USA > Maine > Maine; a history, Volume IV > Part 18
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On June 18, 1878, Mr. Dresser was married at
Scarboro, Maine, to Sara Mclaughlin of that town. Mrs. Dresser is a daughter of William and Catherine ( Mitchell) Mclaughlin, both of whom are now deceased, her father dying in 1880 at Scarboro and her mother in South Portland in IQII. To Mr. and Mrs. Dresser five children have been born as follows: Ira H., who married a Mildred Grover, and is now engaged in a trucking business in Portland, Maine; William \\"., who is associated with his father in his real estate business and who married Edith A. Skillin; Perley C. Dresser, who married Alice A. Barbour ; Leon W., who resides in Portland and now holds the post of receiving teller in the Chapman National Bank, married Phyllis Trefethan: Helen M., who makes her home with her father, and is at the present time a student in the South Portland High School, Mrs. Sara Dresser passed away October 19, 1917.
There is of course, no such thing as a formula for success, one man accomplishing his ends by means that seem the opposite of those which are employed by others. One's strength seems to lie in self advertisement, and to make progress he must call to himself and claim the admiration and wonder of those he uses as his instruments, while with another, silence appears as essential as does noise with the first. There are, of course, a thousand variations to each of these general classi- fications, and we distinguish readily between him who needs silence and obscurity for his deeds and him who prefers them merely as the result of a modest and retiring nature. Perhaps we should refer to the latter class the subject of this article, Mr. Dresser, a man who does not try to proclaim his own merits, who is so assured that "good wine needs no bush" that he concerns himself solely with the performances of all his engagements in the very fullest sense of the term. The result fully justifies him in his policy: His success is great and no wide system of advertisement could have resulted in a more enviable reputation or an achievement more substantial. One of Mr. Dresser's strongest feelings is the domestic one and it is in the familiar intercourse of his family that he really takes the greatest delight. His mind never wearies of ways and means of increasing the happiness and pleasure of those who make up his household and in whose innocent delights he joins with a gusto and an enthusiasm that is infectious. This is a side of his character with which only the more intimate of his associates are entirely familiar, but there are none, even among the most casual acquaintances who do not realize the fundamental trustworthiness of his character, the high-minded citizen, the good neighbor, the true friend.
HISTORY OF MAINE
EDGAR LLEWELLYN PENNELL, M.D .- Not only residents of Auburn but many far be- yond its limits will recognize Dr. Pennell's name as that of one of the physicians who have chosen to devote themselves to the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Although Dr. Pennell has practiced in Auburn only a few years, he has achieved a measure of success which promises well for the future.
Jeremiah Pennell, father of Dr. Edgar Llewel- lyn Pennell, was born in Gray, Maine, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. He was a Demo- crat and filled successively all the important po- litical offices of a small town. Mr. Pennell mar- ried Elizabeth Doughty, and their children were: 1. Walter J., a physician of Auburn, Maine, now deceased. 2. Fannie, wife of William McConkey, of Gray. 3. Clara, wife of William Dow, of Gray. 4. George H., of Portland, Maine. 5. Edgar Llewellyn, mentioned below. 6. Cora B. True, graduate of Bates College, class of 1894, now secretary for her brother, George H. Pennell, on City Farm of Portland. 7. Steven R., a hardware merchant and contractor of Rumford, Maine. 8. Harriet, wife of William Ross, of North Yar- month, Maine. 9. Percy, a machinist of Saco, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Pennell are now both de- ceased. The former appears to have been de- scended from the Rev. John Pinel, who came to America from Normandy or, from Thomas, of the same name, who settled at an earlier period in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Dr. Edgar Llewellyn Pennell, son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Doughty) Pennell, was born January 31, 1869, at Gray, Maine, and until reach- ing the age of fifteen attended the schools of his native town. He then entered the Nichols Latin School at Lewiston, graduating in 1889, and matriculating at Bates College, from which institution he graduated in 1893. For one year thereafter he taught the grammar school at East- port, Maine, and in 1894 became principal of the Greely Academy, retaining the position until 1898. During these changes the young man did not lose sight of his ultimate goal, which was that of the profession of medicine. Resigning his position as principal of the Greely Academy, he entered Bowdoin Medical School, graduating in 1901 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and at once entering upon the practice of his profes- sion at Kingfield, Maine. The twelve succeeding years brought a fair measure of accomplishment and much experience, but Dr. Pennell was am- bitions and after his removal to Auburn. in 1913, took a post-graduate course at Bellevue Medical
College, New York, supplementing this by a second course at the same institution. The sub- ject of his study was ailments of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has since practiced as a specialist in this branch of his profession and has met with gratifying results. In public af- fairs Dr. Pennell has always taken an active in- terest, but has never been induced to accept any office with the exception of that of school direc- tor, which he held while living in Kingfield. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, member of Kora Temple, Mystic Shrine, and also affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His only club is the Waseca. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Dr. Pennell married (first) in 1892, at North Conway, New Hampshire, May B. Goff, and they became the parents of two children: I. Walter J., graduated in 1913 from Bates College, and in 1917 from Harvard Medical School, and is now first lieutenant and assistant surgeon in the Uni- ted States Navy. 2. Gladys May, graduate of the Edward Little High School, post-graduate of Bates College, and now a pianist of standing. The mother of these children died in 1896, and in 1901 Dr. Pennell married (second) Annie E. Watson, born at Caribou, Maine, a graduate nurse from the Maine General Hospital, Portland, in 1901. Dr. and Mrs. Pennell are the parents of one child, Edgar Llewellyn, Jr., born April 8, 1914.
As a general practitioner, Dr. Pennell was suc- cessful, but in his new field, that of diseases of the eye, ear, nose, throat and skin, he will un- doubtedly achieve more marked distinction. Hr shows himself to be a wise man in that he does not neglect the social, sporting, out-door side of life, nor has he ever done so. While a student at Bates College he was a member of the base- ball team, and now, in his maturer years, it would be no exaggeration to say that if he has a hobby it is hunting and fishing.
CHARLES COBB HARMON-The business annals of Portland, Maine, contain the names of many capable and successful men but none wor- thy of more respect and honor than that of Charles Cobb Harmon, the prominent merchant of that place. Mr. Harmon is a member of an old and well known Maine family, and a son of Zeb- ulon King Harmon, who was born at Durham, Maine, November 10, 1816, and died at the age of seventy-nine years.
Charles Cobb Harmon was born November 8, 1846, at Portland, and has made that city his
Edgar I. Permill, M.D.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
home and the scene of his active business life. It
was at Portland that he received his education, attending for this purpose the public schools. Im- mediately upon completing his studies, he se- cured a clerical position with the firm of Davis Brothers, who dealt largely in books, and there remained for a period of some three years. After leaving Davis Brothers Mr. Harmon was em- ployed for a similar period with Bailey & Noyes, the successful dealers, and then formed an asso- ciation with George B. Loring and engaged in the business under the name of Loring, Short & Har- mon. This firm was organized November 2, 1868, and from that time to the present (1917) has conducted a most successful business in Port- land and enjoys a reputation for honorable deal- ing and progressive business methods second to none. It was for a time located under the Fal- month Hotel, but after fourteen years of success at this place it moved to its present location at No. 474 Congress street, and it has been estab- lished in all for forty-nine years. Of this con- cern Mr. Harmon is now president, and its great prosperity is dne in no small degree to his busi- ness talents and executive ability. Besides his successful business career, Mr. Harmon is promi- nent in many other aspects of the city's life, and is a well known figure in social and fraternal cir- cles there. He is a prominent Mason and takes a keen interest in the work and welfare of this great order. In his religious belief Mr. Harmon is a Congregationalist and attends the State Street Church of that denomination, in the life of which he is very active.
Mr. Harmon married (first) in 1879, Alice D. Dana, whose death occurred in the month of No- vember, 1886. Of this union three children were born, as follows: Carrie Starr, now the wife of Edward A. Shaw, treasurer of the company of which Mr. Harmon is president; Charles Dana, who makes his home at Saratoga, California; and Harriet Borden, who resides with her parents in Portland. Mr. Harmon married (second) in Sep- tember, 1901, Isabella Tyler Clark.
Success in life is the fruit of so many diverse conditions and circumstances, so opposed, it of- ten seems to us that one may well be tempted to despair of finding any rule and criterion of the qualities which contributes to its achievements. There is one thing of which we may rest assured, however, and that is that despite appearances real success, success honestly worth counting as such, is never the result of fortuitous elements in the environment, but must depend upon some in- trinsic quality of the man himself. Admitting
this, however, and we still have a field, wide enough in all conscience, from which to select the possible factors of success and he is wise in- deed who can adequately do so. It may be said in a general way that the qualities that make for success can be grouped as the result of native tal- ent on the one hand and of high education and training on the other. Nor is this, as it seems at first sight in controversion of the former propo- sition that true success must depend upon the indi- vidual himself, for high education and training itself is only attainable by those able to master it. If we look about us we shall see successes in great numbers depending on both of these situ- ations, some won by nothing but quick wits and cleverness and others the result of special train- ing without any apparent gift beyond the average as a foundation. It is where these two elements are found in combination, however, that the miost brilliant results follow, such as in the case of Mr. Harmon.
FRED G. HAMILTON-With the blood of many worthy ancestors in his veins, Mr. Hamil- ton takes place among the industrious and suc- cessful business men of Portland. From Scotland, whose sombre climate and rugged hills have de- veloped one of the most energetic, industrions and thrifty nations on the globe, have come to these shores a people who, wherever found, have been a credit and a help to the community where they dwell. A colony settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and at a critical time contributed largely to the victory of the patriot arms of Ben- nington and the subsequent capture of Burgoyne. Other Scots settled in Maine and their descend- ants now constitute a considerable proportion of some of the thrifty towns of the coast region. Among these are many worthy citizens of Che- beague Island, whose progenitor was Ambrose Hamilton, who came from Scotland to the Prov- ince of Maine with his wife, Betsy (Franzy) Hamilton, from Ganzy. He had sons: Ambrose, of whom further; Roland, settled on Cousin's Is- land; and John, settled on Walnut Hill.
Ambrose Hamilton, eldest son of Ambrose and Betsy (Franzy) Hamilton, settled on Che- beague about 1760, being the third permanent set- tler on the island. He married Deborah Soule and had fourteen children and seventy-one grand- children. All his children lived to be about ninety years of age, and some to even a greater age. They were: Betsy, Ann, John, Ambrose, Deborah, Jane, Jonathan, Roland, Dorcas, James, Reuben, Lydia, Lemnel and Lucy.
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HISTORY OF MAINE
James Hamilton, fifth son of Ambrose and Deborah (Soule) Hamilton, was born on Che- beague Island, and lived and died there. The Christian name of his wife was Mary, and their children were: James, Isaac, John, Mary, Benja- min, Reuben, Simeon, Sarah, Eliza, Rebecca and Sophronia.
Benjamin Hamilton, fourth son of James and Mary Hamilton, was born September, 1811, on Chebeague, and died there in 1844. He fol- lowed the occupation of farmer and fisherman at Chebeague, where he resided thirty-three years. He married, in 1830, Eliza Ross, born 1812, in Cumberland, daughter of John and Dorcas Ross. Children: John R., Caroline A., Benjamin, Henry O., Royal T.
Henry O. Hamilton, third son of Benjamin and Eliza (Ross) Hamilton, was born November 7, 1843, at Chebeague, in whose schools he received his education. He learned the trade of mason and has been engaged all his life since that time in structural masonry. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and resides on Great Chebeague Island. He married, in January, 1864, Margery E. Jew- ett, born September 5, 1846, in Westport, daugh- ter of John G. and Elizabeth Jewett, of that town. John G. Jewett was born February 14, 1819, in Westport, and died there February 12, 1848. He married Elizabeth Reed, born September 16, 1812, at Boothbay, Maine, and they were the par- ents of two children: Margery E. and Amasa. Henry O. and Margery E. (Jewett) Hamilton are the parents of three children: Helen J., who mar- ried Reuben H. Cleaves; Fred. G., mentioned be- low; and Harry (Henry) B., married Gertrude Crockett.
Fred G. Hamilton was born February 22, 1868, on Great Chebeague Island, where his early years were spent, and where he attended the public schools, was later a student of the public schools of Cumberland, the high school of Chebcague and Gray's Business College in Portland. At the age of twenty years he began his business life in Portland as assistant bookkeeper of the C. M. Rice Paper Company. He was industrious, cap- able and faithful, and in time won promotion to the position of bookkeeper, and since 1898 has held an interest in the business. He is a capable business man and his energy, enterprise and sta- bility of character have contributed to the growth and progress of the establishment. Naturally he became popular, and because of his interest in the progress of affairs was soon called to the public service. As a sincere Republican he has en-
deavored to promote the interests of his party and its principles, and in 1904 was elected an al- derman of South Portland, where his residence has been maintained since 1891. In 1908 and 1909 he was elected mayor. Mr. Hamilton is also ac- tive in the support of church work, and with his family acts with the People's Methodist Episcopal Church of South Portland. With broad mind and sympathetic nature, he early affiliated with the great fraternity of Free Masons, in which he has at- tained the thirty-second degree, affiliating with the following bodies of the order: Hiram Lodge, No. 180, of South Portland, of which he is a past master; Greenleaf Chapter, No. 13, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is a past high priest; Port- land Council, No. I, Royal and Select Masters, of which he is a past thrice illustrious master: Port- land Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, of which he is a past commander; and Maine Consis- tory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret. He is also a member of Forest City Castle Lodge, No. 22, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the United Order of the Golden Cross, Gorges Commandery, No. 313.
Mr. Hamilton married, in South Portland, Sep- tember 23, 1891, Evelyn Frances Campbell, born March 26, 1867, in South Portland, daughter of Alexander and Harriet Elizabeth (York) Camp- bell. Alexander Campbell, deceased, was the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Beal) Campbell, of Bowdoin. Harriet E. York was the daughter of Charles and Eleanor (Goodrich) York, of Yar- mouth. Children of Fred G. and Evelyn F. (Campbell) Hamilton: Philip C., born January 19, 1896; Marguerite E., January 21, 1899; Fred- erick R., August 17, 1902.
EDWIN ALBERT PORTER-In the village of East Dixmont, Maine, no family can claim bet- ter descent than the Porter family. For gene- rations they have owned and tilled the land upon which they lived, bringing up their children to be God-fearing, educated members of the community in which their lives have been placed. One of these was Edwin Albert Porter, son of Albert Obear and Susan Trask (Farnham) Porter.
Edwin A. Porter was born February 1, 1856, on his father's farm in Dixmont. The parents of the child were most desirous that he be given every opportunity to gain an education, sending him first to the common school in the town and later to the high school. Then he was sent to the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield for a year and a half. After this for a time he had a some- what varied career, teaching school during the
Odvin@Master
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BIOGRAPHICAL
winter months of 1874 and 1875, and acting as salesman in the store of Wood, Bishop & Com- pany, stoves, tin and hardware, from April 1, 1876, to April 1, 1877. About this time he decided to study medicine, so passing the necessary matriculation ex- aminations the embryo Aesculapius was enrolled as a student in the medical department of the University of Vermont, teaching in the common schools dur- ing the next three winters and attending lec- tures at the university and studying hard during the remainder of the time. All this meant con- centrated application, but no man with such an ideal before him considers the sacrifices he is making. Wishing for a more metropolitan op- portunity the young man became a student in the school of medicine of the University of New York, from which he graduated in March, 1881. Happy indeed and proud is the man who receives from his alma mater the hard-won roll of sheep- skin which entitles him to write the magic let- ters M.D. after his name. Edwin Albert Porter, M.D., began the practice of medicine in Liberty, Maine, devoting his life to the finest of all pro- fessions, and there he practiced for fourteen and a half years. On February 13, 1896, he moved to Pittsfield, Maine, that his children might have better schooling opportunities, and has been in active practice there for the past twenty-three years.
Dr. Porter was chosen many times to fill local offices as a Republican; at one time on the town school committee; at another to act on the Re- publican town committee. He was also medical examiner on the United States pension board at Skowhegan, Maine, for the years from 1909 to 1913 inclusive. In Free Masonry Dr. Porter ranks very high, having gone through all of the York Rite; having held all the offices in the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch Chapter; was senior grand warden in the Grand Lodge of Maine in 1902; was grand king in 1905, deputy grand high priest in 1906, and grand high priest in 1907 in the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine. At the present time, 1919, Dr. Porter is secretary of Meridian Lodge, No. 125, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of Pittsfield, Maine, and generalissimo in St. Omer Commandery, No. 12, at Waterville, Maine. He is not only interested in Masonry, but has held the various offices in the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as the chairs in the An- cient Order of United Workmen. He is also a club man, being enrolled in the Waterville Ma- sonic Club. In addition to all these interests he is a member of the Free Baptist church, being superintendent of the Free Baptist Sunday
school for the past ten years, also for many years was chorister of the Free Baptist church choir.
Edwin Albert Porter, M.D., married at Ply- month, Maine, June 30, 1881, Amorette L. Em- ery, born in Monroe, Maine, June 21, 1858. She was the daughter of Nahum Emery, a farmer, and his wife, Maria (Dodge) Emery. Dr. and Mrs. Porter have two children: Minnie, born May 27, 1882, in Liberty, Maine; and Amorette, born May 26, 1887, in Liberty. The parents have every rcason to be proud of their children, as both are unusually gifted and successful. The elder was educated in the town school and Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield, where the father and mother had both been pupils many years before. She studied stenography and typewriting in Water- ville, and is now librarian in the Public Library at Pittsfield. The younger daughter was a student at Maine Central Institute also, graduating from it to enter Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, of which she is an alumna. She was a teacher of English for one year in Foxcroft Academy and for two years tanght English in Maine Central Institute. During the third year there she taught Greek and Latin. Miss Porter is at present a missionary in Balasore, India, having spent tbe last five years there. Dr. Edwin Albert Porter and his wife are living at the present time in Pittsfield, Maine.
In the matter of ancestry Dr. Porter may be justly proud. His father, Albert Obear Porter, born May 11, 1833, in Dixmont, was a farmer by occupation, a Calvinist Baptist in religion, and a Republican in politics. He was the son of Joshua Porter and his wife, Jane (Whitney) Porter. Like Albert O., he also was born in Dixmont, October 13, 1801, being a farmer, a member of the Calvinist Baptist Church, and a Republican. Jane (Whitney) Porter, his wife, died in 1857, aged forty-five. Besides the son Albert Obear, they had another child, Benjamin Franklin Por- ter. Joshua Porter died August 7, 1889. His parents were Isaiah and Nancy (Harmon) Por- ter. On his mother's side Dr. Porter is descended from the Farnham family, she being before her marriage Susan Trask Farnham, born in Jeffer- son, Maine, August 15, 1837, the daughter of Rev. Daniel Farnham, a Calvinist Baptist clergyman, and his wife, Mary (McCurdy) Farnham, who died at the age of ninety-one. Albert Obear Por- ter married Susan Trask Farnham, December 17, 1854. The Farnhams trace their family back to Ralph Farnham, who was born in 1756 and died in 1861, at the age of one hundred and five years.
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HISTORY OF MAINE
MORRIS McDONALD-The admirable 'yield of intelligent initiative in this country includes the names of men from the State of Maine and In- diana, which have contributed worthy citizens of letters, business, science and art. Both of these states may claim Mr. Morris McDonald, one by right of his residence there and the other by right of his birthplace, and be proud to do so be- cause of his intelligent and creative response to a well begun training, which has made him success- ful in the railroad and business world.
Morris McDonald was born August 20, 1865, in New Albany, Indiana, the son of Morris and Sarah A. McDonald. His father, who was a prominent merchant there, was associated with a number of different corporations and banks, and was for a period covering several terms mayor of the city. Morris McDonald, Jr., spent his boyhood in New Albany, where he attended the public schools and was graduated from the high school. In 1883, he began work in the engineering corps of the Ken- tucky & Indiana Bridge Company. In 1885, he came under the employ of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railroad, where his resolute purpose and determined persistency caused him to be rapidly ad- vanced from paymaster to assistant treasurer, to chief clerk, to trainmaster, and to superintendent of transportation. He remained with this company until 1892, following which time he became asso- ciated with the Central Railroad of Georgia, with headquarters at Savanah, Georgia. In 1896, he ac- cepted an offer from the Maine Central Railroad Company, as secretary to the vice-president and general manager, and became general superintendent of that system in 1897. From 1908 to 1913, he served as vice-president and general manager, and at the latter date was made president of that road. The same year he was also elected president of the Bos- ton & Maine Railroad, which position he held until August, 1914. He is president of the Portland Terminal Company; the Bridgton & Saco River Rail- road; the Sandy & Rangeley Lakes Railroad; and the Ricker Hotel Company, of Portland. His affilia- tions with these corporations bespeak the value of his work in the railroad and business world. Among the clubs of Portland and elsewhere of which Mr. McDonald is a member are the Cumberland of Port- land, the Country Club of Portland, the Algonquin Club of Boston, Massachusetts, and the Bankers' Club of New York City.
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