Cumberland County, Maine - Alexander Stevenson
**********************************************************************
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
Alexander Stevenson
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 278-279


Alexander Stevenson, formerly an expert wool-dyer and later a successful
clothing merchant of Westbrook, died at his home in this city in 1894. He was
born in Scotland, February 10, 1845, and was a son of Francis and Jean Jeanette
(Miller) Stevenson. Wool-dyeing appears pears to have been the hereditary
occupation of the family, as it was the trade of his father and of his paternal
grandfather, who lived and died in Scotland. Francis Stevenson, who was born in
Stirling, Scotland, emigrated with his family in 1856 to the United States, and
settled in Clinton, Mass., where he was employed in the woollen factories,
residing there for the rest of his life. He was an industrious and reliable
workman; and, becoming a citizen of the United States, he supported the
Republican party in politics, and in his religious belief was a
Congregationalist. His wife, Jeanette Miller, who was a native of Scotland,
became the mother of nine children, five of whom are living, namely: Frank, a
resident of Meriden, Conn.; John, who is engaged in the clothing business in
Wallingford, Conn.; Jeanette, wife of N. J. Harding, of Clinton, Mass.; William,
who resides in Clinton; and Maggie, wife of M. J. Dougan, of Worcester, Mass.

Alexander Stevenson acquired his education in the public schools of Clinton;
and, after completing his course of study, he went to Utica, N.Y., where he
served an apprenticeship of one and one-half years in the wool-dyeing business
under a Mr. Steele, a master dyer in the woolen-mills of that city. While in
Utica he pursued a business course at the commercial college; and, after he had
learned the dyer's trade, he went to Bridgton, Me., where he took charge of the
dyeing department of the Pondicherry woolen-mills, which had just been erected,
and he cleansed and dyed the first batch of wool ever used in those mills. He
was connected with the Pondicherry mills for twenty-one years, during which time
he secured a high reputation throughout the State as an expert dyer; and his
services commanded a handsome income. H e owned real estate in Bridgton,
together with other valuable property; and while residing there he was actively
interested in both the social and political welfare of the town. In 1886 he
moved to Westbrook, where he entered the clothing business in company with his
brother-in-law, Leander Clements, under the firm name of Clements & Co.; and,
purchasing his partner's interest four years later, he carried on the business
successfully until his death, which took place as above stated. While conducting
business in Westbrook, he was induced by Ayer & Houston, the hat manufacturers
of Portland, who had much difficulty in obtaining a fast black color for their
goods, , to come to their assistance with his ripened knowledge and experience.
He labored in their interest for six months with such success that at the end of
that time the firm offered him the entire charge of their factory, but he
declined to accept.

Although naturally of a domestic turn of mind, preferring to pass his moments of
leisure with his family, Mr. Stevens displayed a deep interest in the fraternal
Orders. He was well advanced in Masonry, having been Master of Oriental Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., of Bridgton; had passed through the different chairs of the Royal
Arch Chapter; and was a member of Lewiston Commandery, Knights Templars. He was
also a charter member of Highland Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Bridgton. In
politics he was a Democrat; and, while not taking any active part in public
affairs, he sought by the aid of his vote to secure the proper administration.
In his religious views he was a Universalist.

On November 12, 1866, Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage to Abbie E. Alley,
daughter of E. T. Alley, of Bridgton. By this union there is but one son, Frank,
who has succeeded his father in business. Frank Stevenson has already developed
a thorough capacity for mercantile pursuits, and is at the present time the
youngest merchant in Westbrook. He is bright, energetic, and particularly
agreeable in his manners, and is very popular, both socially and in a business
way. Mrs. Stevenson, who survives her husband, is still residing in Westbrook.
An intelligent, liberal-minded lady, she is highly esteemed by her many friends
and acquaintances.