USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 36
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 36
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Worth, the ship was wrecked, and the crew were without food and water for two days and two nights. Finally they succeeded in mak- ing a landing on Tongataboo, one of the Friendly Islands, where they remained three months. They then went to Eoa, another island of the same group, and were at length taken off by a vessel and landed on Van Die- men's Land, where for four months Mr. Hunt did not see a white man. On another occasion Mr. Hunt incurred the displeasure of the British government by assisting the political exile, William Smith O'Brien, in an attempt to escape from New Zealand. Nine years elapsed from the time at which he embarked from Boston before he set foot in that city again. During that period he was sailing vessels on the Pacific, going as far north as the Sea of Okhotsk and as far south as New Zealand.
At length, abandoning the sea, Mr. Hunt became proprietor of a store in Cambridge, Mass., which he kept for two years. He then sold out ; and in 1858 he bought of Sen- ator Austin F. Pike a farm in Franklin, N. H., near Shaw's Corner. When the Civil War broke out, in 1861, Mr. Hunt enlisted as a private in Company A, Captain Sturtevant, of the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. After being discharged from Davis Island Hospital on November 23, 1862, he returned home and stayed until 1863, when he joined the invalid corps. A member of Company E, Thirteenth Regiment, he was assigned for a time to the Beach Street barracks in Boston, and also served in the Provost Marshal's office at Concord, Mass., receiving his final dis- charge in August, 1865. In 1863, while on a furlough, Mr. Hunt sold his farm in Franklin and bought the Jonathan Dickerson place in the town of Hill, near the Danbury line. Having repaired the buildings on the property, he has since made it his home.
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Mr. Hunt has been twice married. His first wife, Harriet N. Hood Hunt, was the mother of two children - Elizabeth C. and Mary P. Elizabeth married Frank P. Hill, of Portsmouth; and Mary is the wife of George L. Batchelder and the mother of two children -- Willie and Ora Bell. The present Mrs. Hunt was Miss Caroline T. Swett, of Hill, daughter of John and Sally (Sargent) Swett. In politics Mr. Hunt is an Indepen- dent. He is a member of the Nelson Post, No. 40, G. A. R., of Bristol ; and he has been Selectman of the town for two years. His first Presidential vote was cast in 1856 for James Buchanan.
2) EORGE S. BOND, a manufacturer of Charlestown, was born in that town, March 2, 1837, son of Silas and Alice (Abbot) Bond. His grandfather, Will- iam Bond, who was born in Watertown, Mass., at the age of twenty years came to Charles- town, and thereafter carried on general farm- ing during the remainder of his active life. One of his six children was Silas Bond, who married Alice Abbot, and also was the father of six children, including the subject of this sketch.
George S. Bond was educated in the district schools of the town. At the age of seven years his father died. When about nine years old he went to Fall River, where he worked for two years. After his return to Charles- town he worked on various farms in Charles- town and Acworth for about five years. He subsequently went to Brockton, Mass., learned the shoe finishing business, and remained there until he was eighteen years of age. He then went to Syracuse, N. Y., where he worked at his trade for two years. In 1856 he re- turned to Charlestown and took up the tin-
smith trade. He then went to Putney, Vt., where he worked for four years. In 1865 he bought out the tin store of W. B. Downer, and afterward carried it on for fifteen years. On retiring from that business, he bought out the violin case manufactory that had been established in Charlestown. There was but little work done here at first, and he employed but one man. Subsequently he had to en- large the place, and in 1893 he had forty hands in his employment and was using a fifty horse- power engine. In that year the factory was burned. Eleven weeks later his substantial new factory was ready for business. He has now a sixty horse-power engine, and he em- ploys from twenty-five to thirty-five hands. The factory is said to be the best equipped es- tablishment of its kind in the world, having a capacity of twenty-four dozen violin cases per day. Mr. Bond has dealings with some of the largest firms in this country. He is also interested in the Charlestown National Bank, of which he is the President. The community has had the advantage of his ser- vices on the School Board for several years. He went as delegate to Concord in the Consti- tutional Convention in 1889. A prominent Mason of Faithful Lodge, No. 12, he was its Master for a period of eight years. In 1860 he married Mary M. Way ; and they have one son, Herbert. That he is now one of the solid men of Charlestown is almost entirely the result of his perseverance and industry.
ACOB N. FLANDERS, an influential citizen of West Concord, N. H., was born on the estate which is now his home, March 25, 1825, son of Jacob and Hul- dah (Abbott) Flanders. His great-grand- father, Richard Flanders, was a large landed proprietor of Millville and owner of all the
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water-power in that vicinity. He came to Concord in the latter part of his life, and divided his land among his sons. His wife was a Fowler. Richard's son, Richard, Jr., was a mill hand and a farmer, and helped in clearing the land now owned by his grandson. The first crops had to be stacked in the open air without shelter; but later on he built a barn, and his sons afterward added to it. He lived to be ninety years old. His brother was one of the patriot soldiers who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War. Richard Flanders, Jr., married Mary Chandler West, and they had ten children.
Their son, Jacob, father of Jacob N., was educated in the old district school located near the pond; and after he left school he began farming. His life of fifty-one years was spent at the family homestead. He was a fife major in the old State militia. He was musi- cal, had a fine strong voice, and taught sing- ing-school here for several years. His wife, Huldah, was a daughter of Samuel and Mary Story Abbott, of Hopkinton, N. H. She be- came the mother of five children; namely, Richard M., Lucy Ann, Jacob N., Samuel A., and William H.
Jacob N. is the only one of these children now living. He passed his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and, like many another who has made his mark in the world, was edu- cated in the district schools. Mr. Flanders has a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, and does a prosperous business in agricultural lines. He married Almira B., daughter of Jonathan C. and Mary (Dimond) Runnels. A daughter Mary, one of the two children born to them, died in infancy. The surviving child is a daughter named Lucie Ann.
Mr. Flanders has given much time to the study of public questions and to the affairs of his town. He is well informed on all matters
of general interest, and his native qualifica- tions for public service were early recognized. He has been chosen to serve as Selectman for two years, as Assessor for three years, and as a member of the Common Council for two years. He has been a Highway Surveyor for five years, and Clerk of the School District for thirty-five years. Here he has made a record not only for long and faithful service, but for great efficiency. Mr. Flanders is a member of the North Congregational Church of Concord. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, his first vote for President having been cast for Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate, in 1848.
ON. GARDNER BATCHELDER EMMONS, a successful business man of Concord, N.H., who is now serving his first term as a State Senator, was born in Bristol, Grafton County, this State, February 18, 1847, son of Horace M. and Maria (Batchelder) Emmons. The paternal "ancestors have been identified with the history of Bristol, N.H., for at least one hundred and fifty years; while the Batchelders have been inhabitants of Reading, Mass., about two hundred and fifty years.
Gardner B. Emmons attended the public schools of Bristol in his boyhood, and com- pleted his course of study in New Hampton Institute at the age of eighteen years. For the first two years of his active career he was employed in a provision store in Bristol, com- ing thereafter to Concord. He subsequently established himself in business in Tilton, N. H. Returning to Concord in. 1871, he has since been engaged in the meat provision busi- ness in this city. He is half-owner in the Concord Coal Company, a Director in the Concord Street Railway Company, a Trustee
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in the Union Guaranty Savings Bank, and a Director and leading spirit in the Concord Cattle Company, the headquarters of which are at Miles City, Custer County, Mont.
In politics Mr. Emmons is a stanch Repub- lican. He has served four years on the Board of Aldermen, and in 1889 he was a member of the House of Representatives in the legislat- ure. In the fall of 1896 he was nominated by acclamation for State Senator, and was elected by a larger majority than had been received by any of his predecessors. Mr. Emmons is a voter in Ward Six, which has not been repre- sented in the Senate for many years.
On November 25, 1869, Mr. Emmons was married to Sarah Jane Flanders, of Concord. By this union there have been four children, three of whom are living: Harry G., a dry- · goods merchant in this city; Oscar F., who is also in Concord; and Hattie S. For a quarter of a century Mr. Emmons has been a member of the First Baptist Society, and for seven years he has served as a Trustee and the Treasurer. He has been connected with the White Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Wonalancet Club, the leading social organization of Concord.
J ALBERT PEASLEE, an important factor of the agricultural and business · community of Bradford, Merrimack County, was born in this town, on the farm that he still owns, December. 14, 1845. His father, John Peaslee, a son of Samuel Peaslee, was a lifelong resident of Bradford. He was the Representative of an early settled family in New Hampshire, and one whose descend- ants are numerous in Hillsborough County, where, in the town of Pelham, they have an annual gathering.
John Peaslee settled on the homestead farm
now owned by his son, J. Albert, soon after attaining his majority, purchasing at first but ten acres. As time went on he bought other land, made valuable improvements ; and at his death, which occurred in March, 1884, at the venerable age of fourscore and four years, he had one of the most valuable and attractive es- tates in the vicinity. He was twice married. His first wife was Chloe Maxfield, daughter of Richard Maxfield, who once owned the village of Bradford, then called Fishersfield. She died leaving two sons - Oliver, now of Brad- ford; and William, of Amherst, N.H. - and four daughters, namely: Margaret, wife of Stillman Parkhurst, of Bedford, N. H .; Minda, wife of B. B. Whiting, of Amherst; Hannah, wife of Timothy Morse, of Newbury, this county ; and Sally, who died unmarried. He subsequently married Mrs. Betsey Presby Mar- shall, daughter of James Presby and grand- daughter of Captain William Presby, the first settler in Bradford. Her first husband, Silas Marshall, left her a widow with several chil- dren, as follows: William P., of Boston; Ezekiel H., also of Boston; Kendall W., a former resident of Bradford, who died in 1892; Clara M. (deceased), who married B. W. Fair- banks, of Manchester; and Elizabeth M. (de- ceased), who was the wife of the late David Shattuck, of Cambridgeport, Mass. Of John Peaslee's second union there was but one child, J. Albert, the special subject of this sketch. Mrs. Betsey P. M. Peaslee survived her husband but a short time, dying on the home farm in June, 1885, aged eighty-three years.
J. Albert Peaslee was reared on his father's farm, which he began managing when but twenty-one years old. Some years later his parents, who continued to live with him, gave him a deed of the estate. In his early mature life he spent one year in Boston; but he after-
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ward carried on the old home until 1878, when he took charge of the county farm at North Boscawen, just after the old buildings had been destroyed by fire. He superintended the erection of new buildings, and remained there four years. He was then elected a County Commissioner. The superintendent who succeeded him at the county farm not proving satisfactory, he was asked by the Board, of which he was a member, to again take the position. He accordingly returned to North Boscawen, and stayed there until his term of office as Commissioner had expired. In 1885 he went back to the ancestral home- stead, where he was actively engaged in gen- eral farming, dairying, and stock-raising, until about three years since, when he removed to the village, although he has the oversight of his farm still. He cuts one hundred tons of hay each year, and keeps from forty to fifty cows, raising his own stock from thorough- bred Holsteins, which he was the first to in- troduce into the town. This farm is particu- larly well adapted to cultivation, being well watered and remarkably free from rocks, his father having been obliged to haul the stones used in building twenty-five hundred rods of wall the distance of a mile.
The Bradford and Newbury Fair Associa- tion has held its annual fairs on his farm since 1875, fifty acres lying in a valley, about one and one-half miles west of the village, being appropriated to its use. These grounds, of which Mr. Peaslee is the superintendent and treasurer, are well improved, having fine stables, water - works, a three-story grand stand, and a half-mile regulation track, the whole being one of the best and most complete fair grounds in the State. Colonel Tappan, President of the Association the first twelve years, was one of the prime movers in secur- ing this advantageous location, working for it
in company with Alburton Peaslee, Albert D. Eaton, and John Farmer. Hiram Cheney, its second President, held the office six years, and was then succeeded by Jonathan Rowe, of Newbury, who is now holding the office. The first twenty years this was a free fair; but of late years all excepting exhibitors have been charged an admission fee, and no premiums have been given, though a few awards are made each year. These fairs, usually held the last of September, draw people from miles around, being the event of the season, the vis- itors numbering from three thousand to seven thousand. There is always a fine exhibition of fancy stock, and in 1896 sixty-three trotters were entered.
Mr. Peaslee has served as Selectman several terms, having been Chairman of the Board part of the time. He has also been a member of the School Board, and has held every other township office, including that of Moderator, in which position he has served some twelve years. In 1885 he represented the town in the legislature, serving on the Committee on Roads and Bridges, and on Appropriations. He is the Bradford representative of the Mer- rimack County Fire Insurance Company, and for twenty-five years has been Justice of the Peace. He is an active politician, supporting the principles of the Democratic party, attend- ing all campaign meetings, where he not infre- quently makes neat little speeches. He was made a Mason in St. Peter's Lodge, F. & A. M., thirteen years ago, and has for some time been its Secretary. He is a fine musi- cian, has been a member of the church choir since a boy, and is often asked to sing at funerals.
On November 22, 1871, Mr. Peaslee mar- ried Maria R. Smith, who was born in New London, N.H., November 24, 1841. Her father, Ira Smith, was born in New London,
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January 16, 1799; and he there married June 27, 1822, Amanda Dow, who was born in New London, September 21, 1799. In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. Smith settled in the village of Brad- ford, where his death occurred a few years later, August 1, 1867, and hers, August 2, 1883. Of their four children Mrs. Peaslee is the only survivor. Her brother James F., a boot and shoe dealer, died in Woonsocket, R.I., at the age of fifty-two years; her sister, Mary E., died at the age of thirty, unmarried; and her brother Nahum W., who was prin- cipal of the high school in Woonsocket, R.I., died there when but twenty-four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Peaslee have had one daughter, Lura M. Peaslee. She was born March 12, 1874, and died February 10, 1897, at the age of nearly twenty-three years. She was a young lady of an unusually gentle and lovely character, and the high esteem and love in which she was held were testified to by the large number of her acquaintances, both old and young, who paid their last respects by attendance at her funeral, and by the kindly visits of sympathizing friends at the home.
A MOS RICHARDSON, an influential resident of Cornish, was born here, November 27, 1817, son of Amos and Sophia (Cummings) Richardson. He is a descendant of Dr. Amos Richardson, who was a physician of note in Pelham, N.H. Dr. Amos's son, Joseph, was grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch. Joseph's children were: Miriam, Joseph, David, Josiah, Sarah, Mercy, Rebecca, and Amos. Miriam, now deceased, was the wife of Joshua Wyman, of Pelham, and the mother of seven children ; Joseph mar- ried Polly Hilliard, of Cornish, and had a family of twelve children; David, now de- ceased, married Sarah Ford, and was the father
of seven children; Josiah, who was unmar- ried, is deceased; Sarah married John Hug- gins, and is now deceased; Mercy, who mar- ried Aaron Hibbard, had no children, and is now deceased; Rebecca, who never married, lived to be eighty-two years of age.
Amos Richardson, Sr., a native of Pelham, born in November, 1785, moved to Cornish with his parents when only four years of age. After finishing his education, which was ob- tained in the town schools, he went to Massa- chusetts; but after a while, at the urgent re- quest of his parents, he came back to carry on the farm, the present homestead of his son. He was very prominent in the town, and was much interested in town affairs. He was Tax Collector for a number of years, also Select- man; and he was a candidate for the legislat- ure. In politics he was a Federalist. Of a religious disposition, he was Deacon of the Baptist church for many years. He married Sophia Cummings, who bore him eight chil- dren - Sarah, Amos, Louisa, William, George, Cummings, Cordelia, and Charlotte. Sarah is the wife of the Rev. Jonathan Her- rick, of Troy, N. H. Louisa is deceased. William served in the Civil War, and, while on his way home, died of sickness in New York City. George, Cordelia, and Cum- mings are also deceased. Cummings was in California when he died.
After receiving his early education in the schools of the town and in Kimball Academy, Amos Richardson, the subject of this sketch, studied in the medical department of Dart- mouth College for about two years. Later he abandoned the study of medicine and began teaching. Afterward he went to Florida, and entered a mercantile business, remaining there for a number of years. From Florida he re- turned to the homestead on learning that his parents' health was failing, and he has resided
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More since. Mr. Richardson at once took a ; ruminent place among the citizens of his na- :: town, and is still to be found at the front in all movements for progress or reform. He Has been Town Treasurer of Cornish. His unquestionable integrity and many amiable qualities have gained for him not only a large circle of personal friends, but the confidence of the business community. He attends the Baptist church, and is an active Free Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the grange.
Mr. Richardson has been twice married. His first wife, Salome Richardson, bore him two children - Sidney K. and Frank. The present Mrs. Richardson was before her mar- ringe Sarah J. Hilliard. She is the mother of three children - Fred H., Flora, and Nellie. Sidney Richardson, born June 29, 1846, was lucated in the town schools and at Kimball Academy. After leaving school he learned the machinist's trade at Lebanon, N. H., and worked at that until his health gave out. He then had charge of the toll bridge at Windsor, St., for four years. After that he bought the tarm where he is now living. He was in the Lite war for two years; and, like so many of the brave men who risked their lives in de- : nice of the Union, he came back with shat- tered health. For the past nine years he has been Tax Collector. He is a member of the Grand Army and the grange, and has held ." ces in these orders. He married Ella Sortevant, and has two children - Henry and Charles. Henry, born September 19, 1873, : Brandon, Vt., was educated at Kimball A domy and in Dartmouth College. He is ·Wa teacher of the high school at Walpole, S. H., and a very popular young man in that Charles, born May 9, 1886, is still in .1. Frank, the second son of Mr. Amos 1 :: har kon, was in California for a number of vers and is now with his father carrying on
the extensive farm. Fred H., another son, born October 1, 1859, married Gertrude Haven, and is one of the officials of the State Prison at Windsor, Vt. Flora, born in 1861, died in 1886. Nellie is the wife of Elmer E. York, a successful school teacher of Cornish.
AMES E. BARNARD is a lawyer of prominence at Franklin, N.H., his na- tive place. He was born on January 29, 1863, son of the Hon. Daniel and Amelia (Morse) Barnard.
His father, Daniel Barnard, was born Janu- ary 23, 1827, in Orange, N.H. Naturally of a studious turn of mind, as a youth he attended the academy in winter, and worked on his father's farm in the summer months. He sub- sequently taught school in different counties of New Hampshire. In 1851 he began to read law with the Hon. George W. Nesmith, and in 1854 he became junior partner in a law firm with the Hon. Austin F. Pike. Mr. Nesmith retired from active business in 1863; and Mr. Barnard withdrew from the connection he had formed, and started out for himself at Frank- lin, where he had a large practice for over thirty years. In 1860-62 he was State Repre- sentative, in 1865-66 President of the State Senate, 1870-71 member of the Governor's Council, in 1872 he was a member of the Re- publican Committee that met in convention at. Philadelphia, Pa., in 1867 he was County So- licitor, and in 1872 he was re-elected to that position. He was a Trustee of the Franklin Savings Bank, and was a Director and also Vice-President of the Franklin National Bank of Franklin Falls. He was appointed At- torney General in 1887, and held the office until his death. His reputation as a lawyer was very high, and he was identified with all the leading enterprises in Franklin. He and
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his wife were the parents of seven children : William M .; Emma S .; Mary A .; James E., the subject of this article; Daniel, Jr., who died in infancy; Charles Daniel; and Frank E. The first-born, William M., was gradu- ated at Dartmouth College in 1876, and was for many years in partnership with his father in a law office. He died in 1886, aged thirty years. Emma S. became the wife of Captain Samuel Pray, of Newtonville, Mass., formerly commander of a vessel and now a commission
merchant. Mary A. married Fred H. Daniell, superintendent of the Sulloway Hosiery Mills in Franklin. Charles D. married Jennie An- derson, and is a real estate dealer in Chicago, Ill. Frank E. is a lawyer in Boston, Mass., and has an office in the Globe Building. The Hon. Daniel Barnard died January 10, 1892; and his widow, Mrs. Amelia M. Barnard, sur- vives him, making her home' among her chil- dren.
James E. Barnard was fitted for college at the Franklin High School, and took a two years' course at Dartmouth, receiving his de- gree in 1886. He then went on a sea voyage to Australia, China, and the East, being away for two years. This greatly improved his health; and on his return he engaged in the Franklin National Bank as General Assistant, where he remained about two years. For one year after that he was in the National Bank of the Republic in Boston; but at the time of his brother's death he returned home, and commenced to read law with his father. Later on he attended Boston University Law School. He was graduated in 1890, admitted to the bar in July, 1890, and began practice with his father. He continued thus until his father's death, and since that time he has car- ried on the business by himself. He is agent for several fire and life insurance companies. Mr. Barnard is connected with the Episcopal
church, and is a member of the following Ma- sonic societies: Meridian Lodge, No. 60, F. & A. M., and St. Omer Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., in Franklin; Mount Horeb Com- mandery, K. T., at Concord, N. H .; also Ed- ward A. Raymond Consistory at Nashua, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Knights of Pyth- ias, St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 21, of Franklin. He is clerk of the Franklin Library Asso- ciation and of the Odell Band, is President of the Franklin Republican Club, Justice of the Peace, and Notary Public. In March, 1893, he was appointed Justice of the Police Court of Franklin, which position he still holds.
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