History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 204

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 204

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Charles Hight, the well-known bookseller and stationer of Bangor, was born in Athens, Maine. His father, William Hight, Jr., was a farmer and born in Athens. His grandfather was William, and he also was a native of New Hampshire. He was one of the first settlers in Athens. William Hight, Jr., married Elvira Horn. They had but two children, Charles and Frank, twins. Mr. Hight is now living in Bangor to be near his sons, who are both in business here. Charles Hight was born November 25, 1832. He spent his early life on the farm and attended the district schools and the academy in the village. On arriving at the age of twenty he came to Bangor with his brother and entered the store of McLure & Co. Here he remained about two years when he went into the book and stationery business with Mr. O. R. Patch. About 1874 they added the jewelry business formerly carried on in their store by Mr. Weeks. In 1877 the firm took in Mr. Pfaff, who has charge of the jewelry department. Their present place of busi- ness is No. 3 Smith Block. Mr. Hight married Miss Adelaide Hill, daughter of the late Henry Hill, of Ban- gor. They have one daughter, Lillian by name. Mr. Hight was at one time a member of the City Council.

Edward C. Snow, of Bangor, was born in Orneville, Maine, January 28, 1846. His father, Jesse Snow, was a millwright and a native of Bowdoinham, Maine. He mar- ried Eliza F. Mayo. They had four sons, viz : Charles W., now residing in Northampton, Massachusetts; Edward C .; George H., now in Bangor ; Olin H., with Edward C., in Bangor. Mr. Snow is still living with his sons in this city. Edward C. Snow before becoming of age came to Bangor and engaged with Samuel B. Stone as salesman. He continued with him one year and then engaged with Rines & Nichols in the same capacity. He was with

them until 1872 when he went into business for himself. He continued in the dry goods business three years, hav- ing as a partner Henry A. Mayo. In 1875 Mr. Mayo died and Mr. Snow went into the manufacture of ladies', misses', and children's fashionable garments, also the manufacture of mens' shirts. His place of business is at No. 16 Main street. Mr. Snow warrants all his work. He married Miss Kittie Averill, daughter of William Averill, of Orono. They have four children, viz : Ned C., Mary W., Maud E., and Annie.

Hugh Ross, of this city, is a native of Belfast, Maine. He is a son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Clifford) Ross. His grandfather was also Hugh, a native of Shapleigh, Maine. Hugh and Elizabeth Ross had nine children, of whom Hugh, Jr., is the fourth. He was born in Belfast Octo- ber 30, 1821. At the age of fourteen he left the farm and entered the store of his brother John C. Here he remained nine years, and in 1845 came to Bangor and engaged in the ship chandler business, which he contin- ued until 1856. In 1852 he went into the steamboat business. He has had since then the exclusive towing and excursion business of the river. In 1873 he took in as a partner Gilbert Howell. Mr. Ross married Anna Gilkey, daughter of Philip Gilkey, of Belfast. They have five children, viz : Grace, wife of Stuart M. Buck, of West Virginia, a coal dealer; Walter, now with his father; Anna, Ralph, and Mary. Mr. Ross is a man very widely known in the entire Penobscot Valley.

Alden F. Hilton, Chief Engineer of the European & North American Railroad, is a native of Alna, Lincoln county, Maine. His father, Stephen Hilton, married Lydia Jewett. They had eight children, six of whom grew to man and womanhood, viz: Hartley A., now re- siding in Alna; Mary E .; Alden F .; Olivia C., wife of W. H. Williams, of Campello, Massachusetts; Laura E., now Mrs. Elbridge McKinsley, of Whitefield, Lincoln county, Maine; Henry C., now in Boston. Mr. Hilton is now living in Alna. Alden F., the second son of this family, was born November 19, 1841, in Alna. He spent his early boyhood on the farm, obtaining such a common school education as the schools of the little town afforded. When he was twenty-two he entered the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, and was graduated in 1868. During the time he was pursuing the course there he taught school some. Soon after graduating he was em- ployed as Assistant Engineer on the European & North American Railroad, with which company he has remained ever since. Having a natural taste for the business, he was in 1872 elected to the position of Chief Engineer. Since his connection with the road it has grown from a short line of twelve miles to one hundred and fourteen miles in the main line, besides the various branches. Mr. Alden married Alma A. Lewis, of Whitefield, Maine, No- vember 8, 1880.

Albert F. Field, contractor, builder, and slater, of this city, is a son of Ambrose and Sarah Field. He was born August 21, 1850. He received a common school edu- cation in Bangor, and at the age of fourteen, in 1864, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Maine Volunteers. Being old-looking for a boy, he was accepted, and served one

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

year, and was mustered out with the regiment in the autumn of 1865. On coming back to Bangor he went to sea, and was gone one year. In 1867 he began to learn his trade with Charles B. Brown, of this city. He remained with Mr. Brown, and served a three-years' ap- prenticeship. At the close of his apprenticeship he en- gaged with Mr. Brown, and worked for him five years. In 1875 Mr. Brown retired, and Mr. Field, with Mr. Robertson, bought him out, and continued the business until 1878, when they dissolved, and Mr. Field has since conducted the business himself. In 1870 he married Miss Sarah E. Spear, of Rockland, Maine. They have three sons, viz: Charles P., Frank A., and Willie K.

W. F. Whiton, of Bangor, of the firm of W. F. Whi- ton & Co., is a son of Thomas J. Whiton, who came here from Boston in 1834. He was a native of Hing- ham, Massachusetts. Mr. Whiton, on coming to Ban- gor, associated with'Stephen Badger and Mr. Lovejoy in the manufacture of carriages and coaches of all kinds then made. Lovejoy soon went out of the firm, but Whiton & Badger continued the business until 1844 or 1845, when Mr. Badger retired, and Mr. Whiton contin- ued the business alone until about 1850, when Mr. Phineas Yeaton was admitted. The firm then became Whiton & Yeaton, and so continued until the death of Mr. Yeaton in 1869. In the last-mentioned year W. F. Whiton purchased the business and has since continued at the old stand. The buildings have been enlarged from time to time, until now Mr. Whiton employs from twenty to twenty-five men and turns out all kinds of light work. Thomas J. Whiton had three children, two sons and one daughter, viz : Thomas H., who died in early life ; Adeline E., and Walter F. Walter F. was born January 21, 1842. He was early trained in the business and has always followed it. This firm is the largest of its kind in this county.

Among the prominent manufacturing establishments in Bangor is the large pottery of Persson & Soderberg. This establishment, named the Bangor Stoneware Com- pany, is of only a few months' growth, and already has become one of the prominent interests of the city. Mr. Persson came from Sweden to Massachusetts, and from there he went to Gardner. He learned his trade when a lad, and has always worked at the business. His partner is also a practical potter, having worked for many years in Sweden at the business, as well as elsewhere in this country. Their pottery is on Patten street, where they manufacture every article that could be expected in their line. They already employ nine men. This is by far the largest concern of the kind in this part of Maine.

Albert W. Benson, Ticket Agent at Bangor of the Maine Central and other railway lines to the east and west, is a native of Waterville, born June 23, 1851, old- est son and child of George B. and Elvira M. (Cornforth) Benson, of that city, where his father is connected with the great scythe and axe factory. His early education was received in the public schools of Waterville and dur- ing three years at the Lewiston High-school. He also served an apprenticeship in one of the cotton mills in the latter place, and became an expert machinist. After

he left the schools he was diverted, however, to other business, and began telegraphing at Fairfield, in the sta- tion of the Maine Central Railroad, with which road he has been connected ever since, with the exception of less than a year spent in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, at Lewiston. He came from Lew- iston to Bangor in 1871, as an operator for the Central, and in 1873 took post in the ticket office, where he has since steadily remained in the faithful discharge of the responsible duties connected with his place. Mr. Ben- son was married on New Year's Day, 1875, to Miss Sarah G., daughter of Gilman P. and Sarah M. Smith, of Ban- gor. They have two children- Kate Lillian and Frank Smith Benson.

Mellen T. Cates is the son of Thomas S. and Char- lotte Cates, of Bangor. Thomas S. Cates is a native of Jackson, Maine, and Mrs. Cates is a native of Buckfield, her maiden name being Shaw. Thomas and Charlotte Cates had four children, three daughters and one son, viz: Sarah E., now Mrs. Thomas Files, of Bangor; Ce- lestia, wife of Rev. S. C. Whitcomb, of Pittsfield, Maine; Miriam S., of Bangor ; and Mellen T. Mr. Cates died in 1868. Mrs. Cates is still living with Mellen in Ban- gor. Mellen T. Cates was born September 24, 1849. He learned the joiner's trade, at which he worked about four years. In 1869 he went to Boston and entered the em- ploy of Clark Brothers & Co. as book-keeper, where he remained about six months. In 1870 he came to Ban- gor and engaged in the grocery and provision business, at which he has since continued. In 1872 he married Miss Annie E. Wood, daughter of Daniel and Betsey Wood, of Bangor. They have one daughter, Charlotte L. by name. Mr. Cates has held the office of Councilman one term in this city. He is at present Trustee and Sec- retary of the Bangor Mechanic Library Association. His present place of business is No. 47 State street.

Arthur L. Hopkins, of Bangor, is the son of Joel and Cecelia Hopkins, of Orrington: Joel Hopkins is a son of Joel Hopkins, of Bucksport, Maine, who is now living in Brewer. Joel and Cecelia Hopkins had but one child - Arthur, who was born in South Orrington. In the year 1867 his father moved to Brewer, and Arthur went to work as a clerk for O. D. Holt & Son, where he remained three years, then he worked one year for Mr. J. K. Mayo. In 1877 he entered the employ of George Bowen, Esq., at No. 12 Exchange street. He remained with him two years, when he bought him out, and has since continued the business at the same place. He married Ida M. Washburn, daughter of B. Washburn, of Bangor. He keeps a full line of groceries and provisions, also ship-chandlers' stock.

Jacob Stern was born July 17, 1844, in Hesse Cassel, Germany. He is the son of Nathan Stern, who had five children, one son and four daughters. Jacob Stern served an apprenticeship of three years to learn the mer- cantile business, his father paying $100 a year to the firm and his board. At the end of three years, on graduating with a class of five hundred he received the first diploma. He then went to Berlin and entered a large dry goods wholesale house, and traveled through Northern Ger-

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

many for three years, at the end of which time he re- turned to his native place to be drafted, being then twenty years of age. On account of nearsightedness he was exempted. In 1865 he came to New York, but failing to find a situation to suit him, he came to Bangor and entered the employ of Mr. F. Meinecke, with whom he continued three years, when he bought Mr. Meinecke out and has continued the business since. In 1876 he married Miss E. W. Walker, daughter of James Walker, of Bangor. They have two children, one son and one daughter (twins), viz: Philip and Catharine. Mr. Stern's present place of business is Nos. 37 and 39 Main street, Bangor, where he has the largest retail store and keeps the largest stock in his line-French, English, and German fancy goods and small ware-in the city.

G. W. Spratt, who was born in the town of China, Kennebec county, Maine, is a son of George and Susan Spratt. George Spratt married Susan Crowell. They had seven children-six sons and one daughter-George W .; Pharron P., now in Clinton, Maine ; Theodore B., deceased ; James B., went away and was never heard from ; Allen C., now of Levant, Maine ; Henry W., now of Orrington, Maine ; and Persis W., widow of Walter Robinson, of Brewer. George W. Spratt, the oldest of this family, was born July 24, 1822, and moved with his father in 1842 to the town of Levant. Here his father and mother spent the remainder of their lives. When twenty-four years of age he went to Calais, Maine, and engaged in the livery and staging business. Mr. Spratt lived in Calais until 1858, when he moved to Bangor, where he has since lived, continuing in the same business. He also has a farm in connection with the livery. Mr. Spratt married Harriet B. Marston, daugh- ter of John and Hannah Marston, of Falmouth, Maine. To this couple have been born eight children, six of whom are living, viz : Caroline M., George, Will, Lizzie E., Mary R., Susan P., and Hattie W. Mrs. Spratt died in 1866. Mr. Spratt was married again in 1867 to Mrs. Maria M. Johnston (nee Maria M. Young), of Waterford, Vermont, who had one daughter, Virginia H.

Terrence F. Cassidy, of Bangor, is a son of James and Ellen Cassidy, of Ireland. They had nine children, six sons and three daughters, viz : James, Terrence, John, Mary Jane, Ellen, Barney, Thomas, William, and one that died in infancy. Terrence F., the second son of this family, was born September 22, 1849. He learned the blacksmith trade when a young man in Bangor, Boston, and California. He first settled in business in Bangor in 1870, where he has since lived, working at his trade of blacksmithing, giving especial attention to shipsmith- ing business (cant dog manufacture). Mr. Cassidy mar- ried Margaret Landers, of Bangor, daughter of Patrick and Temperance Landers. They have two children liv- ing, viz : John W. and Mary J. They have lost one daughter, Nellie by name. Mr. Cassidy is at present Councilman from this ward. He was first lieutenant in Company C, Ninth Maine State Militia, from 1877 to 1879. His present place of business is on Front street, Bangor.

Otis D. Maddox, of Bangor, is a native of the State. He is a son of John Maddox, who was a carpenter by trade. He married Mary K. Gould. Their family con- sisted of nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom Otis D. is the oldest son. He was born in Unity, Maine. He married Jane Mears, daughter of Elder Mears, of Morrill. Mr. Maddox first went to Belfast, Maine, with his father when quite a lad. At the age of thirteen he went to sea, and followed the sea for about eighteen years, when he left that occupation and engaged in shoemaking in Belfast. In 1859 he came to Bangor and continued the business. He had previously worked i here. Mr. Maddox has two sons-Fred and Charles, both now in Bangor. He has for many years been con- nected with the fire department in Bangor. He was for several years assistant engineer, and is now chief engineer of the very efficient department here.

David H. Smith, of Bangor, is a son of James and Mehitabel (Jones) Smith, of Bangor. James Smith kept a meat market here for many years. He was one of the early settlers in Bangor, there being but two stores and one church here when he came. He is still living. Mrs. Smith died in 1869. They had six children, viz: James, Jr., deceased; Eliza Jane, deceased; Charlotte, wife of P. B. Burleigh; Warren, deceased; David H .; and Elbra Augusta, now Mrs. A. B. Sutton, of Orono. David B. Smith has always been a farmer, and lived in Bangor. He has a fine farm only three miles from town. Mr. Smith married Olivia McCorison, of Bangor. They have but one child, Grace H.

Charles H. Adams, of the firm of Lunt & Adams, is a son of Charles K. and Mary E. (Bailey) Adams, of Ban- gor. Charles K. Adams is a native of Concord, Massa- chusetts. He came to Bangor in 1826, and is now in the carriage painting business here. He has five chil- dren, viz: Emma J., Lizzie H., Charles H., Frank A., and George K. Charles H. Adams was born January 6, 1859, in Bangor. After attending the schools (common and high) of the city, he clerked for E. C. Nichols & Co. for three years, then for J. P. Moore four years. In 1880 he formed the present partnership with Mr. Lunt in the fancy grocery business. They are both young, energetic men, and are already receiving a fair share of trade in their line.

George L. Phillips, the bakery man on Exchange street, Bangor, is a son of George and Rachel (Lincoln) Phil- lips, who had six children, of whom George L. was the third. His father was a teacher, and at one time was en- gaged in trade in Bangor. George L. was born in 1811, in this city. On becoming of age he opened the baker business, which he has since continued. He is the old- est business man on Exchange street, having been located where he now is since 1839. He, with his brother, built the block where he is now located in 1846, it being the first brick block on the street between York and State streets, on the east side of the street. Mr. Phillips has seemed to live and prosper on "bread alone." He mar- ried Lucinda Knowlton, of Northport. They have one son living, now in the medical college in Boston.

The well known dealer in stock and dressed meat in

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Bangor, Mr. Lorin A. Davis, came from Exeter, in this county, to Bangor in 1879. He is a son of the late Rich- ard Davis, of Exeter, who was a farmer and drover. Mr. Davis spent his early life on the farm in Exeter. He early began to deal in stock, and since coming to Bangor he purchased the slaughter-house formerly owned by James Smith. This he has enlarged and greatly im- proved until he now is able to dress about fifteen thou- sand sheep and fifteen hundred cattle, with hogs and calves in proportion. He ships his mutton mostly to Boston, and some beef, though he sells most of his beef in the home market. Mr. Davis imports many of his sheep from the Provinces. He has, in this business, be- come widely known, not only in Penobscot county, but all over Eastern Maine. His slaughter-house is furnished with all the latest appliances for the proper handling and care of meat. Mr. Davis married Miss Joanna Chase, of Brooklyn, New York. They have one daughter.

Elijah W. Hasey is a son of William Hasey, who came to Bangor when twenty-one years old, in 1782. He was born in 1761. He married Prudence Webster, of Ban- gor. They had ten children, viz: Martha, Ebenezer, Andrew W., Margaret, Susan, Jane, Rebecca, Hannah, William, and Elijah, all of whom are deceased except the latter. Mr. Hasey always followed farming, though in his early days he lumbered some. He died in 1850, at the age of eighty-nine; Mrs. Hasey died in 1852, aged eighty-six. Elijah W. Hasey was born May 16, 1809, in Bangor. He has always lived in this town, following the business of lumbering, farming, hotel-keeping, the livery business, etc. He is now engaged in farming. He mar- ried for his first wife Hannah B. Martin, of Newport. She died in 1865. By her Mr. Hasey had twelve chil- dren, viz: Frances, deceased; Thomas B., deceased; William H. Harrison, also deceased; Prudence W., wife of Arthur A. Pond, of Minneapolis; Hannah B., de- ceased; Ambrocine, wife of George Follett, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; Nancy J., deceased wife of A. Randlet, of Massachusetts; Elijah, now of Minneapolis; Charles E., in Minneapolis; Ward B., in Minneapolis; Annie, de- ceased; Emma, wife of George Crosby, of Bangor. Mr. Hasey married for his second wife Mrs. Carliste Lead- better, who died in 1871 or 1872. He afterwards mar- ried Mrs. Julia Hodgsdon, of Kenduskeag, who is still living. Mr. Hasey is living on his farm, about five miles from Bangor on the Pushaw road.

Isaac M. Currier, of Bangor, is a son of William and Nancy (Henderson) Currier. They had eight children, of whom Isaac is the oldest. He was born October 29, 1816. His father was a manufacturer of linseed oil; he died when Isaac was six years old, and he was brought up by his grandfather on a farm until he was fourteen years old. At that age he started out for himself, and learned the joiner's trade and mill work; he worked as millwright for about fourteen years in Bangor and Win- terport. In 1845 he bought a tannery at East Orrington, which he carried on about eight years and then sold out. In 1859 he built the tannery in Bangor, since which time he has lived here and carried on the tannery busi- ness. Mr. Currier married Almatia Ware, of East Or-

rington, daughter of Captain Warren Ware. She died in 1866, and he married for his second wife Miss Helen A. Saunders, of Bangor. By his first wife he had six children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Currier has been connected with the city government as Alderman and Councilman for several years; he is well known in this vicinity.

Charles E. Perry, of Bangor, is a son of John and Susan L. (Paul) Perry. John Perry was a native of New Hampshire. During the latter part of his life he followed the sea. He had four children, viz: Mary E., wife of A. J. Quinzy, of Bangor; Charles E .; Leland H., now in San Francisco, California ; Orel F., of Bangor. Charles E. Perry, the oldest son of this family, was born October 12, 1840, in Bangor. He has followed the meat busi- ness, though at present he does not slaughter, but buys and ships meat largely. He married Mary A. Wentworth, daughter of Captain E. Wentworth. They have three children, viz : Charles E., George B., and Fred H. Mr. Perry was for two years a member of Company G, Second Maine Volunteers, and was dis- charged for disability in 1863.

Alonzo Morton, of Bangor, is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Westcott) Morton. Thomas Morton is a native of Gorham, Maine. He followed the sea during his younger days, but during his latter life he was a farmer. He had six children, viz: Harvey, Ann, Emily, Lucinda, Alonzo, and Charlotte, all of whom are deceased except Alonzo. Alonzo Morton was born September 27, 1815. He spent his early life on a farm in Jackson, Waldo county, Maine, where he settled as a farmer, and lived on the old homestead, which he still owns, though at present living in Bangor. Mr. Morton came to Ban- gor in 1866, and purchased the farm where he now lives, on the Fuller rord. He owns in all, here and in the old place in Jackson, over five hundred acres of land. Mr. Morton married Miss Mary Croxford, daughter of John Croxford, Esq., of Jackson. They have four chil- dren living : Irving, living on the old place in Jackson ; Everett, also on the old farm; Cora W .; and Asa C., of Lowell, Massachusetts. Mr. Morton has been connected prominently with public town affairs in Jackson, serving many years as Selectman. In 1864 he was elected to the Legistature and served one term there. In 1876 and 1877 he was a member of the city council.

Lysander Palmer, of Bangor, is a son of Henry O. and Rebecca (Ridout) Palmer, of Exeter, this county. Henry O. Palmer is a farmer, and still lives in Exeter. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer had ten children, of whom Lysander is the third son. Their names are: Charles H., in Exeter; James W., now of Bucksport; Lysander, and Augustine, in Exeter. The daughters were: Jenett, wife of Calvin Buzzell, of Exeter; Amarette, wife of Charles Davis, of Exeter; Mary Frances, now Mrs. Silas B. Warren, of Buckport; Clara, married to John Brown, of Exeter. Lysander Palmer was born August 23, 1842. He was brought up on the farm in Exeter. On becoming of age he purchased a farm in Exeter and settled there, where he lived until 1871, when he came to Bangor, and bought the farm where he now lives, out two and one-

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

half miles from the city. He married Abbie Andrews, daughter of John Andrews, of Exeter, for his first wife. She died in 1876, leaving one son, Fred L. Mr. Palmer married, for his second wife, Alice E. Partridge, daughter of Daniel Partridge, of Bucksport. They have one daughter, Nettie.

Elijah Smith, of Bangor, is a son of James and Bar- bara (Braddock) Smith, of Dixmont, Maine. They have six children, viz: Elijah ; Ann, wife of Joseph Chadbourn, of Saco, Maine; Augustus, of Bangor ; Sarah, in Dix- mont; David, deceased; and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are now living in Dixmont, this county. Elijah Smith, the oldest son of this family, was born October 29, 1829, in Dixmont. He worked out when he was seven- teen for $55 for twelve months, with the privilege of go- ing to school three months in the winter, and spent $35 of this for a cow for his mother. He worked out as a farm laborer for eight or ten years, working in the lumber woods winters. He first settled in Dixmont, where he lived about five years, then went to Jackson and lived one year. From Jackson he went to Corinth and bought a farm, where he lived five years. From Corinth he came to Bangor in 1869, and bought part of the place where he now lives. He has since added to this until he now owns two hundred acres of fine land, all within two miles of Tangor. Mr. Smith does the largest business at killing and shipping beef cattle of any man in the county. He has one of the best arranged slaughter-houses in the State. He annually does a business in this line of about $35,000. He married Ann D. McCorison, daughter of Lemuel McCorison, of Exeter, who died March 3, 1881, leaving two children, one son and one daughter-Sanford C. and Carrie.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 204

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