Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 146

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York, Blake
Number of Pages: 1790

USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892 > Part 146

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Otis Pratt, born in January, 1807, was a son of Ebenezer and Han- nah (Evans) Pratt. He was a farmer in Benton, where he died in August, 1882. His wife, who survives him, was Betsey, daughter of Asa and Betsey (Davis) Pratt, and granddaughter of James Pratt. They had eleven children: Charles H., Ellen B. (Mrs. Zimri Hunter), Otis Octavius (deceased), H. Etta, Emma O. (Mrs. E. C. Holbrook), Clara E. (deceased), Minerva (Mrs. Rev. W. Canham), Annie M., Flora M. (Mrs. Rev. H. W. Norton), George A. (deceased) and Herbert A.

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(deceased). H. Etta is a partner of Benjamin T. Foster in the furni- ture business. Ellen B. was for several years a school teacher. In 1880 she married Zimri Hunter, who died in 1889, aged seventy-six years. He was a business man and manufacturer at Clinton. His first wife, Emily Flood, left three children: Mrs. Isaac Bingham, Al- bert and Mrs. Sargent Jewell.

John Reynolds, born in 1828, is the sixth generation from Samuel', (Ebenezer2, Benjamin3, John', JohnB). Samuel1, with an elder brother, was driven from his father's residence in Nova Scotia by an attack of two piratical vessels that sacked and burned the place about 1690 or 1700. He afterward settled in Bradford, Mass., where he reared his family of nine children. Benjamin3 is said to have owned one hun- dred acres on the present site of Augusta, he being one of the first settlers of that place. He was drafted into the revolutionary army about 1776, and served not more than two years. He was a blacksmith with the army in New York, and was employed in forging the chain which was thrown across the Hudson to prevent British ships sailing up that river. He erected the first framed house on the site of Waterville city, and about 1793 built a small vessel, claimed to be the first launched on the upper Kennebec, and ran it to Augusta, twenty miles, without its being rigged. He also built the first mill in Water- ville, and subsequently the first at Pittsfield. John Runnels" came to Clinton in 1820, and settled on the farm where John now lives, and died there in 1882, leaving two sons: John Reynolds® and Fred W. Runnels. John staid on the old farm, and married Philena Russel, daughter of Bassett Roundy, of Benton. She died in 1877, and left five daughters: Ella, Rose, Hannah, Frances L. and Lena P.

Albion Richardson, son of Israel Richardson, sailed from Bangor November 6, 1849, for California, where he spent two years in the gold fields. In 1851 he returned to Clinton, where he was a farmer and lumberman until 1880, when changed circumstances again in- duced him to seek another fortune on the Pacific coast, and he spent five years in Oakland, Cal., returning to Maine in 1885. His first wife, who died in 1866, was Mary E. Woodman, of Saco, Me. She bore him four children: Zelma, Flora W., Bertha (deceased) and Anna M. The oldest and youngest reside in Oakland, Cal. His present wife married in January, 1870, is Eliza A., daughter of Ephraim Town, of Winslow. Their only child is Sadie E.

ALTON RICHARDSON comes from a stock of remarkable vitality and vigor. His ancestry handed down to their children the most funda- mental and fortunate of all possessions-sound bodies, the prerequisite of sound minds. His father was Israel. H. and his grandfather was Captain Andrew Richardson, a revolutionary soldier, both of Benton, and both farmers and lumbermen.

Israel H. was also a surveyor of lumber-an expert in this calling

Alten Kerichardson

PRINT, E. BIERSTADT, N. Y.

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-- which kept him much upon the river and made him widely known. He married Sarah Wells, of Clinton. Their three elder children, Israel H., jun., Gideon W. and Albion, all reside in Clinton. Sarah A. married Foster Smiley, and died in California. Mary A. married Henry Herrick, of Benton, and Lucretia W. died unmarried. Eliza- beth E. married Arthur B. Woodcock, of Ripley, and died in Clinton. Sophronia W., now Mrs. Isaac Kimball, of Clinton, and Richard D. were the youngest.

Alton, the sixth child, was born June 5, 1828, on the Unity road, in the southeast part of Clinton. In 1839 this large family suffered the irreparable loss of the husband and father, by death. Alton remained with his mother, enjoying limited common school advantages till he was sixteen years old, when, with the spirit and resolution of manhood, he hired to Jefferson Hines for ten dollars per month at farm work, and later had the satisfaction of earning a dollar a day in haying. He next worked on the Penobscot river for his brother, Albion, where he became an adept in driving logs and all the hardy craft of a lumber- man, remaining there in the employ of different parties seven years.

At this period the fascinations of California fired his ambition and thither he went in 1851, where he plunged into the excitement and toil of a mining camp. At first he expected no more than to pay his way, as the snow was six feet deep, and pork, potatoes, flour and beans cost fifty-five cents a pound-all one price. But at the end of three months the party sold their treasures and found each man had made six dollars a day. After this he had the good fortune some days to take out with his pick and shovel as high as $200 to $300. At the end of two years, with satisfactory savings of the yellow dust, he returned to Clinton and in 1854 bought 126 acres of his present 200 acre home- stead, for $1,500. From that time to this he has been a farmer, a stock raiser and dealer and a hay merchant.

About 1865 he formed with Gideon Wells a partnership that lasted twenty-five years, during which Wells & Richardson were at times the most extensive cattle and hay dealers in Maine, shipping from 100 to 300 cattle per week to Brighton, Mass. In 1872 Mr. Richardson bought in the provinces 300 head of cattle that he drove over 300 miles to reach home, paying much of the way $26 a ton for the hay they ate. But he bought them so low that the venture netted $1,300. The firm did not turn their attention to hay till 1880, since which they have handled 7,000 tons a year. Since the dissolution of the firm of Wells & Richardson he has had for his business partners Hon. W. F. Gleason, of Holbrook, Mass., and A. Frank Blaisdell, and the firm style has been Alton Richardson & Co. During the present year they have extended the field of their purchases of hay to the state of New York, buying near Geneva several thousand tons, for which they find markets in the larger cities of New England.

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Mr. Richardson married in 1858, Jane B. Spencer, of Benton. Their children were: Florence, now Mrs. A. Frank Blaisdell; Alice A., mar- ried Alpheus J. Hunter; Arthur W., who married Estelle Reed; Clara J., now the wife of lawyer Forest J. Martin; Martha G. and Alton, jun. -all residents of Clinton, the latter two being still at home. On Oc- tober 17, 1874, Mr. Richardson married his second wife, Mrs. Olive E. Webber, daughter of Henry Eastman.

David G. Richardson, born in 1840, is a son of Samuel (1793-1856) and grandson of Samuel, who in 1797 came from Berwick to Clinton, where he died, leaving five sons: Samuel, David, John, William and Joel. Samuel left Charles, Thomas, William and David G., who mar- ried Ruth Ann Salsbury, of Canaan. Their children are: Lennora, Theodore, Emogen (deceased) and Ward. Mr. Richardson spent three years in California. His mother was Rachel Flye.

Tristram A. Ricker, farmer, born in 1828, is a son of Tristram and and Miriam Ricker, and grandson of Noah Ricker, of Waterboro, Me. Tristram Ricker came to Canaan in early life. He had three sons: Henry, Tristram A. and Noah. Tristram A. married Martha, daugh- ter of Stephen Decker. Their only living son is George S .; they have lost three sons and three daughters. Mr. Ricker came to his present farm in Clinton in 1872. He devotes much of his time to building dams, having had some large contracts in that line. His son, George S., has run a feed and saw mill at Pishon's Ferry since 1890. It is on the site of the old Levi Maynard carding mill, built about 1830.

Joseph Frank Rolfe, son of Edwin T. and Mary A. (Hearn) Rolfe, was born in 1845. In 1848 his parents came to Clinton from Fairfield, where his father was a farmer. He entered the army in 1863, in Com- pany I, 2d Maine Cavalry, and served until the war closed. He kept a livery stable in Clinton for a few years after the war, and since that has been a speculator and farmer. He married Ida C., daughter of Daniel H. Brown. They have one daughter, Grace G., and two boys that died-Herbert and Royden.

Joseph Spearin, born July 25, 1818, is a son of Rev. Joseph and Lucy (Low) Spearin, and grandson of Dea. Joseph Spearin, who early came to Clinton with his two brothers, Benjamin and John. Mr. Spearin is a farmer and cattle dealer. In 1886 he left the farm in the west part of the town, and came to Clinton village, where he now lives. Since 1870 he has owned a hardware business, which his son, George A., has run. He married Abbie, daughter of John and Jennie (Nelson) Flood. Their children are: Alpheus, George A. and Mary E. (Mrs. Willis I. Cain).

James E. Stuart, born in 1848, is a son of Aaron and Olive (Rich- ardson) Stuart, and grandson of Abraham Stuart, who came from Bath, Me., to Clinton, where he died. He left three sons: David, James and Aaron (1816-1882), who left two sons, James E. and George. They

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live on the old Stuart farm, and are among the leading farmers of the town. James E. married Octavia, daughter of Jesse Farrington, of Burnham. Their two children are: Irving H. and Lottie M. Mr. Stuart has been one of the leading members of the Clinton Grange since its organization.

Ruthiford B. Thompson, son of G. W. Thompson, was born at De- troit, Me., in 1843. He learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, beginning at the age of fifteen. In 1869, in company with J. H. Hus- sey, he bought the blacksmith business of J. M. Winn, at Clinton, and five years later bought Mr. Hussey's interest in the business and con- tinued it until February, 1892, when he rented the shop. He is now engaged in selling mowers and horse rakes. His wife is Ellen M. Whitaker. They have three children: Jennie (Mrs. E. E. Merrill), Edgar B. and Ralph H.

Abner True, born in Clinton in 1817, is a son of Abner (1777-1838) and Mary (Merrill) True, who came to Clinton in 1807. At his death, Abner, sen., left three sons: Abner, Merrill and John. Abner, jun., staid on part of the old homestead and reared three sons: Franklin, of Fort Fairfield, Me .; Horace, who died in California in 1883, and Abner P., who remains at the old home and is a farmer. Mr. True served on the board of selectmen in 1852. His daughters were: Elvira A., Mary L., Lenora S., Bessie B., and Isadore, who died in 1864. His wife was Dorothy P. Bagley.

Laforest Prescott True, farmer, was born in 1844, and is the son of John and Joann (Chamberlain) True, and grandson of Abner True. He went into the army in 1862 in the 20th Maine, where he served until 1865, being twice wounded. He lived in Clinton for a short time after the close of war, and then went to Boston, Mass., where he filled various positions, running as engineer on the railroad for four years prior to 1889, when he returned to Clinton, and has since lived on part of the old Abner True homestead.

George E. Webber was born in Clinton in 1844. His grandfather was Rev. Charles Webber, who died in Winslow about 1840. George is the son of Loring and Olive (Eastman) Webber. Loring Webber came to Clinton in early life, where he reared a family of eight chil- dren: George E., Charles F., Allston, John, Caroline, Lewann, Elvira and Emma. Mr. Webber went to California in 1862, where he re- mained until 1884, when he returned to Clinton. He took care of his parents until their death in 1885, and has since been a farmer.

Burton P. Wells is a son of Royal and Martha B. (Pratt) Wells, grandson of Daniel, and great-grandson of Gideon, whose father, Richard Wells, was one of the early settlers of Vienna. Royal is a farmer, and until 1868 he occupied his father's homestead. Since that date he has lived at Pishon's Ferry. His children are: Rosa S., Lillian May (Mrs. Selden Manson), Zena (Mrs. George Barrett), Burton P.,

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Addie F. (Mrs. Arthur Holt) and Suell E. Burton P., who is a farmer at Clinton, married Clara L., daughter of Ira and Isabel (Cain) Whit- ten. They lost one son, Royal B. Their daughter, Grace H., was born November 16, 1892.

Gideon Wells, son of Gideon and Sarah (Mills) Wells, and grand- son of Richard Wells, was born in Clinton in 1814, and died in August, 1892. The elder Gideon came to Clinton from Mt. Vernon, Me., in 1806, and died in 1818, leaving four sons: John, Richard, Daniel and Gideon. The latter's wife was Sarah Webb. They had two sons: Tufton S. and Howard R., and eight daughters. Mr. Wells began early to deal in live stock, and was engaged through life largely in the drover's business. He was also a farmer.

Charles Wentworth, born in Albion in 1837, is a son of Timothy (1789-1845) and Abbie (Black) Wentworth. His father came from North Berwick to Albion in 1816, where he was a successful farmer. Mr. Wentworth began shoemaking at the age of seventeen. He came to Clinton March 25, 1858, and began a shoemaking business here; eight years later he bought the drug business of W. H. Bigelow, and since that time has been in mercantile trade, in connection with the real estate and lumber business, in which he has large interests. He has been county commissioner since 1889. His wife is Carrie R., daughter of Major Emory. They have two children: Mary F. (Mrs. George A. Weymouth) and Robert R.

Mrs. Adeline Weymouth, born October 30, 1817, is a daughter of Jedediah and Mercy (Wing) Goodwin, who came to Clinton in early life, and reared a large family. Since the death of her husband, Sar- geant Weymouth, she has lived on the old homestead, where they settled in 1863, with her daughter, Justana, they carrying on the farm. Sargeant Weymouth was born November 17, 1812, and died February 17, 1890. His children were: Jacob, born January 5, 1835, died in the army July 7, 1864; Randall, born August 24, 1837; John, born April 22, 1839; Alonzo, born March 15, 1841, died November 1, 1868; Warren, born August 11, 1844; Osgood, born December 21, 1846; Lenora, born March 6, 1850, died December 21, 1886; Milford, born July 8, 1852; Eva E., born May 6, 1854, died April 7, 1870; and Justana, born September 22, 1857. Of these children, Jacob, John, Alonzo and Warren enlisted in the army in 1861, served three years and reënlisted for three years more. Osgood served in the Home Guards at Machiasport, Me., for three months.

Lowell Wight, who is a son of Benjamin (1815-1890) and Sarah A. Wight, and grandson of Asa Wight, was born in Clinton in 1843, where Asa Wight settled in early life. Asa had three sons: William, Joseph and Benjamin. The latter had two sons-Hubbard and Lowell; and three daughters -- Cora, Emily and Mary J. Lowell mar- ried Nellie, daughter of Jonathan Lewis, of Clinton, and they have

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two children: Emma E. and Everett L. Mr. Wight came to the farm where he now lives in 1884. He also owns the old Wight homestead.

Japheth M. Winn, son of Japheth (died 1870) and Ann (Simpson) Winn, and grandson of Nathaniel Winn, was born in 1822, in Ben- ton. His father was a blacksmith, and came from Wells, Me., to Ben- ton, where he followed his trade for several years, and died in 1870, aged seventy-five years. His children were: Abigail A., Olive J., Eliza A., Maria A., Francis C., Mary C., Charles H., Japheth M. and George W., all living except Mary C. and Charles H. Mr. Winn be- gan to learn the blacksmith's trade with his father at the age of twelve. In 1843 he came to Clinton, and built the shop where he car- ried on business, with the exception of a few years, until 1869. He manufactured edge tools in connection with blacksmithing, for a few years. He was in mercantile trade for three years after selling out his shop, and since 1872 has been in the real estate and lumber busi- ness. He has held several town offices, was one year county commis- sioner, and is one of the directors of the Merchants' National Bank of Waterville. His wife is Eleanor, daughter of David Hunter, 2d. They have lost three children: Annie, Mary and Frank.

Simon Woodsum, born in 1838, is the son of Simon (1805-1889) and Martha (Moore) Woodsum, and grandson of Abner (1772-1856), who came to Clinton about 1820. From 1855 to 1885 Mr. Woodsum was in Wisconsin, Minnesota and on the Pacific coast. In the latter year he returned to Clinton, and now lives on the old Woodsum homestead. His wife was Martha Gudger, of Wisconsin. Their only living son is Jay Marshall. They lost four children in infancy.

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Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 146

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York, Blake Number of Pages: 1790

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York, Blake
Number of Pages: 1790