Cumberland County, Maine - Edwin A. Holbrook
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Biography
Edwin A.  Holbrook
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 397

Edwin A. Holbrook, conducting a profitable carriage-manufacturing business in
the village of Otisfield, is a native of Oxford, Oxford County, born May 25,
1831, son of Henry and Judith (Holmes) Holbrook. Henry Holbrook, who was born in
Mendon, Mass., on September 1, 1786, remained with his parents during his
minority. He then came to Oxford, Me., and engaged in farming. A carpenter and
joiner, he also followed those trades whenever the opportunity offered. He
continued to reside on his farm until within a few years of his death, when he
retired, to the village of Oxford. His wife, Judith, who was born in Oxford,
April 29, 1792, died in Otisfield. The fruit of their union was nine children,
namely: Seth T., born December 17, 1819, who died January 29, 1893; Henry, who
died March 20, 1881; Gennett, born November 23, 1822, who died November 21,
1886; two unnamed children, twins, that died in infancy; William Gennett, born
May 19, 1829, who died August 7, 1836; Edwin Augustus, born May 25, 1831;
William Gennett, born March 7, 1833, who died May 7, 1833; and one unnamed
child, who also died in infancy.

Edwin A. Holbrook, equipped with a practical, common school education, started
out at nineteen years of age to make his way in the world. The following year he
was employed in a cabinet-maker's shop in Norway, Me. Returning to Oxford, he
then worked at carpentry for a number of months. He then took advantage of an
opportunity to learn carriage painting, and was thereafter engaged in that
business in Casco, this county, for five years. After his marriage he again
returned to Oxford, and opened a shop for the manufacture and repair of
carriages, conducting that business successfully for two years. He next went to
Livermore, Me., where he took up the same line of business; but he sold it in
1864, two years later, and came to Otisfield. Here he purchased the building now
used as his carriage shop, where for over thirty years he has carried on a
successful business. In addition to conducting his shop, he holds the agency of
the Charter Gas Engine Company of Sterling, Ill.

On December 22, 1856, Mr. Holbrook was joined in matrimony with Miss Sarah
Whitmore, who was born in Windham, this county, August 1, 1838, daughter of
Benjamin and Sarah (Cressey) Whitmore. Her father, a blacksmith by trade, died
at Auburn, Me., July 28, 1870. Her mother's death occurred at Greenwood, Me.,
September 30, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook's home has been blessed by the birth
of two sons - Frank A. and Charles. Frank A., born December 4, 1857, a cabinet-
maker by trade, living in Malden, married Miss Lalia J. Parker, who has borne
him two sons-Charles Henry, born October 28, 1885; and Parker, born September
20, 1888. Charles, born April 11, 1859, was a printer, married Miss Emma E.
Keene, now living in Mechanic Falls, Me., and died January 24, 1890. Both sons
had good educational advantages. Mr. Holbrook has always been a supporter of
Democratic principles, but his attention has been devoted principally to his
business. Beginning with very scanty resources outside of his native tact and
ability, he has worked his way well up on the ladder of success, and is looked
upon as one of the most enterprising men of the town of Otisfield.