Hansom M. Hart, one of the oldest and most
prominent business men of Portland, was born at Portsmouth, N.H., September 20, 1807. His parents were Hanson M.
and Abigail (Mitchell) Hart, the former a native of Portsmouth, the latter of Kittery Point, Me. The elder Hanson
M. Hart, who was commonly called Captain Hart, was actively engaged in the coasting trade, being proprietor of
a number of boats, and was also head of the custom-house for many years. He reared four children, namely: Henry
K., who was long engaged in the wool and tanning business in Portland; Hanson M., the subject of this sketch; Esther
P., wife of Mr. Joshua Banfield, of Dover, N.H.; and Sarah, who married a Mr .Charles Walker and lived in New York
State.
Hanson M. Hart was educated in the leading schools of Portsmouth, N.H., completing his studies under the tuition
of Master Jackson, who was afterward a well-known teacher in Portland. He was then two years in the employ of Le
Favour & Pinder, who were in the wool and tanning business in Portsmouth; and at the age of seventeen he went
to sea, shipping first for a cruise of three and a half years on a vessel bound for South American ports. In course
of time Mr. Hart became Captain of a vessel; but, as he was a home-loving man and the sea had no charms for him,
in 1835 he settled in Portland, engaging in the wool and hide business with his brother. His establishment during
all of these sixty years has been in the large building at the corner of Portland and Alder Streets,of which he
is now sole owner. He has been in business longer than any other merchant in Portland, and has had a wonderfully
successful career, encountering none of the reverses or catastrophes that affect some time or other most business
enterprises. He is also owner of a large amount of real estate in the city.
Mr. Hart was married in 1835 to Phoebe Hill, daughter of Elisha Hill, of Portsmouth, N.H., and by her death in
1843 was left a widower with the following children: Adelaide, now the widow of Roscoe G. Elder, who has one daughter
and lives in Deering, Me.; Ellen, wife of Augustus True, a prominent miller and dealer in flour and grain in Portland;
Hanson M., who served in the army and died a short time after his return home; and Abbie, wife of Cullen C. Chapman,
a leading banker of Portland. Mr. Hart married for his second wife Miss Caroline Richards, who died in 1888. By
this union Mr. Hart has one child, a daughter, now the widow of Dr. Webster. She has a son, Harison Hart Webster,
who was graduated from the Portland High School in 1895, and has entered Bowdoin College. Mrs. Webster lives with
her father, being mistress of his beautiful home at 308 Spring Street.
In politics Mr. Hart is a Republican. He takes an active interest in municipal affairs, and has served as a member
of the City Council and as alderman. He has been a member of the Free Street Baptist Church since 1818. His long
record has been an honorable one, and he is justly esteemed by all who know him. |
