USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 59
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ALPH HOUGH, an esteemed resi- dent of Dover, who now lives retired from the active cares of business, enjoying a well-earned leisure after many years of busy labor, was born August 15, 1824, in Manchester, England, son of Thomas and Catherine (Keniston) Hough. His parents .emigrated with their family to this. country in 1826, crossing the ocean in a sailing-vessel, and making the voyage in nine weeks. They located in Dover, where the father secured work in the Cocheco Print Works, and after- ward died. The children of the family com- prised eight sons and two daughters.
Ralph Hough received a common-school ed- ucation. At the early age of fourteen he began a five years' apprenticeship in the Cocheco Print Works. He was paid at the rate of fifty cents a day during the first year, sixty-two cents during the next two years, and a further increase during the succeeding two years. He subsequently worked as a journey- man for eighteen years, becoming fully ac- quainted with the details of the entire busi- ness, and receiving the appointment of fore- man of the print room. This last position he afterward held for twenty-two years, perform- ing the duties with noteworthy fidelity, and winning the confidence and good will both of his employers and of those under his super- vision. His record of forty-five consecutive years of service with this company is assuredly an incident of his life of which he may be justifiably proud. He has been a Director of the Cocheco National Bank for the past twelve years.
In his political views Mr. Hough is a stanch Republican, and has served his constituents in various important offices. In 1884 he was a member of the State legislature; in 1885 and 1886 he served as County Commissioner, being Chairman of the Board; and he was a
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member of the Common Council of Dover from 1859 until 1866, representing Ward Two, which is now called Ward One. For several years Mr. Hough was a Lieutenant in the Strafford Zouaves, a popular military organization. He is a member of Blue Lodge, F. & A. M .; and of Wechohamet Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Dover.
Mr. Hough was united in marriage, Febru- ary 4, 1849, with Miss Sarah Delany, a fair English girl, whose birthplace was but a few miles distant from his own. She came to this country in 1825 with her parents, John and Margaret (Farrell) Delany, who settled in Dover. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hough, namely: Belle, who married Otis E. Waitt, and lives in Malden, Mass .; Harry, who is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Cocheco Savings Bank; Alice; and Harrison. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Hough arc members of the Episcopal church.
WIGHT E. EDGERLY, an enter- prising and prominent business man of Farmington, Strafford County, N. H., was born December 24, 1853, in Gil- manton, Belknap County, which was also the birthplace of his father, Owen J. Edgerly, and of his grandfather, Daniel Edgerly.
Owen J. Edgerly was a tanner and currier for twelve or fifteen years in the earlier part of his life, but devoted himself later entirely to agricultural pursuits, and was the owner of a faim in Gilmanton. He was one of the ac- tive citizens of the place, and, as a member of the School Board for several years, rendered valuable aid to the town. In politics he was a
straightforward Democrat. He married Miss Mary E. Robinson, of Meredith, N. H., and they became the parents of two children, namely: Dwight E., the subject of this
sketch; and Fred, who died at the age of twenty-nine years.
Dwight E. Edgerly received a practical common-school education, remaining an in- mate of the parental household until 1872, when he came to Farmington as a clerk in the store of C. W. Wingate, for whom he worked about five years. Having then acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, he bought out his employer, and from that time until he was burned out in the disastrous conflagration of January, 1892, carried on a flourishing busi- ness as a grocer. The following year he es- tablished himself as a dry-goods merchant, opening a well-stocked store, which he con- ducted successfully three and one-half years, building up a large and lucrative trade. In July, 1896, receiving an advantageous offer, he sold out his entire business, and has not embarked in any other. In 1895 Mr. Edgerly erected the Edgerly Block on the site of his store that was burned, the present handsome building being twenty-seven feet by seventy feet, three stories in height, with the first floor devoted to dry goods and the second to fur- niture. He is a man of good financial and executive ability, keen and far-sighted, and possesses in a marked degree that stability of purpose that is bound to bring success. He is a Democrat in politics and a leader in his party, taking an active part in local affairs. For two years he was engineer of the fire de- partment, in 1885 and 1886 he was a Repre- sentative to the General Court at Concord, he was County Commissioner from 1888 till 1892, in 1893 he was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and in 1894 he served as Town Treasurer.
On Septemer 15, 1877, Mr. Edgerly married Miss Myra L. Price, of Gilmanton, daughter of Amos R. and Sarah Price. He is a mem- Į ber of Woodbine Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of
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Mad River Encampment ; belongs to Harmony Lodge, K. of P .; and to Security Lodge, Knights of Honor. He and his wife attend the Congregational church, toward the support of which they contribute.
ANIEL CHESLEY, a typical repre- sentative of the enterprising busi- ness men of Strafford County, is engaged in contracting, quarrying, and farm- ing in the town of Durham. He was born October 11, 1859, in Madbury, where his father, also named Daniel, was then living. He is a representative of the sixth generation in this country, the line having been traced from Philip Chesley, who came here from Jersey Island, England, as follows: Colonel Samuel Chesley, born 1718, died 1800; Philip, born 1754, died 1825; Paul, born 1782, died 1838; Daniel, born 1812, died 1886; and Daniel, the subject of this sketch. Philip, the emigrant ancestor, was one of three brothers who came together to this country ; and all settled in this vicinity.
Daniel Chesley, Sr., father of the present Daniel, removed with his family from Mad- bury to Durham in 1861, and located on the old Chesley homestead on which Philip, first of the family in America, had settled in the early days. To him and his wife, Margery S. (Woodman), ten children were born, four sons and six daughters.
Daniel Chesley has passed most of his life on the old ancestral farm, having been but two years of age when his parents came here. After completing his studies at the district school, he attended the Franklin Academy of Dover, and from that time until attaining his majority worked on the farm with his father, becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. Conceiving then the idea of making a practical
use of the large amount of granite on the estate, he established quarries on the farm, and in their development has met with a suc- cess far exceeding his expectations. He is likewise engaged in taking contracts for and building bridges in different sections of the county, his work in this direction being most satisfactory and durable.
Mr. Chesley is a man of energy and ability, public-spirited and progressive, ever ready to aid all projects conducive to the welfare of the town or county. He has ably served in many responsible positions, having been elected to nearly all of the town offices. He served one term of three years as Selectman, being Chair- man of the Board the last year, and is now holding that important office for the second time. In 1896 he was elected as a Represent- ative to the State legislature on the Republi- can ticket, with which he has uniformly voted since attaining the right to cast a ballot. He is a member of Mount Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Dover, and of the local grange.
EREMIAH WOODMAN, formerly a stirring business man of Alton,
Belknap County, was born in this town in 1814, son of Samuel and Betsey (Lougee) Woodman. His grandfather, Jere- miah Woodman, who was of English descent, came to Alton among the early settlers, and acquired a tract of wild land situated three miles north-west of the village. He cleared a farm, and resided here for the rest of his life. He wedded Mary Buzzell, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-nine years. She was the mother of several children, among whom were: Hannab, Sally, Samuel, and Levi. Hannah married Nathan Brown; Sally married a Mr. Jeremiah Veasey, of New Hamp- ton, and lived in Lakeport, N.H .: Levi
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married, and was engaged in farming in Alton at the time of his death.
Samuel Woodman, the father of the subject of this sketch. succeeded to the farm adjoining the homestead, which was the property of his brother Levi; and the active period of his life was spent in tilling the soil. He was also engaged in operating a mill, and was energetic and prosperous. He died April 8, 1864, aged sixty-nine years. His wife, Betsey Lougee Woodman, who was a native of Barnstead, N. H., became the mother of nine children, namely: Jeremiah, the subject of this sketch ; Mary; Ann; Louise; Lafayette; Adeline; Luella; Simeon; and Fanny. Mary wedded Robert Corning, of Concord, N.H. ; Ann married Charles Lougee, of Alton; Louise be- came Mrs. Ira Philbrick; Adeline married John Grace; Luella became the wife of An- drew Varney, of this town; Simeon is living in Dakota; Fanny died at the age of eighteen years. . Mrs. Samuel Woodman died March 28, 1881, aged eighty-one years.
Jeremiah Woodman acquired a common- school education, and was for a time employed in his father's mill. For three years be was associated with his brother Lafayette in oper- ating mills, and after this partnership was dis- solved he carried on business alone. He was an able and enterprising man, and was largely instrumental in developing the industries of this section. He was an active supporter of the Democratic party. He was connected with the Masonic fraternity, and in his relig- ious' views was an Adventist. His death occurred August 6, 1888, when he was seventy- four years old; and his loss was a severe blow to the business interests of this locality.
He married Mary P. Clough, who was born in Gilmanton, N. H., February 26, 1818. She has been the mother of nine children, as fol- lows : Mary Frances, Ellen A., Charles O.,
Lizzie S. (first), Lizzie S., (second), Georgi- anna, James B., Ida J., and Hattie B. Ellen married Albert J. Canney, by whom she had two children : Hattie, who died in infancy; and Anna B., who lived to maturity, married Fred Flagg, of Boston, and now resides in New York State. Mrs. Canney died while still a young woman. Lizzie (first), Ida, and Hattic, all died in infancy. Lizzie (second) is the wife of Wesley J. Dodge. They have one daughter, Mrs. Mabel W. Fox, who resides in Raymond, and a grandchild, Helen Pauline Fox. Mary F. married William JI. Bailey, of Manchester, N. H., and resides in Raymond. Charles O. married Laura Stockbridge, of Alton, and lives in Iowa. They have four children - Hattie M., Mabel, Harry J., and Winfield S., of whom the three elder ones were born in Alton. Georgianna married Al- bert Mills, and lives in Raymond. James Woodman is now managing the farm, and is also engaged in operating mills to some ex- tent. . He makes a specialty of dairy farming, and sells a large quantity of milk. . He mar- ried Ellen Heath, daughter of Samuel Heath, of Raymond, and has one daughter, Grace. Mrs. Jeremiah Woodman still survives, and is residing at the homestead. She is remarkably well preserved, and possesses the vigor and activity of a much younger person.
ONATHAN G. DOW, who was for years a prosperous farmer of Laconia, born December 4, ISIS, in that part of the town then included in Meredith, was a son of Ezekiel and Sally (Hill) Dow. Jabez Dow, the father of Ezekiel, removed from Kensington to Deerfield, N. H., and there lived until his death in 1808, when over sixty years old. Enlisting from New Hampshire, he served in the Revolutionary War three
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years, during which he endured much priva- tion. His widow subsequently received a pension from the government. He had three children - Lydia, Sally, and Ezekiel. Sally married Sewall Dearborn, and lived in Deer- field. Lydia, who was born in 1777, died in 1870, over ninety years of age.
Ezekiel, born in Kensington. removed with his parents to Deerfield. He subsequently settled in Meredith, taking up his residence in that portion of the town now known as Laconia. His chief occupations were farming and surveying. He attended the Congrega- tional church, of which his wife was a member; and he died in 1849, aged sixty-four years. Mrs. Ezekiel Dow, who was a native of North- wood, N. H., bore him two sons - Lorenzo W. and Jonathan. The former married Susan Morrison, of Sanbornton, N.H., and is now living in Somerville, Mass., where he is profit - ably engaged in the twofold occupation of a farmer and real estate dealer, and is a member of the North Cambridge Baptist Church. Of the five children born to him four are living; namely, Fannie S., Henry W., Emma S., and Walter A. Willie M., the twin brother of Walter A., died when five years of age; Henry WV: married Lizzie Nichols, and is engaged in farming in Somerville, Mass. ; Emma S. is the wife of Winnie S. Snow, a hardware dealer in West Somerville; Walter A. married Stella Griffin, of Cambridge, and is now in the hard- ware business; Fannie S. has always lived at home.
Jonathan G. Dow by industry and good management acquired a competence at farm- ing. He was a Democrat in politics, repre- sented this town for a period in the New Hampshire legislature, and served acceptably as Selectman for a number of years. His death occurred July 9, 1895. On August 20, 1854, he and Mary M. Tilton were united in
marriage. She was born in Deerfield, N. H., a daughter of Elbridge and Melinda (Dear- born) Tilton, and grand-daughter of Ebenezer Tilton. The latter followed the trade of house carpenter. Her maternal grandparents, Sewall and Sally Dearborn, had five children, namely: Melinda, born in 1802; Samuel; Joseph; Mary; and Edward. Mary, who died aged nineteen years, and Edward, who died in childhood, were buried in one grave; Samuel, who married Lucy Currier, carried on the homestead farm; Joseph J. followed the hardware business in Bangor, Me., until his health failed, and then returned to the shoe business in Deerfield, where he died. He was Republican State Senator from Deer- field for two years. He married Sally Jen- ness, daughter of a farmer, and a sister of John Jenness, a railroad man. Elbridge Tilton served two years in the New Hampshire legis- lature, to which he was elected on the Demo- cratic nomination. Elbridge and Melinda Tilton had four children - Sewell D., Eben W., Mary M., and Sally A. Sewell D., who died in 1891 at Raymond, N. H., served in the Civil War as Captain of Company B, Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, under Colonel W. Harriman. He was County Commissioner for a time, and also served as Selectman. Eben W., who resides on the homestead in Deer- field, is now a widower, and has one son, Frank. He was successively married to Bet- sey French and Jane Hall. Sally A. married Moses R. Currier, of Manchester, N.H. Mary M., now the widow of the late Jonathan G. Dow, completed her education at a private academy for young ladies in Bangor, Me., after which she taught in Deerfield for three years. Her daughter, Myra E., who was an invalid for a number of years, and died in 1893. also taught school for some time. Her son, Charles E., lived but two years and three
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months. After the death of Mr. Dow she moved from the homestead, and has since re- sided in Laconia.
OJIN F. HALL, a leading merchant of Farmington, Strafford County, N. H., was born November 27, 1851, in Barn- stead of this State, which was also the birth- place of his father, George Hall, and of his grandfather, Solomon Hall. The family is of English descent.
George Hall, the father of John F., was en- gaged in farming in Barnstead for the greater part of his life, which ended September, 1880, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He was a man of solid worth, greatly respected by all who knew him for his upright and manly character. He was a Democrat in politics, but took no active part in local affairs. He and his wife, Sally Drew Hall, of Alton, N.H., reared three children, namely : George I .. , of Barnstead ; Lottie, wife of Samuel Chapman ; and John F., the subject of this biographical sketch.
John F. Hall acquired his early education in. the district schools of Barnstead, afterward com- pleting his studies in the Pittsfield Academy, which he left when about seventeen years old. He then began his mercantile career as a clerk in the grocery store of a Rochester merchant, remaining there a few months. Coming to Farmington in 1868, he worked for Barker & Cook about six years, when on account of ill health he was forced to resign his position and return to his old home to recuperate on the farm. In 1876 he established himself in busi- ness in Farmington.
After two years he received into partnership Mr. John Canney, to whom he sold out his inter- est two years later. In 1882 Mr. Hall bought out the firm of Nute Brothers ; and he has since carried on a very successful mercantile business,
having a large trade in the town and the sur- rounding country. In 1896 he purchased the Pearl building on Main Street ; and, having en- tirely remodelled it, he has now one of the finest and best stocked stores in this locality.
In politics Mr. Hall is a steadfast Democrat. He has taken a prominent part in local affairs, serving in various township offices, including that of Supervisor, which he filled two years ; Selectman, an office to which he was elected in 1882 and 1883, and again in 1892 and 1893, having been Chairman of the Board for the last term ; as Treasurer ; and as Moderator of the town meeting, a position in which he has served several years, and to which he was elected for the years 1896 and 1897.
At this election of 1896 the town gave a Re- publican majority for President of two hundred and forty votes. Yet Mr. Hall was personally so popular that, though a Democrat, he was elected Moderator by a majority of about twenty-five votes over his opponent. Mr. Hall was a mem- ber of the legislature for 1885-87. Twice he has accepted the nomination for State Senator. Both times he had a plurality vote; but the third ticket, though it received few votes, was sufficient to prevent him from reaching a de- cided majority. A recount before the Secretary of State showed that he had received, in fact, a majority of votes cast ; but the contested election was brought before a Republican House, and he was not allowed to take his seat.
Mr. Hall is connected with several of the secret organizations of Farmington, being a member of Fraternal Lodge, F. & A. M., Columbian Chapter, R. A. M., and of Mad River Encampment ; of Woodbine Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Rebekah Lodge; and of Harmony Lodge, K. of P. He is broad and liberal in his religious beliefs and a regular attendant of the Congregational church, toward the support of which he gives willing assistance.
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ILLIAM F. JONES, who holds an honored position among the agri- culturists of Strafford County, New Hampshire, is one of the oldest of the native- born citizens of the town of Durham, and now occupies the homestead where his birth oc- curred June 3, 1818. He is of distinguished Welsh ancestry and the representative of an early pioncer family of this town, his great- great-grandfather, Stephen Jones, having emi- grated from Wales to America in 1633, at once settling on this farm. The next in line of descent was Major Stephen Jones, second, who carried on farming throughout his entire life, doing much of the pioneer labor of clear- ing a homestead from the dense wilderness. Like his neighbors he suffered from the depre- dations of the Indians. He fought in the French and Indian War, bearing a Major's commission. The silver lace on his coats and his silver knee buckles were made into tea- spoons, one of which is still owned by a niece of Mir. William F. Jones.
Thomas Jones, father of William F., was also born and reared on this farm, where he spent all his life, each year clearing and plac- ing in a state of cultivation more of the land, and otherwise improving the property. He died March 26, 1849. He married Miss Eliz- abeth Chesley, a daughter of Jonathan Ches- ley, who was a Captain in the Revolutionary army. They had seven children -- Mary, Comfort, Elizabeth, Susan, William F., Alice, and Lydia. Mary was born May 16, 1805, and died May 22, 1854. Comfort was born February 18, 1807, and died September 5, 1894. Elizabeth was born February 20, 1812, married Nathaniel G. Davis, June 10, 1836, and died in January, 1869, leaving the following children - Mamie A., Rhoda J., Susan F., and Thomas Jones. Thomas, the only son, was born October 22, 1849, and be-
came a prominent lawyer of Duluth, Minn. He married Ella Bennett, of New Market, by whom he had one son, David Davis, born in November, 1881. After the death of his first wife he married Martha Mills, of Hillsdale, Mich., by whom he has one child now living. This child was born August 10, 1896, and in him an old family name, Millet, is revived. Susan Jones, the fourth child of Thomas and Elizabeth (Chesley) Jones, was born on Octo- ber 9, 1814. She is now living in Exeter, the widow of Andrew B. Peters, by whom she had two children - Lydia A. and Charles F. William F., the fifth child of Thomas and Elizabeth, is the subject of this sketch. Alice A. was born June 19, 1820, married Samuel Smart, of New Market, June 1, 1853. Mr. Smart died May 15, 1865; and on February 17, 1873, she married George J. Wiggin, of Durham, who died September 2, 1891. Lydia, the seventh child, was born November 23, 1823, and died June 18, 1889. William F. Jones received good educational advantages for his day and generation, attending the pub- lic schools, the Durham Academy, and private schools in Dover. He was interested in agri- cultural pursuits from his childhood up, and continued his residence on the home farm, assisting his father in his labors there until twenty-eight years of age, when he assumed the entire control of the estate. He owns one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he has devoted to general farming purposes, carrying it on with most satisfactory results, both in regard to improvements and finances. Mr. Jones has always taken an active and intelli- gent interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and in 1862 and 1864 was a Representative to the State legislature. He has also held minor offices. In earlier years he served as Overseer of the Poor. In politics he is a strong Republican.
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Mr. Jones was married January 8, 1862, to Mrs. Laura Chase, a daughter of Thomas and Mary B. (Brown) Chase, and to them two chil- dren have been born, namely: Mary C., who married Dana B. Cutter, and resides in Ports- mouth, N.H .; and Elizabeth, who is a suc- cessful teacher, and has taught in the public schools of Durham, New Market, and Dover.
AUL A. STACKPOLE, M.D., of Dover, now practically retired from the practice of his profession, holds an honored position 'in the medical fraternity of this section of New Hampshire, and has the sincere esteem of the community in which he has so long resided. He was born February 12, IS14, in Rochester, this county, son of Samuel and Rosanna (Nute) Stackpole. The father, who came of pioneer ancestry, was born in Dever. He became a farmer from choice, and settled on land near the town of Roches- ter, where he was engaged in his independent occupation until enfeebled by old age. Then he came to this city, where he spent his de- clining years, and died at the advanced age of fourscore years. In politics he was a sound Democrat. His wife, who had borne him nine children, attained the ripe old age of eighty- six years.
Paul A. Stackpole attended the common schools until eighteen years old. Then he entered the . Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., where he was fitted for college, and afterward was a student at Dartmouth for a time. He subsequently read medicine with Dr. Joseph H. Smith, of this city, for a year, finishing his medical course at a private school in Boston, where he had for instructors the eminent physicians, Dr. Henry I. Bowditch and Dr. Perry. Resuming his studies at Dartmouth College, he was graduated from
there in 1843, receiving his diploma from the medical department. The Doctor immediately established himself in Dover, where he prac- tised until his retirement from active work in 1891. In the course of his professional career, besides acquiring an extensive and lucrative practice, he won a wide reputation as an able physician. In his political affiliations Dr. Stackpole is a stanch Democrat, and very active and influential in party ranks. He has steadily refused official favors, although often importuned to accept positions of trust. In 1852 Dr. Martin, with whom he had read med- icine, then the Governor of New Hampshire, urged him to accept the Postmastership of Dover; but he declined. He has always been deeply interested in educational matters, and was persuaded at one time to serve on the School Board. In 1864 and 1868 he was dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention; and at the solicitation of friends and party, having previously accepted nomination to the Presidency of the State Convention, he was afterward unanimously elected to that office each year. While editing for four years the State Press, an organ of the Democratic party, he showed himself to be an able and forcible writer. The demands of his profession obliged him to sell out his interest in the paper. The Doctor is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, belong- ing to Strafford Lodge of Dover and to the Wechohamet Lodge of this city.
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