USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 42
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 42
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
OHN M. FLETCHER, a prominent and successful dentist of the city of Concord, N.H., was born in Canter- bury, N.H., July 24, 1832. He is the son of John and Nancy (St. Clair) Fletcher.
His grandfather, John Fletcher, Sr., was a native of Dunstable, Mass., born January 25, 1770. He removed to Loudon, N.H., and there spent his remaining years as an agricult- urist, dying December 15, 1853. He was fort- unate in choosing his partner for life, a lady of high moral worth as well as of great natural ability, a conscientious Christian, a devoted mother, and a loving wife. Her maiden name was Betsey Morrill; and she was born October 2, 1772, in Gilmanton, N. H., and died June 18, 1851. The result of this union was a family of fourteen children, consisting of eight sons and six daughters. Eleven of these he lived to see prosperous and happily located in business.
John Fletcher, Jr., the father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Loudon, N. H., March 16, 1795, and chose as his occupation for a livelihood the tilling of the soil and the levelling of the forest. In the year 1822, March 26, he was united in marriage to Miss
353
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Nancy St. Clair, who was born October 12, 1799, the youngest daughter of Noah St. Clair. They spent four years in Loudon and Concord, respectively, but finally, in 1826, purchased and located on the St. Clair home- stead. From time to time he augmented his original purchase by buying additional land until his estate covered nearly two hundred acres. He was a man of high character, and universally respected and beloved by the com- munity in whose midst he passed a long and busy life. In religious matters he accepted the tenets held by the Free Will Baptist de- nomination, and was an active member of the same. As a result of the matrimonial union there were four children born, three sons and one daughter.
Noah St. Clair, the grandfather of Dr. Fletcher on the maternal side, was a native of Epping, N. H., born February 20, 1755. He married Miss Lavina Gault, of Canterbury, N.H., who was born April 27, 1758. In the year 1798 he purchased a farm in Canterbury, N. H., where he resided until his decease in 1821, March 15. His wife survived him, liv- ing until January 10, 1828. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, namely : Betsy St. Clair, born Jan- uary 3, 1782; James St. Clair, born April 2, 1784; William St. Clair, born January 21, 1786; Sally St. Clair, born March 7, 1788; John St. Clair, born June 1, 1790; Polly St. Clair, born July 22, 1792; Noah St. Clair, born October 26, 1794; Abigail St. Clair, born March 10, 1797; Nancy St. Clair, born October 2, 1709; Winthrop St. Clair, born May 7, 1802. Grandfather and Grandmother St. Clair were members of the Free Will Bap- tist Church of Canterbury, N.H., he being the leader of the choir. Their children were many of them musicians; and one, William St. Clair, was a teacher of music. They were a
family of true patriots ; and the father and two sons, John and William, quickly responded when the cry of "To arms" came in 1812. Noah St. Clair enlisted as a drum major, and the sons shouldered the musket. He was severely wounded, and both sons were sacri - ficed. In the year 1814 he returned to his home in Canterbury.
John M. Fletcher received his education in the public school of the adjoining town of Loudon. At the close of his school-days we find him possessed of a natural inclination to become a dentist. He did not then, however, have the means to proceed in the study of his chosen profession; and, August 1, 1850, he entered the employment of L. Downing & Sons, coach builders, of Concord, with whom he remained for a term of years. He also had a natural taste for music, which he had culti- vated, and during his residence in Concord at that time was engaged for several years as a leading tenor at the North Congregational Church. These were busy times for the young man ; for he also during his leisure hours de- voted himself to the study of anatomy and physiology, besides which he occasionally gave his attention to ornithology and taxidermy in the way of recreation.
He continued in the carriage business until the breaking out of the Civil War, soon after which he entered the office of Hiram Hill, D. D.S., of Manchester, N.H., where he re- mained for a time, and afterward engaged at a salary with Chester Heath, D.D.S., of the same city. During his studentship he was engaged as a leading tenor at the Lowell Street Universalist Church; also during his leisure hours he was employed as a taxidermist by a gentleman by the name of Stark in West Manchester, who was the proprietor of a zoo- logical garden, and by whom he was favored with liberal contributions for services ren-
354
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
dered, a large collection of stuffed birds and animals being the result. But the burning of so much midnight gas soon began to tell seri- ously upon his health, and he was obliged to abandon business for a time. Upon leaving Manchester he spent a few pleasant weeks with friends in East Concord, N. H. He also spent two years in Loudon, N.H., in the office of Dr. W. S. Collins, a celebrated doctor of medicine. With health restored, he began to search for a place to locate for the practice of his profession, and received a call from Brad- ford, N. H., where he located happily. While there he made a collection of some two hundred specimens of our native birds, which he mounted during his leisure moments. In this he was assisted very much by the late Dr. C. M. Fiske, an enthusiast on the subject.
The happiest days of Dr. Fletcher's life were spent during his six years' stay in Brad- ford. But there came an unavoidable inter- ruption in this rural felicity. Informed by the United States mail one day that his pres- ence at the old homestead was very desirable, he soon put in an appearance at that place; and as a result of the interview he returned to Bradford, closed up business, and removed to Franklin, N.H., where he could be in closer communication with his parents as long as they lived. His mother died May 24, 1875; his father, April 23, 1876. In the mean- time, Dr. Fletcher having acquired the pos- session of real estate in the city of Concord, he located here for the practice of his pro- fession in 1879, and finally purchased his present residence at the corner of South and Perley Streets.
On July 3, 1854, he was united in marriage with Lucy A. Adams, a daughter of Zenas and Lydia (Baker) Adams, of Pembroke, N.H. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812. She was born May 28, 1832, and was a gradu-
ate of the Pembroke Academy. On Septem- ber 29, 1855, a daughter was born, Lizzie E. Fletcher. She was educated in the public schools. She also received special instruction in music, being a pupil of L. W. Wheeler, of Boston, Mass. During her musical career she gave some attention to teaching both vocal and instrumental music, and sang at several churches, and at times took part in the exer- cises at concerts and conventions. In the winter of 1882, February 17, the Doctor's wife was stricken with apoplexy, and passed away instantly, leaving the domestic administration to the daughter, when gradually her song lost its wonted glee, and the dark rust found an abiding-place within her piano. The pictures of the lost one still hang upon the wall and rest upon the mantel-piece, pleasant to behold ; but there are no kind and affectionate words escaping those lips, as of yore, or laying on of those soft and soothing hands when pain and anguish wring the brow. The sunshine of the home has been dimmed, and the cloud still lingers, its shadow resting on the vacant chair; yet there are kind hearts and willing hands beneath the parent roof, and consequently it is a home, and a sweet home, to those that dwell therein.
Since Dr. Fletcher became a resident of this city he has obtained letters patent on several inventions, on which he has realized quite lib- erally, one of them, a fountain cuspidor, being esteemed by competent judges the most per- fect fulfilment of its especial design and pur- pose ever invented. Wishing to place. his ornithological collection where it would be the best appreciated and most useful, he gave it to the Concord High School, which it now adorns.
In politics Dr. Fletcher has ever been a Republican. His first Presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont. His religious
355
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
views are eclectic. On his arrival in Concord in February, 1879, he located in State Block, corner of North Main and School Streets, where we shall take our leave of him.
ONATHAN AREY, a well-known resi- dent and a retired blacksmith of Salis- bury, was born January 28, 1816, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the town of Wellfleet, son of Solomon and Patty (Hopkins) Arey. The father, also a native of Wellfleet, born March 12, 1787, lived there until 1830, working at his trade, that of carpenter and joiner. In 1830 he moved to Boscawen, N.H., and there settled on a farm, which he conducted until his death in 1846. His wife, who was born in Eastham, Mass., Feb- -ruary 20, 1789, died April 14, 1863. They had twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor. They were: Priscilla B., Sarah, Nathaniel H., Jonathan, Solomon, Nancy W., Elisha H., Catherine W., Isaiah H., Mary Ann, Happa W., and Martha J.
Jonathan Arey received his education in the common schools of Wellfleet, Mass., and Bos- cawen, and at Pembroke Academy. He re- mained at home until seventeen years old, when he began to work at the blacksmith's trade with William Temple, of Boscawen, in whose employment he remained for three years. After this he worked at his trade .for six months in Franklin, and then came to Salisbury. On September 4, 1839, Mr. Arey married Miss Charlotte H. Smith, of Salisbury, daughter of Caleb and Mehitable (Eaton) Smith. She died March 9, 1865; and in the following year Mr. Arey was married a second time to Mrs. Mary S. Pevare, daughter of Deacon Amos and Hannah (Sherburne) Fifield, of Danbury. She died March 4,
1890. Mr. Arey's third marriage was con- tracted with Mrs. Addie J. (White) Davis, of Wilmot. She was born May 23, 1840, daugh- ter of Eben and Judith (Emery) White, who owned a farm in Wilmot. Her grandfather Emery was a Revolutionary soldier, and he attained the age of ninety-nine years. Mr. Arey's children, all by his first marriage, were: Susan Elizabeth, Lucy Ann, Henry, and Charlotte Augusta. Susan Elizabeth is the wife of Moses Trussell, a merchant of Davisville. The others are now deceased. Georgia H. Davis, Mrs. Arey's daughter by her first marriage, is now the wife of Brinton Cate, of Concord, a painter by trade, now em- ployed as a fireman.
Here for fifty years Mr. Arey carried on the smithy that stands opposite his home, working from twelve to sixteen hours daily. Often he worked all night, shoeing horses for teams employed in carrying goods from Boston to Vermont. He owns a farm of about nine acres, together with an orchard, a pasture, and some uncultivated land. He has always done some farming and gardening. Since he took the place he has much improved it, and now raises considerable fruit. Mr. Arey has not been sick a day since he was fourteen. His good health is, no doubt, due largely to the fact that he has been always a temperate man. He is well known and liked by the community for miles around. He has been Selectman of the town for five years, and was Chairman two years of that time. In politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican. Later he voted the Democratic ticket. Now he is an Inde- pendent, believing in voting for the best man every time. Mrs. Arey is a member of the Free Baptist Church of Concord, N. H.
Among a number of interesting relics care- fully preserved by the family is the chair of Grandfather John Hopkins, who was a Revolu-
356
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
tionary soldier. This chair has been in the family for one hundred and fifty years. There is also a mirror over a hundred years old, and a primitive foot-stove; while Mrs. Arey has a century-old flat-iron, which was formerly owned by her grandmother.
RED MOULTON, a leading resident of Plainfield and the proprietor of a large grocery store at Lebanon, was born July 11, 1836, in Plainfield, son of Stephen R. and Sally (Noyes) Moulton. The Moultons have had representatives in Plain- field for four generations, men who have been prominent in the development of the town and closely identified with all the im- portant events in its history. The first of the name to settle here was William, grandfather of Mr. Fred Moulton, who took up land, and cleared a farm, which is still in the possession of his descendants. Known from the first as a man of absolute integrity, he had the respect of his fellow-townsmen. He served in all the important town offices with signal credit. He was twice married, and had in all nine chil- dren. The children of his second marriage were: William, who was a farmer in Cicero, N. Y., and recently died; Emery, now a cooper and prosperous farmer of Cicero, N.Y .; Mir- rick, now deceased, who was a wealthy farmer of the same place; Samuel C., who was a very prominent citizen of Plainfield, was twice married, had three children, and died in the West; Jane, who became Mrs. William Wright, of New York; and Sally, now the wife of Daniel Noyes, of Plaistow, this State.
Stephen R. Moulton, who was born May 8, 1805, became very prominent in the affairs of the town, serving it efficiently in various pub- lic capacities. In early life he was a teacher. He owned a large farm in East Plainfield,
comprising the land of three estates. Besides raising cattle and carrying on general farming, he kept a general merchandise store in part- nership with Mr. Morgan. He held a high place in the regard of his fellow-townsmen. His wife, Sally, was born May 28, 1813. Besides a daughter that died in infancy, their children were: Fred, Darius Noyes, Joseph S., and Ella M. The biography of Darius, who is one of the most influential men of Plainfield to-day, will be found on another page of this volume. Ella, who became Mrs. George Doty, of Meriden, and the mother of Lena M. and George F. Doty, Jr., died May 30, 1890. Joseph S., born April 13, 1851, after graduat- ing at Kimball Union Academy, entered Dart- mouth College at Hanover and later Andover Theological Seminary. He is now a Unita- rian clerygman, located at Stowe, Mass.
Fred Moulton was sent to the town schools and later to Kimball Union Academy, which has fitted so many men and women to hold positions of responsibility and honor in life. After finishing school he went to Haverhill, Mass., and engaged in the grocery business. He had been there four years when he returned to Plainfield, bought a farm, and settled per- manently on it. He has extensively engaged in raising poultry; and he conducts a large store at Lebanon, having a flourishing trade with the surrounding towns. Mr. Moulton has taken an active interest in town affairs, and has served the community in the capaci- ties of Selectman, legislative Representative, and others of minor importance. In the legis- lature he was on the Committee on Banks. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1876. He married Arabell Rowell, of Plainfield, N.H., who was born December 22, 1836. Their son, Elmer, who was born February 23, 1861, and now manages the home farm, married Emma Eaton, and has
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
357
one son, Fred A., who is the first representa- tive of the fifth generation of the Moulton family in Plainfield.
APTAIN JOHN L. KELLEY, pro- prietor of Maplewood Farm, Franklin, and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, is a native of Gilman- ton, Belknap County. He was born Septem- ber 19, 1824, his parents being Daniel and Sally (Weeks) Kelley, the former a native of Gilmanton and the latter of Gilford.
Daniel Kelley carried on a farm in his native town until 1866, when he moved to Franklin, where he resided for the rest of his life. He was the father of six children, as follows: Betsey M., born June 3, 1813, who died April 18, 1895; Sara, born June II, 1815, died October 18, 1878; Mary Ann, born April 11, 1817; Ellen W., born October 28, 1821, who married William Bell, and died March 16, 1862; John L., the subject of this sketch; and Daniel W., who died in infancy. Mary Ann Kelley has been twice married, and her first husband was John S. Durrell. She married for her second husband Challis Sar- gent, of Tilton, and is now residing in Lis- bon, N. H.
-
John L. Kelley grew to manhood and acquired his education in Gilmanton, and since leaving school has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. The farm he now cultivates consists of three hundred acres, and is one of the most desirable pieces of agricultural prop- erty in this part of the county. Truck farm- ing is carried on quite extensively, as well as stock-raising; but Maplewood Farm is espe- cially noted for its excellent milk, and two wagons are required to supply the regular cus- tomers in Franklin Falls. On the premises is a fine greenhouse, where flowering plants
receive their share of attention. In addition to all this the proprietor of Maplewood Farm has been interested in real estate business, and has erected several buildings in Franklin Falls and vicinity.
On October 24, 1847, Captain Kelley was united in marriage with Susan J. Drew, who was born in Alton, N. H., September 5, 1823, daughter of Joseph and Leah (Jones) Drew. Mrs. Kelley is the mother of six children, namely : Emily Bird, born November 9, 1850; Olin J., born December 4, 1852, who was fitted for college at Tilton; Charles Hazen, born April 21, 1856; Elmer D., born Novem- ber 7, 1861; Nellie B., born September 2, 1863; and John Irving, born June 2, 1870. Emily Bird Kelley was married November 28, 1876, to the Rev. J. W. Walker, a Methodist preacher, who was formerly Presiding Elder of the Iowa Conference, and now resides in Rock Rapids, Ia. Olin J. Kelley is now engaged in farming with his father. On Jan- uary 29, 1879, he married Mary Elizabeth Walker, who was born in Brampton, Ont., August 17, 1857. They have four children - Herbert Lester, Irene Susan, Arthur O., and Mary Evelyn. Charles Hazen Kelley fitted for college at Tilton, graduated from the Bos- ton University Law School, and is now a prominent attorney in Forest City, Ia. He married Florence Clark, of Rockford, Ill. Elmer D. Kelley, who is a graduate of the New Hampshire College, is now residing on the homestead in Franklin, giving his atten- tion largely to the greenhouses. He has served on the Board of Assessors, and is now a member of the City Council. On July 13, 1886, he married Emma E. Ingalls, who was born in Walden, Vt., March 23, 1861, daugh- ter of Perley and Lovina Ingalls. Her mother, now a widow, makes her home with them. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer D. Kelley have
358
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
four children: Florence W .; Marion A .; Louise; and an infant daughter, of whose name we have not been advised. Nellie B. Kelley married Ziba A. Norris, of the grocery firm of Norris Brothers, 1677 Washington Street, Boston. John Irving Kelley is now a prosper- ous farmer of Franklin.
Politically, Captain Kelley is a Republi- can, and for many years was active in public affairs. He has served in various town offices, and he represented the district in the legislat- ure in 1864 and 1865. He is connected with the United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers, was one of the organizers of the grange, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was formerly interested in military affairs, and at one time was in command of a well- drilled company.
APTAIN ELEAZAR L. SARSONS, a well-known resident of Acworth and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Lyme, N. H., August 9, 1836, son of Leon and Flora Ella (Prue) Sarsons. His father, who was born in France in the year 1800, emigrated to Canada in 1828, and in 1834 moved to Sheffield, Vt. He was a shoe- maker by trade, and followed this handicraft in connection with farming for some time. He later plied his calling in Lyme, N. H., and other places ; and in 1871 he came to Acworth, where he spent the rest of his life. He mar- ried Flora Ella Prue, who was born in Canada in 1815. They became the parents of ten children, as follows: Mary; Elinore; Eleazar L., the subject of this sketch ; Flora, who was born in 1834, and died in Wheelock, Vt., in 1841; Adeline; Marguerite; William H .; George W., who died in Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 6, 1880; Ella, born in Barre, Vt., in April, 1852; and Charles, who was born in Orange,
Vt., in 1860, and died in 1868. Mary Sar- sons became the wife of Henry Townes, of Lake Village, N. H. Her husband died July I, 1896; and she is now residing in Nashua, N.H. Elinore married George W. Newell, of Nashua, and died May 3, 1889. Adeline mar- ried John Williams. Marguerite, who married John Clark, died June 28, 1880. William H., who married Clara Barton, died in Kan- sas, January 6, 1881. Ella is the widow of Ora C. Smith, late of Acworth, N.H., who died February 1, 1897. Leon Sarsons died June 17, 1888, having survived his wife, who died February 12, 1885, a little more than three years.
Eleazar L. Sarsons in his boyhood attended school in Barre, Vt. At the age of nineteen he went to Oshkosh, Wis., where he was engaged in the lumber business a short time; and upon his return East he settled in Nashua. On May 2, 1861, he joined Company E, First Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer In- fantry, under Colonel M. W. Tappin and Cap- tain A. S. Edgerly. He remained with his regiment until August 9 of that year, when he re-enlisted in the Fourth New Hampshire Regiment, and on September 20 was assigned to duty in Company C, under Captain Gilman E. Sleeper. He served from the outbreak until the close of the war for the Union, in which he took part in many of the most nota- ble and decisive battles. Mr. Sarsons was made a Sergeant on September 25, 1861, and was appointed First Sergeant, May 1, 1863. On May 20, 1864, he was taken prisoner, and during his captivity of seven months was con- fined in Petersburg, Andersonville, Charles- ton, and Florence. Continued exposure brought on a. severe illness, which he was obliged to endure without medical aid; and after his release he was confined to the hospi- tal at Annapolis, Md., with an attack of fever,
1
£
359
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
which resulted in a severe deafness. He was given a furlough of sixty days in which to re- cuperate; and he afterward rejoined his regi- ment at Raleigh, N.C. He was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, February 17, 1865, was commissioned Captain June 2, and mustered out as such in Concord, September 2 of the same year. His experience while in the army was one of unusual activity, much of the time being spent in service at the front; and his war record is a most honorable one. In 1867 Captain Sarsons purchased the farm of two hundred acres, where he now resides. His property is well improved. He carries on general farming energetically, is interested in breeding horses, and raises sheep and cattle.
On November 3, 1857, Captain Sarsons married for his first wife Emeline H. Camp- bell, of Nashua. She died June 8, 1871, leaving three children, namely : Adelbert E., born September 3, 1858; Clarence L., who was born September 2, 1861, and died May 26, 1883; and Nellie A., born June 22, 1864. Adelbert E. married Lillian Mathews, of Nashua, and is now residing in Newport, N.H. Nellie A. is the wife of Frank Clem- ent, of Newport. On December 17, 1871, Captain Sarsons wedded Ella Z. Metcalf. She was born in Newport, November 23, 1844, daughter of Joseph P. and Lucy (Gould) Met- calf. Mrs. Sarsons's father died December 17, 1869; and her mother died in April, 1896. By this second marriage of Captain Sarsons there is one daughter, Flora, who was born October 19, 1872, and is now the wife of Natt H. Beckwith, of Lempster.
Politically, Captain Sarsons is a Republi- can. He has served as a Selectman one year, was Tax Collector ten years, and for several years past has acted as a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. Fraternally, he is con-
nected with Forest Lodge, No. 69, I. O. O. F., of Marlow; Cold River Grange, No. 19, Patrons of Husbandry; the Prisoners-of-war Association and the Veterans' Association; and is a comrade of Hancock Post, No. 9, G. A. R., of Alstead, N. H.
UGUSTUS BARNARD, formerly of Hopkinton, was one of the brave men who fought for the Union in the Civil War. Born in Haverhill, Mass., he was reared and educated in New York State. After spending a part of his early life in Bos- ton, he came to Hopkinton, where he learned the currier's trade of Jonathan Osgood. He followed this trade in connection with tanning until the late war was well in progress. Then he enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry for nine months. With his regiment he served his full time, the most of which was spent in Louisiana. The exposure and hardships of the camp and field had undermined his health to such an extent that he lived but three months after his discharge. He died Decem- ber 16, 1863, at the age of thirty-one, in the house on Putney Hill now occupied by his widow, Mrs. Julia A. Barnard.
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.