Cumberland County, Maine - Jerry A. Chase ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com Copyright (c) 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Jerry A. Chase Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 310-311 Jerry A. Chase is one of a family of seven stalwart sons born to Thomas and Louisa (Coffin) Chase, of Freeport, Me., both of whom were representatives of prominent pioneer settlers of this part of Cumberland County. The Chase family originated in England. Thomas Chase and his brother Aquila were early settlers in Hampton, N.H., whence in 1640 Aquila Chase removed to Newbury, Mass. Another of this race, named William, came over with Winthrop in 1630, and settled in Roxbury, Mass. Descendants of these three immigrants are dispersed throughout the United States, the family records containing many noted names, among them the late Chief Justice of the United States, Salmon P. Chase, and his uncle, Philander Chase, who was Bishop of Ohio and afterward of Illinois. William Chase, the paternal grandfather of Mr. Jerry A. Chase and his brothers, was among the early settlers of this town. He cleared and improved a farm at Flying Point, where his death occurred at an advanced age. He married a Miss Anderson, the daughter of a pioneer farmer, and they reared eight children; namely, Margaret, Betsey, William, Jane, Clarissa, Rebecca, Thomas, and George. Of these Mrs. Rebecca Means, of Portland, is the only one now living. Thomas Chase, son of William, was born in Freeport, December 23, 1801, and in early life became a mariner, going first to sea as a sailor before the mast, and later as a ship captain. About twenty years of his life he spent on the sea, and in that time was commander of many as good ships as ever sailed from port; but the one dearest to him was the ship "Louisa," which was built for him in this town, and named for his beloved wife. His marriage with Louisa Coffin was solemnized November 14, 1825. She was a daughter of Jeremiah and Olive (Thompson) Coffin, and was born July 20, 1807, in the house now occupied by their son Jerry, this house having been her only home, her birth, marriage, and death occurring within its walls. In 1875 the golden anniversary of their union was celebrated, at which time all of their seven sons were living; and all, with one exception, participated in the joyous festivities of that occasion. The record of the seven sons is thus given: Thomas F., born October 20, 1826, died, a widower, in this town, January 13, 1894. Quincy A., born November 2, 1830, is a music dealer in Oakland, Cal., and a Republican in politics. He married for his first wife, Josephine Cummings, who died, leaving three children- Edward C., Charles, and Louisa. He wedded for his second wife Eunice Ball, and they have two children George D. and Helen. William I., a mechanic, living in this place, married Almira B. Rogers, by whom he has three children - Louisa, Everett A., and Albra A. Jerry A., an independent in politics, born April 14, 1835, is unmarried, and is engaged in general farming on the old Coffin homestead. Edward J., born October 9, 1838, has lived in the West thirty- seven years, his home being now in Oakland, Cal., where he is a retired police officer, although he still owns a home in Freeport. He married Elizabeth Lunt; and they have one son, Edward L. Charles M. Chase, born February 19, 1843, lives in this town, being engaged in mechanical pursuits. He married Ellen Melcher; and they are the parents of three children - Della F., Quincy, and Harold. Andrew K., born December 15, 1850, married Charlotte Marshall, and, after his removal to California, died, up in the mountains, April 21, 1885. These sons are all men of industry and thrift, having inherited the self-reliant and sterling qualities of their sturdy ancestors, and are held in the highest regard as citizens of worth. With the exception of Jerry and Charles, who are independent in politics, all are true-blue Republicans. Jeremiah Coffin, their maternal grandfather, settled in Freeport when this section of the country was in its primeval wildness, and here built more than a century ago, with a stout frame of oak, the house in which he spent the remainder of his life, and where his children and his daughter's children were born, his grandson Jerry still occupying it. Much of the timber that Mr. Coffin hewed down in clearing his farm was used in ship building. He here continued engaged in agricultural labors until his death at the comparatively early age of threescore years. His wife, Olive, survived him, attaining the venerable age of ninety-two years. They reared a large family of children, five sons and an equal number of daughters, namely: Olive; Ansel; Louisa, the wife of Thomas Chase; Cordelia; Constant; Jeremiah; Roxanna; and three who died in infancy. The Coffin family were of English extraction, and their coat of arms is preserved by the Chase heirs. Thomas Chase was a very active and prominent citizen of this part of Cumberland County, standing high in the estimation of -his fellow-townsmen, being identified in his last years with the interests of the Democratic party, having formerly been a Whig. He was an acknowledged and consistent Christian, being a strong Universalist in faith. For more than fifty years he was prominent in Masonic circles, having been one of the early members of Freeport Lodge, No. 23, A. F. & A. M. He died January 27, 1883.