History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 51

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730

USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 51

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Mr. Calef received a good classical education at Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, and was afterwards a teacher, then a clerk, and, from 1803 to 1811, favorably known as a dry-goods merchant in Boston. While there, he became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.

He came to Saco in 1811, and erected on Indian Island the iron-works for making nails, and owned them jointly with Col. Thomas Cutts. He carried on the business until 1836. When the Saco Manufacturing Company lost its mill by fire, nearly all his property was consumed in a day. But, though he had passed the meridian of life, he did not sink down in despair, but redoubled his energies, and in a few years, under the smiles of a kind Providence, which he always delighted to acknowledge, he again placed himself in a position of comfort and independence. Meanwhile, he found time and was ever willing to give his best services to the business institutions of Saco.

He was a director of the Manufacturers' Bank from 1835 to 1839, and from 1841 to 1848, and president of the same from 1835 to 1838, and from 1846 to 1848; pres- ident of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company from 1832 to 1852; president of the Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution from 1836 to 1856; director of the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Railroad from its organization, and was a part of the time clerk of the company, and set- tled the land-damages in locating the road from Scar- borough to Wells, inclusive. He was also one of the

Jonah Going

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CITY OF SACO.

early directors of the Kennebec and Portland Railroad Company. He was the first president of Laurel Hill Cem- etery. In 1827 he purchased a farm on the Ferry road, where he resided until his death, March 2, 1863. " These various positions which he held attest the estimation in which he was held by the community, and it may be said as the truth, that he brought to the discharge of his varied duties great intelligence, integrity, patience, and a uniform courtesy of manners which impressed itself upon all who came in contact with him ; and when it is remembered that during his whole life he had to struggle with feeble health and many infirmities of body, it is a wonder he did so much, and did it so well. He was, indeed, a marvel for diligence in business, systematic labor, and patient endur- ance under the burden of multiplied cares. In respect to all his other relations in life, social, domestic, and with the Church of Christ, of which he was a member, it is unneces- sary to speak particularly. It is sufficient to say that he was happy in them all, and that he endeavored to discharge the varied duties pertaining to them conscientiously and fully."*

He married, in 1812, Susan Hussey, of Nantucket. She was born Jan. 4, 1793, and died May 10, 1822. The chil- dren of this marriage were Sarah (deceased), wife of Dr. Ezra Bartlett ; Susan Ann, wife of Dr. Albert Bartlett (deceased), afterwards married Thomas Cutts; Mary, died in 1845, aged twenty-five; Josiah B., a merchant in Mobile.

He married, second, in 1827, Sarah P. Gale, of Haver- hill, N. H., who died April 24, 1878, aged eighty-six. Of this union were born George F., an enterprising and active business man of Saco, who resides on the old homestead, and one of the founders and treasurer of the York Insti- tute. He married, in June, 1866, Fannie, daughter of the late James B. Thornton, of Scarborough, and Annie B., wife of Col. C. C. G. Thornton.

EDWARD P. BURNHAM.

His great-grandfather, James, born in the town of Wells, Sept. 24, 1710, married, Dec. 25, 1736, Grace Dalzel, who was a daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Forest, born in Londonderry, Ireland, April 1, 1716, and came to this country with her parents in 1722. She died July 3, 1808. He died Nov. 5, 1787. Of their twelve children, four sons-James, Samuel, Jacob, and Forest-were sol- diers in the war for independence. James was a captain, and was shot Aug. 8, 1782, on Goat Island, near Cape Por- poise, during an attack upon the crew of an English brig- of-war. Jacob was at Ticonderoga and at the capture and surrender of Burgoyne. Seth Burnham, the eleventh child, and grandfather of Edward P., born March 9, 1760, in Kennebunkport (then Arundel), married, Dec. 10, 1780, Lydia, daughter of Jeremiah and Ruth (Lovett) Lassel, of the same town. She was born June 30, 1756, and died May 1, 1832. He was a prominent citizen of the town and county. For forty years, beginning with 1788, he was a town officer ; he was a surveyor of lands for many years

in York and adjoining counties; deputy collector of customs of the port of Kennebunk under Judge Clark ; a justice of the peace, conveyancer, and did considerable law busi- ness. He was an unswerving member of the old Federal party, and was a representative in the General Court of Massachusetts in 1812-13. He died Nov. 7, 1846. Of his nine children Owen was eighth, born May 22, 1796, at Kennebunkport; married, Sept. 30, 1822, Eliza, daughter of Robert and Lydia (Hovey) Smith, of the same town. She was born Feb. 25, 1797, and died at Kennebunk, Dec. 18, 1847.

During the war of 1812, Owen Burnham, then a young man of eighteen years, sailed from Portland in the privateer " Dash," Capt. Porter, October, 1814. The " Dash" took two prizes, one of which arrived in port. He went on board the other as one of the prize crew, and was with the vessel captured by a British man-of-war, and carried into Halifax, where he remained in prison until the close of the war, and reached home in 1815. He was for several years a merchant, and spent the last years of his life as a teacher and Congregational minister. He was a worthy and much esteemed member of society, and died at North Bridgton, June 2, 1836. His children were two sons.

William Smith Burnham died in 1840, at the age of fifteen.

Edward P. Burnham, youngest son, born Dec. 3, 1827, in Kennebunkport, Me., received his early education at the North Bridgton Academy, and was for four years a clerk in his uncle's store at Kennebunk. In 1846 he began to read law with William B. Sewall, of Kennebunk, and afterwards was a student in the office of the late Judge E. E. Bourue, of the same place. He was admitted to the bar in York County, April 4, 1849, and for two years practiced law in Bangor, Me., and Holyoke and Conway, Mass. For the years 1851-53 he was deputy collector of customs at Kennebunkport, under Daniel Remich, and came to Saco, April 18, 1853, to assume the duties of secretary and treasurer of the Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution, and also of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which positions he holds in 1879. During his residence in Saco he has been interested in the local affairs of the city, and for five years represented the Fifth Ward as alderman, and was mayor in 1872 and 1873.

Mr. Burnham's connection with various organizations has made his name known throughout the county and State. He has been a Mason since 1852, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows since 1850. In 1859 he was Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd-Fel- lows, having been Grand Patriarch in 1857. From 1858 to 1867 he was a representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States. He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in 1861 ; Grand Master of the Grand Council, 1867 ; and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, 1877 and 1878. In 1862 he took the thirty-third degree in Masonry.

For many years he has been interested in historical re- search ; has been a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society since Sept. 2, 1868, and a member of the Maine Historical Society since July 14, 1870.

He married, Sept. 5, 1854, Mary A., daughter of James

* Local papers.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

and Lydia (Burnham) Osborn, who was born Feb. 10, 1827. Her father died Oct. 20, 1876, at the age of eighty- three. He had been a trader at Kennebunk for sixty years, had been postmaster, collector of customs, and State sena- tor. Her mother died Dec. 24, 1868, aged seventy-two. Her paternal grandfather, James Osborn, who died at Ken- nebunk, Nov. 10, 1836, aged seventy-six, was for six years in the Revolutionary army ; was a fifer, and closed his ser- vice as a fife-major. He was at the battle of Saratoga. He was afterwards on a privateer of fourteen guns, which captured an armed vessel on the coast of Ireland. He was put on board the prize, which was afterwards recaptured and taken to Halifax.

GEORGE SCAMMAN,

(Nathaniel4, James3, Humphrey2, Humphrey1), born in Saco, Aug. 19, 1787, was a lineal descendant in the fifth generation from Humphrey Scamman, who was born in 1640, married Elizabeth, daughter of the first Dominicus Jordan. He removed from Portsmouth, N. H., lived in Kittery, in 1677, in Cape Porpoise, in 1679, and in Saco, Me., in 1680, died in 1727, and was supposed to be the son of Richard, who settled in Portsmouth. James (son of Humphrey Scamman, Jr., who was born in Kittery, May 10, 1677, married Elizabeth, daughter of Dominicus Jor- dan, died in 1734, grandfather of George Scamman), was born in Saco, 1721, married Hannah, daughter of Col. Plaisted, of Berwick, about 1739, and died in 1753.

Nathaniel, his father, born July 14, 1746, and died July 29, 1820, married, in 1775, Sarah, daughter of Tristram Jordan. She died Aug. 29, 1838.

George, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Jordan ) Scamman, married, Dec. 6, 1809, Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Lane) Atkinson. She was born Aug. 6, 1790, and died Aug. 12, 1878. He died Dec. 12, 1869.

Mr. Scamman early in life commenced the study of law with Cyrus King, a notable lawyer of his time. After pur- suing his studies for a time he decided to lead a mercantile instead of a professional life, and soon after engaged in busi- ness at Saco, and became identified with most of the enter- prises of that locality. He was adjutant in the war of 1812, and while on his way to the scene of action was ordered back, a treaty of peace having been concluded with the English. For some time after he served as judge-advocate at Fort Preble. In early manhood he began to take an active and influential part in local matters and State legis- lation, and in 1819 was elected representative to the Gen- eral Court of Massachusetts. He was representative in the Maine Legislature in 1822-23 and 1830, and State senator in 1825-26. He was eleven years selectman of the town of Saco,-from 1821 to 1826, from 1831 to 1836, and in 1841. He was also the Whig candidate for Congress in 1830 and 1844. He was a director of the Manufacturers' Bank of Saco from 1828 to 1835, and 1838 to 1844. He was a trustee of the Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution from 1839 to 1844. About this time he retired from active business and spent the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits. He was fond of hunting and trout-fishing, and

was considered an adept in these sports, which were the principal recreations of the latter part of his life.

He early developed a taste for literature, and was gifted with a remarkably retentive memory, was a great reader, and kept well up with the advanced ideas of his time. He was proficient in mathematics, calculated eclipses, solved the most difficult problems as a matter of recreation, and was fond of scientific studies. He was a contributor of prose and verse to the local press, wrote articles on the ab- sorbing political questions of his time, delivered addresses on various subjects and occasions,-the last at the dedica- tion of the town-hall of the town of Saco. He was cour- teous and dignified in his manner, hospitable, and genial in his intercourse with his fellow-citizens, and in conversation was an agreeable companion, abounding in sallies of wit and gravity of expression as the subject demanded, commanding the love and respect of his children, and honored by his fellow-townsmen. He lived and died without ever having his integrity assailed or his honor questioned.

He reared a family of nine children,-Tristram, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca, George, Andrew, Henry, and Nathaniel. Five of these died soon after reaching adult age ; four are living in 1880. Tristram occupies the position of cashier of the Manufacturers' Bank of Saco, which position he has held for the last thirty years ; Sarah Ann is the wife of Capt. George V. Jordan, and resides in Saco. Henry developed early in life a love of adventure, and when a boy started for California, arriving there in the spring of 1850. He immediately engaged in mining enter- prises, and, after many vicissitudes and trials, met with some success, and in 1866 established a banking business at Downieville, Sierra Co., Cal. This he has successfully conducted to the present time. Nathaniel is overseer in the York Mills, of Saco, where he has been for many years.

OLIVER DYER

was born in Biddeford in April, 1806. His father was drowned before Oliver was three years old. His mother, daughter of Capt. John Foss, one of the earlier settlers in the eastern part of Saco, was a woman of character and energy, who succeeded in bringing up her family comfort- ably, although left in very straitened circumstances at her husband's death. When about sixteen years old, Oliver started for Boston to find employment. For one season he attended school near the city, supporting himself by work- ing in a gentleman's family out of school hours. He then went into Boston, and for two years worked as a light por- ter, carrying bundles, etc., in a hand-cart. He then ob- tained a situation as a clerk in the provision-store of Mr. Follett, and, after faithful service, became a partner in the business, in which he continued until 1851.

While residing in Boston he was at one time a member of the Common Council, and for many years was an assistant assessor.

In 1829 he married Olive L. Drew, of Kennebunk. In 1851 he retired from commercial business, and removed to Saco, purchasing a farm on the Portland road, on which he

C. H. Granger,"pinx.

Les commay

CITY OF SACO.

181

erected a substantial brick house. In 1869 he purchased a town residence on School Street, where he afterwards re- sided. In 187I he was elected mayor of the city, and died June 13, 1872.

Mr. Dyer was a man of sterling common sense, untiring industry, and unquestioned probity. He was public-spirited, interesting himself in all town and city affairs, and demand- ing the same fidelity and economy in public matters which marked his own private transactions. His one bold char- acteristic was utter honesty. Of firm convictions, an ardent Democrat, he sometimes ran counter to the public sentiment of his day, but no one ever impeached his motives or his sincerity. His domestic life was pleasant and happy, al-

though unblessed by children. At his decease he left the bulk of his property to his widow, without any restrictions whatever. He had, however, often expressed to her his desire that his property should eventually be used for the benefit of the citizens of Saco, and in accordance with this wish, in which she cordially sympathized, Mrs. Dyer, soon after her husband's decease, excented a will giving almost all the estate for a free library for the city of Saco.

Mrs. Dyer died Sept. 22, 1879, and the citizens of this place will ere long be enjoying the fruit of the labors of those who toiled and economized that others might have advantages for education and culture which they them- selves could not procure.

LITTLE

Photo, by Conant, Portland.

Comeluces Sureetsur

CORNELIUS SWEETSER.

Michael Sweetser, who came from Charlestown, or Mal- den, was son of Samuel, of Malden, Mass., and was the first settler in Reading by the name of Sweetser. Michael married Mary, daughter of Isaac Smith, by whom he had thirteen children, of whom Cornelius (grandfather of our subject) was born in 1749, and married, in 1771, Sarab, daughter of Thomas Smith, of Lynn, a descendant of Deacon Francis and Ruth Smith (see early settlers).

His grandfather, Cornelius, second generation from the emigrant ancestor, lived at South Reading, Mass., where he reared a family of four sons,-Cornelius, William, Seth,

George, and three daughters, Mrs. Joseph Eaton, Mrs. Samuel Tuttle, Mrs. Newhall. He died about 1845 at the age of ninety-six, having lived to see three generations of his offspring old enough to cast a vote.

Cornelius, his eldest son, born in South Reading, May 7, 1778, married in 1801, Phebe, daughter of Lilley and Sarah (Emerson) Eaton, whose ancestors were early settlers of South Reading. During the war of 1812-14 he lost heavily-as a shoe manufacturer-in his trade South, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. For many years prior to his decease, both he and his wife lived with the subject of this sketch, their son. He died at South

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

Reading (now Wakefield) in 1847. His wife died in 1833, aged seventy-six. Their children are Stephen (deceased), Mrs. William Mansfield, Cornelius, Mrs. Rev. James W. Poland (deceased ), and Madison (deceased).

The characteristics of the Sweetser family are thus de- scribed by the writer of the " Genealogical History of South Reading, Mass." : In speaking of one of the family he says, " He was a man of high reputation for sincerity and good sense; had many of the peculiar traits of his family, such as a careful and exact observation of passing events." Of another he writes, " Col. Sweetser possessed strong native gifts, was an original thinker, well posted, an effective pub- lic speaker, a man of firmness, courage, and probity. He never took opinions second-hand, never admitted any prop- osition to be true until he had thoroughly analyzed it, often seeming to favor the side of a question which he believed to be the wrong side, for the purpose of drawing out the arguments of that side. He had a large organ of order, neatness, and exactness, was ever prompt, practical, and conscientious withal. He was very fond and proud of a noble steed, and he never used any other than a good one." The love of a good horse is still a marked trait of the family.

Cornelius Sweetser, second son of Cornelius and Phebe (Eaton) Sweetser, was born in South Reading, Mass., April 6, 1808. His education from books was confined to the common school. At the age of fourteen he purchased his time, before reaching his majority, of his father for one dollar per week and pay for his board. In this way, by economy and industry, habits he early learned, he acquired a small start for business, and, in December, 1829, in part- nership with Charles H. Perry, he started the shoe busi- ness in Boston. This continued only a short time, when he disposed of his interest, went to East Cambridge, and went into business for himself manufacturing boots and shoes. In 1832, Jannary 5th, he married Nancy W., youngest daughter of Colonel Silas and Hannah (Bacon) Richardson, of Billerica, Mass. She was born Sept. 23, 1813. Sub- sequently he was in trade at Lowell, at South Reading, and Billerica, remaining at the latter place from 1835 to 1846, where he also carried on farming in connection with his shoe business.

In 1846 he removed to Saco, Me., where he opened a shoe-store, carried on the business alone until 1853, and took in as partner Elias Boardman. Their business rela- tions continued until 1874, when Mr. Sweetser disposed of his interest to Mr. Boardman. In 1868 he began the manufacture of shoes, and associated with him in business his nephew, John E. Sweetser, under the firm-name of Sweetser & Co. This firm continues a successful business. Upon first settling in Saco Mr. Sweetser began to deal in farms and timber lots, and has been quite largely and suc- cessfully interested in real-estate operations since. His business ability, sound judgment, and judicious management of affairs have added strength to all local institutions with which he is connected. He has been for many years a director of the York National Bank, and in May, 1879, was elected president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co., at Saco, succeeding the late Dr. Berry.

He is interested in the propagation of religious, educa-

tional, and charitable institutions in the city, of which the York Institute, Young Men's Christian Association, and the Baxter School are recipients of his liberal contributions. Politically, he was formerly a Democrat, but has been a member of the Republican party since its formation. While a resident of Billerica he was selectman for 1844- 45, and since his residence in Saco he was selectman from 1856-61, inclusive, and chairman of the board for the last five years, and representative to the State Legislature in 1861-62. He was assessor for eight years, alderman one year, and county commissioner from October, 1869, to January, 1872.

AARON McKENNY,

second son of Samuel and Lucy (Rand ) McKenny, was born in Scarborough, now Saco, Dec. 21, 1777, and in 1799 married Lucy Burnham, daughter of Thomas and Mollie Burnham, who was born in Scarborough, now Saco, Feb. 26, 1777, and died Jan. 18, 1849. At the time of writing this sketch Mr. McKenny is in the one hundred and third year of his age, and so perfectly retains his mental faculties as to give the concise dates and facts here written. Soon after his marriage he settled on the farm where he now re- sides, and on which, during this year (1879), he has erected a commodious and elegant farm-residence, giving direc- tions for the labor and paying the men he employed. This is the third house he has built, the second one having been destroyed by fire, April 15, 1879, between the hours of nine and ten in the morning. His first farm-purchase was eighty-two acres, and, with additions since made, now con- tains two hundred acres. Although his business through life has been farming, in his early days he made many shin- gles, and shaved those which form a part of the roof of his new house, a view of which is placed under his portrait. He cut the first tree from the forest in settling his farm, and has lived to watch the wilderness become fertile and culti- vated lands, and to witness the founding of schools, churches, and cities, in which he contributed his full share, especially in the establishment of the Free-Will Baptist Church, near his residence, where for many years he was a member. A long time ago he withdrew from that church, for reasons which he conceived an usurpation of his rights, but he did not eease to extend his hospitality to its members. At the age of ninety-eight he attended to his farm-work and la- bored in the corn-field, cultivating a piece by himself ; and at the age of one hundred years he was able to stand before a mirror and shave himself. He now takes an active interest in controlling his own affairs, and with remarkable independ- ence of action, when he had lived more than a century, spurned an attempt to place a guardian over him. Mr. McKenny had three children,-two daughters and one son,-all of whom died in infancy. He is strictly temperate in his habits, and has never drank as a beverage any intoxicating liquors or stimulants. He has never had a physician called to attend him, never sued a man, or in turn was sued prior to his one hundredth birthday. He was never desirous of hold- ing public offices, and when at one time he was appointed a justice of the peace by the Governor of the State, refused

Aaron Mckenry

RES. OF AARON MCKENNY, BUILT BY HIMSELF IN THE ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND YEAR OF HIS AGE. SACO, ME.

JAMES M. DEERING.

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to accept the honor. The family of MeKenny is noted for longevity,-one brother, Samuel, lived to the age of ninety- six. Mr. McKenny has always been industrious and eco- nomical ; his business life has been successful, and for many years he has loaned money to people necding assistance, but has never accepted more than six per cent. interest. He has lived through every administration of the United States, and is within one year of the age of our government. Since he reached his majority, in 1798, he has frequently voted, first as an anti-Federalist, and afterwards as a Democrat, extending through a period of eighty years.

GEORGE A. CARTER,

eldest son of Daniel R. and Mchitable (Dodge) Carter, was born in Wakefield, N. H., Dec. 12, 1830. His father was a native of Dover, N. H., followed the business of carriage manufacturing for many years, was sheriff of Carroll Co., N. H., and spent the latter part of his life in Rochester, N. H., where he died, in 1842, aged forty-five.

LITTLE

Photo. by Webber, Saco.

Dalgarten

His mother was a native of Ossipee, N. H. She died in 1868, aged sixty. The other children were Sarah, wife of Thomas A. Pickering, of Salem, Mass., and Frank H. Carter (deceased). George A. removed to Rochester with his parents when only two years of age, where he spent the remainder of his minority, and received good opportunities for obtaining an education in the academy of that place. In 1849 the Portland, Saco and Portsmonth Railroad was put into operation, the express business at Saco and Biddeford being controlled by Longley & Co., with J. H. Coffin as agent. The whole business was then done with the aid of a small

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History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 51

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 730

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730