USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 48
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In 1848, in consequence of failing health, he was superannuated. He entered into business as an apothecary in Wayne, subsequently at Skowhegan ; in 1873, located, and removed to Orange, New Jersey ..
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FAIRBANK. FOSTER. COLBY.
He was married to Miss Steward of Skowhegan ; one son and two daughters were born to them.
JONATHAN FAIRBANK.
Rev. Jonathan Fairbank was born in Harrison, Maine, April 1, 1811. For some years he held a local preacher's license and was ordained local deacon in 1836.
In 1844, he was received, on trial, in Maine Conference, and for thirty years, he held an effective relation, laboring with diligence and success, often upon hard fields of labor.
In 1877, he was appointed to North Augusta, but died before he reached his field of labor.
He had a robust constitution, capable of great endurance ; he had a clear, religious experience and was a sound preacher, rendering good service to the church ; he died May 16, 1877, aged sixty-six years .- (Minutes.)
WILLIAM II. FOSTER.
Rev. William H. Foster was born in Leeds, Maine, March 20, 1812 ; converted March, 1840, commenced preaching in 1843.
He was admitted on trial, to Maine Conference in 1844, and has continued in effective service till the present time, (1887) forty-three years.
He was married to Miss Harriet L. Curtis. They have had six children. Mrs. Foster died March 1, 1882. Mr. Foster married Mrs. Ann Basford, February 26, 1884.
He has served the church with great fidelity and success, and is still in active service.
JOSEPH COLBY.
Rev. Joseph Colby was born in Tamworth, New Hampshire, Dec. 12, 1812. He was converted in 1841 and licensed to preach in 1842.
He was received, on trial, in Maine Conference, in 1844, and continued in effective service thirty-five years, being appointed to many of the most important charges in Conference, and serving eight years as Presidiug Elder.
In 1881, on account of failing health, he took a supernumerary relation and, in 1885, he retired to the ranks of the superannuates.
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F. A. CRAFTS. J. MITCHELL.
During the war of the Rebellion, he served, for some time, as chaplain in the army.
Mr. Colby was greatly indebted to his excellent wife who was a valuable helper in his religious life and work as a minister. She passed to her home above, November 25, 1878. Mr. Colby was sub- sequently married to Miss McDaniels, and now lives at Gorham.
FREDERIC A. CRAFTS.
Rev. Frederic A. Crafts was born in Hebron, Maine, August 5, 1822. He was converted in Milan, New Hampshire, when about twelve years of age ; he pursued his studies at Buckfield High school, Hebron Academy and Maine Wesleyan Seminary ; he was licensed to exhort in 1841, and received into the Maine Conference, on trial in 1845, receiving deacon's and elder's orders in regular course. He continued in the itinerant work in the Maine Conference till 1862, when he was transferred to the Providence (now New England Southern) Conference, and with the exception of a few years of retirement, to the supernumerary ranks, he has continued in the itinerant work of the Conference.
Notwithstanding a predisposition to pulmonary disease, Mr. Crafts has performed a large amount of pastoral work and has rendered good service to the church.
In the early part of his ministry, he was married. By prudent management, with the valuable co-operation of his wife, he has been able to assist his five children in obtaining a thorough education ; three sons and one daughter having graduated at the Wesleyan University.
JOHN MITCHELL.
Rev. John Mitchell was born in Newfield in 1819. He was converted in his native town in 1830, and soon received into the church.
In 1844, he was licensed as a local preacher.
In 1845, he was admitted on trial in Maine Conference, and continued in the itinerant service most of the time till 1886. He has been compelled several times, by failing health, to retire, temporarily, to the supernumerary relation ; superannuated in 1887.
He was married in 1846 ; children, Frank A. and Nellic E.
Mr. Mitchell is modest and retiring in disposition ; a good preacher and faithful minister.
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U. RIDEOUT. H. B. ABBOTT.
URIEL RIDEOUT.
Rev. Uriel Rideout was born in Bowdoin, Mainc, July 26, 1816. He was trained to habits of industry, economy and self reliance; he was converted at the age of fifteen ; he possessed rare business talents and a fondness for business pursuits, but yielded to a conviction of duty to give himself wholly to the work of the ministry.
He was admitted to the Maine Conference, on trial, in 1846, and continued in the effective service of the itinerancy, till 1868, when, in consequence of declining health, he became supernumerary, and died at Cape Elizabeth Ferry, his last appointment, August 30, the same year, aged fifty-two.
In all his appointments, his labors were characterized by zeal and discretion, by ability and fidelity. He was successful in his work, and was highly esteemed by his brethren in the ministry and by the people he served.
His departure was sudden and the desire often expressed by lim, was realized "to cease at once to work and live." He came to the close of life, in a spirit of calm submission and with a joyous hope of heaven.
A wife and children are left to mourn the loss of a good husband and father .- (Minutes.)
HOWARD B. ABBOTT.
Rev. Howard B. Abbott closed an earnest and successful life at Waterville, Maine, February 1, 1876, aged sixty-five. Mr. Abbott was born in Sidney, Maine, September 14, 1810 ; he was educated at Bowdoin College in the class of 1836, converted at Calais, while studying law, and united with the Baptist Church. He soon com- menced the practice of law in Columbus, Mississippi, but finding the climate unfavorable to his health, he left the South, and entered into business with his brother, Nehemiah Abbott, Esq., at Belfast, Maine.
In the spring of 1847, yielding to an imperative conviction of duty, he abandoned a lucrative practice to enter the ministry, with the prospect, as he supposed, of receiving a support barely sufficient for a frugal subsistence. His doctrinal sentiments were thoroughly Arminian ; he could not honestly enter the ministry of a church holding Calvinistic doctrines ; he therefore obtained an honorable dismission from the Baptist church and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and was received on trial in the Maine Conference in 1847 ; he graduated to deacon's and elder's orders in regular course,
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N. C. CLIFFORD.
and continued to do the work of an effective minister till the spring of 1875, when he was compelled by failing health to desist from labor and retire to the home he had provided at Waterville.
Mr. Abbott was an earnest christian worker from the time of his conversion till his strength utterly failed. On entering the ministry, he left all secular pursuits and consecrated his entire cnergies, with great singleness of purpose, to his chosen calling, working with untiring zeal for the salvation of souls, regardless of his own personal convenience. Conversions resulted from his labors almost continuously and many were added to the church.
His naturally vigorous constitution was prematurely broken by excessive labor ; his indomitable will kept him nerved up to earnest work when he needed rest, and he became, at length, a victim of his own self-denying zeal ; he was rigidly conscientious, and his notions of duty were carried to an extreme of severity ; he had all the qualities of true heroism and he probably would not have shrunk from the martyr's fiery crown. And yet these stern qualities were tempered with strong affection and tender sympathy ; wife and children were fondly cherished, and when the latter were taken away by death, his grief was overwhelming.
He was intensely interested for the people of his charge, especially for the poor and suffering and was greatly beloved by the people among whom he labored : he came to the final hour calmly trusting in God. His widow, an estimable woman, mourns her bereavement in loneliness and sorrow.
NATHANIEL C. CLIFFORD.
Rev. Nathaniel C. Clifford was born in Grantham, New Hampshire, March 25, 1822. He was converted at Palermo in 1838 ; he was educated at Mainc Wesleyan Seminary, where he was employed for some time as a teacher.
He received license to preach in 1847, and the same year was admitted on trial in Maine Conference. After three years' service in itinerant work, his health failed, and for eighteen ycars his name was on the list of superannuates ; he, however, continued in active work, so far as his health would allow.
In 1869, his relation was changed to supernumerary, and he has rendered effective service as a supply on several charges, where, by wise and persistent cfforts he has been remarkably successful in building or repairing churches ; he has also rendered much good
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II. P. TORSEY.
service as Tract Agent, and as agent of the Kennebec County Bible Society ; he is a devoted christian minister, and an indcfatigable worker in the Master's vineyard.
He married Miss L. Almeda Dunn, July 30, 1848. They have had six children, four daughters and two sons, all of whom, through the encouragement of their parents, and their own cfforts, have been educated at the Seminary at Kent's Hill. One son, Howard A., is a licensed preacher, and teacher in a Freedmen's School in the South.
HENRY P. TORSEY.
Rev. Henry P. Torsey was born in Monmouth, Maine, August 7, 1819. In early life, he was exceedingly fond of athletic sports, in which he greatly excelled. He was converted when about seventeen years of age, while attending Monmouth Academy ; he soon after entered Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and continued a student four years.
In 1841, he was employed as a teacher in the Normal department of the East Greenwich Seminary, Rhode Island, Rev. B. F. Tefft, Principal,
In 1843, he was assistant in Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Rev. S. Allen being Principal.
In 1844, Mr. Allen resigned, and Mr. Torsey was chosen Principal, and continued in that office till 1882, when, broken down in health, he was compelled to resign.
Mr. Torsey is an enthusiastic and able teacher, and specially skilled in school management; he has a ready insight of character, and he generally succeeded in anticipating the plans of mischievous students, if any such were under his care, and prevented mischief in its incipiency. His methods were peculiar and remarkably successful, though they could not be safely employed by any one else.
No teacher in the country, probably, has had a larger number of students under his carc, and few have acquired a higher reputation as an educator.
He was married in 1845, to Miss Emma J. Robinson, daughter of the late Rev. E. Robinson.
Mrs. Torsey was, for many years, Preceptress of the Seminary, and has rendered valuable service in school work.
Mr. Torsey received license to preach in 1835 ; he was received on trial in Maine Conference in 1848, receiving ordination and full
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F. C. AYER. J. COBB.
membership in regular course. He was three times a delegate to the General Conference, and twice a member of the State Senate. During the war of the Rebellion, he was one year employed in the treasury department in the South.
In 1860. he received the honorary degree of L.L. D., and subse- quently, the degree of D. D. For several years, he has been Financial agent and Professor Emeritus of Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College.
FRANCIS C. AYER.
Rev. Francis C. Ayer was born in Cornish, Maine, November 1, 1813, and died at Bowdoinham, May 10, 1872. He was converted in 1843 ; received license to exhort in 1846 ; admitted to Conference on trial in 1849. and continued in the itinerant service. without inter- ruption, twenty-two years.
He possessed many valuable traits of character. Though his literary attainments were moderate, he had a large share of common sense. which enabled him to acquire a thorough knowledge of men and things.
He was an earnest and faithful minister, and eminently, a practical man, always striving to promote the temporal as well as spiritual welfare of his people, and his labors were successful.
In 1870 and 1872 he was appointed to Bowdoinham, but he was prostrated by sickness during the last year of his pastoral service, and died peacefully, trusting in the rock of his salvation, May 10, 1872. (Minutes.)
JOHN COBB.
Rev. John Cobb, the son of Rev. Allen H. Cobb was born in Bethel, Maine, April 1, 1808.
He was for some time a student in Maine Wesleyan Seminary ; he was converted in October, 1824 ; received license to preach in 1847, and in 1848 was admitted to Maine Conference, and from that time to the present, (1886) he has continued in effective itinerant work ; he has been highly esteemed as a faithful and devoted minister, and his labors have been highly successful.
September 6, 1829, he was married to Miss Martha Jordan. Their only son, Gershom F. Cobb, born in New Gloucester, July 16, 1833, is a member of Maine Conference.
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HILLMAN. LOVEWELL. PATTERSON.
THOMAS HILLMAN.
Rev. Thomas Hillman, a native of Temple, Maine, was received, on trial, in Maine Conference in 1849, and continued in the itinerant service, with the exception of one year of location, till 1883, when he retired to the rank of the supernumerates. His itinerant labors were, several times, interrupted by brief periods of the supernumerary relation, on account of feeble health. He was diligent in his work, a good preacher and fairly sueeessful ; he was exceedingly sensitive, and naturally modest and retiring in disposition ; he had many warm friends in the, charges he served, and those who knew him best, esteemed him most highly.
After his retirement from active service, his health rapidly declined, and on the third of August, 1883, he died in the triumph of faith.
A large congregation gathered at his funeral, and with tearful eyes, expressed the esteem in which he was held by the people .- (Minutes.)
ALPHEUS B. LOVEWELL.
Rev. Alpheus B. Lovewell was born in Otisfield, May 10, 1821. He was converted in early life and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1849 he was received, on trial, in Maine Conference, and sustained an effective relation till 1874, with the exception of seven years of feeble health. In 1874 he retired to the ranks of superannuates.
During his years of retirement, he continued in such lines of useful service as his state of health would allow, aeting as treasurer of the Maine Conference Missionary Society till near the elose of his life. He was patient and uneomplaining in his trials and sufferings, which were severe. He died suddenly at his home at Bolster's Mills, July 17, 1885, aged sixty-four years.
In 1845 he was married to Miss Emily W. Chute, who survives, in feeble health ; also two daughters mourn the loss of an excellent father. Mr. Lovewell was modest and unassuming, eareful and studious. He was a good preacher, and faithful to the last .- (Minutes.)
HENRY F. A. PATTERSON.
Rev. Henry F. A. Patterson was born in Saco, Me , October 27, 1818.
In carly manhood he worked on a farm summers, and taught school winters.
He was converted August, 1832, licensed to preach in 1847, and
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E. W. HUTCHINSON.
admitted to East Maine Conference, on trial, in 1849, continuing in the itinerant work.
In 1870 he was transferred to Maine Conference, and continued in itinerant service till 1878, when he became supernumerary on account of failing health : restored to effective relation in 1884, and continued to receive appointments till 1886.
In March, 1843, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Lydia A. Lord of Abbott, Me. Seven children were born to them, three only of whom are now living.
Mrs. Patterson died May 20, 1882.
ELEAZER W. HUTCHINSON.
Rev. Eleazer W. Hutchinson, son of Rev. David Hutchinson, for many years a member of Maine Conference, was born in Winslow, Maine, February 4th, 1826, and was converted when about twenty years of age. He was married October 19th, 1851, to Miss Nancy Woodsum.
He received license to preach and was admitted to East Maine Conference, on trial, in 1850, and ordained deacon and elder in regular conrse.
For twelve years he filled important appointments in East Maine Conference, and rendered specially important service in the building or finishing of churches.
At Bneksport, besides serving the church at Bucksport Center and Orland, he took charge of the boarding house of the Seminary and made it a source of income to the institution ; a degree of success seldom achieved.
The business ability displayed in the management of this enterprise attracted attention, and led to his appointment as superintendent of the State Reform School, which position he held successfully for three years.
In 1874 he entered the ministry in Maine Conference and continued in the itinerant service till 1883. While serving as pastor at Falmouth and Cumberland, his remarkable business energy and skill were called into requisition in the building of a new chapel, which has proved of great advantage to that charge.
In 1883 he was stationed at South Berwick and soon entered upon the work of building a new church in that place, with his accustomed zeal and promise of success. In the midst of his plans he was suddenly removed from his earthly labors, by apoplexy, July 20th,
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TRAFTON. LADD. TURNER.
1885, while on his way from his home to the camp ground at Old Orchard. He was highly esteemed, not only by the people of his charges but by the community where he lived.
His was a noble spirit ; amiable in disposition, modest and unassum- ing in manner, zealous in action, pure in heart and in life-a servant of God without reproach .- (Minutes.)
ASBURY C. TRAFTON.
Rev. Asbury C. Trafton was born in Shapleigh, Me., March 1st, 1833. Educated at Maine Wesleyan Seminary, admitted to Maine Conference in 1858, and continued in the itinerant service till the present time (1887).
Married Miss Julia A. Taylor of Kennebunk, May 5, 1858. After the decease of wife, he married Miss Abbie F. Taylor. Six children born to them.
Mrs. Trafton is an eloquent helper in christian work, and a gifted public speaker.
AMMI S. LADD.
Rev. Ammi S. Ladd was born in Phillips, Me., June 17, 1835. Educated in common schools. Admitted to Maine Conference, 1860, and continued in effective work till the present time. Transferred to East Maine Conference, 1885, and stationed at Brick Chapel ; 1887, returned to Maine Conference and appointed to Auburn. Mr. Ladd received the honorary degree of A. M. from Waterville college in 1873. He has been twice a delegate to the General Conference.
He was married July 10, 1861, to Miss Lydia Golder of Augusta. They had one child, who died October 18, 1867. Mrs. Ladd died March 1, 1880, a devoted christian and valuable helper.
Mr. Ladd is now living with his third wife.
ALPHA TURNER.
Rev. Alpha Turner was born in Durham Maine, June 12, 1814. He was converted on Long Island in Casco Bay, January 17, 1838, and received into the church the next year ; he was a sailor by occupation ; he was licensed to preachi in 1844, and was admitted, on trial, in Maine Conference in and 1851 and continued in the itinerant work till 1886 ; superannuated in 1887.
Mr. Turner's advantages for education were very limited; his early life was passed upon the ocean; he has an ardent nature,
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T. J. TRUE. E. G. DUNN.
a thorough christian experience ; he is a fluent speaker, and is remark- ably fervent in prayer and exhortation ; he has rendered faithful and successful service as a minister. He has been twice married and has had four children, only two are living.
THOMAS J. TRUE.
Rev. Thomas J. True was born in Temple, Maine, September 5, 1808 ; he was converted when eight years of age, and received into the church at Temple in 1826.
He was licensed as a local preacher, in 1831, and was admitted to Conference in 1851. From that time he continued in the effective service of the Conference till 1880, when he became superannuated. After a protracted period of feebleness and suffering, he died December 21, 1886, sustained by a firm trust in God.
He was married to Miss Hannah E. Duncan of Bath, July 26, 1869 ; seven children were born to them, two sons and five daughters, one (Thomas J.) died in the army, January 29, 1862. Two daughters are married. Mr. True was a faithful christian minister .- (Minutes.)
ELBRIDGE G. DUNN.
Rev. Elbridge G. Dunn was born in Poland, Maine, January 2, 1814. He was converted in early life and soon felt himself called to the work of the ministry. He received license to preach in 1852, and at the ensuing Conference, was admitted, on trial, and continued in the itinerant work till 1856, when his health gave way, while engaged upon North Norway Circuit.
Upon close examination of himself, under a sense of his need of a deeper work of grace upon his own heart, he sought and obtained the blessing of perfect love. This filled his heart with praise and clothed his tongue with fire, and, though able to preach but seldom, yet the few burning words that he was able to speak, fell with such power upon all that heard, that a blessed revival upon his charge was the result.
At the Conference of 1857, though feeble, he was assigned to Albany Circuit in hopes his health might recover. But he continued to decline till the 24th of January, 1858, when he passed from his labors to his reward.
Mr. Dunn, was a man of unusual promise ; he was a good preacher, and an earnest and faithful minister; he was sustained
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F. A. ROBINSON. J. ARMSTRONG.
during his sickness, and triumphant at the approach of death .-- (From Minutes.)
FRANCIS A. ROBINSON.
Rev. Francis A. Robinson, son of Rev. E. Robinson, was born in Sidney, Maine, December 22, 1827.
He was converted in carly life, fitted for College at Kent's Hill and graduated at the Wesleyan University, in 1849. After graduation, he was, for several years, employed as teacher in Maine Wesleyan Seminary.
In 1854, he was received, on trial, in Maine Conference, and after two years service in pastoral work, he was elected Professor in Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and continued in that service till 1871, when he accepted a professorship in the Pennsylvania State Agricultural College, which he was obliged to resign after three years, on account of ill health.
Recovering his health, he became Principal of a young ladies Seminary in Goshen, New York, where he remained two years, when his health became seriously impaired, and he returned to Kent's Hill ; here, in a few years, his health improved, and he was elected to a professorship in the Seminary, and remained till 1883, when he resigned on being appointed to a position in the Custom House at Portland. During the winter of the same year, he represented his town in the State Legislature.
His health rapidly declined and he died January 27, 1884. Mr. Robinson was a good scholar, genial in disposition and dignified in manners. While connected with the Seminary as Professor, he received the degree of Ph. D.
In his last sickness he was remarkably patient; his faith was unwavering and his departure was peaceful .- (Minutes.)
JAMES ARMSTRONG.
Rev. James Armstrong was an Englishman by birth. He was received in Maine Conference in 1854. For about thirteen years he rendered efficient service in the Conference. After 1870, he held a supernumerary or superannuated relation, till the time of his decease, November 22, 1877, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
As a preacher he was original, able and often eloquent. He dicd in the triumphs of faith, expressing unwavering trust in the gospel he had preached to others .- (Minutes.)
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S. S. GRAY. E. MARTIN. S. W. RUSSELL.
SARGENT S. GRAY.
Rev. Sargent S. Gray was admitted, on trial, to Maine Conference in 1855, and continued in the itinerant service till December, 1864, when in the midst of a glorious revival on his charge, (Baldwin Circuit,) he was suddenly removed from his earthly labors, by diphtheria, at the age of thirty-eight years ; he was a devoted, earnest and successful minister, and was much esteemed by the people among whom he labored.
EZEKIEL MARTIN.
Rev. Ezekiel Martin was born in Hebron, Maine, March 19, 1820. He was converted in Boston in 1840 ; joined the church in Livermore, received license to preach in October, 1854.
He was received, on trial, in Maine Conference, in 1855, and continued in the itinerant service, without interruption, till 1887.
From 1874 to 1877, he was Presiding Elder of Lewiston District.
Mr. Martin has a cheerful disposition ; he is an animated and popular preacher, and has been eminently successful in his work as a pastor.
In 1887, he retired to the rank of supernumerary, on account of failing health.
SAMUEL W. RUSSELL.
Rev. Samuel W. Russell was born in Canaan, Maine, December 8, 1823. In early life he became a resident of Pittston, where he was converted ; he was received into the church at Gardiner in 1854, and the next year he was received, on trial, in the Maine Conference, and appointed to Bridgton.
He continued in the itinerant service ten years, when, on account of failing health, he was compelled to take a superannuated relation.
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