History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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 59

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He was known as an humble Christian, and his piety was not of the ostentatious kind. At the very beginning of his Christian life he received a divine impulse that ever impelled him on. A growth then commenced that never ceased. It was of a stalwart kind. It grappled with diffi- culties only to overcome them. Not his own doubts, if any he had, not the unbelief of others, not all the blows aimed at the rock on which he stood, could jar him from it. The roots of his faith went down and were bedded in the Eter- nal Word, and the things of the kingdom were verities to him as much as his daily concerns. Where others failed his faith held on. The church was sometimes brought into straits, but no one ever heard of his yielding to doubt. His piety was of a sunny, cheerful, confident kind.

Mrs. Cole early in life became a member of the church, and has remained constant in her profession for nearly half a century.

SELEUCUS ADAMS.

The subject of this sketch is a direct descendant of the Adamses of Quincy, Mass., two representatives of whom have held the highest office of the government; all being descendants of Henry Adams, a brewer by occupation, who came from Braintree, England, in 1634, and settled in

Braintree, now Quincy, Mass. The family originated in Wales more than six hundred years ago, the primitive name being Ap Adam. Sir John Ap Adam, a distinguished member of Parliament, was a member of the same family.

Rev. Joseph Adams, the first settled minister of the town of Newington, N. II., was a descendant of the fourth gen- eration from Ilenry Adams, and from him Seleucus Adams is directly descended. This Rev. Joseph Adams was an eminent clergyman of his time, and was pastor of the church in Newington for a period of sixty-seven years. He grad- uated at Harvard College in 1710, and was settled in the Newington pastorate in 1715. He was an uncle to John Adams, the second President of the United States. He died May 26, 1784, at the age of ninety-six years. He was one of the original proprietors of the town of Rochester, N. H., and some of his descendants settled upon lands in that town belonging to his estate.

Benjamin Adams, the father of Seleucus, was a Roch- ester farmer, and one of the early settlers of that town, and a great-grandson of Rev. Joseph Adams. He mar- ried Elizabeth Horne, a daughter of Isaac Horne, of Dover, but died in early life of consumption, leaving a wife and six children,-five sons and a daughter,-viz., James, born in 1800 ; he became a lawyer, went to Maine, was clerk of the courts in Penobscot County for several years, afterwards settled in Norridgewock, where he died in 1858. Isaac, born in 1802, was the inventor of the printing-press known as the Adams Press. He went to Boston in early life, where he established himself in the manufacture of bis in- vention, and accumulated a large fortune. He is now re- tired from active business and resides in Sandwich, N. H. Seleucus, the third son, was born Aug. 13, 1804. Seth was born in 1806; became associated with Isaac in the manufacture of printing-presses and other machines ; subse- quently sold his interest to Isaac and engaged with Seleucus in the business of refining sugar in Boston. He accumu- lated a large fortune, much of which he devoted to charita- ble objects, and gave a large amount to found an asylum near Boston. Seleucus was equal partner with him in the extensive sugar-refinery, and had the chief business man- agement of the establishment. Mary Ann, the sister, was born in 1809, and remained single; she died in North Barnstead, N. H., in 1877. Charles, the youngest of the family, was born in 1813, went to Texas, where he served as colonel under Gen. Houston in the Texan war, was en- gaged largely in importing and navigation, and is now a res- ident of Galveston, where he has been a merchant for many years, engaged in an extensive foreign and domestic trade.

Up to the age of sixteen Seleucus remained at home, contributing by his labor to the support of his mother and the younger members of the family, as, owing to the long illness and death of his father, but little remained of the homestead available to their use, his two older brothers, James and Isaac, having already gone out into the world to work and manage for themselves. At this time, upon consultation with his mother, it was deemed best for him to leave home and try his fortune in the world ; and so, with this in view, he tied up his worldly goods in a hand- kerchief, and, with less than one dollar in his pocket, in

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CITY OF BIDDEFORD.

the spring of 1820 bade adieu to the scene of his child- hood, and started on foot across the country thirty-five miles to Saco, Me., where he had an uncle, his father's brother, Augustus Adams, whom he hoped would assist him in obtaining employment. In this, however, he was disappointed ; and, after remaining in Saco a few weeks and nothing better offering, he shipped on board a small coasting-schooner, Capt. Thomas Farris, master, bound to Nantucket, at which place, on their arrival, after discharging cargo, the captain purchased another schooner, placing Seleucus with one William Marshall, of Saco, in charge of the same to make the return trip to Saco. While on the way Capt. Marshall became unable to do duty, and Seleu- cus, although left to manage the vessel alone, succeeded in bringing her safely to Saco, her destination. He next went to Bath with the same captain. Having an uncle there who desired his services, he remained and worked for him six months. Returning to Saco, he became an apprentice to Abner Howard, a tin-plate and sheet-iron worker, agreeing to serve him till he was twenty-one years of age. At the expiration of his apprenticeship he went to Portland, and engaged as a journeyman with Messrs. Wyer & Noble, who were large stove dealers, manufacturers, and coppersmiths, and so gained the good-will and confidence of his employers that they proposed to furnish him with a stock of goods and start him in business on his own ac- count. This offer he accepted, and conducted business very successfully one year at Bucksport. He then found, by a visit to Saco in the fall of 1826, that it would be advantageous to him to change his location.

Saco at that time presented a lively business aspect on account of the erection of the first cotton-mills. Mr. Howard had decided to remove to Portland, leaving a favorable opening in his line of business for his successor. Mr. Adams decided to avail himself of the opportunity, and accordingly took the place of Mr. Howard, with whom only two years before he had finished his apprenticeship, taking also the cargo of goods which his Portland patrons, Messrs. Wyer & Noble, had already on board of a vessel assigned to Mr. Howard at Saco, the invoice being changed over to him. This was a favorable and unexpected opportunity for Mr. Adams, and one which he did not fail to improve. For many years he carried on a successful business, com- bining the stove trade with that of tinware manufacturer.

In 1836, his health becoming impaired, he sold out his business and went West, where he soon regained his usual vigor, and returning to Saco, in 1839, he established him- self in mercantile business, dealing in dry goods, West India goods, corn, and flour. This soon led to other branches of business ; and until 1848 he was extensively engaged in shipping lumber, wood, bark, and brick, and bringing in return corn and flour from Boston and New York, employing in this business several of his own vessels. During this time he built the large brick house in Saco where he resided till 1872.

After the fire which destroyed his store and contents in 1848, he confined himself exclusively to the dry-goods business, having two stores, one in Saco and the other in Biddeford. In 1850 he formed an equal partnership with his brother Seth for the purpose of refining sugar, the

business being carried on in the Gooch Street Sugar-House, Boston, under the firm-name of S. & S. Adams. Leaving here his business in charge of his son, S. B. Adams, he went to Boston, and remained there about three years, when he retired from the firm, and again took charge of his stores in Saco and Biddeford. He continued in the business till just previous to the war of 1861, when he closed out here and went to Newbern, N. C., where he was largely en- gaged in selling general merchandise, buying and shipping naval stores and cotton, remaining there until nearly the close of the war.

Having now been in constant business for nearly half a century, and having, hy strict integrity, industry, and per- severance, gained an ample competency, he retired from active business, and now resides on his farm in Biddeford, near where the Saco River unites with the ocean, where he has one of the finest country-seats in this vicinity.

Mr. Adams was married to Miss Olive T. Goodrich, daughter of Simon Goodrich, of Biddeford, Nov. 1, 1829. They have had seven children, viz., Simon B., Sarah E., George II., Georgianna K., Henrietta, Carrie P., Mary Olive, who died in infancy.

The career of Mr. Adams is a remarkable illustration of what may be accomplished by patient industry, careful and wise management, integrity, and perseverance. He started in life a poor boy, without education or any capital save the fund of sound practical sense with which nature had endowed him. His education has been obtained almost wholly out of school, or by those means of self-study and experience which it has been his life-long aim and purpose to apply. In his career through life, Mr. Adams has pre- ferred business to politics. Ilis first vote was cast for Andrew Jackson for President of the United States. Since then he has voted occasionally, when issues of more ab- sorbing interest have arisen ; but he has never sought or desired office.

SAMUEL PEIRSON.

His grandfather, Samuel Peirson, emigrated from York- shire, England ; settled in Philadelphia about 1699. He belonged to the Society of Friends. He and family re- moved to the back settlements in North Carolina, and in the war which ended in 1763 is said to have been mur- dered with all the family (except two children) by the Indians.

His father, Capt. Samuel, born in Philadelphia about 1731, died at New Gloucester, Maine, July, 1791. He is said to have commanded the first ship that made the pass- age by way of Cape of Good Hope to China. He was sub- sequently in business in Boston. The Boston massacre took place very near his dwelling, and one of the wounded soldiers fell upon his doorstep. He married Elizabeth Cox, who was born in Boston, March, 1726, and died in Bidde- ford, April, 1809.

His son, Samuel, subject of this notice, was horn in Bos- ton, Feb. 22, 1759, and died in Biddeford, May, 1852. He served six months in the army of the Revolution, was one of Gen. Washington's private clerks, afterwards re-

208

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

sumed commercial employment, in which he was engaged in Salem, Mass., and in Portland, Maine. About 1792 he took up his residence in Biddeford, where he resided until his death. He held various offices of trust, and was a worthy and useful citizen. He was cashier of the old Saco Bank from 1803 to 1825, and president from 1825 to 1833, director of the Manufacturers' Bank 1826 to 1830, secretary and treasurer Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution from 1827 to 1843, and trustee of the same from 1827 to 1833, secretary and treasurer Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Saco 1827 to 1838, and representa- tive in the State Legisla- ture in 1827. His first wife was Sarah Page, by whom he had four chil- dren, who grew to matu- rity,-Abel L., a graduate of Harvard in 1812, and a physician at Salem, Mass., from 1819 until May, 1853, when he was killed at the Norwalk railroad disaster ; John, lost at sea September, 1826, was a master-mariner ; Samuel, died at sca; and Sarah, widow of the late Samuel White, of Biddeford.

His wife died in 1802. He married for his second wife, Nov. 10, 1803, Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah Hill, of Biddeford. She died Oct. 24, 1853, aged sev- enty-eight.

Her father was collector of customs for the district of Saco, 1789 to 1809, member of the Legislature for six terms, an officer in the Revolutionary War, and received in 1787 from Harvard University the honorary degree of Master of Arts. He died in 1820. His children by this mar- riage were Jeremiah H., of Biddeford ; George W., an apothecary of Biddeford, and died in 1860; Abbie, died in 1860; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel F. Chase, died Aug. 22, 1876, aged sixty, the mother of Judge Samuel F. Chase, of Saco; Daniel, died iu 1826; Harriet, died in 1837 ; and Thomas M., died in January, 1865.

Mr. Peirson was eminently a Christian gentleman of the old school. He carried himself to extreme old age with military erectness, was scrupulously courteous in his man-

ners, self-possessed, affable, generous, tender-hearted, and true. An intimate of the most estimable men of his town, all classes and all ages loved him and did him honor,-a kind friend, a faithful husband and father, given to hos- pitality. He wore to the last the old-fashioned small-clothes and knee-buckles, but kept abreast with the times in activity of thought and general information. Dissenting from the popular theology, he joined heartily with a few of his fellow- citizens and of Saco in building a church upon a pure gospel foundation, un- fettered by human creeds. A fearless truthfulness and sincerity marked him in all his words and acts. In- teresting anecdotes might be related of his courage, both military and moral. He was noted for humor and racy wit, that gave zest without bitterness to his conversation. In his many trials he was cheerfully submissive to the good God in whom he trusted, and in his joys he was devoutly thankful. To a son at Exeter Academy he wrote, " First of all re- member that God sees and knows all your actions and every thought of your heart. Let strict truth without any equivocation be your constant rule, and rigid honesty in all your dealings be your practice. You have with you the Bible. I recommend that every day you read as much as one chapter, and that with attention, and- a practice that I myself have found very useful- every night before you sleep think over every ac- tion and thought of the day past; whatever you find amiss resolve to amend in future; if any- thing you approve, con- tinue the practice. Ask God's forgiveness for the past and assistance to keep your resolutions for doing better for the future. In the care of the God of truth and love I leave you." His was

Sam Person

" An age that melts with unperceived decay, And glides with modest innocence away. Whose peaceful day benevolence endeared, Whose nights congratulating conscience cheered ; The general favorite, as the general friend, Such age was his ; but now we mourn its end."

2. Goldobrough

Photo. by E. H. MeKenney, Biddeford,

William Derry

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CITY OF BIDDEFORD.

HON. WILLIAM BERRY,

son of John, Jr., and Sarah (Downing) Berry, was born in Saco, Nov. 25, 1811. He was liberally educated in the schools of his native place, was for some time a teacher, and studied law with Moses Emery, of Saco. In 1834 he went to Lyman and started business for himself as a grocer. In 1836, February 19th, he married Olivia, eldest daughter of Benjamin and Clarissa (Libby) Dudley. She was born Dec. 24, 1819. Her father was in trade in Portland, sub- sequently in Lyman for many years, and removed to Ken- nebunkport, where he died in 1869, aged seventy-six. Soon after his marriage Mr. Berry removed to Hollis, where he carried on farming for about three years, and in 1840 set- tled in Biddeford, where he remained in trade until about 1856. He was a representative in the State Legislature from Biddeford two terms; was elected judge of the Munici- pal Court of the city of Biddeford in 1856,-a position which he held for eight years, having been re-elected in 1860. He was a director in the First National Bank, and one of the Investing Committee of the York County Five-Cent Saving Institution. He was interested in all matters tending to the prosperity of the city and the wel- fare of its citizens. Being a man of strong convictions and a strong will, Judge Berry as a politician was not calculated to make friends of his opponents, and few men ever gained the esteem and respect of the community to a larger extent than he did. In the various positions of public trust which he occupied his sterling integrity, his sound judgment, and his frank, outspoken, manly ways gave to all confidence who had business or social relations with him. As a business man he was prudent, industrious, and successful ; as a legislator he represented the full interests of his constitu- ency ; and as a judicial officer he was careful in giving his opinions, exact in the administration of justice, and just in his convictions of right and wrong. He died March 18, 1868, leaving a widow, who survives in 1880. His children living are William Franklin, general freight agent Eastern Railway, of Boston, Mass .; John, a druggist in Biddeford; Susan A .; and Olivia G. His children deceased are Hen- rietta, wife of Charles D. Lincoln, who died in Florida, May 24, 1866, aged twenty-eight, leaving an only daughter, Fannie F. Lincoln ; Adaline O., died at the age of eigh- teen, July 1, 1858; Fannie F .; and Claribelle, who died young.

JEREMIAH GOLDSBROUGH

was born in Bradford West, county of Yorkshire, England, March 28, 1819. His father, Joseph, and his grandfather, Jeremiah, were also natives of the same place, where they lived and died. His mother was Nancy Butler ; his brothers are John, Lawrence, William ; and his sisters are Mary and Ann, who reached manhood and womanhood. Besides himself, only his sister Mary came to America, after her marriage, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she died in 1849, leaving no children.

Mr. Goldsbrough received limited opportunity for ob- taining an education from books, and what he did receive

was obtained by means of the Sabbath-school and private study while he was an apprentice.

As early as the age of seven he went to work in the worsted mills of Bradford, where he remained seven years, when he was apprenticed by his father to learn the tin-plate work, and served also seven years. After working as a jour- neyman in Liverpool for some time, and in other places, he started business for himself in Bradford, which he continued until 1848, when, believing that this country offered greater inducements, he embarked for the United States, landing in Boston, Mass., the same year in May. After visiting Portland he came to Saco, thence to Biddeford, when he began as a journeyman, with a capital of one dollar, but what was of more value, good health, willing hands, and a resolve to do something. Prior to his emigration, in 1840, he married Hannah Lumb, daughter of Thomas Lumb, of Bradford. In 1849 his wife came to Boston, and joined her husband in Biddeford. In 1851 he and his wife visited their native country, where his only daughter living, Harriet Lumb, wife of Charles High Hill, of Biddeford, was born in October of the same year. In 1852, Mr. Goldsbrough and his family returned to Biddeford, where he worked as a journeyman until 1862, and then started the tin-plate and stove business, which he has successfully continued until the present time. By prudence and judicious management he has gained a competency, and ranks among the success- ful business men of his adopted city. Mr. Goldsbrough has taken a deep interest in the local affairs of Biddeford during his residence here. A Republican in politics, he has not been much connected with office. For several years he has served as justice of the peace, and was acting justice in 1879.

As early as eighteen years of age he became a member of the Methodist Church, and has remained an active and in- finential member of that body since his residence in Bidde- ford.

He is a member and treasurer of Palestine Lodge of F. and A. M .; was the founder of Granite Lodge of Odd-Fel- lows in 1864, and has reached the honorable position in the Grand Encampment of District Deputy Grand Patriarch, and is chairman of the board of trustees of Granite Lodge.

Mr. Goldsbrough is known to the citizens of Biddeford as a man of strict integrity in all his business relations, un- assuming in his ways, and of correct habits.

His wife died in 1871, and in 1872 he married Janet M. Adams, widow of the late Thomas Emery, of Stockport, England. She was born in Scotland, and came to this coun- try after the death of her husband.

WILLIAM PICKERING HAINES

was the son of Stephen and Mary Pickering Haines, and was born at Canterbury, N. H., Feb. 22, 1811. He fitted for college at the Gilmanton Academy ; entered Dart- mouth College in 1827, from which he graduated in 1831, and for six months in that year taught school. In 1832 he read law with Judge William A. Hayes and Charles N. Cogs- well at South Berwick, and later with Governor John Fairfield at Saco. He was a law-partner of Governor

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

Fairfield from 1835 to 1847, residing in Saco and practi- cing at the York County bar. In 1847 he was a Demo- cratic senator from York County in the Legislature of Maine. It was this year that President Polk visited Maine, and Mr. Haines was chairman of the Legislative committee to receive the President. In 1847 he became agent for the Saco Water-Power Company, and held this position till 1850. In 1850 he became agent of the Pepperell Com- pany, then a new company just commencing business here. The marked success of the corporation is largely due to his business tact. This position he held for seventeen years, and in 1866 was elected treasurer of the Pepperell and Laconia Companies, and took up his residence temporarily in Boston, although he did not move his family there. He continued treasurer until 1870, when, owing to severe ill- ness, he was obliged to return to Biddeford. From that time until his death, July 2, 1879, he was agent for the Pepperell and Laconia Companies.

Ile was ever a firm Democrat of the Jeffersonian-Jack- sonian type, and his party delighted to honor him. He was twice their candidate before the Legislature for United States senator. In 1872 he was nominated for represen- tative to Congress from the First District, running against the Hon. John Lynch. He was a firm friend and sup- porter of the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, and when that gentleman visited Maine in 1860 he was the guest of Mr. Haines.

Mr. Haines was for many years one of the trustees of Bowdoin College, and for several years held a similar rela- tion to Dartmouth College. He was president of the Bid- deford National Bank for many years. Aug. 10, 1836, he married Harriet, daughter of Timothy Ferguson, Esq., of South Berwick. Of the nine children who were born to them, five died in infancy, and the rest, one son and three daughters, survive. One of the daughters married Am- brose Eastman, Esq., of Boston. Mr. Haines has several sisters living, one of whom married Judge Josiah Minot, of Concord, N. H. The late Augustine Haines, Esq., was his cousin.

Mr. Haines early in life united with the church, and ever took a deep interest in whatever concerned the pros- perity of the church, aiding by his voice and purse. In earlier life this trait of his character was manifest, and the old records of the Congregational Society, Saco, show that while a resident of that city he was ready to do his share of the church work. This spirit he brought with him to Biddeford, and was one of the pillars of the church, which can illy afford to lose him. He was a large-hearted, kind, consistent Christian gentleman. Liberal in every degrec, he proved a friend in need to hundreds. Ile was the es- pecial friend of the foreigner, and in his death they lost a staunch advocate. He took a great interest in educational matters, and lent a ready, helping hand to all enterprises that looked towards the elevation of the community. Among one of his latest acts was to subscribe liberally towards the fund being raised for the York Institute, Saco, an institution that has for its object the education of the present and future generations. Ile was au able gentleman in every sense of the term. Blessed with a fine memory, he was thoroughly posted on all matters connected with

manufacturing, politics, or local history, and looked up to by the whole community. Honored and respected by the people, his will be a void difficult to fill.

His son, IIon. Ferguson Haines, born March 2, 1840, prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. ; entered Dartmouth College in 1856, from which he grad- uated in the class of '60. After leaving college he was in business in Portland for six years, and from 1866 to 1870 was agent for the Pepperell Manufacturing Company in Biddeford, and mayor of the city in 1867 and 1868. He was a member of the State Legislature for the years 1870 and 1872, and was elected city treasurer in March, 1879.

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History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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