USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
making and farming. In April, 1868, he lo- cated in Kingston, at his present home. This place, which was known as the old Piper farm, is in the north-east part of the town, and com- prises sixty acres of tillage and pasture land. Mr. Hilliard has made many improvements on the estate. With this he owns another farm of thirty acres in East Kingston. He is ex- tensively engaged in general farming, and has a large dairy business, keeping about twenty head of , cattle and running a milk wagon daily to Exeter, this county.
On December 8, 1853, Mr. Hilliard was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie S. Hobbs, of Camp Hampton, N. H., daughter of Daniel Hobbs, of Hampton, this county. They have six children, namely: George W., who mar- ried Miss Grace D. Rollins, and lives in Exeter; Charles D., who died at the age of four years; William L., who is with his father; Emma A., the wife of George T. Kim- ball, of Exeter; Mabel E., the wife of Charles E. Hilton, of Lowell, Mass. ; and Carrie L., who died in infancy. Mr. Hilliard has been careful to have his children well educated. His son, William L., who shares in the milk business with him, the firm name being J. T. Hilliard & Son, resides at home, and is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He married Miss Flora E. Jewell, of Stratham, this county, and has two children - Mildred Jewell and Leon Wilcomb. Mr. Hilliard is - actively interested in politics as a Republican, and has served as Town Clerk and Collector of Kensington. He is a member of the Moses N. Collins Post, No. 26, Grand Army of the Republic, of Exeter; and of the order of Knights of Honor.
"ON. JOHN W. NOYES, of Chester, N. H., is one of the best-known men in the western part of Rockingham County. He was born in Spring- field, N. H., January 14, 1810, and is the son of Daniel and Nancy (Weare) Noyes, repre- sentatives of two old New Hampshire families.
His paternal grandfather, James Noyes, was a prominent citizen of Newbury, Mass., a de- scendant of one of the early settlers of that town. His father, Daniel Noyes, was born in
John M. Norges.
367
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Kingston, Rockingham County, N. H., in 1771. He was very prominent in the town of Springfield, N. H., where much of his active life was spent. An energetic and progressive man, he was a merchant, and engaged in vari- ous kinds of business in Springfield. He died August 5, 1812. His wife, Nancy W. Weare, who was born in Andover, N. H., January 10, 1785, was descended from early settlers of Hampton, Rockingham County. She died in Concord, N. H., May 9, 1845.
John W. Noyes was educated at the acad- emies at Salisbury, Pembroke, and Meriden, N. H. He was first employed, several years, as a clerk in a store in Concord, N. H. In March, 1832, he engaged in business for him- self in Chester, N. H., as merchant, farmer, etc. He continued in the mercantile business until 1855. Since then he has devoted much of his time and attention to agricultural affairs and insurance, probate, and justice business up to 1896, a brief record of more than sixty years. His home, a beautiful country seat, is in the village of Chester. In 1840 he was chosen a Director of the Derry Bank in Derry, N. H. ; and in 1864, when that institution was made a national bank, he was elected President, which position he still holds.
Mr. Noyes has at various times held nearly all the local offices of the town. He was Town Treasurer for twenty-five years. For more than fifty years he has been a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. He represented Chester in the State legislature in 1841, 1842, 1853, 1854, 1875, and 1876, and in 1864 and 1865 was a member of the Executive Council.
Mr. Noyes has been a member of the Con- gregational church in Chester for more than sixty years, and a Trustee and Treasurer of the Ministerial Fund for many years. He is, and has been for many years, a corporate member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and has been one of the trustees of several of the religious and benevo- lent societies of the State. Mr. Noyes's only brother, the Rev. Daniel J. Noyes, was pastor of the South Congregational Church in Con- cord, N. H., twelve years, and professor at Dartmouth College more than thirty years.
Mr. Noyes was married September 27, 1836, to Nancy Aiken, of Chester, daughter
of Samuel and Nancy Marston Aiken, the for- mer of Chester, the latter of Hampton, N. H. Mrs. Noyes died June 20, 1840, leaving one child, Isabelle. This daughter, who died September 11, 1868, was the wife of Professor John E. Sinclair, formerly of Exeter, now of the Worcester Free Institute at Worcester, Mass. She left two children - Annie N. and Isabelle A. Mr. Noyes's second marriage took place October 18, 1842, in Concord, N. H., to Miss Clara D. McFarland, who was born in Concord, N. H., May 13, 1822, and was a daughter of the Rev. Dr. McFarland of that city. She died June 26, 1853. There were four children by this union, two of whom died in infancy. The third child, Elizabeth McFarland, is the wife of William S. Green- ough, a prominent merchant of Boston, whose home is in Wakefield, Mass. The youngest child, Nancy Aiken, died July 30, 1871.
Mr. Noyes was married for the third time, June 21, 1855, to Miss Harriette S. Bouton, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Bouton, of Concord, N. H., and grand - daughter of ex-Governor John Bell, of Chester, N. H. She was born January 25, 1832. Two children blessed this union : Mary Bell, born July 26, 1858, who is with her parents; and John Weare, born June 17, 1867, who died February 3, 1871. Mr. Noyes has lived in his present home since his first marriage.
ILLIAM J. FRASER, a prosperous mason of Portsmouth, was born in Nova Scotia, February 2, 1836. Ile is of Scotch extraction. His father, who was married and had three children, was a sea- faring man. William J., who was the eldest of the family, came to Portsmouth in 1850. In the following year he engaged as cook aboard a fishing-vessel, and followed the sea for three years. Finally, giving up this occu- pation, he applied himself to learn the mason's trade with Luther A. Hurd, and in due time became an expert workman. Later, in 1860, he entered into partnership with Otis Green, with whom, under the firm name of Fraser & Green, he carried on a profitable business for ten years. Since separating from Mr. Green he has conducted the business alone. Indus-
365
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
trious and enterprising, and in possession of an excellent reputation for good work, he can seldom or never be found without orders ahead. In addition to masonry he now exe- cutes stucco and other ornamental work with taste and despatch, and employs from ten to fifteen men.
lle was first married to Miss Mary F. Pratt, by whom he had one son, Clarence W., the present Treasurer of the Piscataqua Sav- ings Bank. For his second wife Mr. Fraser married Miss Martha J. Otis, a daughter of Harrison G. Otis, of Portsmouth. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church of Portsmouth. In politics Mr. Fraser is a Democrat, and served on the Board of Assessors and in the City Council for a num- ber of years respectively. He is an Odd Fel- low, owing his allegiance to Osgood Lodge, No. 48, Strawberry Bank Encampment, and Canton Senter, and is a member of the Me- chanic Association.
AILEY SARGENT, a prominent farmer and a produce dealer of Dan- ville, was born here March 14, 1838, son of Samuel and Lois (Page) Sar- gent, both of Danville. His grandfather, Samuel Sargent, was a lifelong resident of Danville. Samuel married Sarah Griffin, who was a native of Salem, N. H. ; and both died in this town. Their son, Samuel Sar- gent, Jr., the father of Bailey Sargent, was a cooper and a farmer, and followed both call- ings for a number of years. A man of charac- ter and ability, he was elected Selectman for a number of terms, and represented the district in the State legislature. He died May 2, 1890. His wife, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Towle) Page, who were esteemed resi- dents of Danville, is now living with her son Bailey. She had three children, namely : Bailey, the subject of this sketch ; John Wes- ley, who died April 14, 1877; and Woodbury Quimby, who died August 22, 1866. John WV. Sargent married Miss Abbie Merrill, who died November 29, 1895; and Woodbury Q. Sargent married Miss Georgianna B. Dow, now living in Manchester, N. Il. The mother is a member of the Methodist church.
Bailey Sargent received his education in the district school. The care of the farm fell to him at an early age, and subsequently he be- came the sole proprietor. The estate contains two hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land, on which Mr. Sargent has made most of the improvements. He raises great quantities of garden produce, which he personally dis- poses of to wholesale dealers in Lawrence and Haverhill, Mass., and Nashua, N. H. He keeps an average of ten head of cattle and six horses.
Mr. Sargent was married in August, 1863, to Helen M. Hooke, a native of Fremont, this county, and a daughter of Moses Hooke, a farmer of that town. They have four sons, namely : Charles H., now in the produce busi- ness at Haverhill; Alfred B., now a Select- man of Danville, and residing with his par- ents; Walter F., a graduate of Sanborn Semi- nary of Kingston, now teaching in Nashua, N. H. ; and Herbert L., who is attending school. Mr. Sargent has given all his chil- dren the best educational advantages. In poli- tics he is a strong Republican, and an active worker for his party. He was legislative Rep- resentative of the town in 1878, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for two years, and Town Treasurer for several terms. His home, situated in the northern part of Danville, is one of the handsomest in Rockingham County, he having spared no pains to make it beautiful. Mr. Sargent's friends and well-wishers are legion.
TEPHEN AUGUSTUS PREBLE, who has worked at the tonsorial art in Portsmouth for the past quarter of a century, was born September 25, 1845, in Weld, Me., son of Stephen and Julia (Greenwood) Preble. He is descended in a direct line, seven generations removed, from Commodore Preble, who with five of his brothers came to America in the early part of the seventeenth century. One of the brothers bore the name Stephen, which has since been perpetuated in the family. Some of the de- scendants of these seven brothers located in York County, Maine, becoming pioneers of that section. Stephen Preble, who was a black-
369
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
smith, followed his trade in the towns of Weld, Lewiston, and Wilton, Me., for some years, and afterward worked in the Portsmouth navy yard from 1862 until 1876 inclusive. He then retired to Auburn, Me., where he died, aged sixty-nine years. He was a mem- ber of the Christian Baptist church of Ports- mouth for a number of years. He married Julia, daughter of James Greenwood, of Dub- lin, N. H. Of their three sons and three daughters. Stephen A. was the fifth child.
Stephen A. Preble was educated in the pub- lic schools of Lewiston, Me. After leaving school, he went to Boston in search of employ- ment, and obtained a clerkship in the gem shop of E. S. Mills at 97 Hanover Street. Here he was engaged until 1862, when, in- spired by the patriotic ardor of the times, he enlisted on Boston Common in Company H, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry, and went under the command of the late General N. P. Banks on his secret expedi- tion to relieve General Butler at New Orleans. He subsequently participated in many engage- ments, and returned home with his regiment through the West at the expiration of his term of enlistment. While in the army he con- tracted chills and fever from exposure, and his health was poor for some years after. Return- ing to Lewiston, he there learned the harness- maker's trade from his brother-in-law, H. G. Garcelon ; but his health compelled him to give this up, and seek employment less exacting on his time and strength. Going to Auburn, Me., Mr. Preble learned the barber's trade at the Elm House barber shop. In 1865 he came to this city, where he worked for the succeeding five years as journeyman at the Kearsarge barber shop, 58 Congress Street. In 1870 he opened his present shop, where he has since acquired an extensive patronage. In 1881, with characteristic enterprise, he opened a pool room, which he manages in con- nection with his other business. Always a lover of pets, Mr. Preble has been in the poultry and pet stock business more or less during his life. At the present time he is largely interested in raising fine breeds of pigeons, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, and pets of every description, finding this pleasant pastime quite profitable.
In 1869 Mr. Preble was married to Lucy J., the youngest daughter of Aaron Mudge, of this city, and has since become the father of one child, Stephen E. Liberal in his religious sentiments, he attends the Universalist church. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party, and he served as Assessor of Taxes in Portsmouth for nine years. He is a member of Stover Post, No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic; St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 56, A. F. & A. M. ; Washington Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; De Witt Clinton Commandery, Knights Templars; New Hamp- shire Lodge, No. 17, Strawberry Encampment, No. 5, Canton Senter, No. 12, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Damon Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias; and United Order of the Golden Cross, Portsmouth Commandery, where he is the Keeper of Records.
AMES H. BATCHELDER, bookseller and stationer, Burlingame's Block, Exeter, and proprietor of the White Mountain hotel known as the Alpine House, is a native of Exeter, born in 1856. He is a son of Nathaniel I. and Elizabeth (Tuttle) Batchelder. Nathaniel I. Batchel- der, who was born and reared in Loudon, N. H., has been for many years a resident of Exeter. In his early manhood he was occu- pied for a number of years as a tanner and currier. Subsequently he turned his attention to market gardening, in which he is still en- gaged to a certain extent, though seventy-five years of age. He is a quiet and unassuming man, content with the success achieved in his calling, and having no desire for the notoriety of public place. His wife, who also is a native of Exeter, still presides over his house- hold; and in 1896 this venerable couple will celebrate their golden wedding.
James H. Batchelder attended the Exeter public schools until he reached the age of fifteen. His first work for wages was that of delivering papers for the leading book and news store of Exeter. He was subsequently employed as clerk in a music store in Boston for a number of years; and then Mr. Lane, of Exeter, who had an extensive trade in books, stationery, and music, offered him an interest
370
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
in his business. Accepting the offer, he re- turned to Exeter; and the business was con- dueted for about nine months under the firm name of Lane & Co. At this time Mr. Batch- elder and John N. Thompson purchased the business, and two years later Mr. Batchelder bought out Mr. Thompson. He has now been the sole proprietor for the past ten years. llis store, which is well stocked with fine sta- tionery, books, periodicals, and all that the reading public is likely to demand, is one of the best in the city. In 1891 he built the Alpine Hotel in the White Mountains, a hand- some structure costing twenty-two thousand dollars. It is now a most popular summer resort, and filled with guests every year from July to October. Mr. Batchelder manages the hotel himself during the season. He is well known to society people, for whom only he has made it his policy to cater.
In 1884 Mr. Batchelder was married to Miss Alice M. Harding, a native of Haverhill, Mass. They have two sons - James H., Jr., and Charles 1I. In politics Mr. Batchelder takes an active interest, voting the Republican ticket, while he does not aspire to official honors, as his business affairs demand all his time and attention.
SRAEL DIMOND, one of the oldest and most highly respected agriculturists of Rockingham County, was born Novem- ber 19, 1819, in the town of Hawk, as Danville was formerly called, on the home- stead which he now owns and occupies. H is of pioneer ancestry, his great-grandfather, Reuben Dimond, having removed to Danville from South Hampton, where his forefathers had located in early times.
Israel Dimond, first, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born, lived, and died in Hawk, now Danville, his death occur- ring on his farm in 1825. John Dimond, son of Israel, first, succeeded his father in the owner- ship of the home property, and was here en- gaged in farming and lumbering during his entire active life, dying in 1845. He mar- ried Abigail Carter, a native of Newton town- ship. She bore him three children, namely : Israel; Sarah, who died December 9, 1847;
and Mariah, widow of the late Charles Whit- tier, who now lives on the old homestead with her brother Israel. The mother passed to the life immortal July 1, 1882.
Israel Dimond, the second of the name, and the subject of the present sketch, received a common-school education, and from his youth upward has been constantly engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, thereby acquiring an experi- ence that has placed him among the leading farmers of his native town. Succeeding to the ownership of the ancestral acres, of which he assumed charge on the death of his father, he has carried on mixed husbandry with good results, having his farm of one hundred acres well improved, and a large part of it in a good state of culture. Mr. Dimond has also been extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and in partnership with Mr. Colby is now carrying on a large business. He has always been known as an industrious and pro- gressive worker; and, notwithstanding that he has met with reverses, he has by steady per- severance overcome all obstacles, his efforts meeting with a well-merited success. Politi- cally, Mr. Dimond is a very strong ally of the Republican party, and also an earnest worker in the cause of temperance. In 1864 he rep- resented his native town in the State legislat- ure; and he has served with recognized fidelity and ability in the various town offices, includ- ing that of Selectman and Treasurer.
On November 28, 1845, Mr. Dimond mar- ried Hannal S. Garland, a native of Barn - stead, Belknap County, N.H. Her father, the late Elder David Garland, was pastor of the Baptist church in Barnstead for many years, living there until his death, which oc- curred on February 6, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Dimond are the parents of two children - S. Francena and Melbourne J. S. Francena is the wife of Alfred P. Emerson, of the town of Hampstead, this county. They have had seven children - Ada E., Albion D., Herbert J., George S., Fannie C., Jesse M., and one child who died in infancy. Melbourne J. has charge of the Rockingham County farm, lo- cated in Brentwood township. He married Miss Emma Davis, of Kingston, and has had three children - Grace May, Carrie Mabel, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Israel
SAMUEL S. FLETCHER.
373
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Dimond and his estimable wife are members of the Baptist church.
J OSEPH B. WILBUR, one of the fore- most farmers and stock-raisers of Fre- mont township, is a native of this county, born May 5, 1838, at East Kingston, son of Warren W. and Mary (Blake) Wilbur. Warren W. Wilbur was born and reared in Westmoreland, Cheshire County. In his early days he was fitted for the ministry, and was a preacher in the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination throughout his aetive years. He pursued his elerieal labors at many places in New England, including several towns in this eounty. In East Kings- ton he preached for one year. After this he was ealled sueeessively to Kingston and Salem. His last pastorate was in the town of Chester. From there he eame with his son, Joseph B., to Fremont, and died in the latter's house December 9, 1872, at the ripe old age of seventy-seven years, leaving a widow, who died October 8, 1874, aged seventy-three years. He was twice married. His first marriage was contraeted with Mrs. Betsey Alden, who bore him four children - Louisa, Warren, Mary, and Betsey. Of these Mary, who is the wife of Joseph Hart, of Brentwood, this county, is the only one now living. He subsequently married Mrs. Mary Baleom Blake, daughter of a Mr. Balcom, of Waltham, Mass. Her first husband, Levi Blake, died a few years after their marriage, leaving her with one ehild, Joshua, who died February 28, 1875. Of this second union three children were born, as follows: Sylves- ter, who died November 12, 1870; Joseph B., the subject of this sketch; and Angeline, who died May 20, 1873.
Joseph B. Wilbur remained beneath the pa- rental roof-tree until he attained his majority. Thereafter he engaged in teaming and farming in Chester and Fremont, and worked somewhat at the carpenter's trade, with which he was quite familiar. He made his home in Chester for some years, but finally removed to Fre- mont, thereafter making his permanent home on a farm which he purchased not far from the village. The property, containing one
hundred and fifteen acres of choice land, has since been much enhaneed in value by his improvements. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Wilbur raises some stock each year, and keeps a good dairy, selling his cream to the Hillside ereamery, which is located near his farm. He is prominent in publie affairs. He served as Seleetman for three years, was Colleetor two years, and in 1885 he was a Representative in the State legislature. In politics he is a stanch Repub- liean ; and he is an active member of the local grange.
Mr. Wilbur has been twice married. On January 9, 1861, while living in Chester, he married Harriet Brown, who was born in San- down, this county, daughter of Joseph Brown, a prosperous farmer. She died three years after their marriage, having borne him two children, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Wilbur subsequently married Sarah E. Brown on October 21, 1865. Mrs. Wilbur was born in Fremont October 10, 1845, daughter of Daniel S. and the late Mary H. (Bean) Brown. Her father, who now lives with one of his sons near the home of Mr. Wilbur, has been a life- long resident of this township, while her mother was born and reared in Wilmot, N.H. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur have a daughter and a son, Nellie J. and Herbert B. Nellie J., born November 5, 1866, is the wife of Burton L. Smith, of Brentwood. Herbert B., born March 20, 1881, resides at home. Mrs. Wil- bur is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fremont Village.
AMUEL S. FLETCHER, formerly of Portsmouth, will be quickly ree- ognized by his legion of friends in the portrait of him herewith pre- sented. For many years the leading under- taker of Portsmouth, he was an upright, open-hearted, genial man, was greatly liked by all classes of people, and was widely mourned when he died, November 22, 1894. His obsequies were attended by a concourse of people; and the floral tokens, including a handsome cross sent by a Catholic priest, the Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan, were numerous and fondly designed.
374
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Mr. Fletcher was a native of Maine, born at Kittery Point, April 22, 1834. His father, Samuel Fletcher, born and reared in Kittery, who for many years was a sea captain, is a deeply religious man, and a prominent mem- ber of the Christian Baptist Church. Samuel Fletcher married Eunice Gunnison, of Kit- tery ; and they became the parents of three children, of whom Samuel S. was the first- born. Another son, John, has a good busi- ness in this city as a dealer in groceries and provisions. The father is still living, carry- ing easily his ninety-two years of life.
Samuel S. Fletcher attended the Kittery High School for a while. At the age of twelve years he began making sea voyages with his father. The ship in which he embarked for a trip to Europe, when he came of age, was wrecked, although no lives were lost. At the age of eighteen years he learned the cabi- net-maker's trade with Messrs. Joy & Colcord. Subsequently, on the death of Mr. Colcord, he purchased the entire business, including an undertaking department. After conduct- ing it alone for some time, he received H. G. Tanton into partnership, forming the firm of Fletcher & Tanton. This arrangement, which lasted several years, terminated at the death of the junior partner. Thereafter, Mr. Fletcher successfully carried on the business as the sole proprietor at the old stand, 60 Market Street, until his demise at the age of three score years.
In September, 1856, he married Mary A., daughter of George Rice, who followed the oc- cupation of baker for many years in Ports- mouth. Mr. Fletcher was an earnest sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party. A member of the fire department for a number of years, he held the position of Chief Engineer of that department for two of those years. He was an Alderman of Ports- mouth for another period of two years. Among the fraternities with which he was connected were: St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M. ; Washington Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, having occupied all the chairs in cach body; De Witt Clinton Com- mandery, Knights Templars ; Piscataqua Lodge, No. 6, of Strawberry Bank Encamp- ment, No. 5, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.