USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 62
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
OHN P. SMITH, a representative La- conia farmer, was born in Gilford, Belknap County, N. H., April 30, 1830, a son of John P., Sr., and Abigail R. (Smith) Smith. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Smith, who lived at New Hampton, was a farmer and storekeeper and extensive landowner of that place, which he represented in the Lower House of the State legislature. He also served as Selectman of New Hampton. He married Mary Pickering, and had five chil- dren; namely, Daniel, James, Sarah, Abigail, and Susan, all deceased.
John P. Smith, Sr., the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in East Meredith, and there received a common-school education. He early took up the occupation of a farmer, and when but twenty-one years of age had full charge of a five-hundred-acre farm. He subse- quently owned a farm of his own, and was engaged in stock raising to some extent. He served his town as Selectman, and for a long
period he was a Deacon of the Free Baptist church, with which he was connected for forty years. He died in Gilford in 1879, leaving three children, namely : Mary Ann and Daniel K., both deceased; and John P.
John P. Smith, the youngest born and the only one now living, attended school two years in his native town, Gilford, and an equal length of time in Tilton, after which he took up farming with his father, who owned a one- hundred-and-thirty-acre farm. Upon attain- ing his legal majority, he removed to Sanborn- ton, and was successfully engaged in farming there for a time; but on account of sickness in the family, he returned to work on the home- stead farm, where he remained ten years, and then sold out. He still has considerable farm- ing land. In 1872-74, Mr. Smith served as a Representative to the Lower House of the State legislature, and was one of the Con- mittee on Banking. He is an attendant of the Free Baptist church.
Mr. Smith has twice married. His first wife, Susan O. Smith, died in 1887, at fifty- two years of age; and in 1892 he married Sarah Potter. There were two children by the first union -- namely, Vina, who died in 1863; and Abby, who died in 1878 - and none by the second marriage.
ICHARD T. ROGERS, for many years a prominent resident of Roches- ter, was born in this town, July 3, 1818, son of Samuel and Nancy (Tripe) Rogers. The earliest ancestor of Mr. Rogers in this country emigrated from Dublin, Irc- land, bringing an infant son John, who was at the time only a year old. This John grew to manhood in America and married Mary McDuffie, who was born at sca when her mother was coming to America. John Rogers
5.36
3.
٠٫٥٠٠
..---------- -
متك
عد.
RICHARD T. ROGERS.
١
537
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
was father of Daniel, the grandfather of Mr. Richard Rogers. He was born on the farm that had been cleared by his father; and upon reaching manhood he married Hannah Gage, of Dover, whose father was a brother of Gen- eral Thomas Gage of Revolutionary fame. Samuel Rogers, born on the place afterward owned and occupied by his son for many years, was a farmer and wheelwright, and did a large business. A prominent and influential man in this section of the State, he was for many years Selectman of the town. He married Nancy Tripe, of Dover, whose father invented the diving bell used at Portsmouth, N. H. They had two children - Elizabeth and Rich- ard T. Rogers. It is related of Mrs. Nancy Rogers that on being warned, when her hus- band was about to test the newly invented diving bell, he would not come up alive, she went down with him, and both came up un- harmed.
Richard T. Rogers received his early educa- tion in the district schools, where he was known as a diligent pupil of much promise. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in the lumber business, carrying on an extensive traffic. Later by reading law and acquiring a knowledge of conveyances and other legal in- struments he was able to transact a large amount of probate business. In politics he was known throughout the town as a stanch and active supporter of Republican principles. lle served the town as Selectman for many years, was County Commissioner for some time, and he represented the town in the State legislature for several terms. Of a kindly and generous nature, he had a large circle of personal friends, who were deeply grieved by his death, which occurred October 28, 1890.
On December 25, 1877, Mr. Rogers mar- ried Miss Olive M., daughter of Benjamin and Huldah (Hussey) Page, of Rochester.
Mrs. Rogers, who survives her husband, can trace her genealogy back to Daniel Page, who came from England and was one of the earliest and most prominent settlers of Rochester. Daniel's son Benjamin, who was a farmer, had the title of Captain. Benjamin Page, Jr., the father of Mrs. Rogers, was a native of Rochester, and served in the War of 1812, being stationed at Portsmouth. His chief oc- cupation was farming, which he followed on his farm of one hundred and forty acres, mak- ing a specialty of raising cattle, sheep, and horses. In politics he was a Democrat. By his wife, Huldah, he was the father of seven children, of whom five grew to maturity; namely, William H., Mary Elizabeth, Olive Margaret, Kingman Fogg, and Daniel Hussey. The last named is a resident of Higgins, Tex. Mr. Page was a Baptist in religious faith, and his wife was a member of the Congregational church.
YMAN H. JENKINS, a successful farmer of Barnstead, N. H., was born in this town, January 2, 1846, son of Joseph and Lydia Ann (Merrill) Jenkins. His paternal grandfather was John Jenkins, a native and lifelong resident of Lec, N. H. Joseph Jenkins came to Barnstead from Lee, his native place, when about twenty-one years old; and for the rest of his life, a period of seventy years, did a prosperous business as farmer and stock-raiser in this town. Begin- ning in a small way, he kept on buying land until he owned six hundred acres. Besides the occupations already mentioned, he was also en- gaged to some extent in the lumber business. He was a hale and active man, and was able to do an ordinary man's work until well along toward the close of his life. He professed the Quaker faith ; and in politics he was a stanch Republican, having first been a member of the
538
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Whig party. Of a strong will, sound judg- ment, and more than the average intelligence, his character commanded the respect of his fel- low-citizens, and he was often called upon to serve in public capacities. He was repeatedly elected Selectman, was Chairman of the Board for a number of years; and he also represented the town in the legislature. He died Decem- ber 4, 1882, aged ninety-two years. Joseph Jenkins was twice married. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Walker, he be- came the father of five children - William A., Joseph, John W., Orin J., and Louisa. His second wife, in maidenhood Lydia Ann Mer- rill, a daughter of Elisha Merrill, of Barn- stead, bore him eight children - Charles F., Everett, Lewis, Louisa, Calvin, Melvin, Mary, and Lyman H. William died July 21, 1890, and Joseph, October 17, 1881, aged fifty-seven. The former was at one time County Treasurer. Louisa, now deceased, became the wife of Dr. Solomon Young. Lewis at one time repre- sented Gilmanton in the legislature. Everett was in the Civil War until the battle of Fred- ericksburg, where he received a wound that in- capacitated him for further service. Lewis and Melvin served in the war, having enlisted in Company B, Twelfth New Hampshire Vol- unteer Infantry. The former received a wound in the arm at the battle of Fredericksburg, and, being disabled, returned home. He has been Postmaster at Pittsfield, N. H., for the past eighteen years. His brother Melvin was wounded in the foot. Melvin was City Mar- shal of Manchester, N. HI., for seven years, having attained the position by serving in the different grades of the police force of the city.
Lyman H. Jenkins was educated in the dis- trict schools and at Pittsfield Academy. After leaving school, he was engaged for three years in the meat business in Pittsfield. He then took up farming, beginning in this town with
fifty acres of land. By careful management and hard work, he has increased the size of his farm to two hundred and thirty acres. Besides carrying on general farming, he makes a spe- cialty of dairying. Mr. Jenkins is a Republi- can in politics. Though interested in town affairs and the general welfare of the commu- nity, he has never sought office, but office has sought him. In 1896 he was nominated on the Republican ticket as Representative to the legislature for 1897-98, and was triumphantly elected, running ahead of his ticket, the town going Republican for the first time in its his- tory. Mr. Jenkins is a member of the Congre- gational church, and for the past three years has held in it the position of Deacon. On May 1, 1872, he married Miss Mary A. Shack- ford, daughter of Samuel G. Shackford, and a representative of an old Barnstead family.
AVID H. CARON, a popular grocer of Salmon Falls, was born January 16, 1863, in St. Roch, P.Q., son of Jacques and Alphonsine (Lizotte) Caron. As his name indicates, he is of French extraction. Several descendants of his mother's great- grandfather, who emigrated from France to Canada, became interested in agricultural pur- suits. Mr. Caron's paternal grandfather was Guillaume Caron, also a Frenchman.
Jacques Caron was born in St. Roch in 1815, and was educated in the common schools. He has been a farmer all his life, is a stalwart, sturdy man now at the age of eighty-two years, and comes every year to pay a visit to his sons in Salmon Falls. He is a loyal British subject, one of those yeomen of Canada who form the strength of Great Britain in America. His wife, Alphonsine, a daugh- ter of François Lizotte, of St. Roch, has borne him six children - Joseph, Alphonsine,
1
·
539
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Gaudelie, Emma, Arthur R., and David H. Alphonsine is the wife of Augure Gagnon, of St. Roch; Gaudelie is the wife of N. J. P'el- letier, of Springvale, Me. ; and Emma married Elzear Deschenes, of St. Roch, and is living on the old homestead.
Mingling with the memories of Mr. Caron's carly life are the mind pictures caught from the beautiful legends of St. Roch and St. Anne La Pocatière. For his education he was sent to the schools and college of St. Anne la Pocatière. Afterward, in isso, he came to Salmon Falls with the intention of starting in business here. Instead of carrying out this purpose, he went to work in the mill for a year. Then he and his brother, under the firm name of Arthur Caron & Co., engaged in business at South Berwick, Me. Two years later they bought out the store in Salmon Falls now managed by him, and at the end of a month he bought his brother's interest and became sole proprietor. He keeps groceries and provisions, is a wholesale dealer in pota- toes, handling them by the car load, and em- ploys a number of clerks. He married Miss Marie C. Pelletier, daughter of Cajetan Pelletier, of Riviere du Loup, and became the father of the following children. Of these, Arthur is deceased. The others are: David J., Arthur N., Marie Alma Eva, Marie Lou- ise, and William.
In politics Mr. Caron is a Democrat. He was chosen to represent the town in the New Hampshire legislature in 1890, and he has held other offices of public trust and responsi- bility. For three years he has been on the Board of Selectmen, and is at present serving as School Committee. He is a member of Pagus Tribe, No. 1, of the Independent Order of Red Men, holding the rank of Sachem. He is also a charter member of Frontenac Lodge, Catholic Order of Foresters.
ILLIAM HARRISON WEEKS, a very enterprising and successful farmer of Gilford, N.H., was born here, July 31. 1839, son of William and Eliza (Hutchinson) Weeks. The Weeks family in Gilford has been a numerous and influential one from the first settlement of the place.
Leonard Weeks, the immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1635. In February, 1660 -- 61, he had settled at Winnicut, a part of Portsmouth, now in Greenland, N. H., where he passed the remainder of his life. Captain Samuel, his son, was born in Greenland, N. H., in 1670; and Matthias, son of Captain Samuel, was born there in 1708, and died in 1777. Benjamin, son of Matthias, and great- grandfather of the special subject of the pres- ent sketch, was born in Greenland, N. H., in 1749. In early manhood he removed to Gil- ford, N. HI., then a part of Gilmanton, and, buying a two-hundred-acre lot of land, resided here until his death, which occurred in 1829. He went by the name of Squire Ben, and was a prominent resident. He employed a number of hands, as, in addition to farming, he carried on a tannery for some years. After living for a while in a log cabin, he built a frame house of split planks four inches thick and locked to- gether; and later still he constructed a more modern house of two stories. At one time he lost heavily by fire, but he was undaunted in his efforts to succeed; and he did succeed. He was an energetic man of business and a keen trader, but was genial, social, and exceed- ingly popular. It is said that his was always an open house, and that no one ever turned away without help. He was Justice of the Peace for many years. He married Sally Weed, who was of a bright, cheerful nature like his own. They had seven children -. . Elisha, Daniel, Benjamin, Jr., Levi, Sarah, Matthias, and William. All were well edu-
. -. .
540
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
cated. Matthias married a Miss Dodge, and moved to Readville, Me. . Daniel married Hannah Gale Salsbury. Elisha was in trade in Strafford, and married Miss Potter, of Gil- ford, by whom he had three children. Will- iam had a college education, and went to Penn- sylvania to teach. Levi was a merchant in Orono, Me. He married Lydia Sleeper. Sarah, who was highly educated and a woman of marked literary taste, taught school some years.
Benjamin, Jr., known as Captain Benjamin Weeks, son of Benjamin Weeks, was born in Gilford in 1788, and died in Gilford in the year 1863 (December 29) aged seventy-five. He was the original owner of the iron ore lot near Mount Belknap, and also inherited one- half of his father's farm. He commanded a company in the State militia, and was a very popular man in the community, being a Whig in politics. He attended the Universalist church. He lived to the age of seventy-seven years -- his wife, Betsey Hoitt, dying at the age of fifty-six. Their children were as follows : Hazen; Franklin; Sarah; Mehitable; Will- iam, father of the subject of this sketch; Thomas; Harriet; Nathan ; and Betsey.
Of these, Harriet is the only one living. She married Daniel Gilman, and is at present residing in Providence, R. I. They have three children - Erastus, Anna, and Laura. Hazen married Prudence Sleeper, and had four chil- dren - Benjamin, . John M., Betsey, and Harriet. Franklin was Selectman, Tax Col- lector, Representative, and also held other offices. He married Julia Weeks, and their children were: Charles, Francis, Julia A., Ellen, George F., Henry, and Parker. Sarah married John G. Weeks. They have eight children, as follows: Caroline, John H., Sarah, Lydia Ann, Josephine, Rebecca, Rufus, William Harrison, the second son, com- and Clara. Mehitable married George W. | pleted his education at the Gilford Academy,
Weeks, and their children are: Scott, George W., Jr., and Levi R. George W. Weeks, Jr., is now a hotel-keeper. Thomas married Nancy Hill, and their children are: Mary Frances, who married George Morrill; Sarah A. ; and Austin B. Nathan married twice. By his first wife, Harriet Hackett, he had three chil- dren - Edward, Emma, and Clara; and by his second wife, Martha Philbrook, he had five children - Anna, Fred, Scott, Lelia, and Flossie. Betsey Weeks died when about twenty-two years of age.
William Weeks, son of Captain Benjamin, was born in Gilford, N. H., March 30, 1812. He carried on general farming, having a farm of over three hundred acres. He served as Selectman for three years, Representative for two years, and Tax Collector for a number of years, being social and popular, and a man of good judgment in public affairs. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. He married Eliza Hutchinson, daughter of Elijah Hutchinson, and was the father of eight chil- dren, as follows: Elizabeth; Lewis; William Harrison, subject of this sketch; Oren H. ; Annette; Fred; Arthur; and Rufus. Eliza- beth Weeks married James R. Morrill; Lewis died in Nevada; Oren married Arvilla Page, and is now living on the old farm; Annette married Edwin Munsey, a veteran of the war, and is now in California; Fred married Laura Gilman, and is at present a wholesale confec- tioner in Providence, R.I. Arthur Weeks married Carrie Robinson. He was a whole- sale confectioner, but is now retired from busi- ness. Rufus is a dentist at Suncook, N. H. He married Luella Hoitt. William Weeks died June 8, 1878; and his wife, Eliza Hutch- inson of Gilford, who was born in Gilmanton, June 1, 1811, died April 20, 1880.
5+1-54-
1
Willis McDuffee, Rochester.
543
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
and at the age of twenty-one went to Califor- nia, where he remained over four years in the mining business. He then returned to Gil- ford and bought the homestead of his grand- father, which he still occupies; and, having added other lands to his property, he now owns about three hundred and fifty acres.
He was a Representative to the State legis- lature in 1889 and 1890; has been Selectman for the past four years; two years on School Committee; and was Supervisor in 1893, when the town was divided and a part added to Laconia. In politics he affiliates with the Re- publican party. He is one of the charter members of Mount Belknap Grange, No. 52. On May 15, 1866, he married Mary G. Potter, daughter of William Potter. She was born in South Reading, now Wakefield, Mass. They have four children, as follows: Natt II., Julia A., Millie F., and William Stark. Natt H. Weeks is at present clerk in a hardware store in Providence, R.I. Julia is married to Ansell Gove. Millie is a teacher, and Stark is at home with his parents. Mr. Weeks is one of the most prosperous farmers of his vicinity, and as a citizen he has the respect of his fellow-townsmen.
ILLIS McDUFFEE, editor of the Rochester Courier and President of the Courier Publishing Company, was born in Rochester, Strafford County, N. H., March 15, 1868. His father, Franklin McDuffee, and his grandfather, John Mc- Duffee, were both prominent and influential figures in banking and financial circles of this part of the State. John McDuffee was born in the suburbs of Rochester, December 6, 1803. He gave early promise of a useful and ener- getic career. After five years at the village schools he was, when eighteen years old, one
of the first pupils of Franklin Academy, Dover, where he fitted for the Sophomore class of a university, but returned to Rochester in- stead of going to college. He then spent two years clerking in his uncle's general store, after which, in 1823, he opened a store of his own in the same line, and in 1825 admitted to partnership another uncle, J. II. Torr. At this time, although under age, he was Post- master of Rochester, which position he re- tained until removed by President Jackson. In 1831 he opened a store in Dover in the same business on a much larger scale; but in February, 1833, being called to Rochester again as executor of the will of his father-in- law, Joseph Hanson, he sold out the business and retired from trade. The lack of a bank in Rochester had long been a serious inconven- ience to that place and the neighboring terri- tory. Mr. McDuffee inaugurated a movement for the establishment of such an institution, and was active in securing the support of the leading business men. Subscribers were soon found; and the Rochester Bank was duly char- tered, and opened its doors May 1, 1835, with Mr. McDuffee as Cashier. For twenty years he virtually managed the bank's business, when he resigned to become its President. This position he held until the withdrawal of the State banks in favor of national banks. For six years he and his son, under the firm name of John McDuffce & Co., Private Bankers, continued the business until 1874, when the Rochester National Bank was inau- gurated, Mr. McDuffee and his son taking two- fifths of the stock and holding the office of President and Cashier respectively, each until his death. Other banks in which he was interested were the Dover National Bank, the Strafford Bank of Dover, and the Norway Plains Savings Bank, of which he was the first Treasurer. In 1867.he was made its President,
-
-
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
544
and so continued to his death. The water- power at Rochester, with its great possibili- ties of advantage to his native town in the line of manufactures, early attracted his atten- tion. Mainly through his efforts the Mechan- ics' Manufacturing Company (now the Nor- way Plains Manufacturing Company) was started in Rochester, and he was one of the Directors. He purchased mill property in Gonic in 1845, and lent assistance to S. Shorey in establishing mills at East Roches- ter. He owned large blocks of stock in the Great Falls Manufacturing Company, and was interested in the Cocheco and the Conway railroads, being the first Treasurer of each of these companies. He also held shares of Port- land & Rochester and of Rochester & Nashua roads.
Besides the handsome McDuffee Block, erected in 1868, Mr. McDuffee owned many pieces of valuable real estate in and near Rochester. He was a decided Republican in politics, believing the principles of the party to be for the public good. He joined the Ma- sonic fraternity on the very day of his major- ity. His death, which occurred in December, 1890, was sincerely mourned by his family and friends, in short by the community, since all were friends; and the place he left vacant cannot easily be filled.
Franklin McDuffee, father of Willis, was born in Dover, August 27, 1832. He passed through the local schools and Gilmanton Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1853. He read law with the Hon. D. M. Christie at Dover for six months, and in May, 1854, was made Cashier of the Rochester (State) Bank. In 1866, as above stated, he became a member of the private banking in- stitution of John McDuffee & Co., which in 1874 was merged into the Rochester National Bank; and of the latter he became, as has also
been said, the first Cashier, holding that posi- tion at the time of his death. Mr. McDuffce also filled various public offices, was a mem- ber of the Town Council and School Commit- tee, was elected to the legislature in 1862, and to the Constitutional Convention in 1876. He took a deep interest in national affairs; and, although by no means a politician, he possessed a broad and clear understanding of political issues and a marked political influ- ence. He was known by all as a stanch Republican and a firm friend of temperance and good order. Having a scholarly turn of mind, he was much interested in the study of history, and was a member of the New Hamp- shire Historical Society. At his death he left an uncompleted history of Rochester, to the writing of which he had devoted much time and historical research. This was finished under the direction of the family, and published in 1892. He was for eight years a Deacon of the Congregational church. For many years he was prominent in Masonry. His decease, in 1880, removed from Rochester one of its ablest, most public-spirited, and benevolent citizens.
Willis McDuffee prepared for his collegiate course at the Rochester High School, from which he was graduated in 1885; and he re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College in 1890. He then en- gaged in banking for a time. In 1891, in company with his mother and brother, he trav- elled six months in Europe, visiting England, Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland. On his return he purchased a half-interest in the Rochester Courier, and became its editor, which position he has since filled with marked success. In 18944 a stock company was formed for carrying on the business, and Mr. McDuffee became its president.
1
545
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
He has taken a prominent part in politics in the city and State, being at present the Chair- man of the Republican Ward Committee of his ward and a member of the Republican State Committee. For three years he served as a member of the School Board of Rochester, being for a time its Chairman. In 1895 he was one of the youngest members of the legis- lature, elected by the largest majority ever given in his ward up to that time. During that session be devoted himself to securing the passage of a law compelling towns to make a small appropriation for public library pur- poses each year, as they are obliged to do for schools. The bill met with considerable op- position ; but he overcame it, and the law has received much notice as the most advanced library legislation in the world. The law has proved to be of great benefit to the State.
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.