USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 63
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leading man in his native town, and served in the New Hampshire legislature. He married Bathsheba Shaw, who was born November 11, 1760. Their son, Levi Berry, who was Mrs. Berry's grandfather, was born in Greenland, March 26, 1792. Levi, a farmer like his ancestors, was thrifty and enterprising, and owned a large estate, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Patience Marden, who was born February 29, 1796, and reared him four children. These were: Abigail, afterward Mrs. Rand, born September 26, 1815; Nathan, born October 23, 1818; Oliver, born April 28, 1821; and Francis A., the father of Mrs. Berry, born April 23, 1824. Francis A. Berry was educated in the district school of his native town. He was engaged in general farming from his youth, was one of Greenland's most prosperous citizens, owning a large amount of property, was an officer in the State militia, and died in 1861. He was married February 1, 1854, to Martha Brown, daughter of Simon and Polly (Seavey) Brown, of Rye, this county. Of their four children
two died in infancy. The others are Mary L. and Ahbie A. The latter is the wife of Walter Littlefield, has two sons, Frank D. and Walter B., and resides in Boston, Mass.
Mary L. Berry, the wife of Edward M. Berry, whose name appears at the head of this article, is the mother of seven children - Annie L., Frank A., Bertha H., Abbie L., Elmer A., Russell P., and John B. She is an amiable, intellectual woman, helongs to Greenland Grange, and is prominent in Green- land society. Mr. Berry is a member of the American Legion of Honor and the Mutual Relief of North Hampton. Their residence in Greenland leaves nothing to be desired as a home.
HIARLES C. BARTON, of North Hampton, N. H., a self-made man, who, beginning as a "barefoot boy," has worked his way to the position of the largest land-owner in the town, was born in Stratham, this county, January 9, 1821. His parents were William and Mary A. C. (Frost) Barton, the former a native of Epsom, N. H., the latter of Portsmouth.
William Barton did not live to be an old man. He spent most of his active life in the town of Stratham, on the farm originally owned by a well-known physician, for whom he named this son. His wife was quite young when she was called from the scenes of carth ; and the three children, Mary A. C., Charles C., and Will- iam, who mourned her loss were hardly old enough to care for themselves. Mary A. C. was twice married, a Mr. Clifford being her first husband; Daniel Eastman, of Norwich, Vt., her second; and she had two children, Daniel and Betsey A. Charles C., the subject of this sketch, is the only one of the three now living. William Barton was married, and lived for a number of years in Exeter, N. H.
Charles C. Barton was early bound out as a farmer's boy to Mr. Jacob Brown, of North Hampton, and received but a limited district school education. He had neither shoes nor hat when he came to this town, and the sight of other boys who had homes and decent clothing made his childish heart ache. With- out a mother's sustaining love, he had one comfort that never deserted him, the thought conveyed in the passage of Scripture, "Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you" ; and, follow- ing the admonition in the first part as closely as possible throughout his life, the prophecy in the second part has been fulfilled. He was with Mr. Brown two years, then for a year and a half with the widow of Oliver Dearborn, who died at the end of that time. When he was nine years old, he went to work for Joseph S. Marston, with whom he remained as a bound boy until of age. Mr. Marston then agreed to pay him five dollars per month ; and he continued to work for him for two years, saving considerable money. His wages were then raised to seven dollars a month, which seemed a large sum in comparison to what he had been getting. At this rate he worked for Mr. Marston and Mr. John Taylor, three days in cach place, and was joyfully anticipating the time when he could buy a farm of his own ; but, wearied with the exertions of the day before, he overslept one morning, and was dis- charged.
Somewhat discouraged, he sought another position, and found one that paid better,
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Nathaniel Batchelder, Esq., hiring him for nine dollars and fifty cents a month. Mr. Batchelder, who kept a store, had one other hired man, Peter Moore; but a great part of the farm work fell to young Barton, and he got in fifty tons of hay that year. He remained with Mr. Batchelder eighteen months, and then went to Lowell, Mass., where he worked some nine years, his wages averaging ninety-six cents a day. He was subsequently employed as watchman at one dollar and six cents per day, and afterward as teamster at one dollar and thirteen cents per diem. During all this time Mr. Barton was carefully husbanding his earn- ings; and he first bought a farm of twenty-five acres in North Hampton, which had belonged to Mr. Eben Wentworth. About 1850 he pur- chased his present homestead, which was then known as the John Taylor place, and has grad- ually added to his real estate, until now he is the proud possessor of five hundred acres - pasture, tillage, and valuable timber land.
Mr. Barton's persevering industry is exem- plified by what he has accomplished. His courage and endurance are illustrated by the following : He has suffered a number of acci- dents, among which may be mentioned the falling of a large bundle of hay on his head and his being run over by a heavy team, and in some one of these catastrophes he received an internal hurt, to which he paid no attention. A few years ago he was taken with sharp pains in his back, and the physician summoned gave some commonplace reason. Mr. Barton bravely returned to his work, and persevered until he had to be carried home by his son. IIe was unable to sit down, and remained standing, clinging to the bedpost until the physician arrived. The doctor ordered him to bend over a chair, and after a brief but excess- ively painful examination extracted a bone an inch and a half long in the shape of a cres- cent, with extremely sharp points. This, he said, had probably been working through his body for forty years.
Mr. Barton was married June 9, 1850, to Dorcas, daughter of James and Abigail (Good- win) Libby, of Ossipee, N. II., and by this union has three sons - Charles L., James W., and George E. Charles L. Barton married Bessie Sayball, of Canada, and has the follow .
ing children : Dorcas, Goldie Eliza, Maude, and Charles William. James W. Barton mar- ried Eliza Jenness, of Rye, a widow with one child, Frank Philbrick, and has two children - James C. and Ethel J. George E. Barton married Gertrude Sayball, his brother's wife's sister, and has one child, Charles C. James W. Barton, who is on the farm with his father, has served as Selectman of North Hampton for two years, and has been elected Road Surveyor a number of times. The angel of death has not entered Mr. Barton's home since it was established.
Mr. Barton cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and has been a stanch Democrat ever since. He served as Selectman three years, and was honored with appointment as Road Surveyor and School Committee. Mr. and Mrs. Barton are mem - bers of the Congregational church in North Hampton. While he was working for Mr. Marston there was a great revival in the town, and on the street where he was living every one was converted but himself. Shortly after he heard an eloquent sermon on the text, "One will be taken, and the other left, " which made a deep impression on him, and caused his conversion ; and twenty years ago he joined the North Hampton church.
B RADFORD S. KINGMAN, a popu- lar jeweller of New Market, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., June 17, 1845, son of Philip D. and Betsy B. (Washburn) Kingman, both natives of Middleboro, Mass. The father learned the trade of wheelwright; but, after working at it for some time, he abandoned it for the insur- ance business, which he followed for many years. He was very prominent in that part of Massachusetts, serving for thirty-seven years as Sheriff of Plymouth County. His death occurred on November 15, 1883, and that of his wife on August 1, 1884.
Bradford S. Kingman received his education in the common schools and at the Bridgewater Academy. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the jeweller's trade. After serving nearly four years to it, he went to North Bridgewater, where he worked at it for about
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a year. In October, 1869, he came to New Market, bought out the business of a jeweller here, and since conducted it himself. He now owns one of the finest business blocks in town ; while his watches, clocks, jewelry, and optical goods are second to none. In politics he is a Republican, but he does not seek political pre- ferment. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having been through the chairs, and is Past Chancellor and District Deputy Grand Master. For fifteen years he was Secretary of the local Masonic lodge, and is a member of the Grand Lodge of the State, being Junior Grand Warden, also officiating for two years each as District Lecturer and Deputy Grand Master. Mr. Kingman is likewise a Knight Templar, and a member of the New Hamp- shire Club.
In September, 1868, he was married to Helen Mitchell, who was born in Bridgewater, daughter of Edward and Margaret (Seaver) Mitchell, both natives of Massachusetts. She had one child, Bela Kingman, now in the hicycle business in New Market, and also asso- ciated with his father in the jewelry trade, Mr. Kingman, Sr., who is a fine specimen of a New Englander, and well entitled to the social consideration he receives.
IMON G. PRESCOTT is a retired business man and an extensive real estate owner at Auburn, Rocking- ham County, N. II., where he was formerly the enterprising and successful pro- prietor of a general country store. He was horn at Wilmot Flat, Merrimack County, No- vember 22, 1830, his parents heing Hazen and Clara (Greeley) Prescott.
Hazen Prescott was a native of Guilford, N. H., where he devoted a part of his mature years to the honored vocation of general agri- culture. He married Miss Clara Greeley, a native of Wilmot Flat, N. Il., and a daughter of Deacon Insley and Dolly (Brown) Greeley. She was one of a family of eight children, three of whom yet survive, namely : Simon, who still resides at Wilmot as a retired mer- chant ; Sarah, who also is an inhabitant of Wilmot, and the wife of Elder Sargent; and Betsy Cross, of Claremont, N. H. In 1845
Mr. Greeley departed this life at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife at the age of ninety-three. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hazen Prescott was blessed in the birth of four children, namely : Mary A., who passed away November 18, 1873, at the age of forty-six years; Eliza, who married John E. White, of Auburn, and became the mother of one son, Edwin H. White; Rhoda M., now Mrs. Levi Preston, also of Auburn, and mother of one son, Edgar S. Preston; and Simon G. Mr. Hazen Prescott did not participate very ac- tively in local or national politics, preferring to devote his attention to his own mercantile pursuits and to enjoy the quiet of his family circle rather than to enter into the publicity of a political career. He, however, was a sup- porter of the Republican party. In religious faith and fellowship he was a Free Will Bap- tist. He died November 26, 1850, at the age of forty-six years and six months. His es- timable wife outlived him several years, she passing away January 18, 1864, at the age of sixty-two years.
Simon G. Prescott grew to manhood on the paternal estate, obtaining his intellectual prep- aration for the duties and responsibilities of life in the common schools of his native place, Wilmot Flat. At the expiration of his period of schooling he for a number of years engaged in the shoemaker's trade, hoth making and selling the product. After the Civil War had heen more than half waged, he, in September, 1864, gave himself to his country's service, enlisting in Company K of the First New Hampshire Regiment of Heavy Artillery. His enrolment was for one year, and he was connected with the army of the Potomac in the defences of Washington. Being mustered out of service at Concord, N. H., June 15, 1865, he on the same day found himself at home. He shortly obtained employment in a country store at Wilmot Flat, where he re- mained five years. Removing then to Auburn village, he bought the business in general merchandise of Captain Pennock. lle carried on a very extensive and prosperous trade in groceries, grain, hay, coal, dry goods, hard- ware, and the like until April, 1894, when, deciding to retire from the cares of an active mercantile life, he transferred the business to
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his son, Frank II., who is still managing it under very auspicious circumstances. Mr. Prescott owns several tracts of land in Auburn, and he also has one hundred acres at Manches- ter and Hookset. In Auburn he is likewise the proprietor of three dwelling-houses, and he and his family themselves oceupy what is commonly reputed the finest residence in the town.
On April 26, 1855, Mr. Prescott was joined in matrimony with Miss Abbie F. Brown, a danghter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Brown, to whom she was born at Auburn, February 8, 1836. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah Graham. Mr. and Mrs. Prescott have had two children, namely: Willie H., who was born on August 26, 1861, and who passed away January 30, 1863, at the age of one year and six months; and Frank II. The latter, who was born June 4, 1864, received his education at the public schools of Manchester and Pen- nacook and in Bryant and Stratton's Business College in Manchester, N. H. ; and he is now the proprietor and manager .of the general country store at Auburn. On December 24, 1885, he wedded Miss Isabelle Seaton Wood, who was born on October 16, 1864, daughter of Alfred T. and Caroline P. Wood, residents of Auburn, and is the mother of one child, a daughter, Blanche" Howard by name, who was born April 7, 1887.
Mr. Prescott has served his fellow-towns- men in several prominent and responsible public capacities. For one year he officiated as Town Treasurer, and for thirteen years as Town Clerk. For five years he also acted as Assistant Postmaster at Wilmot Flat, during a part of which time he was in partnership with J. Howard Greeley, under the firm style of J. IL. Greeley & Co. ; and he was Postmaster at Auburn five years, Four years under Harri- son and one year under Cleveland. He like- wise served as a Representative in the State legislature during the terms of 1885 86 and 1886 87. He is identified with the Republi- can party, and has been chosen delegate to the Republican State Convention. In the social life of the community Mr. Prescott freely par- ticipites, as well as in the mercantile and civic affiirs. Ile is affiliated with the Patrons of Ilusbandry, being a member of Massabesic
Grange, No. 127, of Auburn. He is a regular attendent of the Methodist Episcopal church of Auburn, and liberal in its support. Mr. Pres- cott, by dint of his enterprise, industry, and progressiveness, has achieved a very large suc- eess in his mercantile career ; and he worthily bears the name of being one of the wealthiest citizens of the community.
ALTER BOYCE, who carries on
general farming at the Watts home-
stead farm in Londonderry, was born in Londonderry, August 20, 1831, son of Robert and Persis (Garvin) Boyce. Ancestors of the family were early settlers of this county ; and Mr. Boyce's grandfather, Will- iam Boyee, was a native and a lifelong resident of Londonderry.
Robert Boyce, Mr. Boyce's father, was born at the Boyee homestead in Londonderry. When a young man, he learned the carpenter's trade, which with farming he followed during the active period of his life. He was an in- dustrious man. He supported the Whig party in polities, and in his religious belief was a Baptist. He married Persis Garvin, a native of Manchester. Of her children the following survive : Nelson, a resident of Nashua; Eliza- beth J., wife of Nathan Adams, of Bedford, N. H. ; Walter, the subject of this sketch ; Adeline A., the wife of Jonathan Y. Nesmith, of Londonderry; and Esther W., the wife of Alonzo F. Clark, of East Tilton, N. H.
Walter Boyce attended district school No. 8 in Londonderry, where he completed his studies at the age of eighteen. He then learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- lowed for some years. Coming into possession of the Watts farm, consisting of ninety-five acres of well-improved land, he relinquished the pursuit of his trade, and has since devoted his energies to farming.
Mr. Boyce wedded Esther J. Watts, daugh- ter of Joshua C. Watts, late of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Boyce have long enjoyed the sincere esteem and good-will of their neighbors. Among the prosperous farming people of Londonderry, no one is better or more favor- ably known than Mr. Boyce. In politics he is a Republican. He takes a deep interest in
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all matters relative to the general welfare of the community. During his long and useful life he has witnessed many notable changes, greatly benefiting the town and increasing its attractiveness.
HOMAS W. RAND, one of the fore- most business men of the town of Rye, is a practical farmer and a prosperous merchant. He was born January 7, 1833, at Ryc, which is the birthplace of his father, Jedediah, and, presumably, of his grandfather, Thomas Rand. Thomas Rand was one of a large family of children. Four of his brothers were engaged in the hotel business in this locality. Their sons are now similarly en- gaged, some being proprietors of hotels in Massachusetts, and some in the State of New York. He was himself a farmer; and in his younger years, like his neighbors, was lucra- tively occupied in fishing. He married Mary Tuck, who bore him, among other children, Jedediah.
Jedediah Rand acquired his education in the common schools of Rye. He learned the trades of tanner and shoemaker, which, to- gether with farming, became his chief occupa- tions for a time. In the latter he was espe- cially successful, earning a reputation as the most skilful farmer of the community. After- ward, taking a store owned by a brother, and which has been over eighty years in the pos- session of the Rands, he engaged in the sale of general merchandise. This venture proving successful, he continued in it for forty years, showing himself to be a very capable business man. The Rands have for many years been identified with the highest interests of Rye, and are among its most loyal and public- spirited residents. The eldest of Jedediah's brothers served in the War of 1812. Jedediah died in 1892, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. He married Miss Eliza J. Yeaton, of Epsom, Merrimack County, who bore him four children; namely, Lory O., Elizabeth J., Thomas W., and Augustus Y. Lory O. mar- ried Miss Emma Shaw, of Brockton, Mass. ; and they have one child, Lizzie. Augustus, who lives in Rye, married Miss Amanda Downs.
Thomas W. Rand received a common-school education. When a young man, he learned the carpenter's trade, and subsequently worked at it for twelve consecutive years. He then re- turned home, and assisted his father both on the farm and in the store. Now the owner of store and farm, he carries on general agricult- ure after the most approved methods, and has an extensive trade in general merchandise. He also deals largely in hay and cattle. Hlav- ing cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, Mr. Rand has been a loyal member of the Republican party since. He is deeply interested in educational matters, and at different times was Secretary, Trustee, and member of the School Committee. In the latter capacity he served for terms aggregating ten years. He is a meniber of the grange, or- ganized in Rye in 1895.
In 1858 he was united in matrimony with Louisa A., daughter of Alexander Hodgdon, of Greenland, N. H., by whom he has become the father of two sons - Blake H. and Jede- diah. Blake H., who is in business with his father, married Leonia, daughter of Joseph J. and Clarissa Knowles Drake, of this town. Jedediah, a mason by trade, is employed in different places, his business keeping him away from home much of the time. He mar- ried Miss Edith Foss, daughter of John O. and Amanda (Marden) Foss, of Ryc.
EPPERELL FROST, one of the old and respected residents of North Hampton, was born December 8, 1815, in Parsonsfield, York County, Me., son of William and Lydia (Johnson) Frost. The Frosts are an old Maine family. Our subject's grandfather, Simon Frost, was a farmer who spent his days in the vicinity of Kittery, Me. ; and his wife, Eunice Frost, was a native of that part of the State. They had but one child, William, who was born in Kittery, Me., and there obtained his education. William followed agriculture during his active life, and died at the advanced age of eighty- five on the homestead, which he had inherited from his father. llis first wife, who was a daughter of David Johnson, of Parsonsfield, died at the age of thirty, leaving eight chil-
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dren ; namely, David, Mary A., Lydia, Sarah, Pepperell, Anna, Jonathan, and Simon. David resides in Newburyport, Mass. ; Mary A., in Lynn, Mass. ; Jonathan in Medford, Mass. ; and Simon in Parsonsfield, Me. Mr. Frost subsequently married Maria Towns, by whom he became the father of three children Olive, Ann, and Betsey.
Pepperell Frost obtained his education in the district schools in Parsonsfield. After leaving school, he worked on the farm a year. About 1835 he went to a lumber camp, a hun- dred miles above Bangor, where he remained two seasons, felling trees in the winter and working in a saw-mill in the summer. In 1837 he returned to his home; and in 1838 he went to Waltham, Mass., where he was on a farm some five years. In 1843 he purchased his present homestead in North Hampton, a good property of sixty acres, plentifully enough supplied with growing timber.
Mr. Frost was married July 4, 1843, to Lydia, daughter of Levi and Lydia (Lovering) Brown, of North Hampton. She died, leaving four children - Thomas, George, Lydia, and Levi. Lydia Frost married William J. Breed, of Lynn, and has one child, Lydia; and George married Maria Hall, and has two chil- dren -George and Olim. Mr. Frost's second wife, whose maiden name was Hannah White, has no children. Beginning by casting his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1836, Mr. Frost has voted with the Demo- crats throughout the sixty years that have since elapsed. He is an industrious and law- abiding citizen, and has the respect of his townsmen.
OHN P. HARDY, a representative cit- izen of Derry Depot, and at present a member of the Board of Selectmen, was born in Londonderry, Rockingham County. N.H., September 13, 1855. He is a son of Aaron P. and Delia ( Brickett) Hardy, both parents being natives of New Hampshire. Aaron P. Ilardy was a man of much practical knowledge, though he had received but a com- mon-school education. He resided for a num- ber of years in Londonderry, and was exten- sively engaged in farming and lumber deal-
ing, also retailing general merchandise. In politics he was first a Whig, and subsequently a Republican, and as a public-spirited man he was always ready to aid in projects for town improvement Believing thoroughly in the elevating power of religion, the power that conserves the best interests of society, he showed its influence in his daily life, and was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church. He died in July, 1887, leaving four children - George H., a resident of London- derry; Hattie E .; John P. ; and Frank A.
John P. Hardy was reared on a farm in Lon- donderry, and acquired his education in the district schools of that town. He was asso- ciated in mercantile business for several years with his father, under the firm name of A. P. Hardy & Son, and was subsequently in the milk business in Londonderry. In 1882 he came to Derry Depot, and for a number of years was in the employ of Colburn, Fuller & Co., shoe manufacturers. In 1895 he again engaged in the milk business, which at pres- ent occupies his attention. Mr. Hardy has a wide circle of acquaintances, both in London- derry, the home of his youth, and in Derry Depot, his home for fourteen years past. He has made many friends in business and social relations, and has already established an excellent trade as a milk dealer,
He was married June 12, 1878, to Mattie E. Wiley, of Londonderry, a daughter of Ephraim A. and Nancy (Blood) Wiley, and has one daughter, Inez E. Mr. Hardy, like his father, is a Republican. He was elected to the Board of Selectmen in March, 1896, and in his performance of the duties of the office is giving general satisfaction to his fel- low-townsmen.
HOMAS ENTWISTLE, City Marshal of Portsmouth, is a native of England, born in Ilyde, Cheshire, January 12, 1840. He came to Portsmouth in his boy- hood, and obtained employment in the Kear- sarge Mills. Here he worked until the Civil War broke out, when he was among the first who offered their services in defence of the Union.
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