USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 21
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HARLES M. REMICK, a well-known resident of Rye, is a representative agriculturist of this part of the county. He was born here Septem- ber 18, 1857, son of John S. and Mary F. (Seavey) Remick. His grandfather, John Y. Remick, also a native of Rye, came of pioneer ancestry. Grandfather Remick during his life was chiefly engaged in farming ; and he partly cleared and placed under cultivation the home- stead now occupied by his grandson, Charles M.
John S. Remick, who was born September 21, 1826, in Kittery, Me., was educated in the common schools of this town and Ports- mouth, and at an early age became familiar with farm occupations. Having succeeded to the homestead property, he greatly improved it, and lived there throughout the rest of his life. In politics he was a Democrat. He served his townsmen as a member of the Board of Selectmen, and in 1885 was elected to rep- resent the town of Rye in the State legisla-
ture for a term of two years. Shortly after the latter event he died on the home farm, Sep- tember 5, 1885. His wife, Mary, who was a lifelong resident of Rye, born January 18, 1830, died March 2, 1861. Their children were : Lizzie, Etta, Charles M., and John. Lizzie, who married Charles W. Spear, died, leaving one child, Elvarine. John first mar- ried Miss Julia Reed, who died, leaving one child, Alberta. He subsequently married Miss Elizabeth Moorc.
Charles M. Remick acquired a practical education in the common schools of his native town. He has always resided at the home- stead. In his early manhood he assisted his father in the farm work, and divided with him the labor of building the present commodious residence. Mr. Remick, like his father, has always voted the Democratic ticket. He cast his first Presidential vote for General Hancock in 1880. He takes an active part in the man- agement of town affairs, and for the past two years has been Selectman and Road Surveyor. He is a member of the newly organized grange of Rye.
Mr. Remick was . married December 24, 1884, to Miss Emily B., daughter of Charles J. and Mary A. Drake Brown, of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Remick have three children - Mary B., John Harold, and Charlotte B. Both Mr. and Mrs. Remick are members of the Congregational church.
A LONZO W. K. GREEN, a successful grocer of Portsmouth, was born at Rye, N. H., October 14, 1845, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Foss)
Green. The Greens have been residents of this part of the State for some generations. One of the distinguished ancestors of the family was General Greene, famous for the in- valuable services he rendered the country in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Green's grand- father, Richard Green, who was a native of Rye, followed the occupation of farmer, and died at a ripe old age.
Thomas Green, son of Richard, was also a native of Rye, born in the year 1811. After receiving such education as the district schools of the time afforded, he learned the trade of
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2 mason. Subsequently he followed that calling in partnership with George White- house, under the firm name of Whitehouse & Green, for a number of years. He repre- sented Rye in the State legislature for two years. His wife, Elizabeth, who was a daugh- ter of Job and Martha Foss, of Rye, made him the father of five boys and five girls, of whom Alonzo was the sixth in the order of birth.
Alonzo W. K. Green, having obtained his education in the common schools of Rye, came to Portsmouth at the age of sixteen years to fill the position of clerk in the grocery store of Richard Walden. When Mr. Walden died in 1877, Mr. Green bought out the busi- ness, and has conducted it successfully since. As clerk and proprietor, he has worked in the same store for thirty-five years.
In 1878 Mr. Green was united in matrimony to S. Amanda Walden, daughter of his former employer, Richard Walden. They have had two children, a boy and a girl, both of whom are now deceased. In politics Mr. Green is a Democrat. He has served the city as Coun- cilman from Ward 4, and as Alderman for two years respectively. In 1894 he was chosen Selectman by the legislature. He has been a member of Piscataqua Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, since 1866; and of St. Andrew's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., wherein he has advanced to the thirty-second degree, and to fellowship in Washington Chapter, De Witt Clinton Commandery, the William A. Ray- mond Consistory, Aleppo Temple and Mystic Shrine of Boston.
J OHN O. FOSS, a prosperous farmer and meat dealer of Rye, is a native of this town, born August 19, 1830. His parents were Deacon Richard and Eliza (Shapley) Foss. On both sides he is de- scended from early settlers of the town. Deacon Foss was identified with the material interests of his native town for many years. He was also a leading member of the Congre- gational church, holding the office of Deacon for a long time. He married Miss Eliza Shapley,. by whom he became the father of six children, namely : John H. and Orrin, who died in infancy; Robert S., who died in
1889; John O .; Eliza E. ; and Chalcedonia. Robert S. served in the late war, going out as a teamster with the Thirteenth New Hamp- shire Volunteer Infantry. Eliza E. lives at Newton, N. H. Chalcedonia, now deceased, was the wife of Daniel M. Foss.
John O. Foss attended the district schools in his youth. Since attaining his majority, he has been more or less occupied in farming. Thirty years ago, with commendable enterprise, he started in the butcher business, which he has carried on since with increasing prosper- ity. His many excellent traits of character have won the regard of the community. He cast his first Presidential vote in 1852 for Franklin Pierce, and since the formation of the Republican party has been one of its stanchest adherents. Osgood Lodge, No. 48, of Portsmouth, registers him an Odd Fellow.
On November 10, 1853, Mr. Foss married Mary A. Green, who was born and bred in the town of Rye. They became the parents of two sons and two daughters. These are: Charles H., Willie J., Carrie M., and Mabel J. Willie J., who is an electrician, living at Rye, married Emma Merrill, of Plymouth, N. H. ; and Carrie M. is the wife of Hollis W. Mar- den, of this town. The mother died on May II, 1864. In September, 1867, Mr. Foss married again, taking for his second wife Sarah A., daughter of Samuel and Cecilia (Foye) Marden, of Rye. Of the five children born of this union, Herbert E., Edith C., Ernest, and Myron S. are living. Charles O., the first-born, was drowned July 4, 1881. Herbert E. married Miss Charlotte Odiorne, a member of the distinguished family of that name, and has one child, Ray Herbert.
AMES COCHRAN, a prominent resi- dent of Windham, was born in this town, July 4, 1820, son of Captain Isaac and Nancy (Dinsmoor) Cochran. The family is an old and prominent one in this locality, its representatives having been for several generations closely identified with the growth and development of Windham. James Cochran, Mr. Cochran's grandfather, was one of the prosperous and influential resi- dents of his day.
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Captain Isaac Cochran, a native of Wind- ham, born September 30, 1788, was brought up a farmer, and owned a valuable piece of agricultural property, which he cultivated with success during the active period of his life. He figured conspicuously in local affairs, serv- ing with ability as Selectman and Town Treas- urer, and holding for several years a Captain's commission in the State militia. He died at his home in Windham, March 26, 1862. Cap- tain Isaac Cochran was twice married. Of his children by one wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Dinsmoor, a native of Windham, there are now living : Mary, the wife of B. E. Plumpelly, of McLean County, Illinois ; James, the subject of this sketch; William D. ; Charles ; Ellen ; and Isaac.
James Cochran acquired his education in the district school. From his early youth he has been engaged in tilling the soil. He was profitably engaged in lumbering for several winters. His chief attention, however, has been given to his farm, from which by vigor- ous and progressive management he has ob- tained a good income. Politically, he acts with the Republican party. He takes a lively interest in public affairs, was Town Clerk for a number of years, and was chosen a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention held . in 1889.
On October 8, 1846, Mr. Cochran wedded Sarah A. Hughes. She was born in Wind- ham, March 3, 1824, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Thom) Ilughes, both of whom were natives of this town. Mrs. Cochran's grand- father, John Hughes (first), a native of the north of Ireland and of Scotch ancestry, emi- grated to America, and, after serving as a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, settled in Windham. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran have eight children; namely, James A., Mary A., John II., William B., Sarah A., Emma M., Ellen R., and Charles H. Mary A. is the wife of A. L. Barker; Sarah A. is the wife of Joseph Currier; Emma M. is the wife of George E. Snelling; and Ellen R. is the wife of John H. Oberg, of Dorchester, Mass. Both parents are members of the Presby- terian church at Windham Centre. Mr. Cochran, who is one of the oldest and best- known residents of Windham, has devoted a
considerable portion of his useful and industri- ous life to the general welfare of the commu- nity. He is now passing his declining years at his pleasant home in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. Both he and his wife are social favorites, having a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
ARREN CASWELL, a farmer and fisherman of Rye, was born May 10, 1832, on the homestead where he
now lives. For some generations the ances- tors of Mr. Caswell passed their lives on the Isles of Shoals, making fishing their principal occupation. His paternal grandfather, Sam- uel Caswell, resided there until incapacitated for active occupation by age. He then came to Rye, where he made his home with his son until his death in August, 1846, at the age of eighty-five years.
William Caswell, a son of Samuel and the father of Warren Caswell, was born and bred on the Isles of Shoals, receiving but three months' schooling. He was engaged in the chief industry of the place, that of fishing, for many years, thereby earning a good living. Subsequently, desirous of becoming a land- owner, he bought a farm in the town of Rye, and thereafter gave a portion of his time to its cultivation. He was an industrious, hard working man, and lived eighty-four years. He married Mrs. Polly Green, of Rye, who bore him five children -- Mary, Elizabeth I., Sulie A., Maria S., and Warren. Of these Warren is the only one now living. Mary married Warren Clay, and their only child died in infancy. Elizabeth became the wife of Gilbert C. Berry, by whom she had ten children, of whom three are now living -- Mrs. Alice Smith, Mrs. Florence Salter, and John O. Berry. Sulie A. married Edward Lunt; and they had one son, Augustus C. Mrs. William Caswell had three sons by a former marriage, but none of them are now living.
Warren Caswell, who was educated in the district schools of Rye, has succeeded to the occupations and the homestead of his father. Both as fisherman and farmer, he is one of the most prosperous residents of the town, and is justly respected by all who know him. He
HERVEY KENT.
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cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan in 1856, and has ever since been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. In 1881 and 1882 he represented the town of Rye in the State legislature, but on account of trouble with his eyes has been forced to decline other official honors.
Mr. Caswell has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Sarah E. Knowles, died August 2, 1866, leaving one son, Charles L. The latter, now a resident of Somerville, Mass., married Mabel Pierce, a native of that town, and has one child, Alice. On March 13, 1867, Mr. Caswell was again married, taking for his wife Miss Mary E., a daughter of Samuel E. Berry, and a descend- ant of one of the early families of this place. Three children have been born of this union ; namely, George H., Ella M., and Chester W. George H. married Miss Maud I. Gilbert, and is now living in Massachusetts.
ERVEY KENT, a retired manufact- urer residing in Excter, N.H., was born in Alstead, Cheshire County, N.H., on April 26, 1818, son of Captain Asa and Polly (Abel) Kent.
The Kent family was early represented in New England by a number of immigrants bear- ing this surname. Among them were three brothers - James, Richard, and Stephen. (See Savage's "Genealogical Dictionary.") Isaac Kent, the grandfather of Hervey, came from Connecticut to Alstead. His brother Benjamin settled in New York, and his brother Zarah in Nova Scotia. Grandfather Kent was a remarkable man, being at seventy- five years of age apparently in his prime; and up to the time of his death, in January, 1833, when he was ninety-two years old, he retained his faculties. He was married four times, his third wife, Sarah Holbrook, being the mother of Captain Asa Kent, also of two other sons and a daughter. These two sons, Stephen and Arad, emigrated to near the Scioto River, Ohio, where they became prosperous farmers; and their numerous descendants still live in that section.
Asa Kent was born in the year 1794 in Alstead, N.H., and died there in 1880 in the
house in which his birth occurred. His wife, Polly, was a daughter of the Rev. Alfred Abel of Lempster, Sullivan County, N. H. Her father, who engaged in the twofold occupation of a farmer and Baptist preacher, lived to be ninety-three years of age. Her uncle, Dr. Truman Abel, was a man of letters, being the author and publisher of the Abel Almanac.
Asa Kent and his wife were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows: Hervey; Harriet, who became the wife of James S. Patridge, of Alstead, and died in 1870, leaving three children ; Charles H., who went to Davenport, la., forty years ago, and is successfully engaged in business as a land broker; Sarah, who married a Mr. Fisher, and died in Lawrence, Mass., in 1871, leaving no children; and Emily S., the wife of Mahlon J. Manville, of Crete, Neb. In her early years, under the instruction of Dr. Richards at Meriden, N. H., Mrs. Manville, then Miss Kent, fitted herself for a teacher ; and she has since been actively engaged in educational work, in which she has won an enviable reputation, being now, although sixty years of age, at the head of the Crete (Neb.) High School. The fact that she has never ceased to be a student has, no doubt, had not a little to do with her success as a teacher. She is the mother of two sons and a daughter, all of whom have inherited large mental abil- ity, and are winning a name for themselves. Mrs. Asa Kent died in 1850, at fifty-one years of age.
Hervey Kent remained on the home farm until near the close of his minority. He re- ceived a good practical common-school educa- tion; and, beginning at nineteen years of age, he engaged in teaching for three terms. When he started out in life for himself he possessed no cash capital. He first went to Nashua, where he secured employment in a mill, receiving but fifty cents per day, and soon after went to the First Mill in Man- chester as third hand; but in a short time he was advanced to the position of second over- seer. From Manchester he went to Newton Upper Falls, Mass., where he held the posi- tion of overseer. In June, 1845, he went to Fitchburg, and, in company with another gentleman, hired a mill, which they had oper-
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ated for two years, when the Walker tariff of 1846 affected the business to such an extent that Mr. Kent accepted a position with Mr. John Smith, of Barre, Mass., as superintend- ent, a position he held one year. After that he accepted a position in the Atlantic Mill of Lawrence, Mass., as overseer, and was there some four years. Thence he went to Great Falls, N. H., as superintendent of the Great Falls Mills, under John A. Burleigh, agent, and was there until the panic of 1857, when half of the mills were stopped, and for six months Mr. Kent was without employment. He then secured a position with the Pittsfield Mills at Pittsfield, N. H., as agent, the mills being controlled by Dale Brothers, of Boston. Having remained with the firm almost two years, he secured the position as superintend- ent of the Androscoggin Mills of Lewiston, Me., with which he remained almost two years. He then was engaged by Dale Brothers & Co. as agent of the Exeter Manufacturing Company at Exeter, N. H., and to have an oversight of the Pittsfield Mills. He re- mained with this company until 1895, acting as Treasurer and Agent for over thirty-three years.
On October 14, 1841, Mr. Kent was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Jane Hanson, of Derry, N.H. Four children have been born to them, as follows: Georgia L., residing at home; Emma J., a young lady of much musi- cal talent, with whom they were called to part in 1870, when she was but twenty-two years of age; Cora L., the widow of John J. Bell; and George Edward, residing in Pittsfield, N.H., having been associated with the Pittsfield Mills for seventeen years. In May, 1895, George E. Kent succeeded his father as agent of the mills. He is a bright, capable busi- ness man and a good financier, and has served two years as State Auditor. He is married, and has two sons and a daughter.
Mr. Hervey Kent has been a lifelong Re- publican, but has never been an aspirant for public office. Hc is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Star in the East Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Exeter, and also the Royal Arch Masons. Mr. Kent is a leading member of the Second Congregational Church of Exe- ter, having been Deacon upward of twenty-five
years. Throughout his life he has been a believer in special providences; and in trying to help others it is a pleasure to remember that he was unwittingly helping himself, as later developments proved. Now that he has laid aside the cares of business, and has leisure to enjoy the fruits of his many years of close application, the ties and friendships here formed have influenced him to continue his residence in Exeter.
EREMIAH M. AVERY, a prosperous farmer of Londonderry, and the super- intendent and manager of the famous Lithia Springs, was born in this town, April 21, 1826, son of Foster and Rebecca (Robinson) Avery. His first ancestor in this country, William Avery, an Englishman, settled in Topsfield, Mass., in the early part of the last century. From him the descent was continued by Paul (first) and Paul (sccond) to Mark, the grandfather of Jeremiah M. Mark Avery, a native of Middleton, Mass., was a Revolutionary soldier. He removed with his family to Londonderry, where he pur- chased the farm now occupied by his grandson from Zaccheus Greeley, the grandfather of the celebrated Horace Greeley.
Foster Avery, son of Mark, was also born in Middleton. He was sixteen years old when the family came to Londonderry. The rest of his life was spent on the home farm, to which hc succeeded upon the death of his father. In politics he was a Whig, in religious belief a Presbyterian. Onc of the representative citi- zens of the town, he was widely known and respected, and died in 1868, at the age of seventy-four. His wife, who was born in Hudson, N. H., was also of Revolutionary stock, her father, Andrew Robinson, having borne arms against the British in the War of Independence. Of their eight children there are living : Jeremiah M., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, now Mrs. Stiles, a widow, living in Lowell, Mass. ; and Eadee, the wife of Nathaniel Ballou, of Iowa. John, one of the deceased sons, was the father of George S. Avery, a Presbyterian clergyman in New York City, who is widely known as a worker in the Young Men's Christian Association.
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Jeremiah M. Avery acquired the rudiments of his education in the district school, and attended a select school at Hudson for one term. He has resided on the home farm all his lifetime. The property contains about one hundred acres of land, and is in a high state of cultivation. For some thirteen years he has been superintendent and manager of the Lithia Springs, which are on an adjoining farm; and his teams transport the water to the bottling-house at Nashua, N. H. It is hardly necessary to state that this water is known and used all over the Union and even in Europe, resulting in an immense demand.
On October 19, 1854, he was united in mar- riage with Julia A. Upton, daughter of Jona- than and Nancy (Whittemore) Upton, natives respectively of Reading, Mass., and Hudson, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Avery have had five children, three of whom are living, namely : Mark, who resides in Lowell, Mass. ; and Frank and Alice, living in Londonderry. A deceased daughter, Ida F., who married Wil- ber E. Barrett, was before her marriage a very successful teacher.
Mr. Avery votes the Democratic ticket. He is one of the influential men of Londonderry, whose opinion on public matters always carries weight. Mrs. Avery is a member of the Pres- byterian church.
ATHANIEL HEMPHILL, a farmer of Derry in the first half of the cen- tury, was born here, May 22, 1788. The family was founded by Nathan- iel Hemphill, a native of County Antrim, Ire- land, where he was born in 1700. In 1728 he emigrated to America, and settled in Wind- ham, this county, where the family name and possessions have been handed down to the present generation. Nathaniel's son Robert left a son Nathaniel, who was the father of the Nathaniel who is the subject of this article. Nathaniel Hemphill (second), who was a native of Windham, married Jane Moore, who was born in Derry.
Nathaniel Hemphill was reared and educated in Derry, and there was subsequently engaged in farming. He was an adherent of the Whig party. As a member of the First Church in
East Derry, he set a good example to the rising generation by his acknowledgment of religious duties. He died in August, 1843. His widow, who survived him eighteen years, died in 1861. Of their children the survivors are: Martha A., a resident of Manchester, N. H. ; Eleanor, who lives on the home farm ; Margaret, the widow of George R. N. Sargent, and now living in Rutland, Mass. ; John, who lives in Derry; and Joseph, also residing on the home farm. The Hemphill estate has been in possession of the family since 1738, a period of more than a century and a half. As its proprietor Joseph represents the family, and honorably discharges the duties that are the natural heritage of an old and respected name. He is a Republican in his political relations, and has won the esteem of the com- munity in which he lives. The old adage, "Like father, like son," is strikingly appli- cable here; for Joseph Hemphill is perpetu- ating in his own life and history those traits and characteristics for which his father was known and respected.
EORGE OLIVER HODGDON, a well-known public man of New
Market and an ex-member of the State legislature, was born in this town, July 21, 1853, son of John W. and Elizabeth A. (Caswell) Hodgdon. Mr. Hodgdon's grand- father, David Hodgdon, was a resident of Barrington, Strafford County. John W. Hodgdon, a son of David and a native of Bar- rington, came to New Market when he was six- teen years old. Here he learned the painter's trade, and followed it thereafter for the rest of his life. His upright character and quiet, unassuming manners gained for him the es- teem of the community ; and his death, which occurred October 28, 1877, was mourned by many. He married Elizabeth A. Caswell, daughter of William Caswell, of Northwood, this county. She is still living, having reached the age of seventy-four years.
George Oliver Hodgdon attended the public schools in his early boyhood. At the age of twelve he began work in the cotton-mills, where he was employed for two years. He then returned to school for another year, after
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which he learned the painter's trade. He has since followed that calling, and is now known as one of the most expert and reliable painters and decorators in town. In politics he is a prominent member of the Democratic party. Ile has served the town as Selectman and Town Treasurer, was Tax Collector for five years, represented the town in the legislature for two terms, and in 1894 was the only Democratic candidate for office elected in this town.
In 1873 Mr. Hodgdon wedded Eudora, daughter of William and Abigail Otis Rans- bottom, of Rochester, N. H. Of their chil- dren three survive, namely: Josephine, the wife of Charles A. Sinclair, of this town; George W., who in early life had the misfort- une to lose his eyesight, and is now residing at home; and Elizabeth G. Both parents are members of the Baptist church, which the father has served for some time in the capacity of Treasurer. Mr. Hodgdon is at the present time Senior Warden of the local Masonic lodge, Past Grand of the lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Trustee of the lodge of the Knights of Pythias, Master Workman of the Knights of Labor, and a Director of the Young Men's League. When a mere boy he entered the fire department as torch bearer, becoming later a regular member and the clerk of the company. When it was reorganized as a hose company, he was elected to the same po- sition, which he still holds in addition to that of Treasurer. He has been a member of the department for nearly thirty years, having served in an official capacity for twenty-five years ; and he is now the Nestor of the company.
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