USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 67
USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 67
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Mr. Andrews married Carrie L. Packard, who was born in Plainfield, February 8, 1864. Her parents, Charles and Mary (Jordan) Pack- ard, are still residing here; and her father is a painter by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have one child, a daughter, Cora M., born July 3, 1883, who is now attending school.
Mr. Andrews is connected with Cheshire Lodge, No. 23, F. & A. M., and is Master of Park Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of Cor- nish. He attends the Baptist church.
ON. JOHN WHITAKER,* a retired lumber dealer of Penacook and ex- member of the State Senate, was born in Hopkinton, N. H., June 9, 1835, son of John and Hannah (Bickford) Whitaker. He is a descendant of one of three brothers who emigrated from England in the early
days. His paternal great-grandfather, serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, partici- pated in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Peter Whitaker, the grandfather, a native of Deer- ing, N.H., was a prosperous farmer.
John Whitaker, Sr., Mr. Whitaker's father, first enlisted for three months' service in the War of 1812. Upon the expiration of that term he re-enlisted for three years. In civil life he was chiefly occupied in agriculture. He met his death in a conflagration, which destroyed his dwelling and its contents in 1856.
John Whitaker was educated in the public and private schools of Hopkinton. After leaving school at the age of sixteen, his first occupation was driving a coach and assisting in an express business. In 1858 he opened a livery stable in Penacook upon his own ac- count, and subsequently carried it on for four years. In 1864 he entered the lumber busi- ness in company with G. F. Sanborn, who withdrew at the end of one year. He then formed a partnership with H. H. Amsden and B. F. Caldwell, under the firm name of John Whitaker & Co .; and they carried on a pros- perous business for some years. In 1886 Mr. Whitaker purchased the interests of his asso- ciates, and conducted the enterprise alone until 1890, when he retired from active pur- suits. He is a Democrat in politics, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He served as an Assessor of Penacook in 1859, was a member of the Board of Aldermen for two years, a Representative in the legislature in 1862, and State Senator in 1893 and 1894. He is a director of the Penacook Electric Light Company, the president of the Concord Axle Company, a trustee of the Guarantee Savings Bank of Concord, and is Water Com- missioner of that city.
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On February 6, 1860, Mr. Whitaker was united in marriage with Frances E. Caldwell, of Penacook. A thirty-second degree Mason, he is a member of Blazing Star Lodge, Trinity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Mount Horeb Commandery, Knights Templar; Edward A. Raymond Consistory of Nashua, N.H .; and Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Boston.
J OHN EVANS ROBERTSON,* a well- known ice dealer of Concord, was born May 9, 1843, in Warner, N.H., son of Harrison D. and Sarah C. (Evans) Robertson, both of Warner. The families of both parents were old residents of Merrimack County, New Hampshire. The maternal ancestors origi- nally came from Newburyport, Mass., where Grandfather Benjamin Evans officiated as Sheriff, being also a prominent business man.
John E. Robertson attended the public schools of Warner, and subsequently fitted for college in the academy at Henniker, N.H. However, after leaving school at the age of eighteen, he did not go to college. In 1864 he went to Montreal, and there engaged in the produce business, under the firm name of Buck, Robertson & Co. Six years later, on account of ill health, he returned to Warner, where he conducted a country store until 1874, when he came to Concord. Here he was assistant cashier of the National Savings Bank for eight years. Beginning in 1882 he dealt in coal, wood, and ice until 1888, when he sold out on account of failing health. Three years later he resumed the ice business, which he still carries on. He is a trustee and the assistant treasurer of the National Savings Bank. When the institution went into liqui- dation in 1877, he was appointed assignee by the court. He is also a trustee of the Guar- antee Savings Bank'of Concord.
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In Bradford, N. H., August 15, 1864, Mr. Robertson was married to Martha F. Paige, of Montreal. Of their three children two are living, namely: Shirlie Louise, the wife of William A. Whitney, of Claremont, N.H. ; and Carleton Evans. In politics Mr. Robert- son is a stanch Democrat. He has been Town Clerk and Selectman of Warner, and he was a Representative in the New Hampshire legisla- ture in 1871. In Concord he was the second Democratic Mayor after the incorporation of the city, serving for the year 1887-88. He is a member of Mount Horeb Commandery, K. T., and of White Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F.
OHN HENRY ALBIN,* one of the best known lawyers of Concord and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in Randolph, Vt., Octo- ber 17, 1843, son of John and Emily (White) Albin. His ancestors on the father's side resided in Randolph for one hundred and fifty years, and his mother's family is one of the oldest in Merrimack County. He came here with his parents when he was twelve years old. Having completed his elementary edu- cation in the public schools of this city, he entered Dartmouth College in the fall of 1860, and graduated from that institution in the summer of 1864. Afterward he studied law with the Hon. Ira A. Eastman, ex -Judge of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1868. Beginning in the autumn of that year, he was associated with Judge Eastman until the lat- ter's retirement from practice in 1873. Mr. Albin then formed with the Hon. Mason W. Tappan a partnership that lasted until Mr. Tappan's death. He subsequently became a partner with Nathaniel Martin. In 1895 Dewitt C. Howe was admitted to the firm.
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On September 5, 1872, Mr. Albin wedded Georgia A. Modica, of Henniker, N.H. Of his three children two are living; namely, Henry Allison and Edith Gertrude. In pol- itics Mr. Albin is a Republican. He was elected to the legislature from Concord in 1872, re-elected in 1873, and he represented Henniker in that body in 1876. He is the president of the Sullivan County Railroad Company, a director of the Vermont Valley and of the Connecticut River Railroad Com- panies, and the president of the Concord Street Railway Company. One of the most promi- nent Odd Fellows in the State, he is a mem- ber of White Mountain Lodge, No. 5; was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire in 1879 and 1880; represented this jurisdiction in the Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1881, 1882, 1884, 1885, and 1886; was Grand Marshal of that body in 1888 and 1889; was the originator of the degrees known as the Uniform Rank and the Patriarchs Militant; and has been a trustee of the Odd Fellows Home since its foundation.
HARLES S. TOWLE,* one of Chi- chester's representative farmers, was born in this town, October 17, 1854, son of James B. and Sarah (Sherburne) Towle. His grandparents, Jonathan and Sally (Fellows) Towle, who were prosperous farm- ing people of Chichester, had twelve children, of whom Sarah J., Betsey, Mary E., Cyn- thia, and Olive Jane are living. Sarah J. is the widow of George P. Haines, late of this town, and has five children - Sarah J., George H., Annie M., Albert H., and Alvin M. Betsey is the widow of the late Augustus Leavitt. Mary E. is the wife of Stephen Marston, of Pittsfield, N. H. ; and her children are : Angie, Munroe, Sarah, Clara, Addie,
Alice, and Adelle. Cynthia married Clark Bennett; and her children are: Clarence, Nettie, Irving, and another whose name is not known. Olive Jane is the wife of Albert Thompson, of Chichester, and has four chil- dren - Ida, Arthur, Lillia, and Augustus. Jonathan Towle in his younger years was a cooper by trade. He later gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In politics he was a Democrat. He was over eighty years old when he died. His wife also lived to a good old age. They were members of the Baptist church.
James B. Towle, the second of his parents' children, was born in Chichester and reared to farm life. He owned a good farm in Chiches- ter. In politics he supported the Democratic party, and in his religious views he was a Methodist. He died at the age of seventy- four years. His wife, Sarah, became the mother of seven children, five of whom are liv- ing; namely, Lewis, James F., Sarah J., Viola, and Charles S. Lewis married for his first wife Helen Abbott, who had five children : Herman G., Lucy E., Sarah E., Fred L., and Charles A. For his second wife he wedded Mary Hill, of Chichester. James F. Towle married Abbie J. Watson, of this town, and has two children - F. Lenore and Paul E. Sarah J. is the wife of John F. French, of Chichester; and her children are: Lizzie H., John W., Frank D., Susan A., and Jo- sephine P. Viola is the widow of the late Alfred Robinson ; and her children are: James O. and Bert D. Mrs. James B. Towle died at the age of seventy-six years.
Charles S. Towle attended the schools of his native town, and at an early age began to assist his father upon the farm. He has fol- lowed farming very prosperously throughout his life. On May 23, 1878, he married Sarah R. Lake, daughter of Josiah and Mary A.
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(Richards) Lake, of Pembroke, N. H. Their adopted daughter, Edith May, was born in Boscawen, N. H., June 7, 1890. Mr. Towle is much liked for many estimable traits of character. Both he and Mrs. Towle are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he supports the Prohibition party.
RED H. FELLOWS,* one of Chiches- ter's representative men, was born in this town, December 18, 1859, son of John and Ursula M. (Webster) Fellows. His grandfather, John Fellows (first), learned the blacksmith's trade in Chichester, and followed it in this town during the active portion of his life. John owned a small farm, which he also cultivated industriously. In politics he was a Democrat, and he served as a Selectman and in other town offices. He married Betsey Page, who bore him eight children, six of whom are living; namely, James B., Esther, Elizabeth J., Louisa, Frank J., and Octave. James B. married for his first wife Betsey Webster, who died leaving one son, Frank. For his second wife he married Lydia Sever- ance, and by this union has one daughter, Hattie. Esther Fellows became the wife of George M. Warren, of Chichester; and her children are: Edwin, Charles, John, and James. Elizabeth J. married James W. Smith, of this town; and her children are : Mabel, Arvilla, and Dora. Louisa married for her first husband a Mr. Hill, by whom she had one child. By her present husband, Abraham Drake, she has had no children. Frank J. married Lizzie Upton, and has three children - Grace, Walter, and Nettie. Oc- tave married Ann Barton, of Pittsfield, and has two sons - George and David. John Fel- lows (first) was for many years a Deacon of the Free Will Baptist church. He died at the age
of seventy-three years, and his wife . at seventy-seven.
John Fellows (second), Fred H. Fellows's father, was born in Pittsfield, N. H. At an early age he began to assist upon the farm. Having learned the blacksmith's trade, he followed that calling in connection with farm- ing throughout his active period. He was Selectman for a number of years and a mem- ber of the legislature for two terms. In poli- tics he was a Democrat. His wife, Ursula, who was a daughter of John Webster, of Sand- wich, N. H., became the mother of three chil- dren - Ella A., Bessie, and Frank H. Ella is now the widow of Nathaniel S. Marston, late of Chichester, and has one son, John. Bessie is the wife of E. J. Burnham, of Man- chester, N. H .; and her children are: Ursula W., Bessie A., George, and Edward. John Fellows (second) died at the age of fifty-three years, leaving a good estate. He was an active member of the Free Will Baptist church, which he served as a Deacon for sev- eral years. His wife, who survives him, is now sixty-two years old, and resides with her son at the old homestead. She united with the Free Will Baptist church many years ago.
Fred H. Fellows attended school in this town. He subsequently served an apprentice- ship at the blacksmith's trade with his father, and he has been engaged in that calling. Having succeeded to the homestead property, he carries on farming there with profit. On July 4, 1884, he wedded Cora Smith, daugh- ter of Sydney Smith, of Pittsfield. They have three children -- Lula A., Edith B., and Bessie E.
Mr. Fellows is a Democrat in politics, while he has no desire for public office. He believes in the adoption of all measures which would tend to develop the business and in- crease the attractiveness of the town. All who
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know him respect him for his ability and pro- gressive tendencies.
ENRY MARSHALL ELWELL,* Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Langdon, Sullivan County, N. H., son of Robert and Phoebe (Evans) El- well, was born in this town, April 13, 1839.
His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Elwell, a lifelong resident of Langdon, was a wealthy farmer and highly esteemed citizen. He mar- ried a Miss Kendall, and had four children, named: Samuel, Betsey, Nancy, and Robert. Benjamin Elwell and his wife died on the same day, within a few minutes of each other ; and their mortal remains were buried together in the same coffin. Samuel, the eldest son, lived in Langdon all his life, a well-to-do farmer. He married a Miss Jewett, and had four children - Electa, Sophronia, Nancy, and Samuel K. Betsey, the second child of Benjamin Elwell, married Simon Sartwell, a prosperous farmer of Langdon, very prominent in town affairs; and they had several children. Nancy married Colonel Ansel Glover, of Alstead, a leading Democratic politician, who was at one time a delegate from his party to the national convention in Baltimore.
Robert, the father of Henry Marshall El- well, acquired his education in the schools of Langdon. He began his active career as a farmer, and subsequently engaged in lumber- ing. He made a specialty of breeding short- horned cattle, of which he had exhibits at the principal New England County and State Fairs. His farm, one of the largest in Sulli- van County, contained from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred acres. After the big fire in Bellows Falls, Vt., he furnished all the lum- ber for the rebuilding of the town; and in the days before the railroad was built he rafted
large amounts of lumber down the Connecticut River to Holyoke, Mass. He was very enter- prising and stirring, and did a good deal for the community at large. In politics he was always a Republican, and was a State Repre- sentative two or three terms and one of Gov- ernor Goodwin's Councillors. He was an attendant of the Universalist church. Phoebe, his wife, born in Rhode Island in 1810, was a daughter of Colonel Aaron Evans, She died in 1895. They were the parents of six children, of whom one died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were: Lucia, Henry M., May, Julia, and George. Lucia died of ty- phoid fever while attending Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H. Mary married Charles Town, a wealthy farmer of Alstead, and by that union had three children. Mr. Town died; and she has since married George W. Stanley, of Langdon. Julia, who at- tended school in Brattleboro, Vt., died at the age of eighteen, of heart trouble. George, liv- ing in Providence, R.I., is an owner and trainer of race horses, and has one horse named Canonicus that has a record of 2. 1914 . He has twice married, his first wife being Carrie Milliken, daughter of John Milliken, of Charlestown, and his second, Emma Gilbert, of Marlboro, N. H. By the first union there were three children, including two sons, Charles and Henry ; and by the second four -- Carrie, Robert, Addie M, and Alice M.
After attending the Langdon schools, Henry M. Elwell studied at Tubbs Union Academy, Washington, N. H., also at an academy in Chester, Vt. Upon his return from school he stayed at home with his father, and since his father's death he has continued to carry on a successful business as a farmer.
Mr. Elwell has twice married. His first wife, Belle Foster, daughter of Levi Foster, of Walpole, N. H., died in 1868. Two of her
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children are now living - Grace and Frank. Grace first married Joseph Mitchell, a druggist of Bellows Falls, Vt., and is now the wife of a Mr. Thomas, a manufacturer of tinfoil in New York City. Frank lives in Langdon. His twin sister, Fanny, died at the age of thirteen. Mr. Elwell's present wife, whose maiden name was Martha Rice, is a daughter of Charles Rice, of Walpole, N. H. Two children have been born of this union - May and Annie L.
In 1893 Mr. Elwell was elected Representa- tive to the Lower House of the New Hampshire legislature, and served on the Normal School Committee. He has been Selectman for ten years and is the present Chairman of the Board. Every year for twenty-six years, whether he was a member of the Board or not, the Selectmen of the town have met at his house on April I and had dinner with him.
NTHONY K. LANE,* one of the best known residents of Chichester, was born in this town, December 15, 1812, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Tuck) Lane. His great-grandfather, Deacon Joshua Lane, who was born in Hampton Falls, N. H., followed agriculture in his native town, and died December 29, 1806. Jeremiah Lane (first), grandfather of Anthony K., was born in Hampton Falls, March 10, 1732. The ac- tive portion of his life was spent in farming ; and he died June 21, 1806. He was a zealous church member and a Deacon. He wedded Mary Sanborn, daughter of Lieutenant Joseph Sanborn, and became the father of seven chil- dren.
Jeremiah Lane (second), Anthony K. Lane's father, was born in Hampton Falls. In early life he settled in Chichester, where he cleared and improved a large farm, One
of the most industrious residents of this town in his day, he became the owner of consider- able property. In politics he was a Whig, and he served as a member of the Board of Select- men. For his first wife he married Eunice Tilton, who bore him eight children, none of whom are living. His second wife, Hannah Tuck Lane, had three children, of whom An- thony K. is the sole survivor. She died at the age of seventy-one, while Jeremiah lived to be eighty years old. They were members of the Congregational Church of Chichester.
Anthony K. Lane attended school in Chi- chester. Since he reached his majority, he has carried on general farming. He owns one hundred acres of well-located land, forty acres of which is under cultivation. On it is an excellent orchard. He married Sally Yeaton, daughter of John Yeaton, of Epsom, N. H., and has reared four children; namely, John Y., Ann M., Albert C., and Frank T. John Y. married Clara Perkins, of Pittsfield, N. H., and has one daughter living - Evaline Z. Ann M. is now the widow of Charles H. Ordway, late of Concord, N. H., and has two children - Charles A. and Mabel A. Albert C. graduated from Long Island College Hos- pital at Brooklyn, N. Y., June 24, 1879. He practised his profession thirteen years in Billerica, Mass., and in 1892 settled in West Medford, where he now resides. He married Estella J. Davis, of Pittsfield; and his chil- dren are: Clarence G. and Sadie. Frank T. married Louise Batchelder, of Raymond, N. H., and has one daughter, Blanche. Mrs. Anthony K. Lane died at the age of seventy years.
In politics Mr. Lane is a Republican, and in religious belief he is a liberal. He has long occupied a leading position among the well-to-do farmers of Chichester, and is much respected by his fellow-townsmen.
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OHN ENDICOTT,* who, with his brother, Jacob O., and his sister Mary, carries on the old farm in the town of Newport, first settled by their father Timothy in 1837, was born in this town, September 9, 1821, and is a direct descendant of John Endi- cott, the first governor of Massachusetts. Tim- othy Endicott, the father, was born in Danvers, Mass., in 1790, and was a farmer and the owner of a saw and grist mill. He removed from Danvers to East Newport, where he had about one hundred and fifty acres of land. Remaining there until 1837, he then settled in Newport, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife, Mary Trask Endicott, was
born in Beverly, Mass., about 1795. Hus- band and wife were both members of the Con- gregational church .. Mr. Endicott was a Re- publican in politics during his later years. A good neighbor and a useful citizen, he was held in high regard by his fellow-townsmen. He died at his home in 1853. His wife sur- vived him twenty years, passing away at the age of seventy-eight. They had five children - William, Lydia, Mary, John, and Jacob O. William died at the age of seventy-five years. Lydia married a Mr. Roberts, and passed away at the age of sixty-two. Mary, born May 8, 1816, and Jacob O., born April 20, 1823, are, as already mentioned, residing on the farm with their brother John, all being unmarried.
John Endicott received his education in the schools of his native town. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and is a typical New England farmer. He owns about five hundred acres, besides his interest in the homestead ; and he had a milk route in Claremont, N. H., which he carried on for twelve years, keeping as many as thirty-nine head of cattle. He has also bred stock to some extent, and in this has been very successful. He raised the largest steer in this section, which at the age
of four years weighed two thousand seven hun- dred pounds, and was bought by Mr. Eaton, of Manchester, for one hundred and ninety- six dollars. Mr. Endicott has also raised some fine horses, including the one known as Rocket, which was one of the fastest horses raised in the State in the early sixties, having a record of 2. 16. Mr. John Endicott is a Republican, but has held no public office. He super- . intends the work of the farm, but some time since gave up active labor. He and his brother and sister attend the Methodist Epis- copal church, and are numbered among the old established families of the town.
OSES F. KNOWLTON,* a well- known livery man of Sunapee, N. H., was born in this town, July 24, 1845, a son of Dennis G. Knowlton. His grandfather, Samuel Knowlton, who was a lifelong resident of Sunapee, had three sons - Dennis G., Moses F., and John P. Dennis G. Knowlton had two sons - Charles A. and Moses F.
Moses F. Knowlton was educated in the schools of his native town. When he first went to work for himself, he took up general farming. Subsequently he kept a general store in Sunapee for about ten years in com- pany with his father. He then went into the hotel business in Newport, N. H., where for four years he successfully conducted the Phenix Hotel. Finally, returning to Suna- pee, he engaged in the livery business, to which he has since given his attention. He keeps a thoroughly up-to-date establishment, and some of the finest steppers and most stylish turnouts anywhere to be found may be obtained of him. As the natural result of his enterprise and ability he has been very prosperous in business. Mr. Knowlton is a public-spirited
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man, highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He has held many important offices, all of which he has filled with tact and good judg- ment. In 1890-91 he represented the town in the legislature. He served four terms as Selectman, and he was Town Clerk for three years. Mr. Knowlton is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 79, at Sunapee, and also belongs to the encampment at Newport. His religious opinions are liberal, and in politics he is a Democrat. He married February 22, 1882, and has one son, John D., who was born in Newport, July 11, 1885.
ENRI G. BLAISDELL, an accom- plished musician of Concord, N. H., was born in Dorchester, N. H., October 23, 1850, son of Pettingill and Lau- rette (Lillis) Blaisdell. He is originally of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather was Sanborn Blaisdell, who was long a resident, and presumably a native, of Dorchester, in which town he was engaged in farming and .where he spent his last years. He married Mehitable Sanborn.
Pettingill Blaisdell, father of Henri G., was born in Dorchester in 1824. He received his education in the district schools and subse- quently engaged in the business of manufact- uring and selling lumber, for many years conducting a large saw-mill on Baker's River. He was Postmaster of Dorchester for a long time, and still resides on his farm in that town. He and his wife, Laurette Lillis Blaisdell, reared three children - Henri G., Pettingill S., and Ella Mabel. Pettingill. S. Blaisdell, a young man of marked musical ability, entered into business with his father and met his death by accident in the mill. Ella Mabel studied music, became a skilled violinist, and travelled extensively throughout
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