JONATHAN PIPER
Pages 266 - 267

Was born in Parsonsfield; December 30, 1788, and for many years was a prominent citizen of the town and county in which he resided. He received a good common-school and academical education, the latter of which he completed at Fryeburg Academy, under the instruction of Daniel 'Webster, who had charge of the institution at that time and afterward became so distinguished as a lawyer, orator and statesman. He often spoke of Mr. Webster, and of the high estimation in which he was then held for his abilities, by the Trustees of the Academy.

He married Mary Burbank, of Parsonsfield, daughter of Silas Burbank, Captain in the Army of the, Revolution, and had a family of three sons and one daughter. He settled in Parsonsfield, on the South road, opposite the residence of his father, where he lived many years, and where all his children were born. He subsequently, in 1837, moved to the North road. He adopted the business of farming and teaching for a livelihood. He was engaged in teaching a part of the time for about thirty years, and attained a high reputation as a good disciplinarian and thorough instructor. He was not, however, born for a farmer, and never took a deep interest in the business like his father; yet he made it a success, having begun with a farm worth a thousand dollars, and ending with a farm and other landed property worth at least six times that sum. He had a natural love for books and reading, and would often sit up till twelve o'clock at night, after the severe labors of the day on the farm, reading history, travels and poetry, so that he became well acquainted with the history and literature of his own and other countries. He had also some taste for music, could read it readily, and sung in the church choir for many years. On the tenor drum he was a first-class player, and major drummer of his regiment.

In politics he was a Whig and subsequently a republican, but not a partisan; and although he was unreserved in expressing his opinions, he never lost the confidence of his political opponents in his integrity. Notwithstanding the democratic party was largely in the majority, he was elected nine years in succession a selectman of the town, and most" of the time was chairman of the board. He was a member of the superintending school committee for twelve years, a Justice of the Peace, and for many years was extensively engaged in land-surveying. He was also one of the surveyors appointed to determine the boundary line between Maine and New Hampshire, and County Commissioner for York County.

In person, he was a little below the middle size, decided in action, and quick in all he did. He was of high integrity and moral character, and gained the confidence and respect of those with whom he associated. He died in Parsonsfield, July 11, 1873, at his residence near Parsonsfield Seminary, where he had lived after leaving the South road. He was eighty-four years of age at the time of his death.
(Contributed by Nancy Piper)