History of Fairfield, (Somerset County) Maine United States of America

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Biographies:

Jonathan Glidden Hunton, governor of Maine, was born in Unity, N.H., March 4, 1781; son of Josiah and Hannah (Glidden) Hun-ton; grandson of Charles Hunton; great grandson of John Hunton, and great2 grandson of Philip Hunton, who immigrated to America from the Isle of Jersey, and married Elizabeth Hall, of Exeter, N.H., in 1687. His father was a major in the Revolutionary army, and town clerk of Unity, N.H. Jonathan was educated in the public schools, studied law in the office of his uncle, Samuel P. Glidden, at Readfield, Maine, was admitted to the bar in 1806, and practised in Readfield, 1806-37. He was a member of the executive council of Maine, 1829; was elected governor of Maine in 1829 by the Republican party, and served one term, as successor to Enoch Lincoln, and was defeated for re-election in 1830. He was the first governor of Maine to advocate an asylum for the insane, and it was largely through his influence that one was established. He was state senator in 1833. He removed to Dixmont, Maine, about 1837, and engaged in the practice of law. He was married to Betsey Craig, who died, Nov. 7, 1819; and secondly to Mrs. Mary (Mitchell) Glidden, widow of his uncle, Samuel P. Glidden. He died in Fairfield, Maine, Oct. 12, 1851.

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

Selden Connor, governor of Maine, was born in Fairfield, Maine, Jan. 25, 1839; son of William and Mary (Bryant) Connor. He was graduated at Tufts college in 1859 and studied law at Woodstock, Vt., where he enlisted in the 1st regiment of Vermont volunteers for three months' service in the civil war. At the close of this service he became major and soon after was lieutenant-colonel of the 7th Maine regiment, which he commanded in the peninsula campaign from the beginning of the "Seven Days" battle. He commanded the 77th N.Y. volunteers for a short time after the battle of Antietam, and his own regiment at the battle of Gettysburg. In January, 1864, he was made colonel of the 19th Maine infantry and commanded the brigade as ranking officer. His wounds received in the battle of the Wilderness incapacitated him for active service. He was commissioned brigadier-general June 11, 1864, and in 1867 was appointed a member of the staff of Governor Chamberlain. In 1868 he was made assessor of internal revenue and in 1874 was appointed by President Grant collector for the Augusta district. In 1875 he was elected governor of Maine and was twice re-elected, serving 1876-79. He was U.S. pension agent under appointment from President Arthur, 1882-85.

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