woodbury,6 Franklin.7
The date of Abraham Robinson's arrival in New England is unknown. It was formerly thought that he came from Leyden about the year 1630. He was at Gloucester, Mass., as early as 1641, and died February 23, 1645.
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