Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 5

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 5

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).

UGUSTUS D. LYFORD, the repre- sentative of one of the carliest fami- lies to settle in Rockingham County, was born December 3, 1830, in Brentwood township, where he has always lived. His father, the late Joshua S. Lyford, was a farmer and a well-known citi- zen. He spent his entire life in this town- ship, being engaged the larger portion of his time in general farming. He married Lydia L. Sanborn, a native of Hampton township, by whom he had eight children, as follows: Maria L., living in Kingston; John A., in Califor- nia; Woodbridge S., living in Lawrence, Mass .; Augustus D., the subject of this sketch; Bambridge V. B., who died in 1892; Loren D., of Kingston township; Joshua S., who died in infancy; and Joshua E. G., like- wise a resident of Kingston township.

Augustus D. Lyford acquired his education in the district schools, and on the home farm received practical instruction in farming, which he subsequently selected as his life oc- cupation. After the death of his parents he took charge of the old homestead, which he now owns and occupies. The estate contains sixty acres of land, which he manages success-

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

fully and profitably, raising hay, corn, and potatoes as his chief crops. By dint of per- severing industry, shrewd forethought, and judicious management Mr. Lyford has stead- ily climbed the ladder of success, and now oc- cupies a high position among the self-made men of this county. He has served his fel- low-townsmen in various local offices, and in politics has always given his undivided sup- port to the Democratic party. In religion he is a Congregationalist, being an esteemed member of the church of that denomination in Brentwood.

On July 4, 1862, Mr. Lyford married Julia A. Davis, who was born in Kingston town- ship, a daughter of Moses Davis, of that place, a well-known farmer. She passed to the life immortal December 5, 1885, leaving five children, of whom the following is the record: Mary Isabelle, widow of the late Charles Day, lives in Kingston, N.H .; George A., who owns a farm near the parental homestead, is a carpenter and builder by trade, his time being wholly devoted to that business, and he married Lydia A. Goodwin, of Kingston; Francis S., who lives on the home farm, married Miss Carrie E. Holbrook, of Jamaica Plain, Mass .; Eddie P., living in Exeter, N.H., is a machinist by trade; and Ella Gertrude is the wife of Jesse Gray, of South New Market, N.H.

VERY M. FOSTER, M.D., a grad- uate of Bowdoin College and a suc- cessful physician and surgeon of Candia, was born in Gray, Me., April 11, 1851, son of Moses B. and Eliza A. (Benson) Foster. The family is of Scotch extraction. Dr. Foster's great-grandfather, Isaac Foster (first), a native of Braintree, Mass., served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, and afterward settled in Gray, Me. Isaac Foster (second), Dr. Foster's grandfather, was born in Gray, of which town he was a prosperous farmer and a lifelong resident. He lived to the age of eighty-four years, and reared a family of three children, none of whom are living.

Moses B. Foster, who was a native of Gray, in young manhood learned the shoemaker's

trade, and thereafter followed it throughout his active period. He was an industrious man, and had the esteem and good will of his fellow-townsmen. He used his vote, how- ever, in a manner which he considered most beneficial to the community, and retained a deep interest in political affairs, and always voted with the purpose of serving the commu- nity. His death occurred in 1886, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, Eliza, a na- tive of Gray, was a daughter of George Benson, formerly a well-known blacksmith of that town. Mr. Benson removed from Bar Harbor, Me., to Gray, where he lived to be nearly eighty years old, and reared a large family of children. Dr. Foster's maternal grandmother was a Humphrey, whose family trace their ancestry to John Alden, the "Mayflower " Pil- grim. The Doctor has in his possession an antique mug, which is alleged to have been brought over on the "Mayflower." Moses B. Foster and his wife reared seven of their eight children, six of whom are living. These are: Caleb, who is a preacher in Brunswick, Me. ; Samuel H., a machinist of the same town; Emma A., the wife of Elisha Thompson, of Gray ; Hannah, the wife of Thomas J. Gould, of Lisbon, Me .; Avery M., the subject of this sketch; and Eliza E., the wife of John B. Clark, of Bradford, Me. Sarah J. died in 1888, aged twenty-eight years; and Nelson F., the third-born, died when two months old.

Avery M. Foster, M. D., acquired his early education in the schools of Gray and at Nichols's Latin School. He afterward grad- uated from Bowdoin College in the class of 1875. Entering upon the practice of his pro- fession, he opened an office in Lincolnville, Me., where he remained some sixteen months. From there he went to Belmont, Me., remain- ing six years. He then practised successively in Guilford, Abbot, and Lewiston, making a stay in the last-named city of about two years. For the past eight years he has been located in Candia. Since entering his profes- sional carcer he has given several notable demonstrations of his skill as a surgeon, having successfully performed some difficult operations, including a number of amputa- tions. Recently he removed a cancer from the lip of a person over eighty-six years old,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

and the patient is now rapidly recovering. He is well and favorably known in this see- tion as a reliable physician and surgeon, who can be depended upon to exercise the greatest care and skill in the treatment of all cases in- trusted to his charge; and his practice extends over a radius of ten miles.

In December, 1876, Dr. Foster was united in marriage to Mary Drinkwater, of Lincoln- ville, Me. Of his children by this union the only survivor is Myra I., now attending school in this town. On April 29, 1896, he entered a second marriage, contracted with Susan A. Cate, daughter of J. P. Cate, of Candia. In politics Dr. Foster is a Demo- crat. While residing in Belmont, Me., he was for two years Supervisor of Schools. He is highly esteemed socially, and attends the Congregational church.

AMES G. STONE, of North London- derry, N. H., one of the rapidly de- creasing list of surviving veterans of the Civil War, in which he fought gallantly for the Union, and one who, since the return of peace, has continued to hold the respect and confidence of his townsmen, was born May 20, 1844, in Lancaster, N.H. That town was also the birthplace of his par- ents, Samuel and Deborah V. (Stalbird) Stonc.

Among the early colonists of New England were several of English birth bearing this surname, as the Rev. Samuel Stone, of Hart- ford, Conn., Deacon Gregory Stone, of Cam- bridge, Mass., and his brother Simon, of Watertown. An carly ancestor of Mr. James G. Stone settled in Portsmouth, N.H., whence he subsequently removed to Lancaster in this State, which has been the birthplace of the succeeding generations of his branch of the family. Samuel Stone, the great-grandfather of James G., served in the Revolutionary War.

Samuel Stone, second, his grandson, the father of James G., was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He assisted in building the old Central Bridge across the Merrimac River, joining the city of Lowell with Dracut. He was considered a skilled workman, and was several times employed by the late General

B. F. Butler. He moved to Lowell, Mass., with his family in 1847, and resided there until his death on December 29, 1861. His wife died in Virginia, Mo., on May 20, 1883 ; and in 1884 Mr. James G. Stone made a trip to that place, and had her remains taken to Lowell, Mass., to rest in a grave beside his father's. Of the children of Samuel and Deborah V. Stone the following are living: Frances M., wife of Gilman Veasey, of Sum- ner County, Kansas; Caroline A., wife of Lorenzo Bateman; Eunice, wife of Henry Quimby, of Bloomington, Ill; George N., a Captain in the Civil War, and now Vice- President of the Bell Telephone Company and General Manager of the company in Ohio, residing in Cincinnati (it was he who reared the famous Maud S. after she was six months old) ; James G .; and Samuel H., in Ogle County, Illinois.

At three years of age James G. Stone moved with his parents to Lowell, Mass. He was a regular attendant of the public schools until twelve years old; but between the ages of twelve and fifteen years, when his school days closed, his opportunties for attending school were mostly limited to the winter season. Whenever an opportunity did present, how- ever, he made the most of it, and all his life has kept himself well informed through read- ing good books and papers. At twelve years old he was thrown on his own resources; and, leaving his home, he lived during the follow- ing summer with W. C. Harris, of Windham, N.H. The succeeding winter was spent in the home of Archibald Varnum, of Dracut, Mass., where he attended school, and did such chores as he was able. The next summer he returned to Rockingham County, and worked for a short time for Deacon Samuel Dinsmore, of Auburn, and subsequently in Windham, where he was apprenticed at the shoemaker's trade to M. B. Kimball, by whom he was afterward employed as a journeyman, and for about three years was a member of Mr. Kim- ball's family.

He continued to work at shoemaking in Windham until October 7, 1861, at which time he enlisted in Company K, Seventh New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and during the greater part of his service was in the Ninth

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Army Corps under General Gilmore. He participated in the siege of Charleston. He also took part in three different charges on Fort Wagner, and was engaged in a number of skirmishes with the guerillas in Florida. On the morning of October 1, 1863, while he was riding as an Orderly, his right ankle was shattered by a piece of shell, the wound being so serious that he was obliged to undergo an amputation. The time between that and April, 1864, when he was honorably dis- charged, was spent in several different hospi- tals. On his return to Windham he resumed his former occupation of a shoemaker. In 1867 he came to Londonderry; and, with the exception of a brief time spent in Haverhill, Mass., this town has since been his home. For about eighteen years he was a shoe-cutter in different factories; but in 1888 he retired from that line of work, and has since lived practically in retirement. He is a man of genial hospitality, and an entertaining conver- sationalist, being well informed on the lead- ing topics of the day.

Mr. Stone was married in Manchester, N.H., to Miss Elizabeth B. Hicks, who is a native of Derby, Vt., but whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Hicks, were both born in England. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stone has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Anna M. She is now the wife of John E. Ray and mother of one son, J. Harold. Mr. Ray is a well-known meat and provision dealer of Londonderry.

Mr. Stone has been called to fill positions of honor and trust. He served as Clerk of Londonderry one term, as Supervisor of the check list of the town for about three years, for many years was Justice of the Peace in Rockingham County, and now holds the office of Quorum Justice for the State of New Hampshire. Fraternally, he is an honored member of St. Mark's. Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M., of Derry; Mizpah Lodge, No. 151, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Haver- hill, Mass .; and the Londonderry Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of which he was Master one year, and was elected for the second year, but declined to serve. He was formerly a member of the Wesley B. Knight Post, No. 41, Grand Army of the Republic, which he

served one year as Commander, and was its first Quartermaster, holding the office for three years.

ATHANIEL BURLEIGH GLID- DEN, a progressive farmer of Brent- wood, was born, December 10,

1836, at Tuftonboro, Carroll County. His father, William Glidden, was also born in Tuftonboro; while his mother, Drusilla Pendexter, was a native of South New Market, this county. The father was a mechanic, and worked many years in Dover, N.H., where his death occurred January 10, 1842. The mother died five years later, leav- ing two sons - William H. and Nathaniel B.

Nathaniel B. Glidden was left an orphan at the age of eleven years. Of the following five years four were spent in Wolfboro, Carroll County, living with James B. Young. He subsequently worked in different towns of the State, among them being Strafford, Dover, Barrington, and South New Market. In 1877 he settled in Brentwood, bought land near the county farm, and engaged in farming. After two years he sold out, and purchased his pres- ent farm. Here he has one hundred and thirty acres, on which he carries on general farming. He keeps a fine dairy of twelve cows, whose milk he ships to Boston. Mr. Glidden is a self-made man in every sense, having worked his way step by step to his present condition of affluence. In politics he is a steadfast Democrat, uniformly casting his vote for that party's ticket. He is likewise a member of the local grange.

Mr. Glidden has been twice married. llis marriage with Hannah F. Hall, a native of Strafford, was performed in Dover, October 28, 1856. She died June 1, 1873, leaving three children, as follows: George B., who married Miss May Brown, and now lives in Pawtucket, R. I .; Mary L., who is the wife of George W. Gould, of Newton Junction, this county; and Annie C., who is wife of Fred Pingree, and resides in Charlestown, Mass. On January 8, 1874, Mr. Glidden was again married, Miss Emma E. Davis becom- ing his wife. She is a native of Dover, born in April, 1838, daughter of William Davis.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Her father is a mechanic, now eighty-five years of age, living in Dover. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Frances Libbey, died in . September, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Glidden are the parents of one child, Nellie E., who lives at home. Mrs. Glidden is a consistent and valued member of the Baptist church.

HARLES EDWARD HODGDON is an enterprising citizen of Portsmouth, who takes a prominent part in eivie affairs, and as an ice dealer carries on a large and prosperous business. He was born on October 27, 1848, son of Benjamin and Hannah (Frye) Hodgdon, his birthplace being the farm which he now owns. and occupies.

Mr. Hodgdon comes of a race of sturdy and prosperous farmers, at least three generations of whom were born in Newington, N.H. His great-great-grandfather on the paternal side, a prosperous farmer, was, so far as known, a lifelong resident of that town. He married a Miss Hoyt; and of this union was born Ben- jamin Hodgdon, Sr., the next in line of de- seent. This gentleman added to his agricult- ural labors the work of carpentry. He spent his life in Newington, and married a Miss Coleman, of that place. Their son Ephraim, the grandfather of Charles E. Hodgdon, was of a more adventurous spirit than his prede- cessors, and moved from place to place, though always following the pursuit of agriculture as a means of earning a livelihood. He spent the latter part of his life in Portsmouth. His wife was a Newington girl, named Abigail Thomas.

Benjamin Hodgdon, son of Ephraim, was born in Newington, but passed much of his boyhood in Portsmouth. After his marriage he purchased a farm on the west side of Woodbury Avenue, a place at that time well adapted to agricultural purposes, but now in- eluded within the city limits. There he passed his life, and died in his ninetieth year. His wife, Hannah Frye, a native of Portsmouth, daughter of Isaac Frye, attained the age of seventy-six years. Her mother's maiden name was Rebecca Foster. Mr. and

Mrs. Benjamin Hodgdon reared four children - Lizzie H., Lydia F., Henry C., and Charles Edward. Henry C. enlisted in 1861 in Company K, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service when only eighteen years of age.

Charles Edward Hodgdon, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Portsmouth, where for some time he was a student at the Wood- bury School. In early boyhood he took an active part in the farm work, and his practical knowledge of agriculture grew with his growth. He succeeded his father as owner of the homestead, and has for years been en- gaged in general farming, displaying much enterprise and ingenuity in his methods of raising erops. As a dairyman also he has been very successful, and now has a fine herd of registered Jerseys. At the age of nineteen he started in the ice business, beginning in a small way; and his trade increased from year to year, so that he now has houses with a ca- pacity of twenty-five hundred tons. The iee is of a fine quality, coming from a pond fed by springs, which is drained in the summer sea- son, the ground being cultivated to keep the bed of the pond free from weeds and grass.

January 4, 1876, Mr. Hodgdon was married to Martha Jane Locke, a native of Rye, N. H., who died in 1879; and on November 30, 1882, he was married to Lillie Robertson, who was born in Northfield, N. H., daughter of Lewis and Lizzie (Carter) Robertson. By his second marriage he has three children - Cora E., Mildred, and Winifred.

In politics Mr. Hodgdon is a Republican, taking an active interest in the welfare of his native city. He was elected Alderman in 1895. In social matters he is interested also, and belongs to prominent organizations, including Osgood Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 48, of which he has been Trustee for ten years, Strawberry Bank En- campment, No. 5, Canton Senter, No. 12, R. M., and Union Rebecca Lodge, No. 3, of which his wife also is a member. He attends the Baptist church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist.

A picture of unusual interest here ineets the eye of the reader - a family group made elear by the following description : -

CHARLES E. HODGDON, WIFE, AND DAUGHTERS. July 21, 1896.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

"Alderman Hodgdon is the central figure, with four-year-old baby Winifred on his knee. She wears a yellow chrysanthemum, and he a blue and white Sons of the Revolution button.

" Mrs. Lillie Robertson Hodgdon stands on the left, wearing the silver cross of the King's Daughters and a bit of mignonette. She has an ancestor on the maternal side that entitles her to join a society of Daughters of the Revolution. Cora Elouise stands beside her mother, and wears a spray of the same fragrant blossoms. Twelve years she has been a help to her parents. Mildred, the 'mascot,' is the author of many wise and droll ideas and say- ings. She has brought luck to the household in many ways since her coming, eight years ago. A bright nasturtium and feathery green foliage nestle on her shoulder in the folds of lace. All together, the picture portrays a happy family."

RANK P. BROWN is a successful and prominent business man of East Can- dia, N. H., his native place. He was born on August 2, 1852, only son of Jeremiah and Caroline (Cass) Brown.

Earlier generations had their home in the old town of Candia, of which James L. Brown, grandfather of Frank P., was a native. He was a carpenter by trade, following this occupa- tion during the entire active period of his life, earning his bread by honest industry and faith- ful effort. He married Sally Griffin, of Can- dia, and had ten children. Only five of this large family are now living, namely : Charles C., in Candia; Joseph L., a resident of Ray- mond; Hannah, the wife of P. M. Towle, of Candia; John K. Brown, of Manchester, N. II. ; and Jeremiah Brown, of Candia, N. H.

Jeremiah Brown, one of the ten children of James L., was born in the month of March, 1826, in the town of Candia, where the family seems to be deep-rooted in New Hampshire soil. In his early life he was a shoemaker, and sat at his bench in this capacity for thirty years. Since his son Frank has been a mer- chant, however, he has been associated with him in the store. Mr. Jeremiah Brown's first wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Cass, and who has been mentioned as the mother of

the subject of the present sketch, died on April 5, 1855. By his second wife, Eliza J. Currier, whom he married September 25, 1855, he had one child - Ared A., who died in 1873, aged seven years.

Frank P. Brown received a good common- school education in the public schools of East Candia and the high school of Raymond, N. H., and, when a young man, was employed as book-keeper and clerk in the depot village store. In 1873 he formed a partnership with L. H. Dearborn, which was continued for a few months. The latter's interest was then purchased by Mr. Brown, who continued alone the business for which he seemed to have a natural talent ; and in an incredibly short time his trade had so increased that it was neces- sary to enlarge his storehouse. In 1885 he was appointed Postmaster at the depot village ; and he at once opened a store there, not neg- lecting the East Candia establishment. About two years later he disposed of the depot store, and he has since given his concentrated ener- gies to the East Candia venture.

In the year 1873 he was married to Miss Rosa M. Lakin, of Sanbornton. Three chil- dren were born to bless this marriage - Fred A., who is with his father in business; and Conna G. and Lena R., both at school in Derry.

During the years of 1879 and 1880 Frank P. Brown served as a Representative in the legislature. He was a Selectman in 1878 and 1879, and held the office of Town Treasurer in 1892. He is a member of Rockingham Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., of Candia, and belongs to Junietta Lodge, No. 47, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Raymond, having passed the various chairs of the latter organization. His allegiance is pledged to the Democratic party ; and, as a man of grow- ing influence, his political support is of value. Mr. Brown attends the Methodist church.

OSEPH B. T. GRAVES, a well-to-do farmer residing in Brentwood, was born here, September 4, 1819, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Thyng) Graves. Hle comes of an old pioneer family of Rockingham County. His grandfather, William Graves,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

came to Brentwood in the early days, and here reared his family. His son Joseph, a native of the town, spent his entire life here, chiefly occupied in farming. Being a well-informed man, with a good deal of business ability, Joseph transacted much probate business for his neighbors. His death occurred at the age of seventy-one years. He married Rebecca Thyng, also a native of Brentwood, who, hav- ing outlived him, passed away January 4, 1864. They had four children - Lyford F., William, Joseph B. T., and Dorothy A. Of these Joseph B. T. is the only one now living.

Joseph B. T. Graves is one of the oldest of the residents who are natives of the town. Ile received a good education, which was completed in Lowell, Mass. Hle subsequently resided at the homestead until his marriage. Soon after that event he assumed its manage- ment, finally succeeding to its ownership. It contains one hundred acres of land. He has made improvements of a substantial character. The residence and out-buildings are neat and convenient. He and his wife, though quite aged, still carry on farming with the assist- ance of hired men. Mr. Graves also raises some stock, and keeps a small dairy, selling the milk. He has been a zealous advocate of Republican principles, and has served his townsmen in nearly every office within their gift. He was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for one term, was Town Clerk eighteen years, and in 1885 represented his district in the State legislature. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational church, although neither is connected by membership with any religious organization.

Mr. Graves was married December 29, 1842, to Harriet M., daughter of Asa and Grace (Stewart) Wood, both lifelong residents of Brentwood, where Mr. Wood was engaged as a merchant for many years. Mrs. Graves was born in this town, June 20, 1819, and has here spent her long and useful life. She is the mother of three sons - John W., Rufus E., and Eugene E. John W. married Miss Emma Morrill, and lives in Haverhill, Mass. Rufus E. is the proprietor of a restaurant in Newfield, N. II. Eugene E., who married Miss Louise Pollard, is also a resident of Ilaverhill.

HARLES HI. DAY, proprietor of one of the best farms in the town of Derry, N. Il., with a homestead that makes such a pretty rural pict- ure that it attracts the attention and wins the admiration of the passer-by, was born in Derry, April 28, 1842, son of Daniel J. and Harriet N. (Calef) Day. The branch of the Day family to which he belongs came origi- nally from Bradford, Mass. The father of Daniel J., Little Day, who was an early set- tler in Derry, lived on a farmi about a mile from his grandson's present residence. Daniel J. Day was a lifelong resident of Derry. He obtained his education in the district school, and, like most of the boys in his neighbor- hood, was trained to habits of industry on the home farm. Of an active and ambitious tem- perament, he learned the carpenter's trade in his youth, and worked at it for a number of years, at the same time managing a farm; and, his trade making it necessary for him to select and buy lumber, he became gradually interested in the lumber trade, and eventually managed a large business as a lumberman. He cast his first vote with the Whigs, and was afterward a member of the Republican party. Mr. Daniel J. Day took an active interest in religious matters, and was for some time Dea- con of the First Church in East Derry. He was gifted .with a strong constitution, and lived to be nearly eighty years old, passing away in January, 1878. His wife, Mrs. Har- riet N. Day, who was a native of Hampstead, this county, died in 1896.

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.

Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 5

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