Cumberland County, Maine - David F. Files ********************************************************************** 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 David F. Files Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 301 David F. Files, a native of Gorham, Me., occupying the ancestral homestead of the Files family in this town, was born on March 3, 1833. He comes of Colonial stock, being a great-grandson of William Files, who was one of the early settlers of this section of Cumberland County, being known as the "old Ranger." He was of English descent, and took an active part in the French and Indian War. He acquired a large tract of wild land, from which he reclaimed a farm, and built thereon the house that is now the home of his descendant above named, who is one of the posterity of his youngest son, Samuel. Samuel Files inherited the brave spirit of his forefathers, and was a patriotic soldier of the Revolutionary War. He followed farming as his occupation, continuing his residence in Gorham. To him and his wife, Esther Thomas, nine children were born, Stephen, father of David, being the youngest. Grandfather Files was a Whig in politics, and he was a member of the Congregational church. Stephen Files, born in 1800 in Gorham, was a shoemaker, and worked at his trade nearly his entire life, but passed his declining years restfully on the old homestead. On October 21, 1828, he married Eunice Freeman, daughter of David Freeman, of this town, and by this union had four children, two of whom are now living - David F. and Susan A. The latter is the widow of Paul R. Seavey, of Bangor, and has two children - Mary Ellen and Haller D. Stephen Files died April 15, 1882; and his wife, January 6, 1885. Both were faithful members of the Methodist church, and he was a Republican in politics. David F. Files completed his course of education in Portland, where he afterward learned the trade of an iron moulder, of E. Orcutt & Co. In 1847 he began working for Prince's Express Company in Portland, remaining thus employed ten years; and in 1857 he returned to the old homestead at West Gorham, where he has since been engaged in general farming. He has one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, about seventy-five being under cultivation. He makes a specialty of dairying, sending his milk to Boston, Mass., having an excellent trade in this product. Mr. Files was first married January 1, 1858, to Fanny S., daughter of Charles Curtis, of Belfast, Me. Their wedded life was but of three short months' duration, as she was called to pass from earthly scenes on April 15, 1858. On June 6, 1861, he was again married, Morgia, daughter of S. Eastman, of Lovell, Me., becoming his second wife. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Files, and eight are now living, the following being a brief record: Charles E., born September 7, 1863, resides in Boston; Carrie W., born July 3, 1865, is a nurse in the hospital at Bangor, Me.; Vane E., born May 5, 1867, is a mason by trade, working in Boston; Harry P., born July 3, 1869, is employed by the Walworth Manufacturing Company in Boston; Stephen C., born May 12, 1871, is at home; Nettie S., born August 24, 1873, is employed by Mr. John S. Palmer, milliner, in Portland; William R., born March 11, 1875, is a student at the Maine State College in Orono ; and Katherine M., born April 28, 1876, lives with her parents. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Files are Congregationalists, and in politics he is a firm Republican. Socially, Mr. Files is a Mason -and an Odd Fellow, belonging to Harmony Lodge, No. 38, of Gorham, and to Gorham Lodge, No. 98, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.