Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 53

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston [Mass.] Biographical review pub. co.
Number of Pages: 658

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second wife Mary Hoit, who bore him one daughter, Joanna W., now deceased, who was the wife of Jeremiah Chadwick. Surviving this wife also, Samuel married Mrs. Betsey Gilman.

The Rev. Jacob Chapman spent his carly years on the home farm. In 1827 he entered Phillips Exeter Academy, where he prepared for college. He was able to defray his ex- penses by teaching in his leisure hours, and assisted by a grant of seventy dollars from the academy endowment fund, at that time much smaller than it is at present. He entered Dartmouth at the age of twenty-one, and grad- uated with honors in 1835. His father, who had loaned him money to help him through college, taking his notes for the amount and interest, afterward cancelled the bills. After graduating from Dartmouth, he taught one year in Lyndon, Vt., after which he qualified in theology at Andover, becoming thoroughly grounded in the doctrines of the Congrega- tional faith. His first pastoral charge was at Pelham, N.H., where on account of ill-health he remained but a short time. He subse- quently taught for a while in Pennsylvania, and was for some time professor in Franklin College of that State, teaching in all some fifteen years. During that time he also preached frequently. Several years of his life have been devoted to literary . work, chiefly genealogical and biographical, necessitating much labor and research. . His works include : a "History of the Folsom Family," three hundred octavo pages (1882) ; the "Philbrick Genealogy," over two hundred pages: the "History of the Weeks Family," two hun- dred pages; the "Lane Genealogy," first vol- ume, three hundred pages; and the "Chapman Genealogy," one hundred and forty pages. Mr. Chapman is in independent circumstances. Now resting from years of arduous toil, his chief recreation consists in doing good. Though slight and frail in constitution, and his memory. of recent events is becoming treacherous, he is gifted with tenacious vital- ity, and is still active.

He was married in Bridgton, Me., in 1840, to Mary C. Howe, who was an invalid during the greater part of her married life of thirty years. In 1871 he was again married in Strat-

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ham, N. H., to Mary E. Lane, of South New Market. llis home at 7 Main Street, where he has lived for seventeen years, is one of the historic houses of the city, being over one hundred years old.

RANK D. WILSON, a prominent and popular citizen of Salem, Rockingham County, was born in this town, Febru- ary 15, 1858, son of Aaron G. and Abbie (Bailey) Wilson. His father was a native of Pelham, N. H., and his mother of Haverhill, Mass. Aaron G. Wilson came to Salem when over thirty years of age, accompanied by his mother. He married and settled on the farm now occupied by his son, Frank D., and re- mained here until his death in 1889. Of his children, two sons and a daughter survive : Abbie J., the wife of Edmund Vittum, of Sandwich, N. H. ; Alonzo G. ; and Frank D. The mother, now past seventy years of age, is living with her younger son.

Frank D. Wilson remained on the home farm until twenty one years old, making the best of his limited opportunities for obtaining an education. On leaving home, he secured a position as clerk in a store, and was thus employed for a number of years, four of which were spent in Salem. He subsequently went into business for himself in this town, in part- nership with Fred C. Buxton, under the firm name of Buxton & Wilson, which connection continued for three years. He then went to Haverhill, Mass., and engaged as a clerk for F. C. Wilson & Co., grocery dealers, for whom he worked about five years, returning to the old homestead in the spring of 1890. At present he is profitably engaged with his brother, A. G. Wilson, in farming and the milk business.

lle married Miss Etta L. Foster, of Salem, daughter of John P. Foster.

Mr. Wilson is serving his fourth term as Selectman, being also Chairman of that board. An active politician, he was elected on the Republican ticket as a Representative to the Lower House of the State legislature in 1894, and served with credit to himself and profit to his constituents. He is a member of the Masonic Order, also of Salem Grange.

ELSON ORDWAY, of Hampstead, a retired merchant who has done much to further the progress of the town, was born in Hampstead, July 31, 1821, son of John and Eliza S. (Chase) Ord- way. His grandfather, John Ordway, who was a native of West Newbury, Mass., was the first of the family to settle permanently in Hampstead. Some time previous to 1792 John took charge of the farm on Governor's Island for a gentleman in Newbury or New- buryport, who owned the island and used it for a summer residence. About the year 1794 he settled on a farm. of his own in Hampstead, which contained about seventy acres, much of it wild land; and the rest of his life was de- voted to clearing it and rendering the soil arable. A part of this land is now owned by his grandson. He took a prominent place among the town fathers, voting with the Whigs, and was Tax Collector for a number of years. In 1776, though but fifteen years old then, he joined the Revolutionary army; and his widow's name is on the pension list. He died in 1832. He married Sarah Rogers, of West Newbury, Mass., who lived to be over fourscore years of age. She was a member of the Congregational church in Hampstead, which her husband attended. Six of their children attained maturity.

John Ordway, the second of his parents' children, was born on Governor's Island, Hampstead, July 14, 1792. He worked on his father's farm until he attained his major- ity, and then learned the wheelwright's trade in Hampstead. For many years he was en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons, taking his goods back into the country to sell. Sub- sequently he was in business as a manufacturer of chip hats in Hampstead, and was one of the first to engage in the industry of making palm- leaf hats. In 1829 he established a general store in the town under his own name. His trade yearly increased; and in 1846 he took his son Nelson into partnership, changing the firm name to John Ordway & Son. Another change was made some time later, when another son, John D., was taken into the firm, which then became John Ordway & Co. After this a flourishing business was conducted for a number of years, and then Mr. Ordway retired,

FRANK D. WILSON.

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spending the rest of his life in leisure on the home farm. He was President of the Derry Bank at Derry, N. H., and was in office at the time it became the Derry National Bank ; and he served for a number of years on the Board of Trustees of the Hampstead High School. He was designated trustee in the will of Ben- jamin D. Emerson, approved in 1872, which bequeathed to the town the fund for the erec- tion of the Iligh School. Mr. Ordway was active in politics as a Whig and a Republican. He served as Selectman of Hampstead for a number of years, and filling other town offices; and he was State Representative in 1846 and 1854, and State Senator in 1857 and 1858. He died November 8, 1881. On Jan- uary 19, 1819, he married Eliza S. Chase, daughter of Joseph and Emma (Chase) Chase, of West Newbury, Mass. She died January 21, 1873, her wedded life covering almost exactly fifty-four years. She was a member of the Congregational church. She had six chil- dren, of whom Nelson is the only one now living.

Nelson Ordway acquired his education in the schools of his native town, and at Plymouth Academy and Pinkerton Academy of Derry. After leaving school, he worked as clerk for his father for a short time, and then, after a season of rest necessitated by ill-health, took an active part in the business as partner. Thereafter he was one of the prime movers of the enterprise until 1860, when he sold his interest to his brother, and engaged in lumber- ing for a few years. The care of his father's property devolving upon him, he was gradually drawn into the business of settling estates for others; and in the course of time, being a Jus- tice of the Peace, he had considerable work of that kind to do. Mr. Ordway has large landed interests in Hampstead and other places. He has the confidence and respect of his towns- men, and has been for many years a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hampstead High School.

On August 21, 1851, Mr. Ordway was mar- ried to Elizabeth P., daughter of Humphrey and Betsey (Low) Choate, of Derry. She was one of six children, of whom the only other survivor is her sister, Abby M., who resides in Derry. Mrs. Ordway has had two children, of

whom Henry C., born August 8, 1856, is liv- ing. He is engaged in the heavy hardware business in Boston, as a member of the firm of Butts & Ordway, and resides in Winchester, Mass. He married Fanny, daughter of the late Rev. Henry M. Scudder, of Winchester, and has four children, namely: Philip S., born March 14, 1887; Elizabeth I., born December 30, 1888; Catherine L., born July 26, 1890; and Helen F., born October 2, 1893. Mr. Nelson Ordway is a Republican. He has served as Selectman for a number of terms, and has efficiently filled the office of Chairman of the board; and he represented the district in the legislature of 1862 and 1863. A pub- lic-spirited man, he is always ready to aid any enterprise likely to benefit the town, and he has contributed generously toward the erection of the new public library building.

G EORGE WOODBURY, a prominent resident of Salem Depot, was born in Salem, this county, February 1, 1819, son of Asa and Sarah (Thom) Wood- bury, both of whom were natives of Salem. Captain Israel Woodbury, grandfather of George, served in the War of Independence under Washington. The family were among the first settlers of this town. Asa Woodbury was a mason by trade, and also engaged in farming to some extent. He was highly re- spected in the town, and served acceptably as Selectman. His death occurred May 17, 1847. Two of his four children, George and Isaac, survive him. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church.

George Woodbury attended the common schools of Salem, and later a seminary at New Market, N.H. He then settled down to the duties of life, choosing for his occupations hotel-keeping and farming. On October 7, 1841, Mr. Woodbury was united in marriage with Miss Mary K. Emerson, who was born in Salem, February 29, 1820, daughter of Leon- ard and Mehitable (Merrill) Emerson. Mr. Emerson was a native of Haverhill, Mass., and his wife, of Salem, N. HI. Mrs. Emerson's father, Joshua Merrill, was one of the pio- neers of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury

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have lost their only child, Charles S. Wood- bury. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1891 ; but the years have borne lightly upon them, and they still enjoy a good degree of health. Mr. Woodbury is a prominent mem- ber and active worker in the Methodist Epis- copal church at Salem Depot, which he also serves in the capacities of Steward and Trus- tee. His membership dates back over half a century, he being one of the founders of the church. Mrs. Woodbury was also one of its first members. She is likewise a zealous worker in the Women's Christian Temperance Union at Salem Depot. This aged couple are popular in Salem society, and have numerous friends and acquaintances. In pol- itics Mr. Woodbury has supported the Repub- lican party since its formation.

T HOMAS STEVENS, one of Notting- ham's best known residents, and an ex- member of the New Hampshire legis- lature, was born in this town, February 16, 1830, son of Daniel B. and Betsey M. (Butler) Stevens. Mr. Stevens's great-grandfather, Joshua Stevens, who was born in Stratham, N. H., in 1737, became a resident of Notting- ham when he was ten years old, the town being then in its infancy. He married Annie Har- vey, daughter of Robert Harvey, of Notting- ham, who emigrated to this country in 1726, and reared a family of five children. Joshua's eldest son, Thomas Stevens, was born in Not- tingham, February 2, 1764. He assisted his father in carrying on the farm, clearing a large portion of the six hundred acres which he eventually inherited. The remainder of his active period was spent in managing the prop- erty. In politics he was a Whig, and he fig- ured prominently in public affairs as Select- man and Town Treasurer. He died at the age of eighty-three years, leaving a good estate. In his religious belief he was a Universalist. lle married Betsey Barber, a native of Epping, this county, and was the father of two chil- dren, of whom but Daniel B. reached maturity. The mother died May 26, 1826.

Daniel B. Stevens was born in Nottingham, March 14, 1803. At an early age he began to work upon the farm with his father, residing

there until his marriage, which took place March 2, 1827. He then bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, where he resided for seventeen years. The rest of his life was spent on the ancestral home. He was a capable and successful agriculturist. Origi-

nally a Whig in politics, he affiliated with the Republicans after the formation of that party. He served as a Selectman for several years, and represented his district in the State legis- lature for two terms. He was also prominent in society, was a member of the Baptist church, and he lived to the age of eighty years. He married Betsey M. Butler, of Nottingham, daughter of John and Sally (Batchelder) Butler, and a half-sister of the late General Benjamin F. Butler. She is also a grand- daughter of Zephaniah Butler, one of the first settlers of Nottingham. She bore her hus- band seven children, six of whom are living, namely : Elizabeth Barber, now the widow of the late Colonel John B. Batchelder, of Gil- manton, N. H., and residing in Hyde Park, Mass. ; Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Amanda, who is now residing at the home- stead ; John Butler, who married Jane Lucy, and resides in San José, Cal. ; Charlotte But- ler, who resides in Washington, D.C. ; and Walter Daniel, residing in Derry, N. H., who married Martha Shute of that town, and has three children - Elizabeth Butler, Harold Edward, and Mildred. The mother, now eighty-eight years old, is living at the home- stead.

Thomas Stevens began his education in the district schools of his native town. After completing his studies at the Pembroke Acad- emy, he returned to his father's farm, where he has since resided. He now owns several hundred acres of land, a large portion of which he has successfully devoted to general farming. Ile has been twice married. On June 19, 1850, he wedded Sarah J. Sanborn, daughter of Benjamin Sanborn, of Deerfield, N. H., and became the father of four children. These are : Blanche, born January 11, 1851; Edward Sanborn, born December 16, 1855, who mar- ried Caroline Pike, daughter of Warren Pike, of Sanbornton, and has one daughter, Char- lotte B .; Alice Butler, who is the wife of Charles Greenleaf Carlton, M.D., of Law-

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rence, Mass., and has one son, Francis Cogs- well; and Andrew Butler, born January 19, 1867, who married Grace Pike, a sister of Edward's wife. The mother died April 26, 1878. On December 13, 1892, Mr. Stevens contracted his second marriage with Mrs. Sarah J. Nealley, who was born December 4, 1855, daughter of Peter Rowell, of Hookset, N. H.

In politics Mr. Stevens is an active and influential supporter of the Democratic party. He has rendered good service to the town as a member of the Board of Selectmen, besides holding other important local offices; and he served with ability for two years as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representa- tives from this district. He has labored dili- gently for the best interests of the community, and is highly respected for his public services. Both he and Mrs. Stevens attend the Univer- salist church.

R EV. WILLIAM A. PATTEN, a well- known Congregational clergyman, is resting from his evangelical labors in Kingston, Rockingham County, N. H. He was born June 28, 1815, and is now over fourscore years old. He is a son of Aaron and Sarah (Chase) Patten, both natives and lifelong residents of Kingston, and on his father's side is descended from Samuel Colcord, one of the original grantees of the town of Kingston. Samuel Colcord, second, born in 1710, married in 1732 Mehit- able Ladd, who was born in 1713. Their daughter, Mehitable Colcord, born in 1751, was married in 1774 to William Patten, grand- father of the Rev. William A. Patten. Grandfather Patten was a wheelwright, and worked at his trade in Kingston during his active life. He and his wife died, and were buried in Kingston.

Aaron Patten, son of William Patten, died in Kingston in 1823. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Chase Patten, died June 4, 1845. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Louisa (deceased), wife of the Rev. William P. Gale, who also is dead; Mary, who died June 22, 1892; Susan E., who died January 10, 1894; Sarah A., who died April 27, 1893, wife of

the Rev. Abel Wood, of Westminster, Mass. ; William A., the subject of this sketch ; Charles, who died in childhood; Rachel P., living in Cedar Rapids, Ia. ; and Martha, wife of the Rev. Ezra Newton, of St. Paul, Minn.

William A. Patten paid his way through the academy, college, and theological semi- nary. He graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., in 1843; from the Theologi- cal Seminary, Andover, Mass., in 1846; and he was ordained over the Congregational church in Deerfield, N. H., in June, 1850. Subsequently he went to California, preach- ing six months in the First Congregational Church of San Francisco and two years at Grass Valley. He was then obliged to rest from pulpit duty for a while on account of his voice failing, and returned East. He was ap- pointed and served as Chaplain in the regiment of Thirty-second Maine Volunteers. On re- ceiving his discharge from military service, he became pastor of the church at Williamsburg, Ia. After this he was recalled to the church in Deerfield, N. H. His next charge was at Raymond, N. H. ; and after three years of earnest work there he was obliged to retire, the old trouble, voice failure, making rest neces- sary. Mr. Patten's carly life was one of un- ceasing toil ; and, while struggling to meet his own expenses, he aided his mother and sisters. By economy and good judgment in business matters he has managed to accumulate a com- petency ; and in 1880 he built his present resi- dence, which is one of the handsomest in Kingston. He has gathered some valuable specimens of natural history, including many animals and birds, which

are tastefully mounted, and may be seen at his home; and the large and rare collection which he has presented to Sanborn Seminary in Kingston will make his name one long to be remem- bered with gratitude. In politics Mr. Patten is a Republican. He takes an especially active part in educational affairs.

Dow.

B ENJAMIN W. DOW, an industrious and successful agriculturist of Exeter, was born here, October 24, 1826, son of Richard and Jemima (Worthen) Mr. Dow, on both the paternal and

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maternal sides, is a representative of old Eng- lish- American families of New England and of this vicinity. He traces back his family history to the early Colonial period. The first settlement of the Dow family in America was made on territory now included in Salis- bury, Mass. A lineal descendant of the Salis- bury man was Benjamin Dow, the paternal grandfather of Benjamin W. Grandfather Dow was a resident of Kensington, Rocking- ham County.

Richard Dow, who was a native of Kensing- ton, removed thence in 1816 to Exeter, where during his subsequent life he was industri- ously engaged in general agriculture and lum- bering. He married Miss Jemima Worthen, daughter of Enoch Worthen, of Kensington, who was born in 1750. Enoch, who served in the Revolutionary army, was a son of Ezekiel Worthen, a commissioned officer in the same army. The history of the Worthen family in this country goes back to the early settlements, and shows the members of the successive gen- erations, without exception, to have been lovers of the land and home. Richard Dow and his wife passed practically all their lives in this county. He was, however, an officer in the militia, and served in the War of 1812, being stationed at Portsmouth, N. H. He died in 1861, and his wife in 1867.

Benjamin W. Dow attained to manhood on the paternal farm. He enjoyed very limited educational advantages, being obliged very early in life to apply himself to mercantile pursuits. Brought up amid agricultural scenes and occupations, he naturally chose the calling of farmer ; and he has been very actively en- gaged in that pursuit throughout his life. His farm of forty acres shows everywhere indi- cations of the success with which he has man- aged it.

In 1857 Mr. Dow was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Locke, daughter of Sam- nel Locke, who was a native of Hampton, this county. Two of their children are living Josephine Plummer and Charles Howard.

-- Josephine is a well-known and efficient .

teacher in the Exeter schools. Charles Howard, who is a graduate of Harvard Col- lege and has travelled very extensively in foreign countries, is at present pursuing a

course in law at Harvard. The father has never aspired to social or political distinction. In national politics he is affiliated with the Democratic party. He is unqualifiedly op- posed to monopolies of whatever sort, and is a loyal adherent of Mr. Cleveland and his ad- ministration. In religious belief he is a Con- gregationalist, and both he and his wife are associated with the North Hampton Congrega- tional church. Mr. Dow, now in his seven- tieth year, is physically the cqual of many men at fifty. He never purchased a drop of liquor at a bar, and for fifty years has not tasted either tea or coffee. He attributes his unusual strength and healthfulness to his very abstemious habits. He is highly re- spected in the town. Among many other in- teresting souvenirs of the past, he and his wife treasure a copy of the Boston Gasette pub- lished on Monday, April 30, 1770, and a copy of the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, published July 5, 1776, the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

AMES H. KELSEY, a well-known agriculturist of Nottingham, is a native of the town, born June 17, 1855, son of John and Elizabeth (Gile) Kelsey. On the paternal side he is of Scotch extrac- tion. His great-great-grandfather, William Kelsey, who was of Scotch parentage, emi- grated from Ireland to America in 1726, and settled in Nottingham with the original pio. neers. He purchased a large tract of land, a portion of which he cleared, and thereon erected a dwelling that may still be seen. His son, James, who was born on the paternal farm, there spent his entire lifetime, princi- pally occupied in general husbandry. He.and his wife, Elizabeth (Harvey) Kelsey, also a native of Nottingham, became the parents of six children, of whom John Kelsey, Sr., the grandfather of James H., was the third by birth. John Kelsey, who was born in Not- tingham, October 5, 1771, after the acquiring of his education engaged in school-teaching for several years. He subsequently estab- lished himself in business in a general country store at Waterboro, York County, Me., but later returned to his native town, and was

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there occupied in farming to the close of his life. On January 31, 1802, he married Mary Roberts, a native of Waterboro, who was born December 12, 1780, and became the father of seven children. Of these the sole survivor is Mrs. Mary Dow, who was born November 19, 1814, and who now resides at Providence, R. I., being the widow of the late Stephen Dow, of that city. Mrs. Dow's children are : Kelsey, Louise, Delia, and Mary. Louise is now Mrs .. Turtelott, of Providence; and Mary is Mrs. Wilson, and also resides in Providence. Both parents were members of the Baptist church of Nottingham. The father passed away in December, 1819; and his wife, after surviving him many years, died in March, 1865.

John Kelsey was born at the old homestead, July 24, 1810, and was engaged there all his life in general agriculture. He was very in- dustrious and progressive, and at his decease left a large amount of property. In March, 1836, he united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Gile, born at Nottingham, June 14, 1813, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Gile. Of this marriage there came six children, all of whom still survive. They are: Laura A., born February 14, 1839; John W., born Sep- tember 4, 1841; Eliza, born December 6, 1844, who is now the wife of E. B. Gould, of Nashua, N. H. ; Hiram, born September 16, 1847; Ichabod R., born April 20, 1851 ; and James II., the subject of this sketch. Hiram joined in wedlock with Miss Evelyn Leavitt, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan H. Leav- itt, of New Market, N. H. ; and they have two children - Edith and Harry. Ichabod wedded Miss Martha A. Bartlett, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Bartlett, of Lee, N. H., and has three sons - Arthur, Frank, and John. In politics John Kelsey affiliated with the Republican party. His religious faith took him into association with the Universalists of Nottingham, while his wife was in communion with the Baptist church of the same town. He departed this life October 3, 1884; and his wife, October 11, 1883.

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Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 53

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