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Note: Copied from obituary printed in newspaper in 1925. Alfred A. Oakes, a life-long resident of Chesterville, died at his home, the old Oakes homestead on Chesterville Hill, June 15, after many years of suffering from a disabling disease, and after having been confined to his room for upward of ten years. During that period Mr. Oakes retained in large measure a characteristic cheerfulness and interest in business affairs, together with the progress of his home town, of which he had in his more active years been so often a trusted official. Mr. Oakes was born in Chesterville, April 16, 1851, the son of the late David and Marinda Arnold Oakes and was a great grandson of John Oakes of the Medford Minute Men, who were at Lexington and Bunker Hill, the family tracing its New England source to the time of Thomas Oakes, who came to Cambridge, Mass., in 1640. After attaining his majority Alfred A. Oakes was employed in the straw shops in Foxboro for two or three years. At the end of that time he returned home, bought an interest in and turned his attention to the management of the home farm. He soon became interested in orcharding and in the raising of purebred stock. During the succeeding years he built up an orchard of upwards of 2000 trees and established the second herd of registered Guernseys in the State. For years he was a familiar figure at the leading fairs. In addition to these duties he found time to serve his town as Selectman for many years. From Family and Local Histories: Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin and Oxford Counties, Maine. Pages 168,169 Alfred was educated in the town schools of Chesterville, and resided at home until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to Foxboro, Mass., where he was engaged in the manufacture of straw hats for three years. He returned to the homestead, a third of which he inherited; and ,having purchased the interests of the other heirs, he has since carried on the farm with energy and success. He deals largely in stock, keeps sixteen Durham and Guernsey cows, sending his milk and cream to the Turner creamery at Auburn; and for some years he was quite an extensive breeder of Durham cattle for the market. His first wife was Georgia A. Goodrich, daughter of David Goodrich of Wilton. She died March 17, 1879; and in 1885 he married Brendena L. Russell, daughter of Charles A. Russell, of Temple. They had four children, namely: Arthur A. born May 5, 1886; Ralph G. born November 28, 1888; PercyB born Octber 14, 1890, and died April 19, 1891; and Fannie (Vannie VDL) E. born February 25, 1892. In politics Mr. Oakes is an active supporter of the Republican party, and his natural ability has placed him in a position of prominence in public affairs. Besides serving in the various minor town offices he was a member of the Board of Selectmen during the years 1881, 1882, and 1883, and has served in the same capacity for the past three years. He is highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen both as an agreeable, kind-hearted neighbor and as an able and faithful public official.
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