Cumberland County, Maine - Benjamin F. Stanley ********************************************************************** 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 Benjamin F. Stanley Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 219-220 Benjamin F. Stanley, who conducts a good farm in the town of Harrison, was born in York County, Maine, December 5, 1830, son of Benjamin and Lydia E. (Thompson) Stanley. His father was a native of Sanford, Me., born July 26, 1799. In early manhood he worked for a time in Cambridge; but in 1832 he settled upon a farm in Harrison, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1863, when he enlisted as a private in Company G, Twenty-ninth Maine Volunteers. He died June 29, 1864, while on his way home from New Orleans by water, and was buried at sea. His death was a loss to the town as a useful and esteemed citizen. His wife, Lydia E. Thompson, who was a native of Sanford, became the mother of five children, as follows: Benjamin F., the subject of this sketch; Harriet, born October 27, 1832, married I. P. Roberts, and resides in Milwaukee, Wis.; Cyrus K., born February 10, 1835, is now deceased; Lydia, born March 4, 1839, died February 28, 1855; and Martha L., who was born April 18, 1841, married J. F. Wight, and resides in Wellesley Hills, Mass. The mother died November 22, 1889. Benjamin F. Stanley obtained his education in the common schools of Harrison, and at the age of eighteen found employment as a hotel clerk in Harmony, Me. In 1851 he went to Bangor, this State, where he was employed in the sawmills upon the Penobscot River, remaining there until 1853, when he returned to Harrison, and, with his father, settled upon his present farm. They considerably improved the property before his father's death; and Mr. Stanley now owns one hundred acres of valuable land, which he devotes principally to the cultivation of hay and corn. He is an admirer and breeder of good stock, raising some fine specimens of Hereford and Durham cattle. On September 21, 1851, Mr. Stanley was united in marriage to Elizabeth Graves, who was born in Athens, Me., daughter of Thomas Graves, her father being no longer living. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have two children, namely: Fanny L., born December 19, 1852, resides with her parents; George F., born December 10, 1854, married a Miss Burke, of Rowley, Mass., and also at this date resides at home. Mr. Stanley is widely known and equally esteemed by his fellow-townsmen, among whom he occupies a prominent position; and he is a leader in all matters relative to the general welfare of the community. Though not an aspirant for political honors, he takes a lively interest in public affairs, and supports the Republican party at the polls.