USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 53
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pay, maintaining himself as best he could by following other occupations in connection with his ministerial duties. He was the father of nine children, two of whom, died in England while young. The others were Ann, who is now Mrs. Leonard Smith ; Jemima, Maria, Mary, Elizabeth, and Emma, all of whom were born in England; and Catherine, who was born in New Jersey. Maria married Henry Smith, and re- sides in Haverhill, Mass. Mary, now deceased, was the wife of Rev. George Barber, a Metho- dist minister in Epping, N.H. Catherine is the wife of Nathan L. Proctor, of Farmington, N.H. Elizabeth is the widow of George Webster, late of Wilmot, who died in 1889, leaving five chil- dren. Mrs. Locke was but an infant when her parents came to the United States. She ac- quired a good education and became a school- teacher. She taught first in Alfred, Me., later having charge of schools in other places ; and she was identified with educational work in North Barnstead until 1895, a period of ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Locke have no children. For some years past a niece of Mrs. Locke, Miss Gertrude Webster, has resided with them, and she succeeded to the school formerly taught by her aunt.
Mr. Locke attends divine worship at the Con- gregational church. In politics he is a Demo- crat. He is now serving his first term as a Selectman, representing the third of the three generations of his family that have been repre- sented in that body. He is a member of Wood- bine Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Farmington ; and a charter member of Crescent Lake Grange, of Barnstead, of which he was for two years master.
AVID S. HANSON, a skilful and thriving agriculturist, owning and occupying a valuable farm on the Knox Marsh Road, two miles west of the city
limits of Dover, Strafford County, was born on the homestead where he now lives, August 24, 1837. He comes of pioneer ancestry, the Hansons having been prominent amongst the earlier settlers of this part of the State. Ilis grandfather, John Hanson, was the original owner of the farm. Samuel Hanson, son of John and father of the subject of this sketch, was born here, May 24, 1789. He inherited the paternal acres, and spent his entire life on the estate, and was engaged in farming and carpenter's work throughout his active period. An upright, hard-working man, and prudent in his habits, he was eighty-two years old when he died here, December 12, 1871. He married Miss Clarissa Varney, who passed away September 8, 1889. They were the par- ents of seven children; namely, John C., James V., Mary, Hannah C., Daniel E., David S., and Clara A. All are living but Mary. Samuel Hanson never knew a sick day until his last illness, which was brief.
David S. Hanson attended the district school in his younger days. Besides receiv- ing a practical training in agriculture on the homestead, he also learned the carpenter's trade from his father. The latter calling he followed for many years, working first with his father and afterward alone, being employed in different places, although he always lived on the farm. Since the death of his parents, Mr. Hanson has had the entire charge of the home property, and has successfully carried on general agriculture and dairying. It contains one hundred acres of land, in a good state of cultivation, and is well furnished with sub- stantial buildings. The good condition of the estate is a standing monument to the industry and good management of its proprietor.
In his political affiliations Mr. Hanson has always been identified with the Republican | party, and he represented Ward Four in
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Dover's Board of Selectmen for one year. He is liberal in his religious beliefs, while he gives friendly support to church organizations. Residing with him on the home farm are his sisters, Hannah and Clara, who attend to the housekeeping and exercise a general super- vision over the farm.
TON. OLIVER J. M. GILMAN, of Alton, one of the well-known public men of Belknap County, and who has served for eight years in the State legisla- ture, is the only son'of Oliver and Mary Ann (Morrison) Gilman, to whom he was born in' Allou, January 31, 1847. The children of his grandparents, David and Rhoda \(Hunt) . Gil- man, were: Moses, who was Selectman of Alton, N. H., for several years, and repre- sented the town in. the State legislature for a time; Henry, who also served in the legisla- ture; Rhoda, who became the wife of Moses Gilman; Captain John Gilman, who com- manded a militia company, and spent the latter part of his life in Barrington, N. H. ; David, who taught school and cultivated a farm in Sangerville, Me. ; Oliver, the father of Oliver J. M. ; and Ai Titcomb, who was at one time Postmaster of East Alton, N. H., and spent the latter part of his life in New Market, this State. ?
Oliver Gilman was born in Alton, N. H., December 3, 1815. He was given a good education, which was finished at Wolfboro Academy. Settling on a farm in East Alton after he attained maturity, he took an active part in town affairs, and was Postmaster and Selectman of the town .when he died at the age of thirty-onc. : His wife was a daughter of Dr. John Morrison, one of the early set- tlers of Alton, and niece of Robert Morrison, a noted scholar and public man, who taught
school in Portsmouth and Boston, and was suc- cessively elected Mayor of Portsmouth in 1857, 1858, and 1859. Robert Morrison at one time had charge of Thompson's Island. He lived to be eighty-eight years old. Dr. John Morrison taught school for a number of years in his early youth, saving his carnings for the train- ing necessary to fit him for a professional ca- reer. He first took up the study of medicine with Dr. Graves, of Deerfield, N. H., and was subsequently associated with established prac titioners in Vermont. His training was fin- ished =at the Dartmouth Medical School, and he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the New Hampshire Medical Society in 1814. During the latter part of the War of 1812, he was Surgeon on board the privateer "Fox," remaining in the govern- meht service until 1815. He moved from Lee to Alton when the latter town was but a small settlement, and started bravely in on the arduous duties of a country doctor. In the course of his practice he had to travel on horseback in all kinds of weather, often mak- ing his own path, and braving the perils of darkness and precarious footing: As the town grew his practice became more lucrative and easier of attendance; and in the fifty years, or more, of his professional work, he accumu- lated both reputation and wealth. He was a member of the New Hampshire Medical Soci- ety, and of Sullivan Lodge, F. & A. M. His death occurred May 17, 1878. He was mar- ried in Lce, N. H., to Mary, daughter of Simon Randall. After the marriage the young couple travelled on one horse to Alton, where they settled on a farm. Three children were born to them, namely : Betsey, who died young ; Addie, who died at the age of forty- eight; and Mary Ann, the mother of Oliver J. M. Gilman. This lady, after Mr. Gil- man's death, married Moses F. Cate, of Wolf-
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boro, by whom she had three children --- George, Edward, and Arthur. She is yet living.
Oliver J. M. Gilman, after his father's death, went to live with his grandfather, Dr. Morrison, and was reared on the doctor's farm in Alton. He attended Wolfboro and Straf- ford Academies, and studied for a while under the tuition of Mrs. Marilla Ricker, one of the best teachers of that day. Afterward, for several years, he taught school during the winter season in Alton and New Durham, N. H., and worked on the farm in summer. Naturally serious and studious, he devoted most of his leisure moments to reading, his actions and studies all the time governed by religious principles. He succeeded his grand- father, Dr. Morrison, as owner of the farm in Alton, and has since been extensively engaged in general farming. He has been Associate Justice for a number of years, and he has taken an important part in town and State affairs. Under the old law, he was Superin- tendent of Schools for ten years; and since the new law went into effect, he has served on the School Board another period of ten years, presiding for the last five years as Chairman of the board. He is often called upon to preside as Moderator at the Alton town meetings. He was Selectman for two years, County Commis- sioner for four years, and he is now Secretary of the State Board of Charities and Correction. In 1879 he was elected to the legislature for two years, and he was honored with re-election in 1881, 1885, and 1895. While in the House, he served on the Committees on Banks, Agriculture, Roads, Bridges and Canals, Insane Asylums, and Temperance Legislation. The bill to reduce the tax on savings banks, which was passed after a pro- longed fight, was introduced by Mr. Gilman. He has discharged all his official duties faith-
fully and ably; and his honesty, good judg- ment, and marked ability won for him many admirers in the State legislature.
On August 16, 1874, Mr. Gilman was mar- ried to Octavia H., daughter of Sewall T. Roberts, of Alton, who was a member of the State legislature. Mrs. Gilman taught school for some time previous to her marriage. She has had two children, who died in infancy. Mr. Gilman is a member of the Congrega- tional church, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath school for fifteen years.
OHN C. HANSON, a successful farmer residing on the old Demerritt homestead in Madbury, Strafford County, N. H., was born in Dover, N. H., December 19, 1827, son of Samuel Hanson, who was a carpenter by trade. He spent his boyhood years in Dover and received a district school education. At eighteen years of age, he began learning the carpenter's trade with his father, and after completing his apprentice- ship worked in Dover village and in the mills for about fifteen years. In 1862, shortly after his marriage, he came to Madbury and settled on the farm which has since been his home. It contains about two hundred and forty acres, proportionately divided between tillage and pasturage, and he is profitably engaged in mixed husbandry. He also owns about thirty- three acres in Dover, another farm of fifty acres in Madbury, and a wood lot in Barrington.
On February 5, 1862, Mr. Hanson married Miss Elizabeth Demerritt, daughter of Hopley Demerritt, who was born on this farm. She is a grand-daughter of John Demerritt, and her great-grandfather and great-great-grand- father were also named John, the latter being the first of the family to settle in Madbury.
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Her mother, Aibgail (Snell) Demerritt, was a native of Lee, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. De- merritt had four children, namely : Elizabeth ; Loisa, widow of Ezra E. Demerritt; Abbie J. ; and John W., who died when two years and a half old.
In political affiliation Mr. Hanson is a Re- publican. In 1879 he represented the town of Madbury in the Lower House of the State legislature, and has served as Selectman five years and as Collector three years. He is now wood agent. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Mount Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Dover.
URTIS F. SMITH, a skilful machin- ist and a well-known resident of Meredith, was born in this town, April 4, 1855, son of Alva and Mchitable L. (Swain) Smith. . John Smith, second, his great-grandfather, who was born in Plymouth, England, son of John Smith, first, was "pressed " into the British navy during the American Revolution, but upon reaching Boston he made his escape. The great-grand- father settled in Holderness, N. H. His son, William Smith, the grandfather, was born in Holderness, March 24, 1794, and resided upon the home farm until he came of age. He was afterward employed in various occupations, and was accidentally killed by an explosion in a copperas mine at Hubbardston, Mass., in 1836. He married Lucinda, daughter of Stephen Pillsbury, and reared three children --- Alva, Melvina, and Adeline. Melvina was three times married. Her first husband was David Taylor, her second was William Chase, and her third was Luther M. Chase. Adeline married Charles Belden.
Alva Smith, Curtis F. Smith's father, was born in Holderness, August 2, 1824. After leaving school he obtained employment in the
scale manufactory of Concord, N. IL., where he remained two years. He then went to Lowell, Mass., where he was employed at the same kind of work for another year. After his marriage he bought his present farm in Meredith Centre. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, thirty of which are under cultivation. He raises general farm products, keeps ten cows, a small flock - of sheep, makes about twelve hundred pounds of butter, and kills an average of sixteen hundred pounds of pork annually. His wife, Mehit- able, whom he married September 28, 1851, is a daughter of Jeremiah B. Swain of this town. She has been the mother of three chil- dren, namely : William B., a resident of Mer- edith; Curtis F., the subject of this sketch ; and George H., who is no longer living. William B. Smith, who was born July 13, 1852, and is now a hydraulic engineer in Bos- ton, on December 13, 1872, married Julia McIntyre, and has two sons - Herman P. and Howard A.
Curtis F. Smith attended the public schools of his native town. On finishing his studies, he served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, at which he was employed in Laconia for seven years. In the fall of 1888, he took his wife to Denver, Col., for the benefit of her health. Returning East in the following spring, he remained upon the home farm until August, 1890, when he once more visited Den- ver, and followed his trade there until 1891, at which time he again came East. In No- vember, 1894, he made another visit to Colo- rado; but since March 1, 1895, he has resided continuously in Meredith. Besides tilling the soil, he transacts considerable business in the way of settling estates.
On February 28, 1874, Mr. Smith wedded Hattie M. Hawkins, daughter of David M. Hawkins, of Centre Harbor. Owing to her
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delicate health and the rigorous climate of New England, Mrs. Smith is obliged to re- main in Colorado, although she occasionally visits her home during the summer. In poli- tics Mr. Smith is a -Republican. He was elected a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1896, and was re-elected in March, 1897.
ROF. CHARLES H. PETTEE, senior member of the faculty of the New Hampshire College of Agri- culture and the Mechanic Arts, is a man of superior mental attainments and executive ability. He was born February 2, 1853, in the city of Manchester, N. H., son of Horace and Elizabeth F. (Wilson) Pettee. From childhood he was an apt scholar, often distanc- ing the companions of his age in their studies. In 1870 he received his diploma from the Manchester High School. Four years later he was graduated from Dartmouth College, and two years after from the Thayer School of Civil Engineering, in which he was for one year one of the corps of instructors. When offered a more desirable position in the New Hampshire College, which was also connected with Dartmouth College, and then located in Hanover, the professor accepted it, and from 1877 until 1893 held the chair of mathematics and civil engineering in that school. Upon the acceptance by the State of the terms of the will of the late Benjamin Thompson, and the transfer of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts from Hanover to Durham, Pro- fessor Pettee co-operated with the trustees in planning and providing for the erection of the necessary buildings and in effecting the actual removal of the institution. Besides being the instructor of several classes, the professor has been Dean of the college for the past eight years.
On July 24, 1877, Professor Pettee married Miss Luella E. Swett, of Hanover, a daughter of Franklin P. and Sarah E. (Piper) Swett. Their children are : Alvena B., born February 14, 1881, who is a student of the New Hamp- shire College; Horace J., born March 6, 1883; Sarah E., born January 14, 1886; and Charles S., born May 3, 1895. In politics the professor is a stanch Republican, having been a warm advocate of the principles of that party since attaining years of discretion. He is prominently connected with the grange, having been a member of the Executive Com- mittee of the State Grange, and a Master and Lecturer of local granges. He is also a mem- ber of the Dartmouth College society known as the K. K. K. An esteemed member of the Congregational church, he serves the society in the capacity of Deacon.
OHN A. RANDALL, an enterprising and skilful farmer, residing in the town of Madbury, was born. October 10, 1849, in Lee, Strafford County, being one of the family of seven sons and two daughters born to Richard and Betsey (Freeman) Ran- dall. His father, likewise a farmer by occu- pation, was one of the brave sons of New Hampshire that fought so courageously in the Civil War. His brother Nehemiah, as well as himself, also participated in the conflict. Mr. Randall acquired his education in the dis- trict schools of his native town. On the home farm, beginning at an early age, he was thor- oughly instructed in practical agriculture. Though but a boy at the outbreak of the Re- bellion, he shared in the patriotic ardor that impelled his father and brother to give up home and friends to assist in defending our Union. Enlisting in Company A of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, he was
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mustered into service at Concord, whence he was sent to Boston, and three months later to City Point. He subsequently took an active part in the battle of Fredericksburg and in - several minor engagements. At the expira- tion of his term of service, Mr. Randall re- turned to the old homestead in Lee, where he afterward resided until 1871. In that year he bought the farm which he now occupies, and has since carried on general farming as his chief business. He has twenty-five acres of land, a large portion of which is in a good state of culture, yielding abundant crops.
On November 11, 1869, Mr. Randall was married to Miss Susan Gerrish, who was born in Nottingham, Rockingham County, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Fox Gerrish. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have had three children, none of whom are living. In politics Mr. Randall is a straightforward Republican.
RANCIS HENRY CRAM, one of the best-known residents of Meredith, was born in Boston, January 14, 1848, son of George S. and Abbie J. (Dean) Cram. His great-grandfather, Jonathan Cram, an early settler in Meredith, who spent the greater part of his life in this town, was a carpenter by trade. Amos Cram, the grand- father, was a native of Meredith, and for many years followed the carpenter's trade in connection with farming. His last years were spent in Boston, where he was for a short time engaged in the wood and coal business. The maiden name of his wife was Jane S. Prescott, and he reared several children.
George S. Cram was born in Meredith, March 2, 1826. He grew to manhood upon the farm and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. ' In early manhood he went to Boston, and there worked as a journeyman for
a few years. Then, retiring to his native town, he engaged in the business of building contractor in company with his father. He subsequently erected a large number of build- ings in Meredith, and was very busy until the breaking out of the Civil War. Promptly re- sponding to the call for soldiers, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Twelfth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, and went to the front as Orderly Sergeant. On March 2, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and transferred to Company E of the same regiment. He was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. His wife, Abbie J., a daughter of Jeremiah Dean, of Lincolnville, Me., whom he wedded No- vember 9, 1846, became the mother of four children, three of whom lived to maturity. These were: Francis H., the subject of this sketch; Clara A., who married John James, of New Bedford, Mass. ; and Alberto J.
Francis Henry Cram attended the district schools of Meredith for the usual period. When a young man he began work in a piano case factory. He learned the trade and after- ward followed it until 1890. In politics he acts with the Republican party. He served as Postmaster from 1890 to 1894, in which office he was both popular and efficient. He has also been a member of the Board of Edu- cation for the village district for nine years. On February 20, 1870, he wedded Mary C. Woodman, daughter of Benjamin P. and Eliz- abeth N. (Hill) Woodman. Mrs. Cram's grandfather, Thomas Woodman, a native and lifelong resident of New Hampton, of which town his father was an early settler, married Polly Pease, a native of Meredith. Benjamin P., born in New Hampton, culti- vated a farm in New Hampton until 1863, when he opened a meat market. He married Elizabeth N., daughter of the Rev. John Hill,
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and had a family of six children ; namely, John O. H, Mary C., W. Scott, Benjamin F., Emma L., and Charles S. Both the parents were Free Baptists. Mr. and Mrs. Cram have one daughter, Elena B.
On December 15, 1869, Mr. Cram was made a Mason in Chocorua Lodge, of Meredith, of which he is now a Past Master. He is a member of William H. Hawkins Camp, Sons of Veterans. Both he and Mrs. Cram attend the Free Baptist church, of which the latter is a member.
AMES M. HAYES, a worthy repre- sentative of the agricultural and horti- cultural interests of Strafford County, and the owner of a productive farm in the town of Dover, was born August 3, 1845, in Sandwich. Carroll County, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Hale (Hayes) Hayes. He comes of pioneer ancestry, being a lineal descendant of the eniigrant, John Hayes, one of the early settlers of Dover. The mother was a daugh- ter of Captain John W. Hayes. Both parents settled in Sandwich in 1837, soon after their marriage, making that their home until 1864. Then they removed to Dover, locating on the farm where their son James now resides, the father carrying it on until his death, January 9, 1879.
James M. Hayes received his elementary education in his native town, attending the public schools and Beede's High School. He completed his studies at the Franklin Acad- eniy in Dover, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Providence, R.I. Afterward, for a period of more than twelve years, he assisted his father on the homestead during the summer seasons, teaching school in Rochester and Dover during the winter. Since that time he has devoted most of his time and attention to the cultivation of his
land, making a specialty of raising early vege- tables and small fruits of all kinds for the market. He has made quite a study of this branch of farming, and is of opinion that it is the most profitable work for the average New England farmer. His reputation as a practi- cal and successful agriculturist has extended throughout this section of the State, and his services in the capacity of Judge and in the Secretary's office at the annual fairs held in Rochester and Tilton, are always in demand. He has been Lecturer and Master of Cocheco Grange, of which he was a charter member and the first Secretary; a member of the State Board of Agriculture for Strafford County ; Secretary, Lecturer, and Master of Eastern New Hampshire Pomona Grange; a Director and the Chairman of the Committee on Nomenclature of the New Hampshire Horti- cultural Society; and for several years the Chairman of the General Fruit Committee of the American Pomological Society. He is a writer of some note, and his contributions to the Dover Enquirer, of which he conducts the farın and grange department, are full of valu- able hints to the agriculturist.
On March 24, 1869, Mr. Hayes married Miss Martha T. Jenness, who was born Decem- ber 19, 1832, daughter of Stephen and Mercy (McDuffee) Jenness, of Rochester, N.H. She died July 1, 1870, leaving one son, Jasper J. Hayes, who is now associated with his father in business, being the junior member of the firm of J. M. Hayes & Son. Messrs. Hayes & Son, who force their carly plants in a large greenhouse, have also an extensive trade in plants, making the raising and sale of straw- berry plants an especial feature of their work. In politics Mr. Hayes is a stanch Republican. In 1877 and 1878 he represented Dover in the State legislature. Beside this he has been Ward Clerk, Selectman, Moderator, School
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Committee, and since 1893 he has been As- sessor at large, serving as Clerk of the board. Mr. Hayes has been an attendant of the Free Baptist church. His son belongs to the Y. M. C. A., and is a member of the Society of Friends.
AMUEL DUSTIN WEEKS, a re- tired farmer of Sanbornton, was born in this town, October 21, 1834, son of Curtis and Julia (Dustin) Weeks. He is a descendant of Leonard Weeks, the original ancestor of the family in America. Leonard Weeks was born in England in 1635. He emigrated to New England, and in Janu- ary, 1656, he received from the town of Ports- mouth a grant of eight acres of land. In 1660 or 1661 he was living in the part of Ports- mouth called Winnicut, now Greenland, and remained there for the rest of his life. He was prominent in the public affairs of his day, served as Selectman of Portsmouth in 1669, acted as a Constable for some time, and was Sheriff for a number of years. He was mar- ried twice. His first marriage was contracted in 1667 with Mary, daughter of Deacon Sam- uel Haines, of Portsmouth. He died in 1707. His son, Captain Samuel Weeks, who was born in 1670 and died in 1746, followed the occupation of a farmer. John Weeks, son of Captain Samuel, was baptized in 1712, and resided in Greenland. The Christian name of his second wife was Abigail. Cole Weeks, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the first of the family to settle in Sanbornton, to which, it is believed, be came prior to 1768 from Epping, N. H. He was a carpenter by trade, and he served on the first Board of Selectmen. By his wife, Hannah (Chapman) Weeks, who was born in Epping in 1737, he was the father of nine children. It was claimed that the average weight of
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