USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 36
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In 1864 Mr. Perkins wedded Caroline E. Norris, daughter of John Norris. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have had four children, two of whom are living, namely: Fred M., who re- sides in this town; and Blanche B., now the wife of W. A. Spiers, of Boston. Mr. Per- kins enjoys a wide circle of friends and ac-
quaintances, and is a gencral favorite among the members of the various fraternal organiza- tions to which he belongs. In Masonry he has advanced to the commandery, being also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is con- nected with the Red Men, the Royal Arcanum of Boston, the Order of the Eastern Star, Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester, N.H., and the New Hampshire Club, a social order that meets six times annually in Boston. He is one of the oldest members of the Knights of Pythias in New Hampshire, having been the first Chancellor of Squamscot Lodge, No. 2, the second lodge organized in the State. He was the first Grand Patriarch of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, and its first repre- sentative to the Supreme Lodge of the United States from New Hampshire. Mr. Perkins, who has been a lifelong Republican, cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
OSEPH T. VESSEY, one of the prom- inent farmers of Deerfield, was born in this town, March 20, 1820, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Goodhue) Ves- sey. Mr. Vessey's grandfather was Simon Vessey, a native of Stratham, N.H., who set- tled in Deerfield, where he was engaged in farming as long as his health permitted. Grandfather Vessey's later years were passed in retirement ; and he died in this town, June 23, I845, aged cighty-nine. He was a man of unusual intelligence, who gained considerable notoriety as a Bible student ; and he was an ac - tive member of the Baptist church. He mar- ried Susan Ham, of Deerfield, and she reared five children, as follows: Thomas, Mr. Vessey's father, who was the eldest; Joseph, born May 5, 1785, who died June 23, 1816; Betsey, born November 7, 1787, who died June 9, 1821 ; Simon, born October 8, 1789, who in 1814 married Mary S. Pike; and Ben- ning, born February 13, 1792, who married Jeanette Tilton, of Deerfield, and became the father of five children - Joseph H., Simon, Elizabeth, Isabel, and Susan I. Benning's son, Joseph H., who was born December 6, 1822, married Sarah Locke, of Pleasant Point, Me. His son, Simon, who was born Decem- ber 22, 1824, married Dorothy Jones, of Strat-
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ham, N. H. His daughter Elizabeth was born in January, 1827. Isabel, who was born May 27, 1830, died September 1, 1832. Susan I. was born September 20, 1832.
Thomas Vessey, Mr. Vessey's father, was born at Pleasant Point, January 18, 1784. He learned the cooper's trade, which he fol- lowed together with farming during the active period of his days. In his later years he sup- ported the Republican party. He served as a Selectman for several years, and represented his district in the legislature of 1853-54. He professed the Baptist faith, and continued a member of that church until his death, which occurred May 16, 1876, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His wife, Elizabeth, whom he married in October, 1807, was born in Deerfield, August 17, 1788. She became by him the mother of four children, as fol- lows: Joseph T., the subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth, of whom there is no further infor- mation ; Susan H., born August 8, 1808, who married Peter Sanborn in July, 1831, and died May 23, 1839; and Sally G., born February 3, 1810, who married Bryant Stearns in January, 1834, and died in September, 1834, at the age of twenty-four years.
Joseph T. Vessey obtained his education in the common schools of Deerfield and in acad- emies at New Hampton and Pembroke, this State. After finishing with school he engaged in farming upon his present property. The estate contains two hundred and seventy acres of well-located land, of which twenty-five are under cultivation. Besides producing large and superior crops, he raises considerable stock, keeping an average of fifteen head. His natural desire for occupation keeps him constantly busy, when there is nothing else to do, in increasing the fertility of his land and otherwise improving his property. He is connected with the Deerfield Grange, is a member of the Calvinist Baptist church, and in politics supports the Republican party.
In 1854 Mr. Vessey married Elizabeth A. Stearns, of Deerfield. Of their two children Bryant S. is living. He was born October 2, 1857, acquired his earlier education in the common schools of Deerfield, and finished his studies at the Deerfield High School and the Northwood Seminary. Since leaving school
he has remained at the homestead, assisting his father in carrying on the farm; and he is known in this section as an able farmer and a successful dealer in live stock.
O. ALEXANDER, of Canobie Lake, in the township of Windham, is with- out doubt the busiest man in this locality. In addition to caring for his private concerns, he discharges the duties of Postmaster and of agent for both the Amer- ican Express Company and the Boston & Maine Railroad. He was born in Windham, May 22, 1857, son of Gilbert and Hannah C. (Nichols) Alexander. The family descends from Randall Alexander, one of the original incorporators of the town of Londonderry, N.H., which, since his day, has been divided into several towns. He settled in that part of the grant which was eventually set off as the town of Windham. David Alexander, Mr. Alexander's grandfather, a native and lifelong resident of Windham, was prominent in the community.
Gilbert Alexander was born in Windham. When a young man he learned the ship-car- penter's trade, and followed that occupation industriously for several years. He finally engaged in farming, and followed it prosper- ously until his death, which occurred May 7, 1874. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah C. Nichols, was a native of Wind- ham. Of her children, A. O. Alexander, the subject of this sketch, was the second-born.
A. O. Alexander was reared to farm life, becoming capable in the lighter duties when he was thirteen years old. From that time until he reached the age of sixteen his time was occupied in farm labor and attending the common schools. He then went to Boston, where for two years he was employed by the Sherman Wringer Company. From Boston he came to South Windham, and was for a time engaged at the Golden Brook Woollen Mills. He then worked as a farm assistant for four years in the employ of Abel Dow. After this he took up the lumber business at Canobie Lake, and carried it on successfully for quite a while. In 1886 he opened a store for general merchandise, thereby becoming the
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pioneer merchant of the locality, and has con- ducted it since. Besides his large stock of staple articles he handles agricultural machin - ery and farm implements, deals extensively in grain, having a spacious storehouse for that department, and is agent for the best fertilizer concerns, including the Bradley Company and the Frank Coe Company of New York. He has built up a flourishing trade by gaining the confidence of the business public. In November, 1885, he was appointed station agent at Canobie Lake for the Concord Rail- way, which has since been absorbed by the Boston & Maine system. Having learned telegraphy by personal study, he is now opera- tor here for the Western Union Company. For a number of years he has been agent of the American Express Company. He was appointed Postmaster in February, 1885. Al- though he is kept constantly busy by his many duties, he succeeds in giving adequate atten- tion to all, with time to spare.
In December, 1880, Mr. Alexander wedded Lizzie L. Dow, daughter of Abel Dow, his former employer. She died February 2, 1893, leaving two children - Hannah M. and Annie M. As a progressive and enterprising business man and a public-spirited citizen Mr. Alexan- der is held in high esteem by the entire com- munity. In politics he is a Republican.
UGUSTUS L. BARKER, of Wind- ham, Chairman of the Board of Se- lectmen and a member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born here, April 9, 1847, son of Jacob B. and Annie M. (Marden) Barker. Mr. Barker's grand- father, Solomon Barker, was a native of l'el- ham, llillsborough County. Solomon's wife, whose maiden name was Butler, was a relative of the late General Benjamin F. Butler.
Jacob B. Barker, who was born in Pelham in March, 1827, moved from there to West Windham. In young manhood he learned the trades of a carpenter and wheelwright, which he afterward followed for many years. He finally engaged in agriculture in this town, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred March 3, 1888. In his later years he favored the Republican party. He married
Annie M. Marden, a native of New Boston, N. H. ; and she became the mother of a large family of children. Of these the survivors are : James, Charles H., and Augustus L., who reside in Windham; Mary C., who is now the widow of A. R. Ashby, of this town; Har- riet N., the wife of Frank Robbins, of Wal- tham, Mass. ; and Angeline, the wife of Charles K. Barker, of Windham.
Augustus L. Barker received his education in the public schools of Windham. At the age of twenty years he became travelling sales- man for N. W. Burke, a cracker manufacturer of Nashua, Hillsborough County. After being upon the road for ten years, he settled upon his present farm in Windham. The property contains one hundred and five acres of well- improved land. Since he took possession of it he has managed very successfully, and is, in consequence, regarded as one of the most progressive general farmers of this locality. In politics he is an active supporter of the Re- publican party. He served the town as Super- visor for several years. For the past six years he has been a member of the Board of Select- men and for the past four years Chairman of that body. He was elected to the legislature in 1894, and he has been there since.
On January 1, 1873, Mr. Barker wedded Mary A. Cochran. She was born in Wind- ham, daughter of James and Sarah A. (Hughes) Cochran. Mr. Cochran was born in
this town in 1820. His wife is also a native of Windham. The founders of the Cochran family settled in Londonderry, N. H., in 1719, and in 1742 removed to Windham, where their descendants have since resided. Mrs. Bar- ker's father has been prominent in public affairs here. He served as Town Clerk for a number of years, and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention held in 1890. Be- sides Mrs. Barker he had seven other children, as follows: James A., who is a resident of East Boston and a member of the Massachu- setts legislature ; John H., a resident of Bos- ton proper; William B. and Charles H., resi- dents of East Boston; Sarah, the wife of Jo- seph Currier, of Salisbury, Mass. ; Emma M., the wife of George E. Snelling, of Winchester, Mass. ; and Ellen R., the wife of John Oberg, of Dorchester, Mass.
CHARLES M. EVANS.
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Mr. and Mrs. Barker have one son - Walter C., who was born October 25, 1874. Mr. Barker generally takes an active part in every movement designed to benefit the town. He exercises much influence in politics, as well as in other affairs of public interest. Mrs. Barker is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is active in the Ladies' Benevolent So- ciety. Mr. Barker attends church with his wife.
HARLES M. EVANS, a rising young farmer and dairyman of South Hamp- ton, N. H., was born in Salisbury, Mass., September 20, 1860, son of Charles A. and Abbie A. (Merrill) Evans. Mr. Evans's father, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and to which the reader is referred for an account of the early ancestors of the family, is at the present time one of the largest farmers of the neighboring town of Kensington, N. H. He was born in Seabrook, N. H., March 4, 1830; and his first wife, mother of Charles M., was born in Salis- bury, Mass., August 14, 1836. Charles A. Evans is a Republican in politics, and is prominent in public affairs in Kensington, having served as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as Supervisor. His first wife, Abbie A. Merrill, was the mother of ten chil- dren, eight of whom are living, namely : Mary Frances; Eliza M. ; Charles M. and Daniel M., twin brothers; Amos M. ; John A .; Moses W. ; and Joseph C. The others were : Sarah Abbie; and John, who died young. Charles A. Evans wedded for his second wife Abbie C. Lowe, a native of Maine, and by this union has had three children - Arthur W. ; Grace M. ; and Marion, who is no longer living.
Charles M. Evans, the subject of the pres- ent sketch, grew to manhood in Salisbury, Mass., Kensington, and South Hampton, N. H. ; and his education was acquired in the schools of these towns. At the age of twenty years he bought his first real estate, a small piece of land in South Hampton containing about thirty acres; and, having added to his acreage as he advanced in prosperity, he now owns a good farm of one hundred and seventy-
five acres, and is one of the most extensive general farmers and dairymen in town. He keeps some excellent stock, and has four or five acres devoted to the raising of apples, pears, peaches, and small fruits, the marketing of which yields him a good income annually. He conducts his property upon a progressive scale, taking advantage of all modern im- provements, and by his able management has reached a position among the well-to-do agri- culturists of South Hampton. He was for some time interested in lumbering with his brother, Daniel M. ; and he later carried on a thriving business in that industry upon his own account with profit.
On April 11, 1882, Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Eliza Palmer, who was born in Carleton County, New Brunswick, May 16, 1863. She is a daughter of Jacob and Louise (True) Palmer, both of whom are living, her father being a retired farmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans have five children, as follows: Abbie M. and Ethel D., twins, who were born January 31, 1885; Willis J., who was born December 15, 1888; Ralph P., who was born July 29, 1891 ; and Howard T., who was born April 10, 1895.
Politically, Mr. Evans is a Republican. He has served with marked ability as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen for one term, was for three years upon the School Board, and has held other town offices. He is possessed of those essential qualities of manhood which are the elements of success in life, and his present substantial prosperity is the result of his own energy and perseverance. Mr. Evans is a member of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Evans is an attendant.
OIIN A. BLAKE, one of the leading residents of Kensington and an ex- member of the New Hampshire legis- lature, was born upon his farm in this town, December 8, 1828, son of Ira and Doro- thy (Sanborn) Blake. Mr. Blake's great- grand-father, Hezekiah Blake, was an early settler in Kensington, where he died at an advanced age; and Mr. Blake's grandparents, John P. and Sarah Blake, were natives and lifelong residents of this town. The ancestors
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of the family have been successfully engaged in farming here for three generations.
Ira Blake, Mr. Blake's father, was born in Kensington in November, 1799, and resided upon the farm now owned by his son, John A., from the age of thirteen years until his death. He conducted general farming in a progressive way, taking advantage of every known method to increase the fertility of his land and enhance the quality of his crops. He also did a great deal of probate business, settling many estates, and was well known as a surveyor of land and a general conveyancer. Ile was prominent in politics, successively supporting the Whig and Republican parties, and served with ability for two terms both as a Selectman and legislative Representative. He had the sincere esteem and hearty good will of his neighbors and the townspeople generally, and his useful life ter- minated in 1876. In religious belief he was a Unitarian. His wife, Dorothy, who was born in Kensington in 1801, became the mother of five children, as follows: John A., the subject of this sketch; Lucy E., who is the widow of John S. Cram, and lives at Hampton Falls, this county; Ira N., a resident of Northwood; Mary S., who resides with her brother in this town; and Sarah E., who is the wife of William A. Cram, of Hampton Falls. The mother died in 1884.
John A. Blake passed his youth as a farm boy, obtaining his education in the schools of Kensington. In young manhood he engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his own account ; and, succeeding to the ownership of the home- stead, he has since carried it on successfully. The estate contains one hundred and thirty- five acres, is well located, and has excellent buildings. On March 17, 1859, Mr. Blake was united in marriage to Lydia A. Prescott, who was born in Kensington in 1830. She died in 1890, leaving no children. Mr. and Mrs. Blake had an adopted son, William B., who was born in 1878. In public affairs Mr. Blake has figured quite conspicuously. He has been Town Treasurer, was Selectman three terms and a Representative in the legis- lature of 1865-66. In politics he supports the Republican party. In his religious belief he is a Universalist. He is connected with the Patrons of Husbandry, and is President of the
Board of Trustees of the Kensington Social Library.
J OHIN W. FORSAITH, one of South Hampton's representative farmers, was born upon the farm where he now re- sides, November 20, 1849, son of John C. and Mary W. (Healey) Forsaith. Mr. Forsaith's grandfather, Dr. Robert Forsaith, was a leading physician of his day in the town of New Market, this county. In the winter of 1817, being then comparatively young, he was found dead in his sleigh, having been pros- trated by the severe cold while making his usual calls.
John C. Forsaith was born in New Market, November 25, 1811. In carly manhood he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Massachu- setts, residing successively in Salem, Chelsea, and Boston. He was also in business in New York City previous to 1840. Hle then came to South Hampton, and was in business here for some eight years. At the end of that time he relinquished mercantile pursuits, and in 1847 settled upon the farm of one hundred acres, where his sons now reside. He was an industrious farmer, and made on the prop- erty various improvements that are still visible. His death occurred on February 6, 1876. He took an active interest in the general welfare of the community, was a Jacksonian Democrat in politics, and served in the legislature of 1856-57. He was well informed upon all current subjects of the day, was especially in- terested in educational matters, served as a Trustee of Barnard Academy, and was a mem- ber of the Universalist church. His wife, in maidenhood Mary W. Healey, who was born in Kensington, September 19, 1820, became the mother of six children. These were : Elizabeth E., born August 4, 1843, who now lives in Newburyport, Mass. ; George N., born December 14, 1845, who died January 31, 1891 ; Mary- O., born November 12, 1847, who resides in East Kingston; John W., the subject of this sketch; Ella A., born Janu- ary 25, 1852, who died July 21, 1881; and Frank Pearce, born January 15, 1855, who oc- cupies the homestead with his brother. The mother died June 19, 1884.
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John W. Forsaith was cducated in the dis- triet schools of South Hampton and at Barnard Academy. He has given his attention to gen- eral farming at the homestead, which he car- ries on in company with his brother. The property is one of the best-kept estates in the township. He is industrious and enterprising, and is counted among the foremost people of this place. On November 20, 1868, Mr. For- saith was united in marriage with Lizzie H. Evans. She was born in Salisbury, Mass., July 18, 1852, daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary S. (Hale) Evans. Mr. Evans was a native of Salisbury, born in 1826; while his wife, a native of Newburyport, Mass., was born in 1832. Both are still living, and reside in Salisbury. In politics Mr. Forsaith is a Democrat, while he is liberal in his re- ligious views. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Barnard Academy. The pres- ervation of his family history is a matter of deep interest to him.
AVID C. HAWES, of Hampton Falls, who is extensively engaged in the manufacture of phosphate, was born in New Bedford, Bristol County, Mass., June 15, 1832, son of Levi and Azubah C. (Capen) Hawes. His father, a native of Stoughton, Mass., was there en- gaged in general husbandry, and also in con- veying firewood to Boston, Mass. He subse- quently removed to New Bedford, Mass., where he purchased a farm, and there passed his declining years. He was twice married, the first time to a Miss Turner. His second marriage, contracted with Miss Azubah C. Capen, resulted in the birth of seven children : namely, Levi (deceased), Elenor, Azubah (deceased), Jonathan C., Thomas, Elisha, and David C. The father passed away in 1880, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. His wife's death occurred in 1878, aged eighty- nine years.
David C. Hawes obtained his education in the district schools. At the age of eighteen, in company with his brother Thomas, he set out for California, making the journey in sixty days by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Under the direction of his brother he "pros-
pected " in California until 1857, after which both returned home by the same route they had taken going out. Mr. Hawes afterward pur- chased a portion of his father's farm, and was thereon engaged in farming until the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1863 he removed to Hampton Falls, N. H., and bought the estate known as the Melcher farm, containing about one hundred and thirty acres of land, on which he has resided uninterruptedly to the present time. About 1893 he started his present busi - ness, the manufacture of phosphate. The annual output of his factory now is about fifty tons of the product. The beneficial effects of the industry are already visible 'in the sur- rounding country, where the commodity is used as a fertilizer, although he manufactures it largely for special purposes.
On May 15, 1857, he joined in matrimony with Miss Mary H. Sanborn, of Kensington, N. H., who has borne him six children, as fol- lows: Levi M., who resides in the State of California: Edwin D., who lives at Lynn, Mass .; Frank S., a resident of Orange, N.J. ; Samuel C., residing at home; Henry W., also a resident of California; and Mary A., resid- ing at home. Mr. Hawes has served his fel- low-citizens in the capacity of Selectman for two years. In national politics his principles bring him into affiliation with the Republican party. . He deposited his first Presidential vote in 1856 for J. C. Fremont.
ILLIAM I. HOLMES, a .well- known agriculturist of Rye, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., Decem- ber 1, 1831, son of William and Mary (Rand) Ilolmes. His grandfather, James Holmes, also a native of Portsmouth, was there engaged in general farming, and plied his trade of shoe- maker. James Holmes was united in marriage with Miss Deborah Libbey, of Portsmouth ; and they became the parents of three children, only one of whom, William, attained maturity. Ile participated in the second war with Eng- land, in which he was either killed or died a natural death. His wife passed away when a comparatively young woman.
William Ilolmes, who was a boy when he lost his father, passed his youth in Ports-
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mouth, receiving his education in the district schools. Subsequently he removed to Rye, where he purchased a small farm, the nucleus of that on which his son, William I., now re- sides. There he passed the remainder of his life, occupied in general farming. Ile joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Rand, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rand, of Rye. Of the union there were born three children - Sophia C., Joseph R., and William I. Sophia, who died in Rye, married John S. Marden, of Rye, and had one child, Anna. Anna subsequently married Clarence Mathes, formerly a surfman for fourteen years, now a carpenter of Rye, and has one child, an infant. Joseph R. Holmes received in marriage the hand of Miss Charlotte L. Seavey, a native of Rye, who gave birth to three daughters - Mary E., Anna, and Sarah. Mary E. married Albert H. Drake, resides at Rye, and has three children - Ruth, Joseph, and Willard. The second daughter of Joseph R., Anna Holmes, is now the wife of Willard Paul, a dealer in hardware at Portsmouth, and has one child, now in its infancy. William Holmes, the father of William I., for a number of years served on the Board of Seleetmen. He was also Town Appraiser and for many terms As- sessor. The honor of representing his town in the State legislature was likewise his. He died February 22, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-five years and nine days. His wife's death occurred March 23, 1863.
William I. Holmes acquired his education in the district schools of Rye. He has always resided on the paternal estate. Sinee coming into its possession he has considerably en- larged it by purchases made at various times. At the time of the Civil War he was drafted for service; but he procured release from that duty by the payment of the required amount of money, circumstances rendering that course very advisable. In 1861 Mr. Holmes wedded Miss Sarah E. Trefethen, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Berry) Trefethen, of Rye, and became the father of four children, only one of whom, Ella G., survives. The others died, the victims of scarlet fever. Ella was given in marriage to J. Everett Odiome; and they now reside in Rye with their children - Edith H. and Harry E.
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