USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 67
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OMINICUS HANSON, a wealthy landowner and one of the oldest and best known citizens of Roches- ter, Strafford County, N.H., resides in the house in which he was born nearly eighty-four years ago, August 23, 1813, and is a son of Joseph and Charity (Dame) Hanson.
Joseph Hanson, the father, was born in Dover, N.H., December 18, 1764, son of Humphrey Hanson, and died at Rochester, December 19, 1832. He came to Rochester when a young man, and engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until within a few years of his death. His marriage to Charity Dame took place March 4, 1798. She was born in Rochester, September I, 1775, and died February 3, 1833. They had ten children, but only two sons are living, namely : Dominicus, of this sketch; and Asa P. Hanson, of Newton, Ia. Joseph Hanson
was a stanch Whig; but, though often solicited to accept public office, he invariably declined.
Dominicus Hanson was educated in the Rochester common schools, Rochester Acad- emy, Parsonsfield Seminary of Maine, and Hopkinton and Pembroke Academies of New Hampshire. In 1830, at seventeen years of age, he began in the drug business as an ap- prentice to his brother-in-law, Dr. Smith, with whom he remained two years. At the end of that time he bought out Dr. Smith, and conducted the business alone, with the excep- tion of a few years when he was here at school, until the fire of December, 1880. He subse- quently erected on the same site the fine building now occupied by R. De Witt Burn- ham; but he did not again personally take up the business, and has since lived practically . in retirement. His residence was built over one hundred years ago. At the time the rail- roads were built through Rochester he opened the thoroughfare known as Hanson Street through his garden, and has always maintained it at his own cost, spending many thousand dollars to keep it in proper condition. He also owns valuable real estate in and around Central Square.
On September 19, 1839, Mr. Hanson mar- ried Miss Betsy S. Chase, daughter of Simon Chase, of Milton, who conducted a mercantile business in Rochester. Two sons were born to them, namely : Charles A. C., born Au- gust 18, 1844; and George Washington, born
July 6, 1854, died January 6, 1856. The elder son has always kept a residence in Rochester, although for several years he car- ried on business in New York City, first con- ducting a drug store and later a lithograph business. He has now severed his business connections there, and spends the greater part of his time in Rochester.
It is to this son that credit is due for the es-
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DOMINICUS HANSON.
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tablishment of the conservation fund, provid- ing for the perpetual care and improvement of the old cemetery. He spent over three hun- dred dollars to start the undertaking properly, raised the fund to about five thousand dollars, and then turned the money over to the town for the purpose specified. While engaged in making final arrangements for the completion of this work, he was severely injured by an ele- vator, and crippled for life.
In politics Dominicus Hanson is a stanch Democrat. He was an earnest supporter of General Jackson for the Presidency at the time of his candidacy for a second term, though he was not old enough to vote. He cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, and has voted at every election since. Before his majority, and without seeking the position, he was appointed Postmaster of his native village by General Jackson ; and he continued to hold the office under the administrations of Van Buren and Harrison. He was a Director of the Norway Plains Savings Bank for a number of years, resigning this position in 1896.
In religious opinions Mr. Hanson is a liberal. Although especially interested in the Universalist faith, he is kindly disposed toward all, believing in the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and a higher, better life for all. No man is more highly esteemed and universally respected by his many friends.
AMES D. HAYES, a venerable and honored citizen of Rochester, Straf- ford County, N. H., who well merits the high respect accorded him by his friends and fellow-townsmen, was born on the farm where he now resides, July 31, 1808, son of Benjamin and Martha (Evans) Hayes. He is a descendant of one of the early Scotch settlers of New England.
Benjamin Hayes was born in Rochester, July 7, 1771, on the same farm where his son, James D., now resides, though in another house, situated about a quarter of a mile away. He was reared to farming, which occupation he followed through life, clearing and improv- ing a homestead. He was a man of practical views and of sound judgment, and he possessed in a high degree the esteem of his fellow-citi- zens .. A Democrat in politics, he was elected on that ticket to the State legislature, serving for two years; and for a long time he was Treasurer of Strafford County. He married Martha Evans, who was born February 10, 1780, and they had the following children : Mary, born January 18, 1801, died March 26, 1883; Lydia, born August 13, 1802, died Oc- tober 5, 1803; Betsey, born June 23, 1804; Lucy, born July 10, 1806, died May 24, 1848; James D., whose nativity is given elsewhere in this sketch; Abiah B., born October 14, 1810; Stephen E., born November 24, 1813; a babe unnamed, born April 22, 1816; Martha A., born April 23, 1817; Caroline D., twin sister of Martha A. ; Jonas B., born January 7, 1821, died February 14, 1821. Benjamin Hayes, the father, lived to a good old age, dying February 22, 1850. The mother died April 18, 1824.
James D. Hayes was educated in the public schools of Rochester, and from his carliest boyhood was trained to agricultural pursuits. In 1824 he left the parental home, going to Roxbury, Mass., where he was engaged in gar- dening for eleven years, Boston being a very convenient market for his produce. Return- ing to the old homestead in 1835, he was soon after attacked by rheumatism, which racked his body and tortured him for two years. On recovering from this illness, Mr. Hayes as- sumed the management of the farm, and has since carried on general farming and dairying
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with very satisfactory results, his land being in a good condition, and yielding well of the crops common to this part of New Hampshire. Mr. Hayes has never taken unto himself a wife, evidently having had no desire to test the much mooted question, "Is marriage a failure?" He was a regular attendant of the Universalist church in his earlier days, and still believes
.. That true salvation is to live the life divine.
And that heaven is now and ever where true love and goodness shine."
In politics he is a stanch Democrat, having never swerved from allegiance to the faith in which he was brought up.
RISTRAM A. YOUNG, * an active, able, and prosperous agriculturist of Dover, son of J. Thompson Young, owns and occupies the farm on which he was born in 1848. This estate has been in the possession of the Young family for several generations, the first of the name to whom it was deeded having been Israel Young, great-grandfather of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He came here from England in Colonial times, settling at once on this farm, which he afterward made his home. Jonathan, son of Israel and the next in direct line of descent, succeeded to the ownership of the homestead, and here spent his life as a farmer, rearing his sons to the same independent occu- pation.
J. Thompson Young was born, bred, and lived on this farm, his death occurring in 1864, when he was but forty-three years old. He was an excellent farmer and a man of in- fluence in the town, serving for several years as Selectman. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth L. DeMerritt, survived him
about thirty years, passing away in 1894, at the age of sixty-eight. They had eleven chil- dren; namely, Abigail. C., Tristram A., Israel I., Jacob D)., Martha S., James T., Clarissa L., George A., John T., Annie A., and John I .. John T., the ninth child in order of birth, died when very young.
Tristram A. Young received his education in the public schools and at Franklin Acad- emy. After the death of his father the care of the widowed mother and her family de- pended largely upon him as the eldest son, and although but a youth he proved himself ener- getic and capable. The farm, whose manage- ment he at once assumed, contains one hundred and seven acres; and during the time it has been under his care -- now more than thirty years - he has added to the improve- ments already begun. A man of intelligence, enterprise, and persistence, Mr. Young has carried on his work successfully, ranking now among the leading farmers of this part of the county. He keeps quite a number of cows, and for the past twenty-five years has sold milk from the cart in the city.
Mr. Young was married in 1873 to Miss Amanda S. Wiggins. Politically, Mr. Young affiliates with the Republican party, and takes an active part in public affairs. He was Se- lectman from Ward Three for twelve years, and a member of the Common Council two years. He is a member of Mount Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Dover; and of the Dover Grange.
RED HERBERT SMITH,' a member of the New Hampshire legislature of 1897-98, is a successful dairy farmer and fruit-grower of Meredith, Belknap County. He was born in the adjacent town of La- conia, N. H., February 9, 1856, son of Moody | H. and Caroline (Warner) Smith. His pa-
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ternal grandfather, Hezekiah Smith, who was a native of New Hampton, N. H., settled in Meredith in 1814. His death occurred here a few years later, but not till after he had cleared the farm adjoining the one now owned by his grandson. Grandfather Smith married Polly Sinclair, and had a family of nine chil- dren.
His son, Moody H., was born in Meredith, and after leaving school he learned the shoe- maker's trade. When a young man he went to Lynn, Mass., which was then but a small town, and, establishing himself in the shoe manufacturing business, carried on quite an extensive enterprise for twenty-five years. He then sold out, and, going to Laconia, con- ducted a repair shop there for twenty years. He next removed to a farm in" Sandwich, N.H., where he resided about twelve years, his last days being spent with his children. He died at the home of his son, Fred H., No- vember 19, 1888. Previous to the Rebellion he was a Democrat, but from that time until his death he acted with the Republican party. His wife, Caroline Warner, who was a native of Salem, Mass., became the mother of the following children : Augustus, who resides in Centre Harbor, N.H. ; Charles B., a resident of Lynn; William E., of Meredith; Fanny C., wife of J. Frank Smith, of Campton, N.H. ; Horace, who is residing in Biddeford, Me. ; Arthur, who died in infancy .; Frank W. ; Fred H., the subject of this sketch; George Sumner; Albert Edward, who died in in- fancy; and Carrie, wife of R. L. Smith, of Tamworth, N.H. Mrs. Moody H. Smith was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Fred Herbert Smith attended the public schools, and at an early age adopted agricult- ural pursuits for his occupation. He bought the farm he now occupies in 1887, and he cultivates thirty of his ninety acres of land.
He has a large apple orchard, raises good crops of hay and corn, keeps ten head of cattle, and ships considerable butter to Lynn.
On November 28, 1888, Mr. Smith was joined in marriage with Linda C. Smith, daughter of Lewis Smith, of Sandwich, N.H. Two children, a daughter, Edith M., and a son, Clarence A., have been born to them; but the son is no longer living.
Mr. Smith takes an active interest in local political affairs, and supports the Republican party. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Education, and in 1896 was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representa- tives. He is a Past Master of Chocorua Lodge, F. & A. M .; and is a Past Master, and at the present time Secretary of Winne- pesaukee-Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Baptist church.
ILLIAM H. H. TWOMBLY,* a prosperous dairy farmer of Mad- bury, Strafford County, N. H., was born on the farm he now occupies, October 16, 1840, son of Hurd Twombly. His father, Hurd, and his grandfather, John Twombly, were born on the farm now occupied by Judge Young.
After attending district and high schools in his native town, William H. H. Twombly pursued a course of study in Franklin Acad- emy at Dover, remaining on the home farm until he attained his majority. Six months he then spent in Boston, Mass., after which he returned home. On May 5, 1864, he en- listed in the Strafford Guards, belonging to the State militia, being mustered in at Dover, N. H., and was stationed for three months at Fort Constitution, a United States military post at Portsmouth, N. H. Since that time he has carried on general and dairy farming with
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marked success, owning a finely cultivated farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, located on the old stage road from Dover to Strafford, four and a half miles south-east of Dover.
Mr. Twombly and his wife, who before marriage was Miss Mary E. Hall, have had nine children; namely, Roscoe, George E., John H., Gilman II., Harry L., Walter T. (deceased), Leonia HI., William P., and Fred- erick C. Politically, Mr. Twombly holds firmly to the principles of the Democratic party. He has efficiently served as Selectman of Madbury for two years.
OSEPH W. COE, a prominent and in- fluential citizen of Durham, Strafford County, for many years engaged in mercantile business, is now living on one of the finest improved forme in the county, giving his attention to agriculture. He is a son of Joseph Coe, and a grandson of the Rev. Ralph C. Coe, a distinguished divine of the Congre- gational denomination.
Ralph C. Coe was born in Middletown, Conn., and there fitted for the ministry. In 1787 he accepted the pastorate of the Durham Congregational church, and, moving his family to this town, ministered unto the spiritual wants of his little flock for twenty-six years. In 1813 he was called to the New Market church, where he was settled until his death. He married a daughter of Judge Thompson.
Joseph Coe was bred and educated in Dur- ham, and from an early age was noted for his enterprise and practical ability. When a boy of sixteen years, he established himself as a saddler and harness-maker, hiring a journey- man, from whom he learned the trade, of which he had no previous knowledge; and for several years he conducted a lucrative business in the
manufacture of horse gear. He subsequently engaged in mercantile business in Durham for a score of years, running two stores the greater part of the time; and in addition to this, in partnership with James Jay, father of Fred Jay, the well-known railway attorney of De- troit, Mich., he carried on ship-building. A man of far more than average business ca- pacity, he was prospered in his various under- takings, and accumulated a competency. He erected the store now occupied by C. E. Hayes, and for some time carried on business in that locality. To him and his wife, Tem- perance Pickering, seven children were born; namely, Ebenezer P., Temperance A., Rich- ard E., John E., Joseph W., Federal B., and one other.
Joseph W. Coe is the only surviving mem- ber of the parental household. He has passed his entire life in this place, here acquiring his education, which was completed at the Dur- ham Academy. After leaving school, he was engaged in farming until about thirty years old, when he entered into mercantile pursuits with his father; and after his father's death he continued the business alone for about twenty years. Mr. Coe then sold his store, and, purchasing his present farm of ninety acres, has since carried on general farming in all of its branches, his estate being one of the most attractive and desirable in the county.
Mr. Coe married Miss Harriet S. Churchill. Seven children have been born of this union ; namely, Mary E., Richard E., Jeannette L., Gertrude A., Margaret A., Harriet A., and Helen E. Politically, Mr. Coe is a decided Republican, and for fifteen years he was Post- master of Durham. He is a member of the Congregational church, and is Chairman of the Historical Committee appointed by the town to make arrangements for the preparation and publication of a history of Durham.
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· RANDALL BUSSEY, D. D.S.,* is located in Dover, where, though young both in years and in experi- ence, he has already demonstrated his skill in dentistry, and has gained a fair share of prac- tice in his profession. He was born Novem- ber 2, 1869, in Chicago, Ill., where his father, G. Henry Bussey, was then engaged in business.
G Henry Bassey when a young man became identified with the manufacturing interests of Chicago, owning a large stove foundry there, and carrying on an extensive business. On the evening of the Sth of October, 1871, OC- curred the great fire in that city, in which countless numbers of business men lost every- thing, Mr. Bussey being no exception to the rule, as his plant was entirely destroyed. Re- moving then to Troy, N. Y., he was there established in a similar business for several years, after which he transferred his interests to Idaho, where he is an extensive dealer in general merchandise, owning several stores.
S. Randall Bussey being very young when his parents settled in Troy, there continued his education in the public schools and the academy. On leaving the academy, he worked in the foundry for his father for two years; and the ensuing two years he was a student at the Troy Preparatory College. His health giving out at this time, he accompanied his father to Idaho, but after a few months' recuperation in that State returned Fast, going · direct to Philadelphia, where he took a five years' course in the Philadelphia Dental and Surgical College. In April, 1894, shortly after his graduation, Dr. Bussey came to Dover, and, purchasing the office and dental practice of Dr. Knight, has since been ac- tively and prosperously engaged in the prac- tice of his profession.
On October 27, 1893, Dr. S. Randall Bus-
sey was united in marriage with Miss Martha WV. Miller, of Philadelphia, Pa. Politically, the Doctor is a pronounced Republican, though he takes no active part in local affairs. He is a member of the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, of Dover; of the Dental Col- lege Order; and of the Bellamy Club of this city.
LBION K. P. HARVEY, M.D., a practising physician and surgeon of Somersworth, Strafford County, N. H., was born in Dixfield, Me., May 9, 1855, son of Albert and Satira (Eastman) Harvey. Albert Harvey was a native of Dix- field, in which town he spent the greater part of his life. He enlisted for service in the Civil War in Company A, Thirtieth Maine Regiment, and was wounded at the battle of Pleasant Hill by a minie ball. He died from the effect of his wound at the Barracks Hos- pital in New Orleans, at the age of thirty-six years, leaving a wife and five small children. He commanded a division of the pioneers in the Red River expedition under General Banks. In politics a Democrat, he was an active worker for his party, and had held town office. Hlis widow, who also is a native of Dixfield, is now living, at the age of sixty- seven years.
Albion K. P. Harvey attended the common schools until fourteen years old. Desiring better educational advantages, he left home, and, finding employment on farms and in logging camps, he earned enough to pay his expenses at Yarmouth and Hebron Academies, .and at the age of eighteen bad fitted for col- lege. He now engaged in teaching for a time, when he went to Boston to learn the drug business, at which he worked for two years, being subsequently engaged in the same business for himself at Winthrop, Me.,
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for a similar length of time. He then went to Lewiston, Me., where he began the study of medicine with Dr. Bradford. His medical studies were continued at the Eclectic Medi- cal College in Lewiston, Me., where after attendance at three full courses of lectures he was graduated. Two years later he entered the Chicago Homoeopathic Medical College, one of the finest institutions of the kind in the country, and was graduated in 1888, being second in a class of about one hundred mem- bers. Since then he has attended medical lectures yearly at the New York Post-gradu- ate Medical College, which admits to demon- strations in all the various hospitals of New York City. In the spring of 1885 Dr. Harvey engaged in practice in Lewiston, where he was one of the leading physicians, being operator at the Sisters of Charity Hos- pital for five years. In January, 1895, he came to Somersworth, where he has since built up a fine practice, one of the largest in the State. He is especially noted for his skill and success in surgery. His office is equipped with the most improved surgical ap- pliances, and nothing has been omitted that might be required for the most delicate or difficult operation.
On November 11, 1878, Dr. Harvey mar- ried Miss Fannie F. Niles, of Canton, Ox- ford County, Me., daughter of Timothy B. and Maria (Francis) Niles. Her father was a soldier in the Civil War, and lost his life in defence of the Union. Mrs. Harvey is a well-educated and accomplished lady, retiring in manner, and one who has the happy faculty of making friends wherever she goes.
Dr. Harvey is politically an independent. While residing in Auburn he served as city physician ; and he subsequently held the same office in Lewiston, where he served also as a member of the City Council and on the
School Board. He was a member of Mount David Lodge, K. of P., of Lewiston, and is now Commander of the Second Battalion, First New Hampshire Regiment, Uniform Rank, K. of P.
R EV. AJALON D. JONES,* who on account of impaired health has been obliged to rest from his ministerial labors, and is now engaged in farming in the town of Belmont, Belknap. County, N. H., was born in Turner, Me., January 24, 1838, a son of Alonzo and Eunice (Allen) Jones. Benja- min Jones, the father of Alonzo, was also a native of Turner, and lived there until middle age, when he removed to Andover in the same State. In Turner he owned a large farm, which he carried on with success, raising con- siderable stock, which was then a profitable occupation ; and after his removal to Andover he continued to follow farming. He was a member of the Baptist church. He was twice married, and he had twelve children by his first wife and eight by his second wife. Those of the second union, named in the order of their birth, were: Araminta, Philo, Alonzo, Judson, Julia, Eliza, Jeannette, and William.
Alonzo Jones, born November 6, 1808, in Turner, Me., married on March 7, 1833, Eunice Allen, daughter of Levi and Deborah (Miles) 'Allen. Six children were born to them; namely, Waldo, Ajalon D., Electa A., James A., Oscar A., and Prescott M. Waldo Jones, the first-born, enlisted in the Twenti- eth Maine Regiment in 1861, was taken sick about a year later, and, dying, was buried on the battle-field. He left a widow and two children. Electa A., who never married, died at twenty-three years of age. James A. en- listed in Company D of the Fourth New Hampshire Regiment from Laconia. He also died in service. Oscar A. was severely
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wounded, but lived many years after. He married Freedom Sanborn, who, with their two children, survived him. She was a native of Sanbornton, and they were living in that town at the time of his death. Prescott M. Jones died at twenty-three years of age.
At the time his parents removed to An- dover, Me., Ajalon D. Jones was but four years old; and his elementary education was received in the schools of that town. He sub- sequently studied at the New Hampton Insti- tution, and following that entered on a course in theology at the Bates Theological School, Lewiston, Me. ; but his studies there were in- terrupted on account of his health breaking clown. In June, 1873, he was ordained at the Free Baptist church in Litchfield Plains, Me., by the Rev. Albert Perrington, of Lewiston, Me. He afterward accepted a call to the Litchfield Plains church, with which he re- mained two years, going next to North Ber- wick, and two years later taking charge of a new church in North Nottingham, N. H., with which he was connected for two years. Later he was pastor of the church in East Albany, Vt., four years, at the end of which, on ac- count of failing health, he went West. He was so much benefited by his six months' stay that upon his return he accepted the position of pastor of the church in Corinth, Vt. ; but while there his health again failed, and he was obliged to give up pastoral work. Com- ing to Belmont, he has here taken up farming in the hope that the outdoor life will give renewed strength for future labors in the work that has become so dear to him. At one time he was sent to Moose River, P.Q., Canada, to conduct evangelistic work in a church that had become weak; and in the two years that he spent there its membership was increased by thirty-two. With one exception, in all the churches over which he has been pastor his
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