USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 66
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and later came to The Weirs, Laconia. On coming here, he had no intention of entering the hotel business. In one summer he took a few boarders, in the next he was asked to take more, in the following summer still more, and so on, necessitating the enlargement of his house. It will now accommodate between forty and fifty people, and is quite a favorite with boarders. Mr. Spaulding possesses the happy faculty of bringing strangers together for their own amusement. Another attraction of the place is a spring, discovered in 1889, when the trenches for the foundations of the building were dug. Upon having the water of this spring tested by the State chemist, it was found to be equal in efficacy to the best known curative waters, while free from their impurities.
On May 1, 1854, Mr. Spaulding was joined in marriage with Miss Jane Felch, daughter of Parker Felch, of Piermont. Mr. Spauld- ing was Selectmaa for Ward One, Laconia, for three years. Ile is a member of the J. L. Perley Post, No. 37, G. A. R., of Laconia, and of The Weirs Grange, No. 248, in which he is the present Overseer.
RS. MARILLA M. RICKER, attorney - at - law and writer, was born in New Durham, this State. She comes of a long line of ancestors who were members of the legal profession. Her father, Jonathan B. Young, was born on the farm settled by his grandfather. He was a broad, liberal-minded man, a stanch Whig, and a suffragist. With the political doings of the world he kept himself in touch through the columns of the New York Weekly Tribune and the Boston Cultivator. The influence of her father's liberal spirit during her youth must be counted as one of the chief factors in the
bent of Mrs. Ricker's genius and its later de- velopment. Mr. Young had four children - -. Joseph D., Marilla, Helen Frances, and Ade- laide. Joseph D., the only son, enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the Third New Hampshire Regiment, Company I. He was gallant soldier, and lost his life on Edisto Island, South Carolina, in 1862. This was Mrs. Ricker's first great grief, and its memory has never been quite lost. Helen Frances Young married Samuel G. Jones, of New Durham. She died in 1870. Adelaide Young, who is unmarried, is a professional nurse in Connecticut.
Marilla M. attended the district schools of New Durham in her childhood, and later at Colby Academy fitted to be a teacher, paying her expenses by teaching in the district schools. She began the work at the age of sixteen, and for seven years was one of the most successful instructors in the State. She still believes that "teachers are born, not made," and looks back with great pleasure to the time when she was a "school-marm." In 1863 she married Mr. John Ricker, of Dover, N. H., who lived only five years after. At twenty-eight Mrs. Ricker was a widow, with no children and with means sufficient to en- able her to devote her time and her heart to any work in which she felt called upon to engage. After travelling for some years in America, she went abroad, remaining for three years; and, spending much of that time in Germany, she acquired perfect command of the German language. Returning to this coun- try, she entered the law office of A. B. Will- iams in Washington, D.C., and in 1883 was one of a class of nineteen to apply for admis- sion to the bar in the District of Columbia. She received first rank in the examination, and was said to give evidence of possessing more extensive legal knowledge than had ever been
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displayed by any other candidate. She began the practice of law in the courts of Washing- ton, and has practised there ever since. She has a broad charity and an intense sympathy for all unfortunates, and her practice has lain largely with criminals. She may frequently be found in the jails on Sundays, befriending the needy and offering words of encouragement and cheer to the prisoners. She works for all, good and bad alike, and has long been known as the "Prisoners' Friend."
Since being admitted to practice in the courts of the District of Columbia, she has been admitted to the bar in New Hampshire and in Utah; and in 1891 she was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court. She was appointed by President Arthur a Notary Public; and in 1884, by the judges of the District Supreme Court, United States Commissioner and Examiner in Chancery, both of which offices she still holds. Out- side of her practice Mis. Ricker is chicfly interested in politics. Brought up a suffragist and a Whig, she is ever ready with pen or voice to help speed the principles of the great Republican party. She has written many let- ters on the tariff, and is to be found in every campaign delivering addresses and using all her influence for the success of her party. During the campaign for Harrison she made lecturing tours through California and Iowa, and she made many stump speeches and wrote many articles for the Mckinley campaign. She is especially interested in the currency question. On the success of her party in the late election (1896) Mrs. Ricker conceived the worthy ambition of representing the United States of America as Envoy Extraordi- nary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Re- public of the United States of Colombia, a position for which she was in every way well qualified. Her application for that or for
"some other diplomatic position of equal rank and importance " was strongly indorsed by in- fluential men, not only in New Hampshire, but elsewhere, the States of California, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, and Massachusetts being represented in the petitions presented to the President in her behalf. Ex-Senator Henry W. Blair had a personal interview with Presi- dent Mckinley on the matter, and also wrote him a forcible letter calling attention to the strength of Mrs. Ricker's claim to the appoint- ment, "so far as character, ability, education, professional acquirements, experience, culture, and all the varied accomplishments which would adorn the position and reflect honor upon her country are concerned." His letter was referred to by the Boston Investigator as "a very strong 'Woman's Rights' document from a somewhat conservative source." Not- withstanding such substantial support, her application was rejected, the appointment going to Mr. Charles B. Hart. Mrs. Ricker accepted the result in a calm and philosophical spirit, and immediately wrote a congratulatory letter to the appointee. To others she said : "I am still a Republican and still a Mckinley woman. I am well satisfied with this admin- istration, and expect to work for Mckinley's renomination and re-election in 1900." Mrs. Ricker is a member of the Woman Suffrage Association and a liberal contributor to the cause both in money and with her pen. She is a firm believer in the ultimate success of the suffrage movement, and has the distinction of being the first woman in Dover, N. H., who tried to vote. It was in 1870 that she ap- peared before the Selectmen of the town and asked to have her name put on the check list, claiming to be a law-abiding and tax-paying citizen.
Mrs. Ricker is an advanced free thinker. She is a personal friend and an ardent admirer
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of Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll, and she pro- poses to offer a complete set of his works to ten New Hampshire towns each year until she shall have gone through all the town libraries. She has already offered a large number of copies, and in some cases the proposed gift has been received and in others refused. Some years ago she gave a set to the library of the State Prison. Mrs. Ricker still claims Dover, N. H., as her home, though during the winter she is usually to be found in Washington. As to her attire, Mrs. Ricker dresses for comfort rather than as a votress of Dame Fashion. Her dresses are simply made, without big sleeves or too long skirts ; and her hair is worn short and curled. She always wears a frill of soft lace at the throat, which lessens the effect of plainness and gives a womanly set- ting to her strong, intellectual face.
OHN W. EDGERLY, a prominent real estate dealer of Concord, N. H., was born in Meredith, N. H., January 16, 1846, son of William M. and Lydia (Fogg) Edgerly. His grandfather, Samuel Edgerly, went from Kensington, N. H., to Meredith when a young man, and, being possessed of excellent business ability and good judgment, succeeded in accumulating considerable prop- erty. He married Betsey Smith, and reared nine children ; namely, Joseph, David, John, Daniel, William, Sarah, Polly, Jane, and Hannah. On both the paternal and maternal side Mr. Edgerly's great-grandfathers served in the Revolutionary War.
William M. Edgerly, John W. Edgerly's father, was born in Meredith in 1812. He was educated in the public schools, and reared to agricultural pursuits upon the homestead farm, where he remained until he was twenty- five years old. He then bought a farm and
continued to till the soil with energy as long as he was able to engage in active pursuits. In politics he was a Republican. His wife, Lydia Fogg, who was a daughter of David Fogg, of Meredith, became the mother of five children, as follows: George G., who died in New Orleans, La., at the age of twenty-five ycars; Charles C., who is no longer living; Joseph W., who resides in Syracuse, N. Y .; John W., the subject of this sketch; and Frank G., who lives in Concord, and is High Sheriff of Merrimack County. Mr. and Mrs. William M. Edgerly are members of the Free Baptist church.
John W. Edgerly began his education in the schools of Meredith, and completed his studies at the New Hampton Literary Institute. He resided at home until reaching his majority, and then went to Concord, where he entered mercantile life as clerk in a grocery store. A few months later he engaged in that busi - ness on his own account. He continued in trade until 1879, at which time he entered the real estate field ; and he has since been engaged in developing and handling city property.
On April 25, 1869, Mr. Edgerly was united in marriage with Emma P. Dolloff, daughter of Joseph Dolloff, of New Hampton. Her parents died when she was quite young ; and she then lived with her sister in Concord, where she was educated, graduating from the high school of that city. Mrs. Edgerly's great-grandfather, Samuel Dolloff, was of Russian descent. He was a pioneer in New Hampton ; and he cleared and improved the Dolloff farm, whch is now owned by Mrs. Edgerly. John Dolloff, grandfather of Mrs. Edgerly, was a lifelong resident of New Hampton, and followed farming and cooper- ing throughout his active period. He had a good education, and was exceedingly devoted to the cause of religion. Joseph Dolloff, Mrs.
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Edgerly's father, was brought up on the home- stead in New Hampton, to the ownership of which he eventually succeeded. There he was born, lived nearly his whole life, and died. Mr. Dolloff had a family of nine children, of whom six, besides Mrs. Edgerly, lived to maturity, mamely: Lavinia P., who married William E. Gordon, of New Hampton, and lives in Concord; Martha M. N., who married Edward R. Robinson, of Concord; Joseph Y. and Frank F., who both lived in Concord until their deaths; John S. S., who was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor in the Civil War; and William P., who was the originator of the remedy for rheumatic troubles known as the "Wonderful Winter Green." He was a resi- dent of New York City, but died in Concord in 1891.
The late Hon. George G. Fogg, formerly United States Senator and Minister to Switz- erland, was Mr. Edgerly's uncle; and a short sketch of the career of that noted New Hamp- shire politician will no doubt be appreciated by the readers of the "REVIEW." The Hon. George G. Fogg was an able lawyer in his younger days, and possessed literary attain- ments of a high order. When the Independent Democrat was established, he was requested to become its editor. As a writer he eloquently upheld his political convictions, and his for- cible pen thrusts were keenly felt by his oppo- nents. He was associated with John P. Hale in the work of organizing the Republican party, and was the man who introduced Abra- ham Lincoln to a Concord audience as "our next President." He was Chairman of the Republican National Committee during the campaign of 1860; and President Lincoln ap- pointed him United States Minister to Switz- crland, a position which he held until 1865. After his return he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate, and
when his term was completed he resumed charge of his newspaper. The Independent Democrat was later consolidated with the New Hampshire Statesman, published by the Con- cord Republican Press Assocation, of Concord; and Mr. Fogg finally sold his interest in the enterprise to the Hon. William E. Chandler. His last days were spent in retirement at his home in Concord; and he died in October, 1881.
ARED ALONZO GREENE, M.D., a resident of Long Island, in the town of Moultonboro, and one of the most prominent citizens of New Hampshire, known throughout the civilized world for his connec- tion with the famous remedy, "Nervura," was born in Whitingham, Windham County, Vt., November 5, 1845. His father, Reuben Greene, M. D., removing to Boston a few years after, he attended the public schools in that city, and later engaged in the study of medicine with the view of succeeding to his father's practice. His room became a sort of curiosity shop of medical appliances, contain- ing odd bones, bundles of herbs, jars of pills, big charts, and medical books, and even a human skeleton, which was kept under the bed. With this heterogeneous collection constantly in sight, and his mind filled with the thought of the vast amount of work that must be done before he could be a full-fledged physician, he at length became so tired of the study of medi- cine that, with only three dollars in his pocket, and without paternal sanction or knowledge, he set out for the West, and at Omaha secured employment as driver of six yoke of oxen attached to a large freight wagon for the purpose of transporting flour and tools from that city to the mining camps of Denver, Col. After many thrilling experiences in Western mining camps he enlisted in 1863,
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when only a youth of eighteen, in the Second Colorado Cavalry, and served throughout the war, receiving honorable discharge in the fall of 1865 at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. The title of Colonel, which he now bears, was given thirty years later upon his appointment as senior aide-de-camp on Commander Buzzell's staff of the Grand Army of the Republic.
After the war he renewed his medical studies, and in 1867 received his degree from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, and at once established hinself for prac- tice at 34 Temple Place, Boston, in the same building which is still his Boston office. In 1886 Dr. Greene retired from active participa- tion in the medicine business, but still retains a partnership with his brother, Dr. F. E. Greene. The business has reached enormous proportions, and over a hundred men and women are employed. In making appoint- ments of employees, Dr. Greene has been careful to select New Hampshire men; and thirteen of the firm's travelling salesmen and heads of departments are men chosen from the towns surrounding his present home. The head consulting physician of his Boston office is also a New Hampshire man.
In the summer of 1889 Dr. Greene bought six farms, which comprise his estate on Long Island. Here he lives, enjoying the cordial respect and admiration of his fellow-towns- men and dispensing a most generous hospital- ity. Immense numbers of visitors are received here every year ; and several of the fraternities of which the Doctor is a member have been entertained in a body, dinner being served in the grove in a single week, it is said, to as many as four thousand persons. With its high-bred horses, cattle and fowl, Roxmont is one of the most famous stock farms in the country. The extensive grounds surrounding the residence have been beautified by the land-
scape gardener's art, and command magnificent views in every direction. The "Castle," as it is fitly named, is a veritable storehouse of treasures of art and objects of virtu collected by Dr. and Mrs. Greene in their travel abroad in many lands. The main hall is twenty- seven feet high, with a gallery running around it, finished in oak and draped with costly Eastern rugs, which give an Oriental effect ; while the broad fireplace beneath, with its hospitable glow, and the carved hall clock, with its sweet Westminster chimes, make the fortunate guest almost feel himself to be in one of the great manor houses of England. Among the many curios shown to visitors are swords, battle- axes, spears, shields, canes, and bric-a-brac from every country on the face of the globe.
Since coming to New Hampshire, Dr. Greene has identified himself intimately with the various industries of this region, and has won a place for himself as well among busi. ness men as in social and intellectual circles. He is President of the Winnepesaukee Trans- portation Company, is the principal owner in the Weirs' Hotel and Land Company, part owner of the Long Island Hotel, Director in two New Hampshire National Banks, director and shareholder in one of the largest and most influential daily newspapers in the State, and sole owner of the Daily and Weekly Gazette- Press, published at Nashua. His residing. here also has brought into the State a large amount of money that would otherwise have been spent elsewhere. He pays the Amos- keag Paper Company, of Manchester, over one hundred thousand dollars a year for paper used in the publication of his almanacs, circulars, and so forth; while the newspapers of the State receive from him between sixteen thou- sand and seventeen thousand dollars a year for advertising space.
Fraternally, the Doctor holds membership
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in the following named organizations : Odd Fellows, K. of P., Grange, Amoskeag Vet- erans, and the G. A. R. He is also a thirty- second degree Mason and an exalted member of the Royal Order of Eminent Good Fellows. Ilis touch with the Grand Army of the Repub- lic and his connection with various military bodies has always been very close, and he has taken great pride and pleasure in his member- ship in these bodies. It was he who pre- sented to the New Hampshire comrades the magnificent bald eagle that was borne at the head of their column in the grand procession at the Louisville reunion. The elegant ban- ner that is carried in all the parades of the State Grand Army of the Republic, and the beautiful gold-mounted sword worn by the commander, are also his gifts. In addition to these, his benevolences to various posts, in the matter of cancelling debts for buildings and of offering prizes and furnishing entertainment, have been many.
In politics Dr. Greene is a Republican ; and his firm adherence to the principles of his party, together with his acknowledged ability as a financier and his extensive knowledge of men and affairs, bid fair to lead him to high civic honors in his State.
ENRY A. WORTHEN, who is carry- ing on a thriving business as a car- riage manufacturer in Dover, N. H., is a son of the late Joseph and Dorothy (Mor- rill) Worthen. He was born June 25, 1840, in Amesbury, Mass., a town in Essex County noted for its carriage factories as well as for having long been the residence of the poet Whittier.
Joseph Worthen was born in Amesbury, and made that his permanent home, living there actively engaged as a ship-joiner until his
death in May, 1861, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a man of considerable promi- nence in his native place, an earnest worker in the Republican ranks, and held nearly all the offices within the gift of his fellow-townsmen. His wife, Dorothy, outlived him a number of years, dying in Amesbury, her native town, in February, 1893, aged eighty-nine years. Both she and her husband were valued members of the Orthodox church. They reared seven chil- dren - Nancy, William E., Susan L., Mary J., Charles O., John B., and Henry A.
Henry A. Worthen acquired his education in the public schools. At the age of seven- teen years he began to learn the carriage- maker's trade in his native town. Soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion he went to Hartford, Conn., where he was employed for a year in making equipments for the United States government. Returning then to Ames- bury, he opened a shop, and for two years was engaged in making bodies for buggies and carriages. Then securing a situation with the man for whom he served an apprenticeship, Mr. Worthen worked for him and for others until coming to Dover. Here he continued at his trade two years, when, in 1867, forming a partnership with C. C. Mills, he established a carriage manufactory, taking charge of the wood-work department himself. Some years later he purchased his partner's interest in the business, which he has since managed most successfully, having a large shop, and filling orders from all parts of the country. A man of great enterprise and industry, wise in his investments, prudent in his expenditures, he has accumulated a good property, and is one of the most prosperous business men of this city.
Mr. Worthen was married, May 10, 1875, to Miss Leola Severance, who was born in Great Falls, Strafford County, a daughter of Al-
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phonso and Rebecka Jane (Moore) Severance. In national politics Mr. Worthen is a stanch Republican; but in local affairs he has the courage of his convictions, and votes irrespec- tive of party lines for the candidate he deems best qualified for the office. He has devoted much of his time to interests outside of his own particular enterprises, having been a Di- rector of the Building Association for several years, a Director of the Dover Board of Trade since its formation, a Director of the City Im- provement Association, a Director of the Dover National Bank, and President of the Dover Five Cents Savings Bank. In 1896 he accepted the nomination as Representative to the legislature from Ward Four, and was elected for the term 1897 -- 98.
Mr. Worthen is a Scottish Rite Mason. He is also a member of Mount Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., of this city, and of the encamp- ment connected with this order, and is be- sides a Knight of Honor. Religiously, he is an active member of the Unitarian church.
6 EV. JOHN P. WATSON, son of Job and Elizabeth (Fish) Watson, was born on November 22, 1826, in Gilford, N.II., where the family home has been maintained but little less than a century. His grandfather was David Watson, who came to Gilford from Meredith, cleared land near Gunstock River near the present village, and began building a house in 1798. Jonathan and Job Watson, sons of David, lived for a time on the place; but the former subsequently removed to Meredith, and in 1811 Job, the father of the Rev. Mr. Watson, occupied the homestead.
Job Watson was born in Meredith on Janu- ary 1, 1781. He married Elizabeth Fish,
who was born April 23, 1792, and they be- came the parents of thirteen children, namely : Eliza; Mary; Sarah (Mrs. John Smith) ; Nancy (Mrs. Thomas Smith), who died in De- cember, 1895; Mercy; David; John; Eliza- beth (Mrs. Frank Malone) ; Laura (Mrs. Moses Merrill) ; William; Charles; and Sam- ucl and Orren (twins). The survivors are (1897) : Mercy, Elizabeth, Laura, William, and Charles.
William Watson married Mary E. Emerson, daughter of Charles Emerson, a manufacturer of New York City. He worked for a year and a half for his father-in-law, subsequently re- turning to Gilford, where he has since been engaged in farming. He has a family of six children, by name Nellie E., Charles H., Winifred, Abbie, Willie, and Alice. Charles Watson, another brother, graduated from Bow- doin College and from Union Theological Seminary, was ordained a Congregational clergyman, and preached many years. He is now living retired at Lynn, Mass. His wife was before her marriage Susan Bowman. She is the mother of four children - Rowland, Wilfred, Franklin, and Alice.
John P. Watson graduated from the academi- cal department of Bowdoin College, and sub- sequently studied theology in New York City and in Bangor (Me.) Theological Seminary. He was ordained in New York City as a clergy- man of the Presbyterian denomination, and began his pastoral duties first in Connecticut. Later he preached in Massachusetts, at Boston and in other. places. He was a man of deep piety, beloved by his congregations, and always ready to give friendly counsel or help. As a theologian he was unusually well read, and was sound in doctrine. He had a taste for historical research; and some years before his death, he began the preparation of a his- tory of Gilford and the surrounding towns.
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This was to embrace a description of the natu- ral features of the town, an account of the growth of population and industries, and the genealogy of its old families. Mr. Watson frequently came to Gilford in order to examine the records and to collect information for his work ; and, had he lived to publish the result of his labors, he would have given to his native town a valuable production. Some sheets were printed, awaiting revision; but death came before the work was ever put into book form. It shows careful .and extended research, a high sense of historical impartiality, and excellent method of arrangement. Mr. Wat- son was never married. He spent his life in devotion to his pastoral duties and among the books he loved so well. His death occurred on January 22, 1887, at the family homestead in Gilford, then as now occupied by his sister, Miss Mercy F. Watson.
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