USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 37
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Nathaniel Wells (fourth) was a lawyer in Somersworth from about the year 1835 until his death, which occurred in 1878. He was able and eminent in his profession, being counsel for large corporations and having important in- terests intrusted to him for adjustment. The writer of this sketch read law in his office, and recalls with feelings of gratitude and admira- tion the kindness of heart, the keenness of thought, the quick perception, and the broad common-sense of Mr. Wells.
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Christopher H. Wells received his early education in the public schools of Somers- worth, and fitted for college in the high school under Professor James P. Dixon. In 1871 he entered Bowdoin College, and was graduated in 1875. On leaving college he studied law with his father and William R. Burleigh, then in partnership. While pursuing his law studies, he organized and was Captain of the famous independent military company known as the Great Falls Cadet, which was acknowl- edged to be the finest military organization in the State. He was admitted to the bar, August 15, 1878, being among the first candi- dates under the new and strict requirements of examination for admission. His father died
the very day after he was admitted to the bar, and Christopher soon afterward formed a law partnership with William R. Burleigh, so lit- erally taking his father's place that the name of the firm, Wells & Burleigh, was adopted by the new firm without change. This partner- ship lasted about six years. During this period young Wells was a plodding lawyer, showing in his methods of thought and action many traits like those which had characterized his father. He may not have had a full reper- tory of the requirements that distinguished the popular advocate, but his ability to become an eminent attorney and counsellor-at-law in the "all around " sense clearly appeared.
Before he became a lawyer, before he left college even, Mr. Wells had aspirations to do something in the literary line. Some of his earlier efforts with the pen furnished the text for private theatricals and dramatic plays. Others were published in the local newspaper, and still others found a larger public through the columns of more widely circulated papers and periodicals. His success in these tentative efforts favored his inclinations, and in 1883 he purchased the Free Press publishing and print- ing establishment, and decided to be an editor. A year or two later he gave up his law busi- ness and devoted himself to his new line of work. He has made of the Free Press a strong local newspaper, and a leader among the papers of the State. Its influence is on the side of that which is just and right and good, and it is warmly devoted to the interests and welfare of the community. Its literary tone is also good, and it is readable and interesting.
For a number of years after graduation from college, he was a member of the School Com- mittee, and did good work in the cause of edu- cation. He was a member of the legislature in 1881, and also in 1883, and served on im- portant committees in both bodies. He was
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also a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion of 1889. In 1887-88 he was a member of the military staff of Governor Charles H. Saw- yer, with the rank of Colonel.
In March, 1894, Colonel Wells was elected Mayor of Somersworth, which up to that time had been strongly Democratic. The Demo- cratic majority for Mayor in 1893 was about fifty, but Colonel Wells was triumphantly elected by two hundred and sixty-seven Re- publican majority. His legal knowledge ad- mirably equipped him for the office of Mayor, and he proved himself competent to meet and decide quickly important questions which arose in the course of the transaction of mu- nicipal business. His success as Mayor is well established. He endeavored to keep in view the best good of the city and the welfare of the community, and was the Mayor not of any clique or business corporation, but of the whole city. After he came into office there was a reduction of taxation, and also a reduc- tion in the rate of interest on the municipal debt, and a very gratifying reform in police methods. Laws against disturbances on the Lord's day were better enforced, and the moral tone of the city thereby much improved. He was re-elected Mayor in 1895, and again in 1896, and served out his third term. During his mayoralty the city established a municipal water-work system, with one of the finest pumping stations in the country, and a covered sand-filter also has completed its sewer system.
As a speaker Colonel Wells does not pos- sess all the powers or tricks of oratory (for instance, the trick of hesitating in order to make the next word more impressive), but he is forcible and earnest in, his delivery, and is sure to engage the attention of his audience for the reason that he has something to say. Hle has made a number of political speeches with marked success. As a presiding officer
he is well versed in parliamentary law, and prompt and ready in his decisions. His efforts in this line at the banquets of the Strafford County Republican Club and at other meetings have been referred to in the most complimentary terms. Colonel Wells has always been a Republican in politics. Hc has political influence, not only in the city and county, but also in the State. He is a mem- ber of Libanus Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of this city, and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He is also a member of other fraternal organ- izations, of the Sons of the American Revo- lution and of several press clubs and associa- tions.
As a citizen he is public spirited and gener- ous, always ready to devote time, money, and both physical and mental efforts to the public good. He is a trustee of the Somersworth Savings Bank, a director in the local library, also in two improvement associations, and has been identified with the growth and progress of Somersworth in recent years. In all im- portant projects for the increase of business enterprises, and the opportunities for labor re quiring contributions of money, he has been among the foremost in zeal and liberality. If not the first, he was among the first to inaug- urate the movement which resulted, in Febru- ary, 1893, in obtaining a charter and establish- ing the city of Somersworth.
Mr. Wells is a member of the society con- nected with the Congregational church, of which his father was a member, and his grand- father and two of his uncles were able and worthy ministers in the same denomination.
Mr. Wells was married June 15, 1887, to Miss Ora Hartford, of Dover, N. H., a lady of refinement and elegant taste, qualified to at- tract and retain friendships. Though quiet and unobtrusive, she can entertain with genu- ine politeness. Their home presents a pleas-
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ing combination of taste and culture, comfort without luxury, and elegance without display. In society Mr. Wells is agreeable and witty, genial and happy. He enjoys an intellectual feast, and is able to make liberal contributions to the entertainment. He has moved his print- ing and publishing establishment into new quarters, and now has one of the finest offices to be found in New England.
AMES ELIOT FERNALD, late of Farmington, Strafford County, N. H., was for many years one of the leading merchants of the town and a citizen of promi- nence. He was born September 29, 1830, in Springvale, Me. ; and on July 28, 1895, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, he passed through the portals we call death, leaving a devoted family and hosts of friends to mourn his loss.
Mr. Fernald was of distinguished ancestry, being a lineal descendant of Dr. Reginald Fernald, who was among the earliest settlers of Portsmouth, N. H., being a leading man in the colony, and the original owner of Fer- nald's Island, the present site of the Ports- mouth Navy Yard. Robert Fernald, father of James Eliot, was engaged in mercantile pur- suits at Springvale, Me., in his earlier man- hood days, but later removed to South Ber- wick, and there made his permanent home. He married Apphia Coffin, who bore him seven children, namely: Charles; James E., subject of this sketch; John; Martha; Lewis; Maria; and Sarah. He had a former marriage, the fruit of the union being a daughter Betsey.
James E. Fernald was but a child when his parents removed to South Berwick, where he was reared and educated, and for a time was employed as a clerk by Elisha Jewett and also
by William Morton. In 1851 he came to Farm)- ington, accepting a position in the store of Pierce, Jewett & Flynn, and the next year was made Station Agent on the Dover & Winnipi- seogee Railway in this town. He was subse- quently made a conductor on the road, having charge of a train running from Alton Bay to Dover, and for three years made his home at Alton Bay. In 1857 Mr. Fernald returned to Farmington and established the business in which he was afterward engaged until his demise. In a building owned by Jeremy and Alonzo Nute, and located at the en- trance of East Grove Street, he opened a general variety store, dealing in dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc. By application to his business he was so successful that in a few years he was able to buy the building at the corner of Main and Central Streets known many years ago as Steamboat Hotel. Into this he put a stock of such goods as were then found in a first-class village store, and in the years that followed built up a substantial and prosperous business. This store was known far and wide as the Old Corner Store, and around its huge and friendly stove men gath- ered in winter evenings while the owner stood busy at his desk, handed out the mail -for part of this time he was the village Post- master - or waited upon his many customers.
The great enterprise of Mr. Fernald's life was the establishment of the Farmington News, one of the best local and family newspapers in the State, the best and most enduring monument to his business ability. Stowed away in an unused corner of the office is a small old-style novelty press, on which Mr. Fernald learned the rudiments of the printer's art. From this printing outfit was evolved the Farmington Vews of to-day, with its quarter- medium, super-royal, and Babcock presses run by steam-power, together with all the machin-
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JAMES E. FERNALD.
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ery and improvements of a first-class news- paper and job printing office. Mr. Fernald was a self-made, self-educated, and thoroughly practical man. A thorough mechanic, his knowledge of machinery was something re- markable, and the News office bears testimony thereto. The establishment of the News was made by Mi. Fernald mainly in view of the talent of his only son, George W., which promised success in the editing of the sheet. After the decease of the son on November- 2, 1890, Mr. Fernald continued the publication of the News, on lines known to have been con- sidered by his son, until his own death, July 28, 1895. The property is now in the hands and under the supervision of his wife, from whom it receives careful attention. .
Mr. Fernald was prominent and influential in financial, religious, and political circles, being officially connected with the local banks and with the Congregational church ; and al- though a strong Democrat, he served as Town Treasurer under a Republican administration, this fact alone showing the high estimation in which he was held by the community. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Se- lectmen for two or three years. He was a Mason in Fraternal Lodge, F. & A. M., of Farmington; and was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Knights of Honor, and did much to promote the advance- ment of cach order.
A devoted friend has well said: "Mr. Fer- nald was most faithful and watchful of the interests placed in his care, and his word was as good as his bond. Every worthy cause was sure to receive his aid and merit to find a helpful hand. He (like the lamented son, who was his father's devoted friend and com- panion) would have suffered much rather than advance anything which would tend to public wrong."
In all things he was faithful unto death, and well might the words of the poet be inscribed upon his monument : -
" By him the truest rest is won Who toils beneath the noonday sun, Faithful until his work is done."
On May 12, 1853, Mr. Fernald married Miss Laura A., daughter of the late Judge and Mrs .. George L. Whitehouse, who survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Fernald's only child, George W., a civil engineer and railway con- structor, died November 2, 1890, at the age of thirty-six years, leaving a widow and one daughter, Miss Bessie Fernald. A full and complete sketch of the son will be found in another part of this work.
OSEPH L. ODELL, a retired druggist of Lakeport, Belknap County, was born in New Hampton, this county, March 12, 1831, son of William and Hannah (Tuttle) Odell. His earliest known ancestor, Thomas Odell, resided in Stratham, N. H., and had two sons : Thomas, of Nottingham; and James, of Stratham. Thomas, of Nottingham, was the father of six sons, namely : John, of Durham, N. H. ; James, of Salem, Mass .; Jacob, of Durham; Noah, of Boston, Mass. ; Joseph, of Sanbornton, this county ; and one of Iowa.
Joseph Odell, the grandfather of Joseph L., was a farmer and shoemaker in Sanbornton, and officiated as Deacon of the Calvinist Bap- tist church. He married a Miss Ford, and they had six sons: Jacob and Joseph, of San- bornton; William, of Laconia; Ebenezer and David, of Sanbornton; and Ira, of Randolph, Mass. The father died when he was compara- tively young. William Odell, the father of Joseph L., was born in 1804. He became a shoe dealer, managed a grocery store for many
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years, taught a singing-school, and was a Dea- con and chorister of the Free Baptist church. His wife, Hannah, who was a daughter of Stoughton Tuttle, of Nottingham, had five children by him. These were: Nancy, who was born in. New Hampton, N. II. ; Sarah, who was a native of Laconia; Mary E., who died in Montreal, Can. ; Mary Anna, who died in Lakeport ; and Joseph L., the subject of this biography. The mother, who was born in ISO2, died at the age of fifty-eight years; the father died in 1862, at the same age.
Joseph L. Odell acquired his education in the common schools of his native town and Gilford Academy. He was afterward a teacher for a number of years. In 1854 he established a drug store in Lakeport, which he managed successfully until his retirement in 1892, a period of thirty-eight years. In his political affiliations Mr. Odell is a Republican. He was Justice of the Peace for thirty years. During the late war he was a recruiting officer and now does much pension business. In 1863 he was elected Selectman in Laconia and served three years. In 1864-65 he was Representative to the legislature, serving on the Engrossing Committee. For fifteen years he was an efficient member of the town Board of Education, and for the past three years he has served on the Laconia School Board. Since the incorporation of Lake Village Savings Bank, he has served as a Director of that institution; and he has been a member of its examining committee for several years. The office of Town Treasurer was also accept- ably filled for a period by him. In 1896 he was appointed Associate Justice of the Lake- port Police Court.
Mr. Odell in 1854 married Abbie Swain, a native of Morgan, Vt. Born March 17, 1834, she died March 4, 1895, leaving one son, Willis P. Willis P. Odell was a student in
Tilton Academy, and was graduated from Bos- ton University in 18So, which institution has conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and in 1896 that of Doctor of Philosophy. He officiated as Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cliftondale, Mass., for three years; at Salem, Mass., for three years; in Malden, Mass., for five years ; of the Delaware Avenue Church of Buffalo, N. Y., for five years ; and in 1895 he was ap- pointed to preach in the Richmond Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church of the same city, over which he has been settled one year.
Mr. Joseph L. Odell exercises much influ- ence in church affairs. At the age of eleven years he joined the Free Baptist Church, and for over forty years he has officiated as super- intendent of the Sunday-school, being next to the oldest member now living. He has been actively identified with temperance organiza- tions, serving as Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars for eight years, and for more than twenty years managing a Band of Hope Society which he organized. He intro- duced the temperance pledge into the public schools; and he has the names of four hundred children in Ward Six who have signed the pledge. In 1888 he made an extensive Eu- ropean tour, visiting the Holy Land, Switzer- land, Italy, Alexandria, ascending the Nile to . Cairo, and returning home by way of Athens, Milan, and Paris.
TRA B. HILL, a prosperous farmer of Durham, Strafford County, was born at Northwood, Rockingham County, N. H., March 10, 1845. Ile was educated chiefly at Northwood and Strafford Academies, and continued to live on the farm where he was born until 1870, when, at the age of twenty-five, he went to Dover, where he was
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engaged as clerk for three years in the store of John P. Hill. From Dover he went to Pitts- field, where he worked in a store until 1876, when he came to Durham and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He is here profitably engaged in general farming and dairying. The farm contains about one hun- dred and twenty acres, and is pleasantly lo- cated on the road from Dover to Lce, being about four miles west of Dover.
Mr. Hill was married in 1876 to Miss Frances Randall, of Lee, N. H., and they have two children - Harry R. and Frank H., both of whom reside at home.
Mr. Hill is a stanch Republican, and in 1893 was a Representative to the Lower House of the New Hampshire legislature. He has also served as Town Supervisor four years.
ALDO KIRK HILL, a prominent resident of East Tilton, and a mem- ber of the firm of Stone & Hill, contracting masons, was born in Sanbornton, December 18, 1868, son of Charles K. and Ruth M. (Hunkins) Hill. His great-grand- father, Joseph H. Hill, born in Bow, N. H., was a son of the original ancestor of the fam- ily in America, who came from the North of Ireland. It is thought that the birth of Jo- seph H. Hill must have taken place between the years 1765 and 1771, as his grandson, Charles, remembered hearing him say that he was nine or ten years old at the time of the Revolutionary War. He was known as Hemp Hill, according to Father Crockett's record of his marriage, which was contracted Decem- ber 25, 1799, with Hannah, daughter of Jo- seph Gilman, who was probably a resident of Bow. Joseph H., or Hemp Hill, settled in Sanbornton, where he resided for the rest of his life. He was the father of nine children,
of whom Aaron, grandfather of Waldo K., was the youngest.
Aaron Hill was born in Sanbornton, April 19, 1819. His opportunities for acquiring an education were limited, and when a mere boy he began to learn the mason's trade. He followed that calling in connection with farm- ing, gaining the reputation of an excellent workman, and died April 10, 1873. Politi- cally, he was a Democrat. He married Eliza - beth Sanborn, who was born August 4, 1822, daughter of David Sanborn, of Sanbornton. Six of her seven children grew to maturity ; namely, Charles K., George E., Frank D., Sarah E., Fred A., and Mary A. Sarah E. married George L. Gladding, and Mary A. married Frank P. Dalton. The father was a chorister of the Methodist Episcopal church at East Tilton, of which he and his wife were members.
Charles K. Hill, the father of Waldo K., was born in Sanbornton, April 28, 1847. At the age of sixteen he commenced his appren- ticeship at the mason's trade, afterward be- coming a skilful and reliable workman. He had the energy and ability necessary to suc- ceed in life, but he died in 1875, aged twenty- eight years, regretted by many who esteemed him highly. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Laconia. In politics he supported the Democratic party. His wife, Ruth, was born March 20, 1849, daughter of Josiah Colby. She was adopted by Hezekiah Hunkins, who changed her name to Ruth Melinda Hunkins, and she was married under that name. She became the mother of two children - Waldo K. and Adna E. Charles K. Hill was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
Waldo K. Hill was educated in the public schools of his native town, and afterward learned the mason's trade with his uncle,
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Frank D. Hill. In 1866 a partnership was formed between Mr. Hill and his uncle, under the firm name of Hill & Hill, and they carried on a good business for about twenty-three years. In 1889 Henry H. Stone, of Laconia, was received into the firm, which is now known as Stone & Hill. The partners are favorably known throughout the State as capable and reliable contractors. In their business they employ an average of forty-five men. Waldo K. Hill is personally recognized as an enterprising and progressive young busi- ness man, and is very popular in this locality. He served as Supervisor for two terms, and he has also been Highway Agent.
Frank D. Hill, the senior member of the firm, acquired a common-school education, spent his youth upon the farm, and learned the mason's trade. On January 1, 187S, he wedded Mary Jane Dalton, daughter of John Dalton, of Sanbornton. In politics he is a Democrat. He is connected with Arch Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and with Winnis- quam Grange of East Tilton. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JDWIN C. LEWIS, of the Laconia Democrat, is a man whose word, written or spoken, has much weight with his fellow-citizens. He was born in New Hampton, Belknap County, N.H., No- vember 28, 1836, a son of Rufus G. and Sally (Smith) Lewis, and comes of an enterprising and well-to-do family.
Rufus G. Lewis, son of Moses Lewis, was born in Bridgewater, now Bristol, Grafton County, in September, 1800. In early man- hood, going to New Hampton, he entered the store of his future father-in-law, Daniel Smith, whom he eventually succeeded in busi- ness, and, establishing several branch stores,
developed increasing responsibilities. He did not confine himself to mercantile operations alone, but made successful ventures in other di- rections ; and in 1848 he and his brother, with another gentleman, bought out the Alabama Land Company. Some of the property pur- chased at that time is still in the possession of the Lewis family, and is yearly increasing in value with the development of the New South. In politics originally a Whig and an enthusias- tic admirer of Daniel Webster, who was coun- sel for his father, Colonel Rufus G. Lewis was afterward converted to the Democratic side. He belonged to the State militia, as did his father. In the temperance cause he was intensely interested, and he lived up to his principles, being the first merchant in New Hampton to stop selling intoxicating liquor. The house in which he lived was the first raised in the town without rum.
A public-spirited citizen, Colonel Lewis obtained the charter of the present New Hampton Institution, to which he gave from his own private resources fifteen thousand dol- lars. He was a member of the Orthodox Con- gregational church at Bristol. Kind-hearted and generous, he was courteous and agrecable in his manners, and was beloved by rich and poor. His death occurred in the fall of 1869. His wife, who was the youngest daughter of Daniel Smith, one of the most enterprising and successful merchants ever known in the history of New Hampton, died in 1878, aged seventy-two years. They reared four chil- dren, namely: Rufus; Edwin C .; Sarah Eliza, wife of Frank C. Gordon, of Biddeford; and James P., who for the past twenty-five years has been employed in the post-office de- partment at Washington, D. C.
Edwin C. Lewis fitted for college at New Hampton, and was graduated at Harvard in 1859. He read law for some time in the
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office of Sweetser & Gardner at Lowell, Mass., but his studies were interrupted by his father's serious illness, and he did not resume them. In July, 1878, in company with Fred W. San- born, he purchased the Laconia Democrat, a weekly paper, which was for the next four years under the management of Lewis & San- born. Mr. Sanborn then retired, and was succeeded by Messrs. Brown & Vaughan. They have enlarged the paper to twice its original size, so that it is now an eight-page, fifty-six column weekly. With his liberal ed- ucation and his knowledge of the world, Mr. Lewis is well qualified for the editorial chair, and the paper is one of the brightest weeklies published in the State. As its name implies, it is devoted to the interests of the Demo- cratic party. Mr. Lewis served for two years as County Treasurer. In 1890 he was a mem- ber of Governor Tuttle's Council, associated with Mr. Ramsdell, now Governor of the State. He has served on the Laconia School Board, and has for years been a Trustee and a member of the Executive Committee of the New Hampton Institution.
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