USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
James Drew, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Loudon in 1794. When a young man he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Barnstead. Several years after- ward he moved to Pittsfield, N. HI., where he continued to till the soil. Finally, in com- pany with his son, J. Horace, he bought a large farm located at Academy Corners, in the
453
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
town of Gilmanton, and there resided for the rest of his life. He was noted for his strict adherence to principle, which gained for him the sincere respect of the entire community. He was frequently solicited to accept public office, but invariably declined. An earnest advocate of the Adventist faith, he contributed generously toward the support of the church, and was deeply interested in its work. He died June 30, 1874. The first of his three marriages was contracted in IS17 with Han- nah Clark. In 1845 he wedded Lucy Clark, and in 1860 he married Sarah B. Plummer. He was the father of five children, namely : Ebenezer Clark, who was born in 1819, and died in 1864; Jane, who was born in 1823, and in 1849 married Joseph O. Tasker; Charles, who was born in 1825; John G., who was born in 1821; and J. Horace, the subject of this sketch.
J. Horace Drew was educated at the Pitts- field Academy. When his studies were fin- ished he engaged in farming with his father. After the death of the latter he became sole owner of the farm of two hundred acres .. By energy and good judgment he has since con- siderably enlarged the property. He devotes his attention to raising the usual products of this locality, and always keeps some excellent stock. He has served with ability as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen. Although frequently urged by his fellow-townsmen to accept other town offices, he has refused.
Mr. Drew married Laura A. Plummer, daughter of Joseph Plummer, of Gilmanton. Mrs. Drew attended the academy in this town. She is the mother of one daughter, Idella M. Idella M. Drew was prepared for college at the Gilmanton Academy, and while pursuing her studies spent her vacations in teaching. After graduating she gave up her intention of taking a classical course, and has
since continued in educational work. She has fully demonstrated her ability in this di- rection, and is now a successful teacher in the Laconia Grammar School. Mr. Drew and family are members of the Congregational church.
16 ANIEL E. PLUMMER, of Lec, a successful dealer in general mer- chandise, was born on Lee Hill, February 16, 1845, son of Allen and Abbie J. (Pendergast) Plummer.
When he removed with his parents to the town of Newington, N. H., Daniel E. Plum- mer was but three years old. In 1855 the family returned to Lee Hill, where Daniel acquired a common-school education. At the age of fifteen he began working at the shoe- maker's trade, which he subsequently followed for eight years in Haverhill, Mass. Later he managed a café in the same city, remaining until 1875, when he again returned to his native town. Here he has since conducted a general merchandise store, dealing extensively in hay, grain, and feed. He also does a good business in lumbering. In 1876 Mr. Plum- mer was appointed Postmaster of Lee by Pres- ident Hayes. With the exception of two years, he has held that position since. The two years referred to were 1889 and 1890, when he was a Representative to the legislature, and his wife took his place in the post-office. He was Tax Collector for sixteen years, and he has been Town Clerk for the past twenty-one years, being still in that office. He is also a Trus- tee of the Public Library. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party.
In 1874 Mr. Plummer was united in mar riage with Millie C. Cummings. He has two daughters -- Annie May and Lulu. Annie May is a graduate of the Dover public schools, of the academy in Northwood, N. H., and of
-
£
454
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the Emerson College of Oratory in Boston, Mass. Lulu is also an elocutionist and a graduate of Emerson College. They are both single, and are still living at home. Mrs. Plummer died May 3, 1891.
EORGE W. SANDERS, a retired business man of Gilford, was born in this town, July 30, 1817, son of George and Philena (Martin) Sanders. His grandfather, George Sanders (first), emigrated with his family from England, and settled in Rye, N. H. He was the father of three chil- dren - Henry, George, and Mary. Mary be- came the wife of Nehemiah Sleeper, and died in Gilford. Henry died on the passage from the West Indies.
George Sanders (second), father of the sub- ject of this sketch, followed the sea in his younger days, and when the war of 1812 broke out he sailed from Portsmouth on board of a privateer. With his share of the spoils taken in his second cruise amounting to nine hun- dred dollars, he bought the Kenniston farm in Gilford, and there took up his residence in 1813. He was an industrious and prosperous farmer, and died in December 26, 1843. In politics he was a Democrat, and, though fre- quently solicited to accept office, he always declined. His wife, Philena, whom he mar- ried about a year after settling in Gilford, was a daughter of Elder Richard Martin, a farmer and a preacher. Elder Martin was in early life a store-keeper in Lee, N. H. In those days the country grocers sold liquor. It was his custom when asked for more by customers whom he saw had had enough, to tell them to come next day. He finally gave up the store and moved to Gilford, where he preached at the "Gunstock Meeting-House." He de- livered a sermon in the forenoon of the day on
which he died. This event occurred sud- denly when on his way to church for the after- noon service, being then over seventy years old. He was the father of eight children -- John, Richard, Christopher, Hannah, Ruth, Philena, Betsey, and Thankful. The last named became Mrs. Jackson; John settled in the northern part of this State; Christopher was for some time a preacher in Vermont, and later in Salem, Mass .; Richard was a painter by trade, and died in Laconia; Ruth married Hezekiah Sleeper; Hannah married Vowel Langley; Betsey married Elder William Blaisdell, who was Town Clerk of Gilford for twenty-five years, and also served as Select- man and Representative to the legislature; Philena became Mrs. George Sanders. Mr. and Mrs. George Sanders were the parents of six children; namely, Ruhamah, Olive, George W., Richard M., Orrin, and Francis. Ruhamah married William G. Hoitt, of Gil- ford; Olive married Tenney Hibbard; Orrin died from the result of an accident when four years old; Richard died at the age of thirteen ; and Francis, who married Emma Tuttle, died in 1894.
George W. Sanders attended the public schools until fifteen years old, and then went to the Hopkinton Academy for one term. After leaving the academy he taught school for a time. With the funds so obtained he pur- sued his studies in Parsonsfield, Me. He then resumed educational work, teaching for a while in Gilford, and then going to Holliston, Mass., at a salary of twenty-seven dollars per month and board. He next taught in Milford, Mass., receiving thirty dollars a month and board. In 1842, having finally abandoned teaching, he began to work in a shoe shop in Milford, where he remained until called home by the last illness of his father. For the suc- ceeding sixteen years he was engaged in gen-
-
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
455
eral farming at the homestead. Then he sold the property and moved to the Smith farm, which then comprised five hundred acres. Later he established himself in the lumber business, and followed it successfully until bis retirement in 1873.
Mr. Sanders married Sarah Smith, daughter of Joseph P. Smith of Gilford, and formerly a school teacher. She died March 10, 1894, leaving four children; namely, Joseph S., George A., J. Frank, and Roscoe M. Joseph S., who resides with his father, is married and has two children: George A., is associated with his father-in-law, William Pepper, in the knitting-machinery business in Lakeport; Roscoe is a carpenter by trade, and resides in Bolton, Mass .; J. Frank is in mercantile busi- ness in Lakeport. In politics Mr. Sanders is a Democrat, and has frequently been a dele- gate to party conventions. He served upon the School Committee for four years. A candidate for the legislature on one occasion, he was defeated in a closely contested election by two votes. He is a member of the Free Baptist church.
OEL H. I. MARISON, a well-known resident of Barrington, was born in West Barrington, N. H., November 5, 1832, son of Jocl and Emily (Underwood) Marison. His parents had seven children, as follows: Harriett, Sarah J., Joel H., George W., Louisa, Samuel S., and Caroline M. By a former marriage with Miss Harriett Bartlett, Joel Marison had two children - John and Mary. Joel H., the eldest son by the father's second marriage, spent his boyhood in Barring- ton, receiving his education in the common schools. The old homestead remained his home up to 1871, when he came to his present farm. Here he has been successfully engaged in general farming since. In 1893 he started
a general store, and he is now the Postmaster of West Barrington.
On August 15, 1862, Mr. Marison enlisted as a private in Company F of the Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, and was mustered in at Concord. The first engagement in which he took part was the battle of Freder- icksburg on December 13, 1862. Thereafter he was with his regiment at the siege of Suf- folk in April and May, 1863; at Walthall Roads, May 7, 1864; Swift Creek, May 9 and 10; Kingsland Creek, May 12 and 13; Drewry's Bluff, May 14 to May 16; Cold Harbor, June I to June 3; Battery 5, Peters- burg, June 15; explosion of the mine at Petersburg, July 29; Battery Harrison, Sep- tember 29 and 30; Fair Oaks, October 27; and he entered Richmond, April 3, 1865. In the course of his term he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged at Richmond, June 21, 1865.
Mr. Marison was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Hanson. Four children have been born to them; namely, Cora M., George W., Marcellus, and John H. In politics Mr. Marison is a Republican. In religion he is a member of the Baptist church.
ANIEL P. YORK, a typical repre- sentative of the citizen-soldier ele- ment of Strafford County, N. II., whose record in the late Civil War entitles him to honorable mention in this biographical work, is a highly respected citizen of the city of Dover, where he has lived for more than twoscore years. He was born September 1, 1834, at Gilmanton, Belknap County, son of Jenethron and Betsey York. He attended the public schools of his native town until fifteen years old, when he began working at the shoe- maker's trade. Two years later he removed
-
-
456
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
to Durham, finding there better opportunities for carrying on his chosen calling.
In 1853 Mr. York located in Exeter, N. H., where he remained three and one-half years. Then he returned to Durham, and after a time took up his residence in South Berwick, Me, where he had charge of a stationary engine two and one-half years in the employment of the Boston & Maine Railroad Company. At this time the late Rebellion was in progress, and he, with the patriotic ardor of the native New Englander, hastened to the defence of his flag and country. He enlisted October 17, 1861, as a private in Company B of the Twelfth Maine Volunteer Infantry for a period of three years. He was mustered into service at Cape Elizabeth, Portland, and was at once ordered with his regiment to the scene of action: Mr. York's first engagements were at the taking of Forts Jackson and Phillips. He was in the thickest of the fight at Irish Bend and at the siege of Port Hudson, which lasted forty-seven days. He was present at the surrender of Forts Jackson and Phillips, and that of New Orleans. In New Orleans he served on Gen- eral Butler's body guard and he assisted in the execution of William Mumford at the Branch Mint. On September 19, 1864, at the memorable battle of Winchester, Mr. York was severely wounded by a minie ball, which entered the knee and passed downward under the knee pan, descending to the ankle. He was at once taken to the Sheridan Field Hos- pital, where four days later the left leg was amputated. He was subsequently removed to the Baltimore hospital, and there on October 12 a second operation was found necessary. Again, a month later at the Cherry Street hospital, his wound not having healed as it should, Mr. York submitted to the third ampu- tation, after which he was confined in the hos- pital until some time in December. He sub-
sequently received his honorable discharge from the service in March, 1865. Returning to Berwick he lived there until 1874, when he removed to his present home in Dover. Here he is living a contented and happy life, secure in the love and devotion of his family. In politics he has ever been a true and stanch Republican.
Mr. York married, November 18, 1854, Miss Susan Smart, a daughter of Enoch and Hanah Smart, of Durham. The union has been blessed by the birth of ten children; namely, Elbridge, Annie, Esther, Susan, Daniel, Georgia E., Ella, Ida, Lilly, and William.
ILLIAM SANBORN WOODMAN, a retired farmer of Sanbornton, and an ex-member of the New Hamp- shire legislature, was born in this town, July II, 1819, son of John and Sarah (Calef) Woodman. The family is of English origin. Its ancestors resided in Milford, England, previous to emigrating to America. Arche- laus Woodman, a weaver by trade, who was a passenger on board the ship "James, " reached the country in 1635, and settled in Newbury, Mass. He died in 1702, leaving no children. His brother, Edward Woodman, who, with his family arrived here in the same year, is believed to have been the common ancestor of the Woodmans in Sanbornton. Edward Woodman was a man of energy and decision, had much influence in the community, and was a Deputy to the General Court for the years 1636, 1637, 1639, and 1643. He held vari- ous town and Colonial offices, and was one of three commissioners appointed to adjust small litigations in Newbury. He was the father of two sons - Edward and John. John Woodman was great-grandfather of Joshua Woodman, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
.
457
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Joshua Woodman was born in Lee, N. H., June 11, 1736; and his wife, Lois Woodman, January 26 of the same year in Maine. He moved from Lee to Meredith, where he re- sided until 1794. Then he came to Sanborn- ton. In Meredith he was Deputy Sheriff. He fought in the Revolutionary War, bearing the rank of Captain and attended by his son Joshua; and he died. August 13, 1827. His wife's death occurred October 28, 1820, in her eighty-fifth year. John Woodman, father. of William S., was born in Lee, N. H., Feb- ruary 1, 1769. In his youth he accompanied his parents to Meredith, and later to Sanborn- ton. He succeeded to the homestead in this town, and was afterward quite an extensive dealer in cattle. His wife, Sarah, whom he wedded May 2, 1797, was born June 18, 1780, daughter of Oliver Calef. She became the mother of sixteen children, of whom fourteen attained maturity. Of the latter, four are living, namely : Sally, the widow of Barnard H. Smith; William S., the subject of this sketch; Mary S., the widow of Harris Allen ; and Lawrence C., a resident of Otonia, Minn. The others were: Stephen M., Susan, Joshua, Lois and Eliza (twins), Samuel, John, Ira, Charles C., and Nathaniel. The father died October 30, 1865; and the mother on Febru- ary 12, 1866. Both were members of the Baptist church, the father having served it in the capacity of Deacon.
William Sanborn Woodman attended the district schools. At the age of eighteen he went to Meredith, where he assisted his brother-in-law upon a farm for two years. He then completed his studies by attending the New Hampton Literary Institute, after which he returned to his native town, where he erected a house, and resided in it until 1848. Then he bought his present farm of about three hundred acres. Of this, he cultivates
some forty acres, raising hay, corn, oats, bar- ley, and potatoes, keeping twenty head of cattle and the same number of sheep. He does quite a business in dairying, and has regular customers for all the butter he can produce. Politically, he is a Democrat. While representing his district in the legisla- ture of 1869, he was instrumental in causing the enactment of laws favoring Sanbornton when the town was divided. He served with ability as a Selectman, and was County Treas- urer for two years. For five years he had charge of the Town Farm, and he was Super- intendent of the County Farm and Keeper of the jail and house of correction from 1871 to 1879. He is a public spirited, enterprising, and progressive citizen, and has labored dili- gently and faithfully for the welfare of the town. Formerly he was much interested in military affairs, and held a Captain's com- mission in the old State militia.
On June 23, 1841, Mr. Woodman was united in marriage with Mary Ann Fox, .daughter of Benjamin Fox, of Meredith. Mrs. Woodman has had five children, as fol- lows : Stephen M., who married Lizzie Smith, and died leaving a widow and eight children, of whom six are living; Cynthia, who married Orville M. Smith; Ella, the wife of Dennis O'Shea, a merchant of Laconia; Josephine, who married Frank M. Sanborn, of Milton Mills, N. H. ; and George, who has had the management of the farm since his father's retirement. George Woodman wedded Mrs. Anna (Randlett) Merrill, daughter of Jona- than Randlett, of Laconia. By her former marriage she has two children - Arthur and Bud; and by her present marriage three sons -- Roscoe Stevens, Clarence John, and Will. iam Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. William S. Woodman are members of the Baptist church, which he formerly served as clerk and as a
----
458
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
member of the executive committee. An oc- casion long to be remembered by the partici- pants was the celebration of their golden wed- ding on June 23, 1891, when about two hun- dred of their relatives and friends, including many from the neighboring towns and some from Massachusetts, assembled at their pleas- ant residence to congratulate them upon the happy event; and the Rev. Mr. Hunter, in behalf of the donors, presented the happy couple with several costly gifts, while excel- lent music was furnished by the Sanbornton Orchestra.
RANCIS L. GERALD, M.D., of Belmont, now living in retirement, was born in Warren, N. H., January 5 1838, son of Addison W. and Mary H. (Mer- rill) Gerald. He, in common with nearly all who bear the surname of Gerould or Gerald in this country, is a descendant of Dr. Jacques Jerauld, one of the Huguenots who left France after the Revolution of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685. Settling in Medfield, Mass., he practised medicine there until his death, Oc- tober 25, 1760. He married Miss Dupee, who was born on the voyage when her parents were coming to this country in 1685.
Addison W. Gerald acquired his education in New York State. Shortly after attaining his majority he located in Warren, N. H. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of Samuel Mer- rill, a well-to-do farmer and a leading light in the Free Baptist church of that town. By their marriage, which was performed in 1836, there were twelve children; namely, Francis L., Laura A., Lucy J., Henry J., Maria (de- ceased), Charles S., Ellen, Abbie, Emeline, Alma, Emily, and one who died in early life. Laura A. married Nathaniel Sawyer, and they removed to Buffalo, N. Y. Lucy J. mar- ried Charles Norris, of Laconia. They reside
in Lowell, Mass., where he is a well-known machinist. Henry J. married Elizabeth Tay- lor. He is overseer in Baker's Chocolate Mills in Milton, Mass., where they reside. Charles S. is a prominent physician in South Dakota. Ellen M. married Edwin J. San- born, and resides in Nebraska. Abbie, who is unmarried, lives in Tilton, N. H. Emeline married Olcott Colby, of Warren, N. H. Alma became Mrs. Byron Copp of the same town. Emily married Charles Whiteman, and with her husband is living in Tilton, N. H.
Francis L. Gerald graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. He began practice in Nashua in 1869, and came to Hyde Park in 1873, being the first physician on the Board of Health in that town. Beginning in 1880, he was Treasurer of the Massachusetts Eclectic Medical Soci- ety for several years, and in 1888 he became the President of that organization. Failing health subsequently obliged Dr. Gerald to re- linquish his extensive and lucrative practice in Hyde Park and move to the country. At that time he came to Belmont and settled on Ladd Hill, where he has since devoted his time to farming and stock-raising, owning some of the finest specimens of stock ever raised in New England. In politics he affil- iates with the Republican party ; but on license questions he is a Prohibitionist, being an active temperance worker. He has served as Moderator in town meetings, and he was a member of the Belmont School Board for four years. In 1896 he was elected to the State legislature, and will no doubt prove an able Representative.
The first of Dr. Gerald's two marriages was contracted in 1860. By his second marriage, which was contracted in 1874, with Lucy A., daughter of Bowman Goodrich, of Hudson,
-
459-400
FRANCIS L. GERALD.
---
46
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
N. H., there were three children - Florence N., Frank W., and Mabel. Frank is now deceased. Florence is a teacher in Belmont, and Mabel is a student in the Laconia High School. Dr. Gerald was the Treasurer of Forest Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Ilyde Park, Mass., and he has been Recorder for seven years of Cyprus Commandery, Knights Tem- plars, of the same town. An esteemed member of the Laconia Methodist church, he has been a trustee of the society for ten years, and the superintendent of the Sunday-school for five years.
AMES C. LOCKE, a representative of one of the oldest families in North Barnstead, was born here, September 7, 1846, son of Jacob and Pamelia (Dow) Locke .. The first ancestor of the family to settle in the locality was James Locke, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He came from Rye, N.H., and acquired a tract of wild land located at what has since been known as Locke's Corner. Some time after he moved to another tract, situated nearer to the present farm of his great- grandson, and when opportunity permitted he built a frame house to replace the primitive log cabin he had originally erected for an abode. He made his living by trapping bears, and till- ing the soil. Making a substantial success of the last-named occupation, he became the pos- sessor of several farms. He was prominent in the early town government, in which he served as a Selectman ; his religious principles were those of the Quakers ; and he lived to be over eighty years old. His children were James, Enoch, John, Edward, Lucy, and Lovey.
Enoch Locke, grandfather of James C., in- herited the homestead, and resided there through- out his life, which ended when he was well past his eightieth year. He was one of the first members of the Free Baptist Church at New
Durham Ridge. He married Sally Berry, and reared three children ; namely, Lucy, Jacob, and James. Lucy lived to be over seventy years old. James always resided in Barnstead, and died about the age of sixty years. Jacob Locke, James C. Locke's father, spent his entire life at the homestead, and became an extensive farmer. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for many years, and represented the town in the Legislature. He died before his father, about the year 1860. He was a leading spirit of the Democratic party in this section, was a ready speaker and an able Moderator at town meetings. At the time of his death he was serving his second term in the New Hamp- shire House of Representatives. In religion he was a Congregationalist. His wife, Pamelia, a daughter of Timothy Dow of . Barnstead, be- came the mother of two children : Nellie S. and James C. Nellie S., who formerly taught school, gave up her position during her mother's illness, and is now residing in Farmington, N.H.
James C. Locke was educated in the district and private schools of Barnstead. He was fourteen years old when his father died, leaving to him the management of the farm, which he carried on with energy and success until 1884. The Locke homestead, which is one of the most desirable, as well as one of the oldest, pieces of agricultural property in North Barnstead, has been the property of the family for four gener- ations ..
Mr. Locke married Emma Rodgers, daughter of Rev. William Rodgers, a Free Baptist min- ister. Mrs. Locke was born a subject of the English government, on the Isle of Wight. Rev. William Rodgers preached in England previous to coming to America, and he had pastoral charges in New Jersey, and in Hamp- ton and other places in this State. At the time of his death, he was preaching in North Barnstead. In early life he officiated without
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.