Genealogy of Somerset County Maine

Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine

Biography of Thomas Blackwell

Thomas Blackwell, a retired farmer of Cornville township, has made a noteworthy record for persevering industry and thrift, and is a fine representative of the self-made men of Somerset County. He was born December 27, 1830, in the neighboring town of Norridgewock, son of Thomas Blackwell, Sr. The latter was born and brought up in Madison, Maine, a town in which he passed the earlier part of his life. Some years ago he became a resident of Dead River plantation, Somerset County, remaining there until his death in October, 1894, at a ripe old age. He was twice married. His […]

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Biography of Daniel K. Williams

Somerset County

Daniel K. Williams, one of the representative farmers of Embden and a Civil War veteran, was born in this town, November 18, 1840, son of John and Belinda (Wells) Williams. His grandparents, Jacob and Joan Williams, made their way to Embden from Massachusetts through the wilderness in 1790. Here Jacob cleared and improved a farm, upon which he resided for the rest of his life. He died July 12, 1814, and his wife on October 8, 1844. They were the parents of fifteen children, all now deceased; namely, Caleb, Daniel, John, Richard, Isaac, Elsie, Ebenezer, Keziah, Cyrus, Francis, Sukey, Jacob,

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Biography of Franklin Dow Jenkins

Franklin Dow Jenkins, an enterprising clothing merchant of Pittsfield, was born in Vassalboro, Maine, December 30, 1831, son of Moses and Sarah (Frye) Jenkins. His great-grandparents were Jabez and Elizabeth (Dennett) Jenkins, residents of Kittery, Maine. Jabez, Jenkins, second, the grandfather, who resided in North Yarmouth, Maine, and on March 24, 1784, married Elizabeth Varney, of Dover, New Hampshire., had a family of six children, namely: Deliverance, born September 14, 1785; Stephen, born July 6, 1788; William and Moses, whose birth dates have not been preserved; Jabez, born June 16, 1799, who died in 1892; and Isaac Jenkins, born March

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Biography of Charles H. Girdler

Somerset County, Androscoggin County, Kennebec County, York County

Charles H. Girdler, an energetic and progressive agriculturist of Mercer township, Somerset County, and the efficient chairman of its Board of Selectmen, was born December 4, 1846, in Waterville, Me., son of the late John S. Girdler. The father, who was born in Manchester, Mass. spent the early years of his life in that town, and there learned the hatter’s trade. In 1840 he settled on a farm in Waterville, Me., where he carried on farming and worked at his trade for some years. On December 16, 1863, he became a resident of Mercer, moving at that time to the

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Biography of Charles C. Morrison, M.D.

Hancock County, Somerset County, York County

Charles C. Morrison, M.D., a prominent and popular physician of Bar Harbor, Hancock County, son of John T. and Lucy (Carr) Morrison, was born July 12, 1856, at Mariaville, Maine. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Morrison, about a century ago removed from Canaan, Somerset County, to Ellsworth. In 1810 he took up a tract of unbroken land in Mariaville, and with the endurance and perseverance characteristic of the early pioneers reclaimed a farm from the wilderness, and there spent the remainder of his long life of eighty-one years. The Doctor’s maternal grandfather, Joseph Carr, was likewise one of the pioneers of

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Biography of Leslie W. McIntire

Somerset County, Androscoggin County

Leslie W. McIntire, of Solon, Somerset County, druggist, Postmaster, and express agent, was born in Bingham, Maine, January 21, 1856, son of Obed and Rose A. (Robinson) McIntire. His parents were natives of Bingham, this county, where the father was engaged in farming for a number of years. Moving subsequently to Athens, Maine, Obed McIntire carried on a general store there for twelve years. From Athens he removed to Lewiston, in which city he spent his last days. He was a much respected citizen of Somerset County in his day, and served with ability in various town offices. His widow

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Biography of Alexander P. Porter

Franklin County, Androscoggin County, Somerset County

Alexander P. Porter, a lifelong resident of Strong, Franklin County, Me., and one of the substantial business men of this place, was born March 6, 1825, and died at his late home here, January 28, 1876. His parents, Ezekiel and Eunice (Hitchcock) Porter, spent their entire lives in Strong, his mother’s death occurring here in 1848, and his father’s in 1867. The latter was a leading merchant of the town, and also operated a saw and grist mill. He had nine children, three of whom died in infancy. Six grew to years of maturity, as follows: Thurza C., who is

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Biography of George W. Howe

Piscataquis County, Androscoggin County, Penobscot County, Somerset County

George W. Howe, of Milo, Judge of Probate for Piscataquis County, an ex-member of the legislature, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in St. Albans, Maine, April 24, 1844, son of Jonathan and Jane (Hubbard) Howe. The father, who was a native of Greene, Maine, left that town when about eighteen years old, and resided for a time in Canaan. From Canaan he moved to St. Albans, where he lived until 1855. Then, removing to Penobscot County, he resided in Bradford, Hudson, Corinth, and Charleston; and his last days were spent upon a farm in Orneville. He

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Biography of Charles H. Allen

Somerset County, Androscoggin County

Charles H. Allen, a well-known farmer of Mercer and the owner of a saw and grist mill in this locality, was born March 5, 1838, in Bloomfield, now Skowhegan. A son of Harper Allen, he is a descendant of a pioneer family of this section of Maine. His grandparents, Ebenezer and Hannah (Bowman) Allen, removed from Massachusetts to Somerset County at an early period of its settlement; and, taking up a tract of wild land in the town of Fairfield, cleared and improved a farm, on which they spent the remainder of their lives. Harper Allen was born, reared, and

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Biography of Warren Russell

Somerset County

Warren Russell, a prominent and well-to-do agriculturist of Madison township, who represents one of the oldest families in this section of Somerset County, was born July 13, 1827, on the homestead where he now resides, son of Jonathan Russell, Jr. His grandfather, Jonathan Russell, Sr., born in New Hampshire, February 8, 1765, married Betsey Nutting, who was born in the same State, June 25, 1768. Coming to Somerset County at an early day, Grandfather Russell settled in Madison, taking up land now included in the present Russell homestead. The district was then in its primitive wildness, and the brave pioneers

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Somerset County

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