USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 54
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James H. Kelsey obtained his education in the public schools of his native town. At the termination of his schooling he learned in Lebanon, N. H., the tailor's trade, which he
followed for three years. Returning then to the old homestead at Nottingham, he has been since engaged in general farming. The estate contains one hundred and twenty-five acres, eighty of which he keeps under state of culti- vation. He also has a fine apple orchard of about an acre and a half, which yields an abun- dant crop of Baldwins. He is associated with the Patrons of Husbandry in the Nottingham Grange. His opinions concerning the general national affairs bring him into relationship with the Republican party. In religious faith he is a Universalist, and is a member of the Nottingham society of that denomination.
ILLARD E. PAUL, who is engaged in the sale of kitchen furnishings and heating apparatus in Ports- mouth, although one of the youngest, is one of the most successful business men of this city. He was born in Kittery, York County, Me., in the month of April, 1863, and is a son of Warrenton and Sarah A. E. (Fernald) Paul.
His grandfather, Ira Paul, who was a native of Eliot, York County, Me., spent many years of his life in Portsmouth, where he followed the trade of a ship carpenter. He lived to be about eighty years old. He was the father of seven children, six sons and a daughter, of whom Warrenton was the eldest. Warrenton Paul was born in Eliot, Me. He received a common-school education, and learned the trade of a ship carpenter, being employed at the navy yard in this city for a number of years. He died here at the age of seventy- four. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Samuel Fernald, of Kittery. Twelve children, six sons and six daughters, were born to them, of whom Willard E. was the eighth in the order of birth.
Willard E. Paul acquired his education in the common schools of Portsmouth, the Kit- tery High School, Smith Academy of Ports- mouth, and at the Commercial College in this city. He then secured a position as clerk with the Barstow Stove Company of Boston, Mass., with whom he remained between nine and ten years. When he had been with them six months, he was made assistant book-keeper, and at the end of a year became travelling
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salesman, and spent eight years on the road. On December 3, 1890, he resigned his posi- tion, and, coming to Portsmouth, bought out the Taylor Kitchen Furniture Company. A year later he added steam-heating, and the business is now about three times its magni- tude at the time of his purchase. He occu- pies the five floors of his building, carries a large line of kitchen furniture and heating apparatus, and employs on an average forty- eight men. On June 20, 1887, Mr. Paul was united in marriage with Miss Anna L. Holmes, a daughter of Joseph R. Holmes, of Portsmouth. They have one child.
Mr. Paul is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M. ; also of Osgood Lodge, No. 48, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
LIPHALET COBURN, a well-to-do 9P farmer and dealer in real estate at North Salem, was born at Milford, N. H., November 20, 1818, son of Job and Abiah (Corliss) Coburn. His father was a native of Dracut, Mass., and his mother of Salem, N. H. Job Coburn came to Salem with his family in 1823. For a few years he resided in the southern part of the town, but canie eventually to North Salem, where he died. Ilis wife bore him three sons, named respectively Albertus, Rawson, and Eliphalet, all of whom grew up to be honored and re- spected citizens, Eliphalet being now the only survivor. Rawson was at one time Postmaster of Salem, and both he and Albertus served on the Board of Selectmen.
Eliphalet Coburn's opportunities for ob- taining an education were very limited; but, being of an ambitious nature, he made the best of them, and contrived to pick up some crumbs of knowledge. He remained on the farm with his parents until his twentieth year, and then learned shoemaking, at which trade he was employed for the next ten years. For a few years also he worked by the month as farm hand. He subsequently rented a farm, and still later purchased a place of his own, which he carried on very successfully until he retired from active labor a few years ago, having by persevering industry and economy acquired an ample competence.
Mr. Coburn has twice married. His first wife was by maiden name Miss Abiah Bailey. After her death he married Mrs. Augusta A. Edwards, widow of the late Benjamin W. Ed- wards. By her first marriage Mrs. Coburn has one daughter, Harriet C. In politics Mr. Coburn is a stanch Democrat. He is a useful and much esteemed citizen ; and his portrait, which is here presented, will interest many readers of this volume.
AMUEL STEVENS DUDLEY was born July 5, 1853, in the town of Brentwood, on the homestead where he still lives, a son of An- drew Gilman Dudley. This town was also the place of nativity of his great-grandfather, John Dudley, and of his grandfather, Samuel Dudley, he being a representative of the seventh generation of the family to reside on this homestead. Samuel Dudley died July 3, 1833. His wife, whose maiden name was Dorothy Morrell, died in 1832, leaving two children : Andrew Gilman, born May 7, 1821 ; and William, born January 11, 1828. The latter died when but twenty-six years of age.
On December 20, 1847, Andrew Gilman Dudley married Catherine Sleeper Stevens, born February 25, 1821, a daughter of Fifield and Nancy (Brown) Stevens. Her father was a native of Brentwood, and her mother of Kingston, N. H. They had three children : Ariana Sleeper, born July 10, 1850, now living in Concord, N. H. ; Samuel Stevens, born July 5, 1853; and Nancy Fifield, born April 28, 1856, died December 11, 1893, leaving a hus- band, Abbott Laurence Carlisle, and five chil- dren, namely : Clinton Dudley, born January 17, 1878; Laurence Andrew, born September 2, 1884; Katherine Stevens, born January 21, 1889; Dorothy Morrell, born December 16, 1890; and Sumner, born June 14, 1892.
Samuel Stevens Dudley was married Octo- ber 4, 1887, to Clara Ella Whidden, who was born in Stratham, N. H., June 1, 1860. Her parents were John Frederick and Mary Eleanor Whidden, the former born in Portsmouth, N. H., and the latter in Somersworth, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have one child - Frances Whidden, born August 12, 1891.
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ELIPHALET COBURN.
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AMES EWINS, the efficient Town Treasurer of Salem and a prosperous general merchant of this place, was born here, November 25, 1860, son of James and Mary (Bean) Ewins. His father was a native of Salem, and his mother of Warner, N. H. John C. Ewins, his grand- father, was a pioneer merchant of Salem, and carried on a successful business here for up- ward of half a century. He served as Select - man for a number of years, and was one of the leading citizens of the town. Born in the opening year of this century, he lived to be eighty-eight years old. John Ewins, the great-grandfather, was one of the early settlers of Londonderry, N. H., whence he came to Salem in 1802, being the first of the family to locate in this town. James Ewins, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was a merchant by occupation ; but his business career was short, as he lived to be but thirty years of age.
After acquiring a common-school education, which was supplemented by a course at a Boston business college, James Ewins took up the life of a merchant, and, with the exception of about four years, has since been engaged in this line of business. He carries a good general stock, comprising everything usually found in a first-class country store, and has a thriving trade, conducting his business in a manner calculated to increase his patronage. For his first wife Mr. Ewins married Miss Mary F. Bodwell, who bore him one daughter, Dorothy. His present wife was before mar- riage Miss Ida E. Willey, of Lawrence, Mass. Mr. Ewins has served as Town Clerk, and is now serving his third term as Treasurer. He is a Mason, being connected with the lodge in this place, and also belongs to Salem Grange. In politics he is a Republican.
ON. CHARLES P. BERRY, a prom- inent citizen of Portsmouth, N. H., and well known in the political, business, and social circles, not only of this city, but of the cities of Lynn and Boston, was born October 16, 1840, in Lynn.
His father, John W. Berry, was an esteemed resident of Lynn. He was a man of deep re-
ligious convictions, exemplifying in his daily life the teachings of the Congregational church, of which he was Deacon for many years. Deacon Berry died while yet in the prime of manhood, in 1852, leaving his widow, whose maiden name was Annie W. Gale, with six children, among them being the present John W. Berry, of Lynn, a graduate of Har- vard College, now Judge of the Municipal Court in his native city.
Charles P. Berry, the fourth child born to his parents, was but ten years old when he had the misfortune to be deprived of a father's care and guidance. As his older brother was naturally weak and delicate in health, upon him devolved the duty of helping his widowed mother support her little family. On this account he was obliged to leave the day school, where he had already made good prog- ress in his studies, and complete his educa- tional course in the evening schools. Making good use of his time in the latter, he acquired a practical knowledge of the various branches of learning there taught, and with his subse- quent course of reading has become a well- informed man, and well fitted for a business .career. When but eleven years old, this manly boy entered the shoe shop of his uncle, Charles P. Gale, and there obtained the rudi- ments of his present extensive knowledge of the shoe and leather business. Two years later he began work for S. M. Bubier, who owned one of the largest shoe factories in Lynn; and while there Mr. Berry became thoroughly conversant with the various branches of shoe manufacturing. While yet in his minority, he was offered the position of foreman of the cutting-room in the large fac- tory of Bancroft & Purinton, in the same city ; and this he filled acceptably until his promo- tion to the office of superintendent of the fac- tory.
In 1870 Mr. Berry resigned the place he had so long occupied to become Vice-Presi- dent and General Manager of the Davis Shoe Company, which he managed successfully for some fifteen years. In 1885 he became asso- ciated in business with the Hon. Frank Jones, Charles A. St. Clair, and Charles II. Men- dum, and formed what is so extensively known throughout the country as the Portsmouth
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Shoe Company, of which he is one of the prin- cipal stockholders. Under his energetic and sagacious management the affairs of this cor- poration have prospered, until now it is one of the leading industries of the city, turning out more work in women's, misses', and children's footwear than any other factory in this coun- try, and, it is thought, in the world. When running at full capacity, the factory produces ten thousand five hundred pairs of shoes per diem; and at no time is the output less than six thousand pairs. Employment is given to twelve hundred hands, who are kept busy the most of the year. Mr. Berry has the reputa- tion among business men of being more thor. oughly acquainted with the details of the dif- ferent departments of his business than any other shoe manufacturer in the country, and his phenomenal success in this line is attrib- uted solely to his natural capacity and his close attention to business.
A man of Mr. Berry's calibre, push, and progressive spirit, necessarily occupies a place of pre-eminence in any community. Being often called upon to aid in the guidance of civic affairs, he has held many offices of trust, serving with distinction in each. As one of the leading members of the Democratic party, he has been no unimportant factor in forward- ing its interests. While a resident of his na- tive city, he served as Alderman two years ; and he has occupied the same position in the mu- nicipal government of Portsmouth for two years. For two years he was Mayor of this city, and in 1890 he represented his district in the State legislature, serving with credit to himself and to the honor of his constituents in each office. Ile is also well known and influential in financial circles, being a Di- rector of one of the leading banks of Ports- mouth, of which the Hon. Frank Jones is President. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Golden Fleece Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Lynn; to Royal Arch Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Lynn; and to DeMolay Commandery, Knights Templars of Boston, Mass. He is also a member of the Bay State Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of Lynn, in which he has held all of the chairs. He likewise belongs to the Boston Board of
Trade. Religiously, he is identified by mem- bership with the Congregational . church at Lynn.
Mr. Berry has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah M. Bradley, of Lynn, now deceased. Twelve years after her death he married Miss Annie L. Church, daughter of Daniel Church, of Portsmouth. Of this happy union has been born one child, a son, Frank J.
AMES DOOLEY, an industrious farmer and highly respected citizen of Lon- donderry, who died at his home in this town, July 13, 1895, was born in Ire- land, October 11, 1831. When a boy, he came with relatives to the United States. After obtaining a common-school education, he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for several years. He came to Lon- donderry in 1848, and some years later took to farming, settling upon a farm of seventy-three acres, where the rest of his life was passed. He possessed a natural capacity for labor, and succeeded in establishing a comfortable home for his family. He took a deep interest in the welfare of the town, and lent his aid and influence to promote all measures calculated to develop its resources or otherwise benefit the community. Politically, he was a Repub- lican. Within the home circle he was a lov- ing husband and wise father, of an unselfish nature, and ready to make any personal sacri- fice to insure the happiness of his loved ones. His death leaves a vacancy which for those who knew him can never be filled.
On July 10, 1855, Mr. Dooley married Martha J. Goodwin, who was born in London- derry, N.H., a daughter of Joshua and Mary (Jones) Goodwin. Her father was a native of this town, and her mother of Wilton, N. H. The Goodwin family is among the best in this locality. Mrs. Dooley's grandfather, Joshua Goodwin, first, was a lifelong resident of
Londonderry, and a prominent citizen, active in promoting the public weal. The represen- tatives of the family in the present generation also are well and favorably known. Mrs. Dooley has been the mother of seven children, namely: Frank J., who is no longer living; Clara A., wife of Gorham Storer; Ella J., now
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Mrs. James Douglass; Ida A., wife of Charles Peters; George N .; Martha L .; and Charles J. She still resides at the homestead, which is carried on by her sons, who are energetic and progressive farmers, enjoying the esteem and good will of their neighbors.
ILLIAM SLADEN, a store-keeper of Portsmouth, was born in Stirling- shire, Scotland, May 16, 1820. At the age of twelve years he removed to York- shire, England, and subsequently travelled all through that country. He began his business career at the age of fourteen, working as a wool-sorter in Nettlebridge, England, for a number of years. Later he followed the same trade in Preston, Lancashire. Familiar with politics from his youth up, he was an ad- vanced liberal. In 1851 he enlisted in the Seventeenth Regiment of foot soldiers, going to the Crimea. At the battle of Inkerman he was wounded, receiving an injury to his arm. He was sent back to England, where after his recovery he re-enlisted, and was as- signed to garrison duty there. In 1858 he came to America, settling in Troy, N. Y., and working at his trade for a Mr. Henry Thornton. Later he removed to Cohoes, in the same State, and after a short stay there went to Philadel- phia. In 1859 he came to Portsmouth as an employee in the Rockingham woollen-mills, where he remained until the mills were de- stroyed by fire some years afterward. Mr. Sladen then started his present store at 8 Bartlett Street, where he deals in groceries, keeping a good stock, and enjoying a thriving trade. In politics he is a Republican, but has never held office. About eight years ago he was nominated for Representative, and came within seventeen votes of election. In 1895 he ran for Alderman, but lost by seven votes, his ward being Democratic. Mr. Sladen is an enthusiastic member of the Portsmouth Cricket Club, and still plays, at the age of seventy-six, being probably the oldest cricketer in New England. He is hale and hearty, and the equal in physical energy of many a younger man. Fle walks with a firm step, nses no glasses, and has remarkably good hearing, his faculties being apparently as good as ever.
LBRIDGE G. MARSTON, a farmer and a respected resident of Nottingham, was born here, April 27, 1836, son of John H. and May (Thompson) Marston. His grandfather, John Marston, a native of Hamp- ton, N. H., who was a carpenter, followed his trade for many years at Portsmouth, N. H. Grandfather Marston subsequently came to Nottingham, where he purchased a farm now occupied by Elbridge G., and thereon erected a grist-mill and saw-mill. An industrious and thrifty man, he had accumulated a consider- able property before his death. He married Miss Nancy Hill, of Stratham, N. H. The union was blessed in the birth of seven chil- dren, all of whom attained maturity, played their parts in life, and passed off the stage. John Marston participated very actively in the affairs of the town, and served his fellow-citi- zens in many of the important public offices. In national politics he followed the Whig party. He took broad and liberal views of religious questions. His death occurred in his seventy-sixth year, and that of his wife when she was fourscore.
John H. Marston, the eldest son and the second child of his parents, was born Septem- ber 3, 1801, in Nottingham, where he subse- quently spent the most of his life. At first he engaged in school-teaching, and followed this calling in his native State for nineteen terms. He then purchased a farm in Nottingham, where he carried on general husbandry throughout the remainder of his life. He also worked intermittently in his father's mills. In due time his industry and economy placed him in comfortable circumstances. He was twice married. About the year 1832 he was joined in matrimony with Miss May Thomp- son, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Job Thompson, of Lee, N. H., born in 1805. Of this union came three children, two of whom are yet living. These are: Daniel, born February 17, 1832; and Elbridge G., the subject of this sketch. Daniel wedded Miss Lizzie Blaisdell, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jere- miah Blaisdell, of Deerfield, N. H., and be- came the father of six children. Mrs. John Marston having passed away June 8, 1846, her surviving husband contracted his second mar- riage with Miss Sarah Ann McDaniel, a
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native of Barrington, N. Il. None of the chil- dren of this union are now alive. Mrs. Mar- ston resides in Nottingham. In politics her husband was a Republican. He was highly respected, and served the community in the capacities of Town Treasurer and Selectman. Ilis first wife was in fellowship with the Christian Baptist church of Nottingham. He died December 30, 1876, in his seventy-sixth year.
Elbridge G. Marston received his education in the common schools of Nottingham and Deerfield. Ile was then employed in his father's mills for several years. Subse- quently he removed to the paternal estate, on which he now resides. On February 7, 1860, he married Miss Martha A. Noble, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Noble, of Ep- ping, N. H. She was the fifth-born of her parents' six children, three of whom are now living. Her mother's maiden name was Eliza Kelsey. Both her parents are deceased. Mrs. Marston has had two children, namely : Maud, born July 20, 1876, who died August 26, 1883; and Mabel, born December 24, 1862, and who is now the wife of Merrill S. Vittum, of Haverhill, Mass., and has one child --- Joseph E., born June 30, 1880. Mr. Mar- ston, who is counted among the leading men of Nottingham, has the cordial esteen of all who know him. In national politics he follows the Republican party. In religion he is a Universalist, and his wife is in fellowship with the Congregational church of Lee, N. H.
® EV. ELIJAH H. PRESCOTT, pastor of the Free Will Baptist church of Candia Village, N.II., was born in Montville, Waldo County, Me., February 14, 1831. Ile is the son of Oren and Lucy (Bryant) Prescott, both natives of the State of Maine.
His family has been identified with the his- tory of New England since 1665, when his ancestor, James Prescott, a native of Lincoln- shire, England, came to America, settling in Hampton, N.11. This gentleman was a farmer. In 1725 he removed to Kingston, where he received a land grant of two hundred acres, the boundary line of his estate running
between Kingston and Hampton. At differ- ent times he received other grants of land, and at the time of his death he was one of the largest property holders in that section. He died November 25, 1728, at the age of eighty- five. James Prescott married in 1668 Mary Boulter, daughter of Nathaniel Boulter, of Exeter, and was the father of nine children.
Jonathan Prescott, son of James, born Au- gust 6, 1675, was a prominent citizen of Hampton, N.H. His name is on record as one of the petitioners for the town of Kensing- ton; and he was admitted to the church there March 5, 1749. He lived to be fourscore years of age, passing away January 6, 1755. Jonathan Prescott and his wife Elizabeth reared six children. Their son Jonathan, sec- ond, the great-great-grandfather of the Rev. Elijah H. Prescott, was born July 16, 1696. He was Selectman of Hampton Falls a num- ber of years, and in 1745 was Captain of a company which participated in the memo- rable expedition under Colonel William Pep- perrell, afterward Sir William, against Louis- burg, which resulted in the capture of the seemingly impregnable fortress. Captain Prescott died at Louisburg, January 19, 1746, aged about fifty years.
Micah Prescott, son of Captain Jonathan and Judith (Gove) Prescott, was one of a fam- ily of eleven children. He was born October 23, 1739. He was active in the French and Indian War, being a soldier in a regiment of seven hundred men in an expedition against Crown Point; and after the massacre at Fort William he served in a battalion which he had aided in raising for the defence of Fort Edward. After peace was declared, he worked as a blacksmith at Epping, N.H., also manag- ing a farm; and, when the Revolutionary troubles were fermenting, he was active as a patriot, signing the Association Test in 1776. He died in February, 1828, aged eighty-eight years, eight months. Micah Prescott was married, December 28, 1759, to Abigail Brown, and was the father of Stephen Pres- cott, who was born in Epping, N. Il., July 22, 1763. The life of Stephen Prescott was de- voted to the pursuit of agriculture. Remov- ing to Montville, Me., he redeemed a good farm there. He was also "a mighty hunter,"
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famed for his skill with rod and gun. Though only a boy at the time of the War for Inde- pendence, he was anxious to join the patriotic forces, but was not allowed to. After the Republic was established, he was a loyal mem- ber of the Democratic party. He attained the great age of ninety-eight years, passing away in 1862. November 3, 1784, he was married to Mary Rundlett, of Epping, by whom he had twelve children. These chil- dren were all with him when he moved to Montville, and his sons settled on farms near his and in adjoining towns. Mr. and Mrs. Prescott, while in New Hampshire, attended the Congregational church, and after their re- moval to Maine attended the Free Baptist church of South Montville.
Oren Prescott, son of Stephen and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bel- mont (then Upper Gilmanton), N.H. He was a carpenter and joiner, and worked at his trade in Montville for a number of years. The latter part of his life was spent at South St. George, Me., where he was light-house keeper for some time. His first appointment to this position was received during President Pierce's administration, and his term of ser- vice was four years. Under Buchanan he was deposed from office; and under Lincoln he was reinstated, serving eight years. In politics he was a Democrat until 1854, after that a Republican. Oren Prescott, too, was actively interested in military matters, and held the rank of Brigadier-general under the old militia law. He died in June, 1868, aged sixty- eight years. His widow, Mrs. Lucy B. Pres- cott, who is now ninety-two years of age, is living in Liberty, Me. She is the mother of eight children, four of whom are living: George W., in Liberty, Me .; the Rev. Elijah II., in Candia; Kate J., wife of the Rev. J. N. Rich, of Taunton, Mass. ; and Sarah D., wife of a Mr. David, of Kansas City.
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