USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 55
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 55
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afterward peddled tinware until his death, which occurred in 1879. He married Mary French, of Plainfield, and reared a family. Calista, who was born April 26, 1826, married Alanson Hadley, of Plainfield, N. H. Riley Jordan, born June 26, 1828, was a marble cut- ter, following his trade in various parts of this county ; and he served as a soldier in the Civil War in the Sixth New Hampshire, Company G. He died July 3, 1881, aged fifty-three years. The maiden name of his wife was Laura French. Francis G., who was born August 6, 1830, was burned to death in his cradle, December 7, 1831. Louisa, who was born July 17, 1833, married Byron Sanborn, a native of Lisbon, N. H., and a farmer in Plainfield, and died in March, 1872, leaving one child. James, who was born June 13, 1843, and served for a time in the Fifth New Hamp- shire Regiment, Company C, during the Civil War, died February 21, 1896. Marcia was born October 29, 1845, and was acciden- tally killed June 25, 1856. She had returned to the .school-house for something left there, and while attempting to enter through the window it fell upon her neck. Electa, who was born in October, 1848, married a Mr. Allen Root, foreman of a sash and blind factory in Fitchburg, Mass., and has one child.
Frank A. Jordan began his education in the common schools of Plainfield, and completed it in Newbury, Vt. He learned the stone- cutter's trade, and for a time was employed in the construction of the Woodstock Railway. He enlisted in Company B, Second Regiment Vermont Volunteers, and after the first battle of Bull Run was transferred with five hundred · and fifty others to the marine service. He did duty as fireman upon the gunboats "Cin- cinnati " and "Benton " in the Cairo expedi- tion under Commodore Foote up the Tennessee
and Cumberland and on the upper Mississippi. After the expiration of his first term he re- enlisted in the Third Vermont Regiment, and took part in the battles of Culpeper Court- house, the Rappahannock, Bristoe Station, Rapidan, Brandy Station, and all along that line, at Pittsburg Landing, Fort Henry, and Island No. 10. Since the war he has been engaged in the stone-cutting business in Plain- field, and has executed some excellent work upon several large estates in this locality. He is a skilful workman and an able busi- ness man, and aside from his everyday calling he carries on a farm.
Mr. Jordan married Cornelia E. Davis, who was born in Bethel, Vt., April 3, 1847, daugh- ter of Joseph R. Davis, of that town. Mrs. Jordan is the mother of four children, namely : Sherman T., born August 1, 1865, who assists his father in business; Mabel M., born March 6, 1870; Emma Z., born May 20, 1873, married Edwin Milliner, of Plainfield, and has five children; and Parker C., born March 1I, 1875, who is employed by his father. Politically, Mr. Jordan is a Republi- can, but is prevented by business pressure from taking an active part in public affairs.
AMES S. ELKINS, a prominent citizen of Canterbury, N. H., was born in Rye, N. H., December 24, 1809, son of James and Mehitable (Rand) Elkins. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Elkins, was a native of Rye, where he was engaged in agri- culture during the active period of his life. James Elkins was a farmer and fisherman, fol- lowing the first-named occupation in Ryc, where he was born May 3, 1777. He died in Canterbury, November 29, 1855. His wife, Mehitable Rand Elkins, was born in Rye, June 19, 1787, and died in Canterbury, July
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20, 1859. They had three children : James S., the subject of this sketch; David, born November 4, 1812, and now deceased; and Moses, born February 21, 1814, who died Sep- tember 20, 1889.
James S. Elkins received his education in the public schools of his native town. He remained at home, and helped on the farm until he was twenty years of age. His par- ents removed to Little Boar's Head and then to Stratham, N. H., remaining four years in each place. In 1834 they moved to Canter- bury. He was engaged in stone-cutting in Quincy, Gloucester, and Boston, where he helped build the First Merchants' Exchange. In 1834 he bought a farm near the village of Canterbury. About 1873 he purchased the property where he now resides, and where for the last twenty years he has lived retired from business. In politics Mr. Elkins has always been a strong Democrat and an active politi- cian. He served three years as Selectman, and was the Representative of his district two years, besides holding other minor offices. He has been twice married. His first wife was Abbie S. Tallant, a daughter of James Tallant, of Canterbury. They had one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Elkins died No- vember 22, 1884; and on December 2, 1885, Mr. Elkins married L. Maria, a daughter of Jonathan and Phœbe (Eastman) Sargent, born September 10, 1833. Mrs. Elkins is a mem- ber of the Congregational church, in which both she and her husband are active workers.
OSES EATON DODGE, late a prosperous and highly respected farmer of Hopkinton, N. H., was born September 20, 1828, son of Henry and Susan (Eaton) Dodge. His parents, after their marriage, settled on the present Dodge 1
farm, which has been in the possession of the family for seventy-five years. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and early became engaged in farming and lumbering, in both of which occupations he was successful, and in the latter of which he did an extensive busi- ness, often employing about forty men. He was a man of quiet habits, a great reader, and an intelligent and useful citizen, respected by his fellow-townsmen. He served as Town Assessor; and he was a charter member of Union Grange, in which he also held office. In politics he was a Democrat. January 29, 1861, he married Abbie A., daughter of Charles and Phœbe (Hill) Weeks, of Hopkin- ton, by whom he had one son, Henry. Mr. Dodge died December 16, 1889, and was buried in the old Stumpfield district ceme- tery, where his parents rest. Mrs. Moses Dodge, who survives her husband, and resides on the old farm, is a lady of education and refinement, and an excellent conversationalist. She is somewhat of an invalid, being afflicted with rheumatism, which necessitates her con- stant use of a wheel chair. Still, she views life serenely, and spends her quiet, leisurely days in the pleasant surroundings of her pict- uresque home.
Henry Dodge, the son mentioned above, was born on the farm, January 2, 1863. He was educated at Contoocook Academy, and at New Hampton Institute, in which latter institution he took the four years' course, and was graduated with high honors in 1885. He studied medicine with Dr. Conn at Concord, and subsequently attended Dartmouth Medi- cal College, and also the University of Ver- mont, where he took his degree as Doctor of Medicine in 1888. He had as early as the age of sixteen taught school in Warner during the vacations, and he kept it up during his college course. After receiving his diploma,
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he began practice at Goffstown, but soon after went to Webster, where he succeeded to the practice of Dr. Arey on the death of that gentleman. He was soon after elected County Physician for a term of three years, having an office at Penacook. He has since been in general practice in Webster, and is a promi- nent citizen there. He served on the School Board, and in 1894 he was elected to the legislature of the State. He is a prominent member of the grange, in which he is valued as a speaker on matter affecting the interests of that body. Dr. Dodge married Miss Josie Hoyt, daughter of Benjamin Hoyt, who was roadmaster at Wareham, Mass., for thirty years. The Doctor and his wife had one son - Clarence B., whom they named for the son of ex-Governor Burleigh, of Maine, but who died quite suddenly, November 23, 1894.
HIDWARD DIMICK BAKER was an able advocate and lawyer of Claremont. He
was born April 21, 1827, at Meriden, N. H., son of Dimick and Hannah (Colby) Baker. He was a descendant in a direct line from Joseph Baker, who was born April 13, 1678. Joseph's son, Hernon, by his wife, Abigail Bissel Baker, married Lois Gilbert, who had a son Oliver, a physician, who mar- ried Dorcus Dimick, and became the father of Dimick Baker.
Dimick Baker was born March 18, 1793, in Plainfield, N. H., where he resided throughout his life. He was a prosperous merchant and farmer, and one of the most influential men of the town. His wife, Hannah, had five children, namely : Elias, who died November II, 1884; Hannah; Helen F .; Edward D .; and Cyrus E.
Having graduated from Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, Edward Dimick Baker
at twenty-one began the study of law with the Hon. Nathaniel W. Westgate at Enfield, N. H. He continued his studies with the Hon. Henry A. Bellows, a Chief Justice of New Hampshire, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar. He practised at Cornish, this county, until 1855, and afterward in Clare- mont until the time of his death, which oc- curred February 1, 1895. Mr. Baker was an able and fearless lawyer. He argued for the right on matters of public importance, and to unnecessary or unwise expenditure he was al- ways a strong opponent. It was said of him that he "was a careful and able lawyer, and a just and honorable arbitrator in differences, in which he frequently interposed his good offices to prevent unnecessary and expensive litiga- tion." Politically a Republican, he was Representative to the General Court in 1859, 1885, and 1886. He also filled other posi- tions of honor and trust. His religious preferences were given to the Congregational church. The authority already quoted further states : "He inherited considerable property, which grew through his business thrift to a large estate. In public affairs he had well- defined opinions and a definite policy, which he defended with an ability and a ready wit that always assured him an audience. He was a man of many admirable qualities. In his charities, and they were many, he was as unostentatious as in his life. He made, no pretensions to be else than a quiet citizen and a courteous gentleman."
On November 12, 1851, Mr. Baker married Elizabeth Ticknor, of Plainfield, with whom he lived most happily, and who survives him. She was a daughter of Erastus Ticknor, who married Cynthia Wood, and had eight chil- dren, of whom two died young. Elisha Tick- nor, in the harness-making business, is a prominent citizen of Lebanon, N. H. John
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has become a railroad man, and is living in Philadelphia. Cynthia married Newell Colby, Mabel married a Mr. Groves, and Caroline married Charles E. Elliott.
ILLIAM O. C. WOODBURY, long a prominent business man of Clare- mont, N. H., and one of the leading Odd Fellows in Sullivan County; was born in Acworth, N. H., February 26, 1818, son of Amos Woodbury. His father, who was born August 5, 1795, was twice married, first to Mary Farnam Carleton, born October 19, 1795, by whom he had: William Oliver Carleton, Mary Lawrence, Hannah Kelly, Eliza Crombee, Amos Omera, Amelia Jane, Judith Annette, Harriot Angeline, and Sarah Maria; and second to Louisa Chandler, born August 18, 1807, who gave him James Vilas Chandler and Samuel Ira . Lawrence. Of these children by both marriages the living are : Mary L., Hannah K., Amelia J., and Harriot A. Amos Woodbury was a clock re- pairer by trade.
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William learned the trade of his father. In his youth he entered the store of Eben and Samuel Bailey, makers of spoons, silverware, and small wares; and for his services in retail- ing to customers he was allowed the privilege of repairing watches. - He soon established .a good trade; and, acquiring capital by economy and hard work, he eventually succeeded his employers in business, remaining for twenty- seven years at the old stand in Bailey Block. Having accumulated a snug fortune for those days, he sold his business interests, but after- ward he bought back his old store and contin- ued for some eighteen months longer in busi- ness. He died December 29, 1875. Mr. Woodbury was a charter member of Sullivan Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., first organized
October 23, 1845. Some time afterward this lodge was disbanded; but Mr. Woodbury by ' his deep interest and enthusiasm for the so- ciety succeeded in having it reinstated in 1872, and was always looked upon as the father of this lodge. His wife is a charter member of the Rebecca Lodge, which was called Wood- bury Lodge after him. Mr. Woodbury was liberal, hospitable, and public-spirited, and, though retired in habits, a man of good judg- ment and well liked by all his acquaintances.
He married Polly M. Spencer, daughter of Lewis S. Spencer, of East Randolph, Vt., a native of Claremont, and his wife, Polly Miner, of Lempster, N. H. Mrs. Woodbury's paternal grandfather was Reuben Spencer, who married Alice, daughter of Edward Ainsworth. Lewis S. Spencer was born March 13, 1788, and his wife Polly, December 27, 1793. They were married May 25, .1815, and their children were : Timothy M., Fanny, Polly M., Norman, Lewis G., Edwin, Charles, Timothy M. (second), Reuben, Maria L., and Annie E., of whom Timothy M., Norman, Lewis G., and Charles are now deceased.
ACOB NEWTON BUTLER, M. D., of Lempster, N. H., one of the best known physicians in this part of Sullivan County, was born in Lyndeboro, Hillsborough County, this State, February 6, 1821, son of Jacob and Sarah (Blanchard) Butler. His great-grandfather, William But- ler, came, it is said, from England, and settled in Essex County, Massachusetts. He married, so we are informed, Sarah Perkins, and had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The three sons enlisted in the War for Inde- pendence, and one never came back. One was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax, N. S., where he died of small-pox. The other son,
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Jonathan Butler, grandfather of Jacob N., was born in Gloucester, Mass., and was the first of the family to settle in Lyndeboro. He served in the battle of Bunker Hill and in many other engagements during the War for Independence. While in the service he worked at his trade of a blacksmith nine months, and later followed his trade in con- nection with farming. He was Town Clerk for a great many years. He died in 1844, aged ninety-two years; and his wife, Lois Kidder Butler, died in 1846, aged eighty-six years. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren, as follows: Sarah, born January II, 1779; Hannah, born October 27, 1780; Jacob, first, born December 30, 1782; Jonathan, born March 1, 1785; Lois, born April 27, 1787; Rachel, born July 4, 1789; Tryphena, born April 2, 1792; Jacob, second, born June 7, 1794; Mary, born September 4, 1796; Susan- nah, born September 23, 1798; Lucy, born January 21, 1802; and William, born April 21, 1805. William Butler, who became a practising physician, married Nancy Smith, of New Boston, N. H. Soon after graduating he located in Union, Broome County, N. Y. He was a successful practitioner, and lived to be over ninety years old. He had two sons : Smith Butler, who enlisted in the late war, and died soon after; and Morris, who is now a physician in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Jacob Butler, Dr. J. N. Butler's father, was born in Lyndeboro, N. H., June 7, 1794. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and after his return from the army he engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native town. He tilled the soil with energy during the rest of his active period, and was an exceedingly able and thrifty farmer. In politics he was originally a Whig, but joined the Republican party at its formation, and was for many years a prominent factor in the transaction of the
town's public business. In his religious views he was a Congregationalist, and the tem- perance cause had in him a strong and earnest advocate. His wife, Sarah Blanchard, who was born in Lyndeboro, May 29, 1793, be- came the mother of six children, namely : Jacob Newton, first, born August 2, 1819, and died in infancy; Jacob Newton, second, the subject of this sketch, born February 6, 1821 ; Jonathan H., born June 17, 1823; William Horace, born October 28, 1825 ; Charles Mil- ton, born August 7, 1827; and Olney Page, born April 22, 1835. Jonathan H. married and became a ranchman in Nebraska, where he was killed by the Indians. William Horace Butler was a harness-maker, and followed his trade until his death, which occurred in May, 1880. Charles Milton, who is a travelling man, wedded Martha M. Weston, of Ohio. Olney Page Butler, who was engaged in farm- ing, died May 1, 1880, survived by . his wife,. Mrs. Hannah Langdell Butler, who is now re- siding in Lyndeboro, N. H. Mrs. Sarah B. Butler died in April, 1869; and her husband, Jacob Butler, died April 16, 1882.
Jacob Newton Butler pursued the primary branches of study in the district schools, and - advanced by attending the academies in Han- cock and New Ipswich. He resided for a year with his uncle in Union, Broome County, N. Y., where he attended a fitting school for college, and then devoted himself to educa- tional work, presiding over schools in Green- field and Temple, N. H. While thus engaged, he studied medicine with Dr. John Ramsay, of Greenfield, N. H., and Drs. Smith and Follansby, of Peterboro, and later with Dr. Joseph B. Parsons in Bennington, N. H. He attended two courses of lectures in Woodstock, Vt., and then entered the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass., where he was grad- uated in 1843. On December 5 of the same
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. year he located in Lempster, where he began his professional career; and it has never been necessary for him to seek other fields for prac- tice, as his ability has found ample scope for useful and lucrative employment in this town and vicinity. He has long enjoyed the repu- tation of being one of the most skilful and reliable physicians of this section, and he is still in active practice.
Dr. Butler is one of the oldest members of the New Hampshire State Medical Society. Politically, he is a firm supporter of the Re- publican party ; and, although his professional duties have prevented him from often accept- ing public office, he was induced to serve upon the School Board, and for many years he ren - dered valuable aid to the cause of public edu- cation in Lempster. He is connected with Silver Mountain Grange, No. 196, Patrons of Husbandry. His activity in the temperance . cause has been of much benefit to the commu- nity, and as a member of the Congregational church he has displayed a deep interest in re- ligious work.
On June 22, 1846, Dr. Butler was united in marriage with Harriet Moore. She was born in Lempster, February 10, 1827, daugh- ter of Charles and Airra (Beckwith) Moore, of Goshen. Charles Moore, who was a native of Bolton, Mass., settled in Lempster when a young man, and followed agricultural pursuits for the rest of his life. He was the father of four children, namely: Harriet, who is now Mrs. Butler; Helen, wife of Hiram Parker, a merchant and Postmaster in this town; George, who married Almina Weed, of Unity, and is now a prosperous farmer in Vermont ; and Charles Austin, a travelling man, who married Ella Smith, of Ludlow, Vt., and re- sides in Rutland.
George Arthur, only child of Dr. and Mrs. Butler, was born May 23, 1850. He gradu-
ated in 1871 at the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., having also attended the Thayer School in Hanover, N. H. He then entered the academical department at Dart- mouth, from which he graduated in the class of 1875. During his college vacations for four years he was employed on the United States Coast Survey service. Since 1879 he has been in the civil engineering department of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and resides in Chicago. He married Abigail McCrillis, of Sandwich, N. H., and has one son - Newton Crillis, born March 16, 1888.
YLVESTER PRENTISS DAN- FORTH, an enterprising member of the well-known firm of Danforth, Forest & Morgan, contractors, builders, and lumber dealers of Concord, N. H., was born in Boscawen, N. H., August 14, 1838. His par- ents were Nathan C. and Sophia C. (Brown) Danforth, both residents of Merrimack County for many years. His father and grandfather were engaged in the lumber business for years, while his maternal ancestors were farmers in this county.
Sylvester P. Danforth attended the public schools and Boscawen Academy, completing his school education at the age of eighteen years. He then learned the cabinet-maker's trade with Caldwell & Amsden, for whom he worked eight years as foreman. On Septem- ber 1, 1867, he came to Concord and served as superintendent for Isaac Elwell & Co., furni- ture manufacturers, remaining with them three years. His next employer was E. B. Hutchin- son, contractor, whom he served as foreman in the moulding and finishing department for twelve years. In 1882 Mr. Danforth bought a half-interest in the Charles Kimball interior and exterior building, finish, and lumber
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business. Five years later George S. Forest became associated as partner, under the firm name of Kimball, Danforth & Forest, contrac- tors, builders, and lumber dealers. On Sep- tember 1, 1893, Mr. Kimball retired, and Mr. F. A. Morgan became associated with the firm, which assumed its present style of Danforth, Forest & Morgan. They have an excellent record, and have been employed in the con- struction of many prominent buildings.
Mr. Danforth has been twice married. On August 14, 1893, he was united in matrimony with Caroline A. Morgan, of Concord, who bore him one child, Herbert Milton. The maiden name of his second wife was Flora Augusta Wheeler. In politics Mr. Danforth is a Democrat, and he was an alternate at the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1896. He is identified with various fraternal organizations, namely: Blazing Star Lodge, No. II, in which he is Past Master; Horace Chase Council, F. & A. M. ; Trinity Chapter, R. A. M. He is Past District Deputy Grand Master; Generalissimo of Mount Horeb Com- mandery, K.T. ; Past Grand Lecturer of the Fourth Masonic District; and also a thirty- second degree Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
HE CANTERBURY SHAKERS. - Communism has been a vital topic with mankind since the world was young, and Bellamy's "Looking Backward " has re- awakened public interest in the subject. Few people stop to consider that in several of our States are familie's whose modes of living are governed by the essential principles of com- munism. The Shakers, or United Society of Believers, found now, it is said, only in the United States, though the sect originated in France and flourished for a time in England,
believe in a "community of goods" and in co-operative work, as religious communism is the ruling power of the organization.
The history of Shakerism dates from 1689, when the people were much talked of in France; and in the beginning of the eigh- teenth century their peculiar tenets caused much excitement in England. James Ward- ley, an eloquent preacher of the Quaker de- nomination, with his wife, Jane, formed a so- ciety at Bolton, near Manchester, England, which was the first English-speaking commu- nity. The kernel of their religion was the be- lief that all good actions are done under the influence of God, and they believed his spirit would be ever with any one who tried to lead a righteous life. At their religious services they would sit in reverent meditation until one of their number would be inspired by the spirit of God. The inspired one would often manifest deep emotion, which would gradually pervade the entire congregation with worship- ful effect.
Among Wardley's followers was the family of John Lee, a Manchester blacksmith, whose daughter Ann has ever since been regarded by the Shakers as the incarnation of the Christ. She was born in Manchester, England, Febru- ary 29, 1736. Her early life from childhood was narrowed by factory and other work, which deprived her of educational advantages. Even as a child she was of a religious turn of mind, taking a great interest in Wardley's meetings, and was the subject of heavenly visions. Through the influence of her parents she mar- ried Abraham Stanley. In 1758 she joined Wardley's society. While in prison during the persecution of the sect, she had an inspira- tional vision commissioning her to preach Christian celibacy or absolute purity of body and mind. The Shakers accepted her visions and counsels as the actual second coming of
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Christ through "Mother Ann Lee." In the spring of 1774 she had a revelation directing her to go to America with eight of her followers, among whom were her husband and brother. After their departure active Shakerism closed in England. They reached . New York, August 6, 1774, and remained in that vicinity two years, Mother Ann's hus- band leaving her meanwhile, as she was de- termined, agreeably to the new light, to lead a virgin life. In 1776 the Rev. John Hock- nell, who had a little property, bought a tract of land near Niskayuna, now Watervliet, N. Y. ; and here the little colony found a home. Mother Ann Lee closed this life September 8, 1784.
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