Cumberland County, Maine – Maresha S. Spear
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Biography
Maresha S. Spear
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 135-136

Maresha S. Spear, a prominent business man of Standish, Me., was born in this
town September 10, 1856. He is a son of Eli A. Spear, who after many years of
industrial activity is now living in retirement.

Mr. Spear's grandfather, William Spear, followed his trade of a cabinet-maker in
Standish a large part of his life, and in addition owned a farm, which he
managed successfully. He worked hard at his trade, having little machinery to
help him. Among other things then made by hand were coffins, which were made to
order after the death of a person. William Spear made the first hearse used in
this vicinity, building it on a dead axle. He married Rebecca Ayer; and of their
six children five are now living, namely: Eli A.; Louisa, wife of Isaac T.
Boothby, of this town, who has three children - Cyrus, Sarah L., and Frank M.;
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Gardner, who. first married William Lee, by whom she had two
children - George and Frederick ; Frank, whose wife, Sarah Fabyan, of Portland,
died, leaving five children- George, William, Mary Ellen, Lizzie, and Benjamin;
and Marilla, now Mrs. William Dyer, whose first husband, A. Files, died, leaving
her four children, two of whom are living - Hattie and Lizzie.

Eli A. Spear engaged in agricultural labors during his earlier years in
Standish, but subsequently went into the grocery business at North Buxton,
continuing about seven years. On moving back to his farm in this town, he
established himself in the undertaking business, which he carried on
successfully until 1879, when he sold out to his son Maresha, with whom he now
makes his home. In politics he has ever supported the Republican ticket. To him
and his wife, Mary Ann Hamlin, daughter of Jacob Hamlin, of Buxton, nine
children were born, eight of whom are living, named as follows: Etta, Augustus,
Anna, Ella, James F., Willard W., Maresha S., and Lizzie. Etta Spear, the
eldest, has been three times married, and is now a widow. By her first husband,
Darius Flood, she had two children, Annie and Emma; and by her third, John Mayo,
she has three children - Sadie, Preston, and George. Augustus A. married Sarah
Hoddon, of Ossipee, N.H. and they have one child, Lena. Anna, wife of Andrew
Palmer, of Buxton, has two children-George and Clara. Ella, wife of Alvin E.
Fuller; of Steep Falls, has four children - Charles W., William, Jennie, and
Edwinna. James F. married Marion Bond, of Standish, and has four children - Fred
B., Charles I., Roy, and Risper. Willard W. married Laura Allen, of Westbrook;
and they have four children - Ola, Carroll, Hattie, and Vernie. Lizzie, wife of
B. M. Jenness, of Springvale, Me., has one child, Delbert Jenness. The mother,
who died in 1873, was an active member of the Methodist church, to which her
husband belongs.

Maresha S. Spear was brought up and educated in Standish; and, after leaving
school, he began working for his father. Intelligent, diligent, and ambitious,
in a few years he became competent to take entire charge of both the farm and
the undertaking business, which he bought of his father in 1879, and has since
conducted. With characteristic enterprise, in 1886 he built his present store,
and besides his former business took up carriage painting. Succeeding well in
his new venture, Mr. Spear the next year added furniture to his stock in trade,
and has since put in an assortment of crockery, carpets, wall paper, and other
goods kept in a general house-furnishing store, his establishment being well
patronized. Mr. Spear is a member of the Methodist church of North Buxton, and
politically is a stanch Republican. He is a member of Saco Valley Lodge, No. 43,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of West Buxton.

On February 19, 1881, Mr. Spear was united in marriage with Lydia O. Hamlin,
daughter of Cotton Hamlin, of this place. They have two children: Arthur G.,
born March 23, 1883; and Walter M., born May 23, 1886.