USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 60
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COL. JOSIAH HOBBS,
son of Jonathan, was born in Falmouth, Oct. 27, 1762; married Polly, daughter of Floyd Patrick, March 27, 1787. She was born March 16, 1769, and died Jan. 13, 1852. He was sergeant in the 2d Massachusetts Regiment during the Revolutionary war, being enlisted for three years, and was honorably discharged at West Point, Oct. 29, 1783. He served in the beginning of the war, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill. Col. Hobbs, with three other non- commissioned officers of the Continental army, petitioned Congress, Aug. 16, 1837, by an ably-drawn article, to grant pensions from 1825 to 1831, to those who served a long time in the war, as many who served only a short time had received pensions from 1818, the honorable Congress of 1832 having granted them pensions, which continued until his decease, Oct. 29, 1849, from which time his widow received a pension of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum.
By invitation of the adjutant-general of Massachusetts, on June 17, 1842, Col. Hobbs attended the anniversary celebration of Bunker Hill, and in his diary is found a description of the monument. He says, " All who had sufficient courage and strength ascended, and made such declarations as in their opinion the occasion required."
The Portland Argus of that date says, " A Revolu- tionary worthy, Col. Hobbs, of Falmouth, in the vicinity of this city, attended on Bunker Hill at the anniversary on Friday. He ascended to the top of the monument,-two hundred and three feet,-and is the only Revolutionary soldier that has done so. He is now in his eighty-second year, and was four years in the army. While on the summit of the monument he gave the following toasts :
"'Friends of freedom, swell the song ; Young and old, the strains prolong ; Lift your banners ; let them wave On this spot where hundreds fell their country to save!'
" As the flag was being unfurled he gave the following :
"' When Freedom, from her mountain height, Unfurled her standard to the air, She tore the chains of bondage off, And set the stars of glory there !'
" Ilis closing sentiments were, 'The memory of those brave heroes that fell in defense of their country's inde- pendence : may their fame ever be unfading, while every
ehe. Ma. Hobbes
Photo. by E. H. McKenney, Biddeford.
Jornal Halls
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CITY OF BIDDEFORD.
monument erected to their honor shall yield to age and moulder in the dust.'"
The following year Col. Hobbs again attended the anni- versary gathering in Boston of one hundred and ten vet- erans, and listened to the masterly address of Daniel Webster, and at the public dinner gave several toasts, one of which we give, as follows : " Yankee girls : exemplary daughters, dutiful wives, faithful mothers, whose high- toned virtues have established the exalted position of New England."
Col. Hobbs was appointed by the surviving soldiers of the Revolution in Falmouth as attorney under the resolve of the Legislature of Maine, approved March 17, 1835, to look after their bounty claims. Col. Hobbs was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Regiment, 2d Brigade, 12th Division of the militia of the commonwealth of Massachu- setts by Governor Elbridge Gerry, commission dated March 5, 1812.
Col. Hobbs was a man of good executive ability, enter- prising, faithful, and possessed of sterling integrity. A man of more than ordinary good judgment, he had the confi- dence of all who knew him. He lived through the coun- try's great struggle with the mother-country, and to see its recuperation from the effects of war and its growing pros- perity, and could say truthfully, " A part of all this I was and am." The old homestead settled by him in Falmouth remains in the family in 1879, and is occupied by J. S. Hobbs. A monument has been erected near the brick church in Falmouth, where he lived, by his grandson, Reuben M. Hobbs, of Biddeford, in memory of this Christian man.
His son, Josiah, Jr., born in Falmouth, July 20, 1794, married, Oct. 16, 1820, Maranda Merrill, who was born July 21, 1801. He was a farmer most of his life, moved with his family to New Gloucester in 1835, where he kept hotel in connection with his farming. In 1849 he removed to Lawrence, Mass. He went to Bristol, Ill., in 1855, where his wife dicd Sept. 28, 1871. He died at the resi- dence of his son, Samuel F., at Selma, Ala., in 1876. He took an active part in the old militia organizations, and was captain of a company of light infantry. He was a man of correct habits and strict integrity. His children were ten sons and one daughter.
REUBEN M. HOBBS,
eldest son of Josiah Hobbs, Jr., born in Falmouth, Aug. 30, 1821, spent his minority at home. He received a lib- eral education in the common school and at Gorham Acad- emy, and for three terms was a teacher. In 1845 he began the study of medicine with Doctors Grant and Mulvey, of Saco, but after a few months, disliking the study, and having a strong desire for mechanics and manufacturing, he entered the York Manufacturing Company as an em- ployee, where in less than a year he was promoted, and until 1855 was an overseer in various departments. On account of impaired health he went to Lawrence, Mass., and with his brother, Samuel F., opened a music-store. His brother, retiring from the firm, went to Alabama, and Mr. Hobbs, connecting other branches of business with his music-store, remained there until 1865, when he settled in Lewiston, Me., and was superintendent of the Lewiston Mills for
about two years, when he became, upon the solicitation of the late William P. Haines, then treasurer of the Pepperell Manufacturing Company, superintendent of the company at Biddeford. Mr. Hobbs has remained in this position since. His elose attention to the business of the company, his thorough knowledge of the capacity of every depart- ment of manufacturing, his introduction of new fabrics to meet the growing demands of trade, thus making the mills popular and widely known, have placed him in the full confidence of the company, and given him rank among the best informed in the manufacture of cotton fabrics. Dur- ing the war he went to Alexandria, Va., where he opened a soldiers' furnishing-goods store, but this business he con- tinued only a short time, and returned to Lawrence, where his main business was then located.
In early life he had a fondness for music. This branch of education he cultivated, and wherever he has resided has taken a leading part in all musical entertainments and gatherings. His favorite instrument is the cornet, and his instructions have resulted in organizing and training many musical bands in various places. The Congregational Chureli of Saco, Unitarian Church of North Andover, Mass., Congregational Church of Lawrence, Mass., and the Pavilion Church of Biddeford have been recipients of his leading and active interest in music in connection with church, Sabbath-school, and other service. He was one of the organizers of the Young Men's Christian Association of Biddeford, and its second president. He established an evening school for factory employees, which was attended by hundreds, and when the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion was laboring under a heavy debt, he assembled the Sabbath-schools of the city in a grand concert to relieve the burden of debt from that association.
During the winter of 1877 the " Biddeford Charitable Association" was organized to meet the wants at that time of a large number of needy persons, many of whom were employees in the mills, but receiving insufficient wages to meet the necessary demands for food and raiment. The city felt the need of such an association, through which the poor who were too proud to ask relief might bridge over the cold months of winter. A public meeting was called, the pastors of all the churches made addresses and ap- pealed for contributions, which resulted in a fund of eighty dollars. Mr. Hobbs took a great interest in this organiza- tion, and upon the invitation of the committee at once formed a chorus and orchestra of over one hundred and thirty of the leading singers of the two cities, and after three weeks' drilling gave one of the most brilliant concerts ever given in Saco and Biddeford, which was repeated for two evenings, netting about five hundred dollars, which placed the association upon a solid foundation. Just as the curtain rose at the opening of the concert, Mr. Leonard Andrews, in behalf of the singers, presented Mr. Hobbs with a gold-mounted baton, in appreciation of his labors in the instruction of the club.
Mr. Hobbs married, Feb. 10, 1847, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Col. William Cobb, of Limerick. She was born in Limington, Jan. 22, 1825.
Their children are Martha M., Ernest S., Florence A. (deceased), and Baron Stowe Hobbs.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
ENOCH H. McKENNEY.
His grandfather, John McKenney, who traces his an- cestry to the first settlers of Scarborough, was of Scotch descent, married Mary Rand, reared a family of children, and died in Saco, Nov. 18, 1818, aged eighty-one. His wife died Nov. 25, 1828, aged eighty-nine.
His father, Abner MeKenney, married Mary, daughter of James Edgecomb, of Saco ; reared a family of nine chil- dren. He died Sept. 11, 1860, aged eighty-one years and
and improvements known in the business. His long expe- rience, first as a daguerrean artist, afterwards as an ambro- type artist, and finally as a photographer, his close attention to and study of this business, have given him rank among the first photographers of the State. He is interested in all worthy local enterprises of the city, is a member of Dunlap Lodge of Masons, and of the Second Congrega- tional Church of Biddeford. He was a member of the city government from Ward Five for the years 1866 and 1867.
Photo. by E. H. McKenney, Biddeford. -
ten months. His wife died Nov. 11, 1845, aged sixty-one years.
Enoch H. McKenney, next to the youngest in the family of children, was born in Saco, June 25, 1825, and received his education in the common school and in Saco aud Lim- erick Academies. He was a teacher for five terms during his early manhood, and in 1848 associated himself with Mr. Horatio Macumber (a daguerrean artist of Saco), for the purpose of learning the business. His adeptness in this art soon made him acquainted with it, so that in a short time he started business for himself in Portsmouth, N. H., where he remained only a few months, and iu 1849 returned aud settled in Biddeford, where he opened a gallery, and remained until 1869, when, on account of impaired health, he removed to the State of Delaware, and engaged in the lumber trade. After fifteen months he returned to Biddeford, and resumed his business as pho- tographer, which he had never entirely relinquished, but for several winters afterwards carried on a lumber trade in Delaware, in connection with his business at home.
Mr. McKenney continues his art gallery in Biddeford in 1880, and has kept pace with all the inventions, discoveries,
He married, July 9, 1854, Martha, daughter of Seth and Hannah (Richards) Emmons, of Kennebunk. She was born in 1834. Their children are Fred. H. and Hattie E.
JOHN T. SMITH.
His grandfather, Nicholas Smith, born in Biddeford, married Lydia Banks, of Old Orchard, Saco, and reared a family of six children. He was a land surveyor and a large land owner, and was prominently identified with the history of the town. His children were John, Samuel, Nicholas, Charles, Hannah, and Paulina. He died about 1810, aged eighty-five.
Nicholas, father of John T., married Olive Jeffereds, of Biddeford. He was a farmer during his life, was a mem- ber of the Democratic party, and died July 27, 1849, aged eighty-four. His wife died aged eighty-four, having been born in 1774. They had twelve children, viz., Nicholas, Edmund, Nahum T., John T., Paulina, Almira (died young), Irene, Almira, Jane S., Clara, Amelia, and Han- nah A.
213
CITY OF BIDDEFORD.
Of this large family only two sisters, Hannah A. and Jane, wife of Samuel Gilpatrick, of Kennebunkport, besides the subject of this notice, survive.
Mr. Smith spent his minority at home on the farm. In boyhood his opportunities for an education from books were limited, but he subsequently attended one term at the academy.
Photo. by E. H. McKenney, Biddeford,
John J. Smith
· After reaching his majority he spent some time as an employee in the York Mill, Saco, which was the first one built, and the only one then representing manufacturing in- terests in Saco or Biddeford. He afterwards spent some time in Boston, and on account of the death of his brother returned to the old homestead in Biddeford, where he car- ried on farming until 1866, when he moved to Biddeford city (proper), where he resided in 1879. He married, Feb. 5, 1861, Angelia B., daughter of John and Abigail (Smith) Roberts, of Biddeford. They have an only dauglı- ter, Clara A.
Mr. Smith has been officially connected with the city. He was elected, on the Democratic ticket, assessor in 1854, and served one year. He was assessor from 1863 to 1868, inclusive, and again in 1872 and 1875, and was elected in 1876, but did not qualify for the office. During the last six years of his term of service he was chairman of the Board of Assessors. He has been a member of the city government for several years.
DR. THOMAS HALEY,
born in Saco, Nov. 14, 1829, is a descendant of Thomas Haley, one of the first settlers of Saco, who, with others, was summoned to acknowledge himself subject to the gov- ernment of Massachusetts, July 5, 1653. He married a
daughter of John West, who, upon his death, in 1663, divided his property among Mr. Haley's four children, Ann, Lydia, Samuel, and Thomas. Mr. Haley lived on the west- ern side of the river, opposite Waddock, and succeeded Wad- dock, the first ferryman near the mouth of Saco River, called the lower ferry, and was ordered by the court of 1673, " for
LTTLE
Photo, by E. H. McKenney, Biddeford.
Tobally.
the more secure transportation of travelers, for men and horses, to provide a good, sufficient boat, fit for carrying persons and their horses, large enough to carry over three horses at one time." A descendant of his, Benjamin Haley, was selectman of Biddeford in 1728. Dr. Haley was the son of Mark and Lydia ( Hill) Haley. The former, born in Saco, in December, 1799, removed to Somerset Co., Me., about 1832, where he died in 1853; the latter died in Biddeford in 1868, aged sixty-seven. His grandfather, Thomas, mar- ried Margery Scamman, a descendant of one of the oldest families in York County.
Dr. Thomas Haley remained on the farm at home until he was twenty-one years old, receiving the advantages of a common-school education. After reaching his majority he was a teacher for three terms, and after attending for four years he graduated from the Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H., in 1854. In 1855 he began the study of dentistry with Dr. William H. Haskell, of Biddeford, and, after completing his studies, succeeded that gentleman and practiced until 1862, when he enlisted in the 27th Maine Regiment, commanded by Mark F. Wentworth. He served his time of enlistment,-nine months,-and at the close of that term of service was one of the three hundred who vol- unteered to defend the forts at Arlington Heights against any attack of Gen. Lee's army, then marching into Penn- sylvania and to the battle of Gettysburg, and received the recognition of Congress. In 1863 he resumed his practice
214
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
of dentistry in Biddeford. Owing to the rapid progress this important profession was making, and desiring to be at the head of his profession, in 1868, upon the organization of the Dental School of Harvard University, he was among the first to enter, from which he graduated in 1869, receiv- ing the degree of D.M.D. In all the new features and im- proved ways of operating known to the profession Dr. Haley has kept pace, and zealously continues his practice in Biddeford at the present time. He was one of the charter members of the Maine Dental Society and president for one year, and also a member of the " Merrimae Valley Dental Association," and has been one of its vice-presidents. Be- fore these associations Dr. Haley has made many addresses, and has presented papers upon various topics pertaining to the profession, which have received public recognition, among which are following subjects : "Carbolic Acid," " First Principles of Dentistry," " Empiricism," and " Pres- ent Status of Dentistry." He was one of the charter members of Palestine Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, aud is a leading member of the Second Congregational Church in Biddeford. He married, in 1863, Isabella, daughter of Joseph and Lucretia (Soule) West. Their children are Willie T., Frauk A , Harry W., and Charles M.
CAPT. JOTHAM BENSON, third child and second son of Joseph and Mary ( Littlefield) Benson, was born in Biddeford, May 15, 1810. His boy-
LIT I'LF
Photo, by E. II. MeKent ey, Biddeford. CAPT. JOTHAM BENSON.
hood was spent at home on the farm and in school. At the age of fourteen he went to sea as a common seaman, and by his faithfulness and industrious and correct habits was promoted through the various ranks until he finally became master of several vessels. He followed the sea for some thirty years, sailed a part of the time up the straits from Philadelphia, made a number of trips to South America
and the West Indies, and made several voyages to the various ports of Europe. In 1858 he was appointed super- intendent of the Greenwood Cemetery in Biddeford, which position he retains in 1879.
He married, June 9, 1836, Elizabeth, daughter of Benja- min and Elizabeth (Berry ) Wakefield, of Saco, Me. She was born Nov. 30, 1810. They have had six children, five of whom are living,-James O., Hannah H., Mary E., Charles, J., and William E. Charles C. died in infancy.
Mr. Benson's father was a farmer the greater part of his life in the towns of Biddeford and Kennebunkport, and died in 1847, aged sixty-six. His wife survived him, and died in 1869, aged eighty years.
Mrs. Benson's father was a farmer in Saco and Biddeford, and died Sept. 15, 1839, aged sixty six. His wife died May 15, 1820.
SIMON M. BLAKE
was born March 17, 1815, in the town of Limington, York Co., Me. His parents' names were Benjamin and Eliza- beth Blake. He was the fourth in a family of six ehil- dren, three of whom are now living. His ancestors came from England, and were among the early settlers of Gor- ham, Me. They followed farming. His boyhood was spent with his parents, on the farm in Limington, until he was sixteen years of age ; he then bought his time of his father, and hired with Hon. Ebenezer Moulton, of Standish, Me., to work on a farm, where he remained one year and a half, then went back to Limington and learned the earpeu- ter trade of Hon. John Bradeen, remaining with him until he was twenty-one. He attended the district school in winter and learned the elementary branches. His educa- tion was practical, being derived more from observation and experience than from books. He understood human na- ture, and interpreted motives correctly. Mr. Blake began life with small means. In later years, when prosperity sur- rounded him, he used to remark that he bought his time of his father, giving him a yoke of two-year-old steers, and that was about all he possessed.
June 30, 1835, he married Rhoda C. Guptill, of Cor- nish, Me. Their children now living are Mrs. Etta A. Lockhart, of East Cambridge, Mass .; Mrs. Rosilla C. Burnham, of Biddeford; and Charles A. J. Blake, of Ken- nebunkport.
In 1836, Mr. Blake moved to Limerick, Me. In 1838 he bought a farm in Limington, to which he removed, and remained till 1840, when he purchased a farm in Chatham, N. H., where he lived seven years, and built a saw-mill. He carried on the mill and lumbering business and farming, and worked at his trade a part of the time. He was com- missioned captain of the militia in that town, and received an honorable discharge. June 19, 1847, he removed to Saco, Me., and commenced working at his trade for the Saco Water-Power Company. Jan. 10, 1848, he removed to Biddeford, where he continued his occupation, working by the day and upon contraet, having from one to twenty men in his employ. In 1852, his health failing, he was obliged to change his business; he bought out a grocery-
PHOTO BY MIKENNEY
SIMON M. BLAKE.
WASHINGTON AVE
SUMMER RES. AT ORCHARD BEACH
ATLANTIC AVE:
CENTRAL PARK S.M. BLAKE. PROP.
FARM RES. OF SIMON
M. BLAKE, 250 ELM ST, BIDDEFORD, ME.
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TOWN OF YORK.
store on Alfred Street, Biddeford, which he carried on for eight years ; then sold out to A. L. Cleaves, in whose employ he remained until 1865, when his health again failing he left the store and bought the farm where he now lives. For the last fourteen years he has been improving his farm and gardening. On Nov. 5, 1872, he made a visit by railway to California.
In 1875 he bought a lot at Central Park, Old Orchard, and built him a fine summer residence, which he has occu- pied with his family and friends during the summer seasons. In 1879, Mr. Blake bought 35 lots of the Charles Hardy estate at Old Orchard. Mr. Blake is liberal towards the poor, and contributes largely to the support of the Gospel,
being a member of the Free Baptist Church. About eighteen years ago, when the Pavilion Congregationalist Church was organized in Biddeford, he was one of the first members. At the first church-mecting he was chosen dea- con, and has remained one of the deacons to the present time. He never sought publie office or political honors, but has served in many of the county and city offices. Mr. Blake has been an advocate of temperance from his youth, strong in his friendships, of great force of character, earnest convictions, and correct judgment. Ever indus- trious and economical he manages his affairs prudently, and has accumulated a handsome property. He has always been a firm Democrat.
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF YORK COUNTY.
YORK.
INTRODUCTION.
AGAMENTICUS, the earliest name of York, is derived from the river of that name, and from Agamenticus Moun- tain, situated in the northern part of the town.
The Agamenticus River is an arm of the sea, extending about seven miles inland from one of the finest beaches on the coast ; in some places it expands into a broad and beauti- ful sheet of water, bordered by rich intervale, with here and there jutting points of rocks or headlands. The landscape now presents a succession of cleared and productive farms, with quiet rural scenery and substantial farm-houses ; and there is little in the modern aspect of the place to remind the visitor that here was the seat of one of the earliest set- tlements in New England, whose ancient relics and records furnish the richest treasure to the antiquarian. Such, how- ever, is the fact ; and we shall proceed to tell our readers something of the story of ancient Agamenticus, and of Gor- geana, the first incorporated English city on the continent of North America.
It is to be regretted that the earliest records of this town were destroyed by the Indians in the memorable massacre and destruction of the place in 1692, so that the oldest records of the town proper, made by the towa clerk, James Plaisted, only date back to 1695, the period of the resettle- ment, when municipal affairs again assumed orderly form. The place, however, being the theatre of early public affairs, both in the province of New Somersetshire and Maine, and for many years the seat of the local provincial government,
has not failed to be largely represented in public documents and records of a more general character, from which a fair history of the town can be obtained. The valuable miscel- laneous collection known as the " York Records," which have been the delight of many an antiquarian, have been preserved in the archives of the county since 1635.
EARLY HISTORY.
The earliest history of this town relates to it as Agamen- ticus,-a name by which it was known on the map of the famous Capt. Smith, who explored the coast of Maine from the Penobscot westward in 1614. Two years later Capt. . Smith published his description of the country under the general name of New England. He drew up his map with the Indian names of the rivers, islands, and principal places along the coast, and presented it to Prince Charles, after- wards King Charles I., who changed many of the names upon it to English names. Agamenticus, as laid down upon this map, was changed to " Boston,"-a name which many years after was adopted by the Massachusetts Bay Colony for their principal harbor at the mouth of the Charles River, originally known by the Indian name Shawmut,- now the metropolis of New England. It is something to know that the original Boston on this continent was not the " Hub," but York, in York County, Me., and that this name appears on a map of New England published in 1616, together with Plymouth, where the Pilgrims landed four years later.
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