USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 63
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Mr. McDuffee is a Mason, and is now an officer of Palestine Connnandery of Knights Templar.
OHN BATCHELDER, a wheelwright by trade, also for many years by occu- pation a farmer, industrious, intelli- gent, a man of good habits, is an esteemed citizen of Laconia, N. H. A son of John, Sr., and Betsey (Batchelder) Batchelder, he was born December 22, 1815, at the paternal homestead in Laconia, N.H., which he now occupies.
The family to which Mr. Batchelder belongs is one of the oldest in the State. Its founder, the Rev. Stephen Bachiler, born in England in 1561, and educated at Oxford, was for quite a number of years vicar of Wherwell, but eventually lost his benefice, being ejected for non-conformity. This was about 1605. Crossing the Atlantic in 1632, when past seventy years of age, and arriving in Boston in June, he at once proceeded to Lynn, where
he organized a church, and baptized the fust white child born in that town. From Lynn he removed to Ipswich. In 1638 he founded the town of Hampton, N. II. (incorporated in 1639). Subsequently returning to England, he died near London, in his one hundredth year. He had several children who were grown up and married before he came to America. In the New England Historical and Genealogical Register for October, 1893, their names are mentioned in a note in connection with Mr. Waters's "Genealogical Gleanings in England," as follows: Theodate, who married Christopher Hussey (they emi- grated and settled first in Lynn and later in Hampton, N. H.); Nathaniel, who married Hester Mercer, and lived in England; Deb- orah; Stephen; and Ann.
Nathaniel, second, son of Nathaniel and Hester, born in England in 1630, came to America, and settled in Hampton, N. H. He spelled the name in its present form, Batchel- der. He was married to Deborah Smith in 1656, and had nine children by that union. After the death of his first wife early in 1676, he married a widow, Mrs. Mary Carter Wy- man, of Woburn, Mass., by whom he had eight children, making seventeen in all. His son Samuel, born January 10, 1681, married and had children, one of whom, named Samuel, born August 1, 1713, died in Hampton in 1797.
Three sons of the second Samuel Batchelder -- Abraham, Increase, and John -were the first acknowledged settlers of Northwood, N. H. They left home taking with them axes and flint-lock guns; and, so far as known, no white man had ever been in the section they explored. The first two nights they spent in Northwood they had no sleep because of the attack of wolves. They first built a wigwam, and later on erected the usual pioneer log
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house. One of the farms on which they set- tled, on what is now known as the Northwood turnpike, is still in the family. Increase Batchelder held at different times about all the offices in Northwood. He built the first frame house erected in the town, which twenty years ago held an anniversary in honor of these pioneers. In December. 1773. Abraham Batchelder married Abigail Buzzell. They had five daughters and five sons. The four sons that grew to manhood were: John, Abra- ham, Solomon, and Nathaniel.
John Batchelder, father of the special sub- ject of this sketch, was a farmer; but, besides attending to his farm duties, he made shoes and worked as a cooper. When he left home at the age of twenty-one to go to Meredith, he carried his belongings tied up in a hand- kerchief. Industrious and thrifty, he after- ward acquired property so that late in life he gave to each of nis children a thousand dollars. He was highly esteemed and a very hospitable man. For many years he was a Deacon of the Free Will Baptist church at Meredith Centre. He died in Laconia, March 24, 1869. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Batchelder, he had four children: Increase, who died in Campton, N.H., in 1875; Abra- ham, who died at the home of his brother John in 1858; John; and Alvin, who died in Con- cord in 1889. His second marriage was with Mrs. Mary F. Folsom.
John Batchelder, the only living child, in- herited the homestead. Early in life he took up the trade of a wheelwright at Meredith, N.H. ; and when twenty-four years old he went to Boston, working at his trade for a time, but subsequently taking up the piano-finishing business. He remained in Boston eight years all together. Then, being broken down in health, he returned home, and took up farming with his father. He brought with him quite a
sum of money, somewhat more than a thou- sand dollars, which he had laid up from his earnings; and this he used in improving the place.
On September 8, 1849, Mr. Batchelder mar- ried Miss Caroline Folsom, daughter of Noah and Polly F. (Sanborn) Folsom. Her father, born in 1803, was a son of John Folsom, born in November, 1781, and grandson of the Rev. Nicholas Folsom, born July 3, 1742, who was the first Baptist minister settled in Meredith. Mrs. Batchelder's mother was a daughter of Dudley Sanborn, of Meredith. The Rev. Nicholas Folsom was a son of an earlier John Folsom, whose father, Nathaniel Folsom, of Exeter, N. H., was killed by Indians at Not- tingham, about one hundred and fifty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder have had eight children --- Mabelle, John F., Frank A., Free- man H., Burton W., Lyman P., Edward W., and Alice. Mabelle and Alice died in in- fancy, and Frank at nine years of age. Free- man lives at home, and has charge of the farm ; Fred is a machinist in Concord; Burton is a farmer; Lyman, a carpenter; and Edward is in the livery business in California.
ILLIAM FLAGG, a lifelong resident of Rochester, and one of its most successful agriculturists, was born January 2, 1839, on the farm where he now resides, this having been also the birthplace of his father, George W. Flagg. Some time be- fore the Revolution, his paternal grandfather, Jonathan Flagg, bought the original home- stead, which contained but one hundred acres of land, and during his life cleared several acres of it.
George W. Flagg, son of Jonathan, succeed- ing to the ownership of the ancestral acres, continued the improvements already inaugu-
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rated, making considerable additions. Toil- ing carly and late, he carried on a good busi- ness as general farmer and dairyman. A Whig in politics when a young man, he after- ward became a Republican. In 1859 he rep- resented his native town in the General Court. Working for some time as a clerk in the gen- eral store of Nicholas V. Whitehouse, of Gonic Village, who commanded the larger part of the trade for many miles around, he became well known throughout this district. Ile mar- ried Miss Caroline, daughter of Dudley and Hannah Watson, of Rochester, and became the father of four children. These were: Lydia J., who married William H. Allen, and is now deceased; William, the subject of this biographical sketch; Charles W., who died at Central Falls, R. I. ; and Mary A., now the wife of George W. McDuffce, of this town. The father died in 1859, and the mother on February 1, 1865.
William Flagg was educated in Rochester, where, for some years, he attended the private school of Miss Knight, a noted instructor. He subsequently assisted in the care of the home property, and at the death of his father assumed its entire management. To the origi- nal homestead he has added other land by pur- chase, having now a well-appointed farm of one hundred and forty acres, on which, with the assistance of his son, he carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Flagg is inca- pable of much active labor, having had a stroke of paralysis several years ago, from the effects of which he has never recovered. He has ever taken an intelligent interest in local affairs, and in the years of 1867 and 1868 he was a Representative to the State legislature, having been elected on the Republican ticket. In 1890 and 1891 he served as a member of the City Council of Rochester.
Mr. Flagg married, January 16, 1862, Miss
Eveline Bickford, daughter of Aaron and Pa- tience Bickford, of this town. Their only child, George W. Flagg, who lives on the home farm, was born January 7, 1864. In the lumber business for several years as senior member of the firm of Flagg & Corson, of Gonic, it was his practice to buy standing tim- ber, oftentimes taking entire farms for the sake of the wood. He has been twice married. He was first married December 11, 1885, to Eva B. Willey, who lived but four years after. She had one son, Charles W., born December 27, 1889. On September 1, 1892, he married Miss Hattie Houston, who was born in San- ford, Me., daughter of Samuel and Sarah J. Houston.
R DE WITT BURNHAM, a promi- nent druggist of Rochester, was born in Farmington, Strafford County, N. II., October 5, 1859, son of Charles F. and Betsy J. (Tufts) Burnham.
Charles F. Burnham, who was a native of New Durham, this county, went when a young man to Farmington, where he worked at his trade of carpenter . until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife, Betsy J., was born in South Farm- ington, and still resides in the town of Farm- ington, being now about sixty six years old.
R. De Witt Burnham, after attending the common and high schools in Farmington, and being graduated from the latter, found employ- ment at eighteen years of age as a clerk in a clothing store. Six months later he came to Rochester, and went to work as a clerk in the drug store of S. F. Sanderson, with whom he remained for about five years, during which time he acquired a good knowledge of the business. He then opened his present store, and has since built up a very desirable trade. Besides the drug store, he owns other real
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estate in Rochester, all of which represents his own carnings. He is also interested in the Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Burnham married Miss Marietta Twom- bley, of Farmington ; and they are the parents of two daughters - Florence M. and Alice J. Mr. Burnham is a stanch Republican, but has declined nomination to office, though his friends have requested him to allow the use of his name as candidate for the Mayorship. He is a member of Lodge No. 21, A. F. & A. M .; also of the chapter and commandery; and of Mount Olivia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Though not a church commu- nicant, he is a regular attendant at the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
ALTER H. KEYSER,* proprietor of the Mountain View House, Mere- dith, Belknap County, N. H., was born in- Shirley, Mass., October 1, 1845, son of Nathaniel and Betsey (Messer) Keyser. His father was a native of Lunenburg, Mass. ; and when a young man he learned the carpen- ter's trade. He followed that calling for some years, and finally settled upon a farm in Shirley, where he resided for the rest of his life. His wife, formerly Betsey Messer, was a daughter of Stillman Messer, of Lunenburg. Their children were: Elizabeth; Nathaniel; Sarah (deceased) ; Stillman; Nancy; James; Mary ; Henrietta; and Walter H., the subject of this sketch. Elizabeth Keyser married William Gibbs, of Everett, Mass; Nancy is the wife .of Edward M. Derby, of Oakland, Cal. ; Mary became the wife of Moses Proctor, of Boston, and is no longer living; Henrietta married Alonzo Perkins, of Centre Harbor. Mrs. Betsey M. Keyser died at the age of fifty-five years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Walter H. Keyser was six years old when his mother died; and then he went to reside with his sister in Derry, N. H. He began his education in the common schools, and advanced in learning by attending Pinkerton Academy. After that he went to work in a shoe shop at Ashland, Mass. ; and he also pursued a com- mercial course at Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College. From Ashland he went to Bureau County, Illinois, where he remained a short time, and then going to Des Moines, Ia., was engaged in speculating for a year and a half. Returning to Ashland, he for the next ten or eleven years worked in the shoe shops, and then removed to Centre Harbor, where he bought a farm. He resided there until 1885, when he sold that property, and, coming to Meredith, purchased his present farm, consist- ing of one hundred and fourteen acres, forty of which are under cultivation. Hay and corn are his principal crops. He keeps from forty to fifty head of cattle, a small flock of sheep, thirty hogs, one hundred hens, and three horses. He has a well-equipped dairy, and makes a large quantity of butter annually. The Mountain View House, which enjoys a high reputation as a pleasant and healthful summer resort, is capable of accommodating thirty-five boarders, and, as it occupies an airy and sightly location, is well patronized.
Mr. Keyser married Georgianna Gline, daughter of Willard Gline, of Westmoreland, N. H., and has five children ; namely, Emma, Charles W., Sadie E., Arthur J., and Edwin W. In politics Mr. Keyser is independent.
ILLIAM T. WALLACE,A an enter- prising merchant of Milton, N.H., was born in Middleton, an adjacent town in the same county of Strafford, in 1861, son of John and Dorothy Wallace. Judging
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from his name, his family must have originated in Scotland.
John Wallace was born in Sandwich, N.H. ; and for many years he tilled the soil of a good farm in Middleton. He is still living, and re- sides in Lynn, Mass. In politics he is a Repub- lican. Three children were born to him and his wife Dorothy, namely: Charles F. : Josephine ; and William T., the subject of this sketch.
William T. Wallace attended school in the town of Lee. N.H., when the schools were in session, until he was fifteen years old ; and for some time afterward he was employed as a farm assistant. In 18;6 he came to Milton, where he was engaged in the express business for three years ; and later, entering the service of the Boston & Maine Railroad Company, he con- tinued in its employ nine years, seven years of which he acted as station agent in this town. In 1891 he established himself as a grocer in Milton, and by a close attention to business has succeeded in building up a good trade. Politi- cally, he acts with the Republican party. He served with ability as a Selectman for one year, and is at the present time supervisor of the check list. Mr. Wallace is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is Past Sachem of Modocawando Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. He is a Baptist in his re- ligious views, but attends the Congregational church.
OUIS HI. SNELL," a practical and pro- gressive young farmer of Lee, Strafford County, N.H., was born on his present farm, September 25, 1859, son of Nehemiah C. and Martha (Hanson) Snell. \ Samuel Snell is said to have been the first one of the family to settle in Lee. From Samuel the line of descent continues through John, Paul. Hosea E., to Nehemiah C., father of the subject of this sketch.
Nehemiah C. Snell was born in 1831. Some time after his marriage he removed to Madbury, Strafford County, N.IL., where he remained twelve years ; and during his residence there he officiated in various offices, including that of Selectman. During the greater part of his life he engaged in farming. He was a highly esteemed Deacon of the Congregational church in Lee. His death occurred on May 17, 1893, at the age of sixty-two years. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Martha Hanson Snell, who is living in Dover, N.H., and by their three children : Louis II., Cora E., and Mary G. Cora E. Snell resides in Dover. Mary G. married Frank Vittum, and they also live in the same city.
Louis H. Snell was educated in the common schools of Lee, at Franklin Academy in Dover, andNorthwood Seminary. Ilis practical knowl- edge of agriculture was obtained by working on the farm with his father until the death of that parent, four years ago. Mr. Snell owns eighty well-kept acres, and carries on general farming. He also has a milk route, from which he derives a good income.
In 1891 Mr. Snell was married to Elizabeth Sherburne, by which union there is one child --- Norman T., a bright boy of four years. In politics he affiliates cordially with the Republi- can party ; and fraternally he is identified in the membership of Lee Grange, in which he offici- ated as assistant steward. For three years he served on the School Committee.
J AMES T. HANSON,' formerly a re- spected member of the farming commu- nity of Rochester, Strafford County, N. I., was a resident of this town from the time of his birth, May 15, 1818, until his death. which took place April 7. 1889. He was a son of Timothy Hanson, a farmer of Rochester.
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and a grandson of John Hanson, who came here from Dover.
James T. Hanson was reared and educated in Rochester, and from force of circumstances as well as from choice early engaged in agricultural labors. Becoming the owner of a comfortable homestead, he continued to occupy himself as a farmer and dairyman throughout his active life, his modest worldly gains being the result of useful, honorable toil. In politics he was a sound Democrat ; and, though never an aspirant for official honors, he took an intelligent interest in local matters. A man of quiet and domestic tastes, devoted to his farm and his family, he mingled but little with the outside world, never uniting with any of the fraternal organizations so common in every town, preferring the enjoy- ments of his home life above all others.
Mr. Hanson married Miss Lois Wentworth, daughter of Isaac Wentworth, of Milton, N.H. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson became the parents of three children, namely : Carrie, who is the wife of Charles Andrews, and lives with her widowed mother on the homestead, Mr. Andrews having the charge of the farm; Nellie, who also lives at the old home; and Cora B., who resides at Great Falls, N.H.
EONARD BROWN MORRILL, M. D.,* a rising young physician of Centre Harbor, Belknap County, N.H., was born in Moultonboro, Carroll County, November 2, 1865, son of Harrison and julia (Brown) Morrill. His grandfather, Jonathan Morrill, who was born in Stowe, Vt., in 1780, settled in Gilford, N. H., when a young man, and became one of the stirring farmers of that town in his day.
Harrison Morrill, father of Leonard B., was born in Gilford, N. H., November 18, 1822. He learned the stone-cutter's trade, which he
followed in Quincy, Mass., for eight years ; and then in company with Henry Brown, now of Lakeport, N. H., he was engaged for about ten years in the stove and tinware business in Lynn, Mass. Selling out his business inter- ests in Lynn, he bought a farm of two hundred acres in Moultonboro, and made a specialty of raising beef for the market. He married Julia M. Brown, daughter of Nehemiah Brown, of Gilford; and Leonard B., the subject of this sketch, is the only child of that union.
Leonard Brown Morrill, having acquired his early education in the public schools, began to study medicine with Dr. George L. Mason, of Moultonboro. He subsequently pursued a course in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Vermont, where he was graduated in 1888; and he has since practised his profes- sion in Centre Harbor. He has already dis- played. much skill in the treatment of some difficult cases, and his devotion to his profes- sion is fast gaining for him the confidence of the inhabitants throughout this locality.
On September 10, 1891, Dr. Morrill was united in marriage with Ada V. Berry, daugh- ter of George T. Berry, of Moultonboro. In politics Dr. Morrill is a Republican. He is connected with Red Mountain Lodge, F. & A. M .; Winnepesaukee Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, of which he is Past Sachem; and with Garnet Hill Grange, Pa- trons of Husbandry. Mrs. Morrill is a mem- ber of the Congregational church.
OHN M. ROBINSON, a farmer by occupation and a well-known and es- teemed citizen of Laconia, N.H., was born on the farm which is now his home, August 14, 1828, son of Zadoc and Polly (Moses) Robinson.
Nathaniel Robinson, the great-grandfather
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of John M., moved from Epping, and settled . at an early date in Laconia, then called Gil- manton and later Meredith, taking up a tract of practically wild land. He participated with some distinction in the French and Indian War, after which he returned to his home in Meredith, where he was one of the first set- tlers, and where he spent the remainder of his days, living to a good age.
Captain Joseph Robinson, his son, born June 11, 1760, succeeded to the homestead. He served in the Revolutionary War, under General Stark, and was at the battle of Ben- nington. He married Judith York, and their union was blessed by the birth of ten children, six sons and four daughters; namely, Nathan- iel, Gideon, John. Joseph, Dorothy, Sarah, Nathaniel, Judith. Zadoc B., and Sarah. The first Nathaniel and Sarah, and also Gideon, died in childhood; John went to Marblehead, Mass., but eventually returned to the old homestead, where the closing years of his life were spent; Joseph migrated to Orange, Vt., and afterward lived there; Dorothy married Benjamin Foss, of Meredith; Nathaniel mar- ried Mahala Moses, and spent his life in his native town; Judith remained on the home- stead; Sarah became the wife of Daniel Higgins.
Zadoc B. Robinson, born January 23, 1799, died February 28, 1882, having .lived to be eighty-three years old. He followed farming here with success. He married August 27, 1820, Polly Moses, of Meredith, and by this union had three children, two sons and one daughter; namely, Joshua A., Angeline, and John M. Joshua A., a wheelwright by trade, lived in Laconia the greater part of his life. After the death of his first wife, Adeline Fox, he married Juliann Moore. The first union was blessed by the birth of one daughter, Laura T., and the second, by one son, Mark
M. Robinson, of Laconia. Angeline married Noah Brown, and for a number of years lived in East Tilton, but both she and her husband died in Laconia. Their mother was ninety- one years of age at the time of her death, Jan- mary 17, 1888. Both parents were members of the Baptist church, whose house of worship stood near their home.
After attending the district school and Mer- edith High School, John M. Robinson worked at farming for a time. At about twenty-five years of age he went to Ohio; and during the years immediately following he was engaged in railroading in Ohio, Kentucky, and other States. Returning to New Hampshire, he continued his connection with the railroad business at Lakeport, where he remained up to June, 1861. He then came back to the home- stead farm that had been handed down from his great-grandfather, and has since engaged in carrying it on with profit.
Mr. Robinson has always been a Republi- can, and has held various positions of trust. Hle was elected to the legislature in 1875. Years ago he was a member of the Baptist church, whose meeting-house formerly stood near his residence.
March 26, 1856, Mr. Robinson married Miss Lucinda H. Severance, daughter of Peter and Judith (Glidden) Severance, of Sandwich, later of Meredith. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are the parents of three daughters; namely, Judith Annie, Carrie Blanche, and Ellen Wadleigh. Judith Annie was graduated from the New Hampshire State Normal School at Plymouth, and has since followed teaching. Carrie Blanche attended the same school, but owing to poor health did not remain to finish the course. She has since become the wife of Samuel A. Garland, of Meredith, and the mother of two sons - Irving Robinson and Edgar Drew. Ellen Wadleigh attended the
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New Hampton Institution, was graduated from the commercial department, and taught a while, but not liking the work gave it up.
ENJAMIN M. STEVENS, " a prac- tical agriculturist of Rochester, Strafford County, N.H., was born February 18, 1823, in the town of Somers- worth, this State, a few miles distant, which was also the birthplace of his father, John Stevens, and of his grandfather, Moses Stevens.
John Stevens was a shoemaker by trade, and worked at that occupation in connection with farming, continuing both until his death, be- fore reaching the prime of manhood, in 1827. He enlisted in the War of 1812 as member of a company of artillery, but did not go beyond Portsmouth. In politics he was a pronounced Whig. He married Lydia Hussey, of Somers- worth, and they became the parents of four children, namely: George, of Somersworth; Louis, deceased ; Benjamin M .; and Charles, deceased.
Benjamin M. Stevens completed his educa- tion in the common schools of his native town when about sixteen years old, and from that time earned his own living. He began first as a farm laborer, but for some years continued to reside with his widowed mother. In 1855 he bought the Pinkham farm in Madbury, where he lived for three years. He then returned to Somersworth, and a year later went to Rollins- ford, going from there a short time afterward to Madbury, where for another three years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. The fol- lowing year he spent in Barrington, whence he again returned to Madbury. Two years later, in October, 1871, Mr. Stevens purchased the farm on which he now resides in Rochester. and has since been actively and prosperously
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