History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 199

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100

USA > Maine > Penobscot County > History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 199

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The firm of Leighton, Davenport & Co., gas-fitters, has been established under the present name but about four years. 'Mr. Leighton's father, Anson Leighton, came to Bangor in 1832. He was born at Falmouth, now Portland, March 2, 1812. His parents early moved to Norway, Maine, where his father died, leaving a widow and two children-Anson and Ichabod E. Anson lived from the time he was four years old until he was fourteen with a Mr. Gordon-including a few years with the Shaker family at Poland, Mr. Gordon being then con- nected with that family. He was afterwards apprenticed to a Mr. North, of Westbrook, where he learned the tin- plate worker's trade. On coming to Bangor he went to work for the well-known firm of Campbell & Mills, where he remained until 1834, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Charles H. Wing, under the firm name of Leighton & Wing. Their shop was at the east end of

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Central Bridge, then just built. Mr. Wing withdrew in 1837, and his brother, I. E. Leighton, became connected with him about one year. Mr. Leighton then remained alone until about 1840, when he removed to the present place of business, corner of Exchange and York streets. At that time he formed a partnership with Mr. Samuel Lunt, under the name of Lunt & Leighton. Mr. Lunt withdrew in 1847 and his brother again became connected with him, remaining until 1862, when he withdrew. Mr. Leighton carried on business alone until 1864, when he admitted to partnership Mr. G. A. Davenport, who had worked some years in the establishment, and his son, Horace W. This firm continued until the death of Mr. Leighton, December 5, 1877. He married Eleanor W. Saunders, daughter of John and Martha Saunders, of Bangor. She is still living. To this couple have been born four children-Mary J., now Mrs. George S. Chal- mers; Maria L., wife of Mr. M. G. Trask; Martha L., deceased; and Horace W. Horace W. Leighton, young- est son of this family, is now a member of the firm car- rying on the business at the old stand. He was born June 5, 1846, in Bangor, and has been engaged in the gas-fitting business since finishing his education.

Mr. George A. Davenport, of the present firm of Leighton, Davenport & Co., is a native of Hallowell, Maine. His father was a farmer and brickmaker, and George A. was brought up on the farm At the age of eighteen he went to Hallowell, and learned the stove and tin plate business, remaining there four years. He came to Bangor in 1854, and went to work for Wood, Bishop & Co. for two years, and then went to work for Mr. Leighton. He has been ever since connected with the firm, being admitted as a partner in 1864. In 1878, on the death of Mr. Leighton, Mr. Manly G. Trask was taken in as a member of the firm, and so continues to this time. Mr. Davenport married Miss M. Louise Brown, daughter of Buckley Brown, of this city. They have five children-Etta L., Helen C., Lottie M., Albert H., and Mattie M. Mr. Davenport has been a member of the City Council.

Manly G. Trask, of the above firm, is a native of New Sharon. His father was a farmer, and Manly G. was brought up on the farm. On becoming of age, he came to Bangor, and engaged in the business of photography which he continued about twelve years. In 1870 he went into the hardware business, in which he continued until 1877, when he became a member of the firm of Leighton, Davenport & Co. Mr. Trask married Miss Maria L. Leighton, daughter of Anson Leighton, and has one daughter-Mattie L. Mr. Trask has been for several years connected with the City Government, having been three years a member of the Council, and two on the Board of Aldermen. When he was a member of the Council he was for two years President of that body.

The firm of N. H. Bragg & Sons, the well known iron and hardware dealers of Bangor, has been established under the present name since 1871. Norris H. Bragg is a native of Dixmont, in this county, where he was a blacksmith until 1854, when he came to Bangor and established the business as now conducted in company

with Sumner Bassford. They continued in business until 1861, when Mr. Bassford went out and Mr. Bragg continued: alone until 1866, when he admitted his son, Norris E., to a partnership. They continued until 1867, when Mr. Bragg died and Norris E. Bragg continued the business alone until 1871, when he took his brother into partnership and conducted the business under the old name by adding to the sign, making it N. H. Bragg & Sons, under which name it now stands. Norris H. Bragg married Sophia Crocker, daughter of Nathaniel Crocker, of Dixmont. As stated above, he died in 1867. Mrs. Bragg is still living. Their family consisted of two sons who grew up, viz: Norris E. and Charles F., the present members of the firm. Norris E. married Annie R. Tefft, daughter of Benjamin Tefft, of Brewer. They have two children-Norris F. and the baby, not named. Charles F. married Florence Wingate, daughter of Wil- liam P. Wingate. They have two children living- Franklin E. and Agnes W. The place of business of this firm is at No. 4 Broad street.

The Neally family is of Scotch-Irish descent and traces its genealogy back to one Andrew Neally, who in 1730 objected to the hiring of a minister. They have a very complete chart of the family. Charles Neally, of Bangor, was born in Hampden and came here about 1836. He has always been engaged in the lumber and provision business; and is widely known over the lumber region of Maine. He married Angeline P. Cummings. Mrs. Neally died in 1856, and Mr. Neally married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah J. McGrath. Mr. Neally has three children, viz: Melvin, of Brewer; Herbert E., also of Brewer; and Edward R., of Bangor. Mr. Neally's place of business is 96 Exchange street.

Mr. Charles Hayward, head of the house of Charles Hayward & Co., wholesale dealers in flour, groceries, and provisions, 110-14 Exchange street, is a native of the Pine Tree State, born in Readfield, Kennebec county, April 7, 1812. At the age of twenty, on March 11, 1832, he reached Bangor and began at once as clerk in the retail grocery store of Mr. Stephen Goodhue; in about a year changed to the grocery store of Nathaniel Good- hue, and after two years with him to the similar estab- lishment of Messrs. J. & J. True, at No. 50 West Market Square. After more than five years in their service he was admitted, in August, 1840, as a member of the firm, which then took the name of J. & J. True & Co. Three years afterward Mr. Jabez True was bought out by his partners, and the firm was changed to True & Hayward. Various other changes have occurred with the years. The latter became head of the house, then bearing the title of Hayward & Harris, in 1855. The latter went to Boston three years after, disposing of his interest to Mr. Hayward, who continued the business alone until Octo- ber, 1860, when he received as partners one of his old clerks, Mr. George Varney, and also Mr. Charles V. Lord, when the house took the name it now bears, but with a somewhat different composition. Colonel Varney remains with the concern, but Mr. Lord's place has been taken since the war by Mr. Wilbur F. Brann. The bus- iness remained [on West Market Square till the great fire

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

of January 1, 1869, which completely destroyed the building (the individual property of Mr. Hayward) and very nearly all its contents, except the safe, books and papers of the firm. After temporary occupation else- where they removed to their present spacious and con- venient quarters on Exchange street. Mr. Hayward has for thirty years been a trustee of the Bangor Savings Bank, and on the death of George W. Pickering, six years ago, he became its President. He has also been long associated in the management of the Kenduskeag National Bank. Although a consistent Whig and since Republican, he has always objected to office-seeking or office-holding; but in 1841-42 deemed it a duty to ac- cept service as a member of the Common Council; in 1844 as member of the Board of Aldermen, declining an offered re-nomination; and in 1847 as Mayor of the city, serving one term, and again declining re-election. He was again in the Board of Aldermen, serving two years, 1871 and 1872, and has been Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and in many minor positions of public trust. He has long been an attendant upon the Congregational church, but is not a member of any relig- ious organization. He was married May 19, 1847, to Miss Amanda M. Leslie, of Bangor. They have three children-Charles Leslie, residing in Bangor; Olive M., now Mrs. Charles W. Rolfe, of Portland; and Laura M., now Mrs. William H. Murphy, of Detroit, Michigan.

Hon. John B. Foster, member of the firm of W. P. Hubbard & Co., commission merchants and flour, grain, and feed dealers at No. 8 Pickering Square, Bangor, is a native of Petersham, Massachusetts, born in June, 1819, and removed to Maine about 1836, when he was seven- teen years old, to make his own way in the world. He engaged in a store in that part of the then Levant, now the site of Kenduskeag village, in this county, and re- mained there two or three years, when he removed to Bangor, where he has since been prominent in the busi- ness circles of the city. The various firms of which he has been a member were Foster & Upton, in which the late Elias A. Upton was a partner; Foster & Hayward, the junior member being J. T. K. Hayward, now of Hannibal, Missouri, where he has become eminent in railway and other business; J. B. Foster & Co., in which he was associated with Joseph W. Freese, since deceased; and finally is now in the firm of Messrs. W. P. Hubbard & Co. He served in 1870-71, as a State Senator from Penobscot county, and was President of that body the latter year. He had previously served in the lower House as a Representative from Bangor, for two years. In 1878 he was a member of the Executive Council of the State. He was the originator of the Bangor Mer- chants' Marine Insurance Company, and its President for several years. He was married about 1845, to Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob McGaw, Esq., of Bangor, and has had three children, of whom two survive.

Messrs. Caldwell, Sweet & Bro., leading druggists of Bangor, at No. 2 Main street, have one of the newer es- tablishments of the city, founded by the senior partner in January, 1875. He had been for a number of years a clerk in the city drug stores -- first with B. F. Bradbury,

and then with J. F. Patten. He and his brother are both natives of the city, sons of Abel S. and Abbie B. (Clark) Sweet, who had removed separately, while each was single, from Atkinson and Damariscotta, respectively, to Bangor, where they were married. Caldwell was prosperous in the business from the beginning. Starting with but a total capital of five hundred dollars, in partner- ship with N. S. Harlow, as Harlow & Sweet, in a drug- store just opposite his present place of business, he sold out his interest at the expiration of about two years, and engaged in the same line of trade under the old Harriman House, on Main street, since burned, where he had as a partner Mr. Isaiah S. Emery, the firm name being Sweet & Emery. They were burned out in December, 1874, which dissolved the partnership, Mr. Sweet taking the entire interest. The next month, as before stated, he started in alone, with a brand new concern, at No. 2 Main street. In March, 1877, he received into partner- ship his brother, Abel S. Sweet, Jr., who had had some experience with him in the business. Their trade has steadily increased, and they now have one of the finest drug-stores in Eastern Maine, with perhaps the largest prescription business in the city, and a very excellent general trade; they are also largely in the whole- sale trade, commanding purchasers not only from the Penobscot, but the Piscataquis and Aroostook Valleys, and other parts of the State. Both are still young men in strong, energetic health of mind and body, and are bound to a prosperous future.

Messrs. Adams Bros., manufacturers of silk and stiff felt hats, and dealers in buffalo and fancy robes, hats, caps, and furnishing goods, at No. 5 Bowman's Block, Bangor, began with a new establishment in the Granite Block in 1869. The firm is composed of Nathaniel G. Adams and W. H. H. Adams, of an old Bangor family, and both natives of the city, sons of Ebenezer Adams, a prominent house-builder in his day, who constructed most of the leading business blocks in this city. He is still living at the venerable age of eighty-seven. W. H. H. Adams had been for some years engaged in similar business with Messrs. V. L. Catlin & Co., of Bangor, a firm now out of trade here. The new house formed by himself and brother prospered, and the business was gradually enlarged from its very small beginnings until, about two years after the opening, it was advisable to re- move to a better stand and larger quarters on the Ken- duskeag Bridge, where they have been doing a safe and active business during the last ten years. Its demands compelled them a few months ago to still further enlarge their store-room, and they now have one of the most spacious and elegant establishments of the kind in the city. Their manufacturing department is carried on in the same building, on the floor above their salesroom. For several years they have added to their business the manufacture of Odd Fellows' regalia, and are about to enter also upon the making of the elaborate and beauti- ful uniforms worn by the Order of Knights Templars.

The first representative of the Clayton family in this country was John Clayton, who came with Burgoyne's army, and was with it taken prisoner at the surrender of

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Yorktown. He had three sons-Jacob, John, and Bar- tholomew. Bartholomew Clayton, the youngest son, married Mary Tarr, of Salem, Maine. They had ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to maturity except one. The names of the living are Charles, of Bangor, Maine; Matilda, now Mrs. G. Whit- ney, of Boston, Massachusetts; William Z., of Bangor; Rufus M., of Minnesota; Harriet, now Mrs. Chamber- lin, of Massachusetts; Marietta, now Mrs. Davis, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts; Colmore P., of Minnesota. Edmund B., who died at Andersonville Prison, was a brother of those above named. Charles Clayton married Ellen Towne, of Vermont. Mr. Clayton settled in Bangor in 1870, having previously lived in Boston, Hartford, Chi- cago, and Philadelphia. On coming to Bangor he en- gaged in the leather belt business, which he has followed from boyhood. He makes all kinds of belts, together with all kinds of boot and shoe leather, his place of business being 46 Exchange street. He employs six hands on an average.

Timothy Sullivan is the son of Michael Sullivan, of County Cork, Ireland. He had five children, of whom Timothy is the second son. Timothy Sullivan was born in 1823 in the Parish of Milltown. He came to Bangor in 1844 and commenced life as a laborer; went to California in 1852, where he remained four years and a half, and, returning to Bangor in 1856, he engaged in the grocery and provision business, which he has since followed. In 1859 he married Julia O'Brien, from Cork, Ireland. They have three children-Michael, Nellie, and Mary, all of whom are living at home. His store is at 13 and 15 Exchange and Washington streets, Ban- gor.

F. C. Brackett is the son of John Brackett, who came here from Wolfboro, Massachusetts. He had seven children, three sons and four daughters, six of whom grew to maturity-Naomi, now Mrs. I. W. Grant, of Boston; Laura, now Mrs. P. B. Emerson, of Michigan; O. J., now of Nevada City, California; Rilla, now Mrs. G. A. Kerswell, of Boston; F. C .; Mary, deceased. Mr. F. C. Brackett was born in Hermon, Maine, July 26, 1853. On becoming of age he came to Bangor and en- gaged in the manufacture of beer and soda water, in which he continued until 1878, when he bought out the Bangor Ice Company, and has continued in the ice busi- ness ever since. In 1873 he married Lizzie Drinkwater, daughter of Jefferson Drinkwater, of Bangor. This family of Bracketts originally came from England. There were three brothers, who came over together. Mr. Brackett does the largest ice business of any firm in the city, supplying principally the local trade and shipping some to other places.

Charles Woodman, a man well-known in the business circles of this county, was born in Fryeburg, Maine. He was formerly a resident of Burlington, where he and his brother Andrew, now deceased, were the principal mer- chants for many years. Mr. Woodman has resided in Bangor during the past fifteen years and has been largely interested in the manufacture and sale of lumber. He is also interested in the timber lands of the State. Dea-

con Benjamin Woodman, father of Charles Woodman, was one of the earliest settlers of Burlington. He was noted for his honesty and integrity and for his zeal in building up Christian institutions.

The firm of Parker & Peaks, boot and shoe manu- facturers, of Bangor, was established in 1867. They be- gan business in a small way, but by close attention to their business, coupled with integrity and business ability have built up the largest boot and shoe manufactory in the city or in this part of the State. Their manufactory is located on Exchange street, Nos. 33 and 35. They now occupy a two-story building but are about to double their capacity by adding another story and basement to their establishment. They at present employ about one hun- dred hands and this year will manufacture about six thou- sand cases of boots and shoes. Their trade embraces all New England and most of the Western States.

One of the largest cloth and clothing houses in Bangor is that of Robinson & Arey. These gentlemen' are well known to this vicinity, having both been with Wheel- wright, Clark & Co. for many years. They bought out the retail and custom department of that firm in 1879 and now occupy the fine rooms on Taylor's corner, in the Wheelwright & Clark block. They occupy three stories of the building and employ from forty to fifty girls in the manufactory department. They carry a large stock of ready-made clothing and cloths. Both are young and energetic men and they are doing a large bus- iness in their line.

The firm of Fuller & Stanford, wholesale grocers, was formed in 1867. Mr. Fuller, the senior member of the firm, is a son of David Fuller, of Lewiston, formerly from Massachusetts, who married Sally Garcelon. They had ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom grew up to adult life. Mr. Fuller was a mechanic and farmer, and David, Jr., was brought up on the farm. He is the seventh child and fourth son of the family, and the only son living. He was born July 4, 1812. Mr. Fuller, on becoming of age, engaged in lumbering, farm- ing, milling and mercantile business in Carmel, this county, where he lived until about 1854, when he came to Bangor and engaged in the hotel business in which he continued about four years. In 1858 he went into the lumber and wholesale grocery business with Mr. Hop- kins. He also had as a partner Mr. Drummond, and for a time Mr. Hopkins. The present firm has continued since 1867. Mr. Gordon Stanford, the junior member of the firm, was born in Lyndon, Vermont, in 1844, and is a son of John Stanford. He came to Bangor in 1863 and engaged in the dry goods business which he con- tinued until the present firm was formed in 1867. This firm handle groceries, flour, grain, etc. Mr. Fuller mar- ried Elvirsa Dennett, from Hallowell. They have one daughter, Augusta, wife of Mr. Stanford, his partner.

A. H. Merrill, proprietor of the Brownsville slate quarries, originally came from New Hampshire. He first settled in this State at Belfast. From Belfast he moved to Piscataquis county, where he has lived about sixty years. He married Persis Poor Greenleaf, daughter of Captain Eben Greenleaf, of Williamsburg, Maine. They

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

have eleven children now living, having lost two. He has associated with him in the slate business four of his sons, viz: Adolphus, Frederick, Arthur, at the quarry, and Henry A., at Bangor. This quarry has been opened thirty-five years. They now employ from one hundred to one hundred and fifty men and are now putting in new machinery to develop another quarry which will an- other season employ at least fifty more men.

The firm of J. S. Ricker & Co., wholesale and retail crockery dealers at No. 3 Main street, Bangor, was formed in 1877. Mr. Ricker, the senior member of the firm, was born in New Portland, Maine. His father, Tobias W. Ricker, was a farmer, and married Martha D. Snow. They had five children, of whom Josiah is the second. He has one sister living, Mrs. Dunbar, of Cherryfield, Maine. Josiah S. Ricker was born June 8, 1826. He received a common school and academic education, and on beginning business life for himself came to Bangor and went into the dry-goods store of J. C. White & Co., on Main street. He remained with them six years, when, with E. P. Prince, he opened a crockery store on Main street. This firm continued about three years, when Mr. Ricker bought out Mr. Prince and continued the busi- ness alone until 1862, when he formed a partnership with Mr. R. Ireland. They remained together until 1869, when Mr. Ireland went West and Mr. Ricker did busi- ness alone until 1876, when a partnership was formed under the present firm name, Mr. E. Lyon being the junior partner. They do a very large business, both wholesale and retail. Mr. Ricker has been connected with the city government at different times. He married Miss Miranda B. Lyon, daughter of Judge Lyon, of Bangor, formerly of Waterville, Maine. They have no children. During the war Mr. Ricker was in the State service as captain of Company B, Maine State Guards, of the First Regiment Maine State Volunteers. He was for three months in the United States service with his company. Mr. Lyon, the junior partner, is a son of C. E. Lyon, of Bangor, a native of Waterville. C. E. Lyon is the well-known dry-goods man on Main street. He has three sons-Charles A., William R., and Edward E. Edward E., the youngest, was born July 9, 1853. He received a common and high-school education, and on becoming of age first engaged as clerk with George W. Ladd in the wholesale grocery business, where he re- mained seven years. In 1877 he formed the present partnership with Mr. Ricker. Mr. Lyon married Almeda C. Crosby, daughter of John H. Crosby, November 15, 1877. They have one son-Alpheus Crosby.

Mr. John S. Kimball, of the firm of John S. Kimball & Son, is a son of Stephen and Rebecca (Sawyer) Kim- ball, of Bangor. Stephen Kimball was a son of Jesse Kimball, of New Hampshire. Stephen Kimball came to Bangor in 1800. He was a house carpenter, and brought his tools in bags slung over his horse, coming through the woods from the Kennebec. He built the Judge Kinsley house in Hampden, still in existence. Mr. Kimball married Rebecca Sawyer, daughter of Rev. John Sawyer, who was so widely known here for many years. He was one of the founders of the Seminary

here, and was widely known on account of the zeal he manifested in the upbuilding of educational and Chris- tian institutions. Stephen and Rebecca Kimball had thirteen children. The names of those who grew up were Jackson S., Rebecca H., John S., Stephen J., and Charles P. All these are now deceased except Charles P., who is in California, and John S. Mr. Kimball was in trade here for many years. He died July 13, 1852, at the age of seventy-one. John S. Kimball was born July 21, 1813, in Bangor. He worked during his early life on the farm which his father owned near the city, though the family lived in town. On becoming of age he entered the store of N. G. Norcross, in Bangor, where he remained with Mr. Norcross, and afterward with Norcross & Mason until 1832, and afterwards clerked for Barker & Mills, and was engaged in business, closing out during the panic in 1836, and again clerking for sev- eral years. In 1850 he went to Boston and engaged with C. H. Ham & Co., lumber dealers, as bookkeeper, where he remained three years, when he came back to Bangor and engaged as clerk with Mr. J. B. Fos- ter and continued in this position three years when he bought a half interest in the firm and it became J. B. Foster & Co. In 1858 he bought Mr. Foster's in- terest and continued the business until 1871, taking in his son as a partner. In 1871 he sold out and went into the insurance business, in which he is now engaged under the firm name of John S. Kimball & Son. His place of business is 128 Exchange street. Mr. Kimball married Miss Sarah S. French, who died in 1865. Mr. Kimball is now living with his third wife. His second wife was Abbie C. Scates, of Waterville, who died in 1870. His present wife's name was Mrs. Samanth I. Dadd. By his first wife he had four children, viz : John F., deceased ; James F., now in Medway, Maine; Samuel S., with his father in Bangor, and Edwin, who died in infancy. By his second wife he had one son, Charles E., deceased.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 199

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co. Number of Pages: 1100

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100