USA > Maine > Maine; a history, Volume IV > Part 61
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
298
HISTORY OF MAINE
On November 26, 1888, Mr. Frothingham was united in marriage with Angie Barstow Pennell, a native of Portland, and a daughter of Thomas and Lettice Orr (Williams) Pennell, residents of that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham ten children have been born, of whom seven are now living.
In many ways Mr. Frothingham is typical of much that is best in America, of what we like to think of as "the American," combining in his single person an extraordinary number of traits and qualities, a certain talent or, in the homely phrase, knack of adapting himself to all condi- tions, a versatility scarcely to be found else- where in the world, the children of this land hav- ing been trained in this faculty by that most ex- acting of teachers, Necessity. To an unusual degree of business genius, he adds a very com- pelling personality, and a mind quick to take advantage of every opportunity as it arose-all of these, separately and in union, American char- acteristics.
BENJAMIN WALKER-From what part of England the Walkers of New England came is not definitely known. The founder of the Frye- burg, Maine, branch was supposedly Captain Richard Walker, who was ensign of the military company at Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1630. De- scendants settled in New Hampshire and Maine, one of these being Benjamin Walker, to whose memory this page in the history of his native State is dedicated. He was a son of Captain Joseph Walker, born in Fryeburg, Maine, about 1770, and son of Joseph and Sarah Brown Walker. Captain Joseph Walker was long a merchant of Portland, Maine, owning a great deal of land on what was called in his honor, "Walker street." He married, in Bridgton, Maine, Mary Foster, and their home in Portland was at the corner of Walker and Congress streets, and was rebuilt and enlarged by Captain Walker. He was Democrat in politics, and a Universalist. He received his military title, "Captain," from serv- ice in the State militia.
Benjamin Walker, son of Captain Joseph and Mary (Foster) Walker, was born in Denmark, Oxford county, Maine, forty miles northwest of Portland, March 25, 1798, died in Bridgton, Maine, September 26, 1869. In 1808 his parents moved to a farm at Westbrook, Cumberland county, Maine, five miles northwest of Portland, and there with his sons operated a farm. When Captain Walker moved into Portland, Benjamin did not accompany him, but remained at West-
brook on the farm which he purchased on Cobb's lane. There he remained until he moved to Bridgton, Cumberland county, Maine, in Febru- ary, 1827, and there engaged in lumbering, em- ploying a large force of men in lumbering and rafting logs, and in his saw mills. He became a large owner of farm and timber lands, ranking as one of the leading, substantial men of his section.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Walker in all things was public spirited and progressive, and took a deep interest in local and State affairs. He served Bridgton as councilman and as treasurer, and his legislative district as a member of the State Legislature. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an attend- ant and a generous supporter of the Congrega- tional church. His name stood high for up- rightness and honor in his community, and his charity and kindness of heart were proverbial. Like all really big men he was jovial and good natured, every man who knew him feeling that they were friends. He was one of the strong, valuable men of his day, and although he passed from mortal view many years ago, his memory is warmly cherished by those who knew the true depths of his loyal nature.
Benjamin Walker married, November 1, 1821, at Portland, Maine, Sarah A. Cross, born in Port- land, March 25, 1797, died in Bridgton, Maine, August 8, 1863, daughter of Ebenezer Cross, born in Newburyport, and his wife, Abigail Webb, born in Westbrook, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Walker were the parents of nine children, two of whom died in childhood. Two only of this family sur- vive: Mrs. Lydia Adams, of Portland, Maine; and Caroline A. Walker, of Bridgton, Maine.
ALBERT SMITH PLUMMER, the well known business man of Lewiston, Maine, comes of an old New England family, which was founded in this country by one Francis Plum- mer, who came from England during the Co- lonial period and located in Massachusetts. For many generations the name has been associated with Maine, however, members of the family having been distinguished there in several dif- ferent departments of life.
Mr. Plummer is a son of William Henry Plum- mer, who was born at Westbrook, Maine, June 13, 1812. Mr. Plummer, Sr., came as a young man to Portland and took a prominent part in the affairs of that city, serving at one time as assessor of Portland, and was active for many years in politics there. He also held the posi-
Beny Walker
CAPTAIN GEORGE CARD
299
BIOGRAPHICAL
tion of deputy marshal under Neal Dow dur- ing the troublesome time of the rum riots. He married Mrs. Mary Weymouth (Wilkinson) Waldron, who was a native of Berwick, Maine, and who died in Portland, November 8, 1892. Mr. Plummer, Sr., died there May 12, 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Plummer, Sr., four children were born, as follows: Lorenzo B., deceased; Mary Jane, deceased; Ellen H., who is now the widow of George H. Chaplin, and makes her home in the town of Naples, Maine; and Albert Smith, of whom further.
Born August 8, 1847, at Portland, Maine, Al- bert Smith Plummer passed his childhood and early youth there, making his native city his home until he had attained his majority. It was at Portland also that he was educated, at- tending for this purpose the local public schools, and all the early associations of his life were formed at that place. At the age of twenty-one he left the parental home and came to Lewiston, where he entered the employ of Bradford Conant & Company, with which concern he remained for a period of twenty-three years. Mr. Pluminer, however, also cherished the ambition to be en- gaged in an independent business and according- ly saved a large percentage of his earnings with this end in view. Eventually, after twenty-three years of service, he found himself in the position to engage in business on his own account, and thus realized his ambition and formed a partner- ship with a Mr. Roak, under the firm name of Roak & Plummer, and with this gentleman estab- lished an undertaking establishment. Not long after, however, Mr. Roak died and Mr. Plummer continued the business in partnership with Charles E. Merrill, under the firm name of Plummer & Merrill. In course of time Mr. Prince J. Doe and G. Ray Lewis were also taken into the firm and these two gentlemen, upon the occasion of Mr. Merrill's death, some years afterwards, purchased his interest and are now Mr. Plummer's associates. The business is con- tinued under the name of the Plummer & Mer- rill Company and has now, thanks to the busi- ness sagacity and foresight of Mr. Plummer, become the largest of its kind in Auburn. Dur- ing the early part of his residence in Lewiston, Mr. Plummer was actively interested in local public affairs and for some time served as a mem- ber of the City Council here, but the demands of his business have more recently forced him to de- vote his entire attention thereto, and although he still retains an equally keen interest in polit- ical issues generally, he has retired from ac-
tive participation. Mr. Plummer is not too busy to devote a considerable portion of his time to social and fraternal matters, and he is particu- larly prominent in the work of the Masonic or- der in Auburn. He has taken his thirty-second degree in this order, and is a member of all the Masonic bodies in Lewiston, among which should be mentioned Rabboni Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Dunlap Council, Royal and Select Masters; Lewiston Commandery, Knights Tem- plar; Kora Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and Maine Consistory, Sov- ereign Princes of the Royal Secret. Mr. Plum- mer has always made his home in Lewiston, al- though his business establishment is in Auburn, and has come to be a very well known figure in the life of that community. In his religious belief he is a Universalist and attends the church of that denomination in Lewiston.
Albert Smith Plummer was united in marriage, September 16, 1872, with Helen Mariam Curtiss, a native of Wellington, Maine, and a daughter of Benjamin F. and Susan (Buzzell) Curtiss. To Mr. and Mrs. Plummer one child has been born, Elizabeth Curtiss, October 27, 1889. She is now the wife of Karl R. Toner, of Lewiston.
Mr. Plummer has the reputation among his numerous associates of a man who attends most strictly to his business and always fulfills his obligations. It could be said of him that he can always be found either in his office or at · home, and this really expresses the truth of him very aptly, his interests being centered chiefly about these two things. Towards all he acts alike, is a man of sterling character and genial disposition, possesses many devoted friends, and he never is happier than when by some simple act or word he can bring happiness to those about him. He is one who puts the ideal of Christian charity into daily practice, and there are few men who are so greatly respected as Mr. Plummer in the community.
CAPTAIN GEORGE CARD-The fame of Captain George Card, master mariner, royal navy pilot of her Britannic Majesty Queen Victoria's war ships, was more than local, for he sailed many ships and lived in both Nova Scotia and the United States, although, perhaps, he was best known in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where, for many years, he piloted the war vessels of the British navy in and out of that harbor. He was a Nova Scotian by birth but his life included an American residence at Eastport, extending over
300
HISTORY OF MAINE
a period of several years. From boyhood he fol- lowed the sea, serving in every condition of shipboard life from cabin boy to quarter deck, and was a master of ships when a young man, and until his death, at the age of seventy-seven, was in active service. His career included both naval and merchant marine service, and after reaching the quarter deck he was constantly a master of ships, sailing all seas, except the years he was one of the Royal navy pilots at Halifax. Gruff, hale and hearty, he made friends every- where, performed every duty well, was a true and loving husband and father, and when the news went out that the veteran sea captain had given his last command and sailed away over uncharted seas, there was deep and genuine re- gret both felt and expressed by his many friends and acquaintances. He belonged to the day of the real mariner, for steam navigation was un- known until his life was well advanced and he had learned the true sailor's trade. Having a warm heart he sympathized with everyone in distress, and on many occasions risked his own life to save others, chivalry at sea then not hav- ing felt the blighting influence of the Hun who slays not saves those in peril at sea.
Captain George Card was born in Newport, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1791, died in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1867. He spent his youth at Newport, and there attended the schools, which at that early day were limited in their scope and advantages. He began at an early age to follow the sea, shipping as cabin boy and ris -. ing within a few years through the mates' berths to the command of a vessel. He sailed ships from the port of Halifax to all parts of the world, and no captain of the merchant marine better served his owners, his voyages being usual- ly made in the shortest possible time, while lie combined with his skill and bravery as a navi- gating master, a keen business sense which was of great value to his owners, even when a super- cargo was carried. After becoming head of a family he moved to Campabello, New Bruns- wick, Canada, and from there continued his sea- faring life, later returning to Halifax, which was his home until moving to Eastport, Maine, these changes of residences caused by the changing of ship and his ship owners, he maintaining his family home at the home port from which he sailed. He sailed Eastport ships for several years, then again returned to Halifax. Soon after the return he was commissioned a royal pilot, and for twelve years his duty was the piloting of British war ships in and out of the
harbor of Halifax. He performed all the re- quired duties of a royal pilot with caution and good judgment, being rated high on the list of pilots, and until his last illness, in 1867, was regular in the performance of his duty. For at least sixty of his seventy-seven years he was a member of the Church of England, and was a mian highly respected by all who knew him.
Captain Card married, in Newport, Nova Sco- tia, Mary Mosher, born in the year 1800, died in 1884, daughter of Joseph Mosher, of an ancient Nova Scotian family. Captain and Mrs. Card were the parents of ten children: Priscilla, mar- ried Captain Stephen Ryerson; Edward, a sea captain of St. John, New Brunswick, Canada; Elizabeth, died in infancy; George, who settled in the western part of the United States; James Hiram, died at sea; Rachel, married Samuel Rumery; Amy, married David Evans, of East- port, Maine; Margaret J., of Portland, Maine; Mary Delina, married D. H. Dennett; and Delia, of Portland, Maine. After the death of her hus- band, Mrs. Mary Mosher Card returned with her family to Maine, locating in Portland, where she spent eight years, then moved to Eastport, Maine, where she resided until her death in 1884, being tenderly cared for by her devoted daughters. She is buried in Eastport, Maine, and is lovingly remembered as a woman of deeply religious na- ture, strong in her convictions, devoted to her husband and children. The Misses Margaret J. and Delia Card are now residents of Portland, Maine, and gave tender, loving care to their mothier in her many years of widowhood and old age, and are both women of culture and refinement, and are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ZEPHIRIN VINCENT, who without doubt is one of the most influential citizens of Auburn, Maine, was born on March II, 1877, in the small town of La Presentation, near the city of Mont- real, Canada, and came with his parents from that place to Salem, Maine, while still an infant in arms. It thus happens that his earliest as- sociations were with the United States, in which country his subsequent life has been passed. As a matter of fact, his parents were citizens of the United States, and their home had previously been this same town of Salem, their presence in Canada being explained by the fact that they had gone there for reasons of health. When he was seven years of age, his parents removed to Lewiston from Massachusetts, where they re- sided for some four years, during which time the
26 york
301
BIOGRAPHICAL
lad began his education. Then they came to
Auburn, where Mr. Vincent has resided ever since.
Mr. Vincent attended the parochial school in connection with the Catholic church of Lewis- ton, but his entire schooling did not exceed more than five years, for at the age of twelve he aban- doned his studies and began to work for his father in the latter's soda water manufactory which he had established in Auburn. Hc con- tinued to work in this establishment for some ten years, and was then given a position on the Auburn police force, being appointed thereto by Mayor Wilson. He continued to serve in this capacity for four years, and in 1905 received the appointment as turnkey and jailer for Andros- coggin county. He continued to hold this posi- tion during 1905 and the three years following, but in 1908 resigned the post and bought out his father's interest in the soda water manufactory. After this Mr. Vincent turned his attention to building a business that had already met with marked success, and established a wholesale con- fectionery business, and from that time to the present it has prospered highly under his ca- pable management. In the year 1911 he erected the present handsome three-story building, meas- uring fifty by a hundred feet, and in 1913 put up a large addition to the same. His plant occu- pied the entire ground floor and is taxed to its capacity to turn out sufficient soda water to meet the demands of the trade. His market ex- tends over a radius of some fifty miles. The plant bottles Coca-Cola, Herbo, the Vinco brand of ginger ale, and other kinds of soft drinks. There is also a confectionery department in con- nection with the plant and several popular brands of confections are made therc.
Mr. Vincent was united in marriage, July 28, 1896, with Alma Labonte, a native of Quebec, Canada, and a daughter of John B. and Maria (Couture) Labonte. To Mr. and Mrs. Vincent four children were born, as follows: Antoinette M., born June 13, 1897, and resides with her parents in Auburn; Dominick Z., born January 21, 1898; Gertrude B., born March 17, 1900; Florence M., born June 21, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and their family are members of the Roman Catholic church and attend St. Louis Church of that demonination.
A word here is appropriate concerning Mr. Vincent's father and the Vincent family in gen- eral. The Vincents originally came from France and located at Varennes, Canada, near the city of Montreal, where they resided for a number
of generations. Mr. Vincent's father, Sabin Vin- cent, was born at St. Hyacinthe, Canada, August 12, 1850, and was the first of the family to come to Maine. He now lives retired in the city of Auburn in this State. He married Victoria Boncher, also a native of St. Hyacinthe, where she was born January 19, 1851, and to them nine children have been born, of whom the first three died in infancy. The survivors are as follows: Anna, who lives unmarried in Auburn; Ovila; Zephirin, with whose career we are here espe- cially concerned; Arthur E .; Joseph N .; Emily, who is the widow of Fortunate Belleau.
Energy, self-confidence and a, strict adher- ence to those principles of human conduct that play so vital a part in the moulding of society, are the traits which lay at the base of the char- acter of Zephirin Vincent, and were the cause of his business success, and the respect which he enjoys in the community. He is without doubt a model of citizenship.
JOHN ELLIS YORK, third son of Advardis and Jane (Irving) York, was a native of Knox- ford, New Brunswick, and was born May 27, 1860. The name of the family is derived from the an- cient city of York, the capital of Yorkshire. The early inhabitants of New Gloucester, Massachu- setts, numbered several of the name, who were active in the making of the town.
(I) Richard York was a native of England, and settled in Wakefield, New Brunswick. He mar- ried Susan Gallup.
(II) Advardis York, son of Richard and Susan (Gallup) York, was born in Wakefield, in 1823. In 1869 he removed to Mars Hill, Aroostook county, and engaged in farming. He was a con- sistent member of the Free Baptist Church. He married Jane Irving, daughter of Robert Irving. The following children were born of this union: Richard, deceased; Robert Alonzo, deceased; John Ellis, Colman N., of Mars Hill; David, deceased; Alfred, deceased; Frank, deceased; Ne- hemiah, deceased; Edwin W., Washington, Ad- vardis, Winlock, Washington, and Maggie, now Mrs. D. D. Banks, of Mars Hill.
(III) John Ellis York was educated in the common schools of New Brunswick and Mars Hill, to which his father came to live when the lad was only nine years old. Until he was twenty years old he remained on his father's farm and then went into the general merchandising business. He conducted a large farm and dealt in potatoes, starch and hay, having been a large buyer, shipper and grower of potatoes. He dealt
302
HISTORY OF MAINE
extensively in lumber, having owned and operated a saw mill in Mars Hill. He was one of the substantial men of Aroostook, was very active in helping to build up the town in which he lived, being closely connected with all town affairs; was one of the directors of the Mars Hill Trust Company, and a strong supporter of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He was a member of Aroostook Lodge, No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Blaine, and Houlton Lodge, No. 835, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of Kora Temple of Lewiston.
Mr. York married (first) Lizzie Banks, dauglı- ter of T. H. Banks. Children: Pearl I., Ella S., Thomas R., and Frank A. Mrs. York died in 1904. On May 9, 1908, Mr. York married (sec- ond) Clementine C. Johnston, second daughter of Alonzo C. and Philena Flannery Johnston, of Fort Fairfield. Mr. York died May 16, 1918.
KING FOY GRAHAM-Scotland has never been one of the countries that has sent her chil- dren in great numbers to the "New World," there to form an element in the great race that is even now forming here in America, the melt- ing-pot of the nations, although in the Colonial period of our history the proportion was larger than it has since been. Nevertheless we may boast of a fair strain of the Scotch blood in our veins, a fair number of its hardy sons in our midst, and feel sure that whatsoever its quantity, in quality it is one of the best elements in our body politic.
David Graham, father of King F. Graham, was born in Scotland, near Perth, and while still a boy emigrated with his parents to Canada, where he resided for some time. He later came to Westbrook, Maine, and secured employment as a blacksmith with the S. D. Warren Company, where he remained until his death, which oc- curred in 1902. He was married to Rose L. Hadlock, whose birth occurred in Westbrook, Cumberland county, Maine, and she survived him six years, her death having occurred in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. David Graham were the parents of five children, as follows: James, who died in in- fancy; George C., a resident of Lynn, Massachu- setts, and in the employ of the General Electric Company there; King Foy, of whom further; James W., a resident of Westbrook, and who is the general manager of the Portland Water Distil- lery; and Annie J., who resides with her brother, King Foy.
King Foy Graham was born at Westbrook, Maine, October 20, 1868. He received the pre-
liminary portion of his education in the public schools of his native region, and at the age of nineteen began to learn the mason's trade. He continued in this occupation for some time and later engaged in business on his own account. In this he proved very successful and has been doing business as a mason contractor for the past twenty years. At the present time Mr. Graham's business is conducted at No. 43 Haskel street and his home is also located in this same build- ing. Mr. Graham is very prominent in the po- litical and social activities of the community. He is affiliated with the Republican party. In the fall of 1913 he was appointed by Governor Haynes to fill the unexpired term of office caused by the death of Sheriff Everett G. Scully, term ending January 1, 1915. He was elected sheriff in 1916, his term beginning in January, 1917. He is an ardent Prohibitionist and supports that cause in every possible manner. He is identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, with which association he has been con- nected for some time. In his religious belief Mr. Graham is a Congregationalist, attending the church of that denomination in Westbrook. He is extremely interested in Sunday school work and gives liberally to the support of the philan- thropic undertakings of the church. Mr. Gra- ham is an ardent baseball "fan" and an advocate of out-door sports generally. Mr. Graham's life is an active one. He is typical of the cner- getic man of affairs, whose united labors have built up the industrial development of New Eng- land. In him also is this type characteristic of New England, the energy and industry based upon a foundation of moral strength which ren- ders it doubly effective with the power which forebearance always gives. His honor and in- tegrity are unimpeachable, his sense of justice sure and his charity and tolerance broad and far- reaching. His successes are made permanent, founded as they are on the confidence of his as- sociates, and he has built up for himself an en- viable reputation among all classes of men. Mr. Graham is a perfect model for the younger gen- eration to follow.
SYLVANUS BOURNE, deceased, of Portland, Maine, was a man well and favorably known in many different connections in the community where he made his home. He was prominently associated with many of the aspects of the com- munity's life, and in each and all of them estab- lished for himself a reputation for integrity and probity not surpassed by any of his fellow cit-
J. Roune
303
BIOGRAPHICAL
izens. His death, which occurred at his home in this city, August 29, 1917, was felt as a per- sonal loss to a great number of friends and asso- ciates, and the whole community realized that a citizen of the highest type, a faithful friend and a virtuous man had been called from their midst. Mr. Bourne came of a good old Maine family which had been identified with the "Pine Tree State" for a number of generations, his father, Major M. B. Bourne, having been a native here. The elder Mr. Bourne was born at Harrison, Maine, and there his childhood was spent. As a young man he came to Portland, and here en- gaged in business as a roofing contractor, and from the outset met with considerable success. He was employed by the city government to do much of the public work of that nature, and many of the finest buildings in the city were roofed by him. When his son, Sylvanus, had grown to manhood, he took him into partner- ship with him, and this association continued until the death of the elder man, which occurred at the early age of sixty-seven years. His great success in his business, and his activity in con- nection with the affairs of Portland, made him an influential figure here, and lie was considered one of the substantial business men of this place. Major Bourne married Dorcas Rounds, of Buck- field, Maine, who survived him and lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years and six months. She and her husband were faithful members of the Baptist church.
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.