From The Biographical Review published in Boston, MA by the Biographical
Review Publishing Company in 1898. This article is contained in Volume XXIX.
ALBION P. McMASTER, the president of the National Bank of Pittsfield and a
prominent merchant of this town, was born in Etna, Me., February 3, 1825. A son of the Rev.
Daniel and Elizabeth (Cushman) McMaster, he comes of sturdy Scotch ancestry. His grandfather,
John McMaster, who was the first of the family to come to America, located in Augusta, where
he was engaged in business and subsequently died.
The Rev. Daniel McMaster, born in Augusta, was a preacher for sixty-four
years. Coming to Pittsfield in 1830, he remained here for about thirty years. Later he resided
successively in Clinton and Etna, and he died in the last named place in 1868. His wife,
Elizabeth, who was a native of Hebron, Me., died here in 1855. Their children were: Daniel A.,
Maria J., William H., John W., Miranda M., Job Cushman, Albion P., Samuel A., Levi M., and a
child that died in infancy. Miranda M. died at the age of two years. Daniel A., who was a
farmer throughout his active period, died in California. Maria J. married Levi J. Merrick, who
was an attorney at Hartland, Me. and she died in Milwaukee, Wis. William H. successively
married Amanda Merrick and Lucinda Dennett, was a farmer in this town, and died in 1892. John
W., now deceased, who was a clothier in Clinton, Me., married Mary Ann Brown, who is likewise
deceased. Job Cushman McMaster, who married Harriet Bacon, died in California. Samuel A.
successively married Sarah Bailey and Sarah Woodman, all three of whom are now deceased. Levi
M., who did not marry, also died in California.
Albion P. McMaster received a common-school education. He lived at home until nineteen years
of age. From that time until he was twenty-two he worked at lumbering in different places.
After his marriage he bought a farm in West Pittsfield, and there lived for about twenty
years, carrying on farming and some lumbering, and extensively engaged in buying and selling
cattle. Selling out his farm and stock in 1866, he came to Pittsfield village, and for a year
and a half was in company with F. D. Jenkins in a general merchandise business. He then went
to Michigan, where for the following thirteen years he was engaged in lumbering, the last
three having been spent at Cheboygan, Mich. In 1877 he went into the cattle business, which he
followed until 1881. Then in partnership with T. S. Dexter he conducted a general store [in
Pittsfield] for four years, during which time he also did some lumbering. Selling out in 1886,
he associated himself with George H. Hunter in the firm of Hunter, McMaster & Co., which has
since carried on a prosperous business in this village, dealing in general merchandise and
extensively in flour and feed. Since 1890 he has been the president of the National Bank of
Pittsfield, and since 1895 the president of the Waverly Woollen Mills.
On June 28, 1846, Mr. McMaster was married to Nancy M. Pushor, of Pittsfield, Me., a daughter
of Captain David and Nancy (Chase) Pushor, both of whom were natives of Pittsfield. Captain
Pushor, who was a farmer, obtained his title in the State militia. Mr. and Mrs. McMaster have
two children — Harriet and Lacitur. Harriet, who died in 1874 at the age of twenty-seven
years, was the wife of Harvey Robinson, of Pittsfield, and had one child, Ina M. Lacitur is
the wife of William Dobson, of Pittsfield, the well-known woollen manufacturer, and has two
children — Hattie E. and Mary M. Mr. McMaster is a stanch Democrat. He has been a Selectman
for several years. In 1862 and 1863 he was a Representative in the legislature. A Mason in
good standing, he belongs to Meridian Lodge,
No. 125, of Pittsfield, of which he is a charter member; to the Blue Lodge, Ira Berry Chapter;
and the Skowhegan Commandery; and he is also a member of Phlemtoma Lodge, No. 51, and
Sebastacook Encampment, No. 33, I. O. O. F. Mr. McMaster and his family attend the
Universalist church.
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