Cumberland County, Maine - Benjamin S. Skillings
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Biography
Benjamin S. Skillings
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 383


Benjamin S. Skillings, a highly intelligent farmer and representative citizen of
Otisfield, is a native of Harrison, Cumberland County, born August 26, 1833, son
of Merrill and Fannie (Stewart) Skillings. His paternal grandfather, John
Skillings, removed to Harrison from Gorham, Me.

Merrill Skillings was born in Gorham, September 28, 1803. In his boyhood he
removed with his parents to Harrison, which was his home for a number of years.
He learned the trade of a stone cutter, and thereafter followed that occupation
during the summer season. His chief employment in winter was cutting timber. In
1834 he settled at Bolster's Mills village, in Harrison township, where the
remaining years of his life were passed, and where he died March 16, 1874. His
wife, Miss Fannie Stewart before marriage, was born in Harrison, December 10,
1806. She survived her husband three years, dying November 8, 1877. They were
the parents of eight children, namely: Eliza A., born October 13, 1825, who is
now the widow of the late William C. Hobbs, and resides in Abilene, Kan.;
Caroline, born June to, 1827, who died September 28, 1828; Harriett E., born
November 14, 1829, who is the wife of O. D. Hancock, of Bolster's Mills village;
Merrill A., born April 2, 1831, who married Miss Maria Rich, and resides in
Harrison, where he is successfully engaged in farming; Benjamin S., the subject
of this sketch; Sarah, born December 24, 1834, who is the widow of the late
Whitman Weston, and makes her home with her brother Isaac in Harrison; Caroline,
born August 14, 1836, who is the wife of George B. Dorman, of Auburn, Me.; and
Isaac S., a tradesman of Bolster's Mills village, who married Miss Alma Edwards.

Benjamin S. Skillings has had the advantage of a thorough common school
education. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age. During the
succeeding four years he was employed on different farms in the county. At the
end of that time, on account of poor health, he decided to try a new line of
work, and started as a pedler of general merchandise, including dry goods and
groceries, throughout Oxford and Cumberland Counties. This proved a successful
venture, and he continued in it without interruption for twelve years. He then
settled down to farming for himself, carrying on in connection therewith a
considerable trade in livestock. He has made various improvements in his farm,
which contains about one hundred and twenty-three acres of land.

In June, 1857, he was united in matrimony with Miss Mary S. Scribner, of
Harrison. She was born in Otisfield, April 12, 1830, daughter of Clements
Scribner. Mr. Scribner, who was an early settler of this town, died April 18,
1881. His wife's death occurred July 29, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Skillings have had a
son and two daughters, all of whom are living. They are: James Sumner, born
February 12, 1859, who married Miss Lilla Jillson, and lives with his wife under
the parental roof-tree; Fannie S., born March 24, 1863, who married Arthur E.
Tyler, a farmer of Mason, Me.; and Carrie, born December 2, 1866, the wife of
Fred C. Weston, a farmer, residing in Bolster's Mills village. Their parents
were careful to have each furnished with a good practical education. As a
politician Mr. Skillings is well known throughout the county, being one of the
leading canvassers for the Republican party. For the past five years he has
served as Deputy Sheriff. In 1878 he was elected Selectman, and is now holding
that office, having served eight years in all. He is a member of Crooked River
Lodge, No. 152, A. F. & A. M., of Otisfield, and also belongs to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Skillings are attendants of the Free Baptist
Church at Bolster's Mills.