USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 54
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these children was two hundred and eighteen pounds. Cole Weeks died February 11, 1815.
Chase Weeks, grandfather of Samuel D., whose active period was spent in tilling the soil, was a prosperous resident of Sanbornton. He was three times married. His first wife, in maidenhood Patty Cawley, whom he wedded June 8, 1784, was born January 16, 1764, daughter of William Cawley, or Calley. He had two sons, to whom, as they came of age, he gave one of his two farms. Curtis Weeks was born in Sanbornton, December 6, 1806, of his father's first wife. He inherited the home farm, where he always resided until his death, which occurred October 22, 1870. Be- sides carrying on general farming, he gave much attention to the raising of cattle, sheep. and horses. He was Selectman for three terms, and represented this town in the legis- lature, being in politics a Democrat. His wife, Julia, who was born December 23, 1809, daughter of Samuel Dustin, bore him one child, Samuel D., the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Weeks attended the Christian Baptist church.
Samuel Dustin Weeks was educated in the district schools and at Franklin Academy. His early experience in agriculture upon the farm was of a nature to make him a practical and successful farmer. After residing at the homestead until 1894, he let the farm and re- tired to his present home in Sanbornton Square. He has always evinced an interest in the public affairs of the town, is a Republican in politics, and he served on the Board of Se- lectmen for three years.
On March 10, 1860, Mr. Weeks was joined in marriage with Ellen F. Marshall, who was born in Concord, N. H., April 17, 1840, daughter of Benjamin F. Marshall, of Hill, N. H. Mrs. Marshall has had three children
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two of whom are living - Myrtie Augusta and Elmo C. Myrtie Augusta Weeks was born August 20, 1861. She is now the widow of Charles E. Hill, late of Sanbornton, and a prominent school-teacher in this town. Mr. Weeks is connected with Meridian Lodge, F. & A. M. ; and with Harmony Grange. He is a member of the Unitarian Society in Franklin.
EORGE WHITEHOUSE FER- NALD, civil engineer, was born in Farmington, Strafford County, N. H., February 16, 1854, and died here, November 2, 1890. He was the only son of James E. and Laura A. (Whitehouse) Fernald.
His paternal grandparents were Robert and Apphia (Coffin) Fernald, and his ancestry was a distinguished one on both sides. On the paternal side he was a lineal descendant of Dr. Reginald Fernald, the original owner of Fer- nald's Island, the present site of Portsmouth Navy Yard. On the maternal side he is a grandson of the Hon. George L. Whitehouse, an accomplished and experienced officer of survey, with whom he was intimately asso- ciated during his entire life. So intimate was this association, and so cordial and kindly their relationship, that a resume of the grand- father's biography is here given.
George L. Whitehouse was born January 6, 1797, in Middleton, N. H. His schooling was limited to twenty months, six weeks of which was spent at Gilmanton Academy. Yet, al- though self-educated, he was a well-informed man. Like the immortal Lincoln he had an inborn passion for an education, and, like him, night after night and hour after hour he would study his books by the light of a pitch-pine torch. He hired money at twelve per cent. interest to obtain the necessary means for the brief time he was at school. At sixteen years
of age he commenced teaching, and taught several terms. He had a strong liking for mechanics, and about this time did some sur- veying. He was Deputy Sheriff of old Straf- ford County from April, 1827, to May, 1833, and Register of Deeds from 1833 till 1839. After this he was Assistant Engineer for a year and a half in the construction of the road from Dover to Farmington. From 1851 to 1871 he was engaged in the survey, and part of the time as Chief Engineer of Great Falls & Con- way, Rochester & Nashua, Wolfboro Branch, and other railroads - his grandson, George W. Fernald, being associated with him in nearly all of this work. As a summary of his official positions, we may put it thus : Land Surveyor for sixty years, Civil Engineer forty years, Justice of the Peace and Quorum, Notary Pub- lic for New Hampshire and Illinois, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas thirteen years, Deputy Sheriff six years, Crier of Court three years, Recorder of Deeds six years, Captain of New Hampshire militia, member of legislature in 1830 and 1856-57, serving on the Railroad and Judiciary Committees, and has also held every important town office in Middleton and Farmington. During the time he was Judge he was associated with the Hon. Hiram A. Roberts, of Rollinsford, and the Hon. J. H. Edgerly, of Rochester. He was a pensioner of the War of 1812. In June, 1822, he mar- ried Liberty N., daughter of Paul Dame, of Rochester. The fruit of this union was four children, all deceased but Laura A., who mar- ried James E. Fernald, and whose only child, George W., is the subject of this biography.
George Whitehouse Fernald's education was acquired in the public and private schools of his native town, supplemented by the study of civil engineering, under the immediate super- vision of his mother's father, the late Hon. George L. Whitehouse. Possessed of in-
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GEORGE W. FERNALD.
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herent mathematical ability and alertness of mind, Mr. Fernald rose rapidly to a degree of skill which made his services desirable in many directions, and he was probably the ablest civil engineer of his age in the State. He was engaged in the construction of the Great Falls & Conway, Rochester & Nashua, Wolfboro Branch, Lake Shore & York Beach lines of railway, besides others in different parts of New England. In 1885 he was asso- ciated with the late Professor E. T. Quimby in establishing the boundaries between Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire, and perhaps the exposure incident to that work brought on the disease that terminated in his death. In 1887, at the suggestion of his physicians, he went to Southern California, and while there wrote very interesting letters, which were published in his paper, The Farmington News. The relief furnished by the trip was but tem- porary, yet it prolonged his life for three years. He was asked by Commissioners Bell, Clark, and Roberts, to succeed the late fine mathematician, Professor Quimby, as Chief Engineer for New Hampshire, in the settle- ment of the boundary line named, but on ac- count of his failing health he was obliged to decline the offer.
Beside the study and practice of civil engi- neering, Mr. Fernald found time to become an expert manager of a printery and proficient in the production of a weekly paper ; and in all matters pertaining to the publication of The Farmington Vews the father and son worked harmoniously together. A reader of good lit- erature, and having a retentive memory, Mr. Fernald was a man of wide information. He was ever interested in the education of his daughter, who was greatly benefited by his guidance and encouragement.
Mr. Fernald was married in August, 1875, to a schoolmate and lifelong friend, Alice
Nute, daughter of Jeremy O. Nute. Of this union were born two children, the elder a beautiful boy, who died in 1878, at two years of age; and a daughter, Bessie, born Novem- ber 30, 1878. Well did a dear friend write these words of esteem: "It is not frequent that the domestic relations are so intimate and heartsome as have been those of the family now bowed in sore affliction; and the well- known passionate affection between the par- ents and their son, makes with its remembered sweetness the present more poignant in pain. We may see no more the slight, tall figure, nor hear the cheery greeting of his friendly voice, yet we must strive to bear in mind
" Angels of Life and Death are his, Without his leave they pass no threshold o'er : Who, then, would wish or dare, believing this, Against his messengers to shut the door? ".
[OHN A. JEWETT, one of Gilford's retired farmers, was born in this town, April 16, 1827, son of Samuel and Sally (Crosby) Jewett. His grandfather, Samuel Jewett, accompanied by his brother Jacob, came here from Hollis, N. H., and set- tled upon land given them by their father. The brothers erected log houses near each other, and felled the first trees upon land now occupied by the mills upon the Gilford side of the river. It is related of Samuel, having lost in the hollow of a tree the only axe he owned, he was obliged to go on foot to Hollis, a distance of seventy miles, to procure another. His land was half of a tract of two hundred and fifty acres. At a later date he erected a frame house, and cleared a good farm. He lived to be eighty-three years old. His wife, who was before marriage a Miss Smith, of Gilmanton, now Gilford, was seventy-five at her death. They reared eight children;
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namely, Sarah, Polly, Effie, Ruth, Hannah, Samuel, Smith, and John. Polly married Gilman Bennett; Sarah married Samuel Phil- brick; Effie became Mrs. Hackett; Hannah wedded Thomas Craft; Ruth became the wife of Elisha Osgood; and Smith married Statira Glines. Samuel received the part of his father's property bordering on the river, seven acres of which is said to have been originally sold for seven Spanish dollars, and this tract is now the site of the principal industry of La- conia.
Samuel Jewett, the father of John A., was born in Gilford, and reared to agricultural pursuits. He inherited a part of the home- stead, tilled the soil with success during his active life, and died at the age of seventy. His wife, Sally, who was a daughter of John Crosby, died at the age of fifty-four years. She was the mother of five children; namely, Eliza Jane, John A., Samuel N., Elvira A., and Charles E. Eliza Jane, who married John J. Bennett, died in 1894. Samuel N., who died in 1891, married successively Mary J. Cate and Ellen Blaisdell. By his first mar- riage he had one son, who is no longer living, and by his second he became the father of John B. Elvira A. died at the age of twenty-two. Charles E. enlisted in the Second Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, and was killed in the second battle of Bull Run.
John A. Jewett was educated in the district school of his native town, and at an early age began to assist upon the farm. He afterward had the management of the homestead, caring for his parents during their last days. Some years after their death he sold the property, and bought another farm, which he carried on for three years. Then he purchased his pres- ent farm, an estate of one hundred acres, which was settled by Jacob Jewett, son of Benjamin. Here he carried on general farm-
ing and stock-raising successfully until his re- tirement. The place is. now conducted by an experienced man hired for that purpose. Mr. Jewett married Sarah E. Leighton, who was born in Barrington, N.H., only daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Woodman) Leighton. They have had no children. A comfortable competency has rewarded .Mr. Jewett's close attention to his farm. He has never taken an active part in politics. For a number of years he has been a member of the Congregational church.
ARTIN L. LORD, who is living partly retired from active business on a well-kept farm in Dover, was born in Lebanon, York County, Septem- ber 20, 1833. His parents, George and Sarah (Hanson) Lord, removed from Lebanon to Somersworth, N. H., about the year 1840, and there spent their remaining days. Their only child was Martin L., the subject of this sketch. George Lord, after the death of his first wife married Mrs. Eliza Page, of Somers- worth, daughter of Moody Pike. By her he had one son, Albert E. Lord, now of Wake- field, Mass.
Martin L. Lord completed his early educa- tion in the Somersworth High School, and at the age of nineteen years started in life on his own account. Going then to Great Falls, this county, he there entered the cotton-mills as a bobbin-boy. Proving faithful to his duties wherever placed, he was from time to time promoted to more important positions. Fif- teen years after entering the mill, Mr. Lord was made foreman of the largest weaving- room in the mills, in which capacity he con- tinued employed until his retirement from the factory in 1890. Both as workman and fore- man he was industrious, skilful, and judi- cious, giving close attention to his business,
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and winning the confidence and respect of all . with whom he was brought in contact. While still working in the mill, he invested his money in farming property, and is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of land, all in Strafford County, thirty acres being in Rochester, and one hundred and fifty in Somersworth. ` The remaining eighty acres comprise the home farm on which he has lived for twenty-eight years, and which, since 1890, he has carried on himself.
On November 4, 1854, Mr. Lord married Miss Lavina Varney, daughter of Elias and Mary B. (Foss) Varney, of Barrington. The union has been blessed by the advent of five children, namely: Charles F., born January 20, 1845; Sarah F., born May 19, 1861; Shubael V., born July 20, 1862; Annie .B., born September 6, 1868; and Frank, born February 12, 1871. Mr. Lord is a zealous supporter of the Republican party, sustaining it by voice and vote. He has had but little time to devote to public affairs, but he served as Selectman of Dover from Ward One for two years. He is a member of Washington Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Somersworth; and of Cocheco Grange, No. 81, of Dover.
O.N. THOMAS GAY JAMESON, farmer, of Somersworth, was born in Cushing, Me., December 4, 1824, son of the Rev. Thomas and Hannah (Allen) Jameson. His grandfather, Martin Jameson, who went from Old Orchard to Cushing, Me., and settled as a farmer in that town, married Lowley Wadsworth, of the famous Wadsworth family of Knox County, and became the father of fourteen children ; namely, Peter, Rufus, Polly, Cynthia, Lowley, Rachel, Waita, Deb- orah, Thomas, Silence, Elisha, Thankful, Samuel, and Joseph. Thomas, the ninth
child, who afterward became the father of the subject of this sketch, was born May 27, 1791. He was always studious, and secured an educa- tion that fitted him to teach in the winter terms of the district schools. In the summer he followed the sea on vessels engaged in the coasting trade. Finally, he moved from Cushing to St. George, where his wife's family lived; and thence, when about forty-five years old, to Isleboro, where he was ordained to the Baptist ministry and where he preached for a year. After that he preached, sometimes teaching school, in Montville, Acton, Shap- leigh, and Lyman, Me., and in Newton, N. H. In the fall of 1856 he went to Chillicothe, Ill., where he labored in his sacred calling until his death fourteen years later. He mar- ried Hannah, a daughter of Gideon Allen, of St. George. Mr. Allen had come to St. George from Allen's Island, which was settled by the Allen family. He brought his children up on the mainland. Mrs. (Allen) Jameson, who was a valuable helper in her husband's work, died in August, 1884, at the age of eighty-seven. Her children were: Henry A., Thomas, Olive, Elisha, Samuel, Elsie, and Emery.
Thomas G. Jameson worked as a farmer until he was married. Then, at the age of twenty-two, he went to Great Falls, N. H., learned the machinist's trade with the Great Falls Manufacturing Company, and afterward worked for that firm until 1886, a period of forty years, ten of them having been spent in the capacity of superintendent of their gas works. Since that time he has devoted his attention very largely to the management of an extensive farm purchased by him in 1869. The farm, containing about five hundred acres, including sixty acres of tillage and much val- uable timber land, has yielded to Mr. Jameson large quantities of timber and wood. Prior to
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1894 it was worked by Alberton Seavey, son- in-law of Mr. Jameson, principally as a dairy farm with the famous Roy Holstein cattle stock. In 1894 a disastrous fire destroyed two barns, five horses, and about ninety tons of hay. Since then Mr. Seavey has been princi- pally engaged in a teaming business and keep- ing a boarding stable. He is a director of the Rochester & Sommersworth Coach Horse Association and is manager of stallion Balthasa, Jr., an important animal of fine breed. He markets on an average one hundred barrels of apples annually, and expects soon to raise a large crop of peaches, as he has a fine growing orchard of young peach trees. In 1888 Mr. Jameson bought a farm in Wells, Me., and has since spent his summers there, attending to its management. On this property, hay, har- vested there, of which about one hundred tons are cut every year, is the principal crop. Mr. Jameson is also a Trustee of the Somersworth Savings Bank.
Mr. Jameson married Hannah W., daughter of Luther Goding, of Acton. He has one daughter, Lola Anna, who is the wife of Mr. Seavey above referred to. An adopted daugh- ter married Charles Goding, of Somersworth. Both Mr. Jameson and his wife attend and support the Congregationalist church of Som- ersworth. Mr. Jameson served in the police force of the town for ten years, on the Board of Selectmen for a number of years, and he represented the town in the State legislature in 1867 and 1868. While in the legislature he served on the Elections and Claims Com- mittees. . In 1881-82 he was a member of Governor Bell's council. In 1885 and in 1886 he was in the State Senate, where he also served on Elections and Claims. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention held in 1875. Mr. Jameson is a member of Libanus Lodge, F. & A. M., of Somersworth;
of Edwards Chapter, R. A. M. ; Orphan Coun- cil, of Dover; and of St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar.
A LBERT CYRUS LORD, the founder of the Lord Brothers Manufacturing Company of Tilton, was born at Shaker Bridge, N. H., July 30, 1852, son of Cyrus Woodruff and Lydia Thurston (Evans) Lord. He is a descendant of Robert Lord (first), born in 1603, who was an early settler of Ipswich, Mass., and a member of the Gen- eral Court, and who died August 21, 1683. The maiden name of Robert's wife, whom he married in 1630, was Mary Waite. His son, Robert Lord (second), who was born in 1631 or 1632, and died in 1696, married Hannah Day. Thomas Lord, son of Robert (second), wedded Mary Brown. John Lord, son of Thomas, settled in Exeter, N. H., married Abigail Gilman, and was the father of sixteen children. One of the latter was the father of Eliphalet, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
Eliphalet Lord, who was probably born in Exeter, and served as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, afterward settled at Shaker Bridge, where he was engaged in the pottery business, and died August 5, 1826. Lewis Lord, the grandfather of Albert C., began to learn the hatter's trade when fourteen years old. On account of permanent lameness caused by fever, he afterward relinquished the hatter's trade for that of shoemaker. He died at Shaker Bridge, October 18, 1852, aged sixty-four. In June, 1818, he wedded Mary Thorn, a daughter of Abraham Thorn. She died in Woburn, in February, 1863, aged sixty- four years and two months. Cyrus Woodruff Lord was born at Shaker Bridge, November 14, 1819, and was the last of the family to re-
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side in that place. He followed the trade of stone mason. After removing to Medford, Mass., where he remained for a time, he fi- nally settled in the locality now occupied by Tilton. The last years of his life were spent with his son, Albert C., and he died in 1895. His wife, Lydia, whom he married November 17, 1842, was a daughter of John Evans, Jr., of Gilmanton, N. H. She became the mother of five children, namely : Frances Anna, born September 5, 1843; George W., born April 24, IS47; Albert C., the subject of this sketch; Flora E., who married George T. Leavitt, of Newbury, Vt. ; and Clarence H., born July 31, 1854, who died in January, 1864. Of these, Albert C., Frances Anna, and Clarence H. were born at Shaker Bridge, and George W. was born in Medford, Mass. Flora was born in Tilton.
Albert Cyrus Lord obtained his education in the common schools and in the New Hamp- shire Conference Seminary. During his vaca- tions, and after completing his studies, he worked in the woollen mills until he was six- teen years old. He then commenced to learn the trade of a watchmaker and jeweller. At the age of nineteen he bought out his em- ployer, and carried on business for fifteen years, having been for over thirteen years the only watchmaker and jeweller in Tilton. Then his energetic nature prompted him to look about for something that would yield more profit. Having acquired some knowledge of optical goods, he decided to enter the field as a manufacturer of them. In 1876 he rented a small room, and without any experience whatever began to make rubber-framed eye- glasses, with a few crude tools. Subsequently, he devised and made such implements as he needed, and ere long was able to grind and finish eye-glasses and spectacles that compared favorably with those produced by experienced
manufacturers. To place his goods upon the market was no easy task, as the trade was prac- tically controlled by one firm, which cut its prices immediately upon the discovery of com- petition. He visited the large dealers in New York City, however, and, by meeting the cut prices, sold a large amount of goods. His annual output has steadily increased since. Progressive and energetic, he holds his busi- ness to the pace of the times. He not only produces a varied line of optical goods, but makes a specialty of filling oculists' prescrip- tions. Some years ago his brother, George W., became associated with him in business, and the firm is now known as the Lord Brothers Manufacturing Company.
In 1875 Mr. Lord was united in marriage with Alma W. Neal, daughter of John C. Neal, of Franklin Falls, N. HI. They have four sons ---- Guy M., Arthur M., Harry A., and George T. Mr. Lord's extraordinary success in busi- ness is a lesson in. pluck and perseverance to the coming generation.
UST A. COPP, a leading builder of Gilford, was born in Bristol, N. H., May 1, 1839, son of Hazen and Bet- sey (Glover) Copp. His grandfather, Thomas Copp, who was born in Sanbornton, N. H., lived the great part of his life in New Hamp- ton, N. II. Thomas married Abigail Rowen and their children were : Hazen, Jason, Mary, Sarah, Abbie, Edmund, Clarinda, Orrin P'., and one that died in infancy. Jason served through the Mexican War, and afterward mar- ried and lived in New Hampton, N. H. ; Mary married Charles G. Allen, of Gilmanton ; Sarah married William V. Ladd; Edmund married Cyntha Sanborn, of Sanbornton ; Cla- rinda married George Cross, of Maine; and Orrin P. married Lavinia Bartlett, of Gilford.
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Hazen Copp, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in New Hampton, and there lived during his younger years. After- ward he moved to Bristol, N. H., and engaged in the lumber business, which, in the course of time, became very extensive. 'From Bristol he removed to Gilford, where he remained twenty-nine years. Although quite poor when he started in business, by diligence and industry he has acquired wealth, now owning two factories, a grist-mill, and four dwelling- houses, besides other real estate. He is very liberal and charitable. . In the Masonic order he has taken the thirty-second degree, belongs to the Mount Lebanon Lodge, Union Chapter, No. 9, and Pythagorean Council, No. 7, all of Laconia; to Mount Horeb Commandery, of Concord; and he has been for thirty consecu- tive years Treasurer of the chapter and council. He travels a great deal with the commandery, and in Denver he was presented with a gold- headed cane in recognition of his seniority of rank. He is also prominent in the Odd Fellows Lodge of Tilton. For the last twenty-one years he has made his home in Tilton, where most of his interests are lo- cated. He was formerly a member of the Methodist society in Gilford. He married Betsey Glover, and they have three children -- Gust A., Abbie, and Lizzie E. Abbie, who married a Mr. Hill, now deceased, has one child, and is living in Tilton. Lizzie married Aaron Morrison, and died in Tilton, November 17, 1896.
Gust A. Copp attended the public schools of Gilford, and for two terms was a pupil of one at New Hampton. He then engaged in the lumber business with his father, which he has since continued, taking entire charge of the same when the latter removed to Tilton. It is estimated that he turns out about five hundred thousand feet of lumber every year. He also
does a large custom business at sawing. In addition he is a contractor and builder, making a specialty of building, and employing six hands. After serving in the capacity of legis- lative Representative for two years, his large business interests compelled him to decline further nominations to public office. In his politics he is a Republican. In 1864 he en- listed in the First New Hampshire Heavy Ar- tillery, and was in the defences of Washing- ton, D.C., for the greater part of his term. He is a member of Darius A. Drake Post, No. 36, G. A. R. ; also of Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 32, Union Chapter, No. 9, and Pythago- rean Council, No. 7, of the Masonic Order. Since its organization he has been a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving on various committees, and being Pres- ident of its Board of Trustees since its forma- tion, Recording Steward for fifteen years, and Collector for twelve years.
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