USA > Maine > Maine; a history, Volume IV > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
278
HISTORY OF MAINE
a member of the Engineers Club of Boston, also of the Chemists and Railroad Clubs of New York. Mr. Moulton finds his chief pleasure in whole- some out-door sports and pastimes and is par- ticularly fond of fishing. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Ameri- can Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Ameri- can Institute of Electrical Engineers, the Ameri- can Chemical Society, the American Electro- chemical Society, the American Concrete Insti- tute and National Municipal League, and the American City Planning Conference. He is also affiliated with several international societies and is well known in engineering circles throughout the country. Mr. Moulton, in his religious belief, is an Episcopalian and he and his family are mem- bers of Trinity Episcopal church of Portland.
On September 3, 1903, at Milton, New Hamp- shire, Seth Augustine Moulton was united in mar- riage with Elfrida Mabel Peacock, a native of Solon, Maine, and a daughter of the Rev. Robert M. and Ada M. (Lee) Peacock, now of Riverside, Maine. To Mr. and Mrs. Moulton two children have been born, both now living, as follows: Lorna Augustine, September 13, 1904; Olena Ria, April 8, 1906.
WALTER FRANCIS OAKES-When Range- ley, Maine, was a much smaller place than it is today, there lived in the town a family named Oakes, in whose home was born October 1, 1865, a son, Walter Francis Oakes. The father, Jerry F. Oakes, was a merchant of Rangeley, and the mother was Emily C. Oakes. When old enough the boy was sent to the village school during the seasons of the year which made it possible, but in the late fall and nearly all winter it was hard work for a small boy to gain much in the way of an education, so after a time he entered the gro- cery store at Rangeley as a clerk. When the young man was about twenty-seven years old he and two other men formed a partnership under the firm name of Furbish, Butler & Oakes, to carry on the sale of groceries. The business has continned ever since, though in 1908 Mr. Butler and Mr. Furbish sold out their share to Mr. Oakes, and the firm name was changed to Oakes, Quimby & Herrick. Six years ago Mr. Oakes sold out his holdings in the enterprise and for a time he and his wife traveled quite extensively for recreation, all over the country, their wan- derings covering thirty-six States. During their tour they visited all the important points of in- terest, journeying over each State in quest of pleasure. After their return Mr. Oakes renewed
his interest in the firm of Oakes & Badger, and is still actively engaged therein.
While Mr. Oakes has always been a Republi- can he has never become deeply interested in poli- tics, and he has never been a candidate for pub- lic office. Neither is he a club man, but he is a member of a fraternal order, the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Oakes married October 20, 1885, Cora E. Porter, daughter of Rufus B. and Milly (Calden) Porter, of Salem, Maine. They have seven chil- dren, in the order of their birth, as follows: I. Bessie B., who married H. C. Riddle and lives in Rangeley. 2. Ila E., married to H. W. Badger, who is in partnership with her father. 3. Marian, the wife of Linwood Ellis, of Rangeley. 4. Mar- jorie G., living at home. 5. Vance E., married Susie Stewart; they also are residents of Range- ley. 6. Karl R., who resides at the family home. 7. Elizabeth P., also lives at home with her par- ents.
COLUMBUS HAYFORD-At Salem, Franklin county, Maine, in Salem township, Columbus Hayford was born, and upon coming of suitable age went to Aroostook county, and there began his life connection with the agricultural interests of that section. He cleared a small tract, built a log cabin from the logs cut on his own land, and there remained. He was living in Aroos- took when "war alarms" sounded through the forest primeval, and quickly Columbus Hayford answered the call for men. He served his term of enlistment, was honorably discharged and re- turned to Aroostook county, becoming one of Maine's most prosperous farmers, owning five hundred acres of highly fertile and well-improved land. He identified himself with every interest of his section, and is widely known as a pro- gressive farmer, prominent in the Patrons of Husbandry, and in public life. Now entered in the circles reserved for octogenarians, he has surrendered the burden of management to his son, and is enjoying to the full the fruits of his long life of activity.
(1) John Hayford, the ancestor of this family in New England, married Abigail Albins, of Braintree, Massachusetts, and lived in Braintree. They were the parents of seven children: Abigail, married Captain Thomas Washburn; John, mar- ried Lydia Pierce; Samuel, no record; Edward, twice married; Benjamin, married Mary -; Daniel, of further mention; Thomas, twice mar- ried.
(II) Daniel Hayford, son of John Hayford,
Columbus Hayford
279
BIOGRAPHICAL
was born at Duxbury, Massachusetts, about 1690. He was admitted to the First Congregational Church in Duxbury, July 6, 1729; was deacon 1746, and died December 11, 1764. He married (first) in 1723, Anne Webster, (second) Deliver- ance Boles. Children : Daniel, married Pris- cilla Faxon; Samuel, married Rebecca Freeman Waterman; Walter, married Mary Bonney; Wil- liam, of further mention.
(III) William Hayford, son of Daniel Hay- ford, was born in Pembroke, Massachusetts, May 16, 1740, died at Hartford, Maine, October 12, 1801. He took part in the French and Indian War of 1756, was under Wolfe, at Quebec, in 1759, and served in the Revolution, 1775-76. After returning from the war he moved with his wife and eight children from Pembroke to Syl- vester, Canada, now Turner, Maine, in the spring of 1777. Of the six sons of William Hayford, it is said that not one measured less than six feet in height, and all were noted for their great strength and endurance. About 1796 the fam- ily moved to Hartford, Maine, and settled near the old "Center." William Hayford married, March II, 1762, at Pembroke, Massachusetts, Betty Bonney, born there, February 15, 1743. Children: William, married Philena French; Betty, married Benjamin Alden; Artemissa, mar- ried (first) Joel Simmons, (second) Nehemiah Packard; Matilda, married Abiathar Briggs; Arvida, married Mercy Ellis; Gustavus, married (first) Abigail Fuller, (second) Judith Leach; Christina, died aged fourteen years; Zeri, mar- ried Sally Chickering; Gad, married Sally Bris- bane; Albert, of further mention.
(IV) Albert Hayford, son of William Hay- ford, was born in Hartford, Maine, in 1785, died January 5, 1874. He married and lived in Sum- ner, Maine, until 1813, then moved to Salem, Maine, where he cleared a farm, being one of the first settlers of that town. He was a suc- cessful farmer, a man of great strength and fine military bearing. He lived in Salem from 1813 until his death in 1874, and there reared a fam- ily of fourteen children, his fifteenth dying in in- fancy. He served in the War of 1812. He mar- ried, in 1803, Deborah Bonney, born 1786, died February 21, 1853. Children: Washington, married Jane Barker; Albert, married Parmelia Heath; Florinda, married Abram Heath; Zebedee, of further mention; Isaac, married Charlotte Sampson; Columbus, married Levenia Martin; Artemissa, married William Carl; America Bon- ney, married Eliza Whitney; Cordelia, married Benjamin Kenneas; Alden, married Julia Austin;
Deborah, married (first) Jacob Howard, (sec- ond) Sumner Whitney; Nancy, married Rufus Beals; Aurelius, married Margaret and Julia, married Isaac Whittier.
(V) Zebedee Hayford, son of Albert Hayford, was born in Hartford, Maine, April 22, 1809, died in Salem, Maine, August 18, 1887. He was a farmer of Salem, his farm adjoining that of his parents. He was a man of industrious, upright life, and highly esteemed. He married, July 25, 1834, Nancy P. Stinchfield, born January 9, 1812. Children: Amanda M., married Belcher Stewart; Columbus, of further mention; Celina W., mar- ried Daniel P. True; Artemissa, died unmarried; Rufus, died unmarried; Cleora M., married As- bury Dodge; Celestia, married Almor Carville; Nathan S., died in boyhood; Clarion O., married Georgia Ellis.
(VI) Columbus Hayford, eldest son of Zebedee and Nancy P. (Stinchfield) Hayford, was born in Salem, Maine, July 31, 1836, and now resides upon his farm at Presque Isle, Aroostook county, Maine, long since retired from active farm man- agement, his years now numbering eighty-three. He settled near Caribou, Aroostook county, in 1857, and there worked, built a cabin, and cleared the land until 1866, with the exception of the time he served in the Union Army. In 1866 he mnoved to the fine farm of five hundred acres, which he owns and has long cultivated, one of the best in the county, well improved, well stocked, and equipped with modern aids to farm- ing. About 1893 Mr. Hayford retired and placed the management of the farm in the hands of his capable son, Melville, father and son both oc- cupying the homestead.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Hayford was se- lectman of his town for ten years; member of the State Legislature in 1875; member of the State Board of Agriculture, 1877-78-79; member of the executive committee of the State Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. His military career be- gan with his enlistment August 12, 1861, and con- tinued until August 12, 1862, when he was dis- charged for disability, his service having been with Company I, Seventh Regiment, Maine Vol- unteer Infantry. He is a member of Wade Post, No. 123, Presque Isle, and for the past seven years has been commander of that post. He is an attendant of the Congregational church.
Columbus Hayford married, at Presque Isle, Maine, April 22, 1866, Lavina P. (Pratt) Allen, widow of Augustus Allen. Mrs. Hayford died September 2, 1915, after a married life of al- most fifty years. They were the parents of a
280
HISTORY OF MAINE
son, Melville B. Hayford, born June 26, 1870; at the farm he now manages and resides upon. He married, December 6, 1893, Grace Greenlaw, and they are the parents of a danghter, Alicia, born March 1, 1895, married June 6, 1916, Dr. F. S. Walker, of Presque Isle, Maine.
HERBERT WEBSTER RICH-In the year 1838 Samuel Snow Rich established an under- taking business in Portland, Maine. In course of time he admitted his son, Andrew Jackson Rich, to a partnership and the sign S. S. Rich & Son went up over the door that has never been changed. Samuel Snow Rich was gathered to his fathers, and Andrew J. Rich, the son, be- came head of the house, his son, Herbert Web- ster Rich, succeeding to a junior partnership, and later a representative of the fourth generation, Irving Lockhart Rich, was admitted, he a son of Herbert W. Rich. These three, Andrew J., Herbert W. and Irving L. Rich, grandfather, father and son, were contemporaries and part- ners in the business founded in 1838 by Samuel Snow Rich until September, 1912, when the part- nership was dissolved by the death of Andrew J. Rich, son of the founder. Four score years have passed since the business was founded in Portland and the name of the firm through all these changes remains S. S. Rich & Son, the present firm now being Herbert W. and Irving L. Rich, father and son, grandson and great- grandson of the founder, Samuel Snow Rich. The business is conducted in the Rich Build- ing, a four-story brick structure at No. 106 Ex- change street. The firm fully live up to their long established high reputation as practical em- balmers, furnishing undertakers and funeral di- rectors, and no men in the city enjoy a wider circle of friendships than the proprietors, both of whom are highly regarded native sons of Port- land.
Herbert Webster Rich, the present head of the firm, was born in Portland, August 19, 1861, and has all his life resided in the city of his birth. He was educated in the public schools, and became associated with his father in the un- dertaking business of S. S. Rich & Son at an early age. In 1912 he succeeded his father as head of the firm, and since the latter's death in that year, Herbert W. and his son Irving L. have conducted the business. Mr. Rich is very fond of sport with rod and reel, and is a man of genial, generous nature, making friends wherever known. His position as head of the leading undertaking business in the State of Maine necessarily im-
plies a very wide acquaintance, but wider than his business is his personal acquaintance. He is a member of the Congregational church, the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He mar- ried Elva L. Sterling, of Portland.
Irving Lockhart Rich, only child of Herbert Webster and Elva L. (Sterling) Rich, was born in Portland, Maine, September 15, 1886, and in 1905 completed his public school courses with gradua- tion from high school. He then entered Bow- doin College, whence he was graduated, class of 1909. He then entered the firm of S. S. Rich & Son, with his father and grandfather, and since 1912 has been his father's sole associate in the firm. He is a member of Portland Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, holding the thir- ty-second degree, belongs to the Congregational church, his fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi, Bowdoin Chapter. He is a lover of sports of the out-of- doors, and like his father, is an enthusiastic fish- erman.
Mr. Rich married, in Portland, June 9, 1914, Mildred Lang, daughter of J. Frank and Flor- ence (Drew) Lang. One child was born of this marriage, Elizabeth Prescott Rich.
JOHN JAMES CUNNINGHAM-This coun- try has the greatest possible reason for feeling proud of the great element in its citizenship drawn originally from Irish ancestry and which has contributed and still contributes to the ac- tivities of the country some of the most emi- nent men in all the callings. There are few families, however, of this great element that pos- sess a greater claim to distinction, in so far as the establishing of monuments to themselves in the order of noble building work, than that which bears the name of Cunningham, as rep- resented here by John James Cunningham, the successful general contractor of Portland, Maine. The Cunninghams came originally from County Leitram, Ireland, where during the early part of the nineteenth century Mr. Cunningham's grand- father, Francis Cunningham, was living. He was born and died in his native land, was a mason by trade, and was a man of considerable promi- nence in his community. He married a Miss McGinness, and they were the parents of five children: John, James, Francis W., Christopher and Ellen. Each of the sons learned all the branches of the trade of mason in the old coun- try, including stone cutting, and it may be said that each of their sons in turn learned the trade except John J. Cunningham, who went into the
John & Cunningham
Francés WCunningham.
281
BIOGRAPHICAL
other branch of building and studied architec- ture.
One of their sons, Francis William Cunning- ham, father of John J. Cunningham, was born September 29, 1846, at Manor Hamilton, County Leitram, Ireland, and there spent his childhood and early youth. At the age of nineteen years he, with his brothers and sisters, came to the United States and settled at Portland, Maine. A short time after he went to California, where he was married to Bridget McGuire, who also was born a short distance from his old home in Ireland. For three years they remained in this far-western region, and then returned to Port- land, to engage with his brother James in the contracting business. He was a most exceptional mechanic and expert in building construction, his advice being sought by architects and others. In 1901, with his son, Francis L., he started in busi- ness under the firm name of F. W. Cunningham & Son, which later developed what is now the largest contracting business in the State of Maine. His death occurred July 5, 1913, in his adopted city, six months after the death of Mrs. Cunningham.
Their son, John James Cunninghanı, was born April 2, 1875, at Portland, Maine. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, and after completing his studies there he turned his atten- tion to the profession of architecture. In 1892 he entered the employ of Francis H. Fassett, architect, remaining four years. After this he traveled in Europe for six months, returning to Boston, where he studied in the offices of sev- eral leading architects. Then coming back to Portland, he engaged in business for himself as an architect. Although meeting with a high de- gree of success, he felt that combining with his father and brother, who shortly after started in the contracting business, all branches of building being represented, with hard work a large or- ganization could be built up, and the corpora- tion of F. W. Cunningham & Sons was organ- ized in 1905. After the death of his brother in 1908, he was elected president, which executive office he continues to hold at present. Having given up architecture, his energies were devoted entirely to development of the contracting busi- ness, which development in recent years has been due in no small degree to the business foresight of Mr. Cunningham, an ability which he inherited from his father and which is a very marked ele- ment in his character. Among the largest build- ings constructed by this firm may be mentioned the Cumberland County Court House, United
States Court House, Fidelity Building, New Port- land High School, Union Station, Nathan Clif- ford School, City Home, St. Joseph's Convent, all in Portland. There are hundreds of other buildings to his credit not only in Portland, but in all corners of Maine and neighboring States, comprising churches, schools, dormitories, office buildings, banks, railroad stations, mills, garages, theatres, industrial buildings of all kinds, hotels and residences by the score.
Mr. Cunningham has taken and still takes a very active interest in the general affairs of Port- land and is affiliated there with many prominent associations. He is a member of the board of managers of the Chamber of Commerce, a di- rector of the Exposition Building Association, director of the Portland Development Associa- tion, a director of the United States Trust Com- pany, treasurer of the Falmouth Loan and Build- ing Association, treasurer of the Mahoney Foun- tain Company, director of the Homestead Build- ing and Loan Association, director of the Peo- ples' Loan Company and the largest single stock- holder at the present time in that concern, a di- rector of St. Elizabeth's Orphan Asylum and also of the Holy Innocents Home for Infants. He is affiliated with a number of important so- cieties, among which should be numbered the local council of the Knights of Columbus, of which he is of the Fourth Degree, the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, the Port- land Club and the Munjoy Club. Mr. Cun- ningham is a devont Catholic and attends mass consistently at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception or at St. Dominic's Church, in Port- land.
On July 12, 1903, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage at Portland with Kathryne F. Ma- loney, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of the following chil- dren: Anna Maria, born April 14, 1905; Fran- cis William, born July 13, 1911; and John James, Jr., born September 28, 1916.
Mr. Cunningham is keenly interested in out- door sports and pastimes of every kind and takes particular pleasure in automobiling or traveling, taking in this manner the major part of his rec- reation. There are some men who possess the power of crowding into one life duties and ac- tivities seemingly sufficient to occupy a dozen ordinary men, and who accomplish them all with success, nay distinction, and yet seem rather the better for it than otherwise. Now and then we are surprised to read of some one who has not merely been connected with, but has actually
282
HISTORY OF MAINE
taken a leading part in the management of numerous business interests and with so much skill and ability that it seems but to need the touch of his hand for them to tread the path of prosperity and success. Such is the case in a marked degree with John James Cunningham.
THOMAS WHITTIER PITCHER-In the days when there were no electric cars and no automobiles, a family by the name of Pitcher lived upon a lonely farm three miles from the small town of Belfast, Maine. Here, on No- vember 15, 1830, their son was born, Thomas Whittier Pitcher being the namc given to thie small boy. His father, whose occupation was farming, was Fisher A. Pitcher, born in Stod- dard, New Hampshire, and his mother was Eliza (Whittier) Pitcher, born in Belfast. The for- mer claimed to be a relative of a heroine of the Revolutionary War, the famous Molly Pitcher; Mrs. Eliza W. Pitcher was related to the great New England poet, John Greenleaf Whittier.
The farm was the lad's whole world for four- teen years; he worked upon it during the spring and summer months, going to the village school in the fall and winter, a long, cold walk in those bleak Maine winters. At last a day came when he determined to go forth and seek, and going to Belfast, the lad obtained employment in the drygoods store of Sherburn & Sleeper. That he gave entire satisfaction is evidenced by the fact that he remained with them for ten years, when, again feeling a desire to broaden his hori- zon, somewhat, the young man journeycd to Boston, in those days regarded as a very long trip from Belfast, Maine, to Boston, Massachu- setts, but having made up his mind to make the change the young man decided to go to a large city at once. Having learned the drygoods busi- ness thoroughly, Mr. Pitcher continued along that line, this time in a wholesale firm, staying there five years. That he did not indulge in riotous living is obvious, for, saving his money and wish- ing to return to Belfast, he bought a partner- ship in the business of his first employers, Sher- burn & Sleeper, which lasted for ten years; then the senior members of the firm sold out to the younger member, who carried it on until a few years ago, when he retired from the active pur- suit of business. After Mr. Pitcher returned to Belfast, he became identified with many of the interests of the town, among them being several local offices on the Republican side, but he never desired to hold any political office beyond his own town. He has been a director of the City
National Bank for some years, also a member of the Blue Lodge of Free Masons; in addition to these, he is a regular attendant of the Unitarian church.
Thomas Whittier Pitcher married, in Belfast, Mrs. Maria (Lewis) Miller, also a native of Maine. She had one daughter, Mrs. Carrie Twombly, living in Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher have never had any children.
ROBERT EARL RANDALL, for a number of years, has been one of the most active of the younger men of Freeport, Maine, and has taken a prominent part in a number of departments of this communty's affairs. An attorney of ability, he has, in addition to his practice, associated himself with the financial and business interests of the town and is also connected with its pub- lic affairs. Mr. Randall is a son of Rufus S. and Annie S. (Townsend) Randall, old and high- ly respected residents of this place, where the former lived for many years and was a well known sea captain.
Mr. Robert E. Randall was born at Freeport, April 4, 1877, and from that time to this has made his home here. As a lad he attended the local public schools, passing through both the gram- mar grades and the high school, and in the lat- ter was prepared for college. He then matricu- lated at Bowdoin College and at the same time took up the profession of teaching, being em- ployed in that capacity in the Freeport schools, where previously he, himself, had been a stu- dent. At Bowdoin he took the usual classical course and graduated from that institution with the class of 1899. He had in the meantime deter- mined upon law as a profession and pursued the study of his subject. He was later admitted to the bar and since that time has been in active practice in Freeport. He has now reached a po- sition where he is looked upon justly as one of the leaders of the bar in this region and much important litigation is entrusted to him. Some years ago Mr. Randall was appointed by the Lewiston Trust Company the manager of its Freeport Branch, and in this capacity he has had an important influence upon the development of finances and business here. Mr. Randall's in- terest in the welfare of the community is not by any means a selfish one, and he has given much of his time and energies to the conduct of public affairs here. He is a Republican in poli- tics and has served the city in a number of ca- pacities and is at present the town clerk of Freeport. He is also treasurer of the B. H.
283
BIOGRAPHICAL
Bartol Library and has done excellent work in increasing the efficiency of that most valuable educational institution. In the fraternal and so- cial world, Mr. Randall is also conspicuous and is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Order of Red Men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.