History of Buckfield, (Oxford County) Maine United States of America

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Biographies:

Luther Whiting Mason, educator, was born in Turner, Maine, April 3, 1821. He was left an orphan in 1838, gave his attention to music, and by teaching paid his tuition at an academy. He was superintendent of music in the public schools of Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio, 1853-61, using his system of teaching by note from charts adapted for different grades. He was a drum-major in the Federal army, 1861-65, and was musical instructor in the public schools of Boston, Mass., 1865-80. He demonstrated his method at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pa., 1876, and his system was favorably reported to the Japanese government. He was in Japan, 1880-83, superintending musical instruction in the public schools, directing a school of music, including an orchestra of European and Japanese instruments; giving lessons in the homes of the nobility and holding tri-weekly meetings with the musicians and poets of the Mikado's household, and on leaving Japan received the personal thanks of the empress, gifts from the Mikado (which he presented to the Boston Art Museum), and the doctor's degree from Tokio university. He resumed his work in Boston, 1883, and subsequently spent some months in study at Berlin and Leipzig for the purpose of improving his system. He published his system at his own expense and in six months had met the entire investment of $10,000 from the sale of books and charts. His plan of teaching grew into the "National System," used in schools throughout the United States and in Germany, and was the foundation of the publishing house of Ginn & Co., Boston. His services were acknowledged by a public reception tendered him in Boston, Mass., May 25, 1895. He died in Buckfield, Maine, July 14, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Albion Woodbury Small, educator, was born at Buckfield, Maine, May 11, 1854; son of Albion Keith Parris and Thankful (Woodbury) Small and grandson of David and Mary (Adams) Small. He was graduated at the Portland high school, 1872; at Colby university, 1876, and at the Newton Theological institution, 1879. He studied history and philosophy at the University of Berlin, 1879?80, and at the University of Leipzig, 1880?81. In 1881, while at Leipzig, he was apprised of his election as professor of history at Colby university. He was married, June 20, 1881, to Valeria, daughter of Valentine and Lina (Stoffregen) von Massow of Berlin. He was professor of history and political economy at Colby, 1881?88; reader in history at Johns Hopkins university, 1888?89; president of Colby university, and in addition to his executive duties, occupied the Babcock chair of intellectual and moral philosophy, 1889?92, and in 1892 was made head of the department of sociology in the University of Chicago. In 1881 he became a member of the Maine Historical society; in 1889 received the degree of Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins university. In 1895 he became the first editor of the American Journal of Sociology. In 1903 he was appointed one of the vice-presidents, and one of the organizing committee of three, of the World's Congress of Arts and Sciences of the Louisiana Purchase exposition. He is the author, in collaboration with George E. Vincent, of Introduction to the Study of Society (1894). His other publications are monographs, the most important of which are catalogued in the Decennial Publications of the University of Chicago.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Thomas Stowell Phelps, naval officer, was born in Buckfield, Maine, Nov. 2, 1822; son of Stephen and Elizabeth Nixon (Stowell) Phelps; grandson of Henry and Lucy (Putnam) Phelps, and a descendant of George, who came to America with his brother, William Phelps, in 1630, and settled in Windsor, Conn., in 1635. Thomas S. Phelps was graduated from the U.S. Naval academy, passed midshipman, July 11, 1846, and was wrecked in the sloop Boston on the Island of Eleuthera, West Indies, Nov. 16, 1846. He was attached to the Polk in Mexico waters, February to April, 1847; was married, Jan. 25, 1848, to Margaret R., daughter of Capt. John B. Levy of Virginia; served on the U.S. coast survey, and in the Mediterranean squadron and on the Pacific coast, 1855-56, participating in the battle of Seattle, Oregon, Jan. 26, 1856. He was promoted master, March 1, 1855; lieutenant, Sept. 14, 1855; served on the Brazil squadron and took part in the Paraguay expedition, 1858-59; commanded the steamer Vixen on the coast survey, 1859-61, and was attached to the fleet sent for the relief of Fort Sumter in 1861. He made a survey and chart of the Potomac river in 1861; was transferred to the Corwin for service in North Carolina waters in September, 1861; surveyed Hatteras Inlet, and had several skirmishes with Confederate gun boats. He received the thanks of the secretary of the navy for his services; was engaged in surveying Virginia waters in March, 1862; had several engagements with the Yorktown and Gloucester Point batteries, April, 1869; captured five and destroyed two Confederate vessels, and prevented the destruction of White House, Va., May 4, 1862. He ascended the Matipony river during the battle of West Point, Va., May 7, 1862; made reconnoissance charts of the Matipony and Pamunky rivers, and was promoted lieutenant-commander, July 16, 1862. He made a complete survey of the Potomac river from July, 1862 to March, 1863; commanded steamer Corwin in making surveys in anticipation of naval and military movements, March, 1868 to December, 1864; commanded the Saugus, December, 1864, to January, 1865; the Juniata at the capture of Fort Fisher, Jan. 15, 1865; the Lenapee, of the Atlantic coast squadron, March, 1865 to April, 1867, and was promoted commander, Aug. 5, 1865. He was stationed at the Mare Island navy yard, Cal., 1867-70; commanded the receiving ship Independence, 1870-71; the Saranac of the Northern Pacific station, 1871-73; was promoted captain, June 19, 1871, and commanded the Mare Island navy yard, 1873-77. He commanded the receiving ship Independence, 1877-79; was promoted commodore, Jan. 13, 1879; commanded Mare Island navy yard, 1881-83; South Atlantic station, 1883-84; was promoted rear-admiral, March 1, 1884, and was placed on the retired list, Nov. 2, 1884. He is the author of Reminiscences of Washington Territory (1882). He died in New York city, Jan. 10, 1901.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor