USA > Maine > Oxford County > Rumford > History of Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, from its first settlement in 1779, to the present time > Part 23
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FRANCIS KEYES.
Francis Keyes, Esq., one of the pioneers of Rumford, and one of its most useful citizens, was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., Oct. 13, 1765. He came with his father to Sudbury, Canada, now Bethel, when he was nine years old. His father, Jonathan Keyes, began a settlement in Bethel as early as 1774 or earlier, and his two sons, Ebenezer and Francis were there with him. The father returned to Shrewsbury one fall, leaving his boys in the care of the Indians, intending soon to return, but circumstances prevented him from
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returning until spring, and during the long, dreary winter these but little more than children remained in the forest, many miles from any white settlers and with no companionship but the savages. Francis Keyes was twelve years old when his father came to Rum- ford. His means of education were limited but he improved them to the best advantage and when the town was incorporated, he was chosen clerk, as he had also been of the plantation. He was a sur- veyor, a Justice of the Peace and a conveyancer. Many of the early deeds of Rumford lands were written by him. He was a useful citizen of the new town, and had a hand in managing its affairs as long as he lived. His remains are buried on the old Keyes homestead, since known as the Timothy Walker farm, and no stone marks his last resting place. Here also are interred the remains of his father, Jonathan Keyes, his mother, Sarah (Taylor) Keyes, and several of his children. Should not the descendants of these worthy people, see that some suitable monument is erected to mark the last resting place of the first settler of Rumford and his family ?
MOSES F. KIMBALL.
Moses F. Kimball, better known as "Esquire Moses," son of Asa and Phebe (Foster) Kimball, who were early settlers of Bridgton and Bethel, settled at Rumford Point where he was long in trade and also engaged more or less in farming. He was prominent in town, often in town office, a Justice of the Peace when that office was of some importance, and served a term in the Maine Legislature. He died October 8, 1854, aged 64 years, and his remains repose in the cemetery at Rumford Point. He married Mary, daughter of Josiah and Molly (Crocker) Bean of Bethel, who survived him and died March 30, 1884, at the great age of 92 years, and 2 months. The ferry between Rumford Point and Rumford Corner was known as "Kimball's Ferry" as early as 1819. Moses F. Kimball and Porter Kimball being early proprietors. There is evidence that Mr. Kimball adopted the middle initial letter of his name after he came to Rumford. Deeds and other instruments while he lived in Bethel were signed without this middle letter. When he came to Rumford there was a Moses Kimball already here, and to distinguish them, he doubtless adopted the initial "F."
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PORTER KIMBALL.
Porter Kimball was the son of Peter Kimball of Bradford, Mass., and was born in that town May 19, 1793. He came with the family to Bridgton, and about the year 1816, he and his twin brother, Peter Kimball, Jr., bought adjoining lots on the Rumford and Paris road. Peter's was on Hamlin's Gore and Porter's in Bethel. Porter Kimball was a blacksmith and December 24, 1821, he sold his farm to Abijah Lapham of Buckfield and moved to Rumford Point where he ever after resided. He was a good workman, a man of much energy and perseverance and did a large and lucrative business. He built the mansion house now occupied by Dr. Hiram F. Abbot, and here he lived many years, and died. He was a good citizen and much respected by his townspeople. His mother was Lucy Barker of Bradford, and his father, Peter Kimball, was the son of Francis Kimball, whose wife was Mary Head. He married Nancy, daughter of Asa and Phebe (Foster) Kimball of Bethel, who survived him and became the second wife of Hon. Peter C. Virgin. His family record may be found elsewhere.
WILLIAM W. KIMBALL.
Perhaps no native born citizen of Rumford has achieved greater success in business than William Wallace Kimball of Chicago. He is the son of David and Lucy W. (Wheeler) Kimball, and was born in Rumford, March 22, 1828. He was educated in the common schools, was clerk in a store in Rumford, and when twenty-one years of age, he went to Boston and found employment in a store in that city. In 1853 he went to Iowa and engaged in the insurance and real estate business in the town of Decorah. After a few years there he removed to Chicago, and his first business there was to exchange some real estate in Decorah for a lot of pianos. This transaction, insignificant of itself, laid the foundation of his future business career. He determined to engage in the manufacture of pianos, and the splendid success which has followed shows that he determined wisely and well. In October, 1871, his place of busi- ness was destroyed by fire, and his loss was heavy. But he was by no means discouraged, though his loss was more than a hundred thousand dollars. Some idea of the extent of his business may be had from the fact that in 1880 he sold twelve thousand pianos. In 1881, he extended his business to the manufacture of organs, and
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in a short time the factory was turning out forty finished instru- ments a day. In July, 1882, Mr. Kimball put his entire business into a stock company of which he was chosen president. Since that time the business has increased until it is one of the largest estab- lishments of the kind in the country. All the work is done in the factory and a small army of skilled workmen are employed in the various branches of the business. His aim has been and this he has achieved, to manufacture for the least money, the best instru- ments produced for the American market. Among his friends in the trade, and in the social circle, Mr. Kimball is held in high esteem, and is looked up to as one of the best and most successful business men in the great western metropolis. The present busi- ness (1889) of the company is fifty organs a day and fifty pianos a week, and five hundred men are employed.
CHARLES A. KIMBALL:
One of the most energetic and successful business men ever raised up in Rumford, is Charles A. Kimball who was born at Rumford Point, Dec. 10, 1816, and has always lived there. He developed business traits very early ; was a school teacher when he was but fifteen years of age, and a merchant some years before he was twenty one. He was trained to business in his father's store, and took naturally to it, and when the father became tired of mercantile pursuits, the son took it off his hands. He was in general trade at the Point for more than fifty years. Besides business conducted at the store, he has kept a tavern, owned the ferry, done more or less farming, dealt in real estate and cattle, engaged in politics, served in the Maine Legislature, been a civil magistrate and postmaster, and at different times, has held all the principal town offices. He gave up the store to his son some years ago, but is still engaged in other business.
CHARLES H. KIMBALL.
Charles Henry Kimball. son of Porter and Nancy (Kimball) Kimball, born in Rumford December 25, 1828, commenced his career as a teacher of public schools, when only seventeen years old. He was a good scholar and had a natural tact for teaching, though he never thought of this as a life business. The last school he
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taught in Maine was at Harrison Village in the winter of 1849-50. In 1850, he went to New York and secured a position as teacher in a large boarding school, situated on the Hudson near where Major Andre was captured. His father having died in the summer of 1851, he returned to Rumford and spent a couple of years in settling the estate. He then again went to New York and taught two years in the Mechanic's Institute on Chambers street. He was then elected principal of public school number fourteen in Brooklyn, where he remained two years, when he became principal of Ward School number two in Henry street, New York. Here he remained for eight years, having the supervision of about thirty teachers and a salary of twelve hundred dollars. During the Lincoln campaign in the autumn of 1860, he first became interested in politics, and in 1861 he was chosen alderman in the largest and most influential ward in Brooklyn. He was re-elected in 1863, his two terms of service covering the entire period of the war. This service brought him in contact with many prominent men which proved of great service in after years. In 1864, the school board of Brooklyn which had been non-partisan, became strictly democratic, and Mr. Kimball was removed, although his success as a teacher and school manager was duly acknowledged. He was removed solely on political grounds. About this time, and largely through his influence, a law was enacted in New York, prohibiting school boards from removing teachers on account of their religious belief or political bias, and this law is still in force.
But Mr. Kimball's removal from his position in the school, proved a blessing rather than otherwise. He immediately commenced busi- ness in Wall street as a stock and bond broker, and for twenty-five years has been doing a successful business. For fourteen years the firm name was C. H. Kimball & Co., and since that time it has been Kimball, Howell & Co. For ten years past, he has been inti- mately associated with the development of the now famous winter and spring resort at Lakewood, New Jersey, having been president of the Lakewood Hotel and Land Association since its organization in 1879. During all these years of business activity and prosperity, Mr. Kimball has ever felt a warm regard for the people of the county and State in which he was born and reared, and has contributed liberally to aid in preserving the reminiscences of his native town.
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JOIIN ROLFE.
John Rolfe, son of Benjamin Rolfe, born in Concord, N. H., March 7, 1785, was attending the town school in Concord when his father with his family was ready to start for Rumford in the winter of 1794-5. Young Rolfe, who fully realized the very limited ad- vantages for schooling in the new country to which they were emi- grating, asked to be allowed to remain and pursue his studies until the close of the winter term of school. This request was readily granted by his parents but with the understanding that he was to make his way to Rumford as best he could as soon as his school closed. In the following spring, 1794, when young Rolfe was not quite ten years of age, he shouldered his pack of provisions and started, on foot and alone over this long, strange, dreary journey, hoping that in some way and at some time to be able to penetrate the forests, to follow the uncertain bridle-paths and blazed roads, across hills and mountains and streams until he should finally reach the camp of his father in the then almost unbroken forests of Rum- ford. These were the days of sturdy pioneers, ready to do and dare all things, but who can tell the joy and thanksgiving which were felt and heard in that new made camp on the banks of the Androscoggin, when young Rolfe, weary, foot-sore and travel worn, pushed back the rude door and was recognized by the family within. Mr. Rolfe married Betsey Abbott, and settled on a wild lot on the west side of Ellis river, three miles above Rumford Point. He cleared up a good farm and spent the remainder of his days here. He died April 23, 1854.
ENOCHI C. ROLFE.
Dr. Enoch Carter Rolfe, eldest child of John Rolfe and Betsey (Abbott) Rolfe, was born in Rumford April 16, 1812. He studied medicine with the late Dr. Simeon Fuller of Rumford, and gradu- ated from the Maine Medical School in the class of 1838. He married Emeline, daughter of James Small, Esq., of Rumford, May 16, 1839, and commenced the practice of medicine at Farmington Falls, Me., the same year. He remained there until 1849, when he removed his family to Boston, Mass., where he continued the practice of medicine. He left a fine practice at Farmington, and went to Boston that his children might have the advantages of Boston schools. Dr. Rolfe became at once greatly interested in the Boston
John abbot Rolfe
Residence of John Abbot Rolfe, Wellington, (Medford) Mass.
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schools, was a member of the school board for twenty-five consecu- tive years. He was also Professor of Physiology and Hygiene in Tufts College in 1851-5, and a member of the General Court of Massachusetts in 1857-8. He was selected Chairman of the com- mittee for re-districting the State, a very important committee. Of his three children, all born in Farmington, George, the eldest, died when a young man, Henry graduated at Harvard College, and is now living in Virginia City, Nevada, while his twin sister, Emma, is the wife of George P. Eustis, Esq., of Boston. Dr. Rolfe died in Boston March 27, 1875.
JOIIN ABBOT ROLFE.
The subject of this sketcli, son of John and Betsey Abbot Rolfe, was born July 2, 1824, on the west bank of Ellis river, midway between Rumford Point and the Andover line. He spent his child- hood and youth until eighteen years of age, on the old homestead, then went to Portland, where he served an apprenticeship of three years with Messrs. Larrabee and Dyer, who were at that time prom- inent carpenters and builders in that city, spending his spare time in studying the art of drafting and architecture. After completing his apprenticeship he was foreman for the firm one year, when he entered business for himself associating with him Mr. Samuel H. Robins, under the firm name of Rolfe and Robins. At the end of one year Mr. Robins was taken sick, and after six months died. This sickness and death absorbed the little money they had made during the short time they had been in the business, and young Rolfe accepted an offer from the late Francis O. J. Smith, who was at that time building a theatre on Union street, Portland. On the completion of this building it was leased to Boston's celebrated tragedian, Joseph Proctor. Mr. Rolfe, having had charge of the building of the stage and all its machinery and traps, was now em- ployed by Mr. Proctor as stage carpenter and machinist, which he continued to the close of Mr. Proctor's lease of one year. His health being impaired, by advice of Portland physicians, he went to Philadelphia and placed himself in the hands of Dr. Joseph Jackson.
It was in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1851, and in the parlor of Henry Ward Beecher, that Mr. Rolfe, being then on his way to Philadel- phia, was married to Mary M., daughter of the late Capt. Theophilus Thompson of Freeport, Me. He proceeded to Philadelphia with his wife where they remained one year. In the fall of 1852, with health
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fully restored, he returned to Boston, entered the furniture business as salesman for the late John W. Blanchard, and remained with him until 1861. In 1862 he established himself in a general insur- ance business, and during the past quarter of a century has been well known in business and insurance circles. When the great fire of 1872, swept away a large part of Boston business houses, this agency had about three hundred thousand dollars at risk on their books, and every man got a hundred cents on the dollar and got it promptly. From 1879, until he was removed by death Sept. 9th, 1884, his son, Frank Rolfe, was associated with him in business. He purchased a house at Wellington, in the town of Medford, three and a half miles from Boston, in the spring of 1866, to which he moved his family on the 9th of May of that year, and where they still reside.
JANETTE (BOLSTER) RICKER.
Mrs. Janette Wheeler, daughter of General Alvan Bolster and wife of Hiram Rieker, was born in Rumford June 3, 1821. Like her mother she followed school teaching after she had finished her education until she was married when twenty-five years of age. They remained in Rumford a short time after their marriage and were here with one child when the census of 1850 was taken. But she spent most of her married life in Poland and had a large share in developing the famous Poland Springs which have become a mine of wealth to her family, and the most popular summer resort in the State of Maine. She was a woman of uncommon executive ability, of untiring perseverance, and besides these, she possessed in a marked degree all those qualities which go to make up the true woman. She was very popular with the guests of the house, and idolized by her children. She died September 23, 1883, having lived to see the Poland Springs resort, in which she always had unbounded faith, a complete success. Her three sons, Edward P., Hiram, Jr. and Alvan B. are now the proprietors and managers of the great business which she and her husband started and developed. She also had three daughters, Cynthia Ella, Sarah L. and Nettie M.
BENJAMIN P. SNOW.
Rev. Benjamin Poor Snow was born in the parsonage house at Rumford, February 14, 1831. His father, Samuel S. Snow, moved with his family to a farm on Ellis river where he lived until about
. How Timothy Harthis ..
LAKESIOL PRESS.
Altra Luna (. Alot) Hather.
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1852, when he moved to Saccarappa. The wife of Samuel S. Snow was Mary Stevens, daughter of Ezra Hoyt. The subject of this notice attended the common schools in Rumford, and after his father moved to Srecarappa, he worked in the paper mill there and carried on his studies at home during his spare hours. He attended two terms at Norway Liberal Institute and entered Colby University with the class of 1855. Remaining here a year, he left and went to Bowdoin College from which he was graduated. His rank in college is shown in the fact that he was tutor at Bowdoin three years. He graduated from the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1861. He engaged in teaching at Fryeburg and in Massachusetts until 1870, when his health became impaired. He decided that he must change his occupation to one that would allow of more out-of-door exercise, and accordingly accepted the pastorate of the Congregational church in North Yarmouth, and was ordained in 1870. He was there as pastor three years, at Alfred seven years, and at Houlton three years. He was then Superintendent of the Biddeford Schools two years, when he accepted the pastorate of the church at Cape Eliza- beth, where he yet resides. For some years, while performing other duties, he was connected with the press and is a member of the Maine Press Association. Mr. Snow is a ripe scholar, was an en- thusiastic and successful teacher, and has always had a deep interest in educational affairs. He is Secretary of the State Sabbath School Convention, and during the summer of 1889 he visited Europe in the interest of that organization. He married August 26, 1862, Annie Louisa Chandler of New Sharon.
TIMOTHY WALKER.
Hon. Timothy Walker, son of Charles and Hannah (Pickering) Walker, and grandson of Col. Timothy Walker, the principal grantee of Rumford, was born in Concord, N. H., July 10, 1813. In early manhood he came to Rumford to look after the large interests of the family in Rumford lands. He became possessed of the farm, the first settled in town by Jonathan Keyes, and here he spent the remainder of his years. This is one of the best farms in town. Though possessed of large means, Mr. Walker lived in unpretentious style, in a one story house, and was plain and simple in all his hab- its. He was fond of agriculture, and labored hard upon his farm whenever he could be relieved from other business cares. He served
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with credit in both branches of the Maine Legislature, and was much in town office. He was also a director in several monied institu- tions both in and out of the county. He married April 16, 1835, Luna, daughter of David Abbot, and his family record is elsewhere. He was honest in his dealings with mankind, and his word was as good as his bond. His charitable deeds were many, but performed in such a quiet way that the beneficiary rarely knew whence the aid came. He was a man of very decided convictions, and one not easily deceived by pretentions. He was opposed to slavery, in favor of temperance and prohibition of the liquor traffic, a Univer- salist in religious belief, but tolorant of other forms of faith. He died January 25, 1882, and a fine granite monument marks his last resting place, in the cemetery at Rumford Corner. Mr. Walker had a wonderfully retentive memory and the way he could recall days, dates and events even of minor importance, was truly marvel- ous. There were comparatively few who had his entire confidence but that favored few were fortunate. He had it in his power to assist such in various ways. He was open and fair-handed in all his transactions, and believed that honesty and integrity should characterize the proceedings of political parties : any deviation from this met with the sternest rebuke. He aided in organizing the Re- publican party and was for many years a pillar of strength in town, county and State. During the late war, he was untiring in his efforts to have the quotas of the town promptly filled, and was ever ready to advance money to promote that object.
CHARLES WALKER.
Hon. Charles Walker, son of Hon. Timothy Walker, was born in Rumford and spent his youth and early manhood in that town. When his father moved temporarily to Lewiston, he came with the family but did not return to Rumford. He studied law and estab- lished himself in Lewiston where he has since resided. He has been honored with the office of mayor of the city, and was appointed by President Cleveland, postmaster of Lewiston, which position he still holds. He is a square business man and held in high esteem by men of both parties in the city of his adoption. He is still loyal to his native town where his mother and sisters reside, and has rendered material aid and encouragement in the publication of this volume. He married Augusta Patience, daughter of Orra and Phebe (Bumpus) Hall of Paris.
.Hon Charles Walker.
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JOSEPH WARDWELL.
Joseph Wardwell was born in Andover, Mass., January 29, 1759, and was the son of Joshua and Mary Wardwell of that ancient town. He entered the Colonial service at the beginning of the Revolution, a mere boy, and served through the war. He entered as a private but was promoted to a Lieutenancy and served in the corps com- manded by General Lafayette. He was in all the great battles of the long war, and gained an enviable reputation for gallantry and bravery. A sword presented him by General Lafayette for con- spicuous bravey at the siege of Yorktown is still preserved in the family. At the close of the war, Mr. Wardwell found himself poor and so illiterate that he could not read a chapter in the Bible. The time when he naturally would have been at school was spent in the service of his country. But with characteristic energy, he engaged in study and graduated with honor from Phillips Andover Academy. He married Sarah, daughter of Rev. Moses Hemmenway, D. D. of Wells, and moved quite early to Andover, Me., and from thence to a farm at North Turner which he purchased of Rev. John Strickland. Here he kept a public house and was a farmer. When quite ad- vanced in years he came to Rumford and here he died March 5, 1849. His oldest son, Joseph H. Wardwell, died about the same time, and both were buried the same day. When General Lafayette visited Andover years after the war was over, he was thus addressed by Lient. Wardwell :
"General Lafayette : I served in the Light Infantry under you in two campaigns, the last in Virginia. I hold in my hand the war- worn feather which you presented me at Orangetown in the Jerseys, where Major Andrew, the British Adjutant General, was executed. The red top of the feather was taken off by a musket ball when I was at the ahattis storming the first of the two redoubts before Yorktown, carried at the point of the bayonet, being led on by Colonel Jainott, that illustrious Frenchman. General, this is my son who now enjoys the liberties, together with his mother, brother and sisters, for which you hazarded your life, endured the hardships of war, sleeping on the cold ground in a land of strangers. These eyes bear witness to all this. I most ardently hope that the citizens of America will never be so lost to every sentiment of gratitude as to forget that the soil of their country was stained by the precious blood of Frenchmen to purchase the liberties which they now enjoy
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and have enjoyed for half a century." General Lafayette replied in fitting terms and the meeting between these former comrades in arms was very affecting. Mr. Wardwell was a member of the Cin- cinnati and a pensioner. He was proud of his military record, as well he might be, and delighted in relating incidents connected with his service. He was a gentleman of the old school, ereet and dig- nified, yet affable and kind hearted, and a favorite with both old and young.
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