USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume IV > Part 101
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(For preceding generations see Peter Bennett II.) (VI) Nathaniel, son of Ru-
BENNETT fus Bennett, was born in San- ford, Maine, where he was a resident all his life, dying in 1840, at the early age of thirty-three years. He occupied a prominent place in Sanford, serving as cap- tain in a militia company and filling the office of deputy sheriff in the county, besides faith- fully discharging the duties of a good citizen. He was a farmer, as so many of his ancestors. had been. He married Abigail Hanson, also a native of York county, and they had chil- dren : George, deceased; Eliza; Lucy, de- ceased; Edward K., see forward; Abigail,. married Charles O. Emery, of Sanford; Na- thaniel. Mrs. Bennett married (second) Will- iam B. Emery, of Sanford, and had children : I. William P., of Lynn, Massachusetts, born at South Sanford, March 12, 1849. At the age of sixteen years he commenced work in the shoe shop of Mr. Bennett, and after being employed there about eight years went to Bradford, Massachusetts, where for several. years he was engaged in the same business .. After the death of his wife he returned to Sanford for one year, then went back to Lynn, where he again engaged in his old business .. He married, 1873, Lois M. Perley, of West Bradford, Massachusetts, who died in May, 1875. 2. Etta, born in South Sanford, Sep- tember 15, 1851 ; married, October 20, 1867,. Bradford S. Bennett, who died in 1875, leav- ing her with one child, a son. She then re- moved to Sanford Village. 3. Charles O. born in South Sanford, August 1, 1853. At the age of fourten years he commenced working in the shoe shop during the summer months, attending school during the winter. At the expiration of four years he found em- ployment at Haverhill, Massachusetts, return- ing to Sanford after a short time and resum- ing work at his trade. In company with George Bennett, he opened a bakery in 1874, and at the time of the big fire, in 1876, their place was destroyed. He was then in the employ of Kimball Brothers & Company, grocers, for some little time, and later received an appointment as railway postal clerk, re- taining this until May 28, 1889. He then began work with S. B. Emery & Company in the furniture business, in which he is engaged at the present time. He has served three years as one of the selectmen of Sanford, twice as chairman of the board. He has also served two years as town clerk. He belongs to several secret organizations, and is active
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in their interests. He married, October I, 1881, Nellie J. Moon, of Winthrop, Maine.
(VII) Edward K., second son and fourth child of Nathaniel and Abigail (Hanson) Bennett, was born at South Sanford, Maine, November 2, 1837, died in 1902. He was but three years of age at the time of the death of his father, and was early thrown upon his own resources. When seven years old he was placed in the care of Jotham Moulton, and at the end of one year returned to his mother. About one year later it became neces- sary to find a home for him where he might earn his own bread. He was accordingly sent to the farm of Dr. Bennett, where he received two dollars per month for the work he was able to accomplish. At the end of six months he began to work regularly on the farm of Mr. Calvin Bennett, with whom he found employment each summer until he had reached his fourteenth year. His wages were in- creased from five dollars a month and board to nine dollars, for he proved himself indus- trious and reliable. He then entered the shoe shop of Mr. Eben Hobbs, and applied himself so steadily to his work that at the end of a year he received thirty dollars and a set of shoemakers' tools, and was ready to begin in business for himself. His first venture was a modest one, but he was soon enabled to enlarge his business until he employed sixteen men. For twenty years he was engaged in this calling, then removed to Sanford, where he bought an interest in an express business. His partner, Mr. Darling Ross, soon with- drew from the business, selling his interest to Mr. Bennett, who became the sole proprietor. The business increased in importance, being combined with hack and stage transportation, until the advent of the electric road in San- ford, when a swifter mode of transacting af- fairs of this nature caused its decline. Mr. Bennett was engaged in other enterprises, having been a successful dealer in coal and agent of the American Express Company in Sanford. His political affiliations were with the Republican party. Not long after the close of the civil war, Mr. Bennett was sent as representative to the Maine legislature, in which he discharged the duties incidental to the position with credit to himself and the state. He attended the Congregational church, and was a member of Riverside Lodge No. 12, Knights of Pythias, of Sanford. He married Calista D. Willard, daughter of Stephen Wil- lard, and they had children: Willard H., pro- prietor of the Sanford Hotel ; a daughter who died in infancy; Myron E.
(VIII) Myron Edward, second son and third and youngest child of Edward K. and Calista D. (Willard) Bennett, was born in Sanford, Maine, December 2, 1876. He was educated in the public schools of Sanford, and the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1896. He then took a course of two years in special work at Har- vard University, at the end of which he re- turned to Sanford and succeeded his father as agent of the American Express Company, a position he resigned in 1900 in favor of that of superintendent of schools, which he filled very capably for a period of seven years. He bought a half interest in the drug business of G. G. Brown in 1906, which was carried on under the firm name of G. G. Brown & Com- pany. In the meantime he had resigned as superintendent of schools, and in 1907 he purchased the interest of his partner and be- came the sole proprietor of the business. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and is affili- ated with Preble Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Sanford; White Rose Royal Arch Chapter; St. Amand Commandery, Knights Templar, of Kennebunk; Maine Council, of Saco; the Scottish Rite bodies, Portland; Riverside Lodge No. 12, Knights of Pythias; Friendship Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Springvale; Korah Encampment, of Sanford. He married, June 15, 1903, Flor- ence Beckett, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, and they have one child: Doris, born September 14, 1904.
The earliest Eddys, John and EDDY Samuel, sons of Rev. William Eddy, of Cranbrook, in Kent, England, came to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the "Handmaid" in October, 1630. From them and other progenitors have descended many of the name. The Massachusetts Revo- lutionary Rolls show that the family was liber- ally represented among the patriots in the struggle for liberty.
(I) George Warren, son of Thomas Barker Eddy, was for years engaged in mercantile business with Burr Brothers, of Charlestown, Massachusetts. He resigned his place and re- moved to Portland, Maine, where the re- mainder of his life was passed. He married Flavilla Barker, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Clement) Barker. They were the parents of children: Harry Barker (died young), Augustus (died young), Flavilla, Harry B., mentioned below. Flavilla married George W. Libby.
(II) Harry Barker, eldest child of George
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Warren and Flavilla (Barker) Eddy, was born in Portland, March 25, 1861. He at- tended the public schools and a private school taught by Professor Patten, and prepared to enter college, but about the time he was ready to go to college he had a place offered him with Deering, Milliken & Company, and he gave up his scholastic pursuits to enter mer- cantile life, January 1, 1879. He worked hard for advancement for twenty-one years, when his long and faithful service made him a member of the firm. He is a buyer for the house, and purchases all the piece goods it handles. Mr. Eddy is a member of Ivanhoe Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of Unity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the following named clubs : Portland, Portland Athletic, Lincoln and Economic. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Universalist church. Harry Barker Eddy married Lillian Day, who was born in Port- land, daughter of Charles Day, who is an im- porter and wholesale and retail dealer in toys in Portland; he married and was the father of two children : Lillian and Mary Warren. The latter is one of the leading osteopathic physicians of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have one child, Warren Day.
DINSMORE Arthur Dinsmore, a pioneer settler of Anson, Maine, was born in Anson, Somerset county, Maine, when it was a part of the province of Massachusetts. He was one of the substantial farmers of the town of An- son, where he lived all his life. He married Patty Houghton; children, all born on the farm in Anson: Sanford, Luke H., Abner, Zebina, Sumner, Sewell, Austin, Thomas, Clara, Susan, Betsey.
(II) Luke H., son of Arthur and Patty (Houghton) Dinsmore, of Anson, Maine, was born on his father's homestead, April 4, 1818. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, fol- lowing the occupation all of his life; he pur- chased a farm in Anson which he cultivated several years, then sold and purchased a farm in Emden; this he also sold, and removed to a farm in Solon, a few miles up the Kenne- bec, where he remained up to the time of his removal to Aroostook county, in 1881. He married Mary H., daughter of Dr. Francis Caldwell, of Portland, Maine; children: I. Maria, born in Anson, Maine, 1845, married Gardner Benson, of Skowhegan, Somerset county, Maine. 2. Charles Henry (q. v.). Luke H. Dinsmore died in Fort Fairfield, Maine, January 8, 1879.
(III) Charles Henry, son of Luke H. and Mary H. (Caldwell) Dinsmore, was born in Anson, Maine, December 7, 1852. He worked his father's farm up to the time of his father's death, which occurred January 8, 1879. He had formerly lived in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he was employed in the cotton mills for four years. In 1882 he removed to Fort Fair- field, Aroostook county, Maine, where he car- ried on a farm on his own account up to 1896, when he gave up farming and sold his farm to accept the office of tax collector, removing his family from the country into the town. He also served as selectman of the town of Fort Fairfield, 1894-95, and in 1896 was elected tax collector, an office he held until 1908. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he being a member of Pioneer Lodge, No. 77, of Fort Fairfield. He attends the Congregational church, and was a member of the finance com- mittee of the church organization. He mar- ried (first) in 1874, Cora Jones; she died in 1877. Married (second) Mary E., daughter of Seth T. and Euphrasia Merrill, of Fort Fairfield; children : Eula B., died aged three and one-half years, and an infant, deceased, unnamed.
(For preceding generations see Captain Roger Plaisted I.) (VIII) Ralph Parker, third
PLAISTED son of General Harris Mer- rill and Sarah J. (Mason) Plaisted, was born in Bangor, Maine, March 17, 1871. He was a graduate of the public schools of Bangor and of Coney high school, Augusta, Maine. He matriculated at Bow- doin College in the class of 1894, and was graduated A. B. with that class. He studied law and was graduated at the Albany Law School in 1897, and the same year was ad- mitted to the bar of the state of Maine. He traveled in Europe for study and observation 1897-98, and on his return to Bangor opened a law office and began practicing in Penob- scot county, soon extending his practice to the adjacent counties. On June 28, 1901, he was admitted to practice in the United States cir- cuit court. Governor Hill appointed him pub- lic administrator for Penobscot county in 1902, and at the close of his first term he was reap- pointed. He affiliated with the Democratic party. Mr. Plaisted was nominated by his party and elected by the city government city clerk in 1905. He filled the office so accept- ably for two years that he earned the approval of his fellow citizens without regard to their political convictions. While in the service of
Edwin Riley
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the city he almost entirely suspended his legal practice in order to g ve the city his undivided service, but in the spring of 1907, upon his retirement from municipal office, he resumed the practice of law in the city of his birth. Mr. Plaisted is a member of Theta Chapter, Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, the Condus- keag Canoe and Country Club and is a mem- ber of St. Andrew's Lodge and Mt. Moriah Chapter, F. and A. M., of Bangor. He mar- ried, June 19, 1906, Frances F., daughter of Hon. D. Allston and Frances (Bragg) Sar- gent. Mr. Sargent is a former mayor of Brewer, Maine, and former representative from the same city in the state legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Plaisted established their home in Bangor. They are members of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, of which church Mr. Plaisted is vestryman, also serving the parish since 1904 as treasurer.
RILEY This name in its original form of O'Reilly is traced back to an an- cient family who were princes of East Brefney, some centuries before the Con- queror invaded England. From the original stem have been produced various Anglicized and other foreign forms, like O'Rahilly, O'Rielly, Rahilly, Raleigh, Reyley, Rielly, Riley, Radley, Ridley, Ryley and Reillé. An- nadh O'Reilly, the last king of East Brefney, died in 1220. The O'Reilleys were inaugu- rated on the Hill of Shantoman, a large hill between Cavan and Ballyhaise, on the sum- mit of which may still be seen the remains of a Druidical temple consisting of several large stones standing upright. The arms of this family consisted of a shield vert, two lions rampant, combatant or, supporting a dexter hand couped at the wrist and apaumée, bloody.
(I) Edwin Riley was born in Yorkshire, England, near the close of the eighteenth cen- tury. He learned the trade of papermaking in the days when it was all made by hand and the stock used was linen rags. He reared a large family, some of whom migrated to America.
(II) James, son of Edwin Riley, was born in England, September, 1822, and died 1889. He learned the trade of papermaking from his father, and in 1859 came to America with his family. He entered the employ of Good- win Brothers in Buckland, a village in Man- chester, Connecticut. About 1844 James Riley married Caroline Bryant, of Bucking- hamshire, England, and they had eight chil- dren: Alfred, Edwin (2), whose sketch fol-
lows; William, George, Joseph, James, who died in infancy; Elizabeth and James.
(III) Edwin (2), second son of James and Caroline (Bryant) Riley, was born at Morton Banks, Yorkshire, England, March 29, 1847. He began his education at the age of three in school similar to our kindergarten. At the age of twelve he moved with his people to Manchester, Connecticut, where he attended school for two years. When he was four- teen he began to learn the hereditary art of papermaking, which his family had followed for generations. He worked through the vari- ous departments, and learned all the branches. Beginning by making paper by hand, he has followed each improvement until now he is one of the foremost authorities in the country on the subject of manufacturing sulphite fibre and paper. In 1881 he had charge of the mills at Lawrence, Massachusetts, going from there to Franklin Falls, New Hampshire, then to Bellows Falls, Vermont, Palmer's Falls and Fort Edward, New York. In January, 1894, he came to Livermore Falls, Maine, where he assumed entire charge of the mills of the International Paper Company, having eight plants under his jurisdiction. Until recently (1908) Mr. Riley was president of the Ox- ford Paper Company at Rumford Falls, Maine, and is still a director. Although but fourteen years of age when the civil war broke out, Mr. Riley was able to render good service during the last year. On January 16, 1865, being at that time a resident of Northampton, he enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Massachu- setts Infantry, under Colonel Edwards, and on June 21 of that year was transferred to the Twentieth Massachusetts, serving until his discharge in August. He took part in the battles of Petersburg, Sailors' Creek and Hatcher's Run, and there are probably few younger men than Mr. Riley who saw active service. Although born in another land, Ed- win Riley has the true American spirit, and his military record is but one proof of his devotion to his adopted country. Despite his great business responsibilities, he finds time for the higher duties of citizenship, and his knowledge of civic affairs, his generosity and broad-minded liberality may well serve as an example to many whose residence here has been longer, and whose debt to their country is greater. He is a Mason of the thirty-second degree, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Riley served as al- ternate at the Republican convention in 1900, when Mckinley and Roosevelt were nomi-
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nated; and in 1904 he was delegate at large. He is president of the Record Foundry Com- pany, Richmond Manufacturing Company, Free Library Association, and of the G. A. R. Memorial Association. He built a monument in memory of deceased soldiers of the late rebellion. He is a member of Kimball Post, No. 38, G. A. R., and is past commander of that post. On November 24, 1872, Edwin Riley married Rosilla Noyes, of Harmony, Maine. They have five children: Fred E., whose sketch follows; Ada C., Ralph J., Grace F. and Harold G.
(IV) Fred E., eldest child of Edwin (2) and Rosilla (Noyes) Riley, was born at Law- rence, October 24, 1874. His preliminary education was obtained in the public schools and at Glens Falls Academy. He subsequently attended Cornell University, where he took the civil engineering course, and also a spe- cial course in electricity. After graduation he worked with his father at Fort Edward, New York, removing in 1894 to Livermore Falls, Maine, where he was made division engineer for the International Paper Company, which position he still occupies. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Shriners, Sons of Vet- erans, and captain of Company C, Twenty- third Regiment, Maine National Guard. On June 23, 1896, Fred E. Riley married Minnie W. Alden, daughter of Isaiah and Dora A. (Staples) Alden, of Livermore Falls, and a direct descendant of Pilgrim John Alden. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have had six children: Ed- win, Louis, Standish, Muriel, Raphael, died in infancy ; Marguerite, died in infancy.
Leonard Alden, paternal grandfather of Minnie W. (Alden) Riley, was one of the early settlers of Turner, Maine, where he was a carpenter and farmer. In religion he was a Universalist. He married Miranda, daughter of Isaiah Leavitt, one of the earliest settlers of Turner, and descended from one of the old families of Massachusetts; children : Adelbert, Almeda, Alton, Isaiah and Han- nah.
Isaiah, third son of Leonard and Miranda (Leavitt) Alden, was born June 8, 1846, and was educated at Bowdoin College, and at Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating from the latter institution in the class of 1869. He began the practice of law in Iowa, where he remained about three years; then, on account of failing health, he returned to Livermore Falls, where he practiced until his death in 1886. He was a Universalist in religion. On July 24, 1871, he married Dora A. Staples, daughter of Ezra
and Sibyl (Grover) Staples, of Carthage, Maine. They had children: Sibyl S., Minnie W., and Loyal L. Minnie W. Alden married Fred E. Riley, of Livermore Falls.
DARLING In many places where mem- bers of the Darling family have lived they have been well known as people "of inspiring bravery." In early settlements of our country when the strongest men quailed at the stories of Indian cruelty the Darlings inspired such people to guard well their homes, and this by a few words ringing with courage and hope. In . many neighborhoods where the members of once strong churches have dwindled to a mere handfull through the changing scenes in a town's history some Darling has, single- handed, so inspired others by his constant at- tendance and work for that church that it has arisen to be a stronger power for good than in the past. The First Congregational Church of Sioux City, Iowa, stands as a grand memorial to the magnetic bravery of the Rev. Marcellus W. Darling. When Eliakim Dar- ling joined the army of General Stark from the hills of Rindge, New Hampshire, his firm and ringing step so enthused some soldiers that the gallant leader was not surprised at the outcome of the battle of Bennington. On all fields of helpfulness the same story may be read of the courage inspired by the reso- lute and far-defying Darlings. And the women of this noble line have wrought rec- ords which glow with their hope and enthusi- asm in the face of the wildest storms and dangers. The story of Grace Darling has had many repetitions by sea and land. It is well that all families cherish the histories of the brave deeds which shine along their life stories, but when these brave looks, words and deeds have rung through the ranks of life like electric shocks those who bear the Darling name may well be proud of its marked characteristics.
(I) John Darling was born about the year 1640, and was one of the pioneer settlers at Andover, Massachusetts, where his wisdom and courage had much to do with the laying of the strong foundations of that famous old town. He married Mary, daughter of Rich- ard Bishop. Children: Mary, Hannah, Abi- gail, John, Thomas, Eliakim.
(II) Eliakim, son of John and Mary (Bishop) Darling, was born in Andover, Mas- sachusetts, about the year 1680, and inherited the sturdy and trustworthy character of his
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father and the hardihood which marked the Bishop line through its many generations. He married Sarah Buxton in 1704.
(III) Jonathan, son of Eliakim and Sarah (Buxton) Darling, was born about the year 1714, died in Andover, May 21, 1746. He was a man of true patriotism and neighborly helpfulness. He married, in 1740, Sarah, daughter of William and Dorothy (Wright) Wardwell.
(IV) Eliakim (2), son of Jonathan and Sarah (Wardwell) Darling, was baptized at Andover, March 6, 1743. In 1771 he removed to the town of Rindge, New Hampshire. In 1776 he was one of the prominent signers of the association test, pledging life and fortune to the American cause, and thus aiding many others to look hopefully beyond the dark clouds which hung over our country. In 1777 he served in Captain Salmon Stone's com- pany, Colonel Nichol's regiment, General Stark's brigade, and bravely participated in the famous battle of Bennington. After 1782 no mention is made of him in the Rindge rec- ords, and it is supposed he died about that time, though the exact date has not been found. He married (first) Martha who died in Rindge, July 6, 1780. Married (second) November 10, 1781, Lucy (Wood) Pritchard, widow of John Pritchard, of Rindge, and daughter of Salmon and Han- nah (Jewett) Wood, of that town. Mrs. Darling was born in Bedford, Massachusetts, September 2, 1746. Children of first mar- riage: I. Amos, born in Andover, Massa- chusetts, January 16, 1766, died in Rindge, New Hampshire, October 9, 1846; he was a very skilled and industrious blacksmith; he married, in Rindge, October 19, 1787, Ede Stone, born in Rindge, July 24, 1769, daugh- ter of Captain Salmon and Susannah (Page) Stone. 2. William, born in Andover, August II, 1769. 3. Daniel, born in Rindge, April I, 1772. 4. Thomas, born in Rindge, April 26, 1775. 5. Samuel, born in Rindge, August, 1777. 6. An infant, born July 2, 1779, died July 5, 1779. 7. Eliakim, mentioned below. Child of second marriage: 8. Martha, born in Rindge, March 2, 1782.
(V) Eliakim (3), son of Eliakim (2) and Martha Darling, married Ruth Buck, a di- rect descendant of the ancestor, William Buck, who was born in England in 1585, and set- tled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, April 15, 1635, where he died January 24, 1658, being the founder of a family line of great courage and hardihood.
(VI) Amos Buck, son of Eliakim (3) and
Ruth (Buck) Darling, was born December 20, 1812, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1884. He was a very wealthy merchant of Philadelphia, and a man of great helpfulness and integrity in the community where he lived. He was a very patriotic citi- zen, was captain in the militia, and at the time of the Aroostook war in Maine was or- dered by the United States government to call out his company, as it was well understood what a thrilling effect would follow the ap- pearance of this noble soldier and his well trained men. He married Caroline Hooper, who was a woman of sterling qualities. Chil- dren: I. John Augustus, born at Bucksport, June 7, 1835. 2. Margarette, February 25, 1837, married James N. Buck. 3. Austin H., August 6, 1838. 4. Valeria P., February 10, 1840, married Henry Watson. 5. James A. H., October 25, 1841, married Isabella Bull. 6. Alfred H., May 15, 1843, married Mary Welch. 7. William S., July 26, 1847, married Mary J. Johnson. 8. Howard R., September 19, 1850, married Lizzie Sumers. 9. Kate, January 18, 1853. 10. Amos L., July 15, 1856.
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