USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 34
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
287
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
pointed properties in the vicinity. Recently he removed to the village, where he and his family are regarded as a most desirable acqui- sition to the community. In politics he has been a lifelong Republican, and has always voted the Republican ticket. While he is not an office-seeker, he has served as Selectman.
On January 10, 1867, at Burlington, Vt., Mr. Moon married Miss Susan F. Delano, who was born in Duxbury, Mass., daughter of Melzar P. and Susan F. (English) Delano. Her father, who was a cousin of Columbus Delano, came of French ancestry, his progeni- tors in France having borne the name of d'Lanoi. He was a cooper and graver in his early years, working at his trade in Boston and Medford, Mass. Afterward he removed to New York City, where he was engaged as a lumber dealer until his death. While in New York he bought a farm in Vermont, where he and his family could spend their summers free from the heat and dust of the city. During one of their periodical stays at the farm his daughter Susan first met her future husband. Mr. and Mrs. Moon have four daughters; namely, Fannie A., Emily R., Susie M., and Lizzie E. Susie has taught school for several terms in Bradford. Lizzie E., who is an ac- complished musician, takes especial pride in the possession of a remarkably fine piano. Bright, ambitious girls, all are self-support- ing. Mr. Moon is a member of Robert Camp- bell Post, No. 58, G. A. R. Mrs. Moon is a Universalist in belief, but not a church mem- ber. She and her family work in harmony with the Presbyterians.
.
EORGE H. ADAMS, of Hill, the senior proprietor of the Hill Needle Factory, was born at Haverhill, Mass., son of the late Harrison Adams, the
founder of the needle industry in this place. The first of the Adams family in this country was Enoch Adams, the great-grandfather of George H. He came to America from Eng- land, and settled, first in Newbury, and after- ward in Salisbury, N. H. His last years were spent in the western part of the latter town, near Kearsarge Mountain. His son, Russel, after his marriage with Susanna Fifield, moved to Hill, where a family of eight chil- dren were born to him. Of these the only survivor is Enoch, who resides in Belmont, N. H.
In early life Harrison Adams was a shoe- maker and worked in Massachusetts. Subse- quently on account of failing health he re- turned to Hill and carried on a farm here for about fifteen years. He moved into the village proper in 1866, after which he had no regular occupation for several years. He then started the needle business with his sons and others, and afterward retained an interest in the concern until his death at the age of seventy-five years. He was the second Re- publican to represent this town in the State legislature, and he served in the capacity of Selectman and in other town offices. A de- voted member of the Congregational church, at the time of his death he had been senior Deacon, for some time. His wife, in maiden- hood Margaret Morse, was the mother of George H. and Charles F. Adams.
George H. Adams, the elder son of Harri- son Adams, has always been a progressive and active man. Educated in the public schools, he afterward worked on a farm and then in a grocery store at Charlestown, Mass. Subse- quently, after working for six years on the farm of his wife's father, he bought an interest in the needle factory, and has made that his chief object of attention since. In 1868 he married Miss Abbie Shaw, of Sanbornton,
288
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had four children, of whom Erving died when a little more than three years old. The others are : Mary K., Abbie J., and Frank B. Mr. Adams represented the town in the legislature in 1891. He is a Mason and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Like his father, he is an esteemed member of the Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican, and he cast his first vote for General Grant in 1868.
UBBARD ALONZO BARTON, of Newport, a member of the present firm of editors and publishers of the New Hampshire Argus and Spectator, was born in Croydon, N. H., May 12, 1842, son of Caleb L. and Bethiah (Tuck) Barton. The Bartons are descended from English emigrants who came to the country previous to 1640. They have embraced many who have become distinguished in the learned professions and in other vocations in life. The great-great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, and he was a near relative of General Barton of Revo- lutionary fame. The great-grandfather, Ben- jamin Barton, Jr., who was born in Sutton, Mass., in 1755, also fought for American in- dependence at Bunker Hill, Bennington, West Point, and New York City. He married Me- hitable Frye in 1779, removed to Croydon in March, 1784, and there in turn served in all the offices within the gift of his adopted town. His son John, an extensive landholder and a successful farmer, was distinguished for his common sense. Caleb L. Barton, a native of Croydon, N. H., born February 5, 1815, was one of the most successful and substantial farmers of that town. He has now retired from active business, and lives at East Vil-
lage, Croydon. In religion he is a Universal- ist. A Democrat in politics, he has been Selectman and has served in minor offices. His three children, Mrs. Ethan Smith, Sulli- van Barton, of Croydon, and Hubbard A., are all living.
Hubbard Alonzo Barton was partly edu- cated in the common schools. He was also taught in private by the late John Cooper, a man of extensive learning and a well-known instructor. Early in life he began to contrib- ute to the press both in prose and verse. Afterward all the time he could spare from his farm occupations was devoted to study. He served as Superintendent of the Schools of Croydon for seven years in succession, during which period the work done by these institu- tions was very satisfactory. In April, 1879, he and W. W. Prescott purchased from Henry G. Carleton and Matthew Harvey the New Hampshire Argus and Spectator, a Democratic paper established in 1823 by Mr. Barton's great-uncle, Cyrus Barton, who in his day exercised a wide influence in the political affairs of the State; and he has since been its senior editor and proprietor. The firm is now Barton & Wheeler, the latter having purchased Mr. Prescott's interest in the fall of 1880. Since Mr. Barton became connected with the paper, it has been enlarged several times, new and improved printing machinery intro- duced, and the circulation of the paper greatly increased. The following, from the Ports- mouth Daily Times, in January, 1897, shows the estimation in which the paper is held : "The New Hampshire Argus and Spectator, published at Newport, this State, comes to us in enlarged size and improved form and in a brand-new dress. It has been changed from an eight-column folio to a sixteen-column quarto - a change which all its patrons will acknowl- edge is an improvement when they get used to
289
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
it, although it is likely that some of them will be displeased with it at first. 'Habit is sec- ond nature,' and they are used to the old blanket sheet. The Argus is a credit to its proprietors, to its section of the State, and to the State. Its editorial department has been conducted with dignity, ability, and fairness; and it has given due attention to local matters and correspondence from neighboring towns - the 'strong holt ' of a country paper. Such a paper is a positive factor in the progress of any district ; and we are pleased to see that it is appreciated by the people of Sullivan County, as evidenced by the large outlay its proprietors have felt justified in incurring to make their previously good paper better than ever."
The following poem from the pen of Mr. Barton, which appeared in the Granite Monthly, is a sample of his composition in verse :
CROYDON.
My native town, I love thee, Thy hills and fields revere ; The God that rules above thee Has shed his blessings here.
Thy rills and mountains teeming With nature's rich display, Thy grand old forests dreaming, Have pictures bright and gay.
I fain with thee would tarry, Because thou art so true ; Thou seem'st to me a fairy, Bedecked with heaven's blue.
On April 27, 1882, Mr. Barton married Miss Ella L. Wilmarth, daughter of the late Jonathan M. Wilmarth, a prominent and well- known resident of Newport. He has one child, Henry Wilmarth Barton, born Septem- ber 16, 1890. Mr. Barton is an attendant of the Congregational church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has taken an active part in
Masonic matters, and is a member of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M .; of the Chapter of the Tabernacle, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, and High Priest of the same for two years ; and of Sullivan Commandery, K. T. He has also membership in Newport Lodge, No. 42, K. of P. ; in the Granite State Club; and he is a Trustee of the Richard Free Library. Besides writing for his own paper, he is the correspondent of the New York Herald for Sullivan County.
SMON B. WAY, M.D., a leading physician of Claremont, was born in Lempster, N. H., March 22, 1840, son of Gordon Way by his first wife, Abigail Perley Way.
His grandfather, George Way, settled in Lempster, removing from the neighborhood of New London. George became one of the town's most substantial residents. At his death he left a large family. His wife, Sarah Douglas Way, was a descendant of a noted family of Scotland and a relative of the dis- tinguished Stephen A. Douglas.
Gordon Way, son of George, went to Clare- mont in 1844 with his family, and there took up farming, in which he was most successful. Believing that he could not fulfil the duties of public office without allowing them to inter- fere with his motto, "close application to work," he refused all appeals from his towns- people to enter into politics and public life. He was a Trustee of the Methodist church. The latter part of his life was passed quietly in the village. There were thirteen children by his first wife, who died in 1848 at the age of fifty. A lady of superior intellect, she was a sister of the wife of the late Dr. A. A. Miner and of the wife of the late Bishop Osmon C. Baker, LL. D. His second wife
290
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
had no children. He died July 31, 1880, at the age of eighty-two years. His daughter, Eliza M., now deceased, married O. B. Kid- der, of Claremont, and removed to Minnesota. Alonzo G., George O., Edwin F., Orlo F., and Eliza all emigrated to Claremont, Minn., in 1854. Alonzo was the first white settler of the place, and gave the town its name. George, who is a dealer in real estate in Min- neapolis, formerly resided in Claremont, Minn. His wife was the first white woman in Claremont. Edwin is a merchant, and the Judge of the Probate Court. Orlo F. is a noted farmer in Claremont, Minn. Of the other children Lucy A. married the Rev. J. C. Hoyt, and resides in New York; Louisa M. married Ira Colby, of Claremont, one of the first lawyers in the State of New Hamp- shire; Evaline married Eliacum Tandy, and died in 1848; Emaly died in the same year ; Perley E. died in 1847; and the remaining two died in infancy.
Osmon B. Way was a typical farmer boy during his early years. He was educated at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, and studied medicine with the late Professor A. B. Crosby, M. D., of Hanover, and the late Dr. Nathaniel Tolles, of Claremont, teaching school in the meantime. He graduated at Dartmouth Medical College in 1865, receiving the first prize for scholarship. Later he took a thorough course in the colleges and hospitals of New York. After practising for a year and a half at South Acworth, he returned to Clare- mont in 1867, where he has since been busy in his profession. Appointed United States Examining Pension Surgeon in December, 1873, he resigned the office in May, 1882. He represented this locality in the State legis- lature in 1871 and 1872. He has served about fifteen years as Superintendent of Schools and nineteen years on the High School Committee.
He has been Trustee of the Fiske Free Library from its inception; is a Director of the People's National Bank, of Claremont; and was formerly for many years President of the Board of Trade. Dr. Way is a member of the Masonic fraternity of the third degree. He is a prominent member of the Methodist church, has been a trustee twenty-five years, and president of the society nearly as long. He built and now owns one-third of the Union Block, the largest and most attractive business building of the town, if not of the State. The fine residence he occupies in Claremont is also his property. Having bought out the heirs of his father's estate, he owns the fine farm of two hundred acres in West Claremont for many years known as the old Way farm. The house, which is one of the old landmarks of the district, was built by the grandfather of the distinguished Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase in 1784. The farm is kept well stocked, and the Doctor enjoys many an hour of recreation in its rural seclusion. In re- cent years the Doctor has given much time and study to the subject of bacteriology and to pathological subjects. He is also an authority on all general diseases, especially all diseases arising from germs, to the investigation of which he has given special attention for the last ten years. Analytical and microscopical investigations have also occupied a large share of his time. In truth, he has a large reputa- tion as a microscopist, bacteriologist, and pathologist. At the request of the towns- people he often gives most interesting and instructive lectures on the results of his in- vestigations with the microscope. His genial disposition and peculiarly pleasing manners make him a fascinating lecturer.
In 1867 Mr. Way married first Martha L. Wightman, who died after one year of married happiness. In 1882 Mary J. Wightman, the
291
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
sister of the first Mrs. Way, became his wife. She had been a successful teacher in high school and college before marriage. She was many years instructor in the famous Gannett Institute, Boston. This gifted and highly educated woman takes the deepest interest in the study of bacteriology, and is her husband's constant companion and assistant in his re- searches. Dr. Way is a self-made man in the best sense. Public-spirited to a high degree, he takes an earnest interest in every measure calculated to advance the welfare of the town.
AMES MADISON CONNOR, a suc- cessful and enterprising farmer of Hop- kinton, was born in Henniker, N. H., August 21, 1828, son of James and Lydia (Kimball) Connor. His great-grandfather, David Connor, or O'Connor, and two brothers, all natives of Ireland, were the first settlers of the name in the district. The brothers settled in Exeter, near Lake Winnepesaukee. David, who took up his residence in Henniker, was a Revolutionary soldier. His son James, grand- father of James M., and who was later in life called Captain James, was born in Henniker. The Christian name of his wife was Dorcas.
When the subject of this sketch was three years old, his parents came to the south part of Hopkinton; and the father died there at the age of fifty-eight, having been an invalid for some time. The mother survived him for years, living to be seventy-five, and dying at her son's farm. Their children were: Isaac K., Harlowe, Lydia, and James Madison. Isaac is a mill-owner and carpenter in Warner, N. H. Harlowe is a carpenter, and lives in Lancaster, N.H. Lydia is the widow of Enoch Danforth, and lives in Hopkinton, near Stumpfield.
James Madison Connor learned the carpen-
ter's trade, and followed it for several years. Afterward he purchased the small farm on which his sister now lives, reconstructed the buildings, and engaged in farming. The added responsibility of caring for his invalid father seemed to spur him to greater effort and better success. In the eight or ten years he spent on the first farm he had saved one thou- sand five hundred dollars. This sum he in- vested in a "run-down " farm of one hundred acres, which by extensive improvements he made a profitable place. Here he has made a specialty of the dairy business, keeping about twelve cows the year round, and making but- ter of the highest grade on a large scale with the use of the hand separator and other modern contrivances. At the World's Fair his dairy products carried off the medal with a score of ninety-nine points, while he also received a diploma for his display. He has often exhib- ited elsewhere, and always with the most gratifying results. His annual product, which is from two thousand five hundred pounds to three thousand pounds, is taken by private customers among the best families of Concord at the maximum price now of about thirty one cents. His dairy stock is of the Guernsey breed, and his cows average nearly three hun- dred pounds of butter a year. He has been President of the State Dairymen's Association since its organization, ten years ago. The exhibit at Chicago was given under the aus- pices of this Association, they sending a man to take charge of it. About twenty years ago New Hampshire had no rank as a dairy State ; but at the Fair it took the lead both as regards quantity and quality, and that in a number of competing displays. There are now about fifty creameries in the State, a fact that is largely due to the work of the Association. Mr. Connor is also the President of the Guernsey Creamery Company at Contoocook. A writer
292
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
for the press since he was twenty years old, he has been a valued contributor to agricultural publications on dairy matters and general farming. He has also read papers before the Board of Agriculture. He has been a mem- ber of Union Grange since its organization twenty years ago; the Master of Pomona Grange for some time; a member of the Exec- utive Committee of the State Grange; and the chairman of the committee composed of all Masters of Pomona Granges in the State, and chosen to consider the subject of improving the roads. He is a Director and Trustee in the Grange Fire Insurance Company, which does a large business ; and he is Treasurer of the Merrimack County Grange Fair Associa- tion. The latter, which is a grange organiza- tion exclusively, holds fairs at Warner, the old centre for such enterprises.
On December 20, 1859, Mr. Connor mar- ried Judith M., daughter of Ira A. and Han- nah (Muzzy) Putney, of Hopkinton. They had four children - Maria P., Carrie J., Charles H., and Grace E. The first two live in Waltham, Mass., Maria being the wife of Frank Kimball; Grace is at home; and Charles H., who was born September 24, 1872, died October 18, 1896. Charles was a bright and popular young man, and his death left a sad blank in the community as well as in his home. He was elected Master of Union Grange before he was of age, and served two years. At the time of his death he held the office of District Deputy Inspector of the Grange. Mrs. Connor died May 9, 1877; and Mr. Connor married again September 6, 1881, taking for his second wife Catherine Hoyt Watson, daughter of Joseph G. and Catherine (Parmelee) Hoyt, of Newport, N. H. He is a member of the Congregational church, and he has been the superintendent of the society's Sunday-school. In politics he is a Democrat.
RED BEAN, a progressive and skilful farmer of Warner, was born September 30, 1857, in Waterloo, Merrimack County, son of William H. Bean. His pater- nal grandfather, Daniel Bean, a native of New York State, was reared to manhood in Newburyport, Mass. Afterward he moved to Waterloo, where he spent his remaining days.
William H. Bean worked at the wheel- wright's trade more or less until he started in the lumber business in company with his brother Daniel. He subsequently purchased the mill, and had carried on the manufacture of lumber alone for a number of years when he sold out in 1872. Thereafter he confined his attention to the management of his farm. This property is located in the lower edge of Waterloo, and is now occupied by the widow of his son Walter. He married Mary S. Colby, daughter of Philip S. Colby, who owned the farm just opposite his. She died in 1871, and he in 1892, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. They had a family of eight children, namely : Philip, who is in the hardware business in Concord, N. H. ; Will- iam H. Bean, Jr., who was agent at the Hillsborough railway station for fifteen years, and died in 1891, at the age of fifty-three; Walter H., who was mail agent on the Bos- ton & Maine for twenty years, kept a hotel in Claremont for a time, and died at Warner in February, 1895, at the age of fifty-five years; Harriet E., who resides in Warner, and is the widow of Henry M. Seavey ; Sarah, who lived but a short time; Charles A., who died at the age of ten years; Fred, the special sub- ject of this sketch; and Mary Lizzie, who died at the age of fifteen years. A coincidence of dates is noted regarding the births of the three older children. The first was born April 24, 1836; the second, April 24, 1838; and the third on March 24, 1840.
HERMAN W. GREENE.
.
295
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Fred Bean remained at home until his mar- riage, there obtaining a practical experience in general agricultural work. On October 15, 1877, he married Miss Frances A., daughter of Francis and Abigail (Gage) Robbins. Immediately after he moved on to the Robbins homestead, which he has since conducted. Mr. Robbins was born July 9, 1815, in Mason, N. H. In early life he engaged in the lumber business at Enfield, N. H. Here he was mar- ried to Abigail Gage, who was born in that town, December 10, 1814. Subsequently he carried on the same business in connection with farming in the town of Sutton, coming from there to Warner in 1873, and erecting the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bean. Both he and his wife continued their residence here during the remainder of their lives, he dying December 10, 1884, and she December 31, 1893. Mr. Robbins, who. possessed rare' business ability, was a man of fine appear- ance, tall and well proportioned, weighing two hundred and fifty pounds. Besides carrying on the grain and lumber business in Warner for several years, he was an extensive land- holder, owning three farms in Warner and one in Sutton. He bought a good deal of land for the sake of the timber, raising stock on it after clearing it. He made a specialty of sheep- raising, in which he had great success. In politics he was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were Adventists in religion.
After his marriage Mr. Bean continued the sheep-raising business commenced by Mr. Robbins, in addition to carrying on the farm- ing. He also superintends one of the other farms, the other two having been disposed of by him. He keeps a large dairy, which brings him the most profit; and he has engaged to some extent in breeding fine roadsters. Mr. Bean was one of the incorporators of the War- ner Glove Factory, and is now a Director. He
is also a Director in the Farmers' Fair Asso- ciation. In Masonry he is quite prominent and active. For three years he was Worthy Master of Harris Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M., of Warner. He has served as Dictator and Deputy Grand in the Grand Lodge; and for a year he was High Priest of Wood Chapter, R. A. M., of Henniker. He has also been closely associated with the leading interests of the town, having served as Selectman for three years, being the Chairman of the Board for two years of that time. In 1889 he was elected a Representative to the State legis- lature, where he was active as a member of the Committees on Insurance and on Towns. A stanch Republican, he attends all the local party conventions. He takes deep interest in educational matters, and rendered valuable aid to the community as a member of the Free High School Committee for a period of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Bean have one daughter, Stella May, a girl of thirteen years. The three members of the family belong to the Baptist church. In the society Mr. Bean is a Deacon and the superintendent of the Sunday - school.
P ERMAN WELLS GREENE, for- merly a lawyer of considerable note in Hopkinton, was born here, April 11, 1836, son of Herman H. and Ellen Chase (Little) Greene. His only brother died at the age of fourteen years; and his only sister is now the wife of a Mr. Roberts, of Philadel- phia, Pa. After receiving his early education in the public schools of Hopkinton and at Pembroke and Gilmanton Academics, he be- came interested in the legal profession, and read law with George & Foster, of Concord, and later with Beard & Nickerson, of Boston, Mass. On his twenty-first birthday he was admitted to the Suffolk County bar. At first
296
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
he practised with Charles E. Pike, afterward with Ithmar W. Beard and James P. Sullivan. Subsequently, on account of failing health, he returned to his native place, and did not prac- tise for about seven years. On resuming his profession he was for a time associated with Carlos G. Hawthorne. In politics he was an enthusiast, and he held various offices of trust. He was Moderator of the town meeting for over twenty years all together, was Superin- tendent of Schools for five years, and State Representative in 1881, 1889, and 1891. In 1891 he took an active part in the debates of the legislature, and served on the Judicial and Railroad Committees. He was County Solic- itor of Merrimack County five years, during which period he was obliged to be in Con- cord much of the time. In early life a Dem- ocrat, he afterward became a Republican, and served on the Republican State Committees, and generally attended the conventions. He was for a number of years Curator of the Hop- kinton Antiquarian Society, and was Chair- man of the Library Trustees.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.