Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 2

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston [Mass.] Biographical review pub. co.
Number of Pages: 658

USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 2

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Mr. Rand cast his first vote for the Demo- crats, but he has since changed his views and joined the Republican party. He has been First Selectman of Chester for the past three years, and has efficiently filled a number of minor offices. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist Socicty. The family is highly csteemed in Chester.

HARLES E. TASKER, a well-known influential citizen of New Market, an ex - Representative in the New Hampshire legislature, and for many years Chairman of the Board of Select- men, was born in this town, November 30, 1833, son of Jewett and Louisa (Haskell) Taskcr.

Mr. Tasker's father was a native of North- wood, who settled in New Market when a young man, and established himself as a contractor and builder. He conducted a pros- perous business for many years, becoming prominently identified with the growth and development of this town; and his valuable experience and extensive knowledge in build- ing operations gave him a strong influence, which he used upon every occasion to secure the introduction of notable public improve- ments. Being naturally of a retiring dispo- sition, his quiet cvery-day life was undis- turbed by political aspirations; and what leisure time he could sparc from his private business was devoted to forwarding the gen- eral welfare of the community. He died in 1872, leaving an honorable record as an up- right man and useful citizen. His wife,

CHARLES E. TASKER.

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formerly Louisa Haskell, a native of Beverly, Mass., died in 1840.

Charles E. Tasker acquired his education in the public schools of New Market and in Beverly, Mass. At an early age he com- menced to learn the carpenter's trade with his father, whom he assisted in his building oper- ations until 1858, when he joined the exodus for the gold fields in California, arriving in San Francisco in August of that year. He was engaged in mining at Placerville for a short time, later being employed as a pattern- maker in a foundry, subsequently purchasing the business, and carrying it on for three years. Selling out, he started another enter- prise of the same character, manufacturing machinery and castings for quartz-mills at Silver City, Nev. ; and he continued in busi- ness there until 1864, when he sold out and returned to New Market. A short time after reaching home he engaged in the undertaking business, having purchased an old establish- ment, which he improved and developed; and at the present time he is one of the leading undertakers and embalmers in Rockingham County, and is also superintendent of the New Market cemetery.

In 1861 Mr. Tasker married Georgiana, daughter of the Rev. L. B. Tasker, a native of this State. Of the children born of this union three are now living, namely: Louisa, wife of William T. Folsom, of Fort Payne, Ala. ; Edward M., an undertaker of Portland, Mc. ; and Harry B., who is engaged in busi- ness with his father.

Mr. Tasker is an active supporter of the Democratic party, and has filled many posi- tions of responsibility and trust. For several years he has been Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, was Town Treasurer, a member of the School Board, and superintendent of schools for three years; and in 1870 and 1871 he represented his town in the legislature with marked ability. As a citizen he is stirring and progressive, believing in continuing the march of public improvements; and his long and varied business experience is of material benefit to the community. Mr. and Mrs. Tasker are members of the Congregational church.

In Masonry Mr. Tasker is well advanced,

being a member of Rising Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of New Market, of which he was Master for five years; Belknap Chapter of Dover, Orphan Council, No. 1 ; and St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templars; and he has received the Scottish Rite. He is also a member and Past Chancellor of Pioneer Lodge, Knights of Pythias.

EACON CHARLES C. GRANT, a leading farmer and milk dealer of Auburn, was born in Greenfield, N.H., February 15, 1822, son of Charles and Mary B. (Ballard) Grant. The family was founded by one of three brothers who emigrated from the Island of Jersey in the English Channel. Two of the emigrants journeyed West in search of a suitable place to settle; while the other remained in the East, and took up his abode in Greenfield, Hillsborough County. John Grant, Deacon Grant's grandfather, who was a native of the Island of Jersey, became a prosperous farmer in Greenfield, where he reached an advanced age. He was the father of seven children, some of whom are still living.

Charles Grant was born in Greenfield, April 18, 1783. He was an industrious tiller of the soil during the active period of his busy life, was widely and favorably known in his local- ity from his connection with public affairs, having served as Constable and in other pub- lic capacities, to which he was elected by the Whig party. He was an upright, conscien- tious man and an active member of the Con- gregational church. He died in Greenfield, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, Mary, became the mother of nine children. Of these the only one now living is Charles C., the subject of this sketch.

Deacon Charles C. Grant attended the com- mon schools of Peterboro, Hillsborough County, and Greenfield, for the usual period. He then went to Andover, Mass., where he was employed as a farm assistant for twenty-five years. After this he bought the Ray farm in Auburn, where he has since resided. The property, which originally consisted of one hundred and fifteen acres, has been since in- creased by the purchase of adjoining land to

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three hundred acres. Deacon Grant has greatly improved the soil. His pasture land is well adapted for feeding cattle; and the residence, barns, and out-buildings, have all been rebuilt. He has four horses, keeps from twenty to twenty-five cows, and raises some cattle, having at the present time ten head of young stock. He deals largely in milk, which he buys from his neighbors and sells to the local creamery and to Boston dealers. In politics he is a Republican, and he has always taken a leading part in local affairs. IIe served with ability as a Selectman for five

years. He was Town Treasurer for three years. He was a delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention in 1876, and he was elected to the State legislature for the year 1877-78. He is a prominent member of the Congrega- tional church, of which he has been a Deacon for the past thirty-seven years.

In 1843 Mr. Grant was united in marriage to Salome Senter, who became the mother of three children, none of whom are living. He contracted a second marriage with Frances Anderson, of Londonderry, this county, who bore him five children, of whom two are liv- ing; namely, Addison M. and Erwin F. For his third wife he wedded a Miss Brown, who bore him no children. His present wife, a native of Auburn, whose maiden name was Hattie F. Coffin, is the mother of five chil- dren, namely : Hattie F., who resides in Con- cord, Merrimack County; Charles Henry, who is residing at home; Perley C., who is attend- ing school in Derry, this county; Mary B. and Edgar, who are both at home. Addison M., who was educated in the schools of Derry and Auburn, is now residing in Law- rence. He married Mary Hall, of Chester, N.Il. ; and of the four children born of the union Herbert, aged nineteen years, is the only survivor. Charles Henry Grant, born in June, 1873, acquired a good education in the schools of Auburn and Manchester. On April, 15, 1896, he married Jennie E. Benson, of Manchester, and is now engaged in assisting his father at the farm. Charles Henry (first), Mr. Grant's eldest son by his first wife, hav- ing enlisted in September, 1862, in Company A, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, was captured by the rebels at the battle of Fair

Oaks, and taken to Salisbury Prison, North Carolina, where he died of starvation, Febru- ary 10, 1865.

ANA C. HEALY, of the firm Healy & Brown, shoe manufacturers of Raymond, was born here, April 30, 1850, son of John and Sarah (Heath) Healy, of this place. His grand- father, Moses Healy, came to Raymond from Chester, this county. He was a prosperous farmer and lumberman. During the War of 1812 he was on duty at Portsmouth, N. II. At his death in 1861 he had attained the age of eighty-one years. He married a Miss Pills- bury, of Candia, this county, by whom he be- came the father of five children. Of these the only one now living is Ruth, the widow of James Stone, of Charlestown, Mass. John, born here in Raymond, . was a farmer and lumberman. He took much interest in public affairs, served for a number of years as Select- man, and was a Representative to the General Court at Concord. In politics he held the views of the Democratic party. When he died, on November 5, 1889, he had reached the age of seventy-three years. He and his wife, Sarah, were the parents of eight chil- dren. Of these there are still living three sons and a daughter, namely: Mary J., the wife of Isaac F. Underhill, of Candia; and James M., Dana C., and Edward S., all of Raymond.

Dana C. Healy received his education in the common schools and at the Raymond and Chester Academies. He began his business career by working in a saw-mill in Albany, Me., for six years. Returning to Raymond, he was employed as a clerk in the grocery store of B. F. Tilton. After four years spent in this capacity he purchased his employer's. business, and in partnership with Clark C. White conducted the store for the ensuing four years. He then bought out his partner's interest, and was the sole proprietor during the next four years. At the end of that period he received E. C. Rowell as a partner, with whom the business was carried on under the firm name of E. C. Rowell & Co. for an- other year. Mr. Healy then sold his interest.

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Previous to this he had begun to build his present factory. It was completed in the fall of 1890, and has since been occupied by Healy & Brown. The building is thirty feet wide, seventy feet long, and three stories in height. The firm manufactures women's shoes, em- ploys from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five hands, and has a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five cases per week. From 1885 to 1890 Mr. Healy was also en- gaged in the lumber business, in company with P. B. Corson. They bought standing timber, and converted it into lumber at their steam saw-mill in Raymond. In the fall of 1895 he repurchased the grocery business formerly conducted by him, and now carries on the store in addition to performing his part in the management of the factory.

In politics Mr. Healy is a Democrat. While in Albany, Me., he was Selectman for one year, filled the office of Town Clerk for a time, and served on the School Board three years. Since his return to Raymond he has served on the School Board for five years, has been Town Clerk ten years, was Selectman in the year 1893-94, and in 1891 was elected member of the General Court at Concord. In 1874, during his residence in Maine, Mr. Healy joined Oxford Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No .. 61, of Waterford, and later Wildey Encampment, No. 2, of Norway. He has withdrawn from these or- ganizations since he came to Raymond, and is now a member of Junietta Lodge, No. 47, and Granite Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Raymond, in both of which he has filled all the chairs. He is also a Master Mason in Rockingham Lodge, No. 76. IIav- ing passed all the chairs in said lodge, he is a member of Mount Horeb Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Adoniram Council, and Trinity Com- mandery, Knights Templars, and of the local grange.

Mr. Healy was first married in 1872 to Miss Emma L. Wight, of Albany, Me. Of their four children the only survivor is Myrtie B., who is attending school in Raymond. On March 2, 1892, Mr. Healy was married to his present wife, whose maiden name was Hattie L. Page. She is a native of Raymond. They have a little daughter, Ada P., two years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Ilealy attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

AVID E. BROWN, an enterprising farmer and lumber manufacturer of Candia, was born in this town, Janu- ary 3, 1834, son of David and Mary (Bagley) Brown. The family, which is of English origin, was founded by an early settler in Amesbury, Mass. Mr. Brown's great-grandfather, Caleb Brown, who was prob- ably a native of Rye, this county, settled in Candia, where he cleared a good farm from the wilderness. He was prominently concerned in the early growth and development of Can- dia, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred after he had reached an advanced age. Of his seven children David Brown (first), the grandfather of David E., was a native and lifelong resident of this town. He followed the trade of a cooper, and carried

on farming throughout his active period. Though not officially concerned in public affairs, he took a deep interest in the pros- perity of the town, and supported the Whig party in politics. He married Elizabeth Mar- tin, of Amesbury, Mass., and with her reared four children, none of whom are living. His death occurred in 1833, at the age of sixty-five years.

David Brown (second), the father of David E., was born in Candia. In young manhood he learned the cooper's trade, which was his chief occupation for some years after. He became prominent as an agriculturist, owning and cul- tivating a good farm for the greater part of his life; and he died in this town, June 15, 1879, aged eighty-one years and eight months. Ile was an upright, conscientious man and a worthy citizen, who was ever ready to aid in any movement for the general good. He fol- lowed the majority of the old Whigs into the Republican party at its formation. His wife, Mary, a native of Candia, was a descendant of an old Amesbury family. Her grandmother, Sarah Goodwin, who was born in Amesbury in 1749, died in Candia in 1848, after reaching the age of ninety-nine years. Mrs. David Brown became the mother of six children, five of whom are living, namely : Freeman M.,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

who is residing in Auburn, N. H. ; George W., a resident of Candia; Edmund D., of Manchester ; John A., of this town; and David E., the subject of this sketch.

David E. Brown acquired his education in the common schools of his native town. At the age of eighteen he commenced to learn shoemaking, and subsequently followed that trade until he was twenty-four years old. For the next fourteen years he was engaged in teaming and farming. After this he settled upon his present farm, and has since been chiefly occupied in managing it. It contains seventy acres of good land, especially adapted for general farming and the pasturing of cattle. Mr. Brown keeps some excellent. cows, and produces some first-grade butter. He also engages in the manufacturing of lum- ber, operates a saw-mill, which turns out sev- enty thousand feet of lumber annually. His energy and enterprise in this direction, while profitable to himself, are also beneficial to the town. He is also interested in the Candia Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he is President.

On December 16, 1858, Mr. Brown wedded Susan M. Hardy, of Candia, by whom he is the father of four children, namely: Edwin E., who lives in Manchester, Hillsborough County ; and Harry G., Dana H., and Elmer D., who are residing at home. In politics Mr. Brown is an active supporter of the Re- publican party and a leading spirit in local public affairs. At the present time he is a member of the Board of Selectmen. He was Supervisor for two years. Both he and Mrs. Brown attend the Free Will Baptist church.

AZEN W. BATCHELDER, . the owner of a large saw-mill in Ray- mond, was born here, June 16, 1848, son of Hazen and Betsy (Wason) Batchelder. He is a descendant of a Congre- gational clergyman who emigrated from Eng- land to this country at an early date. This ancestor subsequently died in England, hav- ing left here a part, if not all, of his large family of children. Jonathan Batchelder, the great-grandfather of Hazen W., coming from Hampton, this county, with his brother John,

was one of the first settlers of this town, where he took up the land now comprised in the old Batchelder homestead. The Batch- elders of the northern part of Raymond and of the town of Deerfield are his descendants. Jonathan Batchelder served all through the Revolutionary War. Excluding that period, the active part of his life of more than four- score years was spent in agriculture. He was the father of seven children, all of whom have now passed away. Amos, who was born in Raymond, followed farming, the calling to which he was reared. Although his father was a Democrat, he became a supporter of the Whigs. He was a Deacon in the Free Will Baptist church. For his first wife he married Miss Mary Lane, of Raymond, by whom he had four children, of whom the only one now living is Amos Batchelder, a resident of Ray- mond. His second and last wife, a native of Chester, N. H., whose maiden name was also Mary Lane, had no children. He died in 1861, at the age of cighty-two years.

Hazen Batchelder, the father of Hazen W., learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for a timc. He then engaged in farming. For a time he also conducted a saw- mill, erected by him on the Lane Road. In the latter part of his life he dropped the saw- mill business and conducted the farm only. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he was a Democrat, and was very prominent in town affairs. He served for a number of terms as Selectman, being Chair- man of that Board during a portion of the time. By his wife, Betsy, he became the father of five children, of whom three are liv- ing. These are: Charles A., residing on the old homestead in Raymond; Mary A., wife of Levi Moulton, of this town; and Hazen W., the subject of this article. The father died in 1882, seventy-four years of age.

Hazen W. Batchelder gained a good knowl- edge of the common branches of study in the public schools of Raymond. Entering upon the more serious duties of life, he worked for six years at the painter's trade. Subsequently he ran a circular saw for two years. At the end of that time he purchased an interest in a portable saw-mill, with which he travelled six years. Finally, in 1884, he purchased his

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

present establishment of E. T. Nutter & Co. of Portland, Me. The upper mill was erected and furnished with a circular saw by Blake & Locke, who sold out in 1867 to Mr. Batch- elder's predecessors. In April, 1893, a large part of the building was destroyed by fire; but it was immediately rebuilt. Steam and water power are used in the mills; and the machin- ery includes three planers, a moulder, an en- gine lathe, two box machines, two long-edge squaring-up machines, and a clipper. Three men are employed in the upper mill and seven in the main mill; and together they turn out sixty thousand boxes per week, be- sides doing a large amount of log-sawing, finishing, and moulding. The place is the largest concern of the kind in Raymond.

In 1883 Mr. Batchelder was united in mar- riage with Miss Lilla Walcott, of Raymond, Me. They have had two children, but only one is living; namely, Vernon S., now about seven years old. They reside in a fine resi- dence opposite the mill. In his political rela- tions Mr. Batchelder is a Democrat. He has served very acceptably on the School Commit- tee. He is a member of Rockingham Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., of Candia; also of the United Order of the Golden Cross, Paw- tuckaway Lodge, No. 437, of Raymond.

OVELL B. SMITH, a carriage manu- facturer of Brentwood, was born Sep- tember 30, 1850. His father, John Smith, also a native of Brentwood, was born in 1807. At one time he had a high reputation throughout this locality as a teacher of penmanship; and now, although cighty-nine years of age, he uses the pen with skill. He has in his possession many beautiful speci- mens of his penmanship, executed in his ear- lier days. After a time he abandoned the teaching of penmanship, and engaged in farm- ing. He followed this calling as long as he was capable of doing so, and is now living with his son, Lovell B. He married Sophia P. Darrah, who was born in the town of Bed- ford, this State, in 1806, and died in Brent- wood, April 20, 1889. She bore him seven children, of whom Abigail, Jabez James, Frank, and Charles H. have passed away.

The others are: George Byron, of this town- ship; John B., of Boston; and Lovell B., the subject of this sketch.

Lovell B. Smith was reared and educated in Brentwood, living on the home farm, which he assisted in carrying on until the time of his marriage. In 1872 he established himself in the business of carriage-making, which, with blacksmith work, he has since carried on. He and his father still own the farm, which contains three hundred and thirty-three acres of land. They raise corn, hay, potatoes, grain, and small fruit, including apples. From the apples they make cider, in which they do a considerable business. The farm, which was mostly improved by the father, is one of the finest in this vicinity. In politics both Mr. Smith and his father are strong ad- herents of the Democratic party, and the latter has served as Town Clerk and in other offices.

Mr. Smith was married September 3, 1891, to Miss Viola C. Neal, who was born April 6, 1854, in Barrington, N. H., daughter of John P. Neal. Mr. Neal was engaged in general farming in Rochester, N. H., until his death, July 21, 1887. Mrs. Neal, whose maiden name was Elvira S. Hoyt, survives her husband, making her home in Newbury- port, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have but one child - an adopted daughter named Alice Sophia, who was born April 17, 1892. Mr. Smith is esteemed by the community as a man of sterling integrity.

DWARD HAYFORD, a well - known carriage manufacturer of Newton, was born in Kingston, N. H., Dccember 6, 1846, son of John B. and Mary W. (Badger) Hayford. Mr. Hayford's father, who was born in Atkinson, N. H., in 1819, died when Edward was a small boy. Ilis mother was born in Kingston, N. H., July 28, 1820, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Wadleigh) Badger, both of whom were natives of Kings-

ton. Benjamin Badger was an industrious farmer. He spent his whole life in Kingston, and died at the age of eighty-five. Ilis wife's death occurred when she was fifty years old. They were the parents of six children - John, Daniel, Samuel, Joseph, Mary W., and Dolly.

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Of these Mary W., Mr. Hayford's mother, is the only survivor. She reared three children, as follows: Fanny J., now wife of Horace Lefavor, of Newton; Edward, the subject of this sketch; and Samuel B., a resident of this town.

Edward Hayford grew to manhood as a farm boy in Kingston, receiving his education in the common schools. He has never learned a trade; but early in life he developed a genius for mechanical work, being handy with tools. In 1870, with a capital of one hundred dollars and one assistant, he engaged in the carriage business, upon a small scale, in New- ton. Steadily applying himself to this in- dustry, and increasing his facilities as his business increased, he has surpassed all his competitors in this section, and is now con- ducting a large and exceedingly profitable manufactory. He employs thirty workmen, and makes twenty different styles of vehicles, turning out from nine hundred to one thousand annually. His carriages find ready sale throughout the New England States, where they have acquired a good reputation for strength, durability, and excellence of finish. His plant has been twice destroyed by fire, the last time in 1887; but he made rapid recov- eries from these reverses, and now has a large and well-equipped factory. The painting and finishing departments are in charge of his brother, Samuel B. Hayford, who has eight skilled workmen under him.

On November 28, 1866, Mr. Hayford was united in marriage to Mary F. Bartlett, who died February 4, 1876, leaving two children. These were: Etta M., now the wife of D. P. Battles, of Newton; and John E., who is associated with his father in business. In October, 1878, Mr. Hayford wedded for. his second wife Ella C. Bartlett. By this union there have been two children - Eva May and Minnie B. The latter died May 15, 1890, aged three years and six months. Both par- ents are members of the Baptist church. In politics Mr. Hayford is a Democrat. He is connected with Twilight Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of this town. The family occupy a very handsome residence in the village, erected by Mr. Hayford some time ago.

R. CALEB W. HANSON, of North- wood, N. H., who has followed his profession of physician in this town for thirty-eight years, was born in Barnstead, N. H., October 14, 1832, son of Nathaniel and Margery (Evans) Hanson. IIe comes of old New England stock. On the paternal side his family belongs to the branch that settled in Dover, N. H., then called Cochechee, about the year 1623. The use of the word "timothy " to designate a kind of hay is alleged to have originated from the act of one of the Doctor's ancestors, Timothy Hanson, who went from New York in 1720 to the Carolinas, and took with him a kind of grass which was easily cultivated and proved valuable as fodder for cattle. From the Caro- linas it was taken to England, where also it became an established favorite. It is now known in the two hemispheres as timothy.

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Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 2

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Boston [Mass.] Biographical review pub. co. Number of Pages: 658

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston [Mass.] Biographical review pub. co.
Number of Pages: 658