Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 51

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 51

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Mr. Duston was married January 25, 1866, to Augusta M. Griffin, daughter of William and Miriam (Colby) Griffin. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were natives of New Hampshire, re- spectively born in Sandown and Bow. Mr. Duston was one of the prominent Democrats of the section, and served as Tax Collector of Salem and as Representative to the State legislature. He was appointed Postmaster in

1893, and served in that capacity until his death. His connection with fraternal organ- izations included membership in the Masonic Order and the Salem Grange. In the latter he served as Treasurer and Chaplain at differ- ent times. He died September 1, 1894, at the age of fifty-three years. Mrs. Duston re- sides on the farm, of which she has shown her- self a capable manager. She is an estimable lady, and one of the most valued members of the grange.

RS. HANNAH HALLIWELL,

a respected resident of Salem, Rockingham County, was born in this town, May 27, 1833, a daughter of Obadiah and Ann (Whitaker) Duston. Her ancestral record may be found in the sketch of her brother, the late Thomas Duston, which appears on a neighboring page of this volume.

Mrs. Halliwell was brought up in her native town, and was educated at the public schools and at the best select schools in the town. After finishing her education, she for some time followed the occupation of a teacher.

She married John Halliwell, a native of Yorkshire, England, but a naturalized Ameri- can citizen. He was a manufacturer of yarns for some time, and conducted a good business. In political faith he was a Democrat. Ile was also identified with the Masonic Order. He died on July 5, 1890. Mrs. Halliwell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of North Salem. She has a large acquaint- ance, and is esteemed and respected by all who know her.

AVID W. ELA is one of the most extensive farmers and stock growers in the town of Londonderry, N. II., making a specialty of raising Hol- stein and Ayrshire cattle. Hle was born May 3, 1849, on the farm that he now occupies, son of Edward P. and Isabella (Gregg) Ela. His grandfather, Edward Ela, was one of the early residents of Londonderry, a mill owner, who manufactured cloth and woollen goods. Ed- ward P. Ela, son of Edward, was born in Lon-

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clonderry, and here grew to manhood. Later lie was in the West about two years, and was employed for some time in the construction of a canal in Illinois; but the remainder of his life was passed in his native town, where he was engaged in farming and teaming. In financial matters he was very successful, and at his death he left a valuable property, which he had accumulated by industry and thrift. In politics he favored the Democratic side. He died in 1876. His wife, a native of Windham, this county, a daughter of Samuel Gregg, is making her home with her younger son, David W., he and one brother, who was born in 1847, being the only survivors of their four children.

David W. Ela attended the public school of District No. 1, in Londonderry, and Pinkerton Academy at Derry; and, while learning to read, write, and cipher, he was becoming familiar, under his father's training, with the duties of farm life. He has remained on the homestead from his birth, and has been very successful as a farmer, his estate of one hun- dred and fifty acres yielding bountiful crops and good pasturing. He has some beautiful Holstein and Ayrshire cattle, and ranks among the prominent stock raisers of the county. His fine farm and surroundings indicate dili- gence, careful management, and good taste.

Mr. Ela was married in 1882 to Martha E. Lovejoy, a native of Belgrade, Me., and by this union has three children - Anna B., Edward C., and Dolly M. A Democrat in politics, he is a public-spirited man, always ready to aid any project for the betterment of the town. He has been elected by his towns- men twice to the Board of Selectmen, and was Chairman of the board for one year. He has for some time been identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows as a member of Echo Lodge, No. 61, of Derry Depot, N.II. Mr. Ela is a well-informed man, by reading and discussion keeping up with the progress of the times.

EORGE W. BINGHAM, A. M., the able and efficient principal of l'inker- ton Academy in Derry, N. H., was born in the town of Claremont, in this State,

October 23, 1838, his parents being Courtney and Lovey A. (Lebourveau) Bingham, both natives of New Hampshire. The Bingham family is of English origin, the progenitors of the American descendants of the name having come from Yorkshire, England. On the maternal side Mr. Bingham inherits a Gallic strain through the Lebourveaus, his mother's ancestors, who came from France, and settled in New Hampshire during the latter half of the eighteenth century.

Courtney Bingham was born in Lempster, N. H., in 1790, and lived in Sullivan County all his life. He was a farmer, and was iden- tified with the State militia of his district in the early days of its organization.

George W. Bingham, of whom this bio- graphical sketch is written, spent his youth on his father's farm in Claremont, and was prepared for college at Kimball Union Acad- emy, Meriden, N. H., from which institution he graduated while it was under the manage- ment of the celebrated educator, Dr. Cyrus Richards, late of Washington, D.C. Entering Dartmouth College in 1859, young Bingham took a full literary course, receiving the degree of A. B. in 1863. That year Dartmouth sent forth from its classic precincts several young men who were destined to make honorable places for themselves and increase the prestige of the New Hampshire college that has served the county so grandly in preparing men for the higher planes of life-work. Among these are the Hon. Charles A. Pillsbury, the re- nowned flour manufacturer of Minneapolis, Minn., Judge Nathaniel H. Clement, of Brooklyn, N. Y., the Hon. Frank Goulding, of Worcester, Mass., and the Rev. Azel W. Hazen, D. D., of Middletown, Conn.

To Mr. Bingham belongs the honor of having procured by his own exertions the means necessary to defray the expenses of his education in both academy and college. Something akin to admiration is always felt in view of a career which has been bravely accomplished against great odds. When one thinks of the carnest young Claremont student practising the strictest economy and teaching school during his vacations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts villages in order to earn money enough to complete his education, a

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sincere respect for this steadfastness of purpose and ambitious longing is involuntarily ac- corded him. Reward of merit is sometimes bestowed outside of Sunday-school story books, and in the present instance the dues of earnest effort and lofty purpose fell to the lot of a deserving recipient. Immediately after grad- uating he was made Principal of Gilmanton Academy in New Hampshire, and for two years he devoted his energies to the advance- ment of that institution.

At the expiration of this period he accepted a call to Sewickley, Pa., and became superin- tendent of the public schools of that town. Energetic administration in this office won prompt recognition; and Mr. Bingham was invited to the principalship of the seminary for young ladies in Pittsburg, Pa. Here he achieved marked success educationally and financially, but was obliged to relinquish the work at the end of five years on account of im- paired health, resulting from overwork. Re- moving to Burlington, Ia., he engaged in the wholesale nursery business as a partner in the firm of Nealley, Bock & Bingham. After five years in this connection, which resulted in a valuable business experience and complete restoration to health, he accepted the princi- palship of Denmark Academy, one of the oldest and most influential schools of its class in Iowa. His service in this capacity was one of marked success; and its termination in 1884 was an occasion of deep regret to trustees, patrons, and educational associates. In 1885 he returned to his native State to accept the prominent educational position he now fills.

During the eleven years of his principalship at Pinkerton Academy he has had the satisfac- tion of seeing this institution take long strides of progress. Its attendance has doubled, its teaching force has been increased from three to eight, it has new quarters of the most im- proved architecture and appointments, and enjoys an established reputation for thorough work and advanced educational methods. Its usefulness and popularity are in themselves sufficient testimony to his well - directed energies and pronounced talents; and, when it is taken into consideration that this school ranks among the best educational institutions in the Granite State, too much credit to the

wise administration under which so much has been effected can scarcely be given.

While a student in Kimball Union Acad- emy, Mr. Bingham was received, on profession of faith, into the communion of the Congrega- tional church in his native town; and he has always been active in Christian service. Elected President of the New Hampshire. Sunday-school Association in 1888, he repre- sented New Hampshire in the World's Con- vention held in London, England, in July, 1889. In the International Sunday-school Convention held in Boston in July, 1896, he was elected to a second term of three years as member for New Hampshire in the Inter- national Executive Committee. A stanch advocate of the temperance cause, his influ- ence is widely felt in this direction. He is President of the Law and Order League of Derry, and an officer in the State organization.

In 1865 Mr. Bingham married Miss Mary Upham Cogswell, eldest daughter of the Rev. E. C. Cogswell, late of Northwood, N. H. Mrs. Bingham is a lady of fine nature and rare attainments. She joins with zest and full sympathy in all her husband's intellectual pursuits, and is, in the highest sense, a help- meet for him.

REEMAN W. TUCK, a well-to-do farmer of Danville, was born January 27, 1836, in Fremont, N. H., a son of Israel and Rachael (Tuck) Tuck, both natives of Brentwood. Mr. Tuck's parents after their marriage left Brentwood, where they had pre- viously resided, and settled in the town of Fremont, purchasing a farm on which they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying September 25, 1872, and the mother June 20, 1878. The father combined the occupations of a farmer and charcoal - burner, the last named being his principal business. They had a family of six children, as follows: John S., who lives in Georgetown, Mass., married Sarah Gordon, of Brentwood; Nancy, who be- came the wife of Deacon Bean, of Brentwood ; Freeman W., the subject of this sketch; one, the fourth-born, who lived but a short time; George, now residing at Exeter, N. H., who married Sophia Goodrich; and Elvira, who

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died November 18, 1890. She married John 11. Carr, of Brentwood.

Freeman W. Tuck remained beneath the paternal roof-tree until attaining his majority, attending the district schools in his earlier years, and on the home farm becoming as familiar with the various branches of agricult- ure as he was with the contents of his school- books. Going then to the village of Brent- wood, he drove a team for a nurseryman for nearly a year, and then came to Danville, locating on his present farm. This contains sixty-five acres of land, which he devotes to the raising of hay, corn, potatoes, and vege- tables, carrying on general farming most suc- cessfully. For several seasons, he has thrown open his pleasant and conveniently arranged farm-house for the accommodation of city people who wish for a summer home in the country, where they can have plenty of fresh, pure air, appetizing food, and enjoy an agree- able vacation. In politics Mr. Tuck has in- variably supported the principles of the Repub- lican party, but has never aspired to public office.

On December 14, 1858, he married Miss Saphina D. Towle, daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Page) Towle, of Danville, of which place her father was a lifelong resident. Mr. Towle was a farmer and cooper by occupation. He died February 23, 1868, and his wife in February, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Tuck have four children, namely : Lellan J., an attorney by profession, is a resident of Pawtucket, R. I. ; Flora M., prominent in the social circles of Danville, is engaged in teaching ; Arthur W., a carpenter by trade, lives at home; and Willis C., a shoe-cutter, also lives at home with his parents.

ORENZO D. DUNTLEY, the present Postmaster of Greenland, was born at Thornton, N. H., February I3, 1832, son of Hazen and Phoebe (Leighton) Duntley. Ilis paternal grand- father, Joseph, was long a resident of Sand- wich, N. II., where he was engaged in black- smithing. Joseph and his wife became the parents of two sons and two daughters.

Hazen Duntley, who was a native of Sand-

wich, obtained his education in the district schools of that place. He learned the black- smith's trade, and followed it throughout the rest of his life. After working at it for sev- eral years in his native town, he removed to Milton, N. H., where his death occurred. He fought in the late war for the maintenance of the Union, having enlisted from New Hamp- shire in the Rhode Island Cavalry. His wife, Phœbe, a daughter of Jedidah Leighton, of Farmington, N. H., bore him eleven children, all of whom, except two, attained maturity. These were: Emily, Lorenzo D., J. Leighton, Mary J., Ira, Albathina and Lorania (twins), Phœbe A., and Amos. Emily was given in marriage to Joshua Downs; and they now re- side at Milton, N. II. Leighton successively married Nancy Hussey and Gusta Miles. The latter now lives at Rochester, N. H. Mary J. became the wife of a Mr. Reynolds, with whom she now makes her home at Alton, N. H. Ira

married Sarah Hodgkins, and resides in Mil- ton, N. H. Albathina was joined in matri- mony with John Pinkham, and also resides at Milton. Lorania was wedded to John Corson, and lives at Farmington, N. H. Phoebe was married to Albert Nutter; and they now reside at Dover, N. H. Amos was first married to Mary Sawyer, and now resides in Rochester, N. H., with his second wife.

Lorenzo D. Duntley attended the district schools of Milton for the usual period. In his earlier life he was occupied in making custom shoes for shoe manufacturing firms at Haverhill, Mass. In 1861 he came to Green- land, where he plied his trade until 1880. In that year he opened a general store in the centre of the town, and has since conducted it successfully. With this he also discharges the duties of Postmaster of Greenland, to which office he was appointed in October, 1894. In 1855 Mr. Duntley was united in wedlock with Miss Susan E. Dearborn, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F. Dearborn, of Wakefield, N. H. Born of the union were four children, of whom George W., Curtis, and Florence are living. George received in marriage the hand of Miss Fanny Pearson, with whom he resides at Greenland, the father of two chil- dren - Ruth and Fred. Curtis wedded Miss Nellie Stephens, of Stevens' Point, Wis., who

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has borne him a daughter, Florence, and re- sides with his family in Boston. Florence, the third child of Mr. Duntley, Sr., is a teacher in the public schools of Portsmouth, N. H. Frank H., the deceased son, met his death on the railroad at East Wakefield, N. H., while at work on the road. The father is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenland. In politics he is a Democrat, and he cast his first Presidential vote in 1856 for James Buchanan. He was Town Clerk for a number of years, and was a member of the Board of Selectmen for three years. He has also served in the capacities of Assessor and Auditor. Mr. Duntley is affiliated with Wenicot Lodge, No. 92, of Greenland.

OBERT PATERSON, a successful gardener of Portsmouth, was born in Kennetcook, Hants County, Nova Scotia, on October 18, 1859. His

parents were Andrew and Melinda (Rines)

Paterson. The father, who was a native of Scotland, born in 1805, came to Nova Scotia when he was a young man, and managed a large farm. His brother, Alexander, was an extensive farmer, owning among other farms one of a thousand acres, and another of six hundred acres. Robert's father was an influ- ential member of the Presbyterian church, which he served as Deacon for many years. He married Melinda Rines, of the same town, and they had seven children, six of whom are now living; namely, Alexander, Robert, Charles, Edward, Mary J., and Letitia. The father is still living, being a well preserved gentleman of ninety years.

Robert Paterson was educated in the public schools of his native town, working between sessions on his father's farm until he was six- teen years of age. He went to Maitland, Hants County, Nova Scotia, where he was employed one year as gardener by William D. Lawrence, who was largely engaged in ship- building. He then returned home to renew his studies, remaining another year. Subse- quently he went back to the employment of Mr. Lawrence, with whom he stayed until he attained his majority. Ilis next employer was the Ilon. Frank Jones, of Portsmouth,

for whom he is at present head gardener. He went first to Mr. Jones's place merely to visit his half-brother, William G. Paterson, having no intention of remaining. Yielding to Mr. Jones's invitation to work there, he served as journeyman for five years, and was then pro- moted to the post of assistant gardener. Four . years later his brother died, when, in 1890, Mr. Jones, without any solicitation on his part, appointed him to succeed his brother, which position he still holds. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, but de- clines office. Mr. Paterson loves nature, and avails himself of all devices to aid and develop its work. In this business he is an enthusiast. He is a member of the Gardeners' and Florists' Club of Boston, and also belongs to the Society of American Florists. Besides his regular occupations in Mr. Jones's employ- ment, Mr. Paterson also has charge of the Wentworth Hotel gardens and conservatories, having supervision of thirty-five men. He is a member of Damon Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias; of Massasoit Tribe, No. 16, of Red Men; and Uniformed Rank, Lucullus Divi- sion, Knights of Pythias. He attends religious worship at the Baptist church. On September 20, 1893, Mr. Paterson was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth, only daughter of Daniel W. and Annie M. Elkins, of Hampton, N. H. Her family were prosperous farming folk, extensive property owners, and great workers in the orthodox church. She is the last heir, and owns a farm of one hundred acres. Mr. Paterson has adopted his brother's two orphan children - Fred W. and Gertrude G. No one who knows Mr. Paterson and his estimable wife will doubt that the children will be ten- derly cared for and receive every advantage within their means.

OSES O. NICHOLS, a thriving farmer of Epping, N. H., was born in Kennebec County, Maine, in 1836. His parents were John and Sarah (Osborne) Nichols. The father was a native of Maine, and spent his life in that State. He was a tanner by trade, but the latter part of his life was spent in farming. Ile died in 1841. His wife, who was a native

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of New Hampshire, survived him thirty-seven years, dying in 1878.

Moses O. Nichols's opportunities for ob- taining an education were limited ; but he made the best of them, and subsequently attended a Friends' School in Providence, R. I., for one term. lle then turned his attention to farm- ing, and has since devoted himself chiefly to that occupation. His fruitful and well-culti- vated farm of seventy-five acres is situated four miles north-west of Epping. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Al- though not an office-seeker, he was at one time a candidate for Selectman, and, notwithstand- ing the fact that the town is strongly Demo- cratic, came within one vote of election.

In 1866 Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Ann C. Post, a daughter of Peter Post, of Picton, Province of Ontario. Four children came to enlarge the family circle - Mary, Ruth, Anna, and Roger. The mother was taken away by the hand of death in 1885. The parents were both highly respected mem- bers of the Society of Friends. Mr. Nichols is a man of strict integrity, whose influence in the community has ever been for good.

HARLES MARSEILLES, formerly a well-known editor and publisher, now living in retirement at Exeter, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 19, seilles. 1846, son of Peter and Eliza (Gilpin) Mar- On the paternal side he is of French Huguenot extraction. The first representa- tives of the family to settle in North America were Peter Marseilles and his family, who came here over two hundred years ago from Holland. They disembarked at New Amster- dam, now New York City, where they fixed their temporary home. Previous to their emi- gration the Marseilles had lived for many years in Holland. From New Amsterdam they removed to a place near Greenbrook, now in New Jersey, where they subsequently re- sided for many generations. Peter Marseilles, the father of Charles, was born November 23, 1793, in Somerset, N. J. He removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where he became a member of the firm of Marseilles & Martin, the leading wholesale house in Philadelphia dealing in

hats, furs, etc., having an extensive trade in the South and West. In 1836 he married Miss Eliza Gilpin, a native of Philadelphia, where the ceremony was performed. They had seven children, of whom three sons and three daughters attained to maturity. Charles, Elizabeth, and Anna are the only survivors now. Mr. Marseilles departed this life in Philadelphia, April 21, 1878, at the advanced age of eighty-five years; and his wife, who was fifteen years younger than he, survived him just fifteen years, passing away on Decem- ber 26, 1893.

Charles Marseilles acquired a part of his education at the Phillips Exeter Academy, which is located at Exeter, N. H., entering that institution at the age of sixteen with a friend, D. P. Lippencott. He and Mr. Lip- pencott were room-mates until the latter en- listed for service in the Civil War. Mr. Mar- seilles returned home in 1863, and prosecuted "his studies in the select schools of William Fewsmith and Dr. Robert H. Labberton, and under a private tutor, Reginald H. Chase. In 1864 he entered the Norwich University at Norwich (now at Northfield), in order to ob- tain a military training. In the spring of 1865, when the war was ended, he went to Boston, Mass., and accepted a position in the publishing house of Ticknor & Fields. After remaining with them about twelve months, being then but twenty years of age, he went to Exeter, N. H., and purchased the Exeter Nowes- Letter. This paper was established in 1831 by Captain Sleeper, who in 1833 founded the Bos- ton Journal. Mr. Marseilles edited and man- aged his paper with enterprise and success until September, 1878, when he changed his residence to Kingston, N. Y., and purchased the Kingston Daily Freeman and the Kingston Fournal. He had been proprietor and editor of these journals for four years when he retired from the active duties and burdens of life.

On October 5, 1869, Mr. Marseilles wedded Miss Annie Mary Moses Leavitt, daughter of the late Samuel W. Leavitt, of Exeter, N. H. Mr. Leavitt, who was a native of Exeter, passed away January 10, 1896, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. The house in which his decease occurred was over two hundred years old, and had been his home for many

ANDREW J. PENHALLOW.

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years. Mr. and Mrs. Marseilles, who have had no children, now reside in Exeter at their pleasant home on Upper Front Street, where the unmistakable indications of refinement meet one at every turn. Their spacious rooms are almost literally filled with beautiful and exquisite paintings and bric-à-brac. The house also contains one of the best private libraries to be found in the State of New Hampshire.

In national politics Mr. Marseilles supports the Republican party. Though he has not been an aspirant to official and social distinc- tion, having repeatedly declined nominations to offices, he has been a power in the realm of politics, assisting very materially through the columns of his journals in making or un- making governors, senators, and other high officials of State and nation. Few editors wield a more potent pen than Mr. Marseilles.

A NDREW J. PENHALLOW, of Ports- mouth, confidential clerk of Charles S. Mendum, was born in Ports- mouth, March 1, 1815. The Pen- hallows are an old and influential family here. Penhallow Street was so named as a mark of respect to them. At that time they were the first family in town, taking such prominent positions as seemed to belong to them by reason of their personal worth. The father of Andrew J. was the President of the New Hampshire National Bank.

Andrew J. Penhallow was educated in the Portsmouth public schools, and became an efficient accountant and a fine penman. His commercial career began in the dry-goods store of Stephen Simes, where he continued for two or three years. This store now belongs to John S. Rand. Mr. Penhallow subsequently served as confidential clerk for Mr. Charles S. Mendum, being eminently fitted therefor. In politics he was a Republican, but he did not seek political preferment. He never joined any secular organizations, while he was a member of the Unitarian church for many years, having been admitted under the admin- istration of that great and good man, Andrew P. Peabody. HIe efficiently discharged the duties of Parish Clerk for some time.

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Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 51

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