USA > Maine > Maine; a history, Volume IV > Part 36
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Horace Frank Farnham passed his boyhood and early life in Augusta, and after completing course in the grammar school, decided to learn the glazing trade rather than receive a college education which his father offered him. He re- mained in Augusta until 1872, when he became of age, married and located in Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed as shipping clerk by Goss & Phillips. He remained with them until 1874 when he returned to Maine, settling in Portland and entering business with his brother, Charles, under the name of Carleton & Farnham, in the doors, sash and blind business. Later this was changed to H. F. Farnham & Company, with the addition of importing glass, and in 1909 the busi- ness was incorporated as the H. F. Farnham Company, with Mr. Farnham as president, a short time after which his health forbid active serv-
ice. He was devoted to his business, 5 A. M often witnessing his arirval at his office where he had driven from his home in the Deering dis- trict, followed by the finest pair of pointers in the country. Possessing both foresight in buy- ing and unusual ability in selling, he established and built up a large and sucecssful business which after more than forty years of exacting labor falls into other hands; but a flourishing business remains, the result of his able manage- ment and untiring industry. His training was not secured through the regular educational in- stitutions, but he was what we used to call a self-made man, entering the business world while still a boy and developing in the midst of un- remitting toil. But his interests were keen and broad and by no means confined to the limited sphere of daily work. He loved the open and was a true sportsman in the best sense of the word. From the time of "ice going out" through the partridge and wood-cock season, and later big game hunting in the Northern woods, he was happy with rod, shot-gun and dogs, or rifle, when- ever business or family cares would allow. He was also an able correspondent and for some years connected with the Lewiston Journal, writ- ing under the name of "Songo." In a letter dated October 29, 1898, F. L. Dingley, treasurer of the Lewiston Journal Company, writes: "I wish you had not been such a success in the door, sash and blind business, because if you had not been I should have selected you as one of the best newspaper men in Maine. It was like a breeze from the lakes and the forest, and the wildwood in June, to get your esteemed letter on Saturday. I only wish the mood would strike you oftener." He enjoyed the higher things of art and literature, and his love for the beautiful joined with his love for the useful to make a well-rounded character. Mr. Farnham was a member of all Masonic bodies, including the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. When he could no longer physically meet the every- day demands of business life, many words of regret and sympathy were spoken, and he is remembered in the business district with respect and affection. His connection with the New England Fair as manager of Rigby Park made his name a famil- iar one all over New England, erect, vigorous and handsome, he looked a natural leader, and such he proved himself to be. And he was more than the organizer of the great fair, he was always the courteous friend of everybody, the one man who never lost his head. In fact he did every- thing except make speeches, and he never wil-
Durham
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lingly got into the limelight himself, but helped many to find themselves there. And now that he has gone to take his place with the "other liv- ing we call the dead," his record among honored sons of the "Pine Tree State" stands with those men of special gifts and great executive ability.
Horace Frank Farnham was twice married, hav- ing by his first wife four daughters: Florence Carleton, Lenore Butler, Sarah Thayer, and Maude May. In 1896 he married (second) Kate Wheelock Ripley, of Portland, Maine, who sur- vives him. Six children were born to them: Ralph Newhall, who died in infancy; Frank, John Ripley, Katharine, Edward, and Albert Newhall, now living with their mother at Brighton avenue, Portland, in the beautiful house erected by Mr. Farnham.
The last years of his life were years of lessen- ing powers and inactivity, which to a man of his temperament were particularly hard to bear, and yet there was little complaint. He bore his suf- fering with an indomitable spirit, and those about him never ceased to wonder at the brave heart of the man. There was no ostentatious cour- age, it was the quiet, cheerful resignation of the man who meets life unflinchingly and yet mod- estly. His whole career may best be charac- terized by the term, faithfulness. He was faith- ful to life's nearest duties, faithful to the demands of his work and home. And to such retiring loyalty must go forth our sincerest praise.
FRANKLIN ROMANZO REDLON - As president of the N. E. Redlon Company, Mr. Redlon is identified with the oldest contracting company in the city of Portland. He is a gradu- ate of Portland schools, interested in her business and financial enterprises, member of fraternal and social organizations, incumbent, now and in the past, of public office, and in every way measures up to the high standard of citizenship that has made Portland the thriving, progressive city it is. Mr. Redlon is a son of Nathan Elden Redlon, born in Buxton, Maine, in 1832, founder, in 1866, of the present contracting firm of N. E. Redlon Company. Nathan Elden Redlon was for seve- ral years a member of the Portland Board of Al- dermen, and in 1879 and 1880 represented his district in the State Legislature. His wife was Alcadania (Cushing) Redlon, daughter of Dr. John Cushing, of Lisbon Falls, Maine.
Franklin Romanzo Redlon was born in Gor- ham, Maine, June 17, 1857, and after attendance at the public schools, including one year in the high school, he entered Gray's Business College,
whence he was graduated. As a youth he learned the mason's trade, beginning at the age of six- teen years with the firm of Knight, Green & Company, of which his father was a member. In 1880 he was admitted to his father's firm and since that time has been actively engaged in gen- eral contracting, at the present time heading the N. E. Redlon Company as president. In addi- tion to his private interests, Mr. Redlon serves the Casco Mercantile Trust Company, of Port- land, as director, as well as the Casco and Port- land Building and Loan associations.
Mr. Redlon has been a member of the Board of Aldermen of the city of Deering, and during the sessions of 1908-1910, represented his dis- trict in the State Legislature, in this, as in busi- ness, following in the path of his honored father. He is a member of the Park Commission of the city of Portland, giving to this office the diligent service that has characterized liis occupancy of all positions of public trust and responsibility. For several years he was a member of the Port- land Light Infantry, although he saw no active service with this organization.
Mr. Redlon is a member of the Portland Club, an ex-president of the board of governors, and is a communicant of the Episcopal church. His fra- ternal orders are the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masonic, in which his affili- ations are as follows: past master of Ancient Landmark Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of Greenleaf Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; past thrice illustrious master of Portland Council, Royal and Select Masters; past com- mander of St. Albans Commandery, Knights Templar; past grand high priest of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of the State of Maine; past grand commander of the Grand Com- mandery, Knights Templar of the State of Maine. Mr. Redlon is an ex-president of the Builders' Exchange and of the Maine Charitable Mechanics' Association.
Mr. Redlon married, at Portland, Maine, Au- gust 24, 1880, Jennie E. Hennigar, of Kennet- cook, Nova Scotia, daughter of John A. and Le- titia (Densmore) Hennigar, her father a farmer of that place, and they are the parents of: I. Na- than, born March 29, 1883, a graduate of Dart- mouth College, class of 1906; treasurer and gen- eral manager of the N. E. Redlon Company; pres- ent adjutant of the Third Regiment, National Guard of Maine, serving with the rank of captain on the staff of Governor Milliken; married Blanche Goding, and has two children: Frank-
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lin Goding, born October 24, 1912, and Nathan Carroll, Jr., born May 1, 1917. 2. Lena Fran- ces, born March 5, 1888; attended Wayneflete School, Portland, and Burnham School, at North- ampton, Massachusetts, now (1919) serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, in charge of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion canteen at Tours.
ALFRED KING, M.D .- The history of the branch of the King family herein set forth, of which the professional record of Dr. Alfred King is a brilliant part, traces to the earliest period of American Colonial history, to John King, who settled prior to 1640 in that part of the town of Weymouth, Massachusetts, still known as King's Cove, where he was on record as "sea- man," "Planter" and "goodman." He was of English birth and parentage, and came to New England with John Humphrey, deputy governor of the Massachusetts Colony.
(II) Descent from him is followed through Philip King, known as Captain Philip King, of Taunton, Massachusetts, a man of influence in the community as proved by his impressive funeral with military honors. Captain Philip King won the friendship of the neighboring Indians to such a degree that he and his family were never mo- lested thereby. He married, "about 1680, Judith, daughter of John Whitman, of Milton, Massa- chusetts," and they were the parents of seven children, among them John, of whom further.
(III) John King, son of Captain Philip and Judith (Whitman) King, was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1681, and died, according to his graveyard inscription, in 1741, "in his 60th year." Like his father, he was friendly with the In- dians, doing humanitarian work among them and educating two, Campbell and Occenn, at his own expense, to become missionaries among their people. He married, about 1700, Alice Dean, of a well known Taunton family, and they had thirteen children, one of them, Benjamin, of whom further.
(IV) Benjamin King, son of John and Alice (Dean) King, was born in Taunton, Massachu- setts, and died in 1803, aged eighty-five years. He was representative from Raynham to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1774, was a delegate to the Provincial Congress, and was possessed of a large estate bordering on the river. His first wife was Abiah, daughter of Deacon Samnel Leonard, his second, Deliverance Eddy, and his third, Widow Cobb. There were six children of his first marriage, one of them George, of whom further.
(V) George King, son of Benjamin and Abiah (Leonard) King, was born in Raynham, Massa- chusetts, November 27, 1744. He is described as a "powerful, athletic man, with a courageous and patriotic spirit." He served in the Revolu- tionary War for a year or more under General Washington, at Roxbury and other places. He was orderly sergeant and clerk of the Raynham company. On the first call for soldiers he rode through the town to the accompaniment of fife and drum, rallying his townsmen to drive out of the country the British, "who were killing Mas- sachusetts men." He was one of twelve ances- tors of Dr. Alfred King, who served in the Continental army in the Revolution. He married Betsey Shaw, daughter of Nathaniel and Eliza- beth (Hall) Shaw, and both of their sons who at- tained mature years, Samuel, of whom further and George, settled in Maine.
(VI) Samuel King, son of Sergeant George and Betsey (Shaw) King, was born in Raynham, Massachusetts, May 18, 1771. He was a carpen- ter and builder, also a farmer, and early in life moved, with his uncle, Jairus Shaw, to Paris, Maine, where he became the owner of large prop- erty and gained a position of prominence in the town. He and his wife, Sally, danghter of Jonathan Hall, were the parents of ten children, this line continuing through the eldest son and child, Samuel Hall.
(VII) Samuel Hall King, son of Samuel King, was born in Paris, Maine, September 4, 1799, and died at Portland, Maine, May 6, 1864. He was a housewright and farmer, and early in life moved to that part of Hebron which is now Oxford, Maine. He took an active and influ- ential part in the upbuilding of the early town of Oxford, and prior to its establishment as a separate township served as selectman in Heb- ron, later holding the same office in Oxford and serving as chairman of the first Board of Select- men of that town. He was an interested worker in the State Militia, serving through all grades up to and including the rank of colonel. In 1845 he moved to Portland, where he engaged in busi- ness. Colonel King married, October 31, 1824, Eliza Shaw, daughter of Gilbert and Silene (Cole) Shaw, of Paris, Maine, and of the eighth generation from John Shaw, of Plymouth. She was born in Paris, Maine, September 2, 1801, and died in Portland, June 22, 1875. Colonel Samuel Hall and Eliza (Shaw) King were the parents of ten children, of whom but two attained ma- ture years, Marquis Fayette, of whom further, and Henry Melville, born September 3, 1838, died June 16, 1919.
محتدمة لتطبيق مل
الممتصل.
BIOGRAPHICAL
(VIII) Marquis Fayette King, son of Samuel Hall King, was born at Oxford, Maine, Febru- ary 18, 1835, and died October 21, 1904. He was one of the leading figures in the public life of Portland in the latter decades of the past cen- tury. He was mayor of Portland, served in both branches of the City Council, and was a member of the Executive Committee of Maine. He was widely known in Masonic circles in Maine and was past grand master of the Ma- sonic order in the State. He was an honorary member of the Old Colony Historical Society and of the Maine Historical Society, was presi- dent of the Maine Genealogical Society, and throughout New England was regarded as an eminent genealogical authority. He married, March 8, 1856, Frances Olivia Plaisted, born Sep- tember 1, 1835, daughter of Samuel Pomeroy and Sabrina (Perkins) Plaisted. Samuel Pomeroy Plaisted was born in Jefferson, New Hampshire, July 27, 1810, and died in Portland, March 18, 1874; Sabrina (Perkins) Plaisted was born in Portland, October 10, 1812, died there July 18, 1889. Children of Marquis Fayette and Fran- ces Olivia (Plaisted) King: Walter Melville, born August 5, 1857, died September 18, 1858; Luetta, born January 12, 1859; Alfred, of whom further; Warren Cloudman, born July 15, 1863, married, November 14, 1887, Lizzie Thomas Pen- nell; Francis Plaisted, born February 14, 1867.
(IX) Alfred King, ninth in descent from John King, and son of Marquis Fayette and Frances Olivia (Plaisted) King, was born in Portland, Maine, July 2, 1861, and died in Portland, June 4, 1916. He received his early education in the pub- lic schools of the city of Portland and was grad- uated from the Portland High School in the class of 1879. The following year he entered Colby College, where he pursued the classical course, numbering among his classmates men whose names later became well known in New England, including Asher C. Hinds, member of Congress, Wilford G. Chapman, mayor of Portland, and Elgin C. Verrill, of Portland. He became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1883. He then entered the Medical School of Maine (Bowdoin) from which he was graduated Doctor of Medicine in 1886. While still a senior at the Medical School he was ap- pointed house pupil at the Maine General Hos- pital, to fill a sudden vacancy. In 1890 he was made adjunct surgeon at the hospital, and in 1801 became a full surgeon. He retained this office until 1907, when he resigned. In appre-
ciation of his services he was elected consulting surgeon, and continued a member of the staff of the Maine General Hospital until his death.
In 1904 Dr. King, in addition to carrying on his work in the hospital, established a private hospital in the Deering district of Portland, known as Dr. King's Hospital. This institution met with a high degree of success and did much toward establishing the prestige of Dr. King in medical and surgical circles throughout New England. Through his remarkable success in handling difficult cases brought to his hospital, his reputation as a physician and surgeon of the highest ability was built up. In connection with it he maintained a training school for nurses. He was consulting surgeon of the Webber Hos- pital of Saco, Maine. His knowledge of his pro- fession was of the broadest, most exact nature, embracing not only practical but theoretical medicine and surgery. He was deeply inter- ested in teaching and rendered valuable service as an instructor in the Medical School of Maine. From 1899 to 1905 he was demonstrator of anat- omy in this institution, from 1905 to 1907 he was assistant professor of clinical surgery, in 1911 and 1912 lecturer in surgery, and from 1912 until his death professor of surgery. His promi- nence in the field of medicine in Maine was ex- ceeded by none, and he was loved as well as honored and respected by the profession. His long service in the teaching of anatomy, particu- larly in the dissecting room, and his practical knowledge of pathology were the best possible preliminaries to the understanding of surgical problems, and to these he added manipulative skill of the highest order. Marvelous celerity was a striking feature of his operations, but every step was taken with a surety that indicated per- fect familiarity with the ground to be traversed. Honors were plentifully bestowed upon him in recognition of his work and achievements, but plaudits and distinctions never evoked from him a sign of pride; they seemed to him mere inci- dents, which he valued only to the extent that they enlarged his opportunities for usefulness. The value of his work may be adequately judged by the fact that a fellowship in the American Surgical Association was conferred on him. He was also a member of the Cumberland Medical Society, the Maine Medical Society, the Interna- tional Society of Surgeons, the American Med- ical Association, and the American Therapeutic Society.
Dr. King took an active and keen interest in the development of the city of Portland, and in
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its political life. His interest in politics was essentially that of the earnest citizen and was without the element of ambition. He was with- out desire for public office and longed merely for the purifying of political methods and the raising of standards to such a height that par- ticipation in politics might not entail a loss of dignity and honor. He was a lifelong Repub- lican, a deep student of times and conditions, and alive to national, State and civic issues. The only public office which Dr. King ever held was that of city physician, from 1887 to 1890, one which came within the bounds of his profes- sional abilities. He was nevertheless active un- officially in politics and supported the candidacy of Hon. Asher C. Hinds, his former classmate, for the United States Congress, taking a lead- ing part in the campaign. He also supported the candidacy of Colonel Louis B. Goodall, of San- ford, for the Republican nomination for Con- gress.
Dr. King found his greatest pleasure and re- laxation in agriculture and dairying. His inter- est in farming was very deep and extended out- side the bounds of his own operations. He had a fine concern for the advancement of agricul- ture in the State of Maine, and was active in propaganda toward this end. Dr. King owned an extensive dairy farm in South Paris, Maine, which he conducted along the most scientific lines. In 1908 he was founder of the Portland Farmers' Club for the purpose of studying and bettering conditions of agriculture throughout Maine. Of his ambition in regard to the club, Colonel Frederick N. Dow, in a meeting held in honor of the memory of Dr. King, spoke as fol- lows: "I knew something of his hopes in re- gard to this club. He looked forward to the time when the club would exert a marked in- fluence on the agriculture of the State. His hopes were not entirely realized. As I saw him working on his farm at one time he worked as though he were contributing to this end. Time and again he spoke of what might be done for the benefit of the agriculture of the State."
The following tributes from men high in the profession in Maine were paid to Dr. King as a physician, patron of agriculture, citizen and man at the meeting held in his memory by the mem- bers of the Portland Farmers' Club, October 11, 1916:
Those who knew him intimately knew that he had a peculiar, almost a fascinating longing for friendship. Dr. King has gone. Dle has left a sweet memory for us, and he bas also left for our care the Portland Farmers' Club. What are we to do with it? Shall we by our interest and our care foster the hopes which
he had ?- Dr. Owen Smith, secretary of the Fortina Farmers' Club.
My tribute is to be on what I know of his work and the intelligence of his work. For originality and per- fectica of execution there is no one who can exceed Dr. King. That bas characterized him as a student, as a practitioner, and as a teacher .- Dr. John F. Thompson.
In all the time that I knew him there was never a time that I thought he was afraid, either physically or morally. He was intellectually honest. And it was the balancing of these qualities that gave him his strength. He had confidence in his own strength and was withont vanity. All through the High School and professional life those qualities were predominant. Per- haps without that balance ene of his make-up wouk! have been reckless. Another thing was his disposition to do service to the world. In college he always had the idea of doing something hne. He never entered a in politics was natural. He always took an active in- place without this thought in his mind. His work terest in civic affairs. ] think the first of his active work for Mr. Hinds was inspired by his loyalty to the mau. But although interested in Hinds I do not think he would have done a think if it had not been for the idea of service .- Mayor Wilford G. Chapman, of . Port- land.
The joint resolutions of the Portland Farmers' Club were as follows :
Resolved, That at this, the first meeting o" the Port- land Farmers' Club held since the deccase of Dr. Alfred hing, the club records this expression of its high ap- preciation of the character of Dr. King, who was its founder and vice-president from its organization. While no word spoken here can add to the fame ber. ting had won in his chosen profession, nor is it necessary to note the high esteem in which he was held as a nian and a citizen by the community where he had always lived and in which he was so well known, this club may testify to the qualities of his heart and his head which made association with him here at once a pleas- nre and an inspiration. He was a man whom none could know without respecting and with whom none could be intimately associated without loving.
Resolved, That the officers of this club be requested to make such provision that at the first meeting of the club in October of each year some action be taken by way of address or otherwise, tending to preserve the memory of Dr. King as the founder of this club.
Resolved, That the secretary be directed to spread these resolutions on the records of the club, to forward a copy to the widow of the late Dr. King, and to the daily papers of this city for publication.
Dr. Alfred King was a prominent figure in Masonic circles in Maine, holding the thirty- second degree, Maine Consistory. He was a past master of Ancient Landmark Lodge and was installed master by his father, a Mason of great distinction in Maine, upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of the elder King's installation as master of the same lodge. Dr. King was at one time a member of the board of trustees of Colby College, his alma mater, for which he cherished a lifelong affection. Through the services of his patriotic ancestors he held membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. Into a life of no great length he crowded much endeavor and attainment, the whole pervaded by a spirit of unselfishness and service that makes his mem- ory a thing of rare beauty.
R. E. Hone
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Dr. King married, October 26, 1887, N'ellie Grace True, of Waterville, Maine, daughter of Warren M. and Lucretia (Gary) True, who sur- vives her husband, a resident of Boston, Massa- chusetts.
ROBERT E. HONE, one of the most pro- gressive and successful farmers of Littleton, Maine, and an influential citizen of the commu- nity, comes of good old Maine stock and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hone, old and highly respected residents of the town of New Limer- ick. The elder Mr. Hone and his wife were na- tives of Ireland, the former being a son of James Hone, of England, who in turn was the son of a Mr. Hone of Scotland. Thomas Hone came to the United States early in life and en- onged in farming at New Limerick, Maine, where lie had also a blacksmith's shop. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Sarah J., Robert E., with whose career we are especially concerned; David A .; John J .; and Catherine; all of whom with the exception of David A. Hone are living.
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