Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 6

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 6

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Charles.H. Day is the only surviving child of his parents. He received a good education in his early years, attending the public schools of Derry, and Atkinson and Pinkerton Acad- emies. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since boyhood, and his success as a farmer is such that he is regarded as an au- thority on matters pertaining to the cultivation of the soil and stock raising. He has been connected with Nutfield Grange, No. 37, Patrons of Husbandry, headquarters at East Derry, for nineteen years, and is now serving his second term as Master of the Grange.

November 24, 1864, Mr. Day was married to Martha Sanborn, daughter of William and Mary (Greenleaf) Sanborn. She was born in

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Hampstead, this county. Her parents were na- tives of Chichester, Hillsborough County ; and her father's father, Jeremiah Sanborn, resided in that town for a number of years. William Sanborn was a resident of Hampstead for more than half a century, and died there in 1893, over eighty years of age. His first wife, Mrs. Day's mother, died when her daughter Martha was three years old. Two of the children of his second marriage are living ; namely, James WV. and John C. Sanborn, both in Hampstead. The three children who have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Day are Lucy E. (de- ceased), Mary H., and John W. The latter is a student at Pinkerton Academy. Miss

Mary H. Day, who is a graduate of Pinkerton Academy and of the Bridgewater (Mass.) Normal School, is teaching in Quincy, Mass.

Mr. Day votes the Republican ticket. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Echo Lodge, No. 61, at Derry Depot. Mrs. Day is a member of the First Church at East Derry. Both are highly esteemed in the town where they have lived together for over thirty years, and reared their children to promising ma- turity.

EREMIAH BENFIELD, a general farmer and merchant of Fremont, has been the architect of his own fortunes, having by study, diligence, and busi- ness tact won his way from a condition of poverty to one of comparative affluence. He was born August 4, 1821, in County Oxford, England, son of Job and Mary (Berry) Ben- field. His parents had nine other children, of whom the only survivor is Maria, who lives in County Durham, England.

Jeremiah Benfield, having left his native land on March 5, 1850, arrived in Boston with scarce a penny to his name. He spent his first night on board the ship that had brought him over the ocean, and then proceeded to Dover, N. H., where he worked at anything he could find to do. He finally began peddling linen and table covers, carrying a pack for about four months. Desirous of becoming master of some trade whereby he might earn his livelihood, he then gave his time to learn shoemaking, at which he afterward worked in

Chester, N.H., for ten years. In November, 1861, he removed to his present home in Fre- mont, and here worked at shoemaking for a short time. Hle then opened a store of gen- eral merchandise, which he has since success- fully conducted. He is now doing a very profitable business. He also carries on gen- eral farming, having sixty acres of land, on which he has made many improvements. Mr. Benfield is mainly self-educated, his only schooling having been obtained at the evening schools. His religious faith is that of the Church of England.

In July, 1851, Mr. Benfield was united in matrimony with Miss Mary J. Wilcomb at Haverhill, Mass. Mrs. Benfield was born in Chester, daughter of Ebenezer Wilcomb, a cooper of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Benfield have had a family of nine children, three of whom died at an early age. The others are: Arthur E., who is a teamster for a wholesale firm, and lives in Peabody, Mass. ; Albert J., who keeps a boarding-house in Boston, Mass. ; Mary Belle, who is the wife of George Pollard, of Raymond, N.H .; Manson, who works in a paper box factory in Boston; Wilcomb Hoyt, who is a resident of Fremont township; and Amon O., who is a clerk in a store at Ports- mouth, N.H.

APTAIN WILLIAM L. DWIGHT, a retired sea captain, is one of the oldest native-born citizens now residing in Portsmouth. He is a lineal descendant of John Dwight, a native of England, who came to America in 1635, and was one of the first settlers of Dedham, Mass. He was a man of large means, and was promi- nent in public affairs. His wife Hannah and three sons came with him to this country. The line of descent from John Dwight is con- tinued, through John (second), Timothy, Na- thaniel, Nathaniel (second), and Elijah, to Dr. Jacob Dwight, who was the father of our subject.

Dr. Jacob Dwight was born in Belchertown, Mass., in 1775. He graduated from Yale in 1794, at the age of nineteen, and in 1799 re- ceived his medical diploma. He then came to Portsmouth, and was engaged in practice

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here over fifty years. He died in 1855. His wife, Susannah Thompson by maiden name, was born in Portsmouth, and was a daughter of Captain Thomas Thompson, who was a Cap- tain in the navy during the Revolutionary War. Captain Dwight now has in his posses- sion his grandfather's commission, signed by John Hancock. Mrs. Jacob Dwight died in 1843. She reared three children -- William L., Martha S., and Ann B.

William L. Dwight commenced the life of a sailor at the age of seventeen, and in 1833 became commander of a vessel. While in the merchant marine service he visited various ports in Europe, and followed the sea until 1852, in which year he retired, and has since resided in his pleasant home on Middle Street in this city.

Captain Dwight was married in 1841 to Adeline Rice, who was born in Portsmouth in 1811, daughter of Captain William and Abi- gail (Parker) Rice. She died in 1895. Cap- tain Dwight has one daughter - Susan Thomp- son, widow of Captain Arthur Yates, United States Navy; and she is the mother of two daughters - Adelle Austin and May Lansing.

OSES P. FRENCH, formerly an extensive farmer and prominent citizen of Kingston, N.H., was born in this town, November 30, 1795. He was a son of John and Nancy (Peaslee) French and great-grandson of Simon French, who came from Salisbury, Mass., to Kingston at an early epoch in the town's history, and settled upon the farm which has since remained in possession of his descend- ants. David French, son of Simon, was in carly manhood a Congregational preacher; but failing health caused him to retire from the pulpit, and the rest of his life was spent in carrying on the homestead farm in Kingston.

John French, son of the Rev. David and father of the late Moses P. French, was a na- tive and a lifelong resident of Kingston; and, succeeding to the ownership of the farm, he conducted the property with ability until his death, which took place January 31, 1843. His wife, who was before marriage Nancy Peaslec, and was a native of Newton, N. H.,

became the mother of three children, all of whom have passed away. They were as fol- lows: Moses P., the subject of this sketch; Anna, who was born in 1799, and was the wife of the late David Dudley; and Lavinia, who ' was born in 1801, married T. Sanborn, for- merly of Kingston, and later of Sutton, N. H., where he died. Mrs. Nancy P. French died April 28, 1851.

Moses P. French acquired a good education, and for a number of years he was engaged in teaching school. After his father's death he settled upon the home farm, which he con- ducted with a vigorous and progressive policy, utilizing every opportunity for advancement ; and he accumulated a good estate. Being a man whose intellectual faculties were exceed- ingly well developed, he was well informed upon all current issues of his day; and for many years he was prominently identified with local public affairs. He collected a valuable library, which was the source of much enjoy- ment to him in his leisure moments. He was, however, extremely devoted to his farm and business affairs, always superintending every detail in the management of his estate; and his close attention to business continued unabated until his death, which took place July 31, 1871.

In 1824 Mr. French wedded Mary E. Smith, who. was born in East Kingston, De- cember 29, 1798, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Currier) Smith. Mrs. French was a descendant of the famous old Duston family of Colonial times, a relic of which, in the shape of an antique silver spoon, is still in the possession of her daughters.

Mr. and Mrs. French were the parents of eight children, namely: Robert Smith, who died at the age of twenty-six; John Peaslee, who died in 1889; Hannah Maria, who was born October 25, 1829, and is now a retired public school teacher; Moses Jackson, who married Alcina Clark, and resides in Kings- ton village; Arianna E., who died in 1880; Mary A., a successful teacher, who died in 1879; Annie Lavinia, who was born February 7, 1838, and is also a retired teacher; and Ellen Josephine, who was born April 17, 1842, and resides with her sisters. Mrs. French, who was in her early womanhood a

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school teacher, and who was a lady of high intellectual attainments for her day and gener- ation, died April 4, 1876. Some of the chil- dren were graduated at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary at Tilton, N.H .; and the others were educated at the academy in Kingston. The daughters are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which their parents were united; and they take an active part in church work.

After the death of Mr. French the farm was carried on by one of his sons for a time, and then the larger part of the farm was sold to other parties.

OSEPH T. SMITH, of Brentwood, who is widely known throughout this part of New England as a successful flori- culturist and agriculturist, was born May 4, 1821, on the homestead where he now resides, son of Nathan and Sallie (Tuttle) Smith, respectively natives of Brentwood and Lee, Strafford County. Nathan Smith in his younger days taught school in every district of Raymond. N. H. He subsequently en- gaged in farming in this town, where he re- sided until his death, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife, who died when thirty-six years old, bore him two children, namely: Jo- seph T., the subject of this sketch; and Sallie, now the wife of Asa A. Wood, of Wood's Corner, this county.

Joseph T. Smith grew to manhood on the parental homestead, receiving an academical education. On the death of his father, which occurred about the time he came of age, he as- sumed the management of the farm. The estate contains one hundred acres of well-im- proved land, mostly in a high state of cultiva- tion. Besides carrying on general agriculture he raises seeds, plants, bulbs, and the other productions dealt in by the modern florist, which is at the present time his principal occupation. He has one of the largest hot- houses in Rockingham County. He has a large trade, selling his seeds and plants in all parts of New England. A specialty is made of tomato plants, of which he disposes between fifty and sixty thousand annually. In his general farming his principal crops are hay,

corn, and potatoes, with which he is quite successful. At one time he manufactured boots and shoes, and did a large business in that line.

Mr. Smith married Miss Grace H. Wood, December 20, 1842, on the old homestead, where they still live. Mrs. Smith was born October 20, 1817, in this town, a daughter of Asa and Grace (Stewart) Wood. Of the three children born of their happy union, Leroy, the first-born, died in 1874. The others are: Arthur B. and Walter S. Arthur B., who now lives in Haverhill, Mass., mar- ried Miss Ida Elliott, of Manchester, N.H .; and Walter S. married Miss Emma Marshall, and they now reside in Malden, Mass. In politics Mr. Smith is an earnest advocate of Republican principles. He takes a lively interest in local affairs, promoting on all oc- casions the welfare of the town and county. He has served satisfactorily as Selectman for a number of years; and for two terms he was Representative to the State legislature from this town.

OSEPH L. DAY, a leading member of the farming community of London- derry, N. H., was born in Melrose, Mass., January 9, 1831. His parents were Benjamin and Frances (Vinton) Day, the former a native of Gloucester, Mass., the latter of Charlestown. On both sides of the family he comes of sturdy New England stock. His grandfather Day was one of the crew of an American privateer during the War of 1812, which was captured by a British cruiser ; and as a prisoner of war he was confined for some time, being finally exchanged.

Benjamin Day, Joseph L. Day's father, was a shoemaker, and devoted much of his time to the work of his trade. He died in Wakefield, Mass. Of his children the following survive: Joseph L .; Lucy, Mrs. Taylor, a widow liv- ing in Wakefield, Mass .; Loring, in the same town; Caroline, wife of Elbridge Larra- bee, in Salem, N.H .; Gustanza, wife of George Lord, of Philadelphia, l'a. ; Martha, Mrs. Nichols, a widow residing in Wakefield, Mass. ; Benjamin, also in Wakefield; and Mary E., wife of Henry Fisher, of Boston.

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Joseph L. Day, the subject of this sketch, received a good education, attending the com- mnon schools of his native town and an acad- emy. He was reared on a farm in Melrose, Mass. This town, which is one of the pretti- est places within a radius of ten miles of Bos- ton, is now largely residential, closely built up with the homes of prosperous business men, whose offices are in Boston ; but in Mr. Day's boyhood it was a place of fertile farms, broad stretches of loamy meadow, swelling up- land pasture lands and berry fields and nutting grounds that satisfied even a boy's large de- sires. Some of the farm-houses of that era are still standing, with a little shop in the rear, where the farmer-shoemaker patiently drew his "waxed ends " in and out or industriously tapped the pegs, as he made by hand the sewed or pegged shoes. Mr. Day worked at farming till about seventeen years of age, and then for twenty years he was engaged in shoemaking. He finally left the bench altogether, and gave his whole attention to the pursuit of agricult- ure; and in 1877 he purchased the farm which he now occupies in Londonderry, a fine estate of seventy acres, which gives him gen- erous returns for his labor.

Mr. Day has been twice married. His first wife, Laura Gould, of Hampden, Me., left one son, Frank, who died June 26, 1884. The present Mrs. Day was Mrs. Susan A. Gove Angell, widow of J. Frank Angell, of Sunapee, N.H., and daughter of John and Betsey Gove, of Claremont, N.H. Her par- ents were both natives of the Granite State, the father born in Salisbury, the mother. in Charlestown. She has Revolutionary blood in her veins, her grandfather on the maternal side, Buckminster White, having been a sol- dier in the Continental army. Mrs. Day has a sister and brother living, namely: Mrs. Philip Greeley, of Boston, Mass. ; and Charles S. Gove, in Cambridge, Mass.

Mr. Day votes the Republican ticket. He is a public-spirited citizen, actively interested in all measures for the betterment of the town. An earnest believer in the benefits of religion, he is an Elder in the Presbyterian church. He has a pleasant home, which is a centre of genial hospitality, Mr. and Mrs. Day being widely known and highly esteemed.

G EORGE W. BASSETT, a skilful farmer of Fremont, who has met with a fair share of success in his inde- pendent calling, is a native of this county, born February 22, 1837, in the town of Epping. His father, Samuel Bassett, who was born and reared in Vermont, in his early manhood settled in Epping, where he mar- ried Miss Hannah Peasley. Some time after he removed to Pittsfield, Merrimack County, and was there engaged in teaming and farm- ing for the remainder of his active life. He passed his last days with his son, George W., in Fremont, where his death occurred, June 19, 1872. His first wife, who bore him four children, died while in Pittsfield; and he sub- sequently married Sarah Cram, a native of Pittsfield. The children of his first union were: Joseph, who died while serving the Union in the late war; John, who is living in New York; Mary Ann, now a resident of California; and George W., the subject of this sketch.

George W. Bassett began the battle of life when but eight years of age. Going then to South Haven, this county, he worked on a farm until he was eighteen years of age. He was afterward engaged in different places as a farm laborer, and for some time sold char- coal, when he acquired the sobriquet of "Charcoal Bassett. " At length by good management he had saved enough money to warrant him in buying his present farm. The property contains one hundred and fifty acres. Since entering into possession he has made most of the improvements now to be seen on it, besides bringing the soil to a high state of productiveness. He carries on general agri- culture, and continues to deal in charcoal. In politics he is a loyal and faithful Republi- can, never swerving from party allegiance.

Mr. Bassett was married May 8, 1866, to Mrs. Sarah J. (Beede) Blaisdel. She was the widow of the late D. Albert Blaisdel, who died in Wilton, Me., in 1863, leaving her with one child, Albert B. Blaisdel, now in business in Haverhill, Mass. Mrs. Bassett was born in Fremont, October 18, 1840, daughter of Horatio and Hannah Beede, neither of whom is now living. Her father, a well- known farmer of this locality, was likewise a

Benjamin et dans

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lumber dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett have two children - Joseph and George S. Jo- seph, who married Miss Eva M. Kimball, of Danville, has one child, George Albert; and he and his family live on the home farm, as- sisting Mr. and Mrs. Bassett in its care and management. George S. is in business in Haverhill, Mass.

B ENJAMIN ADAMS, one of Derry's most practical and energetic business men and farmers, was born in Salem, N. H., July 10, 1824, son of Edmund and Elizabeth (Karr) Adams. The ancestors of the family were residents of Massachusetts. Benjamin Adams's uncle, Mr. Jacob Adams, who died in 1823, gave eight hundred dollars to the parish for the purchase of a bell, and left a fund for the establishment in Derry, N. H., of the Adams Female Academy, which was the first incorporated academy for young ladies in the State. It was first under the charge of Miss Z. P. Grant and afterward the distinguished Mary Lyon, and for many years enjoyed a prosperous and useful existence ; but it was discontinued some time since.

Edmund Adams, Mr. Adams's father, was born in Massachusetts, and during the War of 1812 was among those who constituted the garrison at Portsmouth. He resided in Salem, N. H., until 1830, when he removed with his family to Derry, where he bought the farm which is now the property of his son Benjamin ; and here he devoted the rest of his active life to tilling the soil. He also engaged in the manufacture of lumber, owning a saw-mill in the neighborhood of his residence; and he was one of the well-known stirring business men of his day. He supported the Democratic party, being a prominent figure in political affairs, in which he exercised a marked influ- ence for many years; and he died at the home- stead in 1856. His wife, Elizabeth Karr before marriage, who was a native of Derry, surviving him but a short interval, died in the same year. Of their children the only sur- vivor is Benjamin, the subject of this sketch.

Benjamin Adams was educated in the dis- trict school of his neighborhood and at Pinker- ton Academy in Derry, of which Abel F. IFil-

dreth, A. M., was principal from 1819 to 1846. He was brought up on the farm in Derry, and at an early age began to make himself useful in his father's lumber-mill. When his father died, he and his brother, Edmund, Jr., took charge of the business, under the firm name of Adams Brothers; and the enterprise was car- ried on very successfully by them until the death of Edmund Adams, Jr., which occurred July 1, 1892. Benjamin Adams has resided upon the farm he now owns since his early boyhood, and the land under his able manage- ment has been made to yield abundant crops and has also increased in value.

On December 15, 1884, Mr. Adams married Catherine Foster, of Cheshire County, daughter of Ilenry P. Foster, a native of the same county, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Adams's maternal grandfather, Daniel Marsh, was in the Continental service during the Revolutionary struggle. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have one son - Benjamin Foster, who was born September 9, 1888.

Although favoring Democratic principles, Mr. Adams is accustomed to vote indepen- dently, supporting the candidates whom he considers the most worthy of holding public office ; and he has never allowed himself to be tied to any political party. He is in favor of all measures calculated to develop the indus- trial resources of the town, and may be de- pended upon for his aid and influence in for- warding any movement relative to the accom- plishment of that end. He has always devoted his time and energies to the farm and business enterprises therewith connected, in which he has labored industriously, and as a result is now enjoying the fruits of long-continued, well-directed activities. His brother, the late Edmund Adams, Jr., who was for so many years associated with him in business, was a man of well-known ability in public affairs. He was for several years a member of the Board of Selectmen of Derry, and was elected a Representative to the legislature by the Democratic party, which he always supported with vigor.

On the opposite page is presented an cx- cellent portrait of the subject of the foregoing sketch, who worthily bears a name that has long stood in New England for sterling qual-

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ities of manhood gracing both public and pri- vate life.

ILLIAM I. RHODES, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Brentwood township, is also a native of the town, born February 2, 1857, son of William and Mary E. (Rowell) Rhodes. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of the Green Mountain State. William Rhodes, who was born March 27, 1829, in Tunbridge, Vt., remained with his parents until twenty years of age. He then went to Haverhill, Mass., where he worked at shoemaking four years. After this he spent a year in Brentford, and then resided in Exeter, this county, for more than twenty years, working at farming and shoemaking. At the end of that time he re- turned to this township, and bought the farm he now occupies. In 1891 he had a severe attack of "la grippe," which was then epi- demic in the country, and has since been an invalid, living retired from the active pursuits of life. He married Mary E. Rowell, who was born in Brentwood, March 8, 1835, and became the father of three children. These were: Nellie, now the wife of Alva S. San- down, of Sandown township, Rockingham County ; William I., the special subject of this biography; and Mary E., the wife of Howard L. Prescott, of Plaistow, N. H. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Exeter.

William I. Rhodes, who was bred and edu- cated in this county, has now the entire charge of the homestead farm. The estate contains about one hundred acres of arable land. The more important improvements have been made by his father and himself. He carries on mixed husbandry, raising the principal crops of this section of New England, and keeps a small dairy, from which he supplies butter for the market. He is also interested to some extent in stock raising, in which he has had good success. The place, which was formerly known as the Robinson farm, is well adapted for general agriculture, is pleasantly located, and much of the land is in a good state of cul- tivation.

Mr. Rhodes and Mary C. Fuller, a native of

Fremont, in this county, were married August 1, 1886; and they are the parents of two chil- dren - Nellie May and Lillian .Alva. The latter was born April 11, 1896. Politically, Mr. Rhodes is an uncompromising Democrat, having been reared in the principles of that party. Neither he nor his wife is connected by membership with any religious organization. He has been an indefatigable worker, and has met with a corresponding degree of success ; while his sterling traits as a man have won the good will of the entire community.

ANIEL CHASE BEAN, a prosper- ous farmer and dairyman of Kings- ton, was born in Raymond, this county, November 15, 1824. He is the son of Benjamin and Naomi (Page) Bean, both natives of Raymond and lifelong residents of that town. Benjamin Bean, who was an in- dustrious man, followed the callings of cooper and farmer. He was the father of twelve chil- dren, namely : Hannah, who died in infancy ; Hannah (second), Thomas, John, Gilman, Sophia, and Betsey, all of whom have passed away; Abigail; Benjamin, who died recently ; Daniel Chase, the subject of this sketch; and Moses and Frank, who died some years ago.

Daniel Chase Bean attended school until he was fourteen years of age, when he hired out as a farm hand in Raymond. He worked for wages until 1850, and then established a home of his own, purchasing the farm on which he is now living. After residing here five years, he moved to another farm in the same town- ship, where he lived some five years more. Being appointed Overseer of the Poor, he moved to the town farm, which was under his wise and efficient management for twelve years. At the end of that period he took up his residence in Haverhill, Mass., and tried keeping boarders for a while. He found that a boarding-house keeper had more trials than he cared to contend with, and he returned at the end of three years to his first farm. Here he has an estate of forty-five acres, on which he has made many improvements. He is extensively engaged in general farming, hiring men to do the heavy work. He keeps at an average ten milch cows, and

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Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Part 6

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