USA > Maine > Maine; a history, Volume IV > Part 38
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Dr. Graves was united in marriage, October 12, 1898, at Saco, with Josephine Leavitt, a daughter of Captain F. W. and Sarah (Grant) Leavitt, of Saco. To Dr. and Mrs. Graves one son has been born, Lanrence L., February 25, 1901.
CAPTAIN CHARLES WESLEY KEYES, U. S. A., late of Farmington, Maine, where his death occurred, June 16, 1906, was a native of the town of Wilton in this State, his birth having occurred in that place, February 1, 1831. He was the youngest child of Sampson and Mehitable (But- terfield) Keyes, and the grandson of Isaacher Keyes, of Westford, Massachusetts, where the family had resided for many years. The Keyes family is of English origin and came to this country in early New England days. Sampson Keyes, the father of our subject, married (first) Betsey F. Little, of Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, who died about 1810, after which he married Me- hitable Butterfield, born in Dunstable, New Hampshire, the mother of Captain Keyes. Samp- son Keyes was a blacksmith and farmer, and owned a large and valuable farm in the west part of Wilton, Maine. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a man who enjoyed the esteem and regard of the entire community.
Captain Charles Wesley Keyes received his education at the public schools of Wilton and the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kents Hill, Maine. Upon completing his studies at the last named institution, he learned the trade of scythe finisher at the establishment owned by his brother, Cal- vin Keyes, at East Wilton. He remained for twelve years there, and then, in 1862, volunteered for service in the Civil War. He entered as ser- geant in Company B, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, and most of the time served as hospital steward from the date of the muster in, September 10, 1862, to the muster out, August 31, 1863. From November 10 of the latter year until the following February he was a pri-
vate in the Second Regiment, Maine Volunteer Cavalry. He was honorably discharged by reason of promotion on the twenty-seventh of that month, and received a commission as first lieutenant in the Thirty-second Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, April 2, 1864. In September of the same year he was by reason of wounds honorably discharged. On January 20, 1865, he joined the Maine Coast Guard and was second lieutenant in that body till July 7, 1865. Hostili- ties being over at that time, he was mustered out, but the taste he had gained for military life was strong and he entered the regular army, July 26, 1866, as second lieutenant in the Forty-fourth United States Infantry. He was accepted June 1, 1867; was placed on the unassigned list May 31, 1870. He was for gallant and meritorious con- duct in two different engagements brevetted cap- tain of infantry, March 2, 1867. In 1904 he was made a full captain under the United States Government law. Captain Keyes saw much ac- tive service as a soldier and was in some of the greatest engagements of the war, taking part in the battles of Fort Butler, Louisiana; the Wilder- ness, and Spottsylvania Court House. He was wounded in the left leg at the battle of Spottsyl- vania Court House, and in consequence lost this member by amputation near the knee. While in active service in the regular army, he served for several months on a general court martial under the presidency of General Ricketts, and was also on the staff of General W. H. Emory. He also served as assistant superintendent of War De- partment buildings at Washington, D. C., and later, for two years, was under General O. O. Howard in his work among the Freedman's Schools of Kentucky. After the close of active service, Captain Keyes returned to Maine, where he purchased the Farmington Chronicle, and was proprietor and editor of that journal for about twelve years, only retiring when failing health compelled him to give up the strennous life he had led. In politics Captain Keyes was a Republican, and at one time was postmaster of East Wilton, Maine, but gave up this office when he again en- listed in the army. For seven years he was a trustee of the University of Maine, and was also a trustee of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kents Hill for a considerable period. He served as a member of the Board of Health of Farmington, and was generally prominent in the life of that place. Captain Keyes was a member of Maine Lodge, No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Franklin Chapter, No. 44, Royal Arch Ma- sons, and the Grand Army of the Republic, which
Capiti Chat. M. Keyes n. s. Army
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he joined in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1869. He later, upon his return to the North, became a member of John F. Appleton Post, No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic, and held the rank of adju- tant there. He was likewise for many years a companion of the first class in the Loyal Legion.
Captain Charles Wesley Keyes was united in marriage (first) September 30, 1858, with Juliette Curtis Lord, eldest daughter of the Rev. Isaac Lord, of the Maine Methodist Episcopal Confer- ence. Her death occurred July 25, 1868, at Wash- ington, D. C. On January 10, 1878, Captain Keyes married (second) Harriet Elizabeth Park, eldest daughter of Elisha Park, of Chesterville, Maine, who survives him. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Keyes had been preceptress of the Maine Wes- leyan Seminary at Kents Hill.
Elisha Park, father of Mrs. Keyes, was born in Jay, Maine, May 31, 1812, and died November 19, 1900. He was educated in the public schools of Dixfield, where his parents removed when he was a child, and upon completing his studies there he engaged in the lumber business. He was a Re- publican in politics, and for a time served as town treasurer. He was a member of no church but was a supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church. Elisha Park married, November 12, 1845, Betsey Walton, a native of South Chesterville, where she was born, September 22, 1820, a daugh- ter of Moses Walton, Jr., a prosperous farmer and town official. Elisha Park and his wife were the parents of four children as follows: Harriet Eliza- beth, who became the wife of Captain Keyes; Clara, wife of Henry B. Merry, lumberman and wool buyer of North Anson, Maine; Eva, who ie- sides with her sister, Mrs. Keyes; May Florence, who became the wife of Professor Bradford O. McIntre, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, who holds the chair of English literature at Dickinson College.
Captain Keyes remained a member on the re- tired list of the regular army till his decease, and never lost his interest in military matters. Two nephews on whom his mantle seems to have fal- len, are officers, the one in the army, the other in the navy. They are Colonel E. W. Niles, U. S. A., and Lieutenant-Commander E. K. Niles, U. S. N., graduates respectively of West Point and Annap- olis Academies.
GEORGE S. HOBBS-Among the very old families of the "Pine Tree State," that which bears the name Hobbs occupies a high place and has given many of its sons to distinguished serv- ice in the community. The name itself is of ex- tremely ancient English origin, and belongs to
that class of names which is derived from nick- names and diminutives. In this particular case, from the nickname Rob or Hob, from the Chris- tian name Robert. It was founded in this coun- try by a young Englishman, who came to New England somewhere about the year 1650, although we cannot be sure of the precise date. He was typical of that extraordinarily enterprising gen- eration, and not content with merely coming to a new world must needs venture forth into the great north woods, far from the center of coloni- zation, in search of a new home. Thus it was that he came to Dover, New Hampshire, where he received a grant of land in 1657 and another in 1658, and where he continued to live up to the time of his death, which occurred some time be- fore July 4, 1698. The date of his marriage is un- known, but it occurred in Dover some time prior to 1661. The maiden name of his wife was Han- nah Canney. She was a daughter of Thomas Can- ney, who occupied an important place in the affairs of the town. Henry Hobbs and his wife lived in that part of Dover known as Sligo. From New Hampshire the family early migrated into Maine, several members coming at differ- ent times and settling in various regions of the State.
The ancestor of the Mr. Hobbs with whose career we are particularly concerned was Joseph Hobbs, who came to Wells, Maine, as early as 1766 from Dover. Mr. Hobbs' father, Cyrus Hall Hobbs, was born in Wells, where the family had lived steadily in the interim. Cyrus Hall Hobbs was a prominent man in the community and fol- lowed the two occupations of farming and lum- bering. He married Clementine Mildram, who like himself was born in Wells, Maine; their deaths occurred, his in 1893 and hers the year preceding. They were the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: William J., a prominent railway man in New England and now vice-president of the Boston & Maine Railroad; Jane, died in in- fancy; George S., the subject of this brief no- tice; Anna, who became the wife of Herbert W. Davis, of Nashua, New Hampshire, special agent of the Boston & Maine Railroad; Frank S., who resides in Boston and is superintendent of the Boston Division of the New Haven road; Wal- ter L., of Brookline, Massachusetts, who is asso- ciated with Estabrook & Company, bankers, of Boston.
Born November 10, 1859, at Wells, York county, Maine, George S. Hobbs attended the Berwick Academy at Berwick, Maine, for his general education. After completing his studies at this
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institution, he took a special commercial course at Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. Graduating from this well known school, he secured, on February 1, 1878, a position with the Eastern Railroad of Massachusetts, which has since become a portion of the Boston & Maine system. He began work in a clerical capacity, and served in the railroad service of the United States in various ports. On October 20, 1897, Mr. Hobbs, whose railroad experience was very wide, was offered the post of auditor with the Maine Central Railroad, which position and that of comptroller he held up to 1908, when he was ap- pointed second vice-president in charge of its traffic department. In this most important of- fice Mr. Hobbs has done much to develop the efficiency of his road, and the Maine Central owes not a little to the masterly manner in which he has handled the affairs of the traffic depart- ment. But while railroading is primarily Mr. Hobbs' business, he follows another occupation for pleasure merely, to which he devotes a very considerable portion of his time. He owns and operates a model farm at Wells, where he raises a fine strain of live stock, and where he spends the summer months. Mr. Hobbs, while not an active participant in public affairs, has always been keenly interested in political issues, both local and general, and is a staunch supporter of Republican principles and policies. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of several important clubs, among which should be men- tioned the following: The Cumberland Club, the Portland Club, the Bramhall League, the Eco- nomic Club and the Portland Farmers' Club, all of Portland. In his religion he is a Unitarian, and attends the First Parish church of that de- nomination in Portland.
George S. Hobbs married (first) in 1883 Mary P. Adams , of Salem, Massachusetts. Two children were born of this union: Marguerite and Elea- nor, both of whom are graduates of Vassar Col- lege, and make their residence together in New York City. Mrs. Hobbs died in March, 1911. Mr. Hobbs married (second) November, 1913, Ja- net Webb, a daughter of the late Judge Nathan Webb, of Portland.
Mr. Hobbs is a most public-spirited citizen, and there are very few movements of any import- ance undertaken with the city's interests in view with which he is not identified. He is a man of strong, almost Puritanic virtues, but his fellows never feel any inconvenience from the some- what stern tone of his morality, since it is only himself that he applies it to, only himself whom
he insists upon living up to his ideals. For every other man this is tempered with a large and wise tolerance, the tolerance of the philosopher who realizes that it is only himself for whom he is responsible and that, although others may, and should be influenced in all ways possible in the di- rection of the right, yet more than this is vain and that no one man has a right to formulate a code of ethics for his fellows. He is a man of deep sympathy for his fellows, especially all such as have suffered misfortune of any kind, and to these he is always ready to extend a helping hand. In his treatment of his fellows, he is able to meet all men on a common ground, and his judg- ment of them is not influenced by any condi- tions of an exterior nature. All men are equal to him, and it never occurs to him to ask if they are rich or poor, high or low. This lack of re- spect for the accompaniments of fortune is a quality greatly admired by all men, who feel an instinctive trust in those who possess it, and it is probably this as much as anything that ac- counts for the popularity which Mr. Hobbs en- joys. In all the relations of life his conduct is irreproachable, and he might well be consid- ered as a model of good citizenship and worthy manhood.
JUDGE JOHN J. KEEGAN, one of the well known lawyers of Bath, Maine, was born at Tres- cott, Washington county, Maine, the son of Thomas and Katherine (Andrews) Keegan, the former now retired. He attended the public schools of his native place, and graduated from the high school in 1903. He then pursued the study of law at the University of Maine, was graduated and admitted to the bar in 1907, and since that time has practised his profession. For about six months he was in the office of Peter Charles Keegan. Mr. Keegan was appointed mu- nicipal judge by Governor Plaisted in 1912, and he was re-appointed in 1916. Judge Keegan is a Democrat in his political convictions, and is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Knights of Columbus, also a member of the Kennebec Yacht Club, and the Colonial Club. He is the chairman of the local exemption board of Sagadahoc county.
Judge Keegan married, November 12, 1913, at Bath, Maine, Margaret J. Lundrigan, dangh- ter of Thomas J. and Margaret (Magill) Lundri- gan, of Bath. Her father was for a long time a watchman at the yards of the Kelley-Spears Ship- building Company.
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WILLIS ALLEN TRAFTON-Willis Allen Trafton, who is known in Anburn, Maine, on ac- count of his progressiveness and public-spirit. and who as treasurer of the Dingley-Foss Shoe Com- pany, is a prominent figure in the business world here, is a native of Alfred, Maine, where his family has resided for many years. He is a son of Freeman E. and Ruth Annie (Knight) Trafton, his father having been like himself a native of Al- fred. Freeman E. Trafton was a retail meat dealer in that town, of which he was a life-long resident, and conducted a successful business until the time of his death, which occurred when he was but thirty-six years of age. Willis Allen Trafton was himself born at Alfred, February II, 1876. He attended in early childhood the public schools of his native place, but when nine years of age was brought by his mother to Auburn. This was in the year 1885, a few years following his father's death. In Auburn he attended school for three years and then in 1888, though but twelve years of age at the time, he was obliged to go to work in order to assist in the support of the family, consisting of his mother and his two younger brothers. The financial circumstan- ces of the family had grown poorer since the death of his father, seven years before, and the lad, in spite of his youth, felt his responsibilities keenly. He found an opportunity to take a posi- tion as errand boy in the office of the Barker Mill, and remained with this concern three years, but left them to take a superior position of pay-roll clerk, though only sixteen years of age. Shortly afterward he went with the First National Bank of Anburn, working first there in a clerical capacity, but afterward being advanced to the position of bookkeeper and finally to that of teller. He remained with this institution some seventeen years and then, in the month of De- cember, 1909, left to accept the post of treas- urer with the Dingley-Foss Shoe Company. He has continned in this important position up to the present time, and is now regarded as among the most capable figures in the business world of the city. In his politics Mr. Trafton is a Re- publican as far as national issues go, but in con- nection with local and municipal affairs he is in- dependent, casting his vote and working for the success of the candidate he believes to be the best, regardless of party affiliations. He is ac- tive in fraternal circles here and especially so in connection with the Masonic order, having taken the thirty-second degree in Free Masonry. He is affiliated with Tranquil Lodge, No. 29, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons; Bradford Chap-
ter, No. 38, Royal Arch Masons; Dunlap Conn- cil, No. 8, Royal and Select Masters; Lewiston Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar; and Kora Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Lewiston. Mr. Trafton and his family attend the High Street Congregational church, to which he is a liberal benefactor.
Willis Allen Trafton was united in marriage November 15, 1905, at Auburn, Maine, with H. Frances Dain, a daughter of William C. and Helen (Wiggin) Dain, of this city. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Trafton as fol- lows: Stephen Dain, born May 13, 1907; Helen Ruth, born December 26, 1909; Mary Frances, born Angust 24, 1917; and Willis Allen, born No- vember 13, 1918.
ARTHUR E. SCRUTON, the successful and progressive merchant and business man of Lewis- ton, Maine, is a member of a family which has resided in this country for many years, but was originally of Irish derivation.
The immigrant ancestor was one Thomas Scru- ton, who came from Ireland to the United States at an early period and settled in the State of New Hampshire. It was not long afterwards, however, that the family removed to Maine, and it was here that Edwin F. Scruton, the father of Arthur E. Schuton, was born in 1859. Mr. Scruton, Sr., was a native of Lewiston, where he resided during his entire life, and where he was engaged in a successful dry goods business for some thirty years. He was also very prominent in the public affairs of the city and served as an alderman and as overseer of the poor there. He was very actively connected with politics and was one of the leaders of the Republican party in Lewiston. He was closely identified with the local organization thereof. His adherence to this party, however, was ended abruptly at the time of the formation of the Progressive party, which he joined, and of which he continued a staunch supporter until his death, October 19, 1913, when fifty-four years of age. He married Eldora M. Niles, who survives him, and is now living in Lewiston. To. Mr. and Mrs. Scruton, Sr., three children were born, as follows: Sarah, who died in early childhood; John Y., who is now engaged in the printing business with his brother, and mar- ried Lena Stevens, of Auburn, by whom he has had one son, John Y., Jr .; Arthur E., with whose career we are here especially concerned.
Born September 20, 1892, at Lewiston, Maine, Arthur E. Scruton, the youngest son of Edwin F. and Eldora M. (Niles) Scruton, has made his
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liome in that city. It was here that he received his education, attending first the public schools, and graduating from the high school in 1911, and then the Yarmouth Academy, where he stud- ied during the year 1912. After completing his education at these institutions, Mr. Scruton en- tered the mercantile establishment of his father, and continued to be engaged in the clothing busi- ness under the firm name of J. Y. Scruton & Son until the year 1913. The father died in this year, and Arthur E. Scruton thereupon sold the cloth- ing store and became a partner of his brother, John Y. Scruton, in the year 1914. It will be recalled that John Y. Scruton was engaged in the printing business, and it was in this enterprise that Arthur E. Scruton engaged. He is at present so engaged, and the concern has now developed to large proportions. Mr. Scruton is a staunchi Republican and has long been active in his sup- port of that party. He is also an enthusiastic advocate of out-door sports and took part in baseball and track athletics during his term in school. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the Eighth Company of the Maine Coast Artil- lery, National Guard, January 10, 1916, and is at the present time (July 5, 1917) acting as a mus- tering officer for Battery Nelson Dingley, Milli- ken Regiment, and is preparing to enter the regular service. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Calumet Club, Lewiston.
CHARLES J. DUNN was born in Hough- ton county, Michigan, July 14, 1872. He was brought to Maine when a child, and since has lived in this State. He was educated by tutors and at Blue Hill (Maine) Academy. He read law with the Hon- orable Edward E. Chase, at Blue Hill, and with Messrs. Hale & Hamlin, at Ellsworth, and com- menced practice at Orono, March 17, 1892. Mr. Dunn has been a member of the Legislature; judge of the Oldtown Municipal Court, 1903-1911; dele- gate-at-large to the Republican National Convention, 1908-1916; appointed justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, February 6, 1918; member of the Maine Bar Association and of the American Bar Association ; director of the Merrill Trust Company, Oldtown Trust Company, Maine Real Estate Title Company ; trustee of the Eastern Maine General Hospital; and treasurer of the University of Maine.
Mr. Dunn married Alice Isabel Ring, December 16, 1896, and two children were born of this mar- riage : Barbara, and Lillian Ring.
DANIEL JAMES SAWYER-For more than half a century Daniel J. Sawyer was a municipal
officer of Jonesport, Maine, and for two terms he served his senatorial district in the State Senate. Eighty-five years was the span of his life, and for nearly that entire period he was one of the active, progressive merchants and shipbuilders of Maine. The firm, D. J. & E. M. Sawyer, was one of the well known, influential firms of Eastern Maine, and until 1800 they were largely engaged in shipbuilding. Daniel J. Sawyer sprang from the Cape Elizabeth branch of the numerous Sawyer families of Maine and New Hampshire, John Sawyer removing from Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in 1719, settling on "the Neck" opposite Portland, called Cape Elizabeth. The same year the town of Portland granted him the privilege of the ferry on the Cape side, which he kept for many years. The family remanied at Cape Elizabeth until another John Sawyer, probably a great-grandson of John Sawyer, the ferryman, moved to Jonesport, Maine, where Daniel Sawyer was born. Daniel Sawyer settled in Jonesport, on the Atlantic Ocean, in Washington county, Maine, and there his son, Daniel J. Sawyer, was born.
Daniel J. Sawyer was a grandson of John Saw- yer, born at Cape Elizabeth, Maine, who later set- tled in Jonesport. He had sons, John, Daniel, Eben, and daughters, Hannah and Peggy. Daniel Sawyer, second son of John Sawyer, was born in Jonesport Maine, May I, 1791, died December 5, 1879. His years, eighty-eight, were spent at Jonesport, his ac- tivities including both boat building and farming. He was a Whig in politics, and a man of strong character. He married Mary Bagley, born in Lib- erty, Maine, May 10, 1801, died May 15, 1861. They were the parents of: Lois W., born June 6, 1821 ; Daniel James, to whose memory this review is ded- icated; Levi B., born March 28, 1826; Rebecca, Sep- tember 21, 1828: Lydia, December 8, 1833; Anne B., February 3, 1836; Mary A., May 21, 1838; Edward M., March 26, 18:0; and Frances E., October 4, 1844.
Daniel James Sawyer, eldest son and second child of Daniel and Mary (Bagley) Sawyer, was born in Jonesport, Maine, April 2, 1824, and died June 10. 1009. He was educated in Jonesport schools and until reaching man's estate was his father's as- sistant. He early entered business life and was prominently associated with the business growth and general welfare of Jonesport. He began his busi- ness career as a merchant and boat builder, and later began the business of shipbuilding, which he con- ducted very successfully for many years. In 1874 he formed a partnership with his brother, Edward M. Sawyer, the brothers continuing ship building in connection with a very large retail mercantile busi- ness under the firm name, D. J. & E. M. Sawyer. For sixteen years their ship yard at Jonesport was
If Sawyer.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
a veritable hive of industry, ships following each other "overboard" with astonishing regularity, own- ing and controlling at one time forty-three wooden vessels. But wooden shipbuilding declined and fell in Maine, as elsewhere, and in 1890 they launched their last vessel, a schooner bearing the name of the senior member of the firm, "D. J. Sawyer." When the weight of years grew heavy Mr. Sawyer retired from active business.
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