USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 56
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 56
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History tells of the persecutions which the Shakers suffered while endeavoring to gain a foothold in this country ; but to-day there are seventeen of their communal families in the States, the one at New Lebanon, N. Y., estab- lished in 1787, being the oldest. There are two in New Hampshire, one at Enfield and the other at East Canterbury. The Canter- bury community was formed in 1792, under the direction of Job Bishop, a delegate from New Lebanon, N. Y. Benjamin Whitcher, a farmer who settled in this place in 1774, with his wife became converted to the Shaker be- lief; and they gave their farm to the family. A meeting-house and dwellings were accord- ingly built upon the land, where they have now stood for over one hundred years. Benja- min Whitcher became one of the Elders of the family, and his wife, Mary Shepard, a trustee. Elders and trustees manage the spiritual and temporal affairs of the society. The head of the church is the Order of Ministry at New Lebanon, N. Y., the oldest settlement. .
Mother Ann Lee selected her successor, and the precedent established by her has been fol- lowed ever since. An Order of Elders con-
sists, generally, of two Brethren and two Sis- ters, the Shakers believing in the equality of men and women. The bishopric consisting of the societies at Canterbury and Enfield is at present under the guidance of Elder Henry C. Blinn and Eldresses Joanna Kaime and Eme- line Hart, who divide their time between the two places. They are appointed to office by the authority at New Lebanon. Each family also has a board of Elders and Eldresses. Those at Canterbury at present are Elders Benjamin H. Smith and William Briggs and Eldresses Dorothy A. Durgin and Dorothea Cochran ; at the upper family, Elder Freeman B. White and Eldresses Sarah Libbey and Lucy A. Miller. These are chosen by the family with which they are connected.
The financial business of each family is under a board of trustees, who hold in trust all the property. The Canterbury board con- sists of Elder Henry C. Blinn, William Briggs, and Arthur Bruce, and Sisters Lucy Ann Shepard and Emeline Hart. The trus- tees are chosen by the family in which they reside. The ranks of the Shakers are re- cruited by converts from abroad and by chil- dren whom they educate. Their funds are augmented by the income derived from various kinds of industrial work. The Canterbury family seek a livelihood by manufacturing several medicinal preparations and by a lim- ited line of woollen knit goods. They also publish a neat periodical in pamphlet form, called The Manifesto, a monthly, which is under the management of Elder H. C. Blinn.
It seems fitting to close this sketch with a brief synopsis of their religious belief. They accept the Bible as the best historical record of God's work among his people. They reverently regard Jesus as the most deeply inspired medium, hence the best pre- pared agent for manifesting God's will to
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humanity. The Christ they worship is the spirit of God. The idea of the omnipresence of this spirit is the corner stone of their be- lief. Earthly life is an infinitely short part of the life of our spirit and of our endeavor for good or evil. The resurrection of the body is not accepted by the Shakers ; but they be- lieve in the eternal life of the soul, continu- ing in the future world as it has in this, only more strengthened as the spirit of God is developed. A departed spirit may give aid to the spirit of one on earth and reveal light and truth to him.
The nine cardinal virtues of Shakerism, as presented by Father Joseph Meacham, the head of the sect in 1787, are: I. Purity in mind and body - a virgin life. 2. Honesty and integrity of purpose in all words and trans- actions. 3. Humanity and kindness to both friend and foe. 4. Diligence in business, thus serving the Lord. Labor for all, accord- ing to strength and ability, genius and circum- stances. Industrious, yet not slavish; that all may be busy, peaceable, and happy. 5 Prudence and economy, temperance and fru- gality, without parsimony. 6. Absolute free- dom from debt, owing no man anything but love and good will. 7. Education of children in scriptural, secular, and scientific knowl- edge. 8. A united interest in all things more comprehensive than the selfish relations of husband, wife, and children - the mutual love . and unity of kindred spirits, the greatest and best demonstration of practical love. 9 Ample provision for all in health, sickness, and advanced life. A perfect equality - one faith, practising every virtue, shunning all vice.
The name Shaker has become a synonym for charity, and no one ever asked help at a Shaker's door without a kind response to his need.
ATHANIEL TOLLES, M. D., was for many years one of the most promi- nent physicians and surgeons of
Claremont. A native of Weathersfield, Vt., he was born September 17, 1805, son of John Tolles. His father, an industrious farmer, moved from Weathersfield to Claremont about the year 1819. His grandfather, Henry Tolles, was a member of Captain William Upham's company during the Revolutionary WVar.
Young Nathaniel Tolles availed himself of the advantages for obtaining an education offered by the Catholic Seminary in this town, then in charge of the Rev. Daniel Barber. Here he fitted for college, and was about to enter upon his classical course, when a severe illness, resulting from a too close application to study, prevented him from carrying out his purpose. Afterward, for a period, he assisted his father upon the farm in the summer and . taught school in the winter. Beginning in 1827 he studied medicine under Dr. James Hall, of Windsor, Vt., for two years. Then for a short time he was under the instruction of Dr. Charles G. Adams, of Keene, N. H. Subsequently he attended lectures at Bowdoin and Dartmouth Universities ; and he graduated from the last-named college in November, 1830. Immediately after leaving college, he was appointed resident physician at the South Boston Almshouse, where he remained six months. In September, 1831, he located for practice in Reading, Vt. Unable to consult more experienced colleagues of the profession owing to the remoteness of his location, he had to rely solely upon his own judgment dur- ing the first ten years of his practice. In the fall of 1841 he made a protracted visit to the public hospitals of New York City, where he gained the advantage of much observation. In March, 1842, he settled in Claremont; and
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he was soon in possession of a large practice. For many years he was the principal surgeon in this locality, and his advice in cases where consultation was necessary was eagerly sought for. Several medical students, who have since become successful practitioners, found in him a willing and sympathizing tutor. He was a Director of the old Claremont Bank, and of the Claremont National Bank from the date of its organization in 1864. Though not an aspirant for political honors, he accepted and ably filled various positions of trust and re- sponsibility. In 1858 he served as Chairman of the first Board of Commissioners of Sulli- van County, and he was one of the Presiden- tial electors from this State to cast its vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was one of the projectors of the Stevens High School building, a member of the committee ap- pointed to erect it, a member of its Board of Management for four years, and one of the trustees of the Stevens Fund. He joined the Masonic fraternity when a young man, and he attended the Episcopal church.
Dr. Tolles was twice married. On the first occasion he was united to Frances J. Upham, of Weathersfield, Vt., who died February 26, 1833. His second marriage was contracted with Jane Weston, daughter of Ezekiel Wes- ton, of Rockingham, Vt. ; and she died April 29, 1893. His five children were Frances Jane, who is now residing at the homestead in this town; Ida Adelaide, who died December 25, 1839, aged two years, seven months, and seven days; Valentine Mott, who died March 7, 1844, aged seven months and nineteen days; Clarence W., born in Claremont, April 30, 1845; and Florence Cameron, who died Octo- .ber 7, 1861, aged twelve years, nine months, and twenty-seven days. The early education of Clarence W. Tolles, who is now a physician of Claremont, was of a nature calculated to fit
him especially for a professional career. His medical studies were begun under the direc- tion of his father; and he graduated from Bellevue Medical College, New York City, in 1868. After a year's course at the University Medical College in London he entered into practice with his father. He has made sur- gery a specialty for the past fifteen years, and it is conceded that he is one of the ablest and best-read surgeons in the State. He has been a member of the local board of health for the last three years, was one of the committee to select the site for the Cottage Hospital, and is now the surgeon of that institution. He occupies a high social position, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Dr. Nathaniel Tolles died at his home in Claremont, June 24, 1879. The event was mourned by the townspeople as a great loss to the community. The esteem in which he was held is best shown by the following, taken from the resolutions adopted at a meeting of his brother physicians: "Resolved, That in the professional life, labors, and character of Dr. Tolles, which extended over a full half- century, we have a commendable example of industry, of zeal, of usefulness, and of profes- sional honor, not often combined in a single life."
LBERT BINGHAM WOODWORTH, the Mayor of Concord and a well- known merchant of the city, was born in Dorchester, April 7, 1843, son of George and Louisa (Hovey) Woodworth. His grandfather, Sylvanus Woodworth, born in Lebanon, Conn., who was one of the first settlers of Dorchester, served in the Revolu- tionary War, and fought at Bunker Hill under General Putnam. The father, also a native of Dorchester, was a man of lofty char- acter and thoroughly respected where he was
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best known. He was a remarkably well-read man, and he was one of the original anti- slavery men of New Hampshire. He was prominent in the Congregational church, of which he became a member early in life. The mother was a native of Lyme, N. H.
Albert B. Woodworth removed with his parents from Dorchester, N. H., to Hebron, N. H., where he attended the public schools. Subsequently his education was completed at Boscawen Academy. At the age of fifteen years he was employed by D. E. Willard, of Orford, N. H. After entering on his nine- teenth year, he managed a country store in Warren, N. H., for four years. For a year, beginning in 1867, he was associated with Cyrus Taylor, of Bristol. In the spring of 1868 he succeeded Parker & Young, of Lis- bon, in one of the largest general merchandise stores in Northern New Hampshire, where he continued to do business until 1873. Mr. Woodworth then removed to Concord, N. H., and, with his brother, Edward B., forming the firm Woodworth Brothers, bought out C. C. Webster & Co. Three years later they bought the store of Hutchins & Co., and con- ducted it for five years under the style of Woodworth, Dodge & Co. Then for the fol- lowing two years it was carried on by Wood- worth, Dow & Co .; and since 1883 the firm name has been Woodworth & Co. A Director of the Parker & Young Manufacturing Com- pany of Lisbon, N. H., since its organization, Mr. Woodworth was elected its President in 1895. He was formerly one of the founders and a Trustee of the Lisbon Savings Bank and Trust Company.
On September 30, 1873, Mr. Woodworth was married to Miss Mary Parker, of Lisbon. He is now the father of three children - Ed- ward K., Grace, and Charles P. Woodworth. In religion Mr. Woodworth is a member and a
vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Concord. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He served Concord for four years in the capacity of Alderman ; repre- sented it in the State legislature in 1893; and on November 4, 1896, was elected Mayor of the city for two years. Mayor Woodworth is a member of Kane Lodge, F. & A. M., of Lisbon.
ILLIAM B. LEAVITT, a promi- nent resident of North Grantham, widely known as the compiler of Leavitt's Almanac, was born August 7, 1812, son of John and Susan (Burnham) Leavitt. The family has been in America since the early part of the seventeenth century, when three brothers came from England to the shores of the New World. Robust, sturdy, and energetic, these brothers soon assumed a leading position among the early settlers. Since that time the family tree has grown so that now its branches may be found in several parts of the country. It has given men of upright lives and noble characters to the nation, and has helped to swell the roll of brave soldiers who have fought in defence of liberty and the Union.
Nathaniel Leavitt, the grandfather of Will- iam B., was born December 27, 1727, at Exe- ter, N. H., and died in 1824. He lived in Exeter during the greater part of his life. When he was quite advanced in years, he moved to Grantham, where he took up his residence with one of his sons. His wife, in maidenhood Lydia Sanborn, who was born in February, 1736, died October 30, 1827. She had six children by him; namely, Na- thaniel, Jr., Dudley, John, Josiah, Moses, and Jeremiah. The first married, spent the greater part of his life in Grantham, and died in Vermont. Dudley and Josiah, who were
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farmers of Grantham, married and had chil- dren. Moses, a resident of Sanbornton, this State, and a farmer, had a large family of children, who are now widely scattered. Jeremiah lived in Canada and was engaged in farming. John Leavitt, the father of Mr. William B., born at Exeter, December 5, 1769, died in October, 1854. He was the first Leavitt to settle in Grantham, coming here when a young man. He carried on farm- ing on an extensive scale, and was very active in town affairs, but never desired public office. He was known as a religious man, and was much respected on account of his many amiable qualities. He was three times mar- ried, on the first occasion to Mehitable Ring, who, born November 12, 1769, died October 16, 1807. Her five children were: Jonathan, John, Moses, Mary, and Thomas. His sec- ond marriage was made with Susan Burnham, of Essex, N. H., who was born in October, 1763, and died in October, 1836. Of her children Mehitable, born November 28, 1809, died October 12, 1842; Nathaniel was born on March 1, 1816; and Phylura, July 19, 1818. The others "were: William B. and Isaac. The third wife, Rachel D. Bliss Leav- itt, had no children. Jonathan, the eldest son of John Leavitt, was a farmer of this town, and represented it for a time in the legislature. John also was a farmer here and a Representative. Moses, likewise a farmer, lived at Grafton. Mary married Ezekiel Al- exander, a farmer-of Grantham. Thomas died at the age of eighteen. Isaac, twin brother of William B. Leavitt, has not married, and is a farmer 'in the State of Illinois. Na- thaniel also was engaged in farming in Illi- nois, and married Susan Martin. Phylura married Samuel B. Hastings, of Grantham.
Early in his life William B. Leavitt showed a great fondness and aptitude for the sciences.
He was instructed by Dudley Leavitt, a teacher of philosophy, astronomy, and mathe- matics, who first compiled Leavitt's Farmer's Almanac in January, 1796, when Washington was President of the United States and our government was but eight years old. As this publication has been continued through a period of one hundred years down to the pres- ent time, the name of Dudley Leavitt is a familiar one in all the rural households of this and many other States of the Union. At his death in 1851 Dudley left the almanac to be carried forward by his successor and former pupil, William B. Leavitt. At present the calculations for this great work are made out to the year 1914. Mr. Leavitt is a student now, as he has always been. He has given much thought to the questions of public inter- est which have arisen in the life of the town. His townsmen have many times wished to make him one of the public officers of the town; but Mr. Leavitt has resisted all impor- tunities, consenting only to serve as Town Treasurer for two years and as Town Clerk for the same length of time.
Mr. Leavitt married Frances B. Merrill, who was born in Croydon, March 12, 1817, and died March 20, 1893. She was descended from one of the old and most influential fam- ilies of the State. Her children were: Man- dana, born August 3, 1843, who died July 28, 1869; Mary M., born November 14, 1845; Malana E., born August 28, 1847; Phylura, born August 25, 1850; William M., born April 25, 1853; Fred A., born November 14, 1856; and Frank W., born August 14, 1858. Mandana married Daniel Hanson, of North Weare, N. H., a manufacturer of shoemakers' knives. Mary became Mrs. Oscar S. Buzzell, of Newport, and the mother of three children. Malana married Moses P. Burpee, a prominent man of Grantham, and has had three children,
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of whom one is living. Phylura married Dan- iel Hanson after the death of his first wife, and has one daughter. William M., a government printer in Washington, successively married Ella Hines and May Renner. Fred A. mar- ried Mary Brown, of Grantham, and is largely interested in the milk business in Boston. Frank Leavitt was educated in the schools of his native town and at Colby Academy. After finishing school, he went West for a time, and did some prospecting. Since his return he has lived on the homestead with his father, engaged in farming and running a steam saw- mill, which employs a number of men. He is very prominent in town affairs, and at this writing is the Town Treasurer. He married Addie Pinney, of Grantham, who was born March 28, 1863. They have three children : William B., born November 27, 1885; Wal- lace E., born September 20, 1890; and Ernest, born October 27, 1895.
ATHANIEL S. , DRAKE, the treas- urer and superintendent of the Drake & Sanborn Shoe Company, of Pitts- field, was born here, "September 16, 1851, in the house he now occupies on Main Street, son of James and Betsey (Seavey) Drake. His genealogy is traced to Robert Drake, born in the County of Devon, England, in 1580, who came to New England with a family before 1643. Robert was one of the grantees and first settlers of Exeter. He removed in 1651 to Hampton, "where he owned and left con- siderable estate." Much respected through- out his life, his death on January 14, 1668, was mourned as a loss to the community. Abraham Drake, son of Robert, was born in England in 1621. His son, Abraham Drake (second), by his wife, Jane, was born Decem- ber 29, 1654. This Abraham married Sarah
Hobbs, and died May 20, 1714. Abraham Drake (third), son of Abraham (second), born in December, 1688, died April 13, 1767. He married Theodate Roby, whose son, Simon, born October 4, 1730, married Judith Perkins, and died March 16, 1801.
Major James Drake, it is stated, was of middle stature, well proportioned, of a fine figure, and possessed great physical strength and powers of endurance. A description of his person strongly resembles that which is given of England's famous admiral, Sir Fran- cis Drake. This resemblance extended also to his mental and moral traits; for it is said he was a man of great force of character, possess- ing a strong will and much determination, which qualities, tempered by sound judgment, brought him into considerable prominence in the community in which his lot was cast. He was born November 14, 1755, either in Epping or Hampton, N. H. He came to Pittsfield when a young man and shortly before his marriage, being among its early settlers. Be- sides clearing a farm from the wilderness, he eventually became the owner of several other good farms, all of which he acquired by his industry and enterprise. The outbreak of the War of Independence so aroused his patriotism that, although but nineteen years of age, he abandoned his axe, and, shouldering a musket, joined a company then being organized, and shared its fortunes in the ensuing struggle. After his discharge from the Continental army he resumed his axe, and continued the work of clearing and improving his farm. He re- ceived his title of Major from his connection with the early State militia. Good service was rendered by him to Pittsfield in the ca- pacity of its Representative in the State legis- lature. No man was more highly esteemed for his personal integrity. He died February 26, 1834. His wife, Hannah Ward Drake, who
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came from Hampton and was born October 31, 1763, reared twelve children, each of whom lived to be over sixty years old. She died December 17, 1848, aged eighty-five years.
Colonel James Drake, the father of Nathan- iel S., born at the homestead in Pittsfield, June 29, 1805, was brought up to agriculture, which he also followed successfully for some years, also dealing extensively in live stock. He eventually moved to the village, and, be- coming President of the Pittsfield National Bank, held that position for the rest of his life. An excellent business man, he acquired a handsome property. He figured prominently in public affairs, served as a Selectman and in . other town offices, and he was also a member of the State Senate. In politics he supported the Democratic party. He was identified with the State militia, in which he served as Colonel of the Eighteenth Regiment. His strict adherence to high principles was con- spicuous among his many commendable quali- ties, and the cause of morality and religion . had in him a stanch and generous supporter. He died at his home in Pittsfield, April 7, 1870. His wife, Betsey Seavey Drake, whom he married August 13, 1834, was born Octo- ber 14, 1811, a daughter of George and Betsey (Lane) Seavey, of Chichester, N. H. She had three children, of whom the survivors are : Georgia B. and Nathaniel S. Georgia B. is the wife of Josiah Carpenter, a successful banker of Manchester, N. H. She is actively engaged in charitable and patriotic work, and is the New Hampshire State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The other child was Frank James Drake, born November 3, 1842, who died August 20, 1891. He graduated from Dartmouth Col- lege in 1865, and located in Manchester, N. H., where he was a successful wholesale flour and grain merchant. The mother, who
was a member of the Baptist church, died September 28, 1865.
Nathaniel S. Drake began his education in the common schools, and completed his studies at the Pittsfield Academy. For two years after leaving school, he was in the clothing business in this town. Afterward he was connected with the United States and Canada Express and the American Express Company in this town, spending a short time in their offices in Concord, N. H., and Boston, Mass. Later he entered the employ of the Lancaster Shoe Company, with which he remained about twelve years, serving for the last six years in the capacity of superintendent of the factory and its branches. He was the founder of the Hill & Drake Shoe Company, which com- menced business on January 1, 1893, and which is now known as the Drake & Sanborn Shoe Company. In this connection it is interesting to note that, although Pittsfield has the reputation of being a manufacturing town, the Drake & Sanborn Shoe Company, now employing over fifty people, is the first enterprise conducted upon home capital and giving employment to more than a dozen men that has ever existed in the town, all the other manufacturing enterprises being and having been owned and operated by outside capital. As treasurer and superintendent of the com- pany, which manufactures misses' and chil- dren's medium-priced goods, Mr. Drake is rapidly bringing it to the front; and it is now well advanced upon the road to prosperity.
On March 17, 1873, Mr. Drake was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. R. Green, who was born July 3, 1857, daughter of Dan- iel and Elizabeth F. (Chase) Green, of Pitts- field. Mrs. Drake is the mother of two chil- dren : James Frank, born September 1, 1880; and Agnes, born April 2, 1883. In politics Mr. Drake is a Democrat. He has served
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with ability as Moderator and Town Treas- urer for several years. He is a Director of the First National Bank and one of the Trus- tees of the Farmers' Savings Bank. His prominence in business circles, together with his high social standing, places him in the front rank among the leading residents of Pittsfield. Mrs. Drake, who is a member of the Episcopal church, shares her husband's popularity, and is a lady of pleasing manners and true womanly grace.
HARLES EASTMAN STANIELS, a prominent life insurance agent of Concord, N. H., was born in Low- ell, Mass., December 27, 1844, son of Ed- ward L. and Ruth Bradley (Eastman) Stan- iels. The father, born in Chichester, N. H., for many years was interested in the drug business, successively in Lowell and Boston, Mass. Toward the latter part of his life he removed to Roxbury, Mass., then a suburb of Boston, and died there at the age of sixty-five years. He was twice married. By his first wife there were three children, all of whom are now dead. His second marriage was made with Ruth Bradley Eastman, now over eighty- five years old, whose only child is the subject of this sketch. A daughter of General Isaac Eastman, of Concord, N. H., she is a direct descendant, in the sixth generation, of Captain Ebenezer Eastman, the first settler of Con- cord, and of Captain Edward Johnson, the his- torian of Woburn, Mass., one of the commis- sioners appointed by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony to fix the northern boundary of that colony in 1652. In 1833 a large boulder was discovered at the entrance of Lake Winnepesaukee at Weirs, N. H., bearing the initials of Governor John Endi- cott, with those of the commissioners, Cap-
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