USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 33
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and Captain. He is in communion with the Free Baptist church.
JDWIN COX, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Meredith, and an ex- member of the New Hampshire legis- lature, was born in Holderness, N. II., Au- gust 13, 1844, son of Andrew Smith and Mary (Cummings) Cox. His grandfather was Jona- than Cox, who followed agricultural pursuits in Holderness during the active period of his life. Andrew Smith Cox, born in Holder- ness, was reared to farm life, and afterward tilled the soil with profit until his death, which occurred in 1851. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Craw- ford) Cummings. The former, who prosper- ously followed farming in New Hampton, N.H., was accidentally killed in the prime of life by an infuriated bull. Mr. and Mrs. An- drew S. Cox were the parents of five children, four of whom reached maturity, namely : George and Albert, who are no longer living; Clara, who is the wife of George H. Gay, of Boston; and Edwin, the subject of this sketch.
Edwin Cox, after the death of his father, was seven years old when he came with his mother to this town. He began his education in the district schools, and later attended a private school. When ready to begin life for himself he worked in a hosiery-mill for a time, and then entered the employ of Daniel S. Bedee in the livery and express business. In 1867, after the death of Mr. Bedee, he was appointed local agent of Cheney & Co.'s Ex- press, and is now acting in that capacity for their successors, the American Express Com- pany. He also carries on a profitable livery business, keeping an average of ten good driv- ing horses. His popularity and success are
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the result of his genial manners, and his read- iness to accommodate his neighbors and fel- low-townsmen upon all occasions to the extent of his ability. In politics he is a Democrat, and his connection with the public affairs of Meredith has been of a nature to receive the hearty commendation of the entire community. For twenty years he has served as Moderator at town meetings. While representing the town in the legislature he was a member of the Committee on Corporations. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for the past seven years, and is now in his fourth year as Chairman of that body. On December 7, IS67, Mr. Cox married Arzelia J. Pease, daughter of Simeon D. and Betsey (Batch- elder) Pease, of Meredith. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have one son, Clarence Edwin, who grad- uated at the New Hampton Institute, and is now in business with his father. Mr. Cox was made a Mason in Chocorua Lodge, No. 83. He has been a Good Templar for thirty years, and has several times filled the chief Templars' chairs in Waukewan Lodge. Mrs. Cox is a member of the Congregational church, and Mr. Cox attends religious worship there.
AMUEL H. BELL, the pleasant and accommodating ticket agent at the Boston & Maine Railway sta- tion in Dover, was born April 11, 1864, in Springfield, Lot No. 67, Prince Edward Island, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hard- ing) Bell. Both parents are also natives of Prince Edward Island. When Samuel H. was fourteen years old, they moved to Mount Pleasant, Lot No. 13, where they still reside. The father follows the callings of blacksmith and farmer.
Samuel HI. Bell remained on his native island, attending the public schools and as-
sisting his father in the forge or on the farm until he was twenty years old. Then, believ- ing that better opportunities for advancement were to be found in the States, he came to New England, and for two years was employed at an undertaking establishment in West New- ton, Mass. Here he served as a hack driver, and assisted in the general work. He next obtained a situation with the West End Street Railway Company of Boston, being stationed at Malden, Mass., for a while. Going then to Lowell Junction, Mass., he spent four months in learning telegraphy, after which he was assistant station agent at Cliftondale, Mass., for a year. He was subsequently located for a few weeks at Windham Junction, N. H., as spare operator and relieving agent, going thence to Salmon Falls, this county, where he remained four years. At Salmon Falls he was night operator at the station for the first five weeks, and for the residue of the time he was general utility man, serving as day operator, baggage master, and an assistant to the agent in general office work, proving himself faithful and efficient in every capac- ity. In April, 1893, the company, appreciat- ing his ability and trustworthiness, promoted him to his present responsible position, in which he is giving general satisfaction.
Mr. Bell was married June 5, 1894, to Miss Hattie E., daughter of William and Abbie (Rolfe) Davis, of Salmon Falls. Having become a naturalized citizen in due time after coming to Dover, he is identified with the Republican party. A Mason of the thirty- second degree and the Scottish Rite, he be- longs to Strafford Lodge, No. 29, Belknap Chapter, Orphan Council, and the command- ery of Knights Templar. Both he and Mrs. Bell are active workers in the Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Bell is a member. Mr. Bell is the owner of a fine farm of one hun-
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dred and seventy acres in Prince Edward Island. Of strictly temperate habits, of good moral principles, he is held in high considera- tion throughout the community, where he has a large circle of warm friends.
ILLIAM S. STEVENS, late an es- teemed resident of Dover, Strafford County, N. H., of which city he was formerly Mayor, was born June 21, IS16, in Canterbury, Merrimack County, this State. His father, Edmund Stevens, a farmer by oc- cupation, married Betsey Shepherd, who bore him two children.
William S. Stevens was reared on the home farm, and acquired the rudiments of his educa- tion in the common schools of his district. At the age of fourteen years he became clerk in the village store, where he remained long enough to acquire some practical knowledge of business. His next experience was as a student in the Pembroke and Gilmanton Acad- emies successively, one year being spent by him in each. He intended to further pursue his studies at the New Hampton Literary In- stitution, going there for that purpose, but being offered the position of teacher in one of the Kingston schools he accepted it, and taught for a year. Returning then to the pa- rental homestead, Mr. Stevens stayed there but a short time before he obtained a situation as travelling salesman for the Platform Scale Company, in which he bought an interest the succeeding year, and continued travelling for the firm five years longer. Locating then in Milton, N. H., Mr. Stevens purchased a saw- mill, and was there engaged in the manufact- ure of lumber for three years. Going thence to Ossipee Centre, Carroll County, he was es- tablished in that town in the mercantile busi- ness some ten years, coming from there to
Dover in 1847. After carrying on a success- ful wholesale trade in groceries for three years, he, in company with Benjamin Wig- gins, bought the Dover Glue Works, which he owned at the time of his death. After the death of his partner, Mr. Stevens continued the business under the firm name of Wiggins & Stevens for many years. In 1852 this en- terprising firm enlarged their operations, add- ing to their former manufactures that of sand, emery, and flint paper, and garnet cloth. Six years later this addition to their plant was burned, and it has never been rebuilt, although the manufacture of glue was later continued. Soon after the fire Mr. Stevens purchased a factory in Malden, Mass., where, under the personal supervision of his son, Everett J. Stevens, he carried on an extensive and lucra- tive manufacturing business. He passed away at his home, 713 Central Avenue, April 15, 1897, aged eighty years, nine months, and twenty-five days.
In politics Mr. Stevens was an ardent sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and served his fellow-citizens with fidelity and efficiency in important positions, having been a member of the State legislature eight years, and Chief Magistrate of the City of Dover three years, being elected to the latter office in 1870, and twice re-elected, serving until 1873. For many years he was inti- mately associated with the financial interests of this part of the county, being ex-Vice-Pres- ident of the South Dover Savings Bank, and for a quarter of a century having been Presi- dent of the Strafford National Bank, of which he had previously been a Director for a num- ber of years. Starting in life with no special advantages, save those accorded to every farmer's boy, Mr. Stevens met with success in each and all of his undertakings, his energy, thrift, and steadfastness of purpose carrying
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him steadily onward and upward along life's pathway. Of a genial and kindly nature, he was a friend alike to rich and poor, and, though not connected by membership with any religious organization, was a liberal supporter of churches. For forty-five years he occupied his beautiful residence wherein he hospitably entertained his many friends and acquaint- ances.
Mr. Stevens was first married November 13, 1839, to Miss Mary Jewett, daughter of Na- thaniel Jewett. The only child born of that union was a son, Everett J., who has charge of the factory at Malden, Mass., and is one of the prominent business men of that busy · city, of which he is ex-Mayor. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Stevens married Sarah Varney Bangs, of Dover, their union being solemnized on May 7, 1851. Four chil- dren were born of this marriage; namely, Mary F., Carrie L., Eliza, and Annie H. (de- ceased). Mr. Stevens's third wife, Sarah F. Chesley, whom he married in Dover on Febru- ary 2, 1879, died without issue. Mr. Stevens was a Director of the Boston & Maine Rail- road until his resignation some five years ago, making twenty years of consecutive service.
ON. WILLIAM A. PLUMMER, of Laconia, N. H., is a prominent mem- ber of the Belknap County bar and a very popular sound money Democrat. He was born in Gilmanton, this county, December 2, 1865, a son of Charles E. and Mary (Moody) Plummer. His family springs from the Plummers of Newburyport, Mass., who trace their origin to an early settler of that name there (1635). Governor Plumer, of New Hampshire, was of the same stock. Joseph Plummer, father of Charles E. Plum- mer, was born in Gilmanton, N.H., and was
for a number of years engaged in farming in that town. He died at the age of forty-five. His wife, who was Sally Lamprey, of Gilman- ton, lived to be seventy years old; and her mother lived to see five generations of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Plummer had a family of six children, four of whom are liv- ing, namely: Charles E., the Hon. William A. Plummer's father ; Ann E., who married a Mr. Ayers, of Maine; Mary E., wife of Henry E. Marsh, of Gilmanton; and Laura, wife of J. H. Drew, of Gilmanton.
Charles E. Plummer was born in Gilmanton sixty-five years ago, and still resides there. A large land-owner, his property covering one thousand acres, he is extensively interested in farming, stock-raising, and lumbering. He has taken a prominent part in the councils of the Democratic party, and has been nominated for Representative to the State legislature. His wife, who is a daughter of Stephen Moody, a resident of the part of Gilmanton now known as Belmont, is sixty-six years old. The following children have blessed their union : Etta J., who died in February, 1896, aged forty-one, wife of Edwin N. Sanborn, of Laconia; Carrie E., wife of Frank H. Fur- ber, of Alton, N.H. ; and William A.
William A. Plummer was graduated at Gil- manton Academy in June, 1884, and entered Dartmouth College the following autumn. Being in poor health, however, he followed his physician's advice, and left his books for a while. On January 3, 1886, he entered the law office of J. C. Story at Plymouth, N. II., with whom he remained until the summer of 1886. On September 13, 1886, he began to teach school at Canaan, N. H., taking charge of the higher grade; and for one term he had oversight of all the schools in the village. As a teacher he was very successful and popu- lar. Subsequently, being requested to take
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WILLIAM A. PLUMMER.
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charge of a private school, he consented; and in the mean time he was diligently pursuing his law studies. He read law with G. W. Murray, Esq., until July, 1887. He then entered Boston University Law School, where he was graduated in June, 1889; and while a student there he gained a practical insight into legal work in the office of C. T. & T. H. Russell, of Boston. Passing the requisite examination, he was admitted to the New Hampshire bar, July 26, 1889; and on Sep- tember 2, 1889, he became the partner of the Hon. S. S. Jewett. The firm of Jewett & Plummer has an extensive business, and has gained much prestige from the ability of both members of the firm.
Mr. Plummer was in the legislature in 1893, presiding as Chairman of the Belknap County delegation, and had much to do with obtaining the vote to build the new court-house in Laconia; and it was he who introduced and obtained the passage of the bill empowering the county to bond the indebtedness. He was later Chairman of the Court-house Building Committee. While in the House of Repre- sentatives he was a member and Secretary of the Judicial Committee; a member of the Committee on Education; and he was on the Committee on the Roll of the House during his service there the year the Laconia city charter was adopted. He was the first Moder- ator for Ward Four in the city of Laconia, was nominated from Ward Four for the Coun- cil in 1891, and again later; and though he was defeated he ran far ahead of his ticket. In the spring of 1895 he was nominated for Mayor. At the previous election the Demo- cratic candidate for the mayoralty was defeated by a majority of between five and six hundred. Mr. Plummer was defeated by only forty five votes. He was again nominated in the spring of 1896. In 1893 he was elected to the La-
conia School Board, and in 1895 he was re- elected for three years. In 1896 he went as delegate to the Chicago Convention that nomi- nated the Democratic candidate for President, and he is at present a member of the Sound Money State Committee. In March, 1897, he was elected a Trustee of the City Savings Bank of Laconia, N. H .; and on April 5, 1897, he was elected a Director of the Laconia National Bank.
On January 1, 1890, Mr. Plummer was united in marriage with Ellen F. Murray, of Canaan, N. H., daughter of George W. Murray. They have one boy, Wayne M., born March 21, 1891. In fraternal organizations Mr. Plummer is active and prominent. He has been for two years Master of Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 32, F. & A. M .; belongs also to Union Chapter, R. A. M., No. 7; and is . one of the Stewards of Pilgrim Commandery, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist.
ΙΛΗ B. SULLIVAN, M.D., a prominent member of the medical fraternity of Strafford County, has been in active practice in Dover since 18SI, and has won for himself a wide and favorable reputation throughout this vicinity. He was born at Winthrop, Kennebec County, Maine, May 29, 1857, a son of Jeremiah and Rebecca Gillman Sullivan. Having com- pleted his studies at the public schools of his native town, he entered the Towle Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1872. During the succeeding year he re- mained in Winthrop, where he was employed as a clerk in a drug store. Going thence to Portland, he spent two years as a clerk in the drug store of Hinds & Co., and was afterward
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located in Lewiston, Me., three years, part of the time as a clerk, and the remainder in con- ducting a prescription drug store on his own account. He then entered the office of Dr. J. A. Donovan, of Lewiston, with whom he read medicine, at the same time attending lectures at the medical department of the Uni- versity of New York City. After three years of faithful study he received his diploma in ISST. Returning to Lewiston, Dr. Sullivan began the practice of his profession in com- pany with his former teacher, Dr. Donovan, continuing with him until June, when he lo- cated in Dover. Here the doctor has met with eminent success as a practitioner, and is now recognized as one of the leading physi- cians of the city.
Politically, Dr. Sullivan is a firm Demo- crat, and one of the leading members of his party. In 1886 he was a candidate for mem- bership in the council of Governor Sawyer, but was honorably defeated, the county being a Republican stronghold. Two years later he was nominated for State Senator from Dis- trict Number Twenty-Three, and was elected by a majority of three hundred and ninety- one, having been the first Democrat to receive election from this district. Socially, the doctor is a member of Elks Lodge, and has been District Deputy of the State of New Hampshire. He is a prominent member of the Catholic church.
HARLES E. WALKER, proprietor of one of the first settled farms in Barnstead, Belknap County, and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born where he now resides, June 7, 1839, son of John and Betsey (Bunker) Walker.
The Walker homestead, which has been owned by representatives of the family for four
generations, was cleared and improved by "Sir " William Walker, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Sir William, who was born in Portsmouth, N. H., in 1759, came from that place to Barnstead about 1804 or 1805, when this section was mostly a wilder- ness. He made his first trip on horseback, accompanied by his son William, and after selecting a tract of one hundred acres, he brought his family and resided here during the rest of his life. His wife lived to be over ninety years old. For some time the Walkers were the only white inhabitants in this vicinity.
William Walker, Jr., son of " Sir " Will- iam, and grandfather of Charles E., was born in Portsmouth, N. H., in 1786. He assisted his father in clearing the farm, and, finally inheriting the property, diligently engaged in tilling the soil during the active period of his life. For many years a Justice of the Peace, he transacted a great deal of legal business. He was one of the most prominent and able citizens of the town in his day ; in politics he supported the Democratic party. He died at the age of sixty years. By his wife, whose maiden name was Betsy Dow, he had four children -- John, Seth, Ann E., and Abby. Seth, known as Captain Seth Walker, was born in Barnstead in 1815. He married Hannah York, and settled in North Barnstead, but died at the early age of twenty-eight years, leaving no children. Ann E., born in Barn- stead in .1824, married Daniel F. Davis, and died February 23, 1849. She had no chil- dren. Abby, born in Barnstead, November 2, 1826, married John K. Davis. They reside in North Barnstead, and have a family of four children - Ann E., Seth W., Arthur E., and Coran H.
John Walker, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Barnstead, July 11, 1811.
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He received a common-school education, and taught several winter terms of school in Barn- stead. For a number of years he was em- ployed at the lead works in Salem, Mass., but eventually he returned to the homestead and cared for his parents during their declining years. He improved the farm by selling off some of the land and buying adjoining prop- erty that was more desirable, and his manage- ment of the place was attended with prosper- ous results. In politics he was a Democrat, and he held at different times all the offices that could be bestowed upon him in the town. While representing Barnstead in the legisla- ture, he was instrumental in securing the ap- pointment of Squire S. G. Berry as Warden of the State Prison. In early life he belonged to a military company in this town and was ap- pointed Major, by which title he was gener- ally known, his brother Seth being Captain of the same company.
Major John Walker served as a Selectman during the exciting time of the Civil War, and had charge of supplying the town's quota of soldiers. In 1869 he was elected County Commissioner for three years, being Chair- man of the Board the third year. He was a man of deeds rather than of words, and he was called to public service solely because of his ability, never having sought for political honors. In his religious opinions and mode of worship he was a Congregationalist. His wife Betsey was a daughter of Joseph Bunker, of Barnstead. She became the mother of four children ; namely, Mary A., Nancy J., Charles E., and Sarah E. Mary A., born May 12, 1834, married James N. Morrison, of South Alton, N. H. She died May 4, 1893, leaving two sons: George W., who resides in Cambridge, Mass. ; and Charles H., who is a resident of Barnstead. Nancy J., born July 25, 1837, married David H. Morrison, of
South Alton, a brother of James N. They have four children : Harry ; Hattie S. ; David A., who lives in Cambridge, Mass. ; and John WV. Sarah E., born September 7, 1841, for- merly taught school, but is now a dressmaker in Dover, N. H. She is unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. John Walker were stricken with pneu- monia in 1892, and both died the same day.
Charles E. Walker was educated in the district schools and at the New London Acad- emy. After teaching one term of school, he went to New Market, N. H., where he was em- ployed as a clerk in a store for a year. Ile then engaged in trade upon his own account at North Barnstead, and continued in business there for five years. Then selling his store, he entered the employ of James S. Norris & Crockett, bakers and confectioners of Concord, and was in charge of a wholesale team for the succeeding ten years. Although his oppor- tunities for a successful business career were very promising, he considered that his duty to his aged parents was paramount to his own per- sonal interests, and he returned to the home- stead in order to care for them in their declin- ing years. He managed the farm of one hun - dred and forty acres for several years previous to their death, and, subsequently inheriting it, has continued to carry it on chiefly through a feeling of love for the old homestead. Mr. Walker was for several years a Director of the Alton Five Cent Savings Bank, and its Presi- dent during the last four years of its existence. He succeeded his father as Director, the latter having held that position from the organiza- tion of the bank until increasing infirmities caused him to resign.
Mr. Charles E. Walker and Jane Titcomb, of East Kingston, N. H., daughter of Charles and Sarah Titcomb, were married July 20, 1866. They have one daughter, Lizzie E., born September 10, 1869, who was educated
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in the district schools and Kingston Academy, and is now residing at home.
Politically, Mr. Walker is a Democrat. He was elected Town Clerk at the age of twenty- two, and served three years. He was a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen in 1867 and 1868, was elected a member of the legislature in 1881, and served upon the Committee on Claims during the first biennial session. He was a member and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in 1892, 1893, and 1894, and for the past ten years has been Justice of the Peace. He was chosen Collector of Taxes in March, 1886, and filled that office for six years in succession, or until elected Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in March, 1892. Mr. Walker has likewise held the offices of secretary and treasurer of the Barnstead Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company since IS90.
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OIIN SCALES, A. B., A. M., of Dover, N. H., is one of the Dartmouth Col- lege men who have made their mark in newspaper life. He was born in Nottingham, Rockingham County, this State, October 6, 1835, son of Samuel and Betsey (True) Scales. His ancestry on both sides dates back to the early days of New England. On the paternal side he is descended from William Scales, an Englishman, who located in Salem, Mass., in 1636, and later moved to the neighboring town of Rowley. William's grandsons, Will- iam and Matthew, settled in the part of Yar- mouth, Me., now the city of Portland, about 1712; and in 1725 both were killed there by the Indians. Abraham Scales was fourth in descent from the first William. He pur- chased, in 1747, some three hundred acres in the north-east corner of Nottingham, adjoin- ing the town of Lee, and cleared a part of it for farming; and in 1754 he built the house
in which his great-great-grandson, John Scales, was born. This house is still stand- ing, well preserved; it was the first two-story house in the town. The original tract of land remained in the possession of the Scales fam- ily for over a century, and a part of it is still owned by them. Samuel, the youngest son of Abraham, was a Revolutionary soldier. Sam- uel's son Samuel was the grandfather of Mr. John Scales; and his father, the third Samuel in line, was born in Nottingham, July 18, 1800. The owner and manager of a large farm, he was one of the leading men of the town, serving as moderator, Selectman, and School Committee, Captain of a militia com- pany for several years, and in 1849-50 he rep- resented the town in the General Court.
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