Biographies

(Source: History of Bath and environs, Sagadahoc Co., Maine, 1607 - 1894
Ortland, Me.: Lakeside Press, printers, 1894 - 556 pgs.

 

FRANCIS ADAMS was born in Charlestown, Mass., July 18, 1824, and is a descendant of Francis Adams, one of the early Plymouth settlers. His father was Richard Adams, and his mother was of the family of Hunter, of Topsham, to which town they moved and settled on a farm. He graduated at Bowdoin College, in 1850, with rank that admitted him to membership with the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity of that institution.
     He then spent two years in part reading law in the office of Ebenezer Everett, in Brunswick, and in teaching in the high school in that town, after which he taught in the Topsham Academy and Litchfield Institute. In 1857 he entered the law office of W. G. Barrows, in Brunswick, and was admitted to the Bar in Sagadahoc County in 1859, and commenced the practice of his profession at Topsham, and soon after succeeded to the law business of Judge Barrows, on his promotion to the Bench. In 1869 he removed to Bath.
     While residing in Topsham he served several years on the boards of superintending school committee and selectmen of that town.
     He was county attorney for Sagadahoc County from 1864 to 1874. On July 8, 1867, Mr. Adams married Miss Clara Jane Hildreth, of Topsham. They have had five daughters and one son — Margaret Jane, Sarah Angeline, Clara Augusta, Alice Fairfield, Francis, Pauline Hildreth—all living but Alice Fairfield, who died in infancy.

DR. SAMUEL ADAMS was born in Killingly, Conn., in 1745, and descended from Henry Adams who came to New England in 1630 ; studied medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Freeman, of Sandwich, Mass.; practiced in Truro; served as a surgeon during the Revolutionary War, in the artillery department, under General Knox, and was frequently in company with General Washington. At the close of the war settled in Bath, when he was the only physician in the place, and had an extensive practice. He married four times and had nine children, to all of whom he gave the best education attainable at that day. He was a charter member of Solar Lodge and its second Master, in 1805 and 1806. He died in Bath, March 14, 1819, aged 74 years. He was said to have been "the most intelligent and successful practitioner of medicine in the state."

DR. SAMUEL ANDERSON was born in Deering, N. H., March 9, 1807, and died in Bath, Me., April 22, 1873. He was the third of ten children of John and Nancy Anderson, of Deering, N. H. His ancestors came to New England from Londonderry, in the north of of Ireland, in 1718. They were Scotch Presbyterians, driven from their homes by religious persecution. The grandfather, named Samuel, was captain of one of the ships that brought over these Londonderry immigrants, most of whom settled in New Hampshire and named their settlement "Londonderry," in memory of their old home, Doctor Anderson was married, November 20, 1829, to Katharine Emerson of Edgecomb, who descended from the Emersons of Massachusetts. She was great-granddaughter of the Rev. John Emerson, fourth parson of Topsfield. Doctor Anderson came to Bath in 1834. A few years later he commenced the study and practice of medicine and subsequently opened a drug store, where he continued in business the remainder of his life. He had five children, Edward Francis, Climena Katharine, Samuel, Jr., Nancy Elizabeth, and Laura Ann. Samuel, Jr., was born in Bath, September 7, 1835. He entered his father's drug store at the age of nineteen, was afterward received as partner, and has continued in the drug business ever since. He married Almina Martha Norton, of Phillips, Me. Their children were Harry Warren and Herbert Morrell. Harry Warren graduated at the College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, in 1884, and has since been in the drug business in Exeter, N. H.

BERNARD C. BAILEY was a grandson of Col. John Bailey, of Hanover, Mass., who was an officer in the Continental service in 1775, having command of a regiment in May of that year, held the commission of colonel in 1776 and served during the Revolutionary War with the reputation of a brave and faithful officer. Bernard C. was born in Hanover, May 17, 1796, and married Jane Doten Donnell, who was born in Hanover, May 3, 1797.
     Coming to Bath at an early age, Mr. Bailey entered upon active business in navigation, merchandise, and manufacturing, in all of which he met with success. In 1853 and 1854 he was elected mayor, and his administration was notable for the needed improvement of the streets of the city, into the work of which he entered with vigor and efficiency. When the Marine National Bank was organized Mr. Bailey was one of its founders and its first president, which position he held until his death in June, 1876, when eighty years of age. He was mayor at the time of the Know Nothing riot of 1854. Mr. Bailey was a very enterprising business man, straightforward in all his dealings, of exceedingly pleasant manners, and as a prominent citizen was greatly esteemed.

SAMUEL D. BAILEY, son of the above, was in partnership with his father in ship-building and other branches of his business, and succeeded him in the presidency of the Marine National Bank, continuing in the position to the present time, devoting himself exclusively to banking business. He was mayor in 1870, elected on a citizens' ticket, and is president of the Eastern Steamboat Company and interested in other corporations. Mr. Bailey has ever been one of Bath's solid citizens and of the highest integrity.

DR. BENJAMIN D. BARTLETT was reputed a skillful physician, had notable social qualities, and enjoyed universal esteem. He was Master of Solar Lodge in 1820 and 1821. He moved from Bath.

DR. RANDALL DOYLE BIBBER was born in Brunswick, September 1, 1845, and when four years of age came to Bath with his father's family, where he has lived to the present time, obtaining his education in the city schools. At the age of sixteen he went to sea, which he followed six years. Returning home he undertook the study of the medical profession at the age of twenty-two. He attended a regular course of study at the Portland Medical School, and at the Medical Department of Bowdoin College, graduating in 1871. With limited means he then commenced practice in Bath, and has worked his way up to a successful business.
     He is a member of the Maine Medical Association; acting assistant surgeon in the Marine Hospital Service since 1872; city physician and member of the board of overseers of the poor eight years; on the board of health and pension examiner a number of years; has been president of the Sagadahoc Historical Society three years; its treasurer many years; is a resident member of the Maine Historical Society, and member of the Patten Free Library Association. His father is John D. Bibber, and mother Mehitable Cowen (Hall) Bibber. February 6, 1873, he married Miss Sarah Aborn Thornton and they have one son, Harold Thornton Bibber. Doctor Bibber has ever been active in forwarding benevolent undertakings, efficient in raising funds in aid of the public library and other worthy objects, contributing liberally to the proposed establishment of an Old People's Home, of which he was the originator.

DR. EDWARD E. BRIRY, having obtained a classical education at Bowdoin College, and a full medical education at Boston University School of Medicine, practiced in Boston in 1883 and 1884, and since that time has been in practice in Bath; has been city physician, member and secretary of the board of health, member of school board, and boarding officer for this port, serving in these capacities for many years.

DR. MILTON STORY BRIRY was born in Bowdoin, May 17, 1825. His grandfather was Thomas Briry, who came to Maine from Lincolnshire, England, about the time of the Revolution, and settled in Bowdoin. Joseph, the youngest of his sons, was the father of Doctor Briry, who was educated at Litchfield Academy; studied medicine at the Bowdoin Medical School, after which he was assistant to Doctor Haley at Quebec. From there he came to Bath and studied the homoeopathic system of medical treatment with Dr. William E. Payne, and settled in this city in practice, which he has continued to the present time with success, sustaining an extensive practice.  During Doctor Briry's residence in Bath he has taken a prominent part in municipal affairs, having served four years as a member of the Common Council, three years on the Board of Aldermen, on that of the overseers of the poor twenty-two years, physician to the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home eight years, and to the Old Ladies Home many years. He has always been closely identified with the temperance cause as one of its most active workers, never prescribing liquor in any form in his practice. Doctor Briry's children are: Ernest M., Edward E., Mary E., John F., and William L. Briry.

ELISHA CLARKE was a descendant of Col. Matthew Clarke, who fought at the siege of Londonderry, Ireland, in 1689, and who afterward settled on a royal grant of land in this country, and was given the title of "fighting parson" by becoming a Presbyterian pastor.  Elisha Clark was born in Bristol, Me.; when fourteen years of age removed to Hallowell and fitted for college at the Hallowell Academy, also learning the printers' trade.  In 1836 he married Sarah Mansfield and moved to Bath, having purchased the Maine Gazette and Inquirer and merged it into the Lincoln Telegraph.  In 1846 he purchased and established a bookstore.  While still in this business he accepted the position, also, of manager of The Daily Tribune.  Mr. Clarke with E. Roberts afterwards bought the Tribune, and Mr. Clarke took editorial charge.  In a short time he sold his interest in the paper and entered the Custom House as deputy collector, which office he held for twenty years, when failing health obliged him to give up business cares.  He died November 23, 1884.  He was state senator in 1853 and 1854.  He was a member of the Masonic Solar Lodge and of Dunlap Commandery, Knights Templar; a charter member of Lincoln Lodge, I. O. O. F., and a Past Grand Master of the State Encampment of the United States with John T. Gilman, E. S. J. Nealley, and others.  He was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, being made president of its first conference, a delegate of Wesley to the Methodist Centennial, for years superintendent of the Sunday School, and a member of the official board of the church.  Mr. Clarke was twice married; his second wife was Miss Jane Moore of Waltham, Mass., who survived him.  His only son is Charles Davenport Clarke, the founder and for thirteen years editor of the Bath Independent.

CHARLES ALBERT COOMBS was born in Brunswick, October 17, 1836, came to Bath when a youth, and was educated in the public and private schools.  In commencing his business life he served as clerk in several stores, and at the age of nineteen went into the grocery business on his own account, afterwards a partner in the firm of Moore & Coombs.  He went to the far western country in 1857; was one of General Lane's celebrated Kansas rangers during the Kansas-Nebraska difficulties; then became a pioneer to Colorado in the spring of 1859 in the pursuit of gold mining; traveled in Texas and New Mexico; returned to Bath; was the very first to enroll in his name under the first call for troops at the commencement of the Rebellion; was mustered in Company A, Third Maine Regiment of three years' men, of which O. O. Howard was Colonel; was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks in June, 1862, and taken to David's Island, on Long Island Sound, to recruit; returned to the army in May, 1863, as clerk in the Quartermaster's department, served in that capacityin Sheridan's Cavalry until the close of the war; returning to Bath he went to Canada in the oil business; coming back to the States he entered upon his subsequent career of railroad employ; was three and a half years, in 1867 and 1871, station agent at Lewiston; was appointed the first superintendent of the Knox & Lincoln Railroad, in September, 1871; resigned March 31, 1886, to accept the office of general manager of the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western Road; when that road was sold to the Fitchburg Company he became general manager of the New York & Northern; resigned in one year to accept the general management of the Annapolis & Baltimore Road, which position he still holds, while his family continues to reside in Bath, where he married, July, 1866, Miss Mary Elizabeth Cowin, daughter of Capt. Joseph Cowen.  They have had one son and two daughters.  Mrs. Coombs was born in Bath in 1840.  When Mr. Coombs resigned from the superintendency of the Knox & Lincoln Road his friends in Bath gave, in his honor, a banquet at the Sagadahoc House, with numerous guests.

JOHN M. CUSHING was born on Lees Island, Phipsburg, February 26, 1851; came to Bath, when three years old, with his father, Samuel W. Cushing; graduated from the high school in the class of 1868; commenced a sea-faring life, in November of the same year, in the ship Ellen Goodspeed; subsequently went in other Bath and Brunswick ships; became captain in December, 1872, in command of the ship John O. Baker of Brunswick, when twenty-one years of age; in November, 1875, took charge of the ship Oregon; later was in the employ of the Red Star Line of steamers, plying between New York and Antwerp; was in the ship brokerage business at Puget Sound four years; came back and was in the employ of the American Line of steamers, running between Philadelphia and Liverpool; in August, 1886, was chief executive officer of the Vanderbilt steam yacht, Alva; in June, 1887, took charge of the steam yacht, Susquehanna, owned by Mr. Joseph Stickney, and is now in command and part owner of a ship. He married Emma Smith, of Bangor, December 31, 1872, and has two boys and a girl, She died in February, 1884.

SAMUEL DAYTON CUSHING was born in Phipsburg, March 30, 1853; graduated at the Bath High School in 1871; went to Europe in September, 1872, and pursued the study of music at Leipsic, Germany, three years, as also at London, where he took lessons on the organ six weeks; returning home he became organist for the Springfield, Mass., Congregational Church, at the same time teaching music; from thence went to Toledo, Ohio, where he is organist for a Congregational Society of that city.

CHARLES ELBRIDGE CUSHING was born in Bath, August 11, 1863; graduated at the Bath High School in 1881, and Yale College in 1885, on which occasion he was class poet and the poem was published in book form; taught school in New Jersey one year, and then at Yonkers, N. Y., and later in the Commercial College at Portland; thence went to the City of Colorado Springs, Colo., where he was engaged in teaching; and went to Europe in 1890. He is now teaching in his brother's school at Dobbs Ferry.
The youngest son of S. W. Cushing is Frank Delano Cushing, born in Bath, December 15, 1871, and who is in Westminster School preparing to enter college.

SAMUEL WOODARD CUSHING was born in Phipsburg, July 27, 1821.  He is a descendant of the ancient families of Philbrook, Cushing and McCobb.  Mr. Cushing obtained such an education as was afforded by the public schools of that day, together with three yeas in school in Bangor.  During his stay in Phipsburg his home was on Lees Island, where his immediate ancestors resided owning this notable island.  In 1854 Mr. Cushing transferred his residence to Bath, where he pursued trade with success, retiring therefrom in 1892.  September 26, 1848, he married, in Phipsburg, Miss Mary Ann Mereen, daughter of Capt. Abel Mereen, who was born July 26, 1831.  They have five sons and two daughters, who have been well educated at high schools and colleges, five of them becoming teachers in the higher departments of learning.
     William Lee Cushing was born in Phipsburg, July 24, 1849; graduated at the Bath High School in 1868, entered Yale College in 1869 and graduated with the degree of A. M. in 1872; taught school in New Haven, Conn., - Hopkins Preparatory School - several years; went to Europe and spent four years studying at Athens; returned to this country in 1887; became teacher in Yale College.  In 1889 he founded "Westminster School" at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y., which he is conducting successfully.  April 6, 1876, he married Miss Mary Strong, of Hartford, and they have three children.  In the spring of 1891 he went on a trip to Europe.
     John M. Cushing was born on Lees Island, Phipsburg, February 26, 1851; came to Bath, when three years old, with his father, Samuel W. Cushing; graduated from the high school in the class of 1868; commenced a sea-faring life, in November of the same year, in the ship Ellen Goodspeed; subsequently went in other Bath and Brunswick ships; became captain in December, 1872, in command of the ship John O. Baker of Brunswick, when twenty-one years of age; in November, 1875, took charge of the ship Oregon; later was in the employ of the Red Star Line of steamers, plying between New York and Antwerp; was in the ship brokerage business at Puget Sound four years; came back and was in the employ of the American Line of steamers, running between Philadelphia and Liverpool; in August, 1886, was chief executive officer of the vanderpool; in August, 1886, was chief executive officer of the Vanderbuilt steam yacht, Alva; in June, 1887, took charge of the steam yacht, Susquehanna, owned by Mr. Joseph Stickney, and is now in command and part owner of a ship.  He married Emma Smith, of Bangor, December 31, 1872, and has two boys and a girl.  She died in February, 1884.
     Samuel Dayton Cushing was born in Phipsburg, March 30, 1853; graduated at the Bath High School in 1871; went to Europe in September, 1872, and pursued the study of music at Leipsic, the organ six weeks; returning home he became organist for the Springfield, Mass., Congregational Church, at the same time teaching music; from thence went to Toledo, Ohio, where he is organist for a Congregational Society of that city.
     Charles Elbridge Cushing was born in Bath, August 11, 1863; graduated at the Bath High School in 1881, and Yale College in 1885, on which occasion he was class poet and the poem was published in book form; taught school in New Jersey one year, and then at Yonkers, N. W., and later in the Commercial College at Portland; thence went to the City of Colorado Springs, Colo., where he was engaged in teaching; and went to Europe in 1890.  He is now teaching in his brother's school at Dobbs Ferry.
     The youngest son of S. W. Cushing, is Frank Delano Cushing, born in Bath, December 15, 1871, and who is in Westminster School preparing to enter college.

WILLIAM LEE CUSHING was born in Phipsburg, July 24, 1849; graduated at the Bath High School in 1868, entered Yale College in 1869 and graduated with the degree of A. M. in 1872; taught school in New Haven, Conn.,—Hopkins Preparatory School—several years; went to Europe and spent four years studying at Athens; returned to this country in 1887 ; became teacher in Yale College. In 1889 he founded "Westminster School" at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y., which he is conducting successfully. April 6, 1876, he married Miss Mary Strong, of Hartford, and they have three children. In the spring of 1891 he went on a trip to Europe.