USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume III > Part 101
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the committee of safety in 1776. He was a man of fine physique, six feet in height, and was industrious and prudent in his affairs. By his own hard work he was able to accumulate quite a fortune for those days. He died De- cember 25, 1790, suddenly, of strangulated hernia. He married, in 1761 or 1762, Mary Hodge, of West Cambridge. She married (second) September 16, 1803, Enos Knight, of New Ipswich, and died December 22, 1825, aged ninety years. Children: I. Anne, born March 28, 1764; died August 16, 1771, killed by a log falling off a fence upon her. 2. James, August 16, 1766; married (first) Eliz- abeth Steele; (second) Elizabeth Little. 3. Anne, born May 3, 1768, married Jeremiah Swan. 4. William, February 8, 1770, married Dotia Smith. 5. John, January 10, 1772, men- tioned below. 6. Mary, May 21, 1775, mar- ried General John Steele. 7. Sarah, 1777, married, November 6, 1803, Joseph Haynes Johnson. 8. Joseph, 1780, died April 24, 1794. (III) Hon. John, son of Robert Wilson, was born January 10, 1772, in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He settled in Belfast, Maine, studied law and became one of the leaders of the bar in his time. He was prominent in pub- lic life and represented his district in congress in 1813-14, when Maine was still part of Mas- sachusetts. He died at Belfast in 1848. He married Hannah Leach. Children, born at Belfast : 1. Sarah, married Daniel Jewett, at- torney at law, Bangor ; removed to St. Louis, where he became a prominent citizen, and was mayor of that city. 2. John, born May 7, 1810, mentioned below. 3. Hannah, married A. G. Jewett, a prominent lawyer of Belfast, active in public affairs and at one time minis- ter to Peru. 4. Mary, married William C. Crosby, a lawyer of Bangor. 5. Jane.
(IV) John (2), son of Hon. John (1) Wil- son, was born in Belfast, May 7, 1810, died there February 10, 1874. He was educated in the public schools of his native town. He fol- lowed farming for his occupation all his life. He was a Republican in politics, after the party was organized, and at .one time was a member of the common council of the city of Belfast. He married, June 23, 1830, Eliza A. Townsend, born at Taunton, Massachusetts, December 29, 1809, died August 1, 1879. Children, born at Belfast: 1. Sarah E., June 19, 1831, died January 24, 1862; married David L. Hatch; one child: Charles L. 2. James A., April 14, 1833, died January 30, 1898; served in the civil war. 3. John O., May 9, 1835, died June 12, 1859. 4. Joseph B., April 19, 1837, served in the civil war. 5.
Jefferson F., July 26, 1839, mentioned below. 6. Julius A., August 20, 1841, served in the civil war. 7. Jesse A., April 2, 1843, killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 8. Justus M., October 10, 1844. 9. Jones E., De- cember 5, 1846, killed at the battle of Port Hudson, June 14, 1863. 10. Annie A., April 23, 1848, married, January 31, 1875, Alfred Ginn Ellis. Five of the sons were in the Union service in the army and navy at the same time and two were killed.
(V) Jefferson Franklin, son of John (2) Wilson, was born in Belfast, July 26, 1839. He was educated in the public schools there and worked on his father's farm until he was nineteen years old, when he went to Aroos- took county, three miles from the nearest clearing, and settled. He cleared his farm, built a log house and barn, and conducted his farm there for seven years. Then he returned to Belfast and established a general trucking business which prospered and grew to large proportions. He was in this business for a period of thirty years. In 1896 he sold out, and since then has devoted his attention to con- tracting and the care of his real estate. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat in politics ; he has been street commissioner and member of the board of aldermen of the city of Belfast; in 1888-89 he represented his district in the state legis- lature, serving on the important fish and game committee, was coroner of Waldo county four years ; was a delegate to the district convention to choose delegates to the Democratic National convenion in 1908. He is a charter member of Waldo Lodge of Odd Fellows, Belfast; of the New England Order of Protection, and of Seaside Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of Bel- fast. He married, December, 1860, Rosanna Blanchard, who died in 1863, daughter of Ben- jamin Blanchard, of Unity. He married ( sec- ond), April 18, 1868, Lizzie F. Davis, born July 6, 1847, daughter of Leander and Eliza (Cunningham) Davis, of Freedom, Maine. Child of first wife : Etta E., born in Mars Hill, Maine, 1862, married Ferd Mckean, of Bel- fast. Children of second wife: Jesse E., see forward ; Frank P., see forward. Leander Davis, father of Mrs. Jefferson F. Wilson, was born August 23, 1818, in Sangerville, Maine, died at Belfast, July 15, 1870. He married, May 27, 1841, Eliza Cunningham, born at Bel- fast, July 18, 1821, died March 9, 1894. daugh- ter of Benjamin and Betsey (Stephenson) Cunningham, and granddaughter of Major William Cunningham, a native of Scotland, a noted ship-builder of his day. who built "The Fox." the first ship ever built at Belfast. Ben-
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jamin Cunningham was born in Edgecombe, Maine, married, September 29, 1812, Betsey Stephenson, of Belfast.
(VI) Jesse E., son of Jefferson Franklin Wilson, was born in Belfast, January 24, 1870. He was edueated in the publie schools of his native city, and after working with his father a short time in the teaming business, took a course at Gray's Commereial College, Port- land. For a time he was a bookkeeper for F. O. Bailey & Company, of Portland, and then returned to Belfast and purchased an interest in the furniture and undertaking business of the late Aubrey G. Speneer, at No. 81 Main street. Mr. Wilson was then but twenty-one years of age, being the youngest man in busi- ness for himself in the eity. Two years later the firm had outgrown its quarters and was obliged to move to a larger store in the Coli- seum building, a few doors down the street. After ten years, during which time the business constantly increased, Mr. Wilson sold his in- terest to his partner and went west. He vis- ited many places in the middle west and on the Pacific coast, and finally purchased an interest in the business of J. B. Beals, of Fort Collins, Colorado, who had built up a good business as a men's outfitter. In the fall of 1904 Mr. Wil- son purchased his partner's interest in the business, and has since carried it on in his own name, advertising as "Wilson, My Clothier." He is a firm believer in newspaper advertising. He recently was obliged to lease additional floor space to accommodate his growing trade, and now has the largest business in his line in Colorado outside of Denver. Fort Collins is one of the most progressive eities in the west, and is rapidly growing in population and busi- ness importance. Mr. Wilson is taking the same interest in the material welfare of his adopted city that he did in the place of his nativity, being active in forwarding everything that looks to the benefit of the business of the community. Although one of the youngest men in business in Belfast, he was ever to be found among those who were striving for her best business interests. He was a member of the eity eouneil, and when there was work for the board of trade he was always at his post and was an efficient worker on the most active committees. He was one of the most active of the citizens of Belfast in readjusting the shoe factory difficulties, and in bringing to Belfast the firm of Leonard & Barrows. He was also largely instrumental in the settling of the Duplex Roller Bushing Company in Bel- fast, and several smaller eoneerns were ma- terially assisted in loeating in Belfast by Mr.
Wilson and his associates. He is a past chan- eellor of Silver Cross Lodge, Knights of Pyth- ias, and an Odd Fellow, and was for many years librarian of the Universalist Sunday- school.
(VI) Frank P. Wilson, seeond son of Jef- ferson Franklin Wilson, was born in Belfast, October 3, 1878. He was edueated in the sehools of his native eity, graduating from the high school ; then entered Comer's Commercial College, Boston, after which he matriculated in the University of Maine, graduating with the class of 1902. He read law in the office of Judge Johnson, of Belfast, and was ad- mitted to the bar in Massachusetts, August 26, 1902, and to the bar in Maine, April 21, 1903. He was admitted to practice in the United States district eourts of Maine and New York, February 17, 1904. For one year he had an offiee in Belfast, Maine, but at the present time (1908) is associated with the law firm of Rich, Woodford, Bovee & Butcher, No. 18 Wall street, New York.
WILSON The Wilsons are found in many branches of one family, and there are also many distinct families throughout this country. The one to which this article will refer was a Portland (Maine) sub-division of an old colonial line whose deseendants may be found in all parts of the country now.
(I) Isaae Wilson was born July 14, 1786, died April 24, 1861. He married, November II, 18II, Mehitable, daughter of Samuel Ho- vey; her first husband was Jonathan Fair- banks. She was born September 8, 1786, died July 27, 1873. Children : 1. Samuel Hovey, mentioned below. 2. Willard, March 29, 1814. 3. Isaac Jr., born in Saeo, June 6, 1816. 4. Henry, in Portland, September 18, 1818. 5. Ruth H., in Westbrook, December 17, 1820. 6. Sarah A., in Falmouth, February 26, 1824. 7. Euniee M., in Danville, July 17, 1826.
(II) Samuel Hovey, eldest ehild of Isaae and Mehitable (Hovey) (Fairbanks) Wilson, was born in the eity of Portland, Maine, Au- gust 12, 1812, and after obtaining a good eom- mon school education began at the age of six- teen years to learn the earpenter's trade. Later he went to Boston, remained several years, then returned to Lewiston, Maine, where he was a well known eontraetor and builder. He married (first), November 5, 1837, Deborah Jewel Gould, born August 6, 1813. Child, Adolphus P., born in Lewiston, November 15, 1842. Married (seeond), September 7, 1856, Caroline Frye, daughter of Ebenezer and Ju-
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dith (Barker) Ham. Children: I. Edward Alton, born April 13, 1859. 2. John Stock- bridge Patten Ham, August 9, 1860. 3. Mar- garet Lenora, January 1, 1862.
(III) John Stockbridge Patten Ham, son of Samuel H. and Caroline Frye (Ham) Wil- son, was born August 9, 1860. He was edu- cated at the public schools of Auburn and Tur- ner, Maine. He taught school twelve years, then entered the employ of J. B. Ham & Company, with whom he remained until 1900, when he purchased the business from his employers. This is an old and well established grain busi- ness, in which Mr. Wilson is still engaged. He is trustee of the Auburn Savings Bank. He is public-spirited, and has held numerous local offices including that of member of the school committee, while residing at Turner. Politically he is a Democrat, and by that party elected as mayor of Auburn in 1901-02. Being possessed of the fraternal spirit of the times, he is found numbered among the active mem- bership of the Masonic order, having advanced to the thirty-second degree in Masonry. He is also identified. with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family are attendants of the Universalist church.
WILSON The Wilson family, which is the subject of this narrative, was long time resident in Cor- nish, Maine, and not improbably descended from Gowen Wilson, whose progeny is nu- merous in the state.
(I) John Wilson lived in Cornish so long ago that record and tradition have preserved little- of him but his name.
(II) David, son of John Wilson, was a farmer in Cornish, where he resided many years, and died about the year 1854. He mar- ried Mary Emery, who died in 1871 at the age of eighty-five years, in Thomaston.
(III) Hon. Edmund, son of David and Mary (Emery) Wilson, was born in Cornish, York county, Maine, March 4, 1812, died in Thomaston, April 25, 1886. He studied law in the office of Judge Joseph Howard, then of Limerick, and was admitted to practice at the York county bar in October, 1837. Soon after admission he removed to Thomaston and en- tered upon the active practice of his profession. On first going to Thomaston he entered the law office of Jonathan Cilley, taking charge of it while Mr. Cilley was a member of the na- tional house of representatives, and up to the time of Mr. Cilley's memorable duel with Graves, of Kentucky, in which the high- spirited representative of Maine lost his life.
Mr. Wilson was county attorney for Lincoln county (before the formation of Knox county) from 1842 to 1847. In 1846 he was appointed by President Polk to the customs collectorship of the Waldoboro district, serving until 1849. He was again appointed by President Pierce in 1853 and served until 1857. In 1868 he was appointed special agent of the United States treasury under the administration of President Johnson, serving two years. He was a member of the Maine house of repre- sentatives in 1865-66-70-71-72-79. From 1876 to the time of his death he was the member from Maine of the Democratic national com- mittee. He took great interest in the promo- tion of the Knox & Lincoln railroad, and for many years was one of its directors. Mr. Wil- son was one whose wide acquaintance with public men and national politics brought him into close contact with public affairs. The breadth of his information and the geniality of his disposition made him hosts of friends even among his political opponents. For a long time he was a conspicuous figure in Maine politics. A Democrat by training and convic- tion, he was always loyal to the party of his first and only love, giving on every occasion a hearty support to its nominees. Perhaps one of the happiest moments of his life was when he received the news of the election of Grover Cleveland.
Apparently strong and well, Mr. Wilson died from an attack of apoplexy. He was taken ill while at dinner, late Sunday after- noon, soon became unconscious, and so re- mained until death, which occurred about eleven o'clock. He died in the midst of his third term as a member of the National Dem- ocratic committee, and the following is an ex- tract from the tribute paid to his memory by his successor, Hon. William Henry Clifford : "Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: It has be- come my duty to announce to this committee the death, since their last session, of Hon. Ed- mund Wilson, former member from the state of Maine, and it is my apology for occupying a few moments of the present session, that the mere announcement would come short of the proprieties of the occasion, when that is made concerning so venerable a member and so marked and prominent a person, in the business affairs, at the bar, and in the political contests of the state of which he was a citizen. For many years Mr. Wilson had filled no inconsiderable place at the bar and in the party of which he was always an honored member. * * * As a member of the Democratic party of Maine he performed an important function in its coun-
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sels, and was among the foremost in its con- tests with a strong and victorious foc. He had served as a young man in the ranks of the Democracy in the old days of its glory and predominance in Maine. He went down with it into the valley. But his devotion to its destinies was more especially exemplified dur- ing that long period during which it met only with reverses and defeats. I refer to the two decades subsequent to 1861, and during and following the outbreak and continuance of the civil war. Throughout this era of almost un- varied disaster, cheered by no victory, and illuminated by no hope, few, if any, in Maine contributed more than he towards maintain- ing some organization and coherency among the faithful few that, unfaltering, still mus- tered beneath the Democratic standard and maintained the Democratic faith. This is no small praise. In those days it required the firmness of an almost heroic spirit to profess the Democratic creed, and openly act in op- position to the haughty, domineering, uncom- promising, nay, almost persecuting spirit that inspired the forces of the overruling Republi- can power. To his honor, and in behalf of his memory, be it spoken that the subject of these remarks was by no means inconspicuous among the strong and steady men that calmly faced the noisy, exultant, contemptuous out- cries of triumphant Republicanism, without any approach toward faltering, and an impa- tient expectation of the coming of a brighter day. * * * Mr. Wilson was a type of the plain, unaffected, self-reliant New England man. He was a product of her institutions, educated under her systems, with a character moulded and colored by the social and moral influences which New England life exerts. * * A singularly kind and human nature was not at all concealed or distorted under a manner which; to the stranger, but little courted intimacy or advance. Indeed, I think, like many strong and rugged men averse to any exhibition of emotion, he assumed by habit a certain kind of bluntness as a mask; but this was only the rough external rind of a ripe fruit, sweet, savory and pleasant to the taste-a heart soft and tender and open to every just appeal. He was a man of deep con- victions and followed without faltering wher- ever a sense of duty led. He derived his courage from the sincerity of his belief. Of thick-set, sturdy frame, of resolute counten- ance and mien, he exhibited what he really was-a man of energy and vigor and strength. He was a Democrat from conviction, and from real comprehension of the spirit and aim of
our institutions." At the close of these re- marks Mr. Clifford introduced the following resolution, which was adopted: "Resolved, That the members of the Democratic national committee learn with sorrow of the death of the late representative of the state of Maine, in this body, the Hon. Edmund Wilson. By the death of Mr. Wilson this committee has lost the counsel and co-operation of an experi- enced and judicious member, who by his cor- rect appreciation of the duties of his position, his earnestness in the cause of Democracy, his intelligent appreciation of its spirit and aims, his capacity, his manly and considerate bear- ing, had established himself in the respect and regard of his colleagues, who will continue to maintain of their late esteemed and honored associate, the most agreeable recollections." At a special meeting of the Knox county bar the following resolutions were passed; and ordered placed on the records of the court: "Resolved, That we have with regret heard of the decease of the Hon. Edmund Wilson, a dis- tinguished member of this bar, who has adorned the profession by an upright and hon- orable life ; and we desire to mark the occasion by attempting to record our estimate of his manly life, his abilities and high character. Resolved-that the character and abilities of the Hon. Edmund Wilson, demand esteem; that though he was not for several years en- gaged in the active practice of his profession, he has kept a constant social intercourse with the members of the bar, and attending nearly every term of our court-by them he will be seriously missed. Throughout his whole life he maintained a wide and varied intercourse with the public men of our state and nation, and took deep interest and a prominent part in public affairs ; he was by nature social, and had a large fund of information, and large ac- quaintance with the men and affairs of the day. Resolved-That the bar deeply sympa- thize with the family and friends of our de- ceased brother, and that a copy of these resolu- tions be forwarded to his widow and son, and if the presiding justice permits, be entered on the records of the court." After the passage of these resolutions Chief Justice Peters spoke substantially as follows: "I am happy to con- cur with the body in the sentiments of the res- olutions offered and in the remarks. Mr. Wil- son was a conspicuous member of the bar, although for a good many years he could hardly be called a practitioner, certainly not an active one. I miss him here exceedingly. He was always in attendance more or less dur- ing the terms, and he took a personal interest
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in the disposition of cases. He had a very high respect for the profession and a very high respect for the court. He was a man of strong friendships; this was a marked trait of his character. He was a prominent man, a man known throughout the country. I regarded him as a man of integrity and character, and I think it very fitting that this tribute should be paid to his memory, and the request that the resolutions be entered on record is heartily granted."
Edmund Wilson married, December 1, 1842, Mary Sprague, born in Thomaston, November 16, 1813, died in Portland, May I, 1902, daughter of John and Sarah D. (Sampson) Haskell, of Thomaston. Of this union was born an only child, Bion.
(IV) Bion, only child of Edmund and Mary Sprague (Haskell) Wilson, was born in Thomaston, April 21, 1855. He was educated in the public schools of Thomaston, fitted for college by a private tutor, and entered Bow- doin College, July 12, 1872, from which he was graduated July 13, 1876. Subsequent to his graduation he read law in his father's of- fice at Thomaston, and for a short time in the office of Hon. Eben F. Pillsbury, of Augusta, and was admitted to the bar of Kennebec county at the March term of court, 1878. He immediately entered upon practice, and from May 10, 1878, till March 1, 1879, was associ- ated with Hon. James W. Bradbury, ex-United States senator, a prominent attorney, and a graduate of the famous Bowdoin College, class of 1825. During the three years beginning March 1, 1879, he was a law partner of Hon. Herbert M. Heath, a graduate of Bowdoin, class of 1872. January 1, 1887, he removed to Portland and was appointed deputy surveyor of customs by the Hon. Bion Bradbury, sur- veyor of the port of Portland and Falmouth, and held that position until November, 1890, when he resigned. He was then engaged in business affairs until May 15, 1893, when he was appointed national bank examiner for Maine. He held that office until January 17, 1898, when he was elected to his present po- sition of cashier of the Cumberland National Bank of Portland. He has been a member of the directorate of this bank since January, 1905, and for twelve years he was a director of the Union Safe Deposit & Trust Company of Portland. Since January, 1907, he has been secretary of the Portland Clearing House Association. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat in politics, and was the candidate of his party for county attorney of Kennebec county in 1882, and an alternate delegate to the Democratic
national convention at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1880, which nominated Hancock and English. He is a member of the Portland Country Club.
Mr. Wilson married, in Brunswick, June 4, 1879, Jennie Morse, born August 28, 1854, daughter of Woodbury and Lydia (Owen) Sweat, granddaughter of John and Nancy (Parker) Sweat, great-granddaughter of Ja- cob Parker, and great-great-granddaughter of James McCobb. James McCobb was born in England in 1710, and died in Phippsburg, Maine, in 1788. He commanded a company in the Colonial wars, and afterward held office under the King as special justice of the su- perior court of common pleas for the county of Lincoln. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson : Elise, born September 30, 1886; and Edmund, born September 12, 1890, a graduate of the Portland high school, and now a student at Bowdoin College.
HASKELL From Norman-French stock and a companion of William the Conqueror, the Haskells of this line claim descent; and in evidence of their claim adduce their coat-of-arms, which goes far to substantiate their claims. The es- cutcheon itself is Norman. Its field is (sais) or fur-Sais is derived from the fur with which the robes of only nobles or knights were lined. The colors, argent and sable, are those such as rendered the bearers noteworthy, the combination indicating unblemished reputa- tion. Argent compounded with sable means the yielding up of pleasure. Sable, the most ancient armory colors, compounded with ar- gent means famous. It is without device. An- ciently it was the opinion that such were of the highest honor. It bears the tesse or waist belt of honor, one of the insignia of knight- hood, it being of gold would imply that the bearer was a knight of no mean power or wealth. The legend of the crest is given thusly : At the battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, being faint from lack of food, saw in the distance, near the lines of Harold, an apple tree in fruit ; expressing his belief that one or two of the apples would revive him until the fortunes of the day should be decided, one of his attendants (a knight), Roget de Haskell by name, dashed forward amid a shower of the enemy's arrows, secured and brought to his sovereign a scarf filled with the fruit, whereupon the Conqueror bade him bear as his crest the fruit bearing apple tree pierced by a flying arrow. The impression is that the knight was mortally wounded. At the head of the coat-of-arms is the apple tree pierced by
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