USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 25
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these words of high appreciation : "His pulpit labors were marked by plain common sense and freedom from anything like ambiguity. Scorning all cant and every form of pretence, he breathed the spirit of our holy religion into his life toil, and allied himself with all those movements fitted to uplift the community around him. Especially was the cause of tem- perance dear to his heart, and he was a life worker of its principles."
It is easy to believe as one looks upon the intelligent and kindly features of Mrs. Atkin- son that she was an able helpmeet to her hus- band in his church and other work. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are all living at this time (1897). They are: Mrs. Josephine P. Thwing, widow of Charles Thwing, a merchant tailor of Boston; Orville A., who has succeeded to Mr. Thwing in busi- ness; and Joseph P. Atkinson, a prominent merchant of Laconia.
OHN D. PHILBRICK, a well-known merchant, engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Rochester, Strafford County, was born in Effingham, Carroll County, N. H., in September, 1848, son of Ara and Sarah A. (Thompson) Philbrick. He remained at home with his parents until thirteen years old, in the meanwhile attending the common schools. Then, leaving home, he went to Wenham, Mass., where he worked for three years in a shoe factory, later going to Dover, where he was employed in shoe factories some sixteen years. He next went to Lowell and connected himself as travelling salesman with a house dealing in mill supplies, and was thus engaged four years, during which time he travelled through New England, Canada, and the Prov- inces. In 1884 he came to Rochester, and embarked in his present business, of which he
has made a complete success. On March 25, 1879, Mr. Philbrick was married to Miss Abbie Cater, of Barrington, N. H. Their only child died at the age of nine years.
Politically, Mr. Philbrick is a Republican, and has been very active in local affairs. He is now serving his fourth term as County Com- missioner. He was one of the Councilmen in the first City Council, and took a leading part in clearing the city square, being chairman of the committee that had charge of the work. Mr. Philbrick is a member of Humane Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. ; Mount Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Dover; and the Dover Lodge of Elks.
AZEN P. WEEKS, a successful farmer of Gilford, Belknap County, N. H., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born on Liberty Hill, October 22, 1840, son of Noah and Mary (Dudley) Weeks. His grandfather, Noah Weeks, Sr., who was born in Greenland, N. H., January 12, 1754, was the first of the family to settle in Gilford. In February, 1780, he married Betsey Meade, who was born April 11, 1759, and died March 26, 1820. He died March 12, 1825.
Noah and Betsey (Meade) Weeks were the parents of nine children, a brief record of whom is as follows: William, born in Gil- manton, December 14, 1782, died in 1839; Mary, born September 24, 1784, died July 26, 1806; Sally was born November 14, 1786; Matthias was born December 13, 1788; Asa was born in August, 1790; Betsey was born August 24, 1792, and died January 9, 1818; Hannah was born June 18, 1794, and died in 1813; Noah was born March 29, 1797; and Eleanor was born January 12, 1804. William Weeks settled in Portsmouth, N. H., and was in his later years editor of a newspaper. He married Abigail Hubbard. Sally married
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Daniel Kelley, and resided upon a farm on Guiney Ridge in the town of Gilmanton. Her son, John L. Kelley, is now a well-known resident of Franklin, N. H. Matthias Weeks lived in Gilford, and was a prosperous farmer. He married Betsey Thing, and had three children, of whom the only one living is Dea- con Jonathan, who is now eighty years old. Betsey Weeks married Ephraim C. Mason. Asa married Jemima Marston. Eleanor mar- ried John G. Sanborn, and resides in Laconia.
Noah Weeks, fourth son of Noah, Sr., en- gaged in farming with his father when a young man, and continued with him while he lived. Previous to his death, grandfather Noah Weeks divided his property, Asa taking the Webster farm, Noah, Jr., father of Hazen P. Weeks, retaining possession of the homestead on Liberty Hill. He was an able farmer, and realized a comfortable prosperity as the result of his labor. He was prominent in public affairs, and for many years was a Deacon of the Free Will Baptist church. He died in August, 1872. His wife, Mary Dudley, whom he married April 23, 1820, became the mother of eleven children; namely, Betsey M., Charles H., Alvah T., Mary J., Lyman M., Eleanor P., Hannah A., Noah D.,. Serepta A. Hazen P., the subject of this sketch, and Sarah F .. . Betsey M. Weeks, became Mrs. Ellis, is now a widow, and resides with her son in New York City. Charles H. married Polly Wad- leigh, and died in Centre Harbor, N.H. Al- vah T., who lives in Romney, N. H., married Salina Blanding, and had a family of three children, two of whom are living. Mary J. married Frank Naton, and died in Manchester, leaving one child, who is living in Laconia. Lyman M. wedded Mary A. Thing, and both died in Gilford, N. H., leaving one child, now living in Laconia. Eleanor P. married Albert Rogers (both deceased). Hannah A. died at
the age of sixteen years. Noah D. married Emma Jewell, and lives in Laconia, N. H. Sarepta A. is now Mrs. Lamprey, of Laconia. Sarah T. married Hiram Emerson, and is re- siding at the old homestead.
Hazen P. Weeks was educated in the dis- trict schools, at Gilford Academy, and at New Hampton, where he spent one school year, and then returned to his father's home for a short time. In 1863 he enlisted in the First Regi- ment, New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. He served as a non-commissioned officer until the close of the war, and after his return from the army he was for a few years engaged in farm- ing at the homestead. In 1874 he bought the Webster farm, formerly his uncle Asa's, which adjoins the home property, and, having added more land, he now owns two hundred acres. He has made various improvements upon the land and buildings, and has one of the best pieces of agricultural property in this locality. He was formerly engaged in stock-raising, but for the past fifteen years has devoted his attention to the milk business. He is an active supporter of the Republican party, has served three years as a Selectman, and two years as a Representative; and while in the legislature he was a member of the Committee on Roads and Bridges and upon the Insane Asylum.
Mr. Weeks married Mary F. Roberts, a native of Belmont, N. H., daughter of John M. and Sarah E. (Leavitt) Roberts. Her father was a native of Gilford, and her mother was born in North Hampton, N. H. John Roberts, father of John M., was an early settler in Gilford. He had three other sons; namely, Charles, Joseph L., and James H., who at one time were all engaged in the machine business in Boston, where James H. Roberts is carry- ing on an extensive business in that line at the present time. Mrs. Weeks's father was for-
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merly in business, but returned to the home- stead in order to care for his parents in their old age, and is now living in Laconia. Mrs. Weeks has a sister, Etta E., who married Dana Elliott, of Laconia, and a brother, John L. Roberts, who is now engaged in the wood, coal, and ice business in Laconia. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks have two children - Walter S. and Bessie E. Walter S. Weeks received his education at schools in Gilford and New Hampton. Mr. Weeks is a member of Gran- ite Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Laconia; and he and Mrs. Weeks are members of Belknap Grange. In his religious views he is a Free Will Baptist.
MELVIN FOSS, ex-Mayor of Dover, and one of its substantial business men, was born July 23, 1847, in the town of Strafford. He is a son of Dennis and Hannah (Peary) Foss, the former of whom was for several years a mill owner in Straf- ford. After receiving his education in a pri- vate school, Mr. Foss, at the age of eighteen years, became a clerk in the general store of John W. Jewell, of Strafford. Two years later he and his father opened a store of the same kind in the same place. In 1874 D. Foss & Son brought their business to Dover, here establishing a small box factory and grain mill. They disposed of the grain mill in 1884, and then added to the manufacture of boxes that of doors, sashes, and blinds, devoting the entire first floor of their new building to the planing and box mill, and the second and third floors to the other departments. Their business now gives employment to fifty or more men.
In politics Mr. Foss is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Dur- ing the administration of President U. S. Grant he served as Postmaster of Strafford.
Since his arrival in Dover he has been closely identified with the best interests of the city, and has won the sincere esteem of his fellow- citizens. For several years he was a member of the School Board; and during the years of 1893, 1894, and 1895 he served acceptably in the office of Mayor. He is a member of Strafford Lodge, No. 29, F. & A. M., the chairs of which he has passed through; of Belknap Chapter, passing through the chairs; of Orphan Council, in which he has been Dep- uty Master; and St. Paul Commandery, of which he is Generalissimo. He is also an active member of the Dover Lodge of Elks.
In 1869 Mr. Foss married Miss Clara S. Foss, daughter of Frank and Alice T. (Foss) Foss, of Strafford. Mr. and Mrs. Foss have but one child, Ina G., now the wife of Frank E. Boomer, junior member of the firm of A. P. Drew & Co, photographers, of Dover.
ILLIAM ROCKWELL CLOUGH, the well-known manufacturer of Alton, N. H., was born in this town, November 8, 1844. He is the younger son of the late John C. Clough, and a grandson of Daniel Clough, who came to Alton with his two brothers, the three settling on adjoining farms, and all rearing families. Daniel did farming and some lumbering, and carried on a coopering business in the winter months, sell- ing barrels in the surrounding towns. He married Sally Meserve, and was father of three sons - Joseph M., Benjamin F., and John C. Joseph M. married Esther Philbrick, and had two children - Electa and Daniel. Benjamin F. lived on the homestead, but never married.
John C. Clough received a good education, and afterward learned the painter's and cabinet - maker's trade. He carried on an extensive business in Manchester during many years of
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his active business life, and later retired to Alton, where he developed farming interests. He was a loyal Republican, and represented the town in the State legislature and held various other offices. His wife was Lydia Treddick, and his two children were: Oscar, now living on the old place; and William Rockwell Clough, the subject of this sketch. John C. Clough was a mechanical genius. In the earliest stages of match making he manu- factured some lucifer matches and sold them. He foresaw the possibilities of the business, but, lacking capital, he could not go into it to the extent he wished to; had he lived longer, he would, undoubtedly, have been able to carry out his plans.
Rockwell Clough attended the public schools in Alton and Gilmanton and Franklin Academy, Dover, and also took a commercial course, graduating at Eastman's College, Poughkeepsie. He worked with his father on the farm until his seventeenth year, when, wishing a wider field, he went to Massachu- setts. While he was there the war broke out, and in 1862 Mr. Clough enlisted in the Fif- tieth Massachusetts Regiment, and going into the field was in the siege and assault at Port Hudson, being under fire there for six weeks. During his residence in New York, after the war, he joined the Ninth Regiment of Infantry in the State National Guard, going in as First Lieutenant of Company H, and being afterward elected Captain. He was in this regiment for over five years, and withdrew on account of leaving the city.
Wishing to become a professional book- keeper, Mr. Clough secured a place in Cam- bridgeport, and, after gaining valuable experi- ence there during a few years, he was ap- pointed as expert accountant in the United States Department of the Internal Revenue in Boston, where he remained for two years.
While there he conceived the idea that corks in medicine bottles were incomplete without a screw to remove them. The ordinary way of digging out the cork with a knife or scissors destroyed the cork and often spoiled the medi- cine. Mr. Clough thought that if wire screws could be manufactured in sufficient quantities and at low enough cost to enable manufact- urers of patent and standard medicines to sup- ply a screw for every stopper sold, it would make a paying business and be of general utility. Screws could be manufactured at a very small expense if the proper machinery could be invented and a market insured. Once started on the line of invention, Mr. Clough became deeply interested, and has ever since been actively at work in thinking out new de- vices. He has patented in all over thirty in- ventions. It was three years before he could find a firm to take the wire screw in sufficient quantities to make its manufacture a suc- cess, and during this time he travelled over a large territory endeavoring to interest various firms in his plan. At last Perry Davis & Son were favorably impressed, and agreed to a con- tract, whereby they were to be supplied with wire screws for all the bottles in which their" "Pain Killer " and other medicines were sold. Their only fear was that the screws could not be manufactured in sufficient numbers to keep them supplied.
The machinery has been constantly im- proved, and automatic machines are now used by which one operator can do as much work as could be accomplished by twenty men working by hand. These machines have been intro- duced in both France and England, and Mr. Clough has made several trips abroad in the interest of his patent. At the Centennial Ex- position in Philadelphia in 1876, when the old machines were in use, he secured two pre- miums. In 1878, at Paris, he received an-
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other reward, and at the Columbian Exposi- tion, Chicago, in 1893, he took the highest medal, the machines being one of the most interesting features of Machinery Hall, and the place they occupied always one of the crowded sections. Mr. Clough and two as- sistants were constantly at work making. screws, which were sold at five cents a piece as fast as they could be turned out. At the Cotton States Exposition at Atlanta, in 1895, the exhibit of the Rockwell Clough Company attracted great attention, and Mr. Clough was honored by being chosen president of an asso- ciation composed of all the leading exhibitors, some fifteen hundred in number; in this posi- tion he entertained foreign and State clubs, and came in contact with many interesting and widely-known people. He met many Southern soldiers amid fraternal and pleasant associa- tions, and retains the most agreeable recollec- tions of his visit to Atlanta. Mr. Clough's business has been located successively at New Bedford, Mass., New York City, Brooklyn, Newark, N. J., and Alton. He has at various times had a partner in the business, but is now sole proprietor. Upon the death of his father, he came back to Alton, where, despite the advice of friends, who feared that this would not be a favorable location, he has built up a flourishing business. He now makes also a staple which has been patented, and which is supplied to a Boston heeling machine com- pany to be used in the manufacture of boots and shoes for fastening the heels.
While making his way in business and struggling for success, Mr. Clough had little time to devote to politics; but now, with busi- ness and trade well established, he has turned his attention somewhat to his civic responsi- bilities. A lifelong Republican and a loyal one, he was last year chosen by his party as a candidate for the legislature, and was elected
for the session of 1897, at which he was ac- corded the high honor of Chairmanship of Com- mittee on National Affairs, and was made the President of the Veterans' Association of the legislature. His tilt with William Jennings Bryan at Manchester was noted in the public press throughout the country. When Mr. Bryan was to speak in that city, September 26, 1896, Mr. Clough went to the hall, not with any idea of questioning him, but as a listener. The arguments put forth by the speaker, how- ever, seemed so specious, and such an attack on Republican principles, that Mr. Clough, without premeditation, put forth question after question in such a manner as to win for him- self great commendation from his supporters. A few days later he addressed an open letter to the supporter of the Silver Democracy, which was afterward printed and widely dis- seminated as campaign literature.
Mr. Clough is a Mason and a member of Crystal Wave Lodge, No. 638, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; also a charter member of Winfield Scott Hancock Post, G. A. R., New York City. He is at the present time Commis- sioner from the State of New Hampshire to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition at Nash- ville.
Mr. Clough's wife, formerly Miss Amelia Young, died in 1885. His only child, a daughter named Gertrude, is married to Frank J. Dugan, a prominent manufacturer of Nor- walk, Conn. Mr. Clough has a fine residence at Alton, and hospitably entertains his many city friends.
IRAM F. SNOW, proprietor of the Dover Loom, Harness, and Reed Factory in Dover, Strafford County, N.H., has been closely identified with the in- dustrial interests of this part of the State for more than half a century. He was born Jan-
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uary 28, 1826, in North Berwick, Me., a son of Hiram Snow. His father was likewise a native of North Berwick, and there grew to manhood, learning the shoemaker's trade as soon as he was old enough to engage in that useful handicraft. He subsequently settled in Tamworth, N. H., and worked at shoemak- ing until his death, which occurred at the early age of thirty-five years. His wife, Hannah Felch, a native of Tamworth, sur- vived him a number of years, dying, a little while after her second marriage, at Eaton, N. H., when thirty-seven years old.
Hiram F. Snow was about a year and a half old when left fatherless; and from that time until sixteen years of age he lived with his mother's brother, J. Felch, a farmer, in Tam- worth. Going then to the neighboring town of Effingham, he learned the trade of a carpen- ter and joiner, working there about three years. He afterward made his way to Dover, and, here beginning in a modest way as a car- penter, gradually enlarged his operations until he built up one of the most extensive contract- ing, roofing, and building businesses in the city, continuing until 1886. In that year Mr. Snow purchased his present factory, and, hav- ing equipped it with the most approved modern machinery, has since carried it on with most gratifying success. He is known throughout the city as a man of more than ordinary busi- ness ability and tact, who through his own exertions has steadily climbed the ladder of prosperity. In addition to his factory he owns considerable stock in other industrial enter- prises, he has six valuable thoroughbred road horses that he raised himself, and he occupies one of the most attractive residences in the city. All of this property has been acquired by persistent work, he having been from his youth up entirely dependent upon his own resources.
Mr. Snow has been twice married. His first wife, Roxanna, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Gray) Gentleman, of Dover, passed on to the higher life July 6, 1882. She bore him three children, the following being their record: Charles F., a tailor, resides in Dover; George W., also a resident of this city, is a roofer and carpenter; a daughter, Hannah Francis, died when three years old. Mr. Snow married June 20, 1883, Miss Fannie Pinkham, daughter of Charles and Mary (Amazeen) Pinkham, of Farmington, N.H. Of this union two chil- dren have been born, namely: Ethel M., who died when seven years old; and Bertha F., a bright little girl of nine years.
Politically, Mr. Snow is an active Republi- can; and, besides having served as Council- man two years and as Alderman for the same length of time, he has represented Ward Two in the State legislature another two years. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, having taken the thirty - second degree, and being a Knight Templar. He is an active member of the Strafford Lodge, F. & A. M., of Dover; and is likewise a Knight of Pythias, belonging to Wechohamet, No. 3, I. O. O. F., of this city.
EORGE O. HAYES, of Madbury, Strafford County, N. H., is recog- nized as one of the most intelligent and thorough-going farmers of this locality. He was born March 1, 1838, on the homestead that he now occupies. This old homestead was also the birthplace of his father, Timo- thy Y. Hayes, and of his grandfather, Na- thaniel Hayes.
The first of the family to hold it in posses- sion was his great-grandfather, Daniel Hayes, who was born in England, August 26, 1723. He came to this country early in life, pur-
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chased the land while it was but partially cul- tivated, and with sturdy perseverance made good headway in his pioneer work of clearing and improving a farm. He married Sarah Plumer, of Milton, this county, March 23, 1749, and thirteen children were born to them. Four of the number died in childhood; the names of the others were as follows : Richard, Elizabeth, Daniel, Abigail, Sarah, Mahit- able, Ezekiel, Ichabod, and Nathaniel. Mr. Daniel Hayes and his sons conducted a small tannery business on the farm, preparing the material from which, to some extent, they manufactured boots and shoes. Mr. Daniel Hayes attained the good old age of eighty- four years.
Nathaniel Hayes, who succeeded his father in the ownership of the homestead, was born March 14, 1773, and married Mary Young, of Madbury, December 27, 1798. Their chil- dren were: Daniel, Timothy Young, Ira, l'lummer, Jeremy D., Sarah P., Oliver K., and one other who died in infancy. Mr. Na- thaniel Hayes did a great deal of pioneer work on this place, adding materially to the im- provements. He was popular in the com- munity, and at one time served as the Repre- sentative of his town in the State legislature. He with his sons carried on many different branches of industry. From the banks of clay on a part of said farm they made bricks for various uses, some of them being now pre- served as relics. They also built and operated a saw-mill on the banks of the Bellamy River, which runs through the farm. Blacksmithing, too, was carried on; and some of the home- made tools, such as steelyards and hammers are in use at the present time. They likewise worked at joinery, making window frames and sashes, also doors. . During this time farming was not in any way neglected. Busi- ness seemed to centre at this place, until rival
manufactures, on a larger scale, with machinery and improved methods, made wares cheaper to buy than to make at home. In those days flax was grown in the fields and prepared by the men for the busy housewife to spin and weave; and sheep were raised, from which wool was obtained for her to use in weaving cloth for clothing and for other purposes, the garments worn in the family being cut and made at home.
Mr. Nathaniel Hayes died at the age of fifty- nine years, his son, Timothy Y. Hayes, com- ing in possession of the estate. He was born August 17, 1801, and here spent his entire life. He died June 11, 1879. In his chosen occupation, agriculture, he was prospered, his diligent toil day after day meeting with a deserved reward. He was married May 27, 1833, to Abigail Ham, of Barnstead, who was born September 21, 1802. They had two children, namely : Eliza A., born August 14, 1836, who is now the widow of David HI. Evans, and resides in her native town; and George O., special subject of this sketch.
George O. Hayes acquired a good education in the public schools of Dover, and in his youthful days when not attending to his studies worked on the home farm, becoming as famil- iar with its duties as with the contents of his books. The management of the homestead devolved upon him when he was but twenty years of age, and from that time until the present he has looked most faithfully after its interests, each year adding to its improve- ments and value. He has also bought other ยท land, being now the possessor of two hundred acres, one hundred and fifty of which belonged to the original estate. He carries on general farming and dairying; and, in addition to this, he raises sheep, a branch of industry in which he has excellent success.
On June 11, 1861, Mr. Hayes was married
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to Eliza A. Drew, who was born in the town of Barrington, this county, March 30, 1838, a daughter of Silas and Eliza J. (Caverly) Drew. Two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes died in infancy. The two children now living are : Martin T. H., who was born March 2, 1862; and Emma E., who was born June 21, IS77. Martin T. II. Hayes received his edu- cation in Dover public schools; and he now lives on the farm with his father, assisting him in its management. He married, August 5, 1888, Rosa A. Emerson, who was born October 30, 1868, in Lee, this county. Their only child, George L., a bright and beautiful boy, boro May 9, 1892, passed away at the age of four years, four months, and twenty- eight days. Emma E. Hayes was graduated at the Dover High School with the class of 1896, and began teaching school on August 31 of the same year.
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