Pittsfield Historical Society’s

History of Pittsfield

Albion P. McMaster

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 Peltoma Lodge, No. 51, and Sebastacook Encampment, No. 33, I. O. O. F. Mr. McMaster and his family attend the Universalist church.


Original Version: 05-Apr-2007.

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