USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 12
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His son, Enoch M. C. Lane, Mr. Albert C. Lane's father, was born in Stratham. In young manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, and at a later period in life he engaged in tilling the soil at the homestead which he inherited, and has been both progressive and * successful. He has occupied a leading posi - tion in political affairs, having served at vari- ous times as a member of the Board of Select- men. For many years he has figured conspic- uously as a member of the Congregational church, of which he is a Deacon; and he is to-day one of the oldest and most highly re- spected residents of Stratham. He married, January 13, 1842, Mary A. Seavey, born May 13, 1819, daughter of Captain William and Elizabeth (Ayer) Seavey,, of Rye, N.H., and a direct descendant of Governor John Lang- don, of Portsmouth. Captain Seavey was a prominent citizen of Rye and a stanch Demo- crat. He held the various town offices, and he also represented Rye several terms in the State legislature.
Deacon and Mrs. Lane have six children now living out of a family of nine, namely : Caroline, who is now Mrs. Wiggin, and re- sides in Stratham; Mrs. Fanny Haven, of this town; William S., a resident of Cleve- land, Ohio; Henry S., of Springfield, Mass .; Albert C., the subject of this sketch; and Warren L., who resides in Springfield. They have been bereft of three: John T., Charles S., and Susan E.
Albert C. Lane acquired his education in the common schools of Stratham, and was reared to farm life at the family homestead. He was engaged in gardening until 1888, at which time he entered mercantile business in this town, and has since successfully con- ducted a first-class general store.
On April 25, 1877, Mr. Lane wedded Mary E. Brown, who was born in Georgetown, Mass., May 21, 1853. They have two chil- dren : Mildred L., who was born in October, 1890; and Edith C., who was born in January, 1894. Another child who was born to them died in. infancy.
In politics Mr. Lane is a Republican. He has held the office of Town Clerk and Treas- urer since 1890, was reappointed a Justice of the Peace in 1895, and is a very public- spirited citizen. Both he and his wife are social favorites here, and are members of the Congregational church.
J AMES H. EMERSON, a lifelong farmer of Hampstead, born here on September 5, 1830, is a son of Daniel and Ruth K. (Connor) Emerson, and a descendant of one of the earliest pioneers of this town. His great-grandfather, Robert Emerson, was the third settler to locate here with his family. This ancestor and his son Caleb, the grandfather of James H., gained their livelihood by tilling the soil. Daniel Emerson learned the cooper's trade, which he followed first in the employment of others, and later on his own account. He also con- ducted for many years a good farm of one hun- dred acres here in Hampstead; but when the combined cares of his trade and farm, by reason of advanced years, proved too great for his strength, he disposed of his cooperage,
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and thereafter gave his whole attention to his farm. He died April 17, 1863, sixty-one years of age His wife, Ruth K., a daughter of James Connor, having survived him thirty- two years to a day, died April 17, 1895, at the age of eighty-seven years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four sons are living; namely, Daniel H., James H., Horatio B., and William A. James H. Emerson, since completing his education in the common schools of Hampstead, has given his attention to agriculture and carpentering. He has a well-kept and productive farm, and is one of the leading agriculturists of the town. On November 10, 1857, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah A. Woodman, a daugh- ter of Dr. Benjamin E. and Ann (Clement) Woodman, of this town. Mr. Emerson and his wife have a son and two daughters - Charles H., Ruth A., and Mary L. Charles II., born September 22, 1860, married on No- vember 2, 1895, Miss Anna Bartlett, daughter of O. S. Bartlett, of Derry, N. H., and has one child, Louise W., born July 6, 1896. Ruth A., born December 22, 1866, married Arthur Little, of this town, May 27, 1891. Mary L., born December 16, 1871, on October 17, 1894, became the wife of Harry I. Noyes, of Atkinson, N.H., and has one daughter, Caro- line Ruth, born December 8, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson are attendants of the Congrega- tional church. In politics he is a Republi- can; and, beginning in 1884, he served a two- year term in the lower house of the State leg- islature. IIe was on the School Board of the town five years, and he filled the office of Town Treasurer for six years.
ILLIAM S. HAZEL, the Assistant Postmaster of Portsmouth, is a na- tive of New Castle, N. H., born Au- gust 30, 1852. His father, John S. Hazel, who was born in Demerara, South America, and educated at Dublin College, Ireland, came to this country when about thirty years of age, and was engaged for some time as clerk in a drug store at Portsmouth, this county. He married Martha A. Rand, of New Castle, and became the father of four children. Poor in health, though a bright, intellectual, and
highly educated man, he died in 1859, at the age of forty-two years.
William S. Hazel, the eldest son of John S. Hazel's children, came with his parents to Portsmouth when about twelve months old. He availed himself of all the educational ad- vantages offered by the public schools until he reached the age of fourteen, at which time he went to work in the book and stationery store of James H. Head. He had been in Mr. Head's employment and that of his suc- cessor for eight years, when he left it to ac- cept the post of City Messenger and Clerk of the Fire Department. After efficiently dis- charging the duties of that office for two years, he obtained a desirable position as clerk in the bookstore of Mercer Goodrich. He con- tinued in this employment for more than six- teen years, during which period he won a high place in the esteem of his employer and of the large number of people who frequented the store. Having been appointed Assistant Postmaster, he left in May, 1893, with the sincere good will of Mr. Goodrich.
In politics Mr. Hazel is a Democrat. He
was clerk of Ward 3 from 1876 to 1886. He served on the Board of Aldermen during the years 1879 to 1880, declining a third nomina- tion therefor, and represented the city in the State legislature of 1887 and 1888, having been a member of the Banking Committee. A friend of healthful sports and pastimes, Mr. Hazel is a member of the Portsmouth Athletic Club. He also affiliates with St. John's Masonic Lodge, No. I, of which he is Past Senior Warden; with Washington Chap- ter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past King; with Davenport Council, No. 5, Royal and Select Masters, of Portsmouth ; with Osgood Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Grand; and with Strawberry Bank Encampment, No. 5, of which he is Past Senior Warden.
ATHAN G. HOWARD, a well-known agriculturist and a respected resident of Newfields, was born in South New Market, now Newfields, Feb- ruary 15, 1847, son of John N. and Nancy Howard. His grandfather, Joel
(Smith)
.
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Howard, was among the carly settlers and pioneers of Rochester, N.H., where he passed the greatest part of his life in general hus- bandry. He and his wife, Sally' (Nutter) Howard, became the parents of four children, three of whom still survive, namely : Hannah, who is now Mrs. George Varney, of Ncw- fields; Mary K., who resides at Newfields, and is the wife of Paschal Hall; and Frank. The father spent the last days of his very industri- ous and energetic life at Fremont, N. H., where he died at a good old age.
John N. Howard, a native of Rochester, who was the eldest of his parents' children, also spent his entire life in agricultural pur- suits. He resided for the most part at South New Market, where with his family he set- tled in 1856, on the farm now occupied by Nathan G. He subsequently came into pos- session of the estate. It contained abont seventy-five acres. On it he passed the greater part of his life, occupied in making the first improvements, as well as in its culti- vation. His union with Miss Nancy Smith, a native of Epping, N.H., was blessed in the birth of four children, three of whom are yet living. They were: Nathan G., the subject of this sketch; Sarah E., who is the wife of Samucl Neal, and resides in Newfields ; William H., resident of North Fryeburg, Mc. ; and John A., now deceased. The father was a good man, and an industrious and pro- gressive agriculturist. His demise occurred September 1, 1880. The mother still sur- vives him, residing in Newfields.
Nathan G. Howard attained to man's estate in his native town, in the public schools of which he obtained his intellectual preparation for the duties and responsibilities of life. He has been engaged, more or less, in various lines of mercantile activity, including the ice business; but he has devoted his attention chiefly to general husbandry and lumbering. lle now has landed property in Newfields, Exeter, and Epping, possessing in all about one hundred and forty-five acres of land. As a business man, he is industrious, enterpris- ing, and progressive. On July 4, 1872, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Anna Stover, who was born in Bowdoin, Me., Feb- ruary 17, 1848, a daughter of Warren and
Betsy (Eaton) Stover. Her father died at the advanced age of seventy years, while her mother still lives, making her home at Kit- tery, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have two children, namely: George M., born March 22, 1873, who now resides at Exeter, N.H .; and Eva M., who was born October 8, 1888.
Mr. Howard participates actively in the social life, and is earnestly interested in the civic affairs, of the community. Yielding to the solicitation of his fellow-townsmen, he has served them in responsible public positions. He has been Selectman for two terms, and for three years he has officiated as Town Col- lector. He has affiliation with the order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Fraternity Lodge, No. 56, of Newfields; and he also fraternizes with the Golden Cross, being iden- tified with Newfields Commandery, No. 238, in the same town. In political belief he is associated with the Republican party. Re- garding religion he holds liberal views, though his wife is in fellowship with the Methodist Episcopal church of Newfields.
NDREW BROWN, a gunsmith of Fre- mont, is one of the most active and successful business men of the town, and holds a high position among its most esteemed citizens. He was born here, March 11, 1844, son of John and Mary (Til- ton) Brown. The father was a lifelong resi- dent of Fremont, where his death occurred October 27, 1895. He was a carriage-maker, and worked at that trade more or less through- out his life. About fifteen years prior to his decease he established the gun shop now owned and occupied by his son Andrew, where he engaged in the manufacture of firearms, and succeeded in acquiring a very profitable business. His wife, who spent her early years in Sandown township, passed away Aug. 30, 1886. Their children were: Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Lowell N., who died about the year 1879; Freeman, now an engi- neer living in Haverhill, Mass. ; J. Tilton, a machinist, residing in Boston; and an un- named child that died in infancy.
Andrew Brown received a practical educa- tion in the common schools, and afterward
PLUMMER CHESWELL.
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worked with his father in making guns until he was twenty years of age. Having become familiar with this trade, he then went to Mas- sachusetts, where he followed it for five years, spending the first two years in Worcester and the last three in Boston. He then returned to Fremont to assist his father, whose increas- ing business demanded more attention than he was able to devote to it. On the death of his father he assumed the charge of the business, and has successfully conducted it since. He now has an extensive trade, mostly custom, in firearms of all descriptions. His goods have a wide reputation ; and guns, shot-guns, rifles, etc., bearing his name, may be found through- out all of the New England States. In addi- tion to manufacturing Mr. Brown does all kinds of repairing. He also carries a full line of sporting goods and cutlery, his stock being one of the most complete to be seen in any store of the kind.
In politics Mr. Brown is a firm adherent of the Republican party. He was Town Clerk for four years, and for eleven and one-half years he was Postmaster of the village. He is a Mason of Sullivan Lodge, No. 19, of Ep- ping, N. H., and an Odd Fellow of Juniata Lodge, No. 19, of Raymond Village, N. H.
LUMMER CHESWELL, who was employed as foreman for thirty years in the Manchester Locomotive Works, and is now' retired from ac- tive work, living on a beautiful farm in Ches- ter township, N. H., was born in New Market, Rockingham County, May 4, 1824. His par- ents were Joshua B. and Elizabeth K. (Plum- mer) Cheswell, the former a native of North- wood, the latter of Londonderry, N.H. For some years in the early part of the century Joshua B. Cheswell conducted a grocery and provision store in Boston, Mass., one of the first markets in Boston. Returning to Rock- ingham County, New Hampshire, he engaged extensively in building, and while living in Londonderry was superintendent of the stone works at Milford. Later, moving to Man- chester, he helped to build the dams there; and he managed a market in Manchester for twenty-five years. The latter part of his life
was spent in Chester, where he followed the pursuit of agriculture, having purchased a good farm. He died in Chester at the age of sixty-seven. His wife lived to be eighty-six years of age. Seven children were born to this couple, of whom only the eldest and youngest are now living, namely : the subject of this sketch; and his sister Olive, who is the wife of Nelson Gillingham, a farmer of Chester. The others were named Martha, Sarah, Elizabeth, Sophronia, and Jane.
Plummer Cheswell received a common- school education. At the age of twenty he began to give his time to learn the shoe- maker's trade, and he worked at the bench some five years. He then entered the ma- chine-shop at Manchester, where he worked eight years, rising to the position of foreman ; and from there he went to the Manchester Lo- comotive Works, where he had charge of put- ting the engines together. Mr. Cheswell built the old "Pioneer," the first engine com- pleted at the Manchester works; and he super- intended the labor on all the White Mountain engines now in use. After thirty years of efficient service he retired, settling on his farm in Chester, a fine estate of forty acres; and for some years he was quite active as a general farmer. He is now practically retired. Mr. Cheswell has a handsome residence, and has made many improvements on his farm. His business career was a successful one, and he is now enjoying the holiday which naturally follows an extended season of close and fruit- ful application to labor.
He was married in 1879 to Miss Marion E. Carr, who was born in Springfield, N. H., September 12, 1840, daughter of Joseph and Clarissa II. (Blackmore) Carr. Mr. Carr was foreman in the Print Works yards in Manches- ter for a while, and he was subsequently in business with his son, an apothecary of that city ; and during a great part of his life he was also engaged in farming. He died in Manches- ter, where his wife also closed her eyes forever.
Mr. Cheswell takes an active interest in politics as a Republican ; but, though many offices of trust have been offered him, he has refused to act in a public capacity. He is a popular member of society, highly esteemed throughout the community in which he dwells.
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m ICHAEL VAUGHAN, who was born in Portsmouth, November 24, 1775, belonged to one of the early established families of New England, the Vaughans having originated in England, whence at a very early period three brothers bearing that name came to this
country. One settled in Massachusetts, one located among the rugged hills of New Hamp- shire, while the third sought the wilds of Maine as a favorable place in which to estab- lish himself. Representatives of several gen- erations of this honored name have been asso- ciated with the building up of Portsmouth, among them being William Vaughan, the father of Michael, who spent his life here. He was a shoemaker by trade, and for many years was keeper of the almshouse. He was a man of intelligence, greatly respected for his integrity and probity, and was long a leading member of the Universalist church. He married Catharine Broughton, of this place ; and they became the parents of ten children, the number of sons and daughters being equal.
Michael Vaughan, who was the eldest son, followed the sea when a young man, and for thirty years was Captain of a coaster running between Portsmouth and Boston. He was a man of prominence in advancing the higher in- terests of his native town, and was a stanch member of the Universalist church, bringing up his children in the same liberal faith. He was a Mason, belonging to St. John's Lodge, No. 1. In 1795 he wedded Mary S., daughter of Captain John Moore, of Kittery Point, and grand-daughter on the maternal side of Will- iam Snow, a sea captain, who emigrated from Bristol, England, to Maine, locating at Kit- tery, of which he was one of the original pro- prietors. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan had six chil- dren, of whom but one is now living - Eliza- beth M., still a bright and energetic woman, though eighty-two years old. Mr. Vaughan died while in the prime of middle life in 1827.
Miss Elizabeth M. Vaughan was bred and educated in Portsmouth, where she has spent her long and useful life. In her younger days she was actively employed with her needle in making children's clothes, afterward having a store or shop in town, where for some years
she carried on a brisk trade in the sale of mis- cellaneous articles. She is a woman of esti- mable qualities, and held in high regard throughout the community in which she has lived so long, and where she is pleasantly passing her declining years.
AMES F. KNIGHT, a well-known farmer of Epping, Rockingham County, was born in the town of Lee, Strafford County, N. H., in September, 1833. His parents were Joseph and Tamson (Cas- well) Knight, both being natives of the same county. The father early in life learned the trade of stone-cutter, which he followed for many years. He was a member of the town militia, and his quiet tastes and steady habits won for him an excellent reputation in the community. In 1862 he closed his earthly career ; but his good helpmeet lived to be eighty-three years old, dying December 6, 1887.
James F. Knight's educational opportunities were limited, owing to his parents' moderate circumstances. At the age of thirteen he left the parental roof, and began to shift for himself. He spent four years on a farm, working for his board and clothes, and then learned the shoemaker's trade; but after three years' experience of that handicraft he returned to farm labor. Two years later he engaged as baggage master and depot agent for the Boston & Maine Railroad Company, settling in New Market Junction, N. H., and remaining there seven years. For the next eighteen months he was in the mercantile business, finally sell- ing his establishment to re-engage in railroad service, and attending switch for a year. Re- turning to New Market, he again served as baggage master and station agent, this time for over six years. In 1874 he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which he uses to good advan- tage in general farming. In politics he holds firmly to the principles of the Republican party, and has served the town as Road Com- missioner, though he is by no means a seeker after office.
Mr. Knight was married in 1862 to Statira Nelson, a daughter of John Nelson, of Eliot,
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Me. He and his wife have five living chil- dren -Joseph E., Frank W., Fred H., Fan- nie, and Lulu S. Knight. Mr. Knapp has at- tained his present comfortable and honorable position in life mainly through his own un- aided efforts and by dint of the success-com- pelling qualities of energy, perseverance, and thrift. He bears an excellent reputation as a worthy citizen and good neighbor, and may fairly be classed as a representative man of his locality.
ERLEY R. CURRIER, a man of enterprise and push, now devoting his attention to agriculture in the town of Fremont, was born here June
15, 1844. His grandfather, Timothy Currier, who was born in East Kingston, this county, was the first of the family to come to Fre- mont. His father, the late Ezra Currier, also a native of this town, was a farmer in good circumstances, and resided here until his demise, in February, 1892. Ezra married Miss Mary Spofford, a native of Danville, this county, and became the father of two children -- Perley R. and Osmond S. The latter, who married Miss Sabra Diamond, is now engaged in the manufacture of boxes in Haverhill, Mass. The mother passed away in 1889, three years prior to her husband's death.
Perley R. Currier remained at home until he married. Then he took up his residence near by. Here he was burned out, after which he moved to the farm he now occupies. He has here thirty-five acres of land, on which he raises the crops common to this part of the country. He also owns timber and other land, amounting to about one hundred and thirty-five acres. When a young man, Mr. Currier em- barked in the meat business, and for twenty- eight years drove a meat cart in this vicinity, having an extensive and profitable trade. This branch of his business he gave up in 1895, and has since confined his attention to mixed husbandry, which brings him in a good yearly income. Mr. Currier is a steadfast Democrat. He is a Mason of Gideon Lodge, No. 84, of Kingston, St. Alban's Chapter of Exeter, and Trinity Commandery of Man- chester.
On July 4, 1870, Mr. Currier married Miss Laura A. Hoyt, who was born October 14, 1847, in Danville, N. H., daughter of Nathan and the late Sarah (Hooke) Hoyt. Mrs. Hoyt died July 25, 1879, while Mr. Hoyt now lives in North Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Currier have had one child, Lucy May, now the wife of Eugene D. Sanborn.
TEPHEN H. DAVIS, the efficient and wide awake manager of the Sovereigns of Industry's general store at New Market, was born in Lee, N. H., April 15, 1842, a son of Wier and Sarah (Dockum) Davis.
Wier Davis was a native of Lee; and his birth took place in the same house as did sub- sequently that of his son, Stephen H. The old Davis farm, which he inherited from his father, has been owned by the family for at least two generations. Wier Davis was an upright, conscientious man and a worthy citi- zen, whose life was devoted chiefly to the cul- tivation of his farm. What time he could spare from his every-day duties was given to church work, in which he was deeply inter- ested. He died July 22, 1893, having labored earnestly for the moral and religious welfare of the community, and leaving as a legacy to his surviving associates and fellow-townsmen the memory of a useful life, devoted to deeds of kindness and Christian charity. His wife, Sarah Dockum Davis, who was a native of Durham, N. H., died April 14, 1890.
Stephen H. Davis in his youth attended the district schools, and also received a limited amount of instruction at a private school, re- siding with his parents upon the farm until reaching the age of twenty-one. He started business life as a tinware pedler, which occu- pation he continued for one year, and then transferred his energies to the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for a year and a half. For the two following seasons he was employed in a saw and grist mill. Butcher- ing next engaged his attention; and he re- mained at it two years, at the end of which time he became a clerk in a grocery store, where he obtained a practical experience, last- ing twice as long. On August 12, 1878, he
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was appointed manager of the general store of the Sovereigns of Industry in this town. This establishment is devoted to traffic in a varied line of merchandise, consisting of groceries, provisions, crockery, and glassware, together with many other articles necessary for domes- tic use ; and in its superintendence Mr. Davis has fully demonstrated his ability as a far- sighted and enterprising business man.
Mr. Davis has been three times married. For his first wife he wedded Fanny A. Young, of Durham, who died in September, 1873. In November, 1875, he was united in mar- riage to Annie M. Sanborn, of Exeter, who died July 6, 1893, leaving two children - Sadie M. and Francis A., the last-named being now engaged in assisting his father. His present wife, whom he wedded July 31, 1895, was before marriage Carrie O. Chesley, of Durham. Politically, Mr. Davis is a Re- publican, and is quite active in local affairs, having served as a member of the Board of Selectmen. He is at the present time Town Treasurer. In his religious views he is a Methodist, having been a Trustee of the church for the past fifteen years. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Congregational church.
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