Cumberland County, Maine - Hon. Philander Tolman ********************************************************************** 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 © 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Hon. Philander Tolman Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 549-450 Hon. Philander Tolman, now living in retirement at Greenwood Villa, his home on the shore of Long Lake, Harrison, was born in Troy, N.H., June 13, 1818. His parents, Henry and Mary (Harris) Tolman, were also natives of Troy, N.H. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Tolman, who was a soldier in Washington's army, was born in Dorchester, Mass. The house where Benjamin's birth occurred, known as the old Tolman residence, is still standing, and has been occupied by successive generations of the Tolman family ever since the days of the Revolution. Henry Tolman, the father of the Hon. Mr. Tolman, was for years engaged in the manufacture of pottery. He moved from Troy, N.H., to Sterling, Mass., where he became very prominent as a manufacturer and as a man of much public spirit. He died March 6, 1851; and his wife's death occurred August 5, 1857. They were the parents of eleven children, namely: Charles M., born January 21, 1807, who died December 27, 1830; Nancy, born June 17, 1808, who died October 23, 1860; Henry, Jr., born August 13, 1809, who died August 10, 1892; Elisha N., born June 17, 1811, who died January 16, 1875; Daniel, born November 7, 1812, who died in October, 1885; Mary, born May 5, 1814, who died February 21, 1888; Jacob M., born January 2, 1816, who died December 8, 1873; James, born May 6, 1817, who died January 28, 1821; Philander, the subject of this sketch; Sarah Ann, born December 31, 1824, who died November 2, 1844; and Melvina, born May 11, 1828, the wife of Frank Osborn, of Fitchburg, Mass. Philander Tolman received his early education in the public schools of his native county. When seventeen years of age he went to, Worcester, Mass., and entered the Washburn wire mills as an apprentice. There he remained twelve years, becoming a most skilled workman. In 1848 he went to Harrison, Me., which was then but a straggling village, and started in the manufacture of all kinds of iron and-steel wire. His first business associate was a Mr. Farley, and the enterprise was incorporated under the firm name of Farley & Tolman. They erected a mammoth building, which soon became the home of a thriving industry. As the business grew, so grew the town. In 1853 Mr. Tolman purchased his partner's interest, and from that time forward the firm was known as P. Tolman & Co. Mr. Tolman was also for some time extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1888 he disposed of all his business interests, and retired to Greenwood Villa, an estate of sixty acres, which is one of the most beautiful country- seats in Cumberland County. Mr. Tolman's enterprise has been a most important factor in the up building of Harrison and the improvement of the country around. A self-made man, he has not only made his own way up the hill of success, but has aided many others in the difficult climb. It is such men as he, steady, self-reliant, enterprising, that have built up the industries of the country, and enabled it to compete in the markets of the world. On November 3, 1841, while a resident of Worcester, Mass., Mr. Tolman was united in marriage with Miss Laura Kelton. She was born in Warwick, Mass., February 11, 1814, daughter of James Kelton, a well-to-do farmer and lifelong resident of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Tolman celebrated with zest their golden wedding on November 3, 1891. They have had eight children, as follows: Frank Warren, born August 13, 1842, who died July 14, 1877; leaving a widow, Hattie A. (Morton) Tolman, and one child; George Watson, born April 4, 1845, who died September 5, 1848; Theodore M., born March 10, 1847, who married Augusta Hazelton, and now resides in Portland, Me.; Georgiana, born November 19, 1848, who died August 30; 1850; Charles Elliott, born July 1, 1850, who married Mattie Richardson, and is living in Jay, Me.; Emma Frances, born April 6, 1852, who is the wife. of Albert F. Richardson, principal of the Normal School at Castine, Me.; Anna M., now Mrs. Walter S. Dudley, residing with her husband at her father's home; James H., born October 27, 1853, who married Ella Chaplin, and resides in Westbrook, Me., where he is Judge of the Municipal Court. A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Tolman has held every civil office within the gift of the town and the county. He represented the towns of Bridgton and Harrison in the legislature in 1860, and was State Senator in 1878 and 1879. Within the past few years, though urged repeatedly to accept town office, he has refused on account of his age. He was Treasurer of Bridgton Academy for twenty years and Trustee of that institution for thirty-three years. Though re-elected to this office, he has declined to serve again. A strong advocate of total abstinence, Mr. Tolman belongs to a number of temperance societies. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church in the town, and take an active part in church work. Mr. Tolman has been Deacon of the church for many years.