JOSIAH BACON MAYO Sprague's Journal of Maine History Vol. VI Nov. Dec. 1918, Jan. 1919 No. 3 page 88-90 JOSIAH BACON MAYO Born in Freeport, Maine, Feb. 19, 1826-Died in Foxcroft, Maine, Sept. 17, 1918. Among the pioneers in the woolen manufacturing industry in eastern Maine, was John Gould Mayo. He was of English descent and his ancestors were among the first settlers of Ackworth, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. He moved to the State of Maine about 1820 and resided in Freeport, Dennysville and other places in this state until about 1846 when he located in Foxcroft and established a small woolen mill, the firm being Mayo, Bush and Hale. In 1853 having purchased his partners' interests he with his son Josiah reorganized under the firm name of Mayo & Son. It developed into a large business and retained this name as a partner- ship and later as a corporation until it was recently purchased by the American Woolen Company. Josiah Bacon Mayo attended the village schools of Kennebunk and the private school of Dr. Patten in Edmunds, and graduated from the Foxcroft Academy John G. Mayo died December 9, 1879 after which the business was conducted by Josiah B. and his brother John G. Mayo, Jr. In 1895 he retired from the business and was succeeded by his son, Col. Edward J. Mayo. He and Maj. Walter J. Mayo carried it on until the sale to the American Woolen Co. He married, Sept. 5, 1848, Eliza Ann Sprague of Pembroke, Maine, whose death occurred at Foxcroft Jan. 10, 1909. Their children have been Eliza M., now Mrs. Eliza M. Chase, of Portland and Edward J., now living, and George Frederick and Mary Ellen, both deceased. Mrs. Mayo was a descendant of Col. John Allan' of revolution- ary fame and whom Gen. Washington appointed Superintendent of the Maine Indians during the Revolution. Mr. Mayo held interests in other woolen mills in Maine and Massachusetts and other states and was well and favorably known among his associates throughout New England for his integrity and upright dealings. He was director in the old Bangor and Piscataquis R. R. now a part of the Bangor and Aroostook system, and in 1889 was one of the principal promoters of the Dexter and Piscataquis R. R. and its president until the time of his death. He was deeply interested in the Foxcroft Academy, and from the first a liberal supporter of the Good Will Home, for many years one of its trustees. He was a member of the Foxcroft Congregational Church; Mosaic Lodge F. & A. M.; Maine Piscataquis R. A. C.; Kineo Lodge I. 0. 0. F. and El Dorado encampment, and of the Piscataquis club. While declining to hold any political offices he was always all active mem- ber of the republican party and a delegate from Maine to its national convention in Cincinnati in 1876. Broad and liberal in his views of men and things, ever unassum- ing, kind and polite to all, he was in every sense a real gentleman and his friends were many and from every walk in life. At the funeral services his pastor the Reverend john H. Wilkins was the officiating clergyman and his life long friend Reverend George W. Hinckley of Good Will Home spoke in eulogy of his life career which was a beautiful and eloquent tribute to his memory. He was a good citizen, a good man, a true friend. His methods in life helped to promote happiness and not despair among his fellow men. (c) 1998 Tina Vickery Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.