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- American Series of Popular Biographies
Joshua B. Mayhew
Joshua B. Mayhew, of Readfield, is a substantial representative of the agricultural interests of Kennebec County. He was born in the village of New Sharon, Franklin County, Maine, February 19, 1831, his parents being Ephriam and Abigail S. (Bullen) Mayhew. He is a grandson of Major Francis Mayhew, a native of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, who removed from that place to New Harson, Maine, in 1788, and whose military title was derived from the State militia. The Mayhews are said to be of English origin. Ephraim Mayhew was born in New Sharon, and rose to be a man of prominence in the town. Like his father, he took an active interest in military affairs, being connected with the cavalry arm of the service, in which he also rose to the rank of Major. Early in the town’s history he owned the water power and mills. He died October 1, 1874. His wife, like himself, was born in New Sharon. Her uncle, Philip Bullen, with his father, were officially connected with some of the early surveys on the east side of the Kennebec River, opposite Augusta and Gardiner, and were well-known and prominent citizens in their day in Pittston, Maine. They made the original surveys under government supervision for the laying out of the towns of Pittston and Hallowell, when the country was practicially a wilderness. Ephraim and Abigail S. Mayhew were the parents of nine children, of whom two are now living, Joshua B. and Augustus V. Those dead are Mary B., Mary E., Francis, Charles F., Helen T., Ann S., and Luella.
Joshua B. Mayhew was reared to man’s estate in his native town of New Sharon, attending the public schools of the village, including the high school. He followed the occupation of teacher for three terms in Franklin and Kennebec Counties, and then, soon after reaching his majority, engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes in New Sharon, in which business he continued for a number of years. In 1869 he came to Readfield, and has been since profitably engaged here in agriculture, horticulture, and dairying. His farm contains two hundred and twenty-eight acres of well-cultivated land, together with substantial and commodious buildings, its appearance indicating that comfortable prosperity usually associated with intelligence and thrift throughout the agricultural districts of New England.
On October 18, 1865, Mr. Mayhew married Emily A. Bass, a native of Wilton, Maine, and daughter of Deacon Seth Bass, of that place. Mrs. Mayhew’s father, a life-long resident of Wilton, died in 1882. Her mother, maiden-hood Nancy Russell, who was a daughter of Abel and Nancy Clemens Russell, is also deceased.
Mr. Mayhew has served the town of Readfield for three terms as Selectman, for one term being chairman of the board. He was formerly for several terms Town Clerk of New Sharon. In politics he is a Republican. He and Mrs. Mayhew are both members of Readfield Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, which he has served as chaplain. Mrs. Mayhew, who was educated in the common and high schools of Wilton, Maine, and at Mount Holyoke Seminary, taught school in Franklin County and in Massachusetts for some years previous to her marriage. She is a lady whose bright mental and social gifts served to increase the attractiveness of the home. Both she and Mr. Mayhew are members of the Congregational church, and are popular in Readfield society.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1831 - 1918 (87 years)