Cumberland County, Maine – Alonzo Hight
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Biography
Alonzo Hight
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine 
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 77-78

Alonzo Hight, Inspector of Customs at the United States custom-house at
Portland, was born September 20, 1846, in Saco, Me. His grandfather, Dr. Samuel
Hight, was engaged as a tiller of the soil at Dayton, York County. He had
studied medicine; and, when a young man, he served as surgeon on board a
privateer. While thus employed, he was taken prisoner and carried to Dartmouth,
N.S. On his escape he returned to Dayton, where he lived until retiring from
active labor, when he removed to Biddeford, where he passed his last years,
dying at the advanced age of eightysix years. Elisha Hight, father of Alonzo,
was born in Dayton, York County, where he learned and for some time carried on
the trade of harness-making. He was subsequently engaged in the same occupation
at Saco for many years before his demise in May, 1875. He was a soldier in the
late Civil War, serving at the front with the brave boys of the Fourteenth Maine
Volunteer Infantry. He married Miss Isabelle Milliken, daughter of Joel
Milliken, of North Saco, when they were both very young, his bride being but
sixteen years of age. They became the parents of thirteen children, seven of
whom are still living - Charles, a resident of Saco; Alonzo, the subject of this
notice; Anna, the wife of J. H. Ramsey, of Portland; George E., of this city;
Luella, wife of William E. Noble, of Chelsea, Me.; Herbert and William E., also
residents of Saco. Both the father and mother were prominent members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, the mother being still an active church worker. Mr.
Milliken, a farmer by occupation, was of pioneer ancestry. His grandfather, an
early settler of Saco, was killed by the Indians.

Alonzo Hight received a practical education in the common schools of Saco. After
leaving school he worked with his father at the harness trade for a time. When
seventeen years old he ran away from home, and enlisted in the navy, from which
his father afterward obtained his release. In January, 1865, he enlisted in
Company K, Thirtieth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed with his
regiment in the Shenandoah Valley until the assassination of Lincoln, when the
regiment was sent to guard Washington, remaining there until after the Grand
Review. The men expected then to be sent home, but instead were ordered to
Savannah, Ga., where they did garrison duty until September, when they were
remanded to Portland, Me., here receiving their discharge. Mr. Hight was
subsequently engaged in various occupations. He had charge of J. W. Beatty's
belt factory at Saco for a time, and continued in the manufacturing business for
ten years. While a resident of that city, he served as Ward Clerk one year,
Councilman from Ward 4 one year, and Alderman from the same ward, being elected
on the Democratic ticket two years. In the fall of 1886 he received the
appointment of Special Inspector; and in the following spring President
Cleveland appointed him Regular Inspector, an office which he has since ably
filled. For the past six winters Mr. Hight has had to examine all the baggage
and freight coming into this port over the Allan and Dominion lines of steamers
plying between here and Liverpool via Halifax, during the cold weather, and all
the goods brought in on the ocean boats throughout each year. On his appointment
to this important office Mr. Hight moved to Portland, where he now makes his
home.

On October 3, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Foster, daughter
of Stephen and Abigail Foster, of South Thomaston, this State. Five children
have been born of the union, four of whom are living. These are: Bert C. and
Arthur L., who are with the Portland company; Mabel C., the wife of Walter
Anderson, of this city; and Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Hight are highly esteemed
throughout the community, and are regular attendants of the Congregational
church. Mr. Hight is a charter member of Fred S. Gurney Post, No. 36, of Saco,
and belongs to Trinity Lodge, Knights of Pythias of Portland.