Somerset-Androscoggin County ME Archives Biographies.....Estes, Wm. R. G. 1830 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 17, 2008, 4:45 am

Author: Everett S. Stackpole

   COL. WM. R. G. ESTES. The subject of this sketch was the son of Thomas and
Betsey Hayford (Alden) Estes, and was born in Durham November 22, 1830. He was
the eleventh of twelve children—six sons and six daughters. His grandfather,
Caleb Estes, was one of the early settlers of Durham, settling there in 1769. On
his mother's side he traces his ancestry to John Alden of the Mayflower, and is
the eighth in lineal descent from him made famous in history and song. He is of
Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Benjamin Alden, and his great-grandfather,
William Hayford, having been soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Born and reared
on a rugged New England farm, inured to its toil, he early learned to be
self-reliant.

   He was educated in the schools of his native town, and the academies at
Litchfield and North Yarmouth. It was his intention to pursue a college course
at Bowdoin, but trivial events often change the current of one's life, and so it
was in his case, when he abandoned the idea of a literary life and chose a more
active vocation, that of shipbuilding which he followed summers, teaching school
winters. On the decline of shipbuilding, in the spring of 1855, he went to
Dubuque, Iowa, where, with an older brother, he began the foundation of a
mercantile life. Remaining in the West three years, he returned to Maine, and in
1861 located in Skowhegan, where he built up a successful business which he
continued some thirty-six years, and where he now resides in the enjoyment of a
pleasant home.

   He has been twice married. First to Maria E. Osgood of his native town, who
died in 1864, leaving a daughter. His second wife was Caroline Walker of
Skowhegan, who has been his companion since 1865.

   His political affiliations have been with the Democratic party, but he has
never sought office nor aspired to political honors. But believing in party
organization, he has been active on town, county and state committees, and has
always taken a deep interest in national politics. By the choice of his
political townsmen he was appointed Postmaster for Skowhegan by President
Cleveland, and held that office under two administrations over a full term,
raising the postal service to a high standard.

   He obtained his military title by serving on the staff of Gov. Alonzo Garcelon.

   Though by education and parental training a Quaker, his independence of
character and habits of thinking for himself led him to embrace a broader and
more liberal theology. Firmly anchored to the hope of an immortal life beyond
the grave, his belief is that, in the Fatherhood of God, all will ultimately be
brought to holiness and happiness.

   He joined the Masonic fraternity on reaching the required age, in 1853, in
Freeport Lodge, where he now holds an honorary membership, and has since been an
active and prominent Free Mason,  serving as  master of Somerset  Lodge  at 
Skowhegan three years in succession, and holding in the Grand Lodge of Maine
many important offices, from District Deputy Grand Master to Grand Master. He
has been active, also, in some of the so-called higher Masonic bodies, notably
in the Grand council of Royal and Select Masters, where he held the office of
Grand Master, and also in the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, where he
served two years as Grand Generalissimo, then declining promotion. Though not
active in Scottish Rite Masonry, he is a member of Portland Consistory and a
thirty-second degree Mason.

   He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.


Additional Comments:

Part of Chapter IX.
A FEW OUT OF MANY

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF DURHAM, MAINE
WITH GENEALOGICAL NOTES.

BY EVERETT S. STACKPOLE.

PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF TOWN.

LEWISTON: PRESS OF LEWISTON JOURNAL COMPANY. 
1899.


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